HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2017-01-26 MinutesCity of Miami
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
Meeting Minutes
January 26, 2017
9:00 AM
Planning and Zoning
City Hall
City Commission
Keon Hardemon, Chair
Ken Russell, Vice Chair
Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner, District One
Frank Carollo, Commissioner, District Three
Francis Suarez, Commissioner, District Four
Tomas Regalado, Mayor
Daniel J. Alfonso, City Manager
Victoria Mendez, City Attorney
Todd B. Hannon, City Clerk
City Commission
Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
9:00 AM INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Present: Chair Hardemon, Vice Chair Russell, Commissioner Gort, Commissioner
Carollo and Commissioner Suarez
On the 26th day of January, 2017, 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 regular session. The Commission Meeting was called to order by Chair
Hardemon at 9:15 a.m., recessed at 12:01 p.m., reconvened at 2:09 p.m., and
adjourned at 5:41 p.m.
ALSO PRESENT:
Daniel J. Alfonso, City Manager
Victoria Mendez, City Attorney
Todd B. Hannon, City Clerk
Chair Hardemon: Welcome to the January 26, 2017 meeting of the City of Miami City
Commission in these historic chambers. The members of the City Commission are
Wifredo Gort, Frank Carollo, Francis Suarez; Ken Russell, the Vice Chairman; and me,
Keon Hardemon, the Chairman. Also on the dais are Daniel J. Alfonso, our City
Manager; Victoria Mendez, the City Attorney; and Mr. Todd Hannon, our City Clerk.
The meeting will be opened with a prayer by Commissioner Gort; and the pledge of
allegiance, led by our Vice Chairman. All rise, please.
Invocation and pledge of allegiance delivered.
PR - PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
PR.1 PROTOCOL ITEM
1680 Honoree Presenter Protocol Item
3 Service Milestone Awards Mayor & City of Miami
Manager Pins
Overtown Optimist Club Mayor & Salute
Comm Suarez
Murray Greenberg Mayor & Proclamation
Comm Suarez
Miami Parks & Recreation Mayor & Proclamation
Entire Commission
Judge Alberto Milian Mayor Regalado Proclamation
59 Toy Donors Mayor Regalado Certificates of
Appreciation
Stacey Sharrow Simpson Mayor Regalado & Proclamation
City of Miami
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Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
RESULT: PRESENTED
Comm Russell
1) Mayor Regalado presented a Proclamation to Judge Alberto Milian, who has had a
distinguished career in law, has served the public interest devotedly and
competently, and is a veteran of two wars, Operation Just Cause (Panama) and
Operation Desert Storm (Persian Gulf War). Furthermore, commending and
honoring Judge Milian for his notable contributions to our community and his
service to this country and proclaiming Thursday, January 26, 2017, as Judge
Alberto Milian Day.
2) Mayor Regalado, on behalf of the Citizens of the City of Miami, presented
Certificates of Appreciation and thanked Amigos for Kids for their altruistic support
of the City of Miami Mayor's Toy and Food Drive. Additionally, thanking them for
their generosity and dedication to the less fortunate children and families of the City
of Miami and truly appreciate their making Christmas 2016 a memorable one for
hundreds of needy citizens.
3) Mayor Regalado and the City Commission, on behalf of the Citizens of the City of
Miami, presented a Proclamation to the City of Miami Parks and Recreation
Department for the Department's recent accreditation by the Commission for
Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies; furthermore, recognizing the Parks
and Recreation Department as a credible agency that meets goals efficiently while
providing the public the assurance that it operates using the national standards of
best practice and proclaiming Thursday, January 26, 2017 as Parks and Recreation
Day in the City ofMiami,
4) Mayor Regalado and Vice Chair Russell presented a Proclamation to Stacey
Sharrow Simpson, founder and director of Gymagination, which has been providing
gymnastics and music instructions for children ages 0-12 years old in Coconut
Grove since 2012; honoring and commending Ms. Simpson for her laudable
contributions to our community and proclaiming Thursday, January 26, 2017, as
Stacey Sharrow Simpson Day in the City ofMiami.
5) Mayor Regalado and Commissioner Suarez paid tribute to the Overtown Optimist
Club for its valuable efforts and successes on behalf of the youth of Overtown;
further, pausing in deliberations of governance in order to honor and commend the
leadership and members for their laudable contributions to our community while
encouraging them to continue their noble endeavors and wishing them ongoing
success in all their activities.
6) Mayor Regalado and Commissioner Suarez presented a Proclamation to Murray
Greenberg who transitioned from this life on December 31, 2016 at the age of 73
after a distinguished 33-year career in the Miami -Dade County attorney's office;
paying tribute and celebrating his life and recognizing his notable public service,
witty sense of humor and contributions to our community; furthermore, proclaiming
Saturday, December 31, 2016 as Murray Greenberg Day in the City of Miami.
7) Mayor Regalado and City Manager Alfonso presented City of Miami Pins to various
City of Miami employees, recognizing their service milestone, commending them for
their dedication and commitment to the City of Miami and thanking them for their
hard work and dedication.
Chair Hardemon: We will now make our presentations and proclamations.
Presentations and proclamations made.
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Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
AM - APPROVING THE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETINGS:
AM.1 City Commission - Regular Meeting - Nov 17, 2016 9:00 AM
MOTION TO: Approve
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Chair Hardemon: Okay. The Chair would like to entertain a motion to accept the
AM.1, AM.2, AM.3, and AM.4 to --
Commissioner Suarez: So moved.
Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved. Is there a second?
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Chair Hardemon: Seconded by Commissioner Gort These are the regular minutes
of the -- of our meetings. Any further discussion on the item? Hearing none, all in
accordance, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: Motion passes.
AM.2 City Commission - Planning and Zoning - Nov 17, 2016 2:00 PM
MOTION TO: Approve
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item AM.2, please see Item AM.1.
AM.3 City Commission - Regular Meeting - Dec 8, 2016 9:00 AM
MOTION TO: Approve
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item AM.3, please see Item AM.1.
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AM.4 City Commission - Planning and Zoning - Dec 8, 2016 2:00 PM
MV - MAYORAL VETOES
MOTION TO: Approve
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item AM.4, please see Item AM.1.
NO MAYORAL VETOES
Chair Hardemon: Are there any mayoral vetoes?
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair, there are no mayoral vetoes.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much.
(Pursuant to Section 4(g)(5) of the Charter of Miami, Florida, Item(s) vetoed by the Mayor shall be placed
by the City Clerk as the first substantive item(s) for City Commission consideration.)
ORDER OF THE DAY
END OF MAYORAL VETOES
Chair Hardemon: We will now begin our regular meeting. Our City Attorney will state
the procedures to be followed during this meeting.
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): Any person who is a lobbyist, including all paid
persons or firms retained by a principal to advocate for a particular decision by the City
Commission 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 on
wwwmunicode.com [sic]. 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 Code section is available in the City Clerk's
Office, or online at wwwmunicode.com [sic]. 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 wwwmiamigov.com [sic]. Any person may be heard by the City Commission through
the Chair for not more than two minutes on any proposition before the City Commission,
unless modified by the Chair. If the proposition is being continued, rescheduled, the
opportunity to be heard may be at such later date before the City Commission takes
action on such proposition. The Chairman will advise the public when they will have the
opportunity to address the City Commission during the public comment period. When
addressing the City Commission, the member of the public must first state his or her
name, his or her address, and what the item they are speaking -- and what is the item that
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they are speaking about. A copy of the agenda item titles will be available at the City
Clerk's Office and at the podium for your ease of reference. 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 wwwmiamigov.com [sic_. No cell phones
or other noise -making devices are permitted in Commission chambers; please silence
those items now. No clapping, applauding, heckling, or verbal outbursts in support or
opposition to a speaker or his or her remarks shall be permitted. Any person making
offensive remarks or who becomes unruly in Commission chambers will be barred from
further attending Commission meetings, and may be subject to arrest. No signs or
placards shall be allowed in Commission chambers. Any person with a disability
requiring auxiliary assistance services for this meeting may notify the City Clerk. The
lunch recess will begin at the conclusion of the deliberation of the agenda item being
considered at noon. The meeting will end either at the conclusion of the deliberation of
the agenda item being considered at 10 p.m., or at the conclusion of the regularly
scheduled; whichever occurs first. Please note, Commissioners have generally been
briefed by City staff and the City Attorney on items on the agenda today. At this time, the
Administration will announce which items, if any, are being either withdrawn, deferred,
or substituted. Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: You're recognized, sir.
Daniel J Alfonso (City Manager): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good morning,
Commissioners. Item FR.1 is to be deferred to April 27; item RE.5 is to be deferred to
February 23; and item DI.1 will be withdrawn.
Chair Hardemon: Are there any other items from the Commissioners that you'd like to
withdraw, defer, continue? You're recognized, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Hardemon: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: Thank you. I would like to defer DI.3 to the March meeting.
Chair Hardemon: DL3?
Commissioner Carollo: Yes. I've spoken to the Auditor General and I've spoken to the
City Attorney, and due to the different conflicts in times and so forth, and we'll need an
additional time. That will be the best meeting to address this issue.
Chair Hardemon: Any other deferrals or continuances?
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Excuse me, Chair.
Chair Hardemon: Yes.
Mr. Hannon: Commissioner Carollo, would you like that deferred to either March 9 or
March 23?
Commissioner Carollo: March 9.
Mr. Hannon: Yes, sir.
Chair Hardemon: Is there a motion in accordance with the --?
Commissioner Suarez: So moved.
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Chair Hardemon: Its been properly moved --
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
Chair Hardemon: -- and seconded. Any further discussion on the motion? Hearing
none, all in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: Motion passes.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR REGULAR ITEM(S)
Chair Hardemon: This is now our public comment time for our agenda, our morning
agenda. This is the time -- if you are here to speak on any of the items that on -- that are
on the consent agenda, the public hearing agenda, first reading ordinances and
resolutions, this is your time to be heard. So when I open up the public comment section,
you're allowed to come to the lectern, and you're allowed to speak for two minutes. So
state your name, your address, and what item it is that you're here speaking about. But
first, I'd like to ask fbr our president and CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of our Jackson
Health System, Mr. Carlos Migoya --
Commissioner Gort: Yes.
Chair Hardemon: -- to come forward to the lectern and be recognized for public
comment.
Carlos Migoya: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you very much, Commissioners,
Mayor. I'm here on behalf of Jackson Health System. We have an item in front of you. I
think it's PH.3. To give you a little history, about 70 years ago, before I was born -- but I
think Commissioner Gort and Mayor Regalado may have been around -- but --
Commissioner Gort: That's why I'm sponsoring this.
Mr. Migoya: But seriously, at the time that the City deeded Jackson Health System -- or
Jackson Memorial -- to the County, and at the time, the pieces of the City -- of the streets
that were not really deeded at that point in time. We're in the process of spending
approximately a billion dollars in renovating all of Jackson Memorial, and adding new
buildings, including a new rehab hospital and an in -patient tower. And in working the
County Attorney with the City Attorney, your Building and Planning & Zoning people
with our Capital and Construction people, they found that the north -- the western
portion of 19th Street, which is really the main entrance to the Diagnostic -- it's still
deeded to the City of Miami, while everything else is part of the County at this point in
time. So what we're requesting is a unity of title. The purpose of the unity of title is to he
-- which, by the way, is compliant with Miami 21 -- is the ability for us to be able to do
all the things that are necessary. Right now, there are tunnels underneath Northwest
19th Street, and above -- overpasses over it, and we're going to be building a $500
million in -patient tower, all of which would be challenged by not having a unity of title
here. So what we're requesting is the ability to come in front of you and allow the unity
of title under the County for that piece of -- the western side of 19th Street -- so we can
continue to do all the construction.
Commissioner Suarez: Move it.
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Mr. Migoya: And, of course, you know that Jackson Memorial is out there to provide --
Our public mission is to provide healthcare to all Dade County residents; of which,
obviously, a big piece of those are City of Miami residents.
Commissioner Suarez: Move it.
Vice Chair Russell: Second.
Chair Hardemon: Well that --
Commissioner Gort: No, no, this is public hearing. Well move it later.
Chair Hardemon: -- this is -- a few things. This is public hearing. You got to give -- let
everyone speak on it.
Mr. Migoya: Okay.
Chair Hardemon: And then (UNINTELLIGIBLE) into the record.
Mr. Migoya: Sony. I got ahead of myself
Chair Hardemon: Yeah. Well get to it. Is there any other comment to the president?
Thank you very much, sir.
Mr. Migoya: Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: All right. So the floor is open for public comments. If you're here to
speak on any of the items on the agenda, please, this is your time to speak.
Horace Roberts: Good morning.
Commissioner Suarez: Morning, sir.
Mr. Roberts: Chairman, my name is Horace Roberts. Pin the CEO with the Belafonte
Tacolcy Center, 6161 Northwest 9th Avenue. I come before you in reference to PH.1,
1529, to tell you a little bit about Belafonte Tacolcy Center. As you know, we are
celebrating our 50th year this year. It was back in 1968 where the City of Miami came
into partnership with a group of young kids back during that particular time. Property
was purchased, and they rebuilt it from 69 to 71, and the park opened up as Tacolcy
Park, and that relationship has existed all that particular time. I want to thank the City
Commissioners for supporting our agency for all that time. And many of the kids have
grown up during that particular time. We're in the renovation process, and I'm asking
that you approve this resolution so we can continue receiving funding from the City of
Miami. I do thank you.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you, sir.
Joshua Jones: Good morning. Josh Jones. I'm the board chair for Belafonte Tacolcy,
and just to piggyback on that, Belafonte Tacolcy has been in existence -- this is the 50th
year. And over -- almost 50 years, we've been one of the safest places for a child to be in
the Liberty City community, so it's very essential that we remain in place, and we ask that
you continue to support us. We thank this iteration of the County -- of the City
Commission, the City Manager, and the Parks Department, for the support that we've
already received, and that we expect to receive. There's been a lot of renovations that
have been done with things that were a little dilapidated and a little outdated, and those
things have been happening under the leadership of our Commissioner, Chairman
Hardemon. And I just wanted to let everyone know that as this is the 50th year, there's
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going to be a lot of activities that are going to be taking place, and we want to have your
support with all of those endeavors.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you.
Cedrick Hooper: Good morning. I'm Cedrick Hooper, 6161 Northwest 9th Avenue,
Belafonte Tacolcy Center. I'm the athletic director at the program. I've been with
Tacolcy 17 years. This is my l5th year as the athletic director. We receive -- a majority
portion of our dollars for our sports program, it comes strictly from the City of Miami,
and we do appreciate all that the City of Miami does for us; what they do for us in
helping us with our program to continue our drive and to empowering the youth in our
community. And also, I heard Commissioner Suarez speak of Sam Johnson, who was
also a mentor of mine for a long time before he passed away. So we all share the same
vision for the community in helping keep the kids off the street, helping build them
through -- using sports as a vehicle, just to kind of help channel that energy; find them
something else to do in the community besides getting in trouble. So we do support the
City of Miami efforts. We do love what you guys do for us, and we're just asking that you
continue to fund our program, so we can continue to do what we do on the ground level.
Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: Sir, you're recognized.
Greg Bush: Good morning, gentlemen. I'm Greg Bush. I direct the Institute of Public
History at the University of Miami, and president of Nature Links for Lifelong Learning.
And I want to thank you all. I want to thank the Frost Museum, Mayor Regalado, the
City Manager -- and Kevin Kirwin, in particular -- for all the support that you've been
giving for Nature Links since we were incorporated in 2015. We address young adults
with intellectual disabilities of the mid to higher range, from 18 to 30. We think we have
really creative programs. We're collaborating with a lot of different organizations, and
we think we're making a difference and could be a model in our area. Palmetto Bay
wants to duplicate what we're up to down there; Coral Gables. We have a culinary
program, also. But our Frost Museum and our Urban Explorers Program is
particularly, I think, unique, because we involve students in travel training, in
videography. They're learning to express themselves collectively and whatnot, and I just
wanted to thank you all. Our item comes up -- I think it's PH.2 -- and your support would
be greatly appreciated. We have another person here speaking and will show you a little
video. Thanks.
Chair Hardemon: Sir, while she's setting up, you're allowed to speak.
Mr. Bush: I just also wanted to introduce my daughter, who is a Nature Link student,
sitting there and waving to you. Thank you.
Commissioner Gort: I thought she was going to speak.
Mr. Bush: Well, she's a little shy.
Commissioner Gort: Next time.
Mr. Bush: Next time.
Jenna Balfe: Thank you. Hello. My name is Jenna Balfe, and I live at 424 Zamora
Avenue, Miami, Florida 33134. I'm the director of Community Programs at Nature Links
for Lifelong Learning. I think Greg already explained what we do pretty well. And for
me, the most rewarding part of what we do is providing a place for young adults with
developmental delays to feel nourished, accepted; and from there, they can go out into
the community and be active members of the community; be part of the City of Miami.
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And that's really our goal and we're starting to get to that place, and that.s why we're
here today to ask for your support. We're playing a video. Right now, it's without
sounds. Should 1-- can 1 start it over?
Commissioner Gort: Sure, go ahead.
Ms. Balfe: Thankyou. Would you help me? Thankyou so much.
Note for the Record: A video presentation was made.
Ms. Balfe: Thank you very much.
Commissioner Gort: Thankyou.
Francisco Herretes: Hello. Good morning, Chairman Hardemon, Commissioners, City
Manager. My name is Francisco Herretes, 6334 Northeast 2nd Avenue. I'm executive
director for Downtown Little Haiti Stakeholders; property owner and business owner
association in Little Haiti along the Northeast 2nd Avenue Corridor. I'm also director of
Miami Mountains Foundation, a small local nonprofit, promoting art and community
outreach. I'm here to strongly support item CA.11 for City of Miami to accept the
conveyance from Miami -Dade County of the vacant median lot located at Northeast 2nd
Avenue and 62nd Street ibr the installation of a public art exhibit, in accordance with the
Citv's new public art initiative. Our community's proposed project jor this important, but
currently underused median is named "Haiti, Land of High Mountains," in memory of
victims of the Haiti earthquake. It is an award -winning permanent art intervention to
transform the overlooked median and bus stops into the gateway to Little Haiti, a unique
and dynamic outdoor cultural space, free and open to all audiences. Haiti improves
mobility, transportation and walkability in Miami, with urban enhancements, including a
doyen new trees for shade, comfortable benches to appreciate art and wait for buses, a
drinking fountain water refill station, and new lighting; serving almost 1,000 bus riders,
pedestrians, church and park goers per day. The median will be a memorial to over
300,000 lives lost, and millions displaced in the devastating Haiti earthquake, exactly
seven years and two weeks ago; sadly, a tragedy that directly affected family and friends
of our resilient Haitian community. Together with the City of Miami and Miami -Dade
County, we will make Haiti a permanent landmark that recognizes the influence of
Haitian culture in the U.S. (United States), and contributes directly to identify the area as
Little Haiti, which is key to building the new Arts and Culture District in Miami. I want
to thank Chairman Hardemon for sponsoring this item; and his staff at District 5, for
supporting this great project, and for always supporting our Little Haiti community.
Thank you.
Brenda Betancourt: Good morning. Brenda Betancourt, 1436 Southwest 6th Street. I'm
in favor of the DI.1 and you have in the agenda for more beds for homeless. We seen an
increasing of homeless in our neighborhood. We talking about now they are moving
from areas that was not so visible, like really visible, next to the houses, behind the alleys
in the Shenandoah, the Roads area. And sometimes, I believe Sergeant Bernat is having
a little bit trouble when they don't have enough beds, hut in the same time, I want you
guys to please think about not just having beds for the homeless, hut any other way for us
to help them trying to get a job, a part-time job, which is really impair for -- in order to
us to help them; not just giving them a bed for a night, but maybe something -- a long
term. And I want to just thank Commissioner Carollo and Commissioner Francis for the
help that they are giving us for the Shenandoah Day that we having this Saturday, and
for those -- the Mayor, the City Manager, all the parks, Kevin. It is make a difference.
The first one that we did three years ago, it was just us. And even though we have a lot of
people coming up, last year; with your help, was great. But I believe that this year; with
all the combination of everybody who's giving a hand, it was really, really helpfid. So I
really want to thank both of you for your efforts. This is really amazing what our people
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can do when they are -- get together, and the City is giving a lot of hands. So Daniel
Alfonso, even though we bothered you all the time, we going to keep to bother you,
anyways, but thank you. We really appreciate your assistance. It really makes a
different, and it make us -- that event be way, way easier. Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you. Is there any other person that'd like to speak for public
comment? Seeing none, I'm going to close the public comment section for today.
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PA - PERSONAL APPEARANCES
PA.1 PERSONAL APPEARANCE
1665
Commissioners
and Mayor
PERSONAL APPEARANCE BY DESIREE DIAZ REGARDING
RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY ADULT EDUCATION CENTER.
RESULT: PRESENTED
Chair Hardemon: We have one personal appearance item of Riverside Elementary.
And, I'm sorry, your name escaped me. I don't have it written down here. I must
admit that I thought there was going to be a older woman about Riverside Elementary
that was corning in, but you're recognized, ma'am. Can you please state your name,
your address, and you have five minutes to address this Commission.
Desiree Sardo-Diaz: Good morning. Desiree Sardo-Diaz. I'm the assistant principal
at Miami Springs Adult Education Center at Riverside Elementary School, located at
1190 Southwest 2nd Street. I just wanted to come and create some awareness about
our new program. Miami Springs Adult Education Center is a Miami -Dade County
Public School Adult Education Center. We are the largest program. We have six
campuses and many off -sites. One of our campuses is Riverside Elementary. It's a
fairly new program. At night, we do have ESOL (English for Speakers of other
Languages) classes for many people in the community who need to learn how to speak
English; immigrants that come from other countries. We also have a new program
called GED (General Education Development) in Spanish, where students learn how
to take the GED test. Adults and young students both can take the GED test in
Spanish, and that is their entryway into other opportunities, like vocational school,
Miami Dade College, and things of that sort. So we have classes Monday through
Thursday, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Most classes are $30 for three months. Many people
qualify for a program called SAVES (Skills for Academic, Vocational and English
Studies), which is a free program for students and community members that have
parole. Mostly Cubans and Haitians qualify for this program; and all others that
don't qualify for this program, the program is only $30 for three months. So I'm here
today, just creating awareness. I wanted to talk to you about the program. Any
assistance that you could provide for us getting the word out; flyers, we have, which is
in your packets. And we have banners that we could place in the parks; any
recommendations that you have for us to get the word out, we're here to help the
community, and just educate all of our community members.
Commissioner Gort: Mr. Chairman.
Ms. Sardo-Diaz: So thank you.
Chair Hardemon: You're recognized, sir.
Commissioner Gort: A suggestion is get in touch with the NET (Neighborhood
Enhancement Team) Offices, and they should be able to distribute that; at the same
time, some people can get a scholarship that live in District 1.
Ms. Sardo-Diaz: Okay.
Commissioner Gort: And do you have any other schools, outside of the one in
Riverside?
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Ms. Sardo-Diaz: Not in -- not here.
Commissioner Gort: Not within the City of Miami?
Ms. Sardo-Diaz: I have Miami Springs, Hialeah, and Cutler Bay.
Commissioner Gort: Okay. All right. Okay. So they would have to go to Riverside?
Ms. Sardo-Diaz: Yes.
Commissioner Gort: All right.
Ms. Sardo-Diaz: Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: All right.
Ms. Sardo-Diaz: Okay. Thank you for the opportunity, everyone.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you so much.
END OF PERSONAL APPEARANCES
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CA.1
1520
Department of
Police
CA.2
1531
Department of
Police
CA - CONSENT AGENDA
The following item(s) was Adopted on the Consent Agenda
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ESTABLISHING A NEW SPECIAL REVENUE
PROJECT, ENTITLED "PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE SAFETY
ENFORCEMENT CAMPAIGN 2017"; AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE
ATTACHED FORM, TO BE USED TO REIMBURSE THE CITY OF
MIAMI FOR OVERTIME EXPENSES, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO
EXCEED $60,000.00; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO DESIGNATE THE CHIEF OF POLICE TO EXECUTE
ANY OTHER NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, IN A FORM
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, IN ORDER TO
IMPLEMENT THE ACCEPTANCE OF SAID REIMBURSEMENT
FUNDS.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0037
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item CA.1, please see "End of
Consent Agenda."
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ESTABLISHING A NEW SPECIAL REVENUE
PROJECT ENTITLED "2016-2017 U.S. MARSHALS SERVICE",
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING AND OBLIGATION
DOCUMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, FOR
ACCEPTANCE OF REIMBURSEMENT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT
OF $100,000.00, FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI POLICE
DEPARTMENT'S PARTICIPATION IN THE REGIONAL FUGITIVE
TASK FORCE; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER
TO ACCEPT FUTURE FUNDING AND DESIGNATE THE CHIEF OF
POLICE TO EXECUTE ANY OTHER NECESSARY DOCUMENTS,
IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, IN ORDER
TO IMPLEMENT THE ACCEPTANCE OF SAID REIMBURSEMENT
FUNDS.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0038
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item CA.2, please see "End of
Consent Agenda."
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Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
CA.3 RESOLUTION
1500
Department of
General Services
Administration
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), PURSUANT TO SECTION 18-82(A) OF THE
CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED,
CLASSIFYING THIRTEEN (13) FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE
INTERCEPTORS, RANGING IN MODEL YEAR FROM 2007 TO
2008, AS DESCRIBED IN ATTACHMENT "A," ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED, AS CATEGORY "A" SURPLUS STOCK; AND
DONATING SAID VEHICLES TO THE CITY OF SWEETWATER,
UPON THE EXECUTION OF THE APPROPRIATE RELEASE
DOCUMENTS.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0039
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item CA.3, please see "End of
Consent Agenda."
CA.4 RESOLUTION
1490
Department of
Procurement
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
AUTHORIZING THE INCREASE IN CAPACITY BEYOND THE CITY
MANAGER'S AUTHORITY, AND RETROACTIVELY APPROVING
EXPENDITURES OVER AND ABOVE THE CURRENT AMOUNT
OF $50,000.00 FOR INVITATION FOR BID NO. 325289, RADIATOR
REPAIRING AND RECORING SERVICES, WITH A B C RADIATOR
& AIR, INC.; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE
AND EXECUTE ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING ANY
AMENDMENTS AND MODIFICATIONS TO THE CONTRACT, IN A
FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, AS MAY BE
NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM
THE VARIOUS SOURCES OF FUNDS OF THE USER
DEPARTMENTS, SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS AND
BUDGETARY APPROVAL AT THE TIME OF NEED.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0040
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item CA.4, please see "End of
Consent Agenda."
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Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
CA.5 RESOLUTION
1560
Department of
Procurement
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, PURSUANT
TO ORDINANCE NO. 13629, APPROVING THE CITY MANAGER'S
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HEARING OFFICERS, ATTACHED
AND INCORPORATED HERETO AS EXHIBIT "A", TO RESOLVE
PROTESTS FILED UNDER CHAPTER 18 OF THE CODE OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED; AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
AGREEMENT ("PSA"), IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, WITH EACH HEARING OFFICER; FURTHER
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND
EXECUTE ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS INCLUDING
AMENDMENTS AND MODIFICATIONS TO THE PSA, IN A FORM
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, AS MAY BE
NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0041
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item CA.5, please see "End of
Consent Agenda."
CA.6 RESOLUTION - Item Pulled from Consent
1517
Department of
Public Works
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING THE SECOND OPTION TO
RENEW THE CONTRACT WITH SFM SERVICES, INC. FOR A
ONE (1) YEAR PERIOD FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017-2018, IN AN
ANNUAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $318,668.00, FOR THE
PROJECT ENTITLED "DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. (MLK)
BOULEVARD AND TRAFFIC CIRCLES LANDSCAPING
CONTRACTS, M-0109"; FURTHER, ALLOCATING FUNDS FOR
SAID SECOND YEAR OPTION TO RENEW FROM ACCOUNT NO.
20-650003 (SPECIAL REVENUE).
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0052
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Suarez
NAYS: Carollo
Chair Hardemon: CA.6.
Juvenal Santana: Good morning. Juvenal Santana, director of Public Works. CA.6
is a resolution approving the second option to renew for the traffic circle and Martin
Luther King Boulevard Maintenance contract.
Chair Hardemon: Motion --
Commissioner Suarez: Move it.
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Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved and seconded by the Chair. It was --
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah.
Chair Hardemon: -- discussion?
Commissioner Carollo: I put it for discussion.
Chair Hardemon: Okay.
Commissioner Carollo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I have no
problem, whatsoever, with beautifying certain streets, especially this one. The issue
that I have is with this FMM contract, because we already have the Greater Miami
Service Corps doing the maintenance of this area. So even in our own background, it
stipulates that this is going to be redundant. And I remember from when we first gave
the contract to the Greater Miami Service Corps, we talked about how we would want
to give, you know, a contract to this type of organizations that, you know, helps out -
of -school youth between the ages of 18 and 24, and it's a cost-effective way of doing
this type of maintenance. I actually remember that you specifically mentioned that we
would want to help these type of organizations, and what we don't want is these big
corporations that have these, you know, big contracts actually getting the work. So
here we have this big corporation -- or at least a 300 and some thousand dollar
contract jOr work that's already being done by the Greater Miami Service Corps.
Chair Hardemon: Before -- you want to address it, Mr. Manager, or --? Whomever.
Daniell Alfonso (City Manager): Yeah. Commissioner --
Chair Hardemon: It's a misunderstanding.
Mr. Alfonso: -- the contract with Greater Miami Service Corps currently has expired.
We are probably going to be working to bring them back, but this company doesn't
only work in this area. So this contract is all encompassing so that we can do that
area, but they also work in other areas.
Commissioner Suarez: Mr. Chair.
Commissioner Carollo: Well --
Commissioner Suarez: Let him finish.
Chair Hardemon: Hold on.
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, because I do want to
follow up. Well, I will want to offer this type of contract to the Greater Miami Service
Corps.
Chair Hardemon: This -- go ahead.
Commissioner Carollo: Which is in line with what they do. And in all fairness --
Mr. Alfonso: As a --
Commissioner Carollo: -- why not give, you know, young youth; especially when, you
know, we're trying to give the youth an opportunity? Why not give them an
opportunity to, you know, obtain a contract like this, especially when they've done it
before?
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Chair Hardemon: So as I understood, the Greater Miami Service Corps, they are the
ones that maintain the Martin Luther King Boulevard, the Butterfly Garden and such
Mr. Santana: That's correct, Chairman.
Chair Hardemon: -- today. So the way that the contract was set up was that there
was an award that was given, but then there's a -- offers of a subcontract that goes to
Greater Miami Service Corps, because I know that on Martin Luther King -- on the
celebration of his birthday, we were there on -- with the Greater Miami Service
Corps, servicing MLK (Martin Luther King) Boulevard. And so, is that -- that's still
true that this contract would allow them to continue to service that boulevard; is that
correct?
Mr. Santana: That's correct. And if I can clam a little of the confusion. When this
contract was originally bid, it was titled "MLK Boulevard Service Contract and
Traffic Circles." Once Greater Service --
Commissioner Carollo: Still is.
Mr. Santana: We have not changed and --
Commissioner Carollo: Still is.
Mr. Santana: -- the name of the contract remains the same. When the Service Corps
can onboard, the services that were being rendered by SFM were pulled, so we don't
have a duality of services being rendered.
Commissioner Carollo: I'm just going by what your backup material says. It even
stipulates here: "Therefore, the exercising of the present option" -- which is this that
we're going to vote on -- "will serve only to provide redundancy" --
Mr. Santana: On MLK.
Commissioner Carollo: -- so --
Mr. Santana: If for any reason --
Commissioner Carollo: --1 mean, on a $300,000 contract -- 318,000, 1 mean, 1 don't
want any redundancy. I want a -- you know; and not to mention, I want to give the
opportunity -- if we want to increase it, I want to -- I want Greater Miami Service
Corps -- to give them that opportunity.
Nzeribe Ihekwaba: If I may. Zerry Ihekwaba, Assistant City Manager. Just Jro
clarification, this contract is for the maintenance of 127 traffic circles, spread
citywide, all five districts, inclusive of medians; as well as the MLK Boulevard,
Northwest 54th Street Butterfly Garden; as well as the impactments [sic] of 1-95 at
those locations. The Greater Miami Service Corps was only tasked to maintain the
MLK, which is just a subset of the contract. The redundancy that was highlighted was
simply to provide an avenue to provide services in the transition period when the
contract expired, which expired in December and the City Manager's Office is still
working on getting it back onboard again. Now, in order to avoid disruption of
services, you still need this contract to be in place for that portion of MLK If we
were to delete it, that's not a problem, but we still need to maintain all the traffic
circles citywide, which is spread all over the place.
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Commissioner Carollo: Right. But Mr. Ihekwaba, I don't see that information on
here, and it's definitely not itemized what traffic circles are what. What I do read is
the title that clearly stipulates, "For the project entitled 'Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
(MLK) Boulevard and Traffic Circles Landscaping Contract."
Mr. Ihekwaba: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: So it's actually very deceiving that this is the language when
we're doing it citywide.
Mr. Ihekwaba: Okay. Keep in mind that these contracts were not awarded at the
same time; one preceded the other. The Greater Miami Service Corps contract came
after the. fact.
Commissioner Carollo: Regardless --
Mr. Ihekwaba: But that's where the confusion is.
Commissioner Carollo: -- regardless, when we're --
Mr. Ihekwaba: So we still re -title the contract and delete "MLK "
Chair Hardemon: So what I'm -- well, I'm -- I'll call on Commissioner Suarez, but I'm
comfortable, because 1 know that GMSC (Greater Miami Service Corps) has been
servicing MLK Boulevard, and I expect that they will continue to service MLK
Boulevard with this renewal, and so, that's what I'm comfortable with. Commissioner
Suarez.
Commissioner Carollo: But this is not about Greater Miami Service Corps. This is
about SFM. And now, it troubles me that the Manager has said that the Greater
Miami Service Corps' contract is retired -- or it's not up to date or --
Mr. Alfonso: The word is "expired," sir.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay, expired.
Mr. Alfonso: Yes. We are working to renew it.
Commissioner Carollo: So not only do they not have to work; their contract has
expired. So, realistically, SFM is going to take over the work that they used to do,
and I don't think that's right.
Chair Hardemon: Is that true? Is SFM going to take over the work --
Mr. Ihekvvaba: No.
Chair Hardemon: -- that GMSC will do?
Mr. Ihekwaba: The -- if l understand correctly, the issue is, in the transition period,
with the expire [sic] of Greater Miami Service Corps contract in December, between
December and when the contract comes back again, we have this as a buffer to
provide continuous service in that area.
Commissioner Carollo: Exactly. So where -- so, Mr. Chairman --
Chair Hardemon: So when does that contract come by -- come back; Greater Miami
Service Corps?
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Mr. Ihekwaba: I need to check on that.
Commissioner Carollo: So, Mr. Chairman, yes, exactly. So, in essence, they let the
contract expire. It has not come back to this Commission. And in the meantime,
we're going to let another company go in and do the work for three hundred and some
thousand dollars. Okay. Now, there is no backup stipulating that this is citywide and
that it's all these other circles, and it is not itemized. We cannot see it -- I haven't
seen it in the backup; and not to mention that the title, then, is deceiving if that is the
fact, because it clearly says, "For the project entitled 'Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK)
Boulevard and Traffic Circles.'"
Chair Hardemon: Commissioner Suarez.
Commissioner Suarez: I think this is a citywide contract for maintenance of traffic
circles, where they included the possibility of maintaining Martin Luther King
Boulevard for a potential gap period between last contract and the future contract,
but I have to say this about this specific item: When I got here to the City
Commission, there was a private company that had been hired to maintain Coral
Way. And I think it was my first or second meeting we decided not to renew that
private company's contract, and we were told, "Don't worry about it. We'll handle it
in-house." Coral Way looks horrible. Our traffic circles looked horrible. We
brought on this company, and our traffic circles look much, much better. I mean, it's
night and day in terms of the way that our traffic circles look. And so, for me, I've
always been a big proponent of beautification, and, you know, 1 feel like oftentimes,
we just don't dedicate any resources -- or enough resources to making sure that our
City looks beautiful. When you go to your neighborhoods and my neighborhoods,
there's no different expectation. The expectation is the same. The expectation is,
"Commissioner, we want you to maintain our neighborhoods beautiful, clean, land" --
"well landscaped," et cetera. Whether that gets done in-house or out -house, to me, it
really doesn't matter. What can tell you is they told me in 2009/2010, "Listen, we're
going to do Coral Way in-house," and it -- ever since then, it's degradated to the point
where now, we're going to be bringing something to do a pilot program in a small
part of Coral Way as a total renovation of how Coral Way is going to look like. But
in the meantime, they hired a company, which I think is this company, that's been
doing the traffic circles for a while, and I can tell you that our traffic circles -- and I
won't get into the reasons why, but they were, for me, grading on a scale of 1 to 10,
like a 2; maybe 1 and a half. And now they're 7 or 8, which is a -- that huge
difference. So to me, whatever they did, whatever decision they made worked.
Chair Hardemon: Now, particularly, the reason that the MLK Boulevard was taken
away from SFM as -- and granted to the Greater Miami Service Corps -- is because
that was something that I particularly asked for, because I wanted the kids in that
community to have an opportunity to service that neighborhood, and show pride that
we have young people managing that boulevard.
Commissioner Carollo: That's why I'm standing up here.
Chair Hardemon: No, no, hear what I'm saying. And we've been working very close
with Greater Miami Service Corps in bringing those services. And 1 was just -- like 1
said, 1 was just out there for a Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration, and they were
there with me, working on the boulevard. Also, I know that currently -- because I was
driving on the boulevard -- the irrigation system that was expected for MLK
Boulevard to encourage -- so we can have better greenery, and trees, and plants there
is being currently installed, as well. And so, everything is moving the way that I
expect it to move. I believe that second Greater Miami Service Corps grant came
after this passed, and that was the way that we went about doing it. So we said in this
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Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
contract, SFM continue to service the entire of the City of Miami, except for this part.
Don't touch that. We're going to take that -- what was allocated to service that and
give it to another group, and that's what I understand we're doing. I'm very
comfortable moving forward with that. And I understand why you brought up the
concern, Commissioner Carollo, butt think that I'm comfortable move -- with the way
I am right now. Commissioner --
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Commissioner Gort: I have two questions.
Chair Hardemon: -- Gort.
Commissioner Gort: Go ahead.
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman, back in December of 2015, when we had this
discussion, you clearly stipulated that you preferred the Greater Miami Service Corps
to actually do the work, as opposed to one of these other contractors.
Chair Hardemon: Right. This -- we --
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Well, we're -- what's happening now is that Greater
Miami Service Corps' contract expired, and now, we're bringing in this other
contractor to do the work. And --
Chair Hardemon: I don't -- I don't --
Commissioner Carollo: -- that's exactly what's happening.
Chair Hardemon: No.
Commissioner Gort: Okay.
Chair Hardemon: I don't think that's what's happening. Commissioner Gort.
Commissioner Gort: I have two questions. My understanding in reading this, this is
the second one-year option; in other words, the contract, when we approved it, it had
all the information, all the service that it was going to provide. And since being the
second -year option, 1 guess you didn't put all that backup material. My second
question is: The contract expired. Why? They were not told on time? They were not
Commissioner Carollo: And why hasn't it come back to this Commission?
Mr. Ihekwaba: If I may. Zerry Ihekwaba, Assistant City Manager. This contract for
SFM is in its third year; it's been running for three years now.
Commissioner Gort: No, no.
Commissioner Suarez: He's talking about the --
Commissioner Gort: No, that's not nzy question.
Commissioner Suarez: -- Greater Miami contract.
Mr. Ihekwaba: Okay. About the Greater Miami Service Corps --
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Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
Commissioner Gort: Right.
Mr. Ihekwaba: -- this is a contract, more or less, that was sponsored by
Commissioner for District 5, the current Chair, which came in just a year ago, in the
middle of this SFM contract, and it was only for one year.
Chair Hardemon: Okay. So --
Mr. Ihekwaba: It was only for one year; it wasn't Ibr more multi -year renewals.
Chair Hardemon: -- let me ask, Mr. Manager, I know you're a friend of Greater
Miami Service Corps. Will I see this come backfor renewal?
Mr. Alfonso: Yes, Mr. Chairman. I was a member of their board, which I had to
leave the board, because I get to approve contracts with them, so we are a friend. I
got to say that from a financial standpoint, as you know, it is a little more costly -- or
significantly more costly, but we're willing to do that; so, yes, it will come back.
Chair Hardemon: Okay.
Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Chair.
Chair Hardemon: When do you expect it --?
Commissioner Gort: Make it part of your motion.
Commissioner Carollo: And by the way, I think the Greater Miami Service contract
should have come before this contract comes, because what's happening now, in
order to have continuity of service, we're giving the work to this contractor.
Commissioner Gort: Yeah.
Commissioner Carollo: And I think that is wrong. So I understand you may have
been a former board member, but you weren't looking out too much for the Greater
Miami Service contract, because it should have already been before us back in
December, when it expired.
Chair Hardemon: So the Chair -- if I could, 1 would like to entertain a motion to
accept CA. 6 --
Commissioner Gort: Move it.
Chair Hardemon: -- with directions to bring Greater Miami Service Corps --
Commissioner Suarez: It's a very good move. Second.
Chair Hardemon: -- to service the MLK Boulevard, as they had been previously
doing last year.
Mr. Alfonso: Don't worry.
Chair Hardemon: It's been moved by --
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair --
Chair Hardemon: -- Commissioner Gort.
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Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
Mr. Hannon: -- we do have a motion by Commissioner Suarez, with a second by you
at 10:30.
Commissioner Gort: Okay.
Chair Hardemon: Oh, okay. So we'll amend that motion, the first -- the mover and
the seconder will amend the motion to include a direction to the City Manager to
bring back --
Commissioner Suarez: That's fine.
Chair Hardemon: -- GM (Greater Miami) --
Commissioner Gort: Yeah, yeah.
Chair Hardemon: -- SC (Service Corps); Greater Miami Service Corps.
Mr. Hannon: Madam City Attorney', I don't believe the legislation needs to be
amended to adhere to the direction --
Chair Hardemon: No, it's just that --
Mr. Hannon: -- from the Commission, or do you want to amend the legislation?
Chair Hardemon: -- its not the legislation. It's just a -- the motion.
Commissioner Gort: It's a resolution. (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): I don't think the legislation -- I think he was just
talking about the motion.
Chair Hardemon: Yeah.
Ms. Mendez: Right?
Mr. Hannon: Understood.
Ms. Mendez: Okay.
Chair Hardemon: So no modification to the legislation. Is there any further
discussion? Seeing none, all in favor, say "aye."
Commissioner Gort: Aye.
Vice Chair Russell: Aye.
Commissioner Suarez: Aye.
Commissioner Carollo: No.
Chair Hardemon: Motion passes.
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Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
CA.7 RESOLUTION
1526
Department of
Public Works
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING A COVENANT RUNNING WITH
THE LAND ("COVENANT"), IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED
FORM, FOR NON-STANDARD IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN THE
CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY"), MIAMI-DADE COUNTY ("COUNTY") AND
STATE ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY ALONG CERTAIN PORTIONS OF
SOUTHEAST/SOUTHWEST 7TH STREET AND
SOUTHEAST/SOUTHWEST 8TH STREET AND SOUTHWEST 1ST
AVENUE, SOUTH MIAMI AVENUE AND SOUTHEAST 1ST
AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, AND FOR WHICH THE CITY WILL
ENTER INTO AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT(S) WITH THE
COUNTY AND A MAINTENANCE MEMORANDUM OF
AGREEMENT WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION; AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER
TO EXECUTE SAID COVENANT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE
ATTACHED FORM, ON BEHALF OF THE CITY WITH BRICKELL
CITY CENTRE PROJECT, LLC.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0042
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item CA.7, please see "End of
Consent Agenda."
CA.8 RESOLUTION
1525
Department of
Public Works
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE A FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE MAINTENANCE
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WITH THE FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE
ATTACHED FORM, TO FACILITATE THE INSTALLATION AND
MAINTENANCE OF NON-STANDARD IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN
STATE ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY ALONG CERTAIN PORTIONS OF
STATE ROAD ("SR") 90/SOUTHWEST 8TH STREET/US-41 FROM
SOUTHWEST 1ST AVENUE TO SOUTHEAST 1ST AVENUE AND
SR-90/SW 7TH STREET/US-41 FROM SW 1ST AVENUE TO SE
1ST AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA AND TO INCLUDE PAINTING THE
MAST ARMS POWDER COATED FLAT BLACK.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0043
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item CA.8, please see "End of
Consent Agenda."
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Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
CA.9 RESOLUTION
1527
Department of
Public Works
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE A MAINTENANCE MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, IN
SUBSTANTIALLY THE FORM ATTACHED AS EXHIBIT "A", TO
FACILITATE THE INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE OF NON-
STANDARD IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDING PATTERN PAVEMENT
CROSSWALKS, SPECIALTY SURFACES, ROADWAY LIGHTING,
LANDSCAPE AND DECORATIVE LIGHTING WITHIN THE STATE
ROAD ("S.R.") RIGHT-OF-WAY ALONG CERTAIN PORTIONS OF
S.R. 5/US-1/US-41/SOUTHEAST 2ND STREET FROM
SOUTHEAST 3RD AVENUE TO SOUTHEAST 2ND AVENUE, AND
S.R. 5/US-1/US-41/SOUTHEAST 2ND AVENUE FROM
SOUTHEAST 2ND STREET TO SOUTHEAST 3RD STREET,
MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS STATED HEREIN.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0044
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item CA.9, please see "End
Consent Agenda."
CA.10 RESOLUTION - Item Pulled from Consent
1502
Department of Real
Estate and Asset
Management
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ("MOU")
BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") AND THE UNITED
STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, NATIONAL PARK
SERVICE ("NPS"), ACTING THROUGH THE SUPERINTENDENT
OF BISCAYNE NATIONAL PARK ("PARK"), FOR THE PARK -
AUTHORIZED CONCESSIONER ("CONCESSIONER"), WHO WILL
PAY THE CITY THE APPROVED COMMERCIAL DOCKAGE RATE
AND TICKET SURCHARGE FEES TO OPERATE BOAT TOUR
SERVICES FROM DINNER KEY MARINA TO THE PARK, AS
MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A", IN
SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, AND MADE A PART
HEREOF, PURSUANT TO SECTION 29-B(C) OF THE CHARTER
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED; FURTHER
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A
REVOCABLE LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH THE
CONCESSIONER TO MEMORIALIZE THE MOU TERMS IN A
FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0053
of
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair
SECONDER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Chair Hardemon: CA.10.
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Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
Daniel Rotenberg (Director): CA.10. Good morning, Commissioners. Daniel
Rotenberg, Department of Real Estate & Asset Management. CA.10 is a resolution of
the Miami City Commission, authorizing the City Manager to execute a memorandum
of understanding between the City of Miami and the United States Department of
Interior; more specifically, the National Park Service. This is for the purpose of a
slip, which the Government and the Park Service will run an RFP (Request for
Proposals), and will have a boat doing tours over at Biscayne National Park, over in -
- and that's Stiltsville.
Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Chair.
Chair Hardemon: You're recognized, Vice Chairman.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Rotenberg, I simply pulled it because
I wanted to hear more about it, and make it public. I think it's a potentially excellent
program, and a service that can be available to our residents. So there will be a boat
slip at Dinner Key Marina, behind City Hall, where residents can take a tour of
Biscayne National Park.
Mr. Rotenberg: Correct.
Vice Chair Russell: And is the City providing any of the services or space for free, or
are they covering it in a normal boat slip lease?
Mr. Rotenberg: It's going to be at our usual rate. I believe this one's going to be at
$35 a foot, which is the normal transient rate over at the Dinner Key Marina. I have
to check to make sure it's not at a long-term rate. They will be getting a revocable
license, so they will be able to continuously provide us for as long as they want to and
we want them to. I don't know the size of the boat at this point that they're going to
use, or the winning operator's size of their boat, so I can't predict. If it was a 65-foot
vessel and we had $35 per foot, it would be about $2,275 a month; plus a surcharge,
which is roughly $2.65, which is another 172 bucks a month.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you.
Mr. Rotenberg: At the end of the year, we might make a little over $28,000.
Vice Chair Russell: And do we have space within the marina, or we -- we're not
having to displace any other vendor to put them there, or any other concessionaire?
Mr. Rotenberg: We're not displacing anybody. This will be taking a transient spot,
which is available.
Vice Chair Russell: And is there a timeline for them to come in? Have they expressed
when they're going to start?
Mr. Rotenberg: We've been working with them for the last year. They want to begin
this as soon as possible. We have to give them permission to use the slip for them to
issue the RFP. 1 don't know what their timeline is.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. I'll move it.
Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved.
Commissioner Gort: Second.
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
Commissioner Suarez: Second.
Chair Hardemon: And seconded. Is there any further discussion on CA.10? Seeing
none, all in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectiveiv): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: Motion passes.
CA.11 RESOLUTION
1521
Commissioners
and Mayor
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
ACCEPT, PURSUANT TO A MIAMI-DADE COUNTY ("COUNTY")
DEED, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, THE
CONVEYANCE FROM THE COUNTY TO THE CITY OF MIAMI
("CITY"), AT NO COST, OF CERTAIN VACANT LAND,
CONTAINING APPROXIMATELY SIX THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED
THIRTY-FOUR (6,534) SQUARE FEET, LOCATED AT THE
SOUTHEAST CORNER OF NORTHEAST 2ND AVENUE AND
NORTHEAST 62ND STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, FOR THE
ERECTION OF A PUBLIC ART EXHIBIT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE CITY'S ART IN PUBLIC PLACES INITIATIVE; FURTHER
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE
CITY ATTORNEY, IN ORDER TO EFFECTUATE SAID
CONVEYANCE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0045
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item CA.11, please see "Public
Comment Period for Regular Items" and "End of Consent Agenda."
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CA.12 RESOLUTION
1482
Office of Grants
Administration
CA.13
1532
Office of the City
Attorney
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT A
REIMBURSEMENT GRANT AWARD FROM THE SOUTH FLORIDA
WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD D/B/A CAREER SOURCE
SOUTH FLORIDA ("SFWIB") IN A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO
EXCEED $350,000.00 ("GRANT") TO CARRY OUT THE CAREER
SOURCE SOUTH FLORIDA EMPLOY MIAMI-DADE INITIATIVE
FROM NOVEMBER 1, 2016 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2017
("INITIATIVE"); ESTABLISHING A NEW SPECIAL REVENUE
PROJECT ENTITLED "CSSF EMPLOY MIAMI-DADE 2017" TO
ACCEPT AND APPROPRIATE THE GRANT IN AN AMOUNT NOT
TO EXCEED $350,000.00; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A COST
REIMBURSEMENT GRANT AGREEMENT ("AGREEMENT"), IN A
FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, AND ANY
OTHER NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, AMENDMENTS AND
MODIFICATIONS TO SAID AGREEMENT, IN A FORM
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, IN ORDER TO
IMPLEMENT THE ACCEPTANCE AND ADMINISTRATION OF
SAID GRANT.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0046
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item CA.12, please see "End of
Consent Agenda."
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
AUTHORIZING THE PAYMENT OF $175,000.00 TO PAY
JOCELYNNE ROSA, INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF OF D.E., A
MINOR, WITHOUT ADMISSION OF LIABILITY, IN FULL AND
COMPLETE SETTLEMENT OF ANY AND ALL CLAIMS AGAINST
THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") IN THE CASE OF JOCELYNNE
ROSA, INDIVIDUALLY, AND ON BEHALF OF D.E., A MINOR V.
CITY OF MIAMI, PENDING IN THE CIRCUIT COURT IN AND FOR
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, CASE NO. 10-043982 CA 01
(02), UPON THE DISMISSAL OF THE CITY WITH PREJUDICE,
ADOPTING THE PARTIES' SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT, AND
AUTHORIZING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO TAKE ANY AND ALL
ACTIONS TO PRESERVE THE CITY'S RIGHT TO INDEMNITY
AGAINST THIRD PARTIES; ALLOCATING SETTLEMENT FUNDS
FROM ACCOUNT NO. 50001.301001.545013.0000.00000.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0047
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item CA.13, please see "End of
Consent Agenda."
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CA.14 RESOLUTION - Item Pulled from Consery
1565
Commissioners
and Mayor
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
SUPPORTING THE POSSIBLE RELOCATION OF THE
CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS OF MAKE -A -WISH FOUNDATION
OF SOUTHERN FLORIDA, INC. ("MAKE -A -WISH OF SOUTHERN
FLORIDA"), A FLORIDA NOT FOR PROFIT CORPORATION, TO
CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") OWNED WATERFRONT PROPERTY
LOCATED IN THE BISCAYNE BAY AREA, SUBJECT TO ANY AND
ALL PRIOR WRITTEN APPROVALS OF THE UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ("U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE
INTERIOR"), THE STATE OF FLORIDA BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF
THE INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT FUND THROUGH THE FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ("FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION")
REGARDING THE RELATED SUBMERGED LANDS LEASE AND
SUBLEASE AT THE FACILITIES AND PROPERTIES
CONSIDERED, AND COMPLIANCE WITH CITY CHARTER AND
CODE PROVISIONS AND REFERENDUM REQUIREMENTS, AS
AMENDED, AND ANY AND ALL OTHER APPLICABLE LEGAL
REQUIREMENTS; URGING THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE
INTERIOR AND THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TO SUPPORT AND APPROVE
SAID RELOCATION; FURTHER URGING THAT MAKE -A -WISH OF
SOUTHERN FLORIDA SEEK THE COOPERATON OF SHAKE -A -
LEG MIAMI, INC., A FLORIDA NOT FOR PROFIT CORPORATION,
AND PRIME MARINA GROUP LLC, A FLORIDA LIMITED LIABILITY
COMPANY, WITH SAID RELOCATION OF ITS CORPORATE
HEADQUARTERS; AND DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO
TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE OFFICIALS
STATED HEREIN.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0054
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair
SECONDER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Chair Hardemon: CA.14.
Vice Chair Russell: I -- thank you. I simply pulled this item so that there could be
further clarification on exactly what is planned here. If Mr. Rotenberg or the Mayor
could simply introduce the item, I'll potentially offer a slight amendment.
Chair Hardemon: Mr. Mayor?
Mayor Tomas Regalado: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Mr. Vice Chair, Commissioners.
The item that you have in front of you is kind of aspirational in giving the
Administration the possibility of communicating with the State of Florida to look at
the possibility, as you see in the narrative of the item, of moving the headquarters of
Make a Wish Foundation. The history behind that is that the State Board of Make a
Wish Foundation decided that they need to move their headquarters from West Palm
to south -- more south. They were looking at something in Broward. Some of the
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board members who are residents of the City of Miami came and saw the facilities
that Shake -a -Leg had -- has had for decades, and they thought that it would be
fantastic for those two organizations to co -exist within the boundaries of this
property. As a matter of fact, in -- my understanding is that in one of the board's
meeting, the fact that Shake -a -Leg takes care of children with disability, and the fact
that Make a Wish provides the ultimate wish for children that are really, really sick,
would make a perfect match. And they have raised $18 million, is my understanding -
Unidentified Speaker: 13.
Mayor Regalado: -- I don't know if that is the exact number, but it's around that -- to
build a new facility, and they are very enthusiastic, because by bringing the Wish
House and the offices to this area, they can partner with Shake -a -Leg on the activities
that they do in the hangar and in the docks, and kind of use one organization with
another and support each other. Basically, this is the very baby step to start the
process. We just need to find out with the State of Florida. And, of course,
everything, of course, will have to come back to the City Commission, even -- and they
understand that -- a public referendum whenever that is possible. So that's, in
essence, what this and -- resolution does. And the fact is that what this resolution
serves is for the board members to see about the possibilities of having the
headquarters here in Coconut Grove. And, of course, there's going to be a lot of
conversations, a lot of public input, many, many, many meetings to come. But it's --
this just give the Administration the possibility of talking to the State of Florida.
ChairHardemon: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Chairman -- Vice Chairman.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. There's no doubt amongst anyone on this
Commission, I'm sure, as well as the community that Make a Wish Foundation is --
would be an excellent tenant, an addition to the area. The idea that they'd like to
move their corporate office, which I understand about 30 people to the area, is also a
great thing. And the fact that they've already raised $13 million of the 20 to do this is
great. As we know, however, with waterfront leases in Coconut Grove, anything can
happen. And so, we want to make sure we follow a process that we have the buy -in of
the community and of the existing lessees that are there; in particular, Shake -a -Leg. I
want to make sure that they feel very, comfortable that their home in Coconut Grove
and there at the -- at their facility is not threatened in any way. So we've held two
meetings with them. Mr. Rotenberg's been very helpfid organize and facilitate those,
and I do see a synergy between them. I do see a cooperation between them, and
Harry, from Shake -a -Leg, is very happy to be at the table and involved with this.
Also, I believe, as the Wish House that they would like to construct would most likely
go within the parking lot that is between Monty's and Shake -a -Leg, obviously MPA
(Miami Parking Authority) will be involved. We should probably also involve
discussion with the lessee at Monty's, which is, I believe, Prime Marina Group, so
that they're very aware, because they're doing a lot of investment in that parking lot
area, as well, so that there's full cooperation amongst all. I see this as working; I just
want to make sure that they're all at the table, and that the community's very aware of
what we're trying to do. I would simply offer an amendment within the first sentence,
right after it says that, "The Miami City Commission supports the possible relocation
of the corporate headquarters of Make a Wish Foundation of Southern, Florida, Inc.,
a Florida not -for -profit corporation," right there, I'd like to add: "In cooperation
with existing lessees, including Shake -a -Leg and Prime Marina Group'; other than
that, I'd be happy to move it.
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
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Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
Chair Hardemon: Properly moved and seconded. Commissioner Gort.
Commissioner Gort: I mean, Shake -a -Leg for a long time -- since I was here the first
time, and I think it provides good service, and they've always been in need of funds.
So I think this can be a -- I'm sure, they want to do the right thing. They can get
together. They can be a support and help each other, and I think it'd be good. And
like you said it before, people got to sit down, got to look at -- see where the benefit
Jroeach one.
Chair Hardemon: Any further discussion?
Commissioner Carollo: Yes, Mr. Chairman, real quick. I just want to verify with our
City Attorney that this is to explore the possibility of their relocation; anything -- any
details would have to come back to this Commission, correct?
Mayor Regalado: Clearly.
Ms. Mendez: Yes.
Mayor Regalado: Everything; anything and everything.
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. I just want to make sure that, for the record, we had it
Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Regalado: And end up in a referendum.
Vice Chair Russell: That was my other point.
Ms. Mendez: It is aspirational. This is just that the Commission -- as you've said in
the past, you want to be involved in these type of decisions, so that's why the Mayor
brought --
Commissioner Carollo: Understood. So, really, what you're doing -- what we're
doing here is just saying, "Yes, we want to explore the possibility of them relocating."
Mayor Regalado: Right, exactly.
Ms. Mendez: Exactly.
Chair Hardemon: Okay. Seeing no further discussion, all in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Mayor Regalado: Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: Motion passes.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): As amended.
END OF CONSENT AGENDA
Chair Hardemon: Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda?
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Commissioner Suarez: So moved.
Vice Chair Russell: I'd like to pull an item or two, please.
Chair Hardemon: To discuss or to move separately?
Vice Chair Russell: To discuss.
Chair Hardemon: Okay.
Vice Chair Russell: From the consent agenda.
Chair Hardemon: So the motion on the .floor right now is to approve the entire
consent agenda?
Vice Chair Russell: No, no, to amend. There'll be an amendment.
Chair Hardemon: Okay.
Commissioner Suarez: He wants to pull one. Which two you want to pull?
Vice Chair Russell: CA.10, CA.14.
Commissioner Suarez: So I move the entire consent agenda, except for CA.10 and
CA.14.
Commissioner Carollo: I want to pull CA.6.
Commissioner Suarez: And CA.6.
Chair Hardemon: Okay. Is there any other -- is there -- the Chair seconds. You said
6,10,and 14?
Vice Chair Russell: Yes, sir.
Chair Hardemon: That are not being --
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Chair Hardemon: -- heard right now. Is there a motion to approve -- I mean, I'm
sorry. We have the motion. Is there any other discussion?
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Chair Hardemon: Hearing none, all in favor; say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: Motion passes.
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PH - PUBLIC HEARINGS
PH.1 RESOLUTION
1529
Department of
Parks and
Recreation
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), BY A FOUR -FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE
VOTE, AFTER AN ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING, RATIFYING,
APPROVING AND CONFIRMING THE CITY MANAGER'S
RECOMMENDATIONS AND FINDING THAT COMPETITIVE
NEGOTIATION METHODS AND PROCEDURES ARE NOT
PRACTICABLE OR ADVANTAGEOUS PURSUANT TO SECTION
18-86(A)(3)(C) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA,
AS AMENDED; WAIVING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR SAID
PROCEDURES; APPROVING THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND
FINDING OF THE CITY OF MIAMI'S DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
AND RECREATION THAT BELAFONTE TACOLCY CENTER, INC.,
A FLORIDA NOT -FOR -PROFIT CORPORATION, IS THE MOST
QUALIFIED FIRM TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE SPORTS
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AT THE CITY'S BELAFONTE
TACOLCY PARK; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE SERVICE AUTHORIZATION LETTERS AND TO
NEGOTIATE AND TO EXECUTE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS,
AMENDMENTS, EXTENSIONS, RENEWALS, AND
MODIFICATIONS, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, TO IMPLEMENT ACCEPTANCE OF AND
COMPLIANCE WITH THE ATTACHED PROGRAMMING
PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE
ATTACHED FORM, FOR THE CONTRACT PERIOD COMMENCING
OCTOBER 1, 2016 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2021, WITH ONE
(1) OPTION TO RENEW FOR A THREE (3) YEAR PERIOD, UNDER
THE SAME TERMS AND CONDITIONS, IN AN ANNUAL AMOUNT
NOT TO EXCEED $100,675.00; ALLOCATING FUNDS IN AN
ANNUAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $100,675.00 FOR THE
PERIOD FROM 2016 TO 2021 FROM THE PARKS AND
RECREATION GENERAL FUND ACCOUNT NO.
00001.291001.882000.0000.0000 WITH FUTURE FISCAL YEARS
FUNDING SUBJECT TO BUDGETARY APPROVAL.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0048
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Chair Hardemon: One second. Okay. Before we tackle that, is there -- can we
entertain -- is there a motion to approve the public hearing section?
Commissioner Suarez: So moved.
Commissioner Gort: I'm sorry, what was that again?
Vice Chair Russell: Public hearing.
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Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
Chair Hardemon: Motion to approve the public hearing agenda.
Vice Chair Russell: Second.
Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved and seconded to approve the public
hearing.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Excuse me, Chair. Before you do the vote block on
PH1 through PH4, it's my understanding that PH.3 needs to be amended; the
exhibit.
Chair Hardemon: Is there an amendment to the exhibit in PH.3?
Barnaby Min (Deputy City Attorney): Mr. Rotenberg, I believe, is handing out --
Commissioner Suarez: PH.3, as amended.
Daniel Rotenberg (Director): The amendment on -- Daniel Rotenberg, Real Estate &
Asset Management. The amendment on the floor is a minor change to the survey.
The surveyor left off a portion that was less than a hundred square feet that we added
back on.
Chair Hardemon: So the motion has been made, seconded, with the amendment --
Commissioner Suarez: Correct.
Chair Hardemon: -- for PH.3. Any further discussion on PH.1 through PH.4?
Seeing none, all in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: Motion passes.
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PH.2 RESOLUTION
1530
Department of
Parks and
Recreation
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), BY A FOUR -FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE
VOTE, AFTER AN ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING, RATIFYING,
APPROVING AND CONFIRMING THE CITY MANAGER'S FINDING
THAT COMPETITIVE NEGOTIATION METHODS AND
PROCEDURES ARE NOT PRACTICABLE OR ADVANTAGEOUS
PURSUANT TO SECTION 18-86(A)(3)(C) OF THE CODE OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AFFILIATING AGREEMENT, IN
SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, BETWEEN THE CITY
OF MIAMI ("CITY"), THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
AND RECREATION, AND NATURE LINKS FOR LIFELONG
LEARNING ("NL"), FOR THE PURPOSE OF ESTABLISHING A
COOPERATIVE EFFORT TO PROVIDE YOUNG ADULTS WITH
DISABILITIES BETWEEN THE AGES OF EIGHTEEN (18) AND
THIRTY (30) CONTINUING VOCATIONAL EDUCATION THAT WILL
ALLOW THEM TO ACQUIRE SKILLS THAT WILL LEAD TO
EMPLOYMENT; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER
TO EXECUTE ALL OTHER NECESSARY DOCUMENTS,
AMENDMENTS, EXTENSIONS, AND MODIFICATIONS TO THE
AFFILIATING AGREEMENT, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE
CITY ATTORNEY, FOR THE PERIOD COMMENCING JANUARY 1,
2017 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2018, WITH THE OPTION TO
RENEW FOR ONE (1) ADDITIONAL YEAR UNDER THE SAME
TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0049
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PH.2, please see Item PH.1.
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PH.3 RESOLUTION
1549
Department of Real
Estate and Asset
Management
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE A QUITCLAIM DEED ("DEED"), IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE
ATTACHED FORM, CONVEYING TO MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, A
POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA
("COUNTY"), IN CARE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST OF THE
COUNTY, A CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") OWNED PROPERTY ON
NORTHWEST 19TH STREET BETWEEN NORTHWEST 10TH
AVENUE AND NORTHWEST 12TH AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA
("PROPERTY"), AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN
EXHIBIT "A" OF THE DEED PURSUANT TO SECTION 29-B(C) OF
THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED,
CONTAINING A RESERVATION OF A PERPETUAL EASEMENT
FOR THE CITY AND A REVERTER PROVISION WITH TERMS
MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN SAID DEED; FURTHER
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL
DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO CONSUMMATE THE
CONVEYANCE, WITH SUCH TERMS AS MAY BE AMENDED
FROM TIME TO TIME BY THE CITY MANAGER AS DEEMED
NECESSARY TO BEST SERVE THE INTEREST OF THE CITY.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0050
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PI1.3, please see Item PH.1.
PH.4 RESOLUTION
1611
Commissioners
and Mayor
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), BY A FOUR -FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE
VOTE, AFTER AN ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING, RATIFYING,
APPROVING, AND CONFIRMING THE CITY MANAGER'S FINDING,
ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS ATTACHMENT "A", THAT
COMPETITIVE NEGOTIATION METHODS AND PROCEDURES
ARE NOT PRACTICABLE OR ADVANTAGEOUS, PURSUANT TO
SECTION 18-85(A) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED; WAIVING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR
SAID PROCEDURES; AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF
GRANT FUNDS FROM THE DISTRICT 4 SHARE OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI'S ANTI -POVERTY INITIATIVE PROGRAM IN A TOTAL
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $10,000.00 TO PEOPLE UNITED TO
LEAD THE STRUGGLE FOR EQUALITY YOUTH LEADERSHIP
ACADEMY; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE
ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE
TRANSACTION, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0051
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Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PH.4, please see Item PH.1.
END OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
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FR - FIRST READING ORDINANCES
FR.1 ORDINANCE First Reading
1092
Commissioners
and Mayor
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING CHAPTER 62/ARTICLE
XIII/DIVISION 5 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA,
AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "PLANNING AND ZONING/PLANNING
AND ZONING APPROVAL FOR TEMPORARY USES AND
OCCUPANCIES; PERMIT REQUIRED/MURALS" BY AMENDING
THE BOUNDARIES OF THE GEOGRAPHICAL AREA IN WHICH
MURALS ARE PERMITTED AS DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A",
ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Note for the Record: Item FR.1 was deferred to the April 27, 2017 Planning and
Zoning Commission Meeting.
FR.2 ORDINANCE First Reading
1112
Department of
Planning and
Zoning
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 2/ARTICLE IV/DIVISION 2 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED
"ADMINISTRATION/DEPARTMENTS/PLANNING, BUILDING AND
ZONING DEPARTMENT" MORE PARTICULARLY BY AMENDING
SECTION 2-212, ENTITLED "NONCONFORMING USE PILOT
PROGRAM", TO REINSTATE THE PILOT PROGRAM THROUGH
AUGUST 1, 2017 FOR GOVERNMENT OWNED AND OPERATED
USES ONLY; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading
RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Chair Hardemon: FR.2. Madam City Attorney, can you read it into the record?
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Commissioner Suarez: Move it.
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Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved; seconded by the Chair. Is there any
further --?
Commissioner Gort: Discussion.
Chair Hardemon: Is there any discussion first? You're recognized, Commissioner
Gort.
Commissioner Gort: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). It's something we brought in about five
years ago. We have a lot of businesses within the area, like the Little Havana,
Allapattah and Flagami, with the -- people have had the CU (certificate of use) for a
while, and somehow, the -- during the financial crisis, a lot of the people went out of
business, and then when things came back, a -- they decided to rent buildings, and
with the change of the zoning to Miami 21, a lot of the people the CU they could use,
they were not able to apply the same use that they had before, so that's why we put
this together. Now we doing this for government, and my understanding is any
building that does not have a CU do not get inspected by the Fire Department. I have
a problem with that, because the -- a lot of individuals are running their business
without a CU. I would like to do it, not only for the public facility; but also for the
private facility, on a one-to-one case, and that's the way it worked in the past.
Somebody had a previous CU that was lost, because after one year, they didn't pull
the CU, and the person renting the building or the establishment wanted to rent it
again for the same use, and they were not able to apply the same use. So they had to
go through a procedure with -- who were allowed to do so, and then, they can also get
inspected. Now my understanding is, public facility, that they don't have the CU --
and correct me if I'm wrong; I might be wrong -- if they don't have the CU, the Fire
Department does not inspect, so.
Joseph Zahralban: Commissioner Joseph Zahralban, Deputy Fire Chief. We will, if
we're looking at life safety issues, even throughout the construction process, there will
be steps along -- steps throughout the process where we will send an inspector, in
order to evaluate them.
Commissioner Gort: No, I know. I understand, but this is existing buildings; they're
existing.
Daniel J. Alfonso (City Manager): So if an existing building is there, and the CU has
expired or whatever --
Commissioner Gort: And they don't have a CU.
Mr. Alfonso: -- they don't have a CU. Do you normally do safety checks on different
buildings or whatever?
Mr. Zahralban: We -- I believe what the Commissioner is saying is, normally, that
CU might trigger the inspection process, but if we come upon a building that we
recognize we have not inspected for any particular reason, we will not overlook that
building because it doesn't have a CU. We will inspect the building, and then report
it, accordingly.
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): Which is what's happened lately. Eloy, who's our
Fire marshal, and has the nickname, "The Hammer," he basically has found
properties that are not in compliance, and gone in to try and figure out what's going
on, whether it has a CU or not, and that's why this has come about that so many more
buildings are coming into compliance, because of his efforts.
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Commissioner Gort: Well, by having a noncompliance on government buildings, it's
a problem.
Unidentified Speaker: Yeah.
Commissioner Gort: Because, I mean --
Ms. Mendez: And many have come into compliance because of --
Commissioner Gort: Let me give you just a few examples. The courthouse.
Mr. Alfonso: That is exactly what came up, Commissioner. We were talking to the
County at one point, and realized that a building that's been in use -- continuous use
as a courthouse since the late '20s does not actually have a certificate of use. So we
became aware of that. There's a process that we are undergoing so that we get them
into compliance.
Commissioner Gort: I don't have any problem with that, but I'd like to extend it, also,
to the private sector.
Ms. Mendez: So then you'd like to reinstate the --
Commissioner Gort: I'd like to amend it to reinstate the private sector have the
ability to do so, because we have a lot of businesses in a lot of the old neighborhoods
that, during the depression that took place, people went into bankrupts, business were
closed; and now, people are coming back, and when they rent, they would like to have
the same use that it was before.
Ms. Mendez: And, Commissioner, for that, we would have to bring back -- Basically,
what you want is the old ordinance that we had that established this.
Commissioner Gort: Amend this one.
Ms. Mendez: We can't amend this one now for second reading, but we could bring
you a new one on February 9.
Commissioner Gort: Well, that's what I'd like to see.
Vice Chair Russell: This is first reading.
Chair Hardemon: This is first reading.
Commissioner Suarez: This is first reading.
Ms. Mendez: Yes, this is first reading, but we could bring a new ordinance. We can't
amend this one. We can't expand this one because this is just talking government
uses, and we can't add new private uses. That's a (UNINTELLIGIBLE) issue. So we
could bring a new ordinance.
Chair Hardemon: So we could withdraw this one? Do you withdraw this one?
Commissioner Suarez: No, no, no. We can --
Chair Hardemon: We can pass this one and bring another one. Got it.
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah, yeah, we could pass it.
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Ms. Mendez: We'll defer this one till February 9, and if anything, we'll --
Commissioner Suarez: That's fine.
Ms. Mendez: -- combine --
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Chair Hardemon: It's no need to be (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Commissioner Suarez: We'll pass it. Well past it; then they could bring another one.
Ms. Mendez: Okay.
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah.
Chair Hardemon: Right. And it'll --
Ms. Mendez: We'll pass this one, then, on first reading. 171 bring a new one on
February 9 to address Commissioner Gort's issue.
Chair Hardemon: Vice Chairman.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Do we have a list of all affected buildings for this
particular ordinance?
Ms. Mendez: You mean the government buildings that are being --? I'm sure the
Administration could come up with a --
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. I'm comfortable on first reading, but I'd like a list for
second reading. And it may be a little more unwieldy, but it is important to take a
look at what we're dealing with. For the private sector, what would that list look
like?
Mr. Alfonso: Well, for the private sector, it's a lot more extensive, so I definitely
would like our Planning & Zoning to --
Commissioner Gort: Right.
Mr. Alfonso: -- opine on that, and that's why 1 think it's best to separate these two.
For government buildings, it's a limited group of buildings. For the private sector,
it's an unknown universe, so.
Vice Chair Russell: But you can get a list for second reading on this one, right?
Commissioner Suarez: It's known universe, hut it's a big universe. It's got to he a
known universe.
Mr. Alfonso: It's a fairly sizable universe of government buildings, 1 understand.
Commissioner Suarez: Right, right.
Mr. Alfonso: But --
Commissioner Suarez: I gotcha.
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Commissioner Gort: By the way, the private sector was already -- had been
established, so they had to go through a process, a long process, before they can get
approved.
Commissioner Suarez: Could I just --? I mean, we -- I don't want to get into a long
discussion about this, but the reason why -- a nonconforming use is something that
was in a prior Code. And so, if we keep extending it, that's fine, but why don't we look
at maybe making those conforming uses; in other words, making those legal uses,
because, you know, rather than just keep extending a nonconforming use -- which I
understand why we're doing it; you know what I mean? -- because I have the same
issue in my district, like you were saying, you know, in Flagler, in Flagami, in that
area, so -- but I'm just saying, we might as well then just take a look at some of those
uses and decide whether or not we want them.
Commissioner Gort: That sounds good.
Commissioner Suarez: Right?
Commissioner Gort: But in the meantime --
Commissioner Suarez: We don't have to do it -- I mean --
Commissioner Gort: Yeah.
Commissioner Suarez: -- we could extend it, anyways.
Commissioner Gort: Yeah.
Commissioner Suarez: But I'm just saying in the future to look at it. You know what
I'm saying?
Commissioner Gort: Call the question.
Mr. Alfonso: Now -- go ahead and call the question.
Chair Hardemon: Okay. Seeing no further discussion.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Roll call on item FR.2.
A roll call was taken, the result of which is stated above.
Mr. Hannon: The ordinance passes on first reading, 5-0.
Mr. Alfonso: Mr. Chairman, ij7 may?
Chair Hardemon: Yes.
Mr. Alfonso: So to bring back another ordinance, can you give us a little more?
Because -- the next meeting -- because that agenda has to be printed like on Tuesday,
and so there's no way to --
Commissioner Gort: That's all right.
Mr. Alfonso: -- a little more time.
Commissioner Gort: Can I --
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Mr. Alfonso: We'll work with the Law Department.
Commissioner Gort: But --
Commissioner Suarez: Can I? May I? I just want like a direction to look at what are
maybe the top five nonconforming uses that are being extended, just so we have a
sense. Maybe there are things that we want to create in our Code, and then we don't
have to deal with it anymore.
Mr. Alfonso: Okay.
Commissioner Gort: And maybe in which neighborhood that this seems a lot more.
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah, absolutely.
Chair Hardemon: All right.
Mr. Alfonso: Thank you.
Direction by Commissioner Suarez to the City Manager to identify the top five (5)
non -conforming uses that are being extended.
END OF FIRST READING ORDINANCES
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RE - RESOLUTIONS
RE.1 RESOLUTION
1295
Department of Real
Estate and Asset
Management
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING THE CITY MANAGER'S
RECOMMENDATION ACCEPTING THE FINDINGS OF THE
SELECTION COMMITTEE AND THE PROPOSALS SUBMITTED
BY: (1) SIGHTSEEING TOURS MANAGEMENT, INC., D/B/A
ISLAND QUEEN CRUISES, (2) THRILLER MIAMI, LLC, (3) MIAMI
AQUA TOURS, A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN DABUN, INC. AND
CARIV INTERNATIONAL, INC., (4) OFFSHORE POWER BOAT
RIDES — MIAMI, INC., D/B/A BAYRIDE TOURS, AND (5) FIESTA
CRUISES OF MIAMI, INC. ("PROPOSERS"), FOR REQUEST FOR
PROPOSALS NO. 14-15-042 FOR THE LEASING OF BOAT SLIPS
LOCATED AT MIAMARINA FOR THE PROVISION OF TOUR BOAT
SERVICES, FOR A TOTAL TERM OF FIVE (5) YEARS, PURSUANT
TO CITY CHARTER SECTION 3(F)(III) AND ALL OTHER
APPLICABLE CITY CHARTER AND CODE PROVISIONS, AS
AMENDED; AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY
MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE A LEASE AGREEMENT, IN A FORM
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, INCLUSIVE OF THOSE
CERTAIN TERMS AND CONDITIONS MORE PARTICULARLY
DESCRIBED THEREIN.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0055
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Chair Hardemon: I'm going to move on to our RE (resolution) agenda. Is there a
motion to approve RE.1 through 4?
Commissioner Suarez: So moved.
Chair Hardemon: Is there a second?
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved and seconded to approve RE.1 through 4.
Is there any discussion on RE.1 through 4; any of the items? Seeing no discussion, all
in favor of the item, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: Motion passes.
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RE.2 RESOLUTION
1498
Department of Real
Estate and Asset
Management
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, BY A FOUR -
FIFTHS (4/5) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, RATIFYING, APPROVING,
AND CONFIRMING THE CITY MANAGER'S EMERGENCY
FINDING AND DECLARATION THAT IT IS NOT ADVANTAGEOUS
OR PRACTICABLE FOR THE CITY TO USE COMPETITIVE
BIDDING METHODS, PURSUANT TO SECTION 18-90 OF THE
CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA; RETROACTIVELY
APPROVING THE SELECTION OF SUNSHINE STATE AIR
CONDITIONING INC. FOR THE PROCUREMENT AND
INSTALLATION OF A COMPLETE EIGHTY (80) TON AIR
CONDITIONING SYSTEM WITH AIR HANDLERS, IN THE AMOUNT
OF $473,250.00, FOR THE MANUEL ARTIME THEATER.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0056
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item RE.2, please see Item RE.1.
RE.3 RESOLUTION
1006
Office of Capital
Improvements
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE A MAINTENANCE MEMORANDUM AGREEMENT, IN
SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, WITH THE FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, PROVIDING THAT THE
CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") MAINTAIN THE IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN
THE MEDIANS LOCATED AT STATE ROAD ("S.R.") 972 (CORAL
WAY/SW 22ND STREET) FROM SOUTHWEST 31ST AVENUE
EAST TO SOUTHWEST 30TH COURT, AND AT S.R. 972 (CORAL
WAY/SW 22ND STREET) JUST EAST OF SOUTHWEST 33RD
AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, WHICH IS PART OF THE CITY'S
PILOT PROGRAM FOR THE CORAL WAY MEDIANS PROJECT, B-
30909.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0057
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item RE.3, please see Item RE.1.
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RE.4 RESOLUTION
1523
Office of
Transportation
Management
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION URGING THE
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY ("COUNTY COMMISSIONERS") TO AMEND THE
CHARTER COUNTY TRANSIT SURTAX ORDINANCE INCLUDING
BUT NOT LIMITED TO SECTION 29-124(H)(II) OF THE CODE OF
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA TO ALLOW THE CITY OF MIAMI
("CITY") TO UTILIZE SURTAX PROCEEDS TO PROVIDE ON -
DEMAND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES AS DEFINED BELOW
FOR INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING MIAMI-DADE COUNTY -
SPONSORED TRANSPORTATION SERVICES; DIRECTING THE
CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO
THE MAYOR OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY AND TO THE COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS; FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER
TO BRING A SEPARATE FUTURE AMENDMENT TO THE CITY'S
FISCAL YEAR 2016-2017 OPERATING BUDGET AS NECESSARY
TO ACCOMPLISH THE CONTINUATION OF THE CITY'S ON -
DEMAND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS AS
SET FORTH HEREIN.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0058
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item RE.4, please see
Item RE.1.
Commissioner Gort: No, no. At -- we have to put RE.4 -- it's asking the County to
change the --
Chair Hardemon: The Charter.
Commissioner Gort: -- Charter. The only --
Commissioner Suarez: I thought we passed 1 through 4.
Commissioner Gort: -- the reason being our residents in the City of Miami, we
provided the free transportation to them within the City ofMiami. They cannot go out
of the limits of the City of Miami. In the County, when they need to go outside the
City ofMiami, they have to use the County process. Ours is cheaper than the one that
the County use, and we get penalized if they have dual cards, and this is what this is
intending to do; am I correct?
Chair Hardemon: 1 believe so. That is correct, right?
Commissioner Suarez: I thought we had already passed it.
Chair Hardemon: We did.
Commissioner Gort: I just want a clarification.
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Chair Hardemon: And he has an opportunity to --
Commissioner Suarez: I got it.
Chair Hardemon: -- change his vote, so, yeah. You're recognized, sir.
Alberto Parjus: Alberto Parjus, Assistant City Manager. Can you repeat the
question, sir?
Chair Hardemon: I want you to clarify the purpose of RE.4.
Mr. Parjus: The purpose of RE.4 is to allow the City to continue providing
transportation services by our system to those individuals who are STS (Special
Transportation Service) eligible, and to be refunded by the CITT (Citizens
Independent Transportation Trust), because the way it reads right now, if we provide
the services, we don't get reimbursed. We have to pay it out of general fund.
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. --
Commissioner Gort: And our service is a lot lower than the Countv's service.
Commissioner Carollo: -- Chairman.
Chair Hardemon: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: Thank you. Back in October of last year, I asked you -- you
were on that podium, and I asked you regarding doing automated, where we will
know automatically if we're providing services that it's already being provided, and
you said that you were working on that. It's been four months now. Where are you
with that?
Mr. Parjus: Well, we were able to mitigate the situation to a very small amount by
doing two things. The first thing we did is, in the application that we have for clients
traveling under our service, we ask the question whether you are or not an STS
certified user. The second thing we did is, we were able to talk to the County to have
an -- a download of the registered clients on STS, and do internally a cross-reference,
and catch up as many as we could before they travel.
Commissioner Carollo: Right. You said that in the last time. Back in October 2016,
that's what you said, but one -- but my question was different. My question is: Can
that be done automated; in other words, automatically, can we see, if a person calls
that that person's also registered with STS automatic, so we don't have to cross-check
and spend the time doing that?
Commissioner Gort: Right.
Mr. Parjus: At this point, we cannot do that. We're still in negotiations, and
communication with the provider of service, which happen to be the same one, to see
if he could cross-reference, and see the legalities of doing so with the County and with
us.
Commissioner Carollo: Automated. So in other --
Mr. Parjus: Automated, automated.
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Daniel J. Alfonso (City Manager): But Commissioner -- I'm sorry. Parjus, I'm sorry.
The point, though, is, does the City want to provide the service? And 1 think the
answer from the Commission that I've gotten is "yes." So whether the person is a STS
participant or not, we want to provide this service, is the direction that I've gotten.
Commissioner Carollo: Well --
Mr. Alfonso: So, therefore, we have to provide it. And what we're asking the County
to do is to allow us to reimburse out of the halfpenny so that we don't take it out of
the general fund.
Commissioner Carollo: I'm not sure, and maybe we should have a discussion on this.
I think -- it's my understanding that the City wants to provide this service; not
necessarily has to be the City's service. We just want to make sure that they actually
are able to, you know, travel. So in other words, we don't want them to stay in the
house. But I don't think it's -- necessarily has to be the City's service. If we're going
to get charged for it and we're providing the service. We're, in essence, getting
charged twice.
Chair Hardemon: Commissioner Suarez.
Commissioner Suarez: So the way I understand it -- maybe I understand it incorrectly
-- but an eligible senior that lives in the City, has two options.
Commissioner Carollo: Right.
Commissioner Suarez: They can either get STS, which they have to pay --
Commissioner Carollo: Right.
Commissioner Suarez: -- like a co pay, if you will, of a few dollars, and they can go
anywhere in the County.
Commissioner Gort: Right.
Commissioner Suarez: Right. It's $3, and they can go anywhere in the County; or
they can use City services, which are, free --
Commissioner Carollo: Within the City.
Commissioner Suarez: -- but our only constraints are the City, and that's the way
we've been doing it. It's kind of like our trolley system, where, you know, we have a
free trolley system, but at the same time, there's a bus system, where they can get on
the bus and they can ride the bus.
Commissioner Carollo: However --
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): For STS -- I apologize -- you have to qualify. You
have to have a medical condition and --
Commissioner Suarez: I said --
Commissioner Carollo: Right.
Commissioner Suarez: -- no, I get it.
Ms. Mendez: Okay.
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Commissioner Carollo: However --
Commissioner Suarez: It's stricter.
Commissioner Carollo: -- I think the issue is, if they qualify for STS, and they're able
to use STS; however, they use our service, okay. So then --
Commissioner Suarez: That's what we're trying to change.
Commissioner Carollo: -- the County --
Commissioner Suarez: That's what we're trying --
Commissioner Carollo: -- charges us.
Commissioner Suarez: Right. That's what -- we're trying to change that. We're
trying to say --
Commissioner Gort: That's what we'll tell the County.
Commissioner Suarez: -- we're trying to tell the County, "Look" --
Mr. Alfonso: So my understanding is we want to provide the service; is that right?
Commissioner Gort: Yes.
Commissioner Suarez: Yes.
Mr. Alfonso: Okay. Thank you.
Commissioner Suarez: This is Pane. I don't have an issue. There's no issue with this.
Mr. Alfonso: We voted on it already, anyways. You passed it.
Chair Hardemon: Right.
Commissioner Suarez: So, okay. Thank you.
Commissioner Gort: And the reimbursement will save the County funds.
Mr. Alfonso: That'll save us --
Commissioner Gort: They pay less.
Mr. Alfonso: -- general funds.
Commissioner Gort: Okay. All right.
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RE.5 RESOLUTION
1139
Commissioners
and Mayor
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DIRECTING
THE CITY MANAGER TO CREATE, WITHIN CURRENT
BUDGETARY CONSIDERATIONS, AN OFFICE OF
TRANSPARENCY WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MANAGING
PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS IN AN OPEN AND
TRANSPARENT MANNER; FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY
MANAGER TO DEVELOP OR PROCURE AN ELECTRONIC
MEANS OR PLATFORM FOR THE IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION OF
NON-EXEMPT PUBLIC RECORDS; FURTHER DIRECTING THE
CITY MANAGER TO DEVELOP OR PROCURE AN ELECTRONIC
NOTIFICATION SYSTEM FOR THE AUTOMATIC NOTIFICATION
OF DECISIONS RENDERED BY THE CITY.
MOTION TO: Continue
RESULT: CONTINUED
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Note for the Record: Item RE.5 was continued to the February 23, 2017 Planning
and Zoning Commission Meeting.
RE.6 RESOLUTION
1650
Commissioners
and Mayor
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DIRECTING
THE CITY MANAGER TO PRIORITIZE THE DEVELOPMENT AND
ISSUANCE OF A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL RELATING TO THE
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW POLICE
HEADQUARTERS FACILITY.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0059
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Commissioner Suarez: Mr. Chair, can I be recognized on RE.6?
Chair Hardemon: Yes, go right ahead.
Commissioner Suarez: So I'd like to move RE.6. RE.6 is really simple. It's a
resolution memorializing a discussion that we've had here on multiple occasions,
which makes it a priority of this government to go out for an immediate RFP (Request
for Proposals) for our police station. Obviously, we've talked about issues related to
some of the mold remediation, and potentially asbestos, in the top floor; and we've
also talked about the inadequacy of space for purposes of evidence, and the collection
and retention of evidence. 1 think it's got to be, if not our oldest building, one of the
oldest buildings in our building fleet, and I think we certainly owe it to our first
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Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
responders, as we have done with many, for example, fire stations that we rebuilt over
the years, to look at our fleet and look at the possibilities that -- our Manager just put
one out for MRC (Miami Riverside Center), which we all, you know, approved. And
so, I think it's important for us to do it, as well, for the Police Department. Thank
you.
Commissioner Gort: Did we move --
Chair Hardemon: Commissioner Gort.
Commissioner Gort: -- RE.4?
Commissioner Suarez: RE.6.
Chair Hardemon: RE.4? It passed, yes.
Commissioner Suarez: No. I think we had done 1 through 4.
Later...
Chair Hardemon: All right. Let's continue on our discussion with RE.6.
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah. I moved it. It's not --
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Commissioner Suarez: -- that much more to discuss.
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved and seconded, RE.6. Is there any
discussion? You know, one of the things that I just want to ensure that -- I know this
is not a budgetary item at this moment, I mean, because it's going to have a budgetary
effect in the future, but I know that we're in the middle of our negotiations with our
labor unions, and I just want to ensure that we're doing things that are fiscally
responsible so that we can meet our liabilities when it comes to our men and women
who service -- provide services for the City of Miami. And so, I know that -- I believe,
if 1 remember correctly, a police station was in the last bond issuance that we
anticipated, so that means that we didn't have it within our -- We anticipated using it -
- outside dollars, to bring outside dollars in to actually build this facility. That's not
the way that this is worded here in this RFP (Request for Proposals). It appears to
be, from the RFP, that it could be our internal dollars, and that's my worry, you know,
because --
Commissioner Suarez: Mr. Chair; if l may.
Chair Hardemon: Sure, I'll let you sponsor it. So that's one of my biggest worries
here. And so, I'm sure that our management will come hack with a way that you
anticipate this funding for an RFP like this would occur, but 1 just want all of us to
realize what steps we're taking.
Commissioner Suarez: Mr. Chair, if I may?
Chair Hardemon: Yes.
Commissioner Suarez: So the way this is structured is -- We have a property, and, in
my opinion, the facility, the building is inadequate; it's not good enough. And what he
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just structured was a sale of one of our properties and a deal with a developer who
will build another property to service the City. And so, that's essentially the model
that I'm looking for. What was being talked about, I believe, in the bond issuance,
was renovating the current building with proceeds from the bond issuance, and I just
want to just clarify one little statement that you made, because, you know, our labor
obligations are continuing annual obligations. They're as --
Commissioner Carollo: Recurring.
Commissioner Suarez: -- recurring expenses; whereas, this is a capital expense. This
is a one-time expense. And so, I just want to compare apples to apples and not apples
to oranges, because --
Chair Hardemon: No, I understand.
Commissioner Suarez: Right.
Chair Hardemon: I understand that there is a one-time expense to purchase a
building, but it is an expense, nonetheless. So I said that to say that, first is our fund
balance.
Commissioner Suarez: No, I agree.
Chair Hardemon: When you look at our fund balance --
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah.
Chair Hardemon: -- it would hit it one time, but it would effectively drop the amount
of money that we have in our fund balance to meet the recurring obligations that we
would have.
Commissioner Suarez: And the objective here is that because we have prime property
where it currently sits, is to try to avoid it hitting our And balance; in other words,
trading what is, in essence, prime property for maybe property that's just as good
operationally; maybe a little bit less desirable, hut, you know, you can trade that
value differential so we can get the building done with little or no capital investment.
Chair Hardemon: Got it. Any further discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, say
"aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Commissioner Suarez: Mr. Chair.
Chair Hardemon: Motion passes.
END OF RESOLUTIONS
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BU.1
1506
Office of
Management and
Budget
BU - BUDGET
BUDGET DISCUSSION ITEM
MONTHLY REPORT
I. SECTION 2-497 OF THE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES
(RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DIRECTOR OF MANAGEMENT AND
BUDGET)
II. SECTION 18-502 (CITY'S ANTI -DEFICIENCY ACT)
III. SECTION 18-542 (FINANCIAL INTEGRITY PRINCIPLES)
RESULT: DISCUSSED
Chair Hardemon: BUI -- BU.1.
Christopher Rose (Director): Good morning, Commissioners. Chris Rose, Office of
Management & Budget. The first quarter for the City is now complete. The books
closed on January 17. Actual revenues during that period were 326 million, which is
48 percent of the budget, and was about $22.6 million higher than last year. Actual
expenditures were 264 million, which is 40 percent of the budget, and was $21.7
million higher than last year. We are projecting a surplus at this time, but it's very
early, and written reports will start next month. We just sent out the instructions last
night to department directors, officially kicking off the budget development cycle for
the new year for '17/18. Some things that we're watching in the budget are: Police is
hiring above its head count in anticipation of a large number of sworn personnel
leaving in September. This is just as we did with the Fire Department two years ago.
Procurement has had some security expenses that were not anticipated when the
budget was put together, and that may cause that department's small budget to have
to seek a budget amendment, but it's something we're watching. The Portable Toilet
Program will have a gap in funding between when the permanent toilet is finished and
when funding was anticipated to end, so we're watching that. Healthcare, in
particular, citywide, is up and we're looking at -- it's on pace right now to be about $2
million higher than what we had budgeted, so it is a concern. Finally, we received
word about the World Baseball Classic this March, which is in association with the
Baseball All Star Game this July, and we're looking at some preliminary numbers of
about $175, 000 of in -kind services that the City will provide; that would, of course, be
inside of the $2 million that we budgeted for the total All Star Game. I'd be happy to
take any questions you may have at this time.
Chair Hardemon: Any questions? Seeing none, thank you very much, sir. I think
DI.2, he is scheduled to come in the evening.
Mr. Rose: Thank you, Commissioners.
END OF BUDGET
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DI - DISCUSSION ITEMS
DI.1 DISCUSSION ITEM
1440
Commissioners
and Mayor
DISCUSSION REGARDING NIGHTLY BED AVAILABILITY FOR
HOMELESS RESIDENTS.
MOTION TO: Withdraw
RESULT: WITHDRAWN
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item DLI, please see "Public
Comment Period for Regular Items."
DI.2 DISCUSSION ITEM
1522
Office of
Resilience and
Sustainability
DISCUSSION BY MR. WAYNE PATHMAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE
SEA LEVEL RISE COMMITTEE AND MEMBERS OF THE SEA
LEVEL RISE COMMITTEE REGARDING THE ECONOMIC IMPACTS
OF SEA LEVEL RISE ON THE CITY OF MIAMI.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
Commissioner Gort: He's here.
Chair Hardemon: How you doing, Mr. Pathman? You're the last order of business.
Wayne Pathman: First or last?
Jane Gilbert: If it's okay, Mr. Pathman's asked me to go first to just give a little
preface on the committee's work to date. As you all know -- and thanks to all of you --
in October of last year; the Commission voted to strengthen the Sea Level Rise
Committee, asking them to serve as advisors to this committee, making
recommendations to Code and policy related to strengthening the City's resilience to
increased, flooding related to sea level rise. And I was previously on this committee
briefly, from the summer, and joined the City in November. To date, the committee
has gathered a huge amount of information, and served as a great vehicle for
engaging different stakeholders; and made great recommendations, helping the
Administration think through a new storni water master plan, crafting the Virginia
Key Marina RFP (Requests for Proposal), and also making recommendations to this
committee about partnering with the universities, related to the UM (University of
Miami) Climate Change Report. It's a really diverse group of qualified -- highly
qualified professionals in architecture, in construction, land use law, emergency
management, advocates in marine preservation, as well as how to serve our most
vulnerable communities, and includes also Jim Murley, the -- my counterpart CRO
(Chief Resilience Officer) Pr Miami -Dade County. You're going to hear from them,
their sense of urgency for action, but action that really builds on knowledge of best
practices and good data, and good analysis. We can create a real vision for how
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we're going to build resilience here in Miami, so to do that, it takes time and it takes
effort. This is a highly qualified team, but it's a volunteer team of professionals. And
so, we've -- therefore, staff has come up with a plan to work together with this
committee in -- and our interdepartments [sic] within the team to develop
recommendations for you. So first, we're going to work with the committee and
Building and Zoning on -- Building Department and Zoning to look at opportunities
for strengthening the Building and Zoning Codes for new construction and significant
renovation in the flood zones. Second, per the committee's recommendation, staff
have begun to explore what outside expertise is need [sic] to secure more accurate
mapping and flood vulnerability to the City and to private property throughout the
City. We have begun the process of design -- figuring out what -- that new storm
water master plan would look like, developing that RFP. That is -- would involve
developing a robust GIS (Geographic Information System) system, and lots of
modeling; much more detailed analysis. The time it would take between designing
that RFP, going through Procurement, and then actually finishing that study,
realistically, if we put pedal to the metal, it's going to take two years. And so that --
the committee can't -- and, frankly, staff and the City can't wait two years for us to
begin to make decisions around the most critical areas. So, led by Dr. Ihekwaba, and
we have an interdepartmental committee that's starting to look at what rapid analysis
we could do, in terms of mapping and vulnerability of our critical infrastructure and
our critical neighborhoods, waterfront areas of the City, to begin to make strategic
decisions about capital improvement. Finally, we plan to create an interdepartmental
resilient Miami committee that's going to look neighborhood by neighborhood at a
holistic view from not only capital improvements, but planning and zoning, and equity
issues, so that we bring in other stresses of facing the City, of affordable housing and
transportation, and look holistically neighborhood by neighborhood. Some of that
will be very, sea -level -rise focused; some of that will be dealing with some of the other
challenges facing the City. And we will -- that committee will bring recommendations
to -- or bring presentations for the Sea Level Rise Committee to review and provide
input on an every -other -month basis. On the off months, we'll also work with them on
bringing in the outside expertise that we all need to better learn what our
opportunities are to re -envision what a resilient Miami looks like. With that, I'm
going to turn it over to Wayne Pathman, land use attorney and chair of the Miami
Beach Chamber and our Sea Level Rise Committee.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Hello.
Mr. Pathman: Thank you, Jane. Good afternoon. As Jane said, I'm the chairman of
the City of Miami Sea Level Rise Committee. My name is Wayne Pathman. I'm with
the law office of Pathman Lewis in Miami. Pm going to take a little bit different
approach than I had originally planned. Pin sorry to see that the other
Commissioners and the Mayor are not here. This is a very important issue that all of
you decided to create this committee, of which I am the chair of And this is the first
time in 16 months that we've had a chance to address you, where we were put on the
calendar today, for 5 o'clock. Fortunately, I was on my way here, and I got here early.
But this issue deserves a lot more attention than we're getting. You have no quorum,
so we can't act on any of the things or discuss really anything of the things that I was
about to present. And I'm sure all the Commissioners, even those that are not here,
are aware that this issue is not going away. It continues to get worse. Miami is on
the map, literally, everywhere in the world as to "What are you doing in Miami? You
are the city that's ground zero for economic impact to sea level rise." And, you know,
I'm frequently asked, or speak at forums, quoted in periodicals, and they ask me,
"What's Miami doing?" And aside from saying that we have a committee, and that we
started looking at the Shore Crest area, I can't honestly say that we're doing much
else, and that makes me very disappointed, because I'm a volunteer, and I'm
volunteering a lot of my time, as are the other members of the committee: Jose
Regalado, Kilan Bishop; Reinaldo Borges, who's just arrived; Albert Gomez, Pete
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Gomez, David Martin, James Murley, and Rachel Silverstein. We put a lot of time in,
and have made a lot of -- or passed a lot of resolutions that we think are important for
this City to look at, undertake, study. We recently had a workshop with the Planning
Department, which Francisco attended, and had a member of his staff there, so that
was quite productive, but the truth is, I'm sorry to say, the Commission and the Mayor
-- or at least this body is not giving this enough attention, and is not giving it the
attention it deserves. Other cities, like Miami Beach, or other cities around the State
of Florida are progressing a lot faster than we are, and you're the big -- we are the
biggest city in the State of Florida. This is a real issue. Whether you believe it's
going to be 2 feet or 10 feet by the end of this Century, that's not the critical concern
right now. The critical concern should be issues like insurance, banking, and
taxation. The insurance industry, the reinsurance industry, and the insurance that we
residents buy our insurance from is changing rapidly, and the cost for flood insurance
is going to escalate rapidly over the next 10 years, and that's going to have an effect
on your ability to raise and have revenue for taxes for infrastructure improvements,
because property values could decline. We've already seen in Congress in 2012 and
2014, you know, basically, a roadmap of what's coming, as far as insurance is
concerned. In 2012, they passed the Brigget [sic] Water's Act, which took off all the
subsidies on flood insurance; and someone who may have had a home where they
were paying $2, 000 a year for insurance was now paying 40,000 a year for the same
insurance. So, I can tell you, I represent a number of banks in my law practice, and
banks are starting to consider what type of insurance should they require
homeowners' to have in the future, and what kind of mortgages will they give? You
know, 30 year mortgages, which is the mortgage that most people have, and
especially the workforce of our community, may be a thing of the past in areas that
are prone to flooding and sea level rise in the future. They won't give you that 30-
year mortgage; they'll give you a 15-year mortgage, with a 30-year amortization. In
addition to that, they're going to require that insurance be in excess of what the
Federal Government provides, which is $250,000 for residences and $500,000 for
commercial property. If that happens, and typical homeowner has to go out on the
marketplace and buy additional excess flood insurance that they either is too costly or
they can't get because the area has a high risk, they would be in default of their
mortgage. That's the tip of the spear, is the insurance industry. They're driving this
train. And if we don't start addressing issues on how to lower the risk in the
community, you're going to have a very, difficult time in the near future with property
values, and all of the wonderful development we've seen over the last five years that's
unprecedented in the City's history is going to create future economic problems.
There are studies that are done that say that as a result of high -cost of insurance and
sea level rise, that you could see a 30 percent reduction in tourism and 30 percent
reduction in property values by 2050, and 1 could tell you that that study gets revised
every few years, and the picture doesn't get better; it gets worst. The high cost of
insurance, something I think that the City should potentially look at -- and I'm not
saying that this is the best idea, but Florida -- the State of Florida pays 37 percent of
all premiums collected by the NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program), so that
means all this money is leaving Florida, and it's going to the Midwest and Louisiana.
We have about 12 -- 11 to 12 percent on annual basis of claims. We have occasional
hurricane, obviously, the claims go up. This Commission and others from other cities
should look at the idea ofpotentially lobbying Congress to keep some of that money in
the State to create a pool, especially for larger cities that are going to be impacted,
like South Florida -- You don't have the same problem in Orlando and other cities --
that would create a pool for future solutions, because it's going to be very hard to find
money in the future. So we have all this money leaving the State, because we have the
highest premiums, we have the most policies, and we have 7 of the 10 most impacted
cities in Florida for sea level rise, Miami being number one. The other thing that I
would suggest also is stakeholders. You have to make the business community part of
the equation. This Commission, the City, County government is not going to be
financially ready for the impacts that are going to be coming from sea level rise and
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flooding and insurance and banking. You must engage them in the process, and you
must engage them in part of the process of the things that are changing now, whether
it's, you know, what you're doing with infrastructure, storm water, issues related to
zoning. They could be a big help. You could look at Pas (public/private
partnerships), where available, do public/private partnerships to create opportunities
so that the City and the citizens don't bear the cost of the future. As you know -- and I
don't think I need to go over the numbers -- we are a coastal community in South
Florida, whatever side of the bay you're on, and what's at stake is trillions of dollars.
If we don't start addressing this issue now -- because we all know how long it takes to
plan something, budget it, and implement it. The clock is ticking. I kind of look at it
in dog years, which is, for every year we wait, we lose seven years of planning and
timing. And I can tell you, in conferences that I have been at -- and most recently, I
was at the Wharton school in Pennsylvania -- they ask, "What is Miami doing?" You
know, I'm there as the face of Miami. Or when I was in the Netherlands at the quest
of the Dutch Consulate. And I want to say, "We're doing a lot." I want to say that,
you know, "This Commission is proactive" -- "This City is proactive in addressing
this issue." And it doesn't mean that you have to implement infrastructure today, but
it means that you have to start planning, and you have to start looking at things that
are going to affect you. Whether you believe in climate change -- which I'm not even
talking about -- sea level rise is a measureable action that we all can see. You don't
have to be a physics major. You don't have to, you know, look at it from a perspective
of "Is it going to happen or is it not?" It's happening. And things that you may not
know about, but in the reinsurance industry, they are well ahead of where we are in
terms of assessing risk, and they are going to raise rates considerably. I can tell you,
one of my clients who has property -- not in Miami, but in Miami Beach. He has seen
an increase over the last five years of 500 percent. Now, it's not as noticeable when it
goes from 2,000 to 2,500 to 4,000 to 5,000, but when it goes to [sic] 5,000 to 40,000,
you're going to have people in here screaming, and you're going to see it; it's coming.
I've been at the conferences where you can see what the insurance industry is going to
do, and how thing are going to change. So, again, involve stakeholders. Start
planning. Start taking this really seriously. You got some great qualified people in
your Manager's office, in your Planning Department, and your Public Works. We've
only met with them once, and we've only been here once in 16 months. We should be
here every other month, at least, telling you what we're seeing, what we think you
should implement, what you should do, and how you should approach things in the
future. You know the old saying that "The squeaky wheel gets the grease." If we
don't start squeaking a little bit at different levels where money's available to do
studies and do things related to infrastructure, you're not going to get the money,
because it's going to go elsewhere, because people are ahead of us, people are
moving well ahead -- New York City, for instance, is well ahead of Miami, and they
don't have the problem that we have with our geology of you know, limestone and
muck, and the water rising underneath. They only have to deal with spillover, and
there's lots of solutions for spillover. What the problem is, is the water coming
underneath. We want to implore you to take some of the recommendations we have to
empower us to deliver to you ideas and suggestions that could be implemented by the
City in a timely, effective, and cost-effective manner. And, you know, I know each one
of you personally. I know each one of you and, you know, you know me, and I'm
doing this -- people ask inc why am I doing it? You know, why am I the Chairman of
the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce? Why am 1 the Chairman of the Sea Level
Rise Committee? Because 1 care about my community, you know. I care about the
future, and 1 care about my children's future, and you should too. This is an
important time. It's going to take a long time and a lot of money to deal with sea level
rise and flooding. You may or may not have seen the movies that have been out
recently with Jack Black and Leonardo DiCaprio and everything. You know, even the
film industry, you know, has -- and many of the actors and actresses have taken a big
part in (UNINTELLIGIBLE). And where do they come first? Miami. And they don't
paint a pretty picture. It's not a pretty picture. It's not a pretty picture when you see
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them in West Miami, which is not necessarily a part of Miami -Dade County --1 mean,
Miami -- but part of Miami -Dade County -- and they say, "What's that smell?" And
it's the septic tanks that are being impacted by sea level rise and salt water, and
Miami -Dade County is 40 percent still on septic. That's a 6 to $8 billion problem for
the County in the future, not including tapping charges for residents who have to pay
to hook up to the facility. I implore you to give us a budget. We came here one time
other, and we submitted our annual report. We asked for $50, 000. That was just our
first ask. We didn't get it. I'm asking you today for $500,000, which is really -- I
know you have budgets that you have to deal with, and many, many things in the City,
but, in comparison, this issue -- ifyou don't start addressing this issue, you will pay a
thousand times more in the future, if you don't plan today. You need more staff You
need to hire some graduate assistants. You need to get some studies done so we can
actually map the City, help change the Zoning Code. You have a great Code in
Miami 21, but it doesn't talk about sea level rise, and you need to start talking about
it. You need to start dealing with it. The longer you wait, the more problems we are
going to have. And by the way, technology is changing, and technology will help in
the future, in some ways, but it's also, firstly, going to tell the scientists, the
climatologists, and government that the problem is happening faster, and it's worse
than they thought. Every five years when the new reports come out, they're never
better; they're always worse. Sea level rise has climbed to a higher level. They show
it climbing faster, and it's going to happen sooner. At one and -- to one and a half
feet of sea level rise Ibr the main arteries to Miami Beach, fbr instance, the Venetian,
the MacArthur, and the Julia Tuttle, will flood. That's only 20 to 25 years away. That
will affect Miami, too; not just Miami Beach. So, if we don't plan, if we don't have
some budgets, and we don't start looking at creating a more resilient environment,
you're going to have some serious problems. And there are ways, many ways in
which to find money at the Federal level, even during our current Administration.
There is -- working with the business community and stakeholders to engage them to
give them opportunities to develop differently so that they would be a part of how you
change infrastructure or densification, including worrying about areas where you
have gentrification, you know, in areas that -- from a socioeconomic benefit, you have
to look at those areas and help, but it's not just one area, but the City needs to be
mapped, and the mapping should be current so you can see, as a city, where are your
most important and vulnerable areas today and maybe over the next 20 years, so you
can start planning properly. I love having the meetings that we host, you know. I get
to sit there where the Chairman is right now; it's a nice feeling, but I want to do
something. I want to report back to you that we did something, you know; that Miami
is moving in the right direction. 1 implore all of you to listen to Jane Gilbert, listen to
your Manager, listen to me, listen to my committee members. We're not doing this
because we have nothing to do on a Tuesday -- you know, on a Tuesday night or a
Thursday night or a Wednesday, and whenever we have the facilities for a few hours.
You know, we had a very, you know, interesting discussion about one of the capital
projects of Virginia Key recently, and we really appreciate the opportunity to weigh
in on that and give suggestions, and ideas as to how that RFP should go out to the
public. Plan better. If you plan better, you're going to find that all the other things
will eventually fall into place. The other issues that I think that, you know, you need
to address -- and Reinaldo -- my good friend, Reinaldo Borges, who is the AIA
(American Institute of Architects) architect of the year, is going to touch on some of
the zoning things, and some of the zoning things that need to -- that should be
changed or looked at or that we should start studying, but we need money to help do
that, you know. 1 know money's a difficult issue, but we have to find a way to start
funding some of the things that we need to deal with sea level rise. The factors -- the
risks are too great if you don't. You don't plan to fail; you fail to plan. If we don't
plan, we're going to fail. We need to encourage every level of your government and
your City level, our committee and the community with outreach and education about
sea level rise. When your boards are here considering plans and approving plans and
development, I doubt that thev ever discuss the issues of sea level rise, and that they
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may not have the knowledge on those boards; not that they're not smart people, but
they're not aware of the issues dealing with sea level rise. Many of those things, many
of those projects that are capital projects should come before the Sea Level Rise
Committee, so we can weigh in and advise you of what you should be doing for the
future, and not just approving projects that may not have resiliency. In the City of
Miami, in the 1450 building on Brickell Avenue, if you haven't been there, which is the
JP Morgan building, you should go. The perfect example of a developer who
overspent, for a reason, to be a gold or platinum green building, and along the way,
made a resilient building to sea level rise. He spent 15, $20 million more than what
he had to, under the Code, but today, he has the most resilient building in Miami. It's
not only green; but it's resilient to sea level rise. He raised his pedestal. He raised
his base -- you know, his base elevation, his elevator banks, laminated glass, and
saves over a million dollars a year in energy costs, and has one of the best rent rolls
in the City of Miami. It can be done. Developers will do it. If you incentize [sic]
them, and you give them reason to do it, the City will get a return. Anyhow, I've
deviated from my program, but I hope that you understand that it is really important,
and I hope that I can encourage you to support hiring more people to help us deal
with this problem; you know, hiring experts, giving us a budget to work with to help
map, to help deal with zoning and your storm water plans for the future. With that,
I'd like to introduce Reinaldo Borges. Reinaldo.
Reinaldo Borges: I know we're on a tight schedule. How many, minutes do I have?
Vice Chair Russell: Take your time.
Mr. Borges: Okay, great. So I'm fully caffeinated, but there are a few things I want
to share with you. And last time I was in front of you, Wayne said that I did not
present with enough passion, so Wayne knows me well, and I appreciate Wayne's
leadership. Again, for the record, Reinaldo Borges, with Borges & Associates, and
offices at 999 Brickell. I am the architect on the Sea Level Rise Council, so I have a
lot of fun discussing Code modification and zoning strategies and planning strategies
and design thinking, and all the kind of things that we, as architects, bring to the
conversation, which is very complex, sea level rise and resiliency. So, I wanted to
share some thoughts with you. I think that, you know, we are continuously
reinventing this beautiful place. Miami is a wonderful, world -class city. My concern,
as I got involved in this, was that, you know, we have a wonderful Zoning Code that
we really work closely with the community and great consultants to bring forth, and
it's a very sustainable Code, and there are a lot of great things that are happening
now in this City because of Miami 21. And what I've learned as an architect is that
unless we codi& initiatives that affect the physical environment, we end up not getting
the design results and the quality of the architecture and the urbanism that a city may
deserve. So my take on this has been -- and I've been educating myself now for over
six years. You know, spend 10 days with the Dutch Government, learning about, you
know, what the Netherlands are doing to be resilient, and other places throughout the
world. I really took it on, because I sort of said, "You know, I could have a wonderful
green building, it could be elite platinum, but it could be under water in 25, 30, 40
years," and then I probably would have. failed in my mission. So, again, with this
great growth that we're experiencing, the thing that I see is lacking is sort of the idea
of modifying our standards, and our standards are zoning, building, public works;
you know, all these kind of standards that we use to design infrastructure; and
singular buildings, which is really where I focus. I'm also chairing the Sea Level Rise
Task Force at the American Institute of Architects, and the objective there is to really
bring the mindset and the thinking of the architects of our community to this
challenge; integrate it with 100 resilient cities, which is, as you know, a global
initiative. A week and a half ago, we had Judith Rodin, who is the president of the
Rockefeller Foundation, talk to us in Miami Beach, an event that Wayne Pathman
chaired through our chamber in Miami Beach, and she reminded us of this wonderful
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book that she wrote that's called "The Resilience Dividend." And she goes around
the world, you know, understanding and explaining to leadership, political
leadership, of how important it is to invest in resiliency, and what does that really
mean, you know. As we know, resiliency is a big word, and nowadays, it's sort of the
new lead or the new sustainability word. And what it means to me as an architect is
that every singular building has to be thought through in terms of the way that it
meets the grade, the ground; how we design into basement structures; you know, how
do we design into any structure that may be compromised by future flooding, and then
I'm talking about permanent flooding, I'm talking about storm surge, and I'm talking
about also, as you may have experienced recently in South Florida, the sort of
incredible rainstorms that we get sometimes. You know, we get accumulation of
water in Biscayne Boulevard of a couple of feet at times in some areas. So, I mean,
we're really challenged with water in like five dimensions, you know. And one of the
things that I talk a lot about with my engineers is, really, how do we design into more
resilient basement structures, and how do we protect our buildings with more durable
materials, with water proving conditions of our buildings? The challenge is that, as
you know, codes are minimum standards, and as an architect -- and the architecture
design community is limited by the design guidelines that we have to work with and --
for example, Miami Beach took an initiative with the "Freeboard Ordinance." That
was a quick process. It was relatively quick in the sense that in a period of about six
months, they modified an ordinance that introduced freeboard into our design
process. So now, when we do new design in Miami Beach, I get to raise the building
a foot to five feet above the base flood elevation, which is what FEMA (Federal
Emergency Management Agency) tells us we need to be at. As you know, we're
guided by the FEMA map. It is no secret that FEMA really is trying to modify our
flood naps throughout this community. It's a slow process. It's a political process.
Its a process that really has major impacts on insurance of communities, insurability
of communities. So with this Freeboard Ordinance now, you know, I get to raise the
building two, three, four, five feet, giving my buildings -- my clients more resiliency,
more life in their buildings, more insurability. Every time that Wayne and I have
conversation about insurance concerns, I always sort of think, "Well, there's a design
solution to that, " you know. And I think that in -- sort of in the world of design
thinking, every single challenge that climate change and sea level rise brings to us in
our communities has a design solution that is sensible, that has to deal with how we
experience buildings as pedestrians, how we occupy the ground floor, how we design
buildings with flexibility. The concept of designing buildings with flexibility so that,
through time, they could be adapted is something that really is not rocket science, but
it has to be carefully thought through, because it has all kinds of implications in terms
of how we transition from the public realm into the ground floor of these buildings.
So, you know, my thought is, really, let's take initiative with urgency. The urgency
sometimes starts here with your initiatives and your requests of staff. You have
amazing staff at every level. At every department, I'm always impressed, you know,
with the professionalism and the intelligence of staff at every level. The challenge is
that staff is very busy. We have a very active building and development community
right now, and a lot of building permits being issued, and my concern is that a lot of
times in the -- in sort of the urgency to do what we do as architects and developers
and urbanists that we're not thinking ahead, and that we're missing the point in trying
to take a few steps at a time about bringing more resiliency to the way buildings will
be affected by the long-term effects of sea level rise. So the idea is sort of raising
mechanical equipment and raising the ground floor -- or designing the ground floor
to be adaptable, especially in tall buildings. Tall buildings cannot be raised; they
cannot be elevated. So once they get damaged by, you know, permanent flooding, you
may then look at having to abandon certain components of buildings. I mean, we
already have buildings on Brickell, for example, that were designed 30 years ago that
have basement parking that is flooded, that have been abandoned. I mean, I could do
a walking tour of some of these buildings. I've actually been a tenant in some of these
buildings. So it's not something that we have not already experienced. And I think
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that the case that Wayne brings forth, where, you know, Allen O'Hara took the
initiative of making his building the most resilient building on Brickell, and is now a
part of a case study by the ULI (Urban Land Institute), where they emphasize a return
on resiliency; in that, when you invest in resiliency, you actually get this money back.
It's a great example. It's something that should motivate others to take that example
forward. Again, Miami 21 is super sustainable. I think we have an amazing Code
that is making the City very sustainable, but now it needs to be revisited, and I think,
as Francisco would say, "It needs to be sort of maybe fine-tuned, " you know, so that
we bring some components, initially, with urgency that would allow us to address how
these buildings are adaptable at the ground floor, how we are placing the mechanical
equipment that will be susceptible to long-term flooding and also to storm surge, and
also kind of think through the idea that we're now putting a lot of basements into the
ground in Miami, and it's a wonderful thing. Most of my clients really embrace it,
because, as you know, all the square footage that we put in a basement in Miami is
free of FLR (floor lot ratio), which really means that we have more saleable, more
valuable square footage above grade. You know, it's a wonderful tool. The problem
is that every time we do that, and we don't think through the concern of water and
how this is going to be affected long-term, you know, 20, 30, 50 years into the future
of these buildings, we're sort of you know, I think, mishandling that in a way that I
think, you know, we need to be concerned about. So, you know, these are things that
also require to think about incentivizing developers, you know, so I came up with an
idea of coming up with a resiliency certification process for buildings so that the same
way that we certify buildings as green buildings, that we certify buildings for
resiliency, and then have a checklist and an evaluation criteria that is very rational,
that could also be presented to an insurance company that will basically say, "My
building is resilient for" -- whatever -- "three feet of sea level rise," or "a foot of sea
level rise," whatever the developer chooses to be certified at. A lot of this has to do,
in my world, with the life cycle of a building, you know; and we design buildings, you
know, to be in place, hopefully, for a long period of time, but as we know, we do
recycle a lot of buildings in our society. We are a society that is used to disposing of
things. I like to live in a society, like they do in Europe, where, you know, buildings
are here for a long term, and that we bring durability and qualities to buildings that
then could be renovated, restored, and they become really, historic structures. As we
know, we have a strong sense of historic preservation in our community. So, you
know, I'd like to close by saying that the developer, the investor lives for certainty.
Sea level rise in our community brings a lot of uncertainty to the market. It's being
reported by everybody. You know, it's not -- no longer something that we could just
sort of say, "Let's leave it to discuss this thing in the future." 1 mean, it's something
that all of you, 1 know, are taking a lot of initiatives on, and 1 think that it affects every
component of our society, of our community. It affects affordability of housing. It
affects, you know, the viability and the livability of certain neighborhoods in certain
communities that are already experiencing, you know, permanent flooding, especially
during our high -tide experiences. You have an amazing resiliency officer now. You
know, we'd like to empower her with our counsel. We'd like to give her all the
backing that she deserves. And I know that I'm dedicating a lot of to make sure that I
bring the voice of the design thinker and the architect to this conversation. It's an
integrated issue. It's something that really affects public works and how we invest
into infrastructure; transit, of course. You know, already, with the transit work that
I'm doing with Alicia at transit, they're already thinking about this. You know, Jim
Murley and the resiliency team at the County is already making sure that transit has
resiliency into the conversation of new transit facilities and how we look at the fixture
of transportation in South Florida. And these are all important things, and it's
already happening. And the fact that now we're part of the Rockefeller Foundation
100 Resilient Cities is an amazing thing. It's an opportunity, to be a leader worldwide.
I mean, the world now is looking at us to innovate, to take action, to put things that
are implementable, that are things that I could work towards. I go back to my office
now, and tomorrow morning, I'm designing with the same Code that I've been
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designing with now for several years, okay? And that's an item that concerns me, you
know, because there are certain initiatives that 1 could take. Like, I'm doing a high-
rise now in Fort Lauderdale, where, actually, I'm exceeding the standards in -- on the
Fort Lauderdale -- on the riverfront, hut I have to work, you know, through a lot of
hack and forth with staff because, you know, the ordinances and the strategies are
not carefully drafted yet. So, you know, as a designer, you know, you find yourself
sometimes kind of lonely in taking some of these initiatives, so it really takes political
will. It is a political issue. I know some people will complain, because as you
incentivize developers, you know, you -- we may be creating more height and more
hulk in some neighborhoods that may be concerned about that, but I think that, you
know, creating more value, more taxable value through resilient, you know, design
and development will continue to increase the revenue that the City needs desperately
to adapt to sea level rise and to the increased cost of making sure that our
infrastructure is adapted, that our infrastructure is up to the capacity that this brings,
and the challenges that this will bring long term. This is a long-term issue. You
know, some people sort of say, "We have plenty of time to think through this." My
concern is that every time we build a new building that is sort of designed to the
wrong standards, you know, we're creating, hopefully -- unfortunately, things that will
be regrettable in the future. So thank you. I appreciate the opportunity of being here
with you. I'm available to answer any questions. But I think you have an incredible
committee. We're well represented by different components of our community. And
again, I appreciate the leadership, and the sense of urgency that Wayne was talking
about is something that would certainly encourage as well. Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you, sir.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you very much, and Mr. Pathman and Jane as well. It's
very good to have you here.
Unidentified Speaker: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Vice Chair Russell: Oh, we have another presentation?
Ms. Gilbert: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) brief. Very brief.
Vice Chair Russell: Ill wait.
David Martin: Hi. So 1'll be very brief. David Martin. 1 work for Terra. My offices
are across the street at 2665 South Bayshore Drive. I'm a member of the Sea Level
Rise Committee. One of the things that we all need to be thinking about is that all
these ideas for new development and new construction to meet new guidelines and
new specifications and new planning and zoning requirements, I think is important.
But what also is important is, what are we going to do with the existing
infrastructure? You know, because when we really think about it, new development
accounts for some component, but we have a lot of infrastructure needs, and there's a
lot of creative innovative solutions that I think are happening across the world that,
you know, I think the City of Miami can really become the leader in -- with it -- with
the academic institutions, et cetera, really be the leader. But the question is, where
are we going to get the money to pay for these improvements? And 1 just want us all
thinking about that a little more. 1 know we have budgets. 1 know there's a
percentage of the budget that comes from property taxes, and 1 think we need to look
at innovative ways of how we could finance some of these infrastructure
improvements in neighborhoods that maybe are low income, as well as middle
income, and we can't really use existing revenues, because those revenues are being
used for other things and other needs, and it becomes a resource allocation problem.
It becomes a question of are we going to focus our money on education, on
affordability of housing? What are we going to spend the money on? The problem is,
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this issue is existential. In all my sales offices, in all my projects, I'm telling you, this
issue is real; people are bringing it up. We probably have had in the last two or three
years 30 to 40 articles that are really baiting us, right? 1 mean, I grew up here my
whole life. I expect to raise nay family here my whole life. They're baiting us to see if
we could come up with a solution, and we could get together and really find ways to
do this. And we can't rely on the Federal government or the State government to
solve all our problems, because they may he there and they may not. We need to
create self-sufficient ideas that we can create and generate revenues that are going to
he able to support these things. And just examples of -- you know, whether it's a
project like Grand Bay that, you know, had $20 million of assessed value today; it's
going to have $400 million of assessed value. That's an incremental tax revenue of
around 10 to $11 million that goes to the City -- County School Board. How are we
going to use those incremental tax revenues? Can we earmark some of these monies
to start dealing with infrastructure and climate change? Can we create an
infrastructure fund in order to help solve and improve our storm water systems, you
know, and really see -- you know, and improve the technology that we're using to
understand our city? These things, I think, are central, as the development industry, I
think, is more and more engaged, but again, it's focused -- the development industry s
got to be focused on creating the revenues to solve the existing infrastructure,
because, you know, I -- we all know this is not going to be something that can be
solved with existing revenues, and we don't want to raise taxes in the community. We
don't want to raise mil -- you know, water and sewer, fees. You know, we don't want to
be doing these things that are, you know, going to hurt the small business or hurt
families that can't afford it. We need to really think of innovative, creative ways, tax
increment financing ideas in order to solve climate change, sea level rise,
infrastructure. We need to look at incentivizing projects to become net zero, to not tie
into the utility infrastructure, to be providing solar panels, or providing waste
electricity types ideas in order to start creating, you know, developments and new
developments that aren't impacting climate change. And so I just -- I'm hopeful -- and
I know that the leadership here is -- has been giving tremendous support to us, and I
just hope that when you're looking at priorities right now, we're -- we got to focus on
affordability, transit; we got to focus on our low-income neighborhoods; we got to
focus on education, but infrastructure and resiliency and making our city, you know,
able to, you know, last forever and be an example, a model to the rest of the world to
how we solve this problem has to be, in my opinion, one of those priorities. Thank
you so much.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you, Mr. Martin. I really appreciate everybody coming
here. There is will amongst this Commission to take the action. We're looking for the
guidance, very specifically, on what those actions are. Contrary to what it seems like,
we don't like to sit around and just talk, talk, talk. We really need guidance on the
specific things that this board can take action on. And I got a draft, at least, of your
presentation for today, and some of the things that the Sea Level Rise came up --
Committee came up with this week, and this is very encouraging, because I see very
concrete things here: Staff capacity building, with a very specific financial ask and a
very specific manpower ask. This is something we can now take to the
Administration, figure out how we're going to fund, figure out where we find these
people, and where we place them, and how it works. That's excellent. Changes to the
Building and Zoning Code. This is obviously going to take more time. We're going to
have to work with you all and with the Resilience Department, as well as Francisco.
And so, I'm available. My door's open in my office to craft the legislation of what we
need to bring. And I see you also have a timeline here of -- by February, creating
Resilient Miami Task Force; by end of February, draft a Shorecrest plan; hire interns
by April. I mean, this is very good. This is really the first that I felt a tangible
request, other than the initial financial request. And so I'm here. I'm ready. Mr.
Manager, when you prepared the application for the general obligation bond last
year, how much did you allocate for sea level rise and resiliency mitigation?
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Daniel J. Alfonso (City Manager): Well --
Commissioner Carollo: I think it -- I'm going on memory, but I think it was about 17
million?
Vice Chair Russell: No. It was way --
Commissioner Carollo: No?
Vice Chair Russell: -- well north.
Commissioner Carollo: I'm going on memory.
Vice Chair Russell: I want to say seven, zero, 70, I believe was the number.
Mr. Alfonso: The category, I think, was 92 million --
Vice Chair Russell: Ninety-two.
Mr. Alfonso: -- but it was like 70 -- 50 to 70, somewhere in that range.
Vice Chair Russell: Right. And so --
Mr. Alfonso: And that included some infrastructure, like roadways, and things like
that.
Vice Chair Russell: Right. Recognizing that within our, you know, current general
fund, we don't have the ability to tackle a lot of these things. Even in my district
alone, I have the need for pumps and plans for drainage that don't exist, and each one
of these is over a million dollars for a small residential street; we simply don't have it.
The street doesn't have the strength to self -tax themselves, even to find it. So I am
onboard to bring back the potential for that general obligation bond, and I hope to --
that we -- they would carry it out in a way that we can convince this Commission and
the public in the end, through referendum, that that's a good idea, because that would
be a source o_f funds, and it can be done in a way that would not be an increase in
taxes. So I'm very onboard and I'm very encouraged, and I thank you all for coming.
Commissioner Gort: Let me ask a question. My understanding is the FEMA is the
one that does the mapping for the flood areas; am 1 correct?
Ms. Gilbert: Yeah.
Commissioner Gort: And according to what you stated here today, it should go
beyond that. And how do we go about that?
Mr. Borges: So, for example, Coral Gables Mayor took the initiative of doing a map
of the entire City of Coral Gables, high resolution. The resolution is important. A lot
of times we're dealing with very low resolution flood maps, so they did a high -
resolution study to relook at -- you know, the City has --
Commissioner Gort: Right.
Mr. Borges: -- ups and downs.
Commissioner Gort: Sure.
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Mr. Borges: I mean, we have areas here that are 18 feet. We have areas that are
three feet that are almost at sea level.
Commissioner Gort: Right.
Mr. Borges: So understanding the subtle topographic changes that we have in the
community is important, is key, and it's one of the tools that we've recommended we
need. You know, the Planning Department really has to have the best information so
that, as we overlay that over Miami 21 zoning, we could kind of understand that this
is something that is going to have be by overlay; kind of understanding how some
neighborhoods have more flood risk than others. And how do we, you know, make
sure that the zoning is adequately applied to that, you know? So it starts with good a
map, high resolution, and then we overlay that over zoning, you know.
Commissioner Gort: Also, I understand that our Building Department has come up
with the meetings they had with FEMA, and they did an analysis and a study that was
presented to FEMA, and I think we were able to lower insurance because of that.
Now, my understanding is today, when you go apply for a building permit, you are
asked to go even a little higher than what it used to before; am I correct? We need to
go even higher than that.
Mr. Borges: So, again, FEMA is -- I think it's an ancient document right now, if you -
Commissioner Gort: Right.
Mr. Borges: -- really talk to people that understand the way those maps were created.
Now we're working with NAVD (North American Vertical Datum) instead of NGVD
(National Geodetic Survey - Vertical Datum), which is more specific to this region,
and how sea level changes regionally, so we're dealing with the true sea level here in
South Florida. But the point is that once you understand the topographic map, you
know, then you create a regulation that exceeds FEMA regulations --
Commissioner Gort: Right.
Mr. Borges: -- which is going to make all the insurance companies very, very happy,
and then individual buildings more resilient, and the infrastructure more intelligently
designed and more resilient.
Commissioner Gort: Thank you.
Mr. Pathman: Commissioner, if I could address one thing. You asked about the
mapping. 1 think it's very, important why we're asking for it. FEMA is 20 to 25 years
behind in their mapping. It's an exorbitant cost for them to map not just South
Florida, but the country. So if we wait for them, it's going to be complicated and
more difficult and more costly. If you start doing it now, at least it gives us the ability
to look at the areas that are going to be most impacted, and it also will help keep us --
our score -- what they call the "Community Rating Score System,- which is how they
then assess what cost of insurance will be. If we can lower our score, we can lower
the insurance.
Commissioner Gort: Right.
Mr. Pathman: That's what's important.
Commissioner Gort: Okay. Thank you.
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Chair Hardemon: Discussion. So the discussion -- How you doing, ma'am?
Linda Alger: Hi.
Chair Hardemon: Are you on the committee? I'm not sure.
Ms. Alger: I'm not. I'm just a resident of the City ofMiami, and I would love to make
a comment, if you will allow me.
Chair Hardemon: You are a resident of this City.
Ms. Alger: Yes.
Chair Hardemon: You're not 'just" a resident.
Ms. Alger: I am a resident of the City of Miami.
Chair Hardemon: And how long have you been a resident of the City of Miami?
Ms. Alger: Yes.
Commissioner Gott: A few years.
Chair Hardemon: A few years?
Ms. Alger: Okay, thank you. Linda Alger, 2784 Southwest 29th Avenue, Miami,
Florida 33133. I'm lucky. I'm one of the people that live on one of the higher
elevations here, but I'm told that what good is living on a higher elevation if the
access roads around your neighborhood flood, and you can't get in and out, and your
neighborhood becomes an island? So we're ground zero. This is what I hear. We're
ground zero. We live on porous limestone, so even if we build seawalls, we're not
going to keep the water out, because it's going to come up through our limestone as
the water level rises, which it is doing. So, apparently, back in the -- like 1958 --
there was the first clarion call about global warming, because of all of the increased
use of fossil fuels. In the 2000s, we started having Earth Days, I believe, where we
wanted to take individual action to change our lightbulbs, but unfortunately now, it's
gone beyond that. So the message I have to you guys today is that -- well, number
one, oceans absorb the increased heat from the atmosphere and increases the volume
of the oceans, and at the same time, they're getting the ice melt from Antarctica and
Greenland. So it's a two -edge sword that's raising the sea levels, and of course, back
to us being at ground zero. I believe that one of the most important things that we've
got to do right now locally is educate, educate, educate the people that live in Miami.
I talk to people about this every chance I get, and very few people know anything
about it. I believe that this City could be very proactive in sponsoring some local
seminars, where residents can plug in and get more educated. There's a huge
learning curve to learn about it and to understand it. I believe that Sunshine State,
that we call our state, needs to be become the "solar state, " but, of course, again, I'm
here to ask. for local action. What they're doing is so important. If we change zoning
codes and we change building codes, and our residents don't understand why we're
doing it, they're not going to be very happy. So we educate the residents so they
understand why we have to take these tough, tough actions to change the building
codes. And another picture: We're a tourist economy. From what I understand, for
every two degrees -- if the ocean's heat -- you know, the temperature of the oceans is
raised two degree Celsius, our coral reefs start dying off. Tourist economy; dead
reefs, not good; not good for fishing, not good for -- not good at -- because our reefs
also provide protection to our land in hurricanes. There's so much I could say, and I
know you're not going to let me say everything that I'd like to say. I'm worried about
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our mortgages. When will the mortgage companies stop writing 30-year mortgages?
That's the elephant in the room, right? -- or the gorilla, or whatever we call it. The
30-year mortgages, when will we stop being able to get 30-year mortgages? Well,
that will affect our real estate value and our markets, and in this state, we get our
income to run our cities and our counties and our state from our property taxes. So
when that happens, it's going to make it much harder for people in a community like
this to buy a house or sell a house or a property. So my -- what I want to say is the
time for talk has stopped. The time for more 10-year studies have stopped. There's
lots of studies out there. I believe that we need to empower this Committee to do what
they need to do. We need to educate all of our residents in the City of Miami so that
they understand why we need to make changes. And I guess my, closing remark is
going to be: The ice is melting, the Earth is warming, and sea level is rising. So,
please, locally, take action so that we can show other communities that local
Commissioners can start doing what needs to be done, and hopefully, other
communities will follow your example, okay? Thank you very much for letting me
speak.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you so very much. I know we've concluded the DI
(Discussion Item) item. However, Commissioner, there was one issue that came up. I
was speaking to a resident when I stepped away from the dais, and I just wanted to be
able to bring this resident up so he has an opportunity to make his statement in front
of the Commission, and if the board decides they want to handle this issue, they can.
If they do not, then they do not, but I want to at least give him -- (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
John Snyder: Hi.
Commissioner Gort: I'd like to get a copy.
Mr. Snyder: Yes.
Commissioner Gort: A copy of the recommendations; I'd like to get a copy of it.
Chair Hardemon: Okay.
Commissioner Gort: Because I think a lot of those things, we can start implementing,
like the change of zoning. Like the lady was stating a little while ago, you have to
educate the community why you need to make some changes.
Chair Hardemon: Okay. So you'll make a -- provide copies for the board.
Commissioner Carollo: Could I get a copy also?
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DI.3 DISCUSSION ITEM
1607
Commissioners
and Mayor
FOLLOW UP DISCUSSION ITEM REGARDING CLASSIFIED
VERSUS UNCLASSIFIED POSITIONS IN THE OFFICE OF THE
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR GENERAL.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Note for the Record: Item DL3 was deferred to the March 9, 2017 Regular
Commission Meeting
DI.4 DISCUSSION ITEM
1683
Commissioners
and Mayor
DISCUSSION REGARDING A COMMISSIONER'S ABILITY TO
PLACE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Note for the Record: Item DL4 was deferred by unanimous consent to the February
9, 2017 Regular Commission Meeting.
Chair Hardemon: DI.4. CommissionerCarollo.
Commissioner Carollo: Yes.
Chair Hardemon: DL4.
Commissioner Carollo: Oh, DI -- oh, Pm sorry. Can we defer that to the next
meeting? I know the City Attorney met with my staff during briefing, but I wasn't
there.
Commissioner Gort: Yeah. You asked to defer?
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah.
Chair Hardemon: Without objection.
Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Chairman,1 do have to leave.
Chair Hardemon: All right. Well, then, it's 11:59. We can break for lunch and then
come back at 2 o'clock to -- have the rest of the agenda. Am I missing something?
No?
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Commissioner Gort: 2:30?
Chair Hardemon: Meeting is in recess till 2 o'clock.
Commissioner Gort: 2. 30?
Chair Hardemon: 2: 30 --
Commissioner Gort: 2 o'clock? Okay.
Commissioner Carollo: 2: 30.
Chair Hardemon: You know what I'm afraid of.
Vice Chair Russell: 2: 30, is it?
Chair Hardemon: Okay. 2, 2, 2; let's do 2.
Vice Chair Russell: 2 o'clock.
Chair Hardemon: Because we have the public hearing stuff at the beginning.
Commissioner Gort: Yeah, yeah.
Chair Hardemon: Continuances.
END OF DISCUSSION ITEMS
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PART B: PZ - PLANNING AND ZONING ITEM(S)
Chair Hardemon: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the procedures for the PZ (Planning &
Zoning), so once the Commissioners come, we can just start.
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): Yes, Chairman. PZ 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 must be sworn in by the City Clerk. Please note, Commissioners have
been briefed by City staff and the City Attorney on items on the agenda today. The
members of the City Commission shall disclose any ex parte communications to
remove the presumption of prejudice, pursuant to Florida Statute Section 286.0115 and
Section 7.1.4.5 of the Miami 21 Zoning Code. Any person may be heard by the City
Commission through the Chair for not more than two minutes on any proposition
before the City Commission unless modified by the Chair. If the proposition is being
continued or rescheduled, the opportunity to be heard may be at such later date before
the City Commission takes action on such proposition. The Chairman will advise the
public when the public may have the opportunity to address the City Commission
during the public comment period. When addressing the City Commission, the member
of the public must first state his or her name, his or her address, and what item is being
spoken about. A copy of the agenda item titles will be available at the City Clerk's
Office and at the podium for your ease of reference. Staffwill then briefly present each
item to be heard. For applications requiring City Commission approval, the applicant
will then present its application or request to the City Commission. If the applicant
agrees with staff recommendation, the City Commission may proceed to its
deliberation and decision. The applicant may also waive the right to an evidentiary
hearing on the record. The order of presentation shall be as set forth in Miami 21 in
the City Code -- and the City Code, providing that the appellant shall present first.
For appeals, the appellant will present its appeal to the City Commission, followed by
the appellee. Staff will be allowed to make any recommendation they may have. All
persons testifying must be sworn in. The City of Miami 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 the requested
action, pursuant to City Code Section 2-8. Any documents offered to the City
Commissioners that have not been provided seven days before the meeting as part of
the agenda materials will be entered into the record at the City Commission's
discretion. Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. If you'll be
speaking on any of today's Planning & Zoning items, may I please have you stand and
raise your right hand?
The City Clerk administered oath required under City Code Section 62-1 to those
persons giving testimony on zoning items.
Mr. Hannon: Thank you, Chair.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you. Generally, at this time, we have our public comment
section. I want to wait till at least we get one more Commissioner so that you have a
few more -- a couple -- at least one more ear to speak to, so that's what we're waiting
on right now. Okay. So at this time, I'll open up the floor for public comment. This is
the time where, if you're here to speak on any of the items here on the PZ agenda, you
have two minutes to address this body. State your name, your address, which item it is
that you're here to speak about. So I'll open up the public comment section again at
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this time; two minutes for you to address this body about any item that is on the PZ
agenda. State your name, your address, which items that you're here to speak about.
And so, you can approach any of the lecterns. Oh, I'm sorry, I apologize. One more
thing: Are there any continuances, deferrals, or withdrawals? Let's make those be
known now.
Francisco Garcia: Yes, sir, there are. Francisco Garcia, Planning & Zoning director
for the record. My only concern is that, if there are going to be continuances or
deferrals, there will -- oh, there are three Commissioners present; my apologies. So,
yes, I will then read the items that are proposed to be continued or deferred: Items
PZ.1 and PZ.2 are being requested for a deferral to March 23 -- that's March 23;
PZs.3 and 4, indefinite deferral; PZ.5, indefinite deferral; PZs.8 and 9 to February 23;
PZ.10, there is a request from, I believe, Commissioner Suarez that it be continued so
that we can continue to meet with concerned stakeholders. I don't have a specific date,
so I'll withhold, unless someone from Commissioner Suarez' office wants to opine.
PZ.11, indefinite deferral; PZ.13, withdrawn; PZ.14, withdrawn.
Chair Hardemon: It was 14, correct? You said 13 and 14?
Mr. Garcia: 13 and 14, sir, yes; withdrawing both. And that's what I have fbr -- at the
moment. I'm sorry, I am hearing now that there is a request, also, that PZ.16 be
deferred to the Planning & Zoning meeting of the month ofApril.
Chair Hardemon: Can you state it again for me, please, Mr. Garcia?
Mr. Garcia: Of course. PZ.16 is requested to be deferred to the Planning & Zoning
meeting of the month of April. I'm sorry, one more. PZ.12, I understand, is also being
requested to be continued to the Planning & Zoning meeting of the month of February;
that's February 23, ifI'm not mistaken; to be confirmed by the City Clerk. I apologize.
Chair Hardemon: Okay, Commissioners. So the -- I'm sure all of us heard all the
items. Is there a motion to --?
Commissioner Gort: Move it.
Chair Hardemon: -- handle that?
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): 1 think the Clerk wants to ask you --
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): I just want to make sure we're all on the same page on
this one.
Chair Hardemon: That's fine.
Mr. Hannon: Okay. I'm just going to go down the list. I have PZ.1 and 2, continued
to February 23.
Mr. Garcia: Sony, no; March 23.
Commissioner Gort: March 23.
Mr. Hannon: March, March 23. One moment. So PZ. 1 and 2, deferred to March 23.
Commissioner Gort: Right.
Mr. Hannon: PZs.3 and 4, indefinitely deferred; PZ.5, indefinitely deferred; 8 and --
PZ.8 and 9, continued to February 23; PZ.10, we're going to not address that at the
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moment until we know which date Commissioner Suarez wants to either continue or
defer this item, so PZ.10, at least as of this time, will still remain on the agenda. PZ.11
will be indefinitely deferred; PZ.12 is going to be continued to February 23; PZ.13 and
14 are going to he withdrawn; and PZ.16 is to be deferred to April 27.
Commissioner Gort: Move it.
Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved and seconded [sic]. Is there any further
discussion from the --? Sir, you know these are procedural motions. It does not
involve any comment from the public or any argument.
Elvis Cruz: Just want to object to a deferral, sir.
Chair Hardemon: No problem. Is there any further discussion from the board
members? Seeing none, all in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: Motion passes.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR PLANNING AND ZONING ITEM(S)
Elvis Cruz: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Hardemon: One second, please. Okay. I want to recognize you for public
comment. This is our public comment section, so I recognize you first, and then I'll go
to you, sir.
Mr. Cruz: Mr. Chairman, I had actually wanted to speak to the deferral that was
offered for PZ items 3 and 4, because those have already been here at City Hall for
public hearings seven times. We have a number of citizens that are here. This was just
sprung on us at the last minute. Please note that the last time we were here before you
was on October 27, so the applicant has had plenty of time to repair -- to prepare. It is
our belief that is -- this is nothing more than a politically tactical move with this
deferral. It's extremely rude and incourteous [sic] to the public, and we would ask that
you not defer it, and that you do hear it today.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you, sir. You're recognized, sir.
Don Deresz: Don Deresz, 1852 Southwest 24th Street. Mr. Chairman, may 1 have
three minutes? I'm going to speak on two items.
Chair Hardemon: You -- just speak.
Mr. Deresz: Thank you. Mr. Mayor, Commissioners, the owner of 2225 Southwest
18th Avenue -- this is PZ.16 -- Lance Lazarus (phonetic) purchased a very expensive
house, and what he bought is a very --
Chair Hardemon: I want you to know that PZ.16 was --
Mr. Deresz: I know. 1 want to get it on the record though, please.
Chair Hardemon: Okay.
Mr. Deresz: And the other item. What he bought is a very expensive house; a house
with a zero lot line parking lot in the back yard, which was illegally paved many years
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ago, without a permit. The owner's goal is to demand nonconforming office use in this
house, as zoned in a residential area, in complete opposition to the Miami 21 Zoning
Code. The office use of this house has been allowed in the past by administrative
directives, without a public hearing, as it contributes to negative occurrences that
decrease the value of our houses and quality of living, such as an increase in traffic,
overflows street parking into many residential blocks; and as I recently learned, party
noise levels into the night by office employees of an adjacent building owned by this
owner. At a December 15 meeting with two Commissioners, members of the Planning
& Zoning Department, and many residents of Silver Bluff who take pride in our
neighborhood; the owner -- or his representative -- incredulously finalized his remarks
that these problems of traffic and parking in our neighborhood are not their concern,
and kicked in the ultimate threat of suing the Commissioners, the City and its citizens if
he doesn't get what he wants. Even more astonishing, instead of working to improve
the traffic issues, parking problem and quality of life in our neighborhood, the
Planning & Zoning Department detrimentally approved this application, with a simple
online search of any recent complaints, without consulting any residents.
Furthermore, the Planning & Zoning Department also exhibited utter ignorance of the
requirement for mandatory termination of all nonconforming land uses under Miami
21 Code. The owner erroneously assumes that his application complies with Section
2212, titled, "Nonconforming Use Pilot Program, " which expired on August 1, 2016,
last year. In fact, this application of a nonconforming office use would prove to be
materially adverse to several criteria in Article 4, Table 12, such as building function
and density, parking standards, and ambient standards. Doesn't anybody in Planning
& Zoning read these documents, as the Planning Department's exasperating and
irrational decision will contribute to real problems that negatively affect our City of
Miami neighborhood? They should be helping to solve these traffic, parking, and noise
problems; not add to them. Finally, to quote Ordinance File Number 1100492ZT,
"This expired nonconforming use pilot program was originally enacted to allow
businesses to continue where their certificate of use was lapsed, due to the economy."
This owner did not have a business on that property when the certificate was
negligently lapsed. The certificate expired prior to their purchase of the property. The
owner bought a house. He has a beautiful house with a noncompliant parking lot in a
very friendly and family -orientated, working-class, residential Miami neighborhood.
Again, PZ.10, which also asks for parking in a nonconforming use, in the TR-3 areas,
all of these -- this rationale that I presented to you also applies to a denial of PZ.10.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much.
Mr. Deresz: Thankyou.
Chair Hardemon: If you want to include that into the record, you can pass it to the
Clerk, and he can --
Mr. Deresz: Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: -- supplement the record.
Mr. Deresz: Thankyou, Chair.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you.
Brett Bibeau: Good afternoon.
Chair Hardemon: Good afternoon.
Mr. Bibeau: Brett Bibeau, managing director of the Miami River Commission, with
offices located at 1407 Northwest 7th Street; here to read a letter into the record that's
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being distributed from Miami River Commission Chairman Horacio Stuart Aguirre.
"During a public meeting on November 14, 2016, the Miami River Commission
considered a draft amendment to the Zoning Code which would allow crew quarters in
marine industrial zoning. The Miami River Commission unanimously recommended
approval of the draft Zoning Code amendment to allow crew quarters in DI, D2 and
D3 zoning, with the following four conditions: Number one, insert to maximum
density. Currently, the amendment does not have any maximum density at all. Number
one, insert to maximum density, not to exceed one crew quarter per permanent boat
slip in the marine operating permit. Number two, requiring the warrant is presented to
the Miami River Commission to create an advisory recommendation for the City
Administration's consideration prior to the City Administration issuing a decision on
the warrant application. Number three, to insert City Planning Director Garcia's
suggested word, 'dormitory,'" quote/unquote, "into the definition of 'crew quarters.'
And finally, number four, replacing the words, 'or more,'" quote/unquote, "with the
words," quote, "'temporarily stored.' Your time and continued strong support for the
Miami River District are appreciated." Thank you very much.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you, sir. You're recognized ma'am.
Marissa Neufeld: Good afternoon. My name is Marissa Neufeld, with offices at 333
Southeast 2nd Avenue. I'm here to speak on PZ.22. I have a client that is a property
owner and is in the process of developing a self -storage facility. They are not opposed
to this legislation, but we would just ask for a 60-day delay to the effective date,
because this client has relied on the current drafting of Miami 21 in designing a public
storage facility with an architect, so we'd ask for a 60-day delay to this item.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you.
Ms. Neufeld: Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: You're recognized, ma'am.
Meena Jagannath: Good afternoon. My name is Meena Jagannath. I am an attorney
at the Community Justice Project, 3000 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami 33137. I wanted
to object on the record to the deferral of items PZ.8 and 9. I represent Kirk Munga
(phonetic), who's a qualified intervenor and -- for those items. And I wanted to urge
you to reconsider the deferral and if you will not reconsider it, then to request that you
re -notice the residents, because it's been six months since the initial notice was given to
them on this matter. Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: Just because you go from one side to the next doesn't mean I won't
recognize you.
Vice Chair Russell: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) by mistake, I'm sure.
Chair Hardemon: I'm just joking with you. Go ahead.
Mr. Cruz: Yeah. Actually, I misspoke when I was over there. I was objecting to 8 and
9, not 3 and 4, but apparently, that's already been deferred? That decision is made?
Chair Hardemon: 8 and 9, yes; it has been deferred.
Mr. Cruz: Okay. All right. I -- in that case, I wish to speak to item PZ.10. Elvis Cruz,
631 Northeast 57th Street; in opposition to item PZ.10, the parking in T3. This item
came before you about six to nine months ago, with objections from citizens across the
City, and it was defeated. Now it comes before you for a limited area along Coral
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Way. First and foremost, this proposal is illegal, as was confirmed by Planning
Director Francisco Garcia, in a meeting we had a couple days ago.
Commissioner Gort: That's not what he said.
Mr. Cruz: This is in conflict with the Future Land Use Map of the Comprehensive
Plan., and therefore, illegal. This item should be withdrawn. I would strongly caution
you against amending the Future Land Use Map to allow something like this, because
that would open a Pandora's Box of unintended consequences. Residential zoning
exists for a very good reason: to protect residents from commercial intrusions like this.
This amendment is an attempt to be "slightly pregnant"; it doesn't work. Make no
mistake, it is a slippery slope, and it will certainly spread across the entire City. If this
is approved, commercial properties all across the City will point at this and say,
"Look, you gave it to them. Now give it to me," and you will find it very difficult to
fight the negative precedent that would have been set here today. I ask you, please
protect our T3 neighborhoods from commercial parking, even if its sugar-coated in a
Trojan horse fashion, like this proposal here today. Thank you.
Ulysee Kemp: My name is Ulysee Kemp. I reside at 76 Northwest 39th Street. I'm the
president of Buena Vista Heights Neighborhood Association, and I'm here to speak on
PZ.8 and PZ.9. But I want to get an understanding that the deferral that was read out,
that's already a done deal? That's going to happen; that's deferred?
Vice Chair Russell: It is deferred.
Mr. Kemp: It is deferred at this moment? Okay. Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: You're recognized, ma'am.
Beba Mann: Good afternoon. My name is Beba Sardina Mann. I'm the president of
Silver Bluff Homeowners Association, and I'm here to speak on PZ.10. I'm not sure if
it has been continued or not. It has not?
Vice Chair Russell: Yes.
Chair Hardemon: Not yet.
Ms. Mann: It has?
Chair Hardemon: No, it has not, because PZ.10 was an item that we were waiting to
see exactly when they wanted to defer it to. They -- we're waiting on Commissioner
Suarez. I believe that's the one, right? Yes.
Ms. Mann: Right. So I'm not sure whether I should be speaking now or wait -- if it's --
Chair Hardemon: I'll tell you that it will be deferred; we're just waiting on a day.
Ms. Mann: Okay, because I would also like to hear from the Planning director is if in
fact, what Mr. Elvis Cruz just stated is what -- he came up with a conclusion, because
we had a conference call in which he was going to come back with the research, so 1
don't have an answer.
Chair Hardemon: I would suggest that you go to see him now, and then -- because
we're not going to tackle that issue today, if it's going to be continued.
Ms. Mann: Okay.
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Chair Hardemon: So if you want to speak to him now, you can.
Ms. Mann: Okay. So just for the record, l just want to make sure that this Commission
understands perfectly well that, as president of the homeowners association, I have
gone through the entire 22nd Terrace, given out flyers; we've had several meetings,
and the residents of 22nd Terrace, between 17th Avenue and 27th Avenue, are
supporting this ordinance, with some conditions. And I'm going to read the conditions,
because I hope that, perhaps, when this actually gets heard, our Planning Department
has kind of put that in there, because I've been saving this since we went to the PZAB
(Planning, Zoning & Appeals Board), and they're still not there. The ordinance is
written in a way where it can be interpreted in a lot of ways. So if I may, can I just
make my presentation and go ahead? Thank you. So I'm going to read so I don't go off
and go in different directions, because I have a lot of directions to go into. I'm not here
to impose my views, but to defend my name and my position. At the last hearing, my
name and my husband's name were mentioned and singled out that we were the only
two people in favor of this ordinance, as if we were taking this position without
consulting the community. I resent that, and I represent that community. Allow me the
opportunity to clarify why we took this position. I have never made a decision without
first consulting the residents of Silver Bluff. My position, when I come before you, is
not based on my personal opinion, but that of all the residents in Silver Bluff that are
impacted. Silver Bluff meets quarterly, and at minimum, we have 30 to 40 people
attend. Both Commissioner Suarez and Commissioner Carollo have been, and see how
many attend to our meetings; last meeting was' at least 70 people. As you recall, the
concept of this ordinance started because of an up -zoning on 22nd Terrace and 13th
Avenue. Last year, an attorney for a potential future project asked to meet with me
regarding the project that he was working, on Coral Way, between 17th Avenue and
27th Avenue; the only stretch of Coral Way with a protective T5. They wanted to up -
zone the T5 to a T6-8 and the T3 to a T4. I expressed at that time that we would not be
supporting this up -zoning. We do not want up -zoning residential properties for
parking or for any other reasons. We want to keep the integrity of a well -established
single-family residential neighborhood. After much back and forth, the concept of this
ordinance carve up, and they came back with a new proposed project: Single family
home resident on Southwest 22nd Terrace, and borrowing a back portion for the
garage servicing the building on Coral Way. I had a meeting with the residents of
22nd Terrace and explained the proposal and the concept. We then had a follow-up
meeting with the residents of 22nd Terrace, the developers, and their attorney. It was
unanimous vote in the favor of the project and the concept of this ordinance, with
conditions. 1 contacted the homeowner associations of Coral Way: Golden Pines,
Shenandoah, Vizcaya Roads, and the Roads. The -- by invitation, 1 attended a Roads
meeting to explain what the City was proposing regarding this ordinance. Once the
process of this ordinance started, I believe that, at the directive of this Commission,
Francisco Garcia attended one of our MNU (Miami Neighborhoods United) meetings
to explain what this ordinance was about. The Roads took their position, which I
understand and respect. All the lots along 3rd Avenue are much larger than the lots on
Coral Way, and a new development should not need to borrow from the residential lot
to increase their parking. Also, the streets don't parallel like Southwest 22nd Terrace
does to Coral Way. Shenandoah does not object. I have spoken and exchanged emails
with the president of the association, and he feels that this is a good compromise to
protect the residential integrity of our neighborhoods. Shenandoah is on the other side
of this proposed ordinance along Coral Way. Since its inception, this ordinance has
changed from citywide to only the section of Coral Way from 13th Avenue to 27th
Avenue. I have expressed our conditions to the PZAB at the PZAB hearing, and I am
also stating them in writing to be clear that this is not something that I am supporting
personally. This is something that Silver Bluff residents of Southwest 22nd Terrace are
supporting -- are also supporting. We will -- feel that removing the need to up -zone,
allowing them to only use a portion of this residential lot for the garage is a win/win
for both the developer and the residents. The ordinance is not clear on some of the
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protection we have requested for the record. So let me read those conditions. Number
one, the residential lot on Southwest 22nd Terrace or the avenues must occupy at least
80 percent as a single-family residential unit; need to make it clear that allowing
parking must be only in the back of the residential lot, and the parking shall not cover
the entire lot. The -- in the ordinance, the way it's read, you really cannot understand
what the ratio is; how much of the residential home will become part of the parking
garage of the Coral Way property. Number two, the garage should be lined with trees
with a height of 25 feet to cover the structure. Article 4 of the New Parking Facility
Amendment does not clarify coverage. This should be clear, specifically for corner lots
and the part of the garage next to the residential property. Provide a noise barrier.
There should be no openings to facing the residential property; in other words, the part
of the garage that is on the residential lot should not have openings. We don't want to
see the lights of the garage, the headlights of the cars, or hear the noises that come
from the garage. The rooftop shall not be used for parking under any circumstances.
This exception should not be easily obtained. Applicants should prove hardship
regarding the parking need and the reason underground parking is not feasible.
Recently, I was alerted to a condition -- to a phenomen [sic] that we're experiencing in
Silver Bluff The owners of the properties on Coral Way that own the back lots are
literally taking down the fences, taking down the walls, and using that back of that
property for parking already as we speak. So as -- you can imagine what kind of
nightmare this is for the next -door neighbor. We would also like to see that this
ordinance is strictly for new development. The last thing we would like to see is that
these old buildings on Coral Way are trying to add some strength structure to the
backyard of the residential home. We all know how creative people can be around
town, so we do not want to see that. So, Commissioners, we have a spillover of
commercial parking on Southwest 22nd Terrace that is destroying the quality of life for
its residents. We believe that this ordinance in the future will allow new development
to have the adequate parking to stop this overfill. This section between 17th Avenue
and 27th Avenue is unique in character and in Zoning Code; the only T5 section on
Coral Way. We're asking for your support with this ordinance, and I will be back.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you. You're recognized, ma'am.
Susan Braun: My name is Susan Braun. I live at 45 Northwest 44th Street, Miami
33127. I'm here in opposition to PZ.8 and PZ.9. Mr. Chairman, I hear it has been
deferred, and I would like to put on the record my utter disgust at this deferral. Seven
PZABs, the third time we've been here, 10 to 15 neighborhood meetings. How many
times do neighbors have to say "no"? It is such a hardship for us to come down here.
People, they take off work, they're tired. People get tickets going back, their cars
break down. It's callous, it's abusive. The re -- the applicant has owned this property
since 2009. It's a bit of a shell game, because there' so many different corporate
companies on top of corporate companies. 2009, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) bought it. The
applicant knew as early as 2015 that they wanted to do civic institution. So they might
be saying, "Oh, no, we need to do outreach JroCI (civic institution)." They've had
plenty of time. In PZAB 7 -- PZAB 6, the board member said, "Go meet with the
neighbors about CI" In PZAB 7, the applicant's attorney said, "Well, we did
neighborhood support, and they still want it." There was no neighborhood support,
and not a single meeting after PZAB 6, and told them to do it for PZAB 7. It's just a
continuum of lies, because they thought they had the political cover of the two other
HOAs (Homeowners Associations). Now the reason they're deferring today, because
we have 400 signatures. I got the signatures of Buena Vista Neighborhood
Association, Heights Association, and the stakeholders, and Lorena's neighbors. They
are three -- to my knowledge, as I have led the opposition, there are three people who
want it: Lorena, Evelyn and Donald Shokee (phonetic), who all have skin in the game;
we'll just leave it at that. A big challenge has been that this is a done deal. What does
that mean, "a done deal"? It's an insult to you as much as it is to us. You know what
I'm saying. They think that this is correct. Why is the applicant getting a deferral for
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the umpteenth time to do --? Because they knew they were going to lose. We had 400
signatures, and 1 personally, over -- was there when they were -- most of them were
signed; they're valid. 1 even, on the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) after 47 signatures, 1 saw
four that were outside of Miami. I put a filter block, because I wanted quality
signatures over quantity, and we have over 400. And I sent it to you in an email, and
you could -- and what's really lovely about this are the comments; comments from
people I don't know, who are my neighbors, who support us. The applicant has only
deferred because they knew we were going to kick their butts today with the truth. My
neighbors do not want this obscene garage in this residential neighborhood, with
wonderful history, with wonderful character. This is not a transient community, as
they would like you to believe, and they're going to come in and clean up. People lived
there 20, 30, 40 years. Please. The deferral is such an outrage, because people are
going -- have to take off their jobs again, cancel their doctors' appointments again, do
what they have to do again, to appease millionaires and billionaires. And I have
always defended you against everyone, Mr. Chairman. I am the one that said, "It's not
a done deal." I believe in Keon Hardemon.
Chair Hardemon: It's a continuance. I understand what you're saying; the people are
inconvenienced. Just think about court or any other thing where you have a lot of
items on an agenda, where someone comes and they say, "1 request a continuance."
Sometimes, they're granted; sometimes, they're not, but it is a continuance. It's not --
Ms. Braun: May I --?
Chair Hardemon: Hear what I'm saying to you.
Ms. Braun: May --
Chair Hardemon: Hear what I'm saying to you.
Ms. Braun: I'm sorry.
Chair Hardemon: It's just a continuance. We may reconsider our continuance; you
never know. One -- the parties may, be here. They may say, "You know what? Forget
it. We'll hear it today."
Ms. Braun: Let's hear it today.
Chair Hardemon: No, no, no, but you're not a party. You understand what I'm
saying? So sometimes, that happens. Sometimes, you get here and the Commissioners
say, "You know what? No. No more continuances." Right? Sometimes, that does
happen, but it's just a continuance. I'm saying to you --
Ms. Braun: I just want to ask you a question.
Chair Hardemon: First is there are two more items that are on the agenda today that
are going to he continued, which means that they will be heard. It is not a vote in favor
or against. It means that we can address the rest of the business that other people are
here to address, because this item won't be discussed. So, for instance, we just heard
about another item. We heard six minutes of talk about an item that's going to be
continued. Well, that could have been six minutes that could have been given to
someone else that are going to talk about something that's actually on the agenda that
we're going to hear. And so, you know, just -- it's a continuance. And no matter what
people say -- Look, there have been items that have been presented before the
Commission that I have not been --
Ms. Braun: I can't hear you, I'm sorry.
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Chair Hardemon: There have been items that have been presented before the
Commission that 1 haven't been in favor of that were in my district that passed. The
same thing happened with Commissioner Sarnoff in his district. I say "Sarnoff," he's
no longer here. Right? Now, I've seen this happen time and time again. And so, you
can't say that it's just -- it's always a -- People say what they want to say, but at the end
of the day, one thing that I know sitting here, and I know each of the Commissioners
that are here -- sit here know is that we don't know anything until we get up here and
we discuss it.
Ms. Braun: I appre --
Chair Hardemon: I don't know how any of these Commissioners feel about anything;
and most likely, you don't, either --
Ms. Braun: I agree.
Chair Hardemon: -- because we don't know these things.
Ms. Braun: I agree, I don't' know, so I have a question for you. May I please ask, why
the applicant requested a deferral and why you granted it? Because if it's about CI
and community outreach, it's all -- it's untrue.
Chair Hardemon: Okay.
Ms. Braun: May I ask you why they requested a deferral --
Chair Hardemon: I just --
Ms. Braun: -- and they didn't even give the courtesy to the opposition of a notice?
May I ask you please --?
Chair Hardemon: The notice was --
Ms. Braun: And I don't know --
Chair Hardemon: I don't --
Ms. Braun: You're right, you're right, I don't. Why did they request a deferral, please?
Chair Hardemon: I don't know. Was there a reason to defer it? It was a request for a
deferral. We didn't -- I don't -- the Commission didn't ask. It was a request made for
the deferral, and then, just like everything else, it was granted; that's all that it was. I
hear what you're saying. I understand that you're not happy that it was --
Ms. Braun: Because right now, this conversation right now makes me -- come on. You
know -- I think --
Chair Hardemon: No, listen.
Ms. Braun: -- Craig was on the phone with you.
Chair Hardemon: There -- I go to court, and there are people who ask for a
continuances, and they're granted; sometimes, they're not. Sometimes, you have a
group of judges or a judge that says, "No, we're going to hear this today, because X '
'Y,' and 'Z, "' right? It happens. It's just a continuance or a deferral. When is it
continued to?
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Ms. Braun: February 23. It's abusive, it's callous, it's a hardship.
Chair Hardemon: It's a continuance, but thank you.
Ms. Braun: I appreciate it.
Chair Hardemon: Is there anyone else? Sir, you're recognized.
Ms. Braun: Thank you, gentlemen.
Luis Herrera: Good afternoon. My name is Luis Herrera, 1191 Southwest 22nd
Terrace. I come to speaking about PZ.10. I'm going to asking all the Commissioner
right here that thinking about it. We brought this property to live in a peace of mind,
in peace. Now the investor come into our neighborhood to destroy our neighborhood,
to buying houses in the back to put some parking lot, and they continue to doing it all
the time. The last time we here, in 13th Avenue and 22nd Terrace, we decide to turn
down the parking in this area. And why we continue to do the same thing? I asking
you people, please, all the Commissioners, it's a simple way to do it. Miami 21 was
made to protect the neighborhood. I asking you people, protect the neighborhood, T3.
Take it out of the change in zoning, complete it. The one is in Coral Way, commercial,
they brought that property over there. Whatever they can do there in that particular
land, let them do it; can't be T4 or T6, can't be that way. It got to be such a level that
again, everybody be happy. In that particular lot in Coral Way, we can't do too much.
But these people, they bought the property in Coral Way, if it had to be doing T3 --
three-story, let them do a three story. Leave the part of the back, the residential
(UNINTELLIGIBLE) T3 alone. For a hundred or 10,000 years, be residential; that's
what I asking you people. You represent us. The investor do not represent any the --
you. They got to convince you. And us, the resident, the one who pay the taxes, they
want keep it the residential way, and still asking for residential. That's -- is my point.
Deny this and keep it residential. Thank you very much.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much.
Later...
Vice Chair Russell: Should I continue with public hearing?
Chair Hardemon: Public comment yeah.
Vice Chair Russell: All right. Public comment, please.
Wendy Stephen: Hello. Good afternoon. My name is Wendy Stephen. I live at 101
Northeast 43rd Street. I'm here also on the topics of PZ.8 and 9, about the Dacra
garage that was just being discussed. I was uncomfortable with the deferral. The
problem now that I see is that that deferral occurred not quite an hour ago, and I do
know a bunch of people have already left, so it's been very confusing for residents, so
we do want full participation. I do believe opposition to this garage is building, not
resolving; so I'm torn now about whether to hear it now, when the people who made
the effort to be here -- it sounds like up to 10 times -- are now going to miss their
chance, after being told from the dais that the --
Vice Chair Russell: It was deferred.
Ms. Stephen: -- it was deferred, so there's been a lot of confusion here. I would just
like to reiterate Susan Braun's comments that there's a ton of frustration, you know,
from the public. We do take time off from work, we make arrangements for childcare,
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all these things; and, you know, we've been reassured before that the agendas would be
more firm and it -- we're still seeing huge proportions of the agenda knocked off you
know, which, I'm sure, is a relief for you guys, to a certain extent, but for the people
who are coming, it's -- it is a burden. So I would ask that more time be put into
finalizing the agenda before they're published to the public, because that's what we rely
on, and it's a big effort to come here. Thank you.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Many of the comments today, I think, will speak to
this, and it is a common frustration. The work of the community activist is tireless and
thankless; you're not getting paid, and there is a war of attrition that doesn't lean in
your favor, obviously, but this is the vigilance that you have chosen to protect your
neighborhood. If you believe -- Pm not speaking to the merits of this case, but if you
believe this deferral is because it would not have passed today, then you would --
should consider that a victory, that you have momentum on your side. The fact that
they have the right to now potentially try for another six months to either work with
you or gain support is a win for you, in your mind. It makes it difficult for you to have
to come back. It's not easy. The notification process could potentially use some great
improvement in terms of how the public is notified, and sometimes is at the eleventh
hour that these things happen, so I certainly sympathize, but we have a process. Public
comment continues, please.
Thaddeus Scott: My name is Thaddeus Scott. Tin a resident at 3794 Florida Avenue,
and these are my neighbors.
Maggie Porcher: My Name is Maggie Porcher.
Vice Chair Russell: Would you speak to the microphone, please.
Ms. Porcher: Maggie Porcher, 3553 Hibiscus Street, Miami, Florida 33133.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you for coming.
Anthony Porcher: Anthony Porcher, 3553 Hibiscus Street, Miami, Florida.
Mr. Scott: And we're here to stand in support of PZ.23 in the historic designation that
it has. We're standing in support of that, and to also to comment about the appeal
that's been brought forth to try to stop that project. We just want you to know that we
support it.
Vice Chair Russell: You're in support of the designation, not the appeal; is that
correct?
Mr. Scott: Right, not the appeal.
Vice Chair Russell: Just wanted to make sure I understood.
Mr. Scott: Yes.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you.
Mr. Scott: Yes. Thank you.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you.
Marlene Bastien: Good afternoon, Mr. Chair, members of the Commission. I don't
think I've seen you since the New Year, so Happy New Year.
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Vice Chair Russell: Happy New Year.
Ms. Bastien: 1 did see you, Commissioner Russell, on Saturday, so best wishes for a
healthy New Year. My name is Marlene Bastien, 100 Northeast 84th Street, and we
are here because we stand in solidarity with the habitants of Buena Vista. We came
here to speak against the erection of 800 vehicles parking in the middle of their
neighborhood. The neighborhood, as you know, are inhabited by immigrants who
settled there for years, a lot of Haitian immigrants, and new members of that
community. I'm also against the deferment, and I know that you understand the
frustration expressed by those of us who cane to speak today against this project,
because most of us work. We have to leave everything we were doing for the day to
come and speak, and then, when things change for more than once, it really has an
impact in our lives and in our work, so I know that you appreciate that. Also, since I'm
here -- and I don't know what's going to happen today; if you're going to decide to
move on with the item or not -- I wanted to express our grave concern in Miami. It
seems like cash and power developers have all the power in the City. They have the
power to come in our community, ask for zoning changes, increase rent, divide our
families -- right? -- push people out from their neighborhoods, and then they feel like
they can do it. And I think that we really have to speak to the -- and then see the
people who have been living in these communities for years, who 've sacrificed all they
had to build strong families in these communities, and it then seems like they have no
power when developers come with a lot of cash. Not only that we have to face local
developers; we have to face developers from China, from Chili, from Venezuela. This
is not right. I think it is time for the City to pay attention to residents, people who have
been living in this community for years, who sacrifice their lives to build communities
in the City of Miami. We cannot let this City be taken over by cash and power
developers. I felt like I should say that, because I'm gravely concerned about all these
mammoth projects that are being, you know, put together, and then we, the community,
members of the community, we find out at the tenth hour. It seems we have no power.
And then we seem to forget that, you know, the people have the power. The people are
the ones who live, pay, taxes, live there in these communities days in and days out, and
it is time that you leaders listen to us, so if there are 400 members of Buena Vista who
say that they don't want a parking space, that's it; that should be enough for us,
because they are the residents. They are the ones who pay taxes. They are the ones
who make this community run well, strong. I felt that I needed to say that.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you, Ms. Bastien.
Ms. Bastien: It is time. Enough is enough. We, the people, count. The voice of the
people is the voice of God. Voice (UNINTELLIGIBLE). We need to heed the voices of
the people. Thank you.
Vice Chair Russell: Merci.
Ms. Bastien: Merci.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you.
Alana Greer: My name is Alana Greer. I'm a resident of Miami, at 2462 Southwest
20th Street. I came to speak on PZ.8 and 9, in support of the Buena Vista residents.
And, really, if I could just echo what Marlene Bastien just said, I think -- first of all, 1
want to repeat that the deferrals really are such a huge burden on the community to
come out, and that the side of -- the power and the money that are behind their side
really help us considered in the procedural aspects. I hear time, time again, leaders in
Miami mourning some sort of perceived lack of civic engagement, but if we're not
actually using the power that you all have to create successful spaces here, where the
community voices that are deeply engaged can actually be heard; not only to be heard
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today on that issue, but to take a step back and think about not just how many floors
and what architectural style, or what kind of traffic patterns, but who we are building
Miami for, and who's going to have access to this. As someone who grew up here --
live in Shenandoah -- I hope that nay -- I can build a family here that can own Miami
the same way that I do in my heart and that this community does in their heart. And I
hope that you all use your position to consider those deeper situations that are not in
Miami 21, but are at the heart of who this City is.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you.
Ms. Greer: And I oppose the garage. Thanks.
Vice Chair Russell: Hello.
Bianca Gorordo: Hi. Good afternoon. My name is Bianca Gorordo, of 2911 Grand
Avenue, Miami, Florida 33133. As a proud Code 33 member, I'm here regarding
PZ.23 to oppose the appeal of Dr. John Snyder, and respectfully ask that the Miami
HEP (Historic and Environmental Preservation) Board affirm their original decision --
a unanimous decision -- as it relates to 3701 Park Ave. in Coconut Grove. The plans
for the property align perfectly with the spirit of Coconut Grove. They will rehabilitate
a run-down property, a historic property, all the while maintaining the nature of the
historic property, which originally had two homes. By aligning with the originally
nature property and maintaining that green space for the Grove, we will avoid another
McMansion, which is antithetical to the spirit of Coconut Grove. The development of
this property adds value. In short, it's an obviously good thing, so much so that it was
already once unanimously approved. I ask today that you stand by your original
informed decision and deny this appeal. Thankyou.
Vice Chair Russell: Thankyou.
Jesus Suarez: Good afternoon. My name is Jesus Suarez. I live at 4059 Park Avenue,
and I'm here in support of the applicant to the HEP Board, 3701 Park Avenue
Investment, LLC (Limited Liability Company), and encouraging the Commission to
reject the appeal of Dr. John Snyder. I live right down the street from the subject
property, and one of the happiest days of my life was the day that I bought my house at
4059 Park Avenue. I bought that house five years ago, and I'd like to live there for the
rest of my life. And when I'm behaving well, I go for a run in the mornings, and I run
right by this property every day, and it's a beautifid lot. It's a beautiful property. It's
right at the end of Park Avenue and Douglas. And I started becoming concerned with
development in the South Grove, when, right down the street from me on the other side,
somebody, built what looks like an airport terminal, and candidly, it does. These big
boxes that everybody talks about and says, "How did one of those go up in my
neighborhood?" So when I heard that there was something going on on the other side
of the street, I said, "Whoa, what's going on? Is this something that's going to be good
for the neighborhood?" And then I saw the plans, and the plans are fantastic. You
know, progress is inevitable; houses have to be redeveloped, remodeled. And the plan
that has been approved unanimously by the HEP Board is the kind of responsible
sustainable development that I'd like to see more of as a resident of the South Grove
and a hopeful long-time resident. So I'm here to speak emphatically in support of the
applicant and against the appeal, and encourage the Commission to affirm the HEP
Board's unanimous decision. Thankyou.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Could we balance some folks over here so that we can
go back and forth rather quickly? If half of you would be glad to use the other lectern,
that'd be great.
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Schiller Jerome: Good afternoon, Commissioners. My name is Schiller Jerome. 1 live
-- reside at 24 Northeast 47th Street. I'm here to speak in behalf -- in regard to PZ.8
and 9. Before 1 start, 1 just -- if I can, 1 would like to acknowledge everyone who came
here to speak in regards to PZ.8 and 9; it's a lot of us, and I think that being that it may
get deferred, can we at least --? If those who came with PZ.8 and 9 could please stand
up, so that way the Commission can see how many of us showed up today? Okay,
perfect. I am the owner of 25 Northwest 41st Street, which is the property located right
across the street from the projected site. I'm also the owner of 40 Northwest 44th
Street, which is the property abutting the site right behind it. I'm not here to speak for
and against it. That's not my position. My only concern with the project is in regards
to the actual setback. Currently, right now, the way it's being presented is we're a five -
feet [sic] setback. I can tell you that a five feet [sic] setback along the rear would not
be advantageous to anyone, especially the abutting property owner, and it would really
affect my property and my -- and the value of the surrounding neighborhoods. So
again, whatever decision this Commission makes, that's you guys to decide, based on
the outcome of this community, but Pm just here to talk in regards to the setback.
Thank you.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you.
Jessica Adams: Hi. My name is Jessica Adams. I reside at 4140 Crawford Avenue. I
am speaking -- one second, sorry -- in approval of PZ.23, the approval that was
already voted for from the HEP Board unanimously. I feel that there are a lot of
projects in the Grove that 1 completely understand why you guys opposed that aren't
following the proper rules, that are taking down trees, that are making large
properties, and trying to get variances to increase what they're building. I don't think
it's appropriate to stop a project that is actually doing everything you've asked.
They've preserved the trees; they're keeping the lots as they were originally platted,
which were originally 3701 and 3711 Park. I think that what they're building is not to
maximum capacity. If anything, they're building a small house on a large lot,• each lot
is about 18,000 square feet, which is rare in the Grove, in and of itself. I think that if
we go and we stop these people from doing something that's good -- we're improving
the land, and we're improving property. I see properties that are falling into
deterioration all the time. I have a perfect example on my street, Crawford. A house is
falling down completely, and it's sitting there. Now you have people -- vandals coming
in. You have people that are coming in and doing drugs, and doing different things in
a community that we have small children. You have a group of people that want to
improve. They got a historical approval for a home that they're keeping, and they're
improving it. That house, at this point, has termites; has a lot of issues that they are
going to fix and make beautiful, and 1 don't understand why we would stop someone
from improving a historical structure and doing the right thing for probably the first
time that I've seen in a long time in a lot of these things that are being built right now.
So I think, if you're going to make an example of someone, make an example of
someone that's doing the wrong thing, not someone that's doing the right thing,
because I think it took a lot of guts for them to make this house historical, restore it,
and do what the original structure wanted to have happen. And when you look about
dividing lots, and people talking about density, these lots were originally platted as two
separate properties, so it's not like they did anything wrong; they're just allowing
access for that second property. So, as I said, I'm in favor of it, and I would like you --
I'm opposed to the appeal of Dr. Snyder.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you.
Ms. Adams: Thank you.
Vice Chair Russell: Hello.
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Gena Veillard: Good afternoon, Commissioners. My name is Gena Veillard, and I
live at 120 Northwest 42nd Street, Miami, Florida 33127. 1 am here to speak in
reference to PZ.8 and 9, garage. My decision have not changed from the beginning. 1
do oppose, and for several reasons, like all my neighbors. Living in the neighborhood
for over 27 years, I've seen a lot of transition. I don't think having a garage would
benefit the residents, at all, and it -- if anything, it would cause more, you know, traffic,
and so forth, and it's already happening. So they're already using 1st Avenue as a way
to avoid North Miami Avenue and Biscayne, and so forth. So I really would appreciate
if you guys look forward into this today -- and, like I said, it's not the first time I've
been here -- and to really consider this today. Thank you.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Who's next? We can still hear. He's one foot on the
dais; we're good. You don't have to swear; we're good.
Donald Wheaton: Okay. My name is Donald Wheaton. I live at 3701 Park Ave.,
directly across the street from the neighbor.
Vice Chair Russell: I'm sorry; what was your address?
Mr. Wheaton: 3700 Park Ave.
Vice Chair Russell: Thankyou.
Mr. Wheaton: The property in question is 3701. I've seen the plans, 1 approve the
plans, and I can't imagine why anybody would disapprove the plans. 1 think, you know,
if anybody's going to be affected, it would be me, because I'm directly across the street.
I'm the only one that really has access to look at the property, because the next -door
neighbor has a huge wall and a fence, so they're not going to be an issue there. And I
hope the plans will be reapproved. They're already approved by the Historical
Committee, and it was unanimous, so I see no reason why they can't get going with this
project. Thank you.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you.
Kirk Munguia: Good afternoon. My name is Kirk Munguia. I'm the property adjacent
right to that project that they want to build with the big parking lot. Maybe you
remember me last time; you know, my eye was a little bit slit up, but better now. Good
afternoon. I just want to say, 1 oppose to this project. You know, 1 object. I want to
object to this defer. 1 want, you know, Chairman and you guys to know that 1 have to
take time from my job. I work for U.S. Customs, and 1 literally have to go around and
prearrange for these days and times, because they take it out of my annual leave; and,
you know, sometimes they have to go and, you know, inform management that I have to
leave and abandon a position because of my job duties. Honestly, you know, as the
property right next to this -- wanting to build this project right next to my home, it's not
just going to affect me; also neighbors, as you can see, jroPZ.8, project 8 and 9.
Honestly, this is going to affect not just me, neighbors. This project is going to bring
about a lot of fumes and pollutants and toxins, so I disagreed. And I was never
informed by any of the Commissioners about this defer. You know, it took me a while
to get -- you know, to get here and make things happen. So just wanted to inform you
guys about that, and thank you for your time. Appreciate that.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you.
Rosa Ramos: Good afternoon.
Chair Hardemon: Good afternoon.
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Ms. Ramos: Good afternoon, Commissioners. My name is Rosa Ramos. I'm at 80
Northwest 44th Street. 1 am a resident of the homeowners association in Buena Vista
Heights. I'm here because, to tell you the truth, I'm tired of coming and having these
things deferred. I've been to every single meeting that we've been having against this
garage and the potential of up -zoning; every single meeting, and it keeps getting
deferred. They don't have enough information. They want to go back and talk to the
members of the neighborhood, but nothing gets done; it's the same thing. We're really
getting tired of it, okay. I have to take time from. work. I have a sick husband that I
have to take care of I have to make sure his medication is given to him and that he
eats at a certain time before he takes his medication to come here. Because this is a
neighborhood we moved into. We decided to move in here, because we like the
neighborhood. We -- this Christmas, it's been 50 years since we moved in, okay.
Christmas Eve, we nioved in 50 years ago. And most of the neighbors there, they don't
want to move, but the idea of having a garage, bringing in the traffic that it's going to
bring -- because until this time, they have not really given us an idea of how traffic is
going to travel. They're saying it's going to come in through North Miami Avenue, and
it's going to go out through North Miami Avenue. Have you guys been through North
Miami Avenue, up to 36th Street, from 54th to 36th? The traffic, they're going to bring
more traffic. And when that traffic can't go through, they're going to come through our
community. They don't -- We've had to put four-way stop signs, because the traffic that
comes in -- they -- the people are going in, they're in a hurry to leave; they don't look
to see if we have a stop sign. We practically had three people almost killed because of
this. This is another item that they don't look at, but we do, because we live in that
community. We work and worked hard to be able to have that community, okay. We
need for you to look into this thing, really, with your heart, with your mind. Do we
need to make a referral -- do this all over again? Make another referral [sic]? Can
you come up with a decision that's going to be good for us, the residents? You know,
we've all lived there for some -- long time. We've made a lot of progress. Our
neighborhood has had problems with drugs, theft, a lot of things, but we work it out.
So you can't have them saying, "Oh, we're going to make your neighborhood better,"
because you're not. You're bringing more traffic into a neighborhood that we've been
trying to keep in line for the benefit of ourselves, our grandchildren, our children, and
whoever else that moves in, because we're having a lot of new people moving into the
neighborhood with small kids, and we welcome them. We welcome them, because they
are an asset to our neighborhood, but this garage is not going to be an asset to our
neighborhood, let's face it. Who needs a garage in the middle of a residential area,
when the business is on the other side, through -- almost two and a half blocks, okay,
two and a half blocks away? And who is it going to benefit? It's not benefiting us. We
have parking in our yards. In fact, we ended up having to put decal parking because of
the traffic that comes in from their neighborhood -- from their area. You know, if
you've got land and you can build up on the land, make your own garages for your own
convenience. Think about yourself and think about those that's around you. We don't
live as individuals in an isolated area where we don't care about nobody else. No, you
have to care, because we all have to live in the same area, and we all need to work
together. And if that's not going to happen, then I don't know what's going to happen
with you guys, either. I'm not saying I'm -- I'm not being viceful [sic] or mean or --
hut, you know, common sense would tell you that. Who wants a garage that goes into
the neighborhood where people are going to -- what -- go out of their backyard and
look up, and what they'll see is this big wall, okay? Are you -- You like looking at this
big wall every day, and cars coming in and out at all times, and the lights, and the
fumes, and the horns? Because you can't tell me they're not going to have that. If he
can -- if they can guarantee me right now that they're not going to have any lights, no
noise, no nothing; it's not going to bother the people that live right adjacent to it, I'll go
for it, but I know they can't. So that is my, -- this is all I have to say. I'm really tired of
coming in, and it's being deferred. It's always being deferred for them, notfbr us.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you, ma'am.
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Ms. Ramos: Okay? Thank you. Have a good afternoon.
Brenda Betancourt: Good afternoon. Brenda Betancourt, 1436 Southwest 6th Street;
against PZ.10. I think we been over and over, like the lady just say. How anymore,
parking lot -- actually, parking garage are going to be push into the residential zone.
Please think about like what she saying. If you have a house, you want to have
privacy. You don't want to get up in the morning or coming back from work and see a
wall next to your house. Just see what it is. We all want to have progress. I think we
all want new buildings to go up, but that's what the zoning are. And the moment that
you start encouraging all these garages into people's residential properties, it's going
to have a problem. And I know that we trying to make more units to accommodate
more people, but every single one of you have the same issues. If you residential zone,
I'm going to become a commercial zone, so I guess we're going to have just multi -
families and condo unit of 60-floor buildings and no quality of life for those who wants
to have a yard and a dog and plants, and even grass. So it's about health, it's about
respecting the residents; it's about respecting Miami 21, which is not perfect, but it
have a zone for a reason. So, please, we just asking for you guys to see what the Code
of Miami 21 is and stop making amendments left and right, because one day it's going
to be 17th Avenue; next thing, it's going to be Shenandoah, then it's going to be
Flagami, then it's going to be the Roads, or maybe not. Not every single area has to be
as downtown and Brickell. If we want to be in a building, then I guess we all move to
downtown. But if now you guys are pushing the buildings into our residential zone,
you guys have to think about it. 1 know that we all have to get more units to more
people, but at least, why don't you guys think about low-income housing in Little
Havana instead of garage? I see all of you doing buildings everywhere for low-
income, work house. So if you guys going to do buildings, at least think about the
affordable working people that we have, the homeless that we have. It's not -- so what
are we working for? Just to make more people richer than what you already is, and
taking people out of their areas that they live forever? Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you. You're recognized, sir.
Paul Meyer: Hello, everyone. My name's Paul Meyer. I live at 2130 Southwest 22nd
Terrace; first time I've been here. It looks like I need to come back. Just everybody in
the neighborhoods in Miami, we all have the same issue, and I just want to make a
point, and maybe you guys can all get together and set a limit. You know, Dacra's
been messing with people in Little River, and, you know, some of these big companies,
you know -- These continuances and deferrals are major, and I can understand why
people do it. Well, they do it to mess with the little people. But there's got to be a limit
and it can't just be subjective and everybody knows, and I don't -- Is there a limit, I
guess is my question, on continuances and deferrals? I know it's subjective, and you
want to know that before, but is there anything on the books that says you can't do
more than 10 or something?
Chair Hardemon: No, no, no. There's -- and you also have to be careful about what
you hear. Sometimes, when someone says, "oh, I've been here 10 times, " when they say
"here," many times they've gone to PZAB (Planning, Zoning & Appeals Board)
meetings, they've gone to other public -type meetings, and they count that as, "Hey, I've
been here about this issue." The issue may have come before the Commission. It may
be -- like this is on -- I believe this is first reading. That doesn't mean that, you know, it
hasn't been continued from the past for more time for people to get together and
discuss things, but that's generally how things get done. Communities need additional
time to talk with applicants to make things work. Many times there are projects that
are opposed that end up being acceptable because of the conversations that community
has with the applicant, but -- and I will tell you, you know, one thing I've learned,
asking for continuances as an attorney, and being against a continuance -- Sometimes,
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you have to be careful what you ask for, you know, because sometimes, you just might
get it. And so, you know, in a situation where someone -- if you're opposed -- I'll give
you an example. You have people that are opposed to the garage. You don't know how
any of us will vote.
Mr. Meyer: Sir, I can't hear you.
Chair Hardemon: I'll give you -- You don't know how any of us will vote, so I'll give
you an example. The ICA (Institute of Contemporary Art), which is the museum that
was just east of this neighborhood --
Mr. Meyer: Yeah. My office is in that building. I rent there, so.
Chair Hardemon: Okay. Well, I was adamantly opposed to ICA, and I wanted a
number of different things. So my district fought hard against what they were asking
for because of certain positions [sic] that they were not -- that were not acceptable to
them. You had neighbors that were here saying, "Look, we don't want it. It's a
building that's intruding into our neighborhood. The back of this building is now
fronting my home. My next -door" -- "When I look next door to me, I see a building
and not a house like" -- "that used to there, " and this Commission passed it. And so, I
say that to you to say, sometimes, when someone says, "Hey, I need an indefinite
deferral," at least you know during that time, whatever is proposed to be there is not
going to be there, because I can't guaran -- no one can guarantee you what their vote
is going to be up here. You don't know. No one knows until the presentation is made
and the vote is had. And so, you know, we just don't know. And so, when someone asks
for a continuance, it's not unreasonable for a body to grant it. When -- the way you ask
about it is if something has been -- if you've been abusing continuances, or if it appears
that you're just trying to do some things that just are belaboring the issue for no
apparent reason and you're causing a hardship to the other -- to the defense, or
something like that, that's when, generally, people start to say, "Hey, no. No
continuances." But when you're working on an issue, and it appears to be that you're
doing your due diligence, and you are getting new information every single day, and
things like that, it's not a big deal to grant a continuance, because you have to
remember that someone is paying -- that continuance, someone is paying for that, you
know, so -- but when I say, 'paying for it, " just to be clear, there's an attorney that is
working that now has to work additional hours to prepare for whatever that hearing
may be. And so, you don't see an abuse of continuances up here; you see people get
continuances.
Mr. Meyer: Okay. Well, you know, I'll definitely do a little bit more research. This is
my first time here. And, you know, thanks for the explanation. It just sounds like, you
know, "Where there's smoke, there's fire," so maybe if it's something you guys can
keep your eye on, if people are abusing it, because it is -- it's ridiculously hard to get
here. I am -- I'm the director of the company; I own the company. It was hard for me
to get here, so -- and all those little meetings that we have on the side do add up, and
you got to re -- you know, because they're change the rules, and then we got to all get
together again, and Beha got to run up and down the street and put flyers, when it's
her hushand's birthday. We're real people, you know, and it hurts, you know. So I was
going to talk about PZ.10 and PZ.16. 1 think they've both been deferred and are
continued. Just want to give a little human side on it. You know, I've lived in the
neighborhood for 10 years; loved it. It was cool. I bought the house because there
was a fireplace, and there was wood on the floor, and I could walk my dog. Now I see
these people creeping in. They're creeping in on -- closer towards Miracle Mile.
They're creeping in on Southwest 22nd Avenue, and now they're trying to, you know,
jump in on Southwest 22nd Terrace, which is right in front of my house where they
want to do all this stuff, and then there's the doctor one that's down, you know, three
blocks. I don't want to be there if that's what's happening. All the people that aren't
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here -- a lot of my friends -- neighbors, friends, you know, couldn't come -- they don't
want to be there. We're people that are putting money into our homes. We're people
that vote. We want to raise our kids there. We want to make it a cool neighborhood. 1
understand development. I really do. We need tax money. But we're putting money
into our homes, and people from Brickell are moving there, and brokers and doctors
and lawyers and business owners, and we're going to make those houses great and
something that you're going to cherish, and people are going to want to move into the
neighborhood, just like they did with the Art Deco District in South Beach; the houses
are that cool. And when people come to my house for a party, like, "My God, you got a
cool house. I live in Brickell in a condo and I hate it," you know, so don't mess it up. I
know you guys have a tough job, but we've got gems there. Some of them aren't
beautiful right now, but we're rubbing the brass, we're cleaning the floors, we're
having kids there, and the tax money's going to come, so keep that in mind when you
guys are making your decisions. And I guess I'll be back with these deferrals and
continuances, and, you know, thanks for your time.
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you, sir. Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: Real quick. Could you state your address again?
Mr. Meyer: I'm sorry?
Commissioner Carollo: Could you state your address again?
Mr. Meyer: Yeah, 2130 Southwest 22nd Terrace.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. So you are west of 17th Avenue?
Mr. Meyer: Of what?
Commissioner Carollo: West of 17th Avenue? To the west of 17th Avenue.
Mr. Meyer: Correct.
Commissioner Gort: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay.
Mr. Meyer: Correct.
Commissioner Carollo: Thank you.
Mr. Meyer: Yeah. Okay, thanks.
Chair Hardemon: You're recognized, sir.
Ulysee Kemp: My name is Ulysee Kemp, 76 Northwest 39th Street, Miami, Florida,
president of Buena Vista Heights Neighborhood Association. 1 just wanted to point out
the -- well, several things. When Rosa came up, she mentioned that the entrance for
the garage is going to be on North Miami Avenue. No, that's misunderstanding. The
entrance is going to be on the residential side, and the exit is going to be on the other
side. One's going to be on 42nd Street and the other one is going to be on 44th Street.
I think the State will not allow them to have those entrances and exits on North Miami
Avenue, so they had to do it on the side streets, which is the residential side. The
impact of that alone is going to create more traffic in the neighborhood, and we
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already have a very serious traffic problem right now. We're doing a traffic study,
which we're supposed to get the results from the County and State on the 8th of this
month. We're having a terrible problem with traffic, as it is, and we've been asking to
get roundabouts in the neighborhood, because we're trying to do something to stop the
people from speeding down Northwest 1st Avenue to avoid North Miami Avenue.
Because of the fact that -- because of the growth in the neighborhood, that has been so
gridlocked in the morning that they're looking for alternative ways to go. Once this
garage is allowed to be placed in that neighborhood, that's only going to increase the
traffic -- who knows how many times more -- but it's not something that's desirable for
the neighborhood. It's not something that's going to be beneficial to the neighborhood.
As Rosa stated, because of the fact that the Design District was growing so rapidly, the
patrons and the employees from that area started parking in the residential
neighborhood, because they didn't want to pay. for the parking that was provided in the
Design District. We had to go and -- with your assistance, Commissioner -- get
"residential parking only" decals, just so that we can have a place to park our own
cars. Since that's been granted, and you assisted us in getting that, we've been able to
park our cars on our -- on streets, in our driveways, and we don't have a problem or a
need for additional parking as a resident. The only parking benefit that's going to
come from that garage will be from the businesses on the east side of North Miami
Avenue. That's not going to benefit us. The only thing it's going to do is dump their
waste on our side of the avenue, and we have to deal with it. True enough, the
developer has been working with us, neighborhood associations. And at one point, my
association, which is Buena Vista Heights Neighborhood Association, had come to an
agreement based on the meetings that we had and the participants we had at that time.
This is a project that has been going on about two years now -- fourth -- going on two
years. Since that time, and because of the length of the project, the residents, I would
take it, are more informed as to the impact that it's going to have on them, and I
personally -- before I sent out a letter, stating that I was not going to be supporting this
garage -- the up -zoning of the garage, not the garage itself, just the up -zoning against
the residential neighborhood -- that I went door to door, and I heard, firsthand for
myself what the residents were saying, because a lot of these people are -- they're just
worn down. They're tired of going to meetings for about two years. And the
presentations that were out that the developer provided, yes, true enough, people came
out. Some people were in favor of it; some were not. At this point, we've got so many
people that are not in favor of it that I had to change my, stance as the president of
Buena Vista Heights Neighborhood Association and let them know that I could not
support this, because the residents are not asking me to support this, and it's
ridiculous. There's -- deferring this at this point, 1 don't understand how it's going to
make a difference. They've had several meetings with the neighborhood. And when my
members and myself went door to door, it was unanimously; they don't want to support
the up zoning, and that was the reason for the letters that you Commissioners got from
Buena Vista Heights Neighborhood Association, letting you guys know what our stance
was on this project. It's not going to benefit us, is all.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you, sir. You're recognized, sir.
Nathan Samuels: Good afternoon. My name is Nathan Samuels. I live in Buena Vista.
I also work in Buena Vista. I'm a science teacher at Booker T Washington Senior
High School, so 1 spend a lot of time in the district. Most of my time is in the district,
actually. And I've lived in that area for about six and a half years, my wife and I, on
42nd Street. 1 just got here from school, so I kind of missed what came before, but I
know many of the speakers who carve before me just from the neighborhood
associations and so forth. You know, we've been having a lot of meetings about this
issue; most recently, last week. And as I'm sure you've heard, and as you just heard
from this gentleman, obviously, it's not something that is really desired by the
residents. You know, I don't know if anybody held this up about the analysis for zoning
change that the City own -- the City's analysis had done. I'm sorry. Yes. This is an
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analysis for zoning change. This is the file ID (identification): 15-00053ZC, and
apparently, there were 16 "no's"; there were no "yesses. " Feel free to take a look at
this, ifyou would like to.
Vice Chair Russell: Absolutely.
Commissioner Carollo: Our City Clerk will come and get it for the record.
Mr. Samuels: Sorry; I didn't realize you guys didn't have it before. My apologies.
Chair Hardemon: No problem.
Mr. Samuels: As far as this document is concerned, from what I can tell, it looks like,
by the City's own analysis, it's not ready for the zoning change for a variety of reasons.
That, in and of itself seems reason enough for me to not allow this to go through in
terms of the zoning change, aside from the -- I don't know if there have been any
environmental studies done in terms of traffic studies or noise pollution or, you know,
any kind of -- anything that might affect the residents. I don't know if that type of study
has been done. There's nothing like this structure along that corridor; certainly not in
our residential area. I think this would, you know, disrupt traffic patterns and, you
know, make things a lot difficult just going home, going to work I know, obviously,
that the Dacra project is right across the street, basically, and, you know, that's a very
popular area and growing popularity, and so on and so forth, and I wish it well, hut
this exact garage at this exact place, 1 think, is not a good idea. As for asking for a
continuance to vote on this at another time, 1 would like to urge you not to do that. As
I said, you know, I just got out of work myself I had to get some of the kids in
meetings, and, you know, get over here, and I'm glad that I was able to come here to
address you. But to keep on having that happen, as I guess it's happened in the past, is
sort of -- you know, it's possibly counterproductive for the residents to tell you how
they feel about it. And thank you very much for your time.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you. You're recognized, ma'am.
Cathy Parks Suarez: Hi. Cathy Parks Suarez, 4035 Battersea Road. I'm here to ask
.for you to deny Dr. Snyder the appeal of 3701 Park Avenue. I think it's unfair to do to
this young family or these young people that are building, and I'd like to say that as
much as sometimes I can be very argumentative about things, I think sometimes we
need -- at some point, we need to start relying on the people that we've trusted, whether
it's the elected officials or the people that are in certain departments, to make
decisions. 1 think we have a right to question them, but 1 think we've gotten a little
carried away, and we're kind of running the show here too much. And there's other
areas of the City where there is not the same amount of control as being taken in some
parts of the City. So I think it undermines the people that we have elected, in some
situations, and I think we're undermining some of our inspectors. We're undermining
some of our people that are put into places that make decisions that should know things
that maybe we don't know as neighbors. And like I said, I think we deserve to have a
right to have input, but I don't think we should have a right to control things. We're
slowing things down at a really -- in -- when there's really other things that really,
really, really need more important attention. So I would like to see 3701 be able to
proceed forward with their project. Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much. Sir, you're recognized.
Abdel Karim: Thank you. My name is Abdel Karim. I live at 3170 Indiana Street.
And I also want to echo the messages sent by that lady -- by the nice lady. I think that
the HEP Board made the right decision on 3701, and I urge you guys to oppose Dr.
Snyder's appeal. Thank you very much.
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Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much. Seeing no other persons here for public
comment, I'm going to close the public comment section at this time.
The following item(s) shall not be considered before 2:00 PM
PZ.1
1035
Department of
Planning and
Zoning
ORDINANCE First Reading
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 10544, AS
AMENDED, THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP OF THE MIAMI
COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN, PURSUANT TO SMALL
SCALE AMENDMENT PROCEDURES SUBJECT TO SECTION
163.3187, FLORIDA STATUTES, BY CHANGING THE FUTURE LAND
USE DESIGNATION OF 1.07± ACRES OF THE REAL PROPERTIES
LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 3830, 3840, 3850, 3860, 3841, 3851,
3865 AND 3875 DAY AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, FROM "DUPLEX
RESIDENTIAL" TO "LOW DENSITY RESTRICTED COMMERCIAL";
MAKING FINDINGS; DIRECTING TRANSMITTALS TO AFFECTED
AGENCIES; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort
ABSENT: Carollo, Suarez
Note for the Record: Item PZ.1 was deferred to the March 23, 2017 Planning and
Zoning Commission Meeting.
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PZ.2 ORDINANCE First Reading
1036
Department of
Planning and
Zoning
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING THE ZONING ATLAS OF ORDINANCE
NO. 13114, AS AMENDED, BY CHANGING THE ZONING
CLASSIFICATION FROM T3-O "SUB -URBAN TRANSECT ZONE -
OPEN", WITH A NCD-3 COCONUT GROVE NEIGHBORHOOD
CONSERVATION DISTRICT, TO T4-O "GENERAL URBAN
TRANSECT ZONE - OPEN", WITH A NCD-3 COCONUT GROVE
NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT, FOR THE
PROPERTIES LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 3830, 3840, 3850,
3860, 3841, 3851, 3865, AND 3875 DAY AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA;
MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort
ABSENT: Carollo, Suarez
Note for the Record: Item PZ.2 was deferred to the March 23, 2017 Planning and
Zoning Commission Meeting.
PZ.3 ORDINANCE First Reading
1124
Department of
Planning and
Zoning
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 10544, AS
AMENDED, THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP OF THE MIAMI
COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN, PURSUANT TO SMALL
SCALE AMENDMENT PROCEDURES SUBJECT TO SECTION
163.3187, FLORIDA STATUTES, BY CHANGING THE FUTURE LAND
USE DESIGNATION OF .75± ACRES, AS DESCRIBED IN "EXHIBIT A",
ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, OF THE REAL PROPERTY
LOCATED AT 455 NORTHEAST 38TH STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA,
AND A PORTION OF THE REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3801
BISCAYNE BOULEVARD, MIAMI, FLORIDA FROM "MEDIUM
DENSITY MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL" TO "MEDIUM DENSITY
RESTRICTED COMMERCIAL"; MAKING FINDINGS; DIRECTING
TRANSMITTALS TO AFFECTED AGENCIES; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
MOTION TO: Indefinitely Defer
RESULT: INDEFINITELY DEFERRED
MOVER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort
ABSENT: Carollo, Suarez
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Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PZ.3, please see "Public
Comment Period for Planning and Zoning Items."
PZ.4 ORDINANCE First Reading
1125
Department of
Planning and
Zoning
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING THE ZONING ATLAS OF ORDINANCE
NO. 13114, AS AMENDED, BY CHANGING THE ZONING
CLASSIFICATION OF APPROXIMATELY .75± ACRES, AS
DESCRIBED IN "EXHIBIT A", ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, OF
THE REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 455 NORTHEAST 38TH
STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, AND A PORTION OF THE REAL
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3801 BISCAYNE BOULEVARD, MIAMI,
FLORIDA, FROM T4-R, "GENERAL URBAN ZONE - RESTRICTED",
TO T5-O, "URBAN CENTER ZONE - OPEN"; MAKING FINDINGS;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Indefinitely Defer
RESULT: INDEFINITELY DEFERRED
MOVER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort
ABSENT: Carollo, Suarez
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PZ.4, please see "Public
Comment Period for Planning and Zoning Items."
PZ.5 ORDINANCE First Reading
1126
Department of
Planning and
Zoning
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING THE ZONING ATLAS OF ORDINANCE
NO. 13114, AS AMENDED, BY CHANGING THE ZONING
CLASSIFICATION FROM T6-12-L "URBAN CORE TRANSECT ZONE -
LIMITED" TO T6-12-0 "URBAN CORE TRANSECT ZONE - OPEN",
FOR THE PROPERTIES LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 3701 AND
3737 BISCAYNE BOULEVARD AND 306 AND 316 NORTHEAST 38TH
STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A",
ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED; MAKING FINDINGS;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Indefinitely Defer
RESULT: INDEFINITELY DEFERRED
MOVER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort
ABSENT: Carollo, Suarez
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Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
PZ.6 ORDINANCE First Reading
1030
Department of
Planning and
Zoning
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 10544, AS
AMENDED, THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP OF THE MIAMI
COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN, PURSUANT TO SMALL
SCALE AMENDMENT PROCEDURES SUBJECT TO SECTION
163.3187, FLORIDA STATUTES, BY CHANGING THE FUTURE LAND
USE DESIGNATION OF THE ACREAGE DESCRIBED HEREIN OF
REAL PROPERTIES LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 2610
SOUTHWEST 14 STREET AND 2611 SOUTHWEST 15 STREET,
MIAMI, FLORIDA, FROM "SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL" TO "LOW
DENSITY RESTRICTED COMMERCIAL"; MAKING FINDINGS;
DIRECTING TRANSMITTALS TO AFFECTED AGENCIES;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading
RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair
AYES: Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
ABSENT: Hardemon
Chair Hardemon: So 1 call item PZ.6.
Francisco Garcia (Senior Director, Planning ct. Zoning): Thank you, sir. I'll read the
items briefly into the record. Items PZ.6 and PZ.7 are companion items. They are the
land use and zoning designation change proposal for properties at 2610 Southwest
14th Street and 2611 Southwest 15th Street, and the proposed change is from T3-R,
which it is presently, to T4-L, abutting an existing T4-L district. I'll yield to the
applicants, and be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Commissioner Suarez: I have to make a Jennings disclosure, but I will move PZ.6.
There was some residents that came in the first time and spoke in opposition to it; I've
since met with them, and I've worked with the County on a variety of different traffic
control measures that will help with a lot of their concerns, which are cut -through
parking. 1 think this particular rezoning is very small in nature, because it's only from
a T3 to a T4, but we'll be working on that. And so I move it on first. And 1 just got a -
- have to read into the record: "Per the applicable provisions of Miami 21 and
Florida Law, I, as a City Commissioner, am disclosing that on October 27 and
November 2, I engaged in teleconferences with (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Vila, a neighbor
involved in this quasi-judicial hearing. On November 9, I conducted an investigation
and site visit, as allowed by law, accompanied by Ms. Vila. And on December 13, I
met with Ms. Vila and Jackie Vidal, interested parties involved in this quasi-judicial
hearing. The subject of these meetings was the following: The application by the
Carreras to change the land use designation of 2610 Southwest 14th Street and 2611
Southwest 15th Street from single family residential to low density residential
commercial, and to change zoning designation of the aforementioned properties from
T3 to T4. Such person having contrary views to those expressing the following
disclosure will now be given an opportunity to refute or respond to the foregoing
communications, or ask for a reset of this hearing in order to prepare a proper
response. This procedure complies with Florida Statute 286.0015." And I'll give this
to the Clerk.
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Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. It's moved by Commissioner Suarez; second by the
Chair.
Commissioner Suarez: Is it just a voice vote or is that --?
Mr. Hannon: No, it's an ordinance, so --
Vice Chair Russell: It's a roll call vote. Madam City Attorney, if you could read it
into the record.
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): Yes.
Vice Chair Russell: PZ.6.
Mr. Hannon: PZ.6. The title for PZ.6.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Mr. Hannon: Roll call on item PZ.6.
A roll call was taken, the result of which is stated above.
Mr. Hannon: The ordinance passes on first reading, 4-0.
PZ.7 ORDINANCE First Reading
1031
Department of
Planning and
Zoning
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING THE ZONING ATLAS OF ORDINANCE
NO. 13114, AS AMENDED, BY CHANGING THE ZONING
CLASSIFICATION FROM T3-R, "SUB -URBAN TRANSECT ZONE -
RESTRICTED", TO T4-L, "GENERAL URBAN TRANSECT ZONE -
LIMITED", FOR THE PROPERTIES LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY
2610 SOUTHWEST 14 STREET AND 2611 SOUTHWEST 15 STREET,
MIAMI, FLORIDA; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading
RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
ABSENT: Hardemon
Commissioner Suarez: Move PZ.7, same comments.
Vice Chair Russell: It's been moved by Commissioner Suarez.
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
Vice Chair Russell: Second by Commissioner Carollo. PZ. 7.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
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PZ.8
1032
Department of
Planning and
Zoning
Vice Chair Russell: Any discussion from the dais? No?
Commissioner Suarez: Same as last time.
Vice Chair Russell: Roll call, please.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Roll call on item PZ. 7.
A roll call was taken, the result of which is stated above.
Mr. Hannon: The ordinance passes on first reading, 4-0.
ORDINANCE First Reading
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 10544, AS
AMENDED, THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP OF THE MIAMI
COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN, PURSUANT TO SMALL
SCALE AMENDMENT PROCEDURES SUBJECT TO SECTION
163.3187, FLORIDA STATUTES, BY CHANGING THE FUTURE LAND
USE DESIGNATION OF THE ACREAGE DESCRIBED HEREIN OF
REAL PROPERTIES LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 29
NORTHWEST 42 STREET, 30 NORTHWEST 44 STREET AND 4202-
4330 NORTH MIAMI AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, FROM " DUPLEX
RESIDENTIAL" AND "LOW DENSITY RESTRICTED COMMERCIAL"
TO "MAJOR INSTITUTIONAL, PUBLIC FACILITIES,
TRANSPORTATION AND UTILITIES"; MAKING FINDINGS;
DIRECTING TRANSMITTALS TO AFFECTED AGENCIES;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Continue
RESULT: CONTINUED
MOVER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort
ABSENT: Carollo, Suarez
Note for the Record: The motion to continue Item PZ.8 was reconsidered and a new
motion to indefinitely defer Item PZ.8 was passed by the City Commission (see
below).
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item PZ.8, please see
"Public Comment Period for Planning and Zoning Items."
Chair Hardemon: Are the parties still here for -- the parties still here for PZ.8 and 9?
Okay, you're the intervener. Is the applicant here? You represent the applicant?
Okay. So I move to reconsider the continuance for PZ.8 and 9.
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
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Vice Chair Russell: It's been moved and we have a second.
Marissa Amuial: Can 1 say something for the record?
Chair Hardemon: Well -- the Chairman, that's his job.
Vice Chair Russell: First, is there discussion from the dais on the motion? It's been
moved and seconded.
Chair Hardemon: I do want -- if she -- as the applicant, if she has something that she
wants to say on the record, I want to hear what she has to say before --
Vice Chair Russell: Gladly.
Chair Hardemon: -- we entertain the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) motion.
Ms. Amuial: Hi. Good afternoon. Marissa Amuial with Akerman. Our offices are at
98 Southeast 7th Street. We represent the applicant for PZ.8 and 9. So the reason
we're requesting a deferral is because up until this point, we had support from both
neighborhood associations, Buena Vista Stakeholders and Buena Vista Heights. Last
night, we received a letter from one of the neighborhood associations, saying that
they're no longer supporting us at this point. We don't want to move fbrward unless
we have the support from the neighborhood associations; that's been our policy all
along. We have done extensive neighborhood outreach, but that's truly what
happened last night, and this morning we -- the applicant reached out to Ulysees and
Lorena and the resident who's -- of the abutting property to notify them that we would
be requesting -- this happened in real time. We had been prepping up to the last
minute, and that's the reason that we are asking for -- We actually would like an
indefinite deferral so that we can reconvene and try and basically come back when
we're ready.
Chair Hardemon: The indefinite deferrals come back in six months, right?
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): It's basically a placeholder, six months from today's
Commission meeting, but it can be brought back at any time within those six months.
Chair Hardemon: That's --
Meena Jagannath: Just -- My name is Meena Jagannath. 1 represent the qualified
intervenor. Just in response to that, the community has been discussing this issue for
two years now. I don't think that another six-month deferral is going to put it to rest.
Unequivocally, as Ms. Braun showed you earlier, she has collected over 400
signatures already opposing the garage. I don't think that any amount of additional
consultation is going to bring 400 people in the neighborhood around. And so, I
would urge the Commission to consider the item today for vote. And there are plenty
ofpeople here to represent the community who want to also speak on the item.
Chair Hardemon: Is there anything that could change in the item from now to the
time that you rehear it for indefinite deferral?
Ms. Amuial: Well, 1 mean, if there's conversations, ongoing conversations within the
next six months -- there's so many factors and variety of things that may, change
between now and then.
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): Chairman, if I may? Article 7 of Miami 21 says
that the applicant shall have the right to one continuance that they request. I don't
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know -- I know that there have been two continuances. 1 don't know if they have been
requests of the applicant, butt just wanted to bring that up.
Vice Chair Russell: So they're not entitled to one, but it's at the will of the
Commission if there were to be another?
Ms. Mendez: No. They shall have the right to one continuance --
Vice Chair Russell: Which you said they already --
Ms. Mendez: -- that they request.
Vice Chair Russell: But they already had -- Oh, they haven't requested --
Ms. Mendez: I don't know if they requested it; that's the thing. However, all
subsequent continuances shall be granted at the sole discretion of the decision -
making body; that's the section you're talking about. I'm not sure if the last two
continuances, that they were requested by them.
Chair Hardemon: But you know, when I think about the language you just spoke of if
you have an applicant and you have a community that needs to get together and
discuss things, I mean, it's -- like, in court, we consider that joint continuances, which
means that, you know, both of you agree that a continuance is needed to move things
forward; compared to, "Hey, I need a continuance, and although 1'm" -- "the other
party's against it, 1 have to have this continuance." And this is the first time that I've
heard that on this issue.
Ms. Mendez: Correct.
Chair Hardemon: So, I mean, with that being said, I still want to reconsider the
motion for the continuance to February. So that would mean in the -- there's no --
that it's on the agenda today, and what I'm hearing from the applicant is that you
want an indefinite deferral?
Commissioner Carollo: Oh, no.
Ms. Amuial: Indefinite deferral, right.
Chair Hardemon: Right. And you -- have you had --1 want to ask you, because I'm
not clear necessarily on the record, even though 1 don't believe that you've had this
before, but have you made a request for a continuance before that was not -- that was
objected to at any point?
Ms. Amuial: Technically, I'm not sure what it would be considered, if it was our
request or if it was Planning & Zoning's request at the last hearing.
Chair Hardemon: Okay. All right. So what well do is -- I still want to move forward
with the motion to reconsider, so I'm -- I've heard enough discussion on that.
Vice Chair Russell: Meaning you'd like to hear it today?
Commissioner Gort: Yes.
Chair Hardemon: Meaning I want to at least revisit the vote on it. So once we --
basically, if we vote in favor of the motion, as I've stated, it is back on the -- it is on
the agenda, and then I would have to make another motion for indefinite deferral. I'm
not too sure about that yet.
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Vice Chair Russell: Understood, understood. So we have a motion to reconsider and
a second.
Commissioner Gort: And second.
Vice Chair Russell: Is there any further discussion on the dais for that? All in favor,
say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Vice Chair Russell: Any opposed? Motion passes.
Chair Hardemon: You can -- let's continue on with the public comment if we can. So
right now, it's on the agenda. We have not decided on an indefinite deferral just yet.
It is on the agenda to be heard.
Ms. Amuial: Will you reconsider the indefinite deferral?
Chair Hardemon: We may consider an indefinite deferral, but that's -- we're going to
have to do some discussion to see if they are, in fact, entitled to an indefinite deferral.
If they're entitled to a continuance in that fashion, then they -- that's what they're
entitled to. You understood what I mean, Madam City Attorney?
Ms. Mendez: Okay. We'll research that; but, also, if for some reason, the body does
entertain an indefinite deferral, the applicant should state on the record that they're
going to pay for all the notices, and that will not be a cost that the City has to bear,
because an indefinite deferral is into a time certain, we would have to do new notices
and all that.
Chair Hardemon: Well, we're not making that decision right now just yet.
Commissioner Gort: When we listen to the item, I have a question and I'm going to
have a suggestion, also.
Chair Hardemon: Okay.
Later...
Chair Hardemon: Regarding items PZ.8 and PZ.9 that are on the agenda right now -
- I know PZ.6 and PZ. 7, first of all, on Commissioner Suarez' district, he's not here at
this time, so I would just move along to PZ.8 and 9. And PZ.8 and 9 has the
applicant, in fact, asked for a continuance? In the past, have they had a continuance
they've asked for?
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): We did research with regard to what was said on
the record. What was said on the record did not sound like a continuance requested
by the applicant. However, it seems that the applicant did send an email requesting a
continuance, so 1 think that was facilitated based on --
Chair Hardemon: You mean in the past?
Ms. Mendez: I'm sorry?
Chair Hardemon: You mean in the past the applicant sent --?
Ms. Mendez: No. For one of the meetings -- I believe it's the --
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Unidentified Speaker: November 17. November 17.
Ms. Mendez: -- the November -- I'm sorry?
Unidentified Speaker: 17th.
Ms. Mendez: -- the November 17 agenda, there was a request that was sent --
Chair Hardemon: Who was -- when was the intervener in --? When was the
intervener status granted? What meeting was that; do we know?
Neisen Kasdin: Excuse me.
Ms. Mendez: It may have been the last meeting. I would have to double check that.
Chair Hardemon: How you doing, sir?
Mr. Kasdin: Hi. May I --
Chair Hardemon: Sure.
Mr. Kasdin: -- Mr. Chair?
Chair Hardemon: Sure.
Mr. Kasdin: Yes. Neisen Kasdin, representing Oak Plaza, the applicant. There was
a consensual request. We, and the Planning Department, agreed on a request one
time before in November. What I would like to underscore is the following: This
project is now some five years old, the Design District. It has brought -- it is one of
the best projects in the nation, in terms of scale, design, quality, and being a good
neighbor. In each and every instance, in the entire history of this project, it has
proceeded with the support of all the relevant neighborhood associations. Until
yesterday evening, we had the endorsement of the two neighborhood associations in
Buena Vista Heights, when we received from Mr. Kemp notice that his organization
was withdrawing its support; and therefore, Mr. Robbins has asked us to come here,
and said he does not want to go forward and present something that does not have the
support of the neighborhood organizations. So, candidly, as well, we've -- 1 know
everyone has had an opportunity to speak. We have had extensive dialogue with the
community over many months. In fact, some of the comments that were made in
public comment at this time, are things that we either have addressed or plan to
address, and some dialogue would be certainly worthwhile, such as, there won't be
lights in people's yards, and there won't be horns, and things of that sort. But the long
and short of it is, Mr. Chair, is we realize more work needs to be done. Mr. Robbins
does not want to proceed, unless the neighborhood associations are in agreement. He
has offered this up to be proactive, unlike neighborhoods like South Beach and
Coconut Grove, where spillover parking from commercial neighborhoods adversely
impacted residential neighborhoods. He's being proactive in anticipating future
demands for parking in the Design District, a lot of which is not even created by his
project, because his project really has adequate parking, his building -- almost 2,800
spaces. So he wanted to be proactive; do something that would prevent spillover
parking in the neighborhood and would -- it -- be better for the neighborhood.
Obviously, there's some more work that needs to be done with the neighbors, and he
wants to come back not in a month, but at such time as either he has come to some
concord with the neighbors, or, if not, then deal with it at that point. But he does not
want to proceed without having a greater opportunity to allay the legitimate concerns
that have been voiced.
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Meena Jagannath: Meena Jagannath. I -- my client just informed me that the
intervener status was recorded on 20 -- October 27 of 2016, so before the deferral
was asked for. And as far as consent, the -- my client did not offer consent for the
deferral.
Chair Hardemon: So at the November meeting, you weren't present, right?
Ms. Jagannath: I was not representing them at the time. I just appeared on their
behalf:
Chair Hardemon: So it was in his favor, then, at the November meeting; at least, it
was continued?
Ms. Jagannath: That is a matter of opinion.
Chair Hardemon: I mean, you wouldn't be here -- I mean, today, for instance, he
would be without counsel at that November meeting. For instance, it's just the same
way as we granted the intervener status. If he decided to move forward with the
proceeding at that time, it probably would have been unfair to someone who didn't
have counsel, considering that the opposing counsel was there. Would you agree?
Ms. Jagannath: That's true, but if we're going to talk about it being consensual as a
matter of fact, it wasn't consensual if the --
Chair Hardemon: No. I --
Ms. Jagannath: -- party was not --
Chair Hardemon: What I'm saying to you --
Ms. Jagannath: -- did not consent to it.
Chair Hardemon: -- is that on that day that the intervener status was granted,
counsel across from you, he was not in favor of an intervener status. We had a lot of
discussion about intervener status up here. And so, he could have made the argument
that if you felt that you had intervener status and you came here to push for that, you
should have come prepared then -- now to speak on their behalf you know, of
yourself but we didn't do that. We said now that there's intervener status, we're going
to push this to another date so that you can prepare your proper defense. And I
warned him at that time, "Listen, you have someone who's opposing counsel. This is
not to be taken lightly. You are a party to this matter, and so you should carry
yourself on accordingly." In the next meeting, he did not have counsel, and then this
meeting, you are here. And so, I say that to you to say that just the same as if you -- if
your client was a defendant in a trial, the fact that he hired you late is his fault. You
understand what I'm saying to you? And so, I wouldn't necessarily put it on the
applicant. Everything the applicant says seems to he something that is reasonable to
ask for a continuance, when, in fact, today -- This letter was given from -- is dated the
25 of 2017, from Ulysses Kemp, and it's cc 'd (carbon copied) to Mr. Craig Robbins,
saying that he's taking away the support of the Buena Vista Heights Neighborhood
Association. This was a contentious issue, because the last meeting that came about,
there was discussion about -- well, there was the support of the neighborhoods, and
from all likelihood, there was support, because that's what the -- all the documents
that said, "Hey, we have support; here it is." And then we had some other individuals
that had -- I'm not here to -- I'm -- wait, wait. Before -- and then we had some other
individuals in the neighborhood that said that "No, we're not in support of it," so we
had a fractured opinion, which we tend to have here. That's -- I don't know if you've -
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- there's a running theme that goes on here. It's always the glass is half full, the glass
is half empty, but we're looking at the same glass, okay? And so what I'm asking --
what I'm here about now is that we have an ask for a continuance, and the first thing 1
need to know is, do they have a right to a continuance? If they have the right to a
continuance, then they have a right. If they don't, then maybe we hear it today. I
don't know that it'll go in your favor.
Ms. Jagannath: Well --
Chair Hardemon: Hear what I'm saying to you. I don't know if it will go in your
favor; it may or it may not. I don't know if it will go in your favor; it may or it may
not. The one thing 1 can tell you about decisions like this is they come to an end. You
have a -- just like when you have an election, it came to an end, and we have a new
president. And so, you know, things don't just always go the way you think they will
go just because of you know, how you feel, but, you know, I understand the concerns
of residents, how they've wanted to move forward. My only issue here is that you
have a project that is saying, "Hey, we don't want" -- "We may want to do this
differently, because we don't have the neighbors' support behind this." And so the
question is, do I allow them the time to figure out something different? What if they
say, "Well, instead of being two parcels into the neighborhood, we're going to do the
frontage and a hufer on the second" -- "on the first parcel," and that third parcel,
you get a house, or something of that nature. I don't know what happens. You never
know what happens. But, certainly, people usually take the time during the PZ
(Planning & Zoning) hearings and in between the PZ hearings to work those things
out, and that's what continuances are for. They use that time to work things out.
Ms. Jagannath: Well, what I wanted to say was, whether or not Mr. Munguia had the
chance to get an attorney is a matter -- is a factual matter, and whether he was
consented -- whether he consented to the continuance on -- in November is also a
factual matter, and it --
Chair Hardemon: No. I'm saying, because it's in favor of you.
Ms. Jagannath: -- and that bears upon whether they have a --
Chair Hardemon: I would say to you -- I would say to you, Look, that's your
continuance, that's your continuance, because you are a party to this matter, you were
not ready to move forward, and so there was a continuance that was given; opposing
counsel was against that continuance.
Ms. Jagannath: I'm just talking about the matter of whether there's a consent -- I
mean, there's a continuance as a matter of right at this moment. And if in your
discretion, you want to grant that, that's your discretion, but because there wasn't
actually a consensual continuance granted in November; I would say that the request
for a continuance now is not as a matter of right, but as a matter of discretion.
Chair Hardemon: But that's what I'm trying to -- that's what I'm saying to you today,
that the question is, is it as -- is it a matter of discretion or is it a matter of right? If
the continuance was granted in the past because opposing counsel was not ready, I'm
not going to count that continuance against your opposing counsel, because they were
ready. They were ready to move forward the day that someone came in and asked for
intervener status. There were people that were granted status, and there were people
that were denied status. I can't count that against the applicant. And then --
Ms. Jagannath: Did my client asked for the continuance?
Chair Hardemon: I can't -- I don't remember -- I don 't --
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Ms. Jagannath: I mean -- well, that's the question, because --
Chair Hardemon: Hear what I'm saying to you.
Ms. Jagannath: -- whether --
Chair Hardemon: It isn't -- Let me tell you something. Your client would have been
in the worst position ever had we moved forward on that day. He would not have
been able to cross-examine witnesses. He would not been able to have called
witnesses. He had -- he was effectively not ready for trial. What he was, was a
person that walked up, at the behest of another individual in the neighborhood, to say,
"I want intervener status." That's all that he was on that day. And it would have
been insensitive, it would have been dishonest, it would have been abusive for me, not
just as Chairman, but as an attorney, understanding what was against him, to allow
him to move forward without counsel. And so, it would be in your best interest not to
make that argument, because we were trying to help him prepare a defense --
Ms. Jagannath: I understand that.
Chair Hardemon: -- for his neighborhood --
Ms. Jagannath: I understand that.
Chair Hardemon: -- you know. Well, this -- so that's the issue today. And what I'm
afraid of in this whole sequence of things is, are they making a presentation that, in
fact, of something that they will do, or will they be making a presentation of
something they plan on not doing? They may make a -- if they choose to make a
presentation today -- Say we move forward. Is what he's going to say today, is it
going to be what he wants to build? Because he's saying, `1 don't want to do this
now."
Ms. Jagannath: Well, you just heard over a dozen people stand up here and say they
don't want a parking lot in any form on the end of their lot, and that they believe that
it's going to bring traffic to their neighborhood; and that it is more for the benefit of
the Design District, which is a special area plan, and where there are a number of
mandated spots that are meant to be constructed in that plan that have not yet been
constructed; and they are looking to provide this for some prospective traffic that's
going to come to the area, while the Miami 21 plan is supposed to be oriented
towards transit -oriented construction. And so, why are we building a parking lot for
prospective traffic that's going to come through this area --
Chair Hardemon: But you're missing my, -- you're missing my issue.
Ms. Jagannath: -- when in the meantime -- I'm sorry?
Chair Hardemon: You're missing my issue. I mean, I heard --
Ms. Jagannath. No, I understand what you're talking --
Chair Hardemon: I hear the position. 1 understand that. But I'm talking in regard to
the continuance. In regard to the continuance, the question that I have to ask myself
is, "What they're trying to present, is that, in fact, what the zoning -- and the way that
they want for all of these parcels, the way that they have them situated, is that what
they actually want? And what they present, will that be what we're really deciding
on? Or is it that they need to decide something differently? It's their land that they
own. Could they make a decision that's different that the residents may like? You
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know, what 1 think is happening is when you deny a continuance because someone's
not ready -- because you have now more opposition -- or your opposition has changed
faces, or whatever it may be, then, you know, that's something that you want to
consider, I would think. And so, I think that that's what they're trying to say they want
to do, but 1 already moved to consider the continuance. Right now, it's on the agenda.
It is item 8 and 9, but I'll tell you, you know, it -- I'm about fairness. I'm about
fairness, and fairness to everyone. I don't care if you're represented by someone or
you're not represented by someone; it's about fairness. I don't care if you're on the
east side of the avenue or on the west side of the avenue; the right side of the tracks or
the wrong side of the tracks. It's about fairness. And we've seen counsel get up here -
- not this counsel, but we've seen counsel here, well -dressed, well-spoken, and I've
treated them according to their argument; not according to how much money is in
their pocket. And so, I say that to say that in this situation, it seems to be that a
continuance would be something that is reasonable for them to have, but I'm not
making that decision right now.
Mr. Kasdin: Mr. Chair?
Chair Hardemon: Yes, sir.
Mr. Kasdin: It's hard to add anything to what you've said, because your recollection
of the last hearing in November is crystal clear, but I would like to add a couple of
additional points. In addition to this attorney's client, who gave the opportunity --
you bifurcated it. You said the intervention would be decided at the last hearing; the
presentation would be at this hearing -- there was another individual, who has spoken
as a member of public, Susan Braun, who sought to be -- to intervene. The
Commission denied her right to intervene, but -- and I think it was at your initiation,
said, "You will have another opportunity to come back to present a case to
intervene." So you granted her the right to come back at a future date, as well. Most
importantly -- and I think you also hit on it -- we could make a presentation today, but
what we're going to present is not what is going to be presented to the neighborhood
in the future, because it's going to be modified as a result of discussions, and maybe
we can come to a conclusion with the neighbor. Mr. Robbins has said, if he doesn't
get the support of the neighborhood associations, he's not going to proceed with this.
So there's no point in us making the presentation today when what's likely to be
presented would change considerably. The other thing I would like to just correct for
the record is, we can already build a park -- part of the property is already zoned T4.
We can already build a parking garage there. The only question is whether or not the
adjacent properties, which are T3, would be rezoned, and collectively, it would all
become CI (civic institutional), which would allow for a different kind of garage to be
built, but they can build a garage there today, as it is. So, as I said, I think you've laid
out all of the arguments procedurally, the history, of this matter. It does not make
sense for this to be heard today, and we request that it be deferred, given the fact that
we now know, as of yesterday evening, that both neighborhood associations do not, in
fact, support what's before you.
Chair Hardemon: So, when we granted the intervener status to your counsel -- to
your client, we gave them [sic] the time to prepare himself for this hearing. The
intervener status that was granted was a surprise not only to this board, but also to
opposing counsel, but we did give him that time. In the same light, here, where we
have an association that says, "Look, we're not in favor of it," but before, it was
different. Before, there was an association -- well, I don't want to quote the facts. But
I know that at least this association was "for," because there was another written
document that stated that they were for it. Why not allow them a continuance to try to
work that out in the fashion that he just explained?
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Ms. Jagannath: I understand what you're saying, and I also understand what
opposing counsel is saying, as well. And the reason why I've argued it as I've argued
is because every single person that I've met from the neighborhood has said, "We're
tired of this." There's -- you know, "We have been to endless meetings over the
period of two years. They have had opportunity to consult us. We've attended
meetings." Even Mr. Kemp, who is the head of the association that you were
mentioning before, Buena Vista Heights, he, over time, had to change his mind about
whether to support the project or not, because people's minds have changed over
time, and so -- and people are tired of this conversation. And so, I'm just
representing what it is that my clients have asked me to do here, which is to ask jbr a
vote for today on the item. I understand the perspective of you know, the applicant,
and I think what you're saying is also reasonable, but it's my job as an attorney to --
Chair Hardemon: Zealously advocate for -- on the behalf of your client.
Susan Braun: May I please have a moment with my counsel?
Chair Hardemon: That's your counsel?
Ms. Jagannath: As well. I was going to request -- I was going to say, actually, what
she asked me, which was that since Mr. Kasdin has brought up the point, Ms. Braun
would like to request intervener status. She lives just across the property on 44th
Street. And if she were to be granted intervener status, then she would agree to a
deferral. I'm not sure what the --
Chair Hardemon: You have -- do you have any further case law, besides what you've
already presented, that would change our opinion about our last decision?
Ms. Jagannath: There's Renard v. Miami -Dade County, by which she would have
standing, because special damages are not necessary if the person is within the notice
zone.
Chair Hardemon: I thought Renard was a case that we already considered. Madam
City Attorney, was Renard a case that we considered?
Mr. Kasdin: Yes.
Ms. Mendez: 1 don't know why we're dealing with Renard. Your client was already
granted intervener status, right?
Ms. Jagannath: This is for (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Chair Hardemon: No, that's -- that's not her -- Well, let's better explain it.
Ms. Mendez: Oh, it's another intervener?
Chair Hardemon: Right. So she represents the intervener that was granted. There
was a motion to deny intervener status to Ms. Braun, and Ms. Braun wants to renew
her motion for intervener status.
Ms. Mendez: Oh, 1 see. Right. Okay, so we already --
Chair Hardemon: But --
Ms. Mendez: -- dealt with that, and I've been --
Chair Hardemon: -- and I believe we used the Renard case.
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Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
Ms. Mendez: Right, we used the Renard case, and it was based on -- we made several
factors on why she didn't qualify at the time. If this board wants to re -entertain that,
that's different, but I don't see what has changed since then, unless she moved her
property line a few feet.
Chair Hardemon: And if you're already representing one of those persons, who is
actually closer to the structure than she is, I don't see how you representing her would
benefit the -- her as an intervener, which is this -- there's nothing in that argument
that's more moving than it was before. The gentleman that you spoke of his property
is directly adjacent, I believe, to the property.
Ms. Jagannath: Yes.
Chair Hardemon: And this Commission granted that status, and I don't think that's
something that they ever done, and her property was a bit further away, but there is a
intervener in this process, and you represent that person. And just -- I mean,
considering everything -- considering what was laid onto the record; considering, you
know, your opinion that this is reasonable, although that's not what you're fighting
for -- I'll be very clear -- your position is that you want to advocate to hear the case
today, because that's what your client's wishes are.
Ms. Jagannath: Yes.
Chair Hardemon: But you do admit, as counsel, that it is reasonable for them to ask
for a continuance with the circumstance. Now, when this comes up again, everyone
should be fully prepared to litigate the issue, and that's probably what's going to
happen. I'm sure, during this time, there's going to be significant conversation that
the applicant's going to have with the neighborhood, you know. Everyone knovvs that
I'm not afraid to vote against things, so that's not the issue, but certainly, I think that if
you have an opportunity to work something out with the neighborhood, I think you
should. I don't know if you will be able to. I wish you luck, and I wish the neighbors
luck, but 1 think that a deferral -- an indefinite deferral is reasonable in this situation.
Mr. Kasdin: Commissioner, you've made clear that it is important that we work
closely with the neighborhood associations to have a consensus on this.
Chair Hardemon: So what I'll ask is for -- from my board members, a motion to
indefinitely defer items PZ.8 and 9. Is there a motion to defer?
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah, move it.
Chair Hardemon: Move to defer?
Commissioner Suarez: Move it.
Chair Hardemon: Commissioner Suarez moves it; seconded by the Chairman. Is
there any further discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: Against? Motion passes.
Later...
Susan Braun: May I ask a quick question? So you're not going to reconsider my
request for intervener status?
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Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
Chair Hardemon: You can ask --
Ms. Braun: Pardon?
Chair Hardemon: I -- me personally, no. I don't think that it makes any sense. I
don't think that there's a legal argument that you have that's worthy of
reconsideration of something that we've already decided. I think that your neighbor
is better situated. He is an intervener, and -- I mean, what you've effectively said on
the record was that the woman who was just speaking is the attorney for the -- for that
intervener, and "She'll also be my attorney." So it's not as if you even have different
counsel that's providing different argument. 1 mean, I think your argument would be
weaker, because you're across the street and in a parcel away from the property,
compared to someone who's actually right next door to the property. I mean, that's
just it. And I think that it's -- it'll be a waste of our time if you're granted intervener
status, besides the fact that I don't think that you -- well, the board decided that you
shouldn't be granted it. That's just my opinion. The Commission may have a different
opinion.
Ms. Braun: Because, actually, with attorney -- City Attorney Mendez did not say that
Renard ruled against me. She actually said it was at your discretion.
Ms. Mendez: No. What I said was, we used the Renard case to explain who qualified
as interveners. The last time you were present --
Ms. Braun: The word was "abutting."
Ms. Mendez: -- we went through that exercise -- we went through the exercise, and
you did not qualify. I said that if the board wanted to reconsider because something
had changed -- like, if your property line had been moved, you moved closer, you did
something else. Since nothing has changed --
Ms. Braun: M. Mendez, with due respect, that's not you said last -- at that meeting.
It had nothing -- it had to -- I actually did qualify, and the word, according to Miami
21 that gives intervener status, is "abutting." And you looked up the word
"abutting," and it doesn't necessarily mean "next to"; it could mean "across the
street." That's actually what you read. And then you looked at Chairman Hardemon,
and you said like this -- you went like this. And you said, `It's your discretion." So,
according to the law, 1 do qualms, because what is --
Chair Hardemon: But let me ask you a question. We've already come to the opinion
that you do not qualms, so what makes you believe -- tell me something, just give me
something that puts you in a better situation where your argument about this --
Commissioner Suarez: Is she saying not defer?
Chair Hardemon: -- already knowing how we feel about the whole abutting argument
that you just explained, tell me why you should he granted that status?
Ms. Braun: It's not that Pm better than the other intervener, my neighbor, Kirk. It's
that we are both harmed more than the general public, which is the law for intervener
status. And the amount of effort that I have put forth certainly, shows how I perceive I
am more harmed than anyone else involved, and I don't think there's anyone here who
is involved with this fight would dispute that.
Chair Hardemon: Well, sometimes that's what happens. Sometimes you're involved
in a fight, but you're not the name on the actual --
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Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
Ms. Braun: And my house --
Chair Hardemon: -- on the suit.
Ms. Braun: We didn't bring the pictures, but I took pictures the other day at sunrise.
The way the sun angles up, my house is the one that's going to be -- lose sunlight. My
house is the one that's going to have this mountain of light. I'm not saying it's worse
than Kirk, but it certainly is significantly more than the general public. And the
reason I would like intervener status is that I am very well -versed on the facts of this -
- the last two years.
Chair Hardemon: So she could call you as a witness. She can call you as a witness.
She -- I mean, the fact that you're the client, because you have the status doesn't mean
that you can just stand up and just talk. That doesn't -- that's not what happens. I
assure you, when this thing conies up that she's going to be calling people as
witnesses, and opposing counsel will be calling people as witnesses. Because you
know the facts, you can --
Mr. Braun: I'm not going to argue anymore with you; I agree.
Chair Hardemon: Okay.
Ms. Braun: But one -- We're good on that.
Chair Hardemon: You got it.
Ms. Braun: We're good on the intervener. One thing -- I would appreciate respect
from the applicant's attorney when he keeps mentioning the two homeowner
associations. The most active homeowner association is the third homeowner
association, Buena Vista Neighborhood Association.
Chair Hardemon: You all better stop fighting in public like that. You got to get
along.
Ms. Braun: I'm not fighting. I'm just -- I -- it's just, he's presenting alternative facts.
Have a wonderful day, gentlemen.
Chair Hardemon: That's pretty good. That was pretty good. Thank you very much.
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Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
PZ.8 ORDINANCE First Reading
1032
Department of
Planning and
Zoning
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 10544, AS
AMENDED, THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP OF THE MIAMI
COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN, PURSUANT TO SMALL
SCALE AMENDMENT PROCEDURES SUBJECT TO SECTION
163.3187, FLORIDA STATUTES, BY CHANGING THE FUTURE LAND
USE DESIGNATION OF THE ACREAGE DESCRIBED HEREIN OF
REAL PROPERTIES LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 29
NORTHWEST 42 STREET, 30 NORTHWEST 44 STREET AND 4202-
4330 NORTH MIAMI AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, FROM " DUPLEX
RESIDENTIAL" AND "LOW DENSITY RESTRICTED COMMERCIAL"
TO "MAJOR INSTITUTIONAL, PUBLIC FACILITIES,
TRANSPORTATION AND UTILITIES"; MAKING FINDINGS;
DIRECTING TRANSMITTALS TO AFFECTED AGENCIES;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Reconsider
RESULT: RECONSIDERED
MOVER: Keon Hardemon, Chair
SECONDER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo
ABSENT: Suarez
PZ.8 ORDINANCE First Reading
1032
Department of
Planning and
Zoning
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 10544, AS
AMENDED, THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP OF THE MIAMI
COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN, PURSUANT TO SMALL
SCALE AMENDMENT PROCEDURES SUBJECT TO SECTION
163.3187, FLORIDA STATUTES, BY CHANGING THE FUTURE LAND
USE DESIGNATION OF THE ACREAGE DESCRIBED HEREIN OF
REAL PROPERTIES LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 29
NORTHWEST 42 STREET, 30 NORTHWEST 44 STREET AND 4202-
4330 NORTH MIAMI AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, FROM " DUPLEX
RESIDENTIAL" AND "LOW DENSITY RESTRICTED COMMERCIAL"
TO "MAJOR INSTITUTIONAL, PUBLIC FACILITIES,
TRANSPORTATION AND UTILITIES"; MAKING FINDINGS;
DIRECTING TRANSMITTALS TO AFFECTED AGENCIES;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Indefinitely Defer
RESULT: INDEFINITELY DEFERRED
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
City of Miami Page 109 Printed on 3/13/2017
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Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
PZ.9 ORDINANCE First Reading
1033
Department of
Planning and
Zoning
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING THE ZONING ATLAS OF ORDINANCE
NO. 13114, AS AMENDED, BY CHANGING THE ZONING
CLASSIFICATION OF THE PROPERTIES LOCATED AT
APPROXIMATELY 29 NORTHWEST 42ND STREET, 30 NORTHWEST
44TH STREET AND 4202-4330 NORTH MIAMI AVENUE, MIAMI,
FLORIDA FROM T3-L, "SUB -URBAN TRANSECT ZONE -LIMITED",
AND, T4-L, "GENERAL URBAN TRANSECT ZONE -LIMITED", TO CI,
"CIVIC INSTITUTION"; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
MOTION TO: Continue
RESULT: CONTINUED
MOVER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort
ABSENT: Carollo, Suarez
Note for the Record: The motion to continue Item PZ.9 was reconsidered and a new
motion to indefinitely defer Item PZ.9 was passed by the City Commission (see
below).
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PZ.9, please see "Public
Comment Period for Planning and Zoning Items."
PZ.9 ORDINANCE First Reading
1033
Department of
Planning and
Zoning
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING THE ZONING ATLAS OF ORDINANCE
NO. 13114, AS AMENDED, BY CHANGING THE ZONING
CLASSIFICATION OF THE PROPERTIES LOCATED AT
APPROXIMATELY 29 NORTHWEST 42ND STREET, 30 NORTHWEST
44TH STREET AND 4202-4330 NORTH MIAMI AVENUE, MIAMI,
FLORIDA FROM T3-L, "SUB -URBAN TRANSECT ZONE -LIMITED",
AND, T4-L, "GENERAL URBAN TRANSECT ZONE -LIMITED", TO CI,
"CIVIC INSTITUTION"; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
MOTION TO: Reconsider
RESULT: RECONSIDERED
MOVER: Keon Hardemon, Chair
SECONDER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo
ABSENT: Suarez
City of Miami Page 110 Printed on 3/13/2017
City Commission
Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
PZ.9 ORDINANCE First Reading
1033
Department of
Planning and
Zoning
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING THE ZONING ATLAS OF ORDINANCE
NO. 13114, AS AMENDED, BY CHANGING THE ZONING
CLASSIFICATION OF THE PROPERTIES LOCATED AT
APPROXIMATELY 29 NORTHWEST 42ND STREET, 30 NORTHWEST
44TH STREET AND 4202-4330 NORTH MIAMI AVENUE, MIAMI,
FLORIDA FROM T3-L, "SUB -URBAN TRANSECT ZONE -LIMITED",
AND, T4-L, "GENERAL URBAN TRANSECT ZONE -LIMITED", TO CI,
"CIVIC INSTITUTION"; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
MOTION TO: Indefinitely Defer
RESULT: INDEFINITELY DEFERRED
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
PZ.10 ORDINANCE First Reading
1232
Department of
Planning and
Zoning
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AMENDING ARTICLE 3, SECTION 3.6,
ENTITLED "OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING STANDARDS";
ESTABLISHING SUBSECTION 3.6.1(F); CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
MOTION TO: Continue
RESULT: CONTINUED
MOVER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo
ABSENT: Suarez
Note for the Record: Item PZ.10 was continued to the February 23, 2017 Planning
and Zoning Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item PZ.10, please see
"Public Comment Period for Planning and Zoning Items."
Chair Hardemon: We have item PZ.10. Commissioner Suarez --
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah. Mr. Chair --
Chair Hardemon: -- I know you --
Commissioner Suarez: -- if we could do PZ.6 and 7, which are in my district?
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Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
Chair Hardemon: Well, I know, for PZ.10, did you ask for a continuance on PZ.10,
because we did not do it?
Commissioner Suarez: No. I -- so I have to -- I -- so PZ.10, I have a conflict with
PZ.10, and I have to state it on the record. So my conflict is that work in an office --
apparently, the -- unbeknownst to me, until after the fact -- the owner of the building
that I lease space from bought a back lot on 22nd Terrace, one of the T3 lots, and so
I've requested an opinion from the City Attorney, and she's of the opinion that I have a
conflict, so I cannot be involved. I have to recuse myselffrom this matter; but had to
say it publicly, right, Madam City Attorney? Did I --?
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): Correct.
Chair Hardemon: So are there -- the parties for PZ.10, are they still here?
Commissioner Suarez: I don't think there's -- it's not a parties for a --
Chair Hardemon: Well, I know that there were people that came to speak.
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah.
Chair Hardemon: There was people that spoke to it. That's why I just want to be
clear -- Well, I know you're here.
Commissioner Suarez: Do 1 have to leave, if they're talking about it?
Chair Hardemon: Well, no. If we're talking about it -- if we're addressing the issue,
then you have to leave, yes, but we're not there yet. I thought that there was a
continuance that was being requested on this item. Yes, Francisco.
Francisco Garcia (Senior Director, Planning & Zoning): Sir, if I may, understanding
what has since been placed on the record, on behalf of the applicant, which happens
to be the City Administration, then I would like to request that continuance; the
reason for it being as follows: There was an interest expressed at the last meeting we
all had regarding this issue to possibly have a tour of the area affected to better
understand the conditions, and a number of parties here present were invited to that
tour. Understanding now that Commissioner Suarez is no longer able to sponsor this
item, what I'd like to do, just to be diligent about this and to give everyone a fair
chance, is to take onto the department the tour itself and the additional input from
stakeholders, and come back to you at the next Planning & Zoning meeting with a
final recommendation.
Chair Hardemon: Okay. Is there a motion in accordance with that statement?
Commissioner Carollo: So moved.
Vice Chair Russell: Second.
Chair Hardemon: So moved and seconded. All in favor of the continuance, say
"aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: Motion granted. Commissioner Suarez can come back in. I'll call
item PZ.6.
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Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
PZ.11 RESOLUTION
1227
Department of
Planning and
Zoning
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
GRANTING/DENYING THE APPEAL FILED BY BABYLON
INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND THEREBY REVERSING/AFFIRMING THE
DECISION OF THE HISTORIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL
PRESERVATION BOARD APPROVING THE FINAL EVALUATION OF
LOCAL DESIGNATION OF A HISTORIC RESOURCE FOR THE
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 240 SOUTHEAST 14TH STREET, MIAMI,
FLORIDA.
MOTION TO: Indefinitely Defer
RESULT: INDEFINITELY DEFERRED
MOVER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort
ABSENT: Carollo, Suarez
PZ.12 ORDINANCE First Reading
1049
Department of
Planning and
Zoning
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING THE ZONING ATLAS OF ORDINANCE
NO. 13114, AS AMENDED, BY CHANGING THE ZONING
CLASSIFICATION OF THE PROPERTIES LOCATED AT
APPROXIMATELY 1247 SOUTHWEST 4 STREET AND 1244
SOUTHWEST 3 STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, FROM T4-L, "GENERAL
URBAN TRANSECT ZONE - LIMITED", TO T5-O, "URBAN CENTER
TRANSECT ZONE - OPEN"; ACCEPTING THE VOLUNTARY
PROFFER OF A RESTRICTIVE COVENANT RUNNING WITH THE
LAND; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE
AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Continue
RESULT: CONTINUED
MOVER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort
ABSENT: Carollo, Suarez
Note for the Record: Item PZ.12 was continued to the February 23, 2017 Planning
and Zoning Commission Meeting.
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Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
PZ.13 ORDINANCE Second Reading
1402
Department of
Planning and
Zoning
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 10544, AS AMENDED, THE
MIAMI COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI, PURSUANT TO AN EXPEDITED STATE
REVIEW PROCESS PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 163.3184(3),
FLORIDA STATUTES, BY CHANGING THE FUTURE LAND USE
DESIGNATION OF THE ACREAGE DESCRIBED HEREIN, OF
REAL PROPERTIES APPROXIMATELY LOCATED 1)
BETWEEN SOUTH RIVER DRIVE, INTERSTATE 95, AND
SOUTHEAST 4TH AVENUE TO THE SOUTH OF MIDBLOCK OF
SOUTHWEST 6TH STREET, AND THE NORTH OF MIDBLOCK
OF SOUTHWEST 2ND STREET, THE SOUTH RIVER DRIVE
HISTORIC DISTRICT, AND THE HISTORIC J.W. WARNER
HOUSE, EXCLUDING 129 SOUTHWEST 4TH AVENUE, 135
SOUTHWEST SOUTH RIVER DRIVE, RIVERSIDE PARK, ADA
MERRITT K-8 LEARNING CENTER, AND 601 SOUTHWEST
8TH AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA FROM "MEDIUM DENSITY
MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL," TO "MEDIUM DENSITY
RESTRICTED COMMERCIAL"; 2) AT THE EASTERN PORTION
OF THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 660 SOUTHWEST 3RD
STREET (ADA MERRITT K-8 LEARNING CENTER), FROM
"MEDIUM DENSITY MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL," TO "MAJOR
INSTITUTIONAL, PUBLIC FACILITIES, TRANSPORTATION
AND UTILITIES"; 3) AT 660 SOUTHWEST 4TH STREET, MIAMI,
FLORIDA (HOPE CENTER, INC.), FROM "MAJOR
INSTITUTIONAL, PUBLIC FACILITIES, TRANSPORTATION
AND UTILITIES," TO "MEDIUM DENSITY RESTRICTED
COMMERCIAL"; 4) AT 126 SOUTHWEST 8TH AVENUE, FROM
"MEDIUM DENSITY MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL" TO
"RESTRICTED COMMERCIAL"; 5) AT SOUTHWEST 8TH
AVENUE BETWEEN SOUTHWEST 2ND STREET AND
SOUTHWEST 3RD STREET, EXCLUDING 126 SOUTHWEST
8TH AVENUE, AND FROM SOUTHWEST 4TH STREET TO
SOUTHWEST 6TH STREET, EXCLUDING 402 SOUTHWEST
8TH AVENUE, 430 SOUTHWEST 8TH AVENUE, 438
SOUTHWEST 8TH AVENUE, AND 601 SOUTHWEST 8TH
AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, FROM "LOW DENSITY
RESTRICTED COMMERCIAL" TO "MEDIUM DENSITY
RESTRICTED COMMERCIAL"; AND 6) AT SOUTHWEST 8TH
AVENUE BETWEEN SOUTHWEST 6TH STREET AND
SOUTHWEST 7TH STREET, AND THE NORTHERN PORTION
OF 775 SOUTHWEST 8TH STREET (EXCLUDING 827
SOUTHWEST 8TH STREET AND 620 SOUTHWEST 8TH
AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA), FROM "MEDIUM DENSITY MULTI-
FAMILY RESIDENTIAL," TO "RESTRICTED COMMERCIAL" AS
DEPICTED IN EXHIBIT "A"; MAKING FINDINGS; DIRECTING
TRANSMITTALS TO AFFECTED AGENCIES; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
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Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
MOTION TO: Withdraw
RESULT: WITHDRAWN
MOVER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort
ABSENT: Carollo, Suarez
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Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
PZ.14
1403
Department of
Planning and
Zoning
ORDINANCE Second Reading
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY
COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING
THE ZONING ATLAS OF ORDINANCE NO. 13114,
AS AMENDED, BY CHANGING THE ZONING
CLASSIFICATION OF THE ACREAGE DESCRIBED
HEREIN OF REAL PROPERTIES LOCATED
BETWEEN SOUTH RIVER DRIVE, INTERSTATE 95
AND SOUTHEAST 4TH AVENUE TO THE SOUTH
OF MIDBLOCK OF SOUTHWEST 6TH STREET, AND
THE NORTH OF MIDBLOCK OF SOUTHWEST 2ND
STREET, THE SOUTH RIVER DRIVE HISTORIC
DISTRICT AND THE HISTORIC J.W. WARNER
HOUSE, AS IDENTIFIED IN EXHIBIT "B," ENTITLED
"PROPOSED ZONING AREA KEY MAP,"
EXCLUDING 129 SOUTHWEST 4TH AVENUE,
MIAMI, FLORIDA, 135 SOUTHWEST SOUTH RIVER
DRIVE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, RIVERSIDE PARK, AND
JOSE MARTI PARK; MORE SPECIFICALLY:
AREA A:
SECTION A-1:
CHANGE OF ZONING FROM T4-R "GENERAL
URBAN TRANSECT ZONE -RESTRICTED" TO T5-O
"URBAN CENTER TRANSECT ZONE -OPEN" FOR
THE PROPERTIES APPROXIMATELY LOCATED
BETWEEN SOUTHWEST 1ST STREET AND
SOUTHWEST 2ND STREET, BETWEEN
SOUTHWEST 5TH AVENUE AND THE MIAMI
RIVER, INCLUDING THE SOUTH RIVER DRIVE
HISTORIC DISTRICT AND THE HISTORIC J.W.
WARNER HOUSE, AND EXCLUDING THE
PROPERTIES APPROXIMATELY LOCATED AT 129
SOUTHWEST 4TH AVENUE AND 135 SOUTHWEST
SOUTH RIVER DRIVE, MIAMI, FLORIDA; AND
SECTION A-2:
CHANGE OF ZONING FROM T4-R "GENERAL
URBAN TRANSECT ZONE -RESTRICTED" TO CI
"CIVIC INSTITUTIONAL," FOR THE EASTERN 2.18
+/- ACRES PORTION OF THE PROPERTY
APPROXIMATELY LOCATED AT 660 SOUTHWEST
3RD STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, AKA "ADA
MERRITT K-8 LEARNING CENTER"; AND
SECTION A-3:
CHANGE OF ZONING FROM CI "CIVIC
INSTITUTIONAL" TO T5-L "URBAN CENTER
TRANSECT ZONE -LIMITED," FOR THE PROPERTY
APPROXIMATELY LOCATED AT 660 SOUTHWEST
4TH STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, AKA "HOPE
CENTER, INC."; AND
SECTION A-4:
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
CHANGE OF ZONING FROM T5-L "URBAN CENTER
TRANSECT ZONE -LIMITED" TO T6-8-0 "URBAN
TRANSECT ZONE -OPEN," FOR THE PROPERTIES
FRONTING THE EAST SIDE OF SOUTHWEST 8TH
AVENUE ALONG THE NORTH AND SOUTH SIDE
OF SOUTHWEST 7TH STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA,
AS IDENTIFIED IN EXHIBIT "C"; AND
SECTION A -A:
CHANGE OF ZONING FROM T4-R "GENERAL
URBAN TRANSECT ZONE -RESTRICTED" TO T5-L
"URBAN CENTER TRANSECT ZONE -LIMITED," FOR
THE PROPERTIES APPROXIMATELY LOCATED
BETWEEN NORTH OF MIDBLOCK SOUTHWEST
2ND STREET, AND SOUTH OF MIDBLOCK OF
SOUTHWEST 6TH STREET BETWEEN
SOUTHWEST 8TH AVENUE AND THE MIAMI RIVER
AND INTERSTATE 95, MIAMI, FLORIDA,
EXCLUDING JOSE MARTI PARK, RIVERSIDE PARK,
AND SECTION A-1, A-2, A-3, AND A-4; AND
AREA B
SECTION B-1:
CHANGE OF ZONING FROM T4-L "GENERAL
URBAN TRANSECT ZONE -LIMITED," TO T5-L
"URBAN CENTER TRANSECT ZONE -LIMITED," AND
T5-L "URBAN CENTER TRANSECT ZONE -LIMITED"
TO T6-8-0 "URBAN TRANSECT ZONE -OPEN," FOR
THE PROPERTIES FRONTING THE WEST SIDE OF
SOUTHWEST 8TH AVENUE BETWEEN
SOUTHWEST 2ND STREET AND SOUTHWEST 7TH
STREET, INCLUDING 835 SOUTHWEST 7TH
STREET, 822 SOUTHWEST 6TH STREET, AND 142
SOUTHWEST 8TH AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA,
ALONG WITH THE PARCELS 639 SOUTHWEST 8TH
AVENUE, 639 SOUTHWEST 8TH AVENUE, AND 775
SOUTHWEST 8TH STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA; AND
SECTION B-2:
CHANGE OF ZONING FROM T4-L "GENERAL
URBAN TRANSECT ZONE -LIMITED" TO T5-L
"URBAN CENTER TRANSECT ZONE -LIMITED," FOR
THE PROPERTIES APPROXIMATELY LOCATED AT
1153 SOUTHWEST 2ND STREET, 128 SOUTHWEST
11TH AVENUE, 136 SOUTHWEST 11TH AVENUE,
1101 SOUTHWEST 2ND STREET, 1107
SOUTHWEST 2ND STREET, AND THE SOUTHERN
PORTION OF THE LOT FRONTING SOUTHWEST
2ND STREET, IDENTIFIED AS 1150 SOUTHWEST
1ST STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA; AND
SECTION B-B:
CHANGE OF ZONING FROM T4-R "GENERAL
URBAN TRANSECT ZONE -RESTRICTED" TO T5-R
"URBAN CENTER TRANSECT ZONE -RESTRICTED,"
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
FOR MULTIPLE PARCELS IN AN AREA
GENERALLY BOUNDED BY THE NORTH
MIDBLOCK OF SOUTHWEST 2ND STREET, THE
SOUTH MIDBLOCK OF SOUTHWEST 6TH STREET,
AND THE WEST MIDBLOCK OF SOUTHWEST 11TH
TO SOUTHWEST 8TH AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA,
EXCLUDING SECTION B-1 AND B-2;
MAKING FINDINGS; DIRECTING TRANSMITTALS
TO AFFECTED AGENCIES; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Withdraw
RESULT: WITHDRAWN
MOVER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort
ABSENT: Carollo, Suarez
PZ.15 RESOLUTION
1400
Department of
Planning and
Zoning
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION CLOSING,
VACATING, ABANDONING AND DISCONTINUING FOR PUBLIC USE
A PORTION OF A PUBLIC ALLEY LOCATED EAST OF NORTHEAST
4 AVENUE AND BETWEEN NORTHEAST 29 STREET AND
NORTHEAST 29 TERRACE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS PROVIDED FOR IN
SECTION 55-15(C) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA.
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner
SECONDER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Russell, Gort, Carollo
ABSENT: Hardemon, Suarez
Vice Chair Russell: PZ.15.
Francisco Garcia (Senior Director, Planning & Zoning): PZ.15 is a resolution
before this Commission for the closure of an alleyway east of Northeast 4th Avenue,
between Northeast 29th Street and Northeast 29th Terrace. The Planning & Zoning
Department recommends approval, as did the Planning, Zoning & Appeals Board by
a unanimous vote. This is an unimproved alleyway, and it would be reincorporated
onto the private properties abutting it. Happy to answer any questions. I'll yield to
the applicants.
Commissioner Gort: Move it.
Edward Martos: For the record, Edward Martos, offices at 2525 Ponce de Leon
Boulevard.
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Commissioner Gort: Your mike is off.
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): I believe the podium mike needs to be -- oh, okay.
Or speak closer. There you go.
Mr. Martos: Got it. One more time for the record. Edward Martos, offices at 2525
Ponce de Leon Boulevard, here on behalf of the applicant. We agree with all staff
conditions. We're happy to report, we've got approv -- recommendation of approval
from PZAB (Planning, Zoning & Appeals Board) staff and Plat and Street. Available
for any questions.
Vice Chair Russell: Commissioner Gort, did I hear you move it?
Commissioner Gort: Yes.
Vice Chair Russell: It's been moved by Commissioner Gort.
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
Vice Chair Russell: Second by Commissioner Carollo. Any discussion from the dais?
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): It's a resolution, so you can vote it up or down.
Vice Chair Russell: All in favor„say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Vice Chair Russell: Any opposed? Motion passes.
Mr. Martos: Thank you.
PZ.16 RESOLUTION
1401
Department of
Planning and
Zoning
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING AN EXCEPTION AS LISTED IN
CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE IV, DIVISION 2, SECTION 2-212(C) OF THE
CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED
"ADMINISTRATION/DEPARTMENTS/ PLANNING, BUILDING
AND ZONING DEPARTMENT/NON-CONFORMING USE PILOT
PROGRAM", TO RENEW A CERTIFICATE OF USE FOR A NON-
CONFORMING OFFICE USE ON A PROPERTY LOCATED IN A "T3-R"
SUB -URBAN TRANSECT ZONE —RESTRICTED, AT APPROXIMATELY
2225 SOUTHWEST 18 AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort
ABSENT: Carollo, Suarez
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Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
Note for the Record: Item PZ.16 was deferred to the April 27, 2017 Planning and
Zoning Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PZ.16, please see "Public
Comment Period for Planning and Zoning Items."
PZ.17 ORDINANCE First Reading
1427
Department of
Planning and
Zoning
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 10544, AS
AMENDED, THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP OF THE MIAMI
COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN, PURSUANT TO SMALL
SCALE AMENDMENT PROCEDURES DESCRIBED IN SECTION
163.3187, FLORIDA STATUTES, BY CHANGING THE FUTURE LAND
USE DESIGNATION OF THE ACREAGE DESCRIBED HEREIN OF
REAL PROPERTIES AT APPROXIMATELY 20, 30, 48, 54, AND 62
NORTHWEST 34 STREET AND 23 NORTHWEST 33 STREET, MIAMI,
FLORIDA, FROM "DUPLEX RESIDENTIAL" TO "LOW DENSITY
RESTRICTED COMMERCIAL"; MAKING FINDINGS; DIRECTING
TRANSMITTALS TO AFFECTED AGENCIES; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading with Modification(s)
RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner
SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Suarez
ABSENT: Carollo
Vice Chair Russell: Are we up to 17? Is that --?
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): That is correct, Chair.
Vice Chair Russell: Yes, PZ.17, please.
Francisco Garcia (Senior Director, Planning & Zoning): Thank you, sir. Items
PZ.17 and PZ.18 are companion items. They are before you on first reading, and they
are respectively for the land use and zoning designation change for properties at 30,
48, 54, 62 Northwest 34th Streets. The changes sought are in the basis of zoning from
T3-O to T4-O. In this particular item, we have presented to you, as did the Planning,
Zoning & Appeals Board, a recommendation partially, of denial for the land use
change and zoning change for lots number 14, 13 and 12. Those are the lots to the
west of the application, so closer to Northwest 1st Avenue; and partial approval for
the eastern lots; those being lots 11, 10 and 9, and those are closer to Miami Avenue
in the alley. That separates the commercial properties from the residential properties
to the west. I recognize that this is actually a District 5 item, and the Commissioner is
absent, as I've just noticed, but that is our recommendation. 1 will yield to the
applicant.
Vice Chair Russell.' Thank you, Mr. Garcia. I would actually like to wait, I think,
until the Commissioner for the district is here, because with a partial
recommendation, I'd like to hear his thoughts on it. In that case, shall we table this
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item until the Commissioner is back, the Chairman? All right, that's 17 and 18, which
we will table. We have 19 and 20.
Mr. Garcia: 19 and 20 are also District 5 items, sir.
Vice Chair Russell: That is true, but that one --
Commissioner Gort: 21 and 22.
Vice Chair Russell: Yeah. I think we're up to 23.
Commissioner Gort: 23.
Vice Chair Russell: Actually -- what is -- 23 is the --
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): PZ.23 would be the next one.
Vice Chair Russell: And that is -- is that in Commissioner Hardemon's --?
Commissioner Gort: The appeal.
Vice Chair Russell: No. We're going to hold on that one, because that one's going to
be a significant discussion, I think.
Later...
Chair Hardemon: I think we have PZ.17.
Vice Chair Russell: PZ.17 and 18.
Mr. Garcia: Yes, sir. PZ.17 and 18 were briefly introduced into the record a moment
ago. I11 simply recap briefly for the Chairman's benefit. They are, of course, the land
use and rezoning application, before you on first reading, for properties at 30, 48, 54,
and 62 Northwest 34th Street, and they involve the application for the zoning change
from T3-O, which it is presently, to T4-O. The recommendation of both the Planning
& Zoning Department, as well as the Planning, Zoning & Appeals Board, was
partially to approve and partially to deny. The approval would entail the rezoning of
the properties at lots 11, 10 and 9 of the subject application.
Chair Hardemon: Would you show which ones are 11, 10 and 9 so --
Mr. Garcia: Yes, sir. Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: -- maybe on the proposed map, so I can see very clearly?
Mr. Garcia: By all means. They are the easternmost on the application, and they are
the ones abutting the alley immediately to the west of the property, fronting North
Miami Avenue, between Northwest 34th Street and Northwest 39th Street. And so,
they encompass the property that is presently developed in an industrial fashion,
notwithstanding the zoning and the -- the zoning designation and the land use
designation, and the ones that are recommended for denial are the three westernmost
lots, plus --
Chair Hardemon: Francisco --
Mr. Garcia: Sir.
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Chair Hardemon: -- so you'll have to explain a little bit further for me. So, from
what Pm looking at, I'm looking at the proposed map?
Mr. Garcia: Yes, sir.
Chair Hardemon: You're saying that the three parcels that are directly in front of the
duplex residentials --
Mr. Garcia: That is correct, sir.
Chair Hardemon: -- those are what you're denying?
Mr. Garcia: Yes, sir. Both the Planning & Zoning Department are recommending
that, and the PZAB Planning, Zoning & Appeals Board did as well.
Chair Hardemon: Okay. And so, then the one that is east of it, the low density, where
it reads, "low density restricted commercial," that part you are -- what -- explain to
me what's currently on that parcel now? Can you (UNINTELLIGIBLE) -- announce
yourselffor the record, please?
Ines Marrero-Priegues: Okay. Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the
Board. My name is Ines Marrero, attorney with offices at 701 Brickell Avenue, on
behalf' of the applicants here for PZ.17 and PZ.18. Maybe I can simplify this by
letting you know that we concur with the staff recommendation, both that of the
professional staff as well cis Planning & Zoning Board recommendation, which
would only rezone -- the two properties are immediately to -- that immed -- that abut
the T6-8. I -- if you're looking at your monitor, they would be the property -- this is
the property on 34th Street. It was formerly a cabinet shop, but before that, it was a
heavy machinery use, and you can see the forklifts, and so that was never really a
residential property. And so, the reason we added the additional lots was because we
needed to bring additional properties to submit an application. Your Code requires a
minimum frontage to file an application. But this property was clearly never
residential. So the intent of the application was for this lot to be rezoned. After we
filed the application, we were heard by the Planning & Zoning Board, and we came to
this Commission, and we requested deferral with leave to amend, because this
property was purchased by the owners of the shopping center on North Miami
Avenue. And so, now we have an assemblage of more property owners who also own
the parking lot that's on 33rd Street, which is also not a residential use; has been used
historically for parking to serve this whole area, and so --
Chair Hardemon: So, counselor, on 33rd Street, the parcel that we're looking at on
the screen right now, that would be this parcel that's just behind you?
Ms. Marrero-Priegues: That is correct.
Chair Hardemon: That's what I'm seeing on the screen?
Ms. Marrero-Priegues: That is correct. And so what your professional staff and the
Planning & Zoning Board have recommended to rezone are that industrial building
and that parking lot.
Chair Hardemon: Can you go back to the image that you had before? So where it
reads, `Miami Equipment Services, " is that -- that's not the easternmost property --?
Ms. Marrero-Priegues: Yes, it is.
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Chair Hardemon: 1 mean, it's one long parcel, but what I'm saying is that if you can
see, these are about 5, 000-square foot lots, right? So just east of the last one that was
recommended for denial, is that where that Miami Equipment Services, Inc. frontage
is?
Ms. Marrero-Priegues: That is the first yellow lot. It has more than one address,
because it is a large parcel, so it encompasses two addresses, but it's just that one lot.
So, perhaps --
Chair Hardemon: So what I'm asking you, though -- maybe if you can identify on this
sheet where that building is. Because I under -- it looks like there's more than one
building there. What I'm saying to you is that you can mark it, but I know that it
appears -- like when I look at the bird's eye of this, it appears to be like -- almost like
a U-shaped structure. So the part that's closest to the avenue, what building is that?
What frontage is that? Is that --?
Ms. Marrero-Priegues: The parking lot that -- the parking lot property?
Chair Hardemon: No, not the parking lot property. The property that is on 34th
Street -- okay. So what --?
Ms. Marrero-Priegues: That's 30 Northwest 34th Street.
Chair Hardemon: Right. So I was saying, North Miami Avenue; 1 apologize. It's
behind -- it's west of -- so this Miami Equipment Services, Inc. building, that one --
you see it? Would it have been the same one?
Ms. Marrero-Priegues: Yes.
Chair Hardemon: My question to you, is: Is that this building, or is it this building?
Ms. Marrero-Priegues: It's all of this.
Chair Hardemon: But that part there, this frontage, is that here or is it here?
Ms. Marrero-Priegues: It here.
Chair Hardemon: That's what I thought, okay. And that's the part you say has
always been used in that fashion?
Ms. Marrero-Priegues: That's correct.
Chair Hardemon: Understood. Okay. Is there anything else you want to put on the
record?
Ms. Marrero-Priegues: No. We -- again, the intent was to rezone those two
properties. This is in the Midtown area. You've -- had experienced what happens
when a neighborhood doesn't want something to change. Right, they've been here
numerous times. This application has been before this Commission; deferred several
times. They went back to -- there has not been a single person that has expressed an
objection to this rezoning. In fact, we did some outreach initially, and we obtained
letters in support by a lot of members of the community who wanted not only this
property rezoned, but this area -- what's called Wynwood Gardens -- to be looked at
as a potential for up -zoning. That's not here before you, but it's just something to
corroborate that the neighborhood -- we've done outreach, and that the neighborhood
is supportive of this particular rezoning. And again, we concur with staff
recommendation and are in agreement with it.
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Chair Hardemon: Thank you so very much, ma'am.
Ms. Marrero-Priegues: Thanks.
Chair Hardemon: The Chair would like to entertain a motion for acceptance --
Commissioner Gort: Move it.
Chair Hardemon: -- with the staff's recommendations. It's been properly moved and
seconded. Is there any further discussion on item PZ.17? Hearing none --
Barnaby Min (Deputy City Attorney): If I could clarify, because the legislation, as
drafted, refers to "addresses" and not "lots." So, when it comes to PZ.17, my
understanding is that the legislation needs to be amended to state that it is being
approved for 20 and 30 Northwest 34th Street, and 23rd Northwest 30 -- 23
Northwest 33rd Street, but denied when it conies to 48, 54 and 62 Northwest 34th
Street; is that correct?
Chair Hardemon: Counselor is shaking --
Ms. Marrero-Priegues: That is correct.
Chair Hardemon: -- her ahead in the affirmative. Francisco, is that correct?
Mr. Garcia: I concur.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you.
Mr. Min: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by Deputy City Attorney
Barnaby Min.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): And for the record, so the legislation --?
Mr. Min: Is as amended.
Mr. Hannon: As amended. Roll call on item PZ.17.
A roll call was taken, the result of which is stated above.
Mr. Hannon: The ordinance passes on first reading, as amended, 4-0.
Chair Hardemon: Okay.
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PZ.18 ORDINANCE First Reading
1428
Department of
Planning and
Zoning
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING THE ZONING ATLAS OF ORDINANCE
NO. 13114, AS AMENDED, BY CHANGING THE ZONING
CLASSIFICATION FROM T3-O, "SUB -URBAN TRANSECT ZONE", TO
T4-O, "GENERAL URBAN TRANSECT ZONE", FOR THE
PROPERTIES LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 20, 30, 48, 54, AND 62
NORTHWEST 34 STREET AND 23 NORTHWEST 33 STREET, MIAMI,
FLORIDA; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading with Modification(s)
RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Suarez
ABSENT: Carollo
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item PZ.18, please see
Item PZ.17.
Chair Hardemon: PZ.18, the Chair would like to entertain a motion; the same.
Commissioner Gort: Move it.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by Deputy City Attorney
Barnaby Min.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Roll call on item PZ.18.
A roll call was taken, the result of which is stated above.
Mr. Hannon: The ordinance passes on first reading, as amended, 4-0.
Chair Hardemon: That -- well, we have a pocket item by the --
Vice Chair Russell: We already did it.
Chair Hardemon: Oh, you already -- Look at you guys. Aren't you fast?
Commissioner Suarez: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). That's (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Chair Hardemon: Nah, you waited till I left. You didn't want to hear what I had to
say about it.
Barnaby Min (Deputy City Attorney): There is a 5 o'clock.
Chair Hardemon: There is a 5 o'clock. Dwayne Pathman.
Commissioner Suarez: Let's do it the next meeting; it's 5 o'clock.
Chair Hardemon: That's up to -- I mean, it's up to you all.
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Vice Chair Russell: What, the time certain?
Chair Hardemon: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) you said 9 o'clock. The only issue about the
morning times --
Commissioner Suarez: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the next meeting (UNINTELLIGIBLE)
so we can get out at 5. (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Chair Hardemon: I mean --
Commissioner Suarez: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) 4:30 -- 4:35.
Chair Hardemon: But the -- you know, the issue --
Commissioner Suarez: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Chair Hardemon: -- is that -- what happens is that you'll have someone here to make
a presentation for us to hear information, and you have a lot of constituents that are
here trying to speak on the issue. Now we don't have it. I mean, we don't have that
problem. But in the morning, we have that problem and in the afternoon we have that
-- oh --
Unidentified Speaker: You're opening the public hearing again?
Chair Hardemon: -- its not a problem, but we have -- Huh?
Unidentified Speaker: Are you opening up the public hearing?
Chair Hardemon: No, I'm not opening up right now.
Commissioner Suarez: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) issue.
Chair Hardemon: Yeah, we have people that want to speak in the morning and we
have limited time before lunch, and then in the afternoon, we have people that want to
speak, and we typically have a agenda that we have to finish, and so that's why, you
know, I try to put it at a time where it's not interfering with that. Because, if not, you
setted [sic] it for a 3 o'clock time certain, but you can't get to it, because you're on
public comment or you're hearing from other people.
Vice Chair Russell: Right.
Chair Hardemon: And so, that's part of the issue that we have, but -- thank you,
brother.
Vice Chair Russell: I think there will be turnout for the 5 p.m., the time certain we
have today. I think -- I know nobody's here now, that I see, but I don't even see the
presenter.
Chair Hardemon: Well, the --1 mean, the one thing I can say is that it does require a
quorum. 1 don't know if -- so, 1 mean, what do you think we should do?
Vice Chair Russell: I would stay to hear it. I -- just in case a lot offolks are coming
for it. They were going to come with actual recommendations for the first time and,
really, substantive, and now that we have our resiliency officer as well -- but it's at the
will of the board, obviously. If -- like you said, it's up to whether or not we have a
quorum. Is Pathman here? Is he in the building? I haven't seen him today.
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Chair Hardemon: Has anyone seen Pathman?
Vice Chair Russell: 1 mean, it's 20 minutes away.
Chair Hardemon: What do you think?
Unidentified Speaker: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Chair Hardemon: What did you say?
Unidentified Speaker: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Chair Hardemon: Oh. No, no, no.
Mr. Min: I believe Mr. Pathman works downtown, if you want us to try and call him
and see if he can come a few minutes earlier.
Vice Chair Russell: Well, its not just him. I believe the community, as well, and
whoever was going to come at 5, but I don't know. I don't know who's turning out, so
we can table it. I mean, we can defer it.
Chair Hardemon: I mean, it is -- it's a discussion item, so there's not necessarily any
action that needs to be taken on it today.
Vice Chair Russell: True.
Chair Hardemon: So, you know, if there are Commissioners that want to stay for the
discussion item, its possible. (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Vice Chair Russell: Let's see how close he is. Does anyone have contact with Mr.
Pathman? Mr. Clerk --
Chair Hardemon: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) give it a shot.
Vice Chair Russell: -- do we have any contact with our time certain presenter? I
don't think we do. Ah, here's our resiliency officer.
Chair Hardemon: These are very new issues to have, right?
Vice Chair Russell: We're not used to being early. Things don't usually happen
quickly around here. He's here?
Unidentified Speaker: Yeah.
Chair Hardemon: Oh, he's here?
Vice Chair Russell: We should hear it.
Chair Hardemon: Like 1 said, members, it's not required to have a quorum to -- for a
discussion item.
Vice Chair Russell: Have a discussion item?
Chair Hardemon: Yeah.
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PZ.19
1542
Department of
Planning and
Zoning
Vice Chair Russell: I mean, the hope was whatever recommendations that they bring,
we'd be able to bring them as an action at the next meeting. That was my hope; to
move it along.
ORDINANCE First Reading
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 10544, AS
AMENDED, THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP OF THE MIAMI
COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN, PURSUANT TO SMALL
SCALE AMENDMENT PROCEDURES SUBJECT TO SECTION
163.3187, FLORIDA STATUTES, BY CHANGING THE FUTURE LAND
USE DESIGNATION OF THE ACREAGE DESCRIBED HEREIN OF
REAL PROPERTY AT 100 NORTHWEST 17 STREET, MIAMI,
FLORIDA, FROM "MEDIUM DENSITY MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL"
TO "MAJOR INSTITUTIONAL, PUBLIC FACILITIES,
TRANSPORTATION, AND UTILITIES"; MAKING FINDINGS;
DIRECTING TRANSMITTAL TO AFFECTED AGENCIES;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading
RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING
MOVER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair
SECONDER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Chair Hardemon: Before we go to 17 and 18, I'll just -- what I'll do is I'll -- let me
call PZ.19 and 20, because 1 think that's something that is noncontroversial. PZ.19 --
I mean --
Francisco Garcia (Senior Director, Planning & Zoning): Happy to do so, sir.
Chair Hardemon: -- 19. PZ.19.
Commissioner Gort: Dorsey Library.
Chair Hardemon: Dorsey Library.
Mr. Garcia: PZ.19 and 20 are companion items. May I beg the Chair's indulgence
and simply say, for a moment, that I would like a moment to commend both the
applicants, as well as the Preservation Office, for the many, many hours of work that
were put into building consensus around the item PZ.23, and we are heartened that
the result is as positive as it has been? Thank you. Item PZ.19 and PZ.20 are
companion items. They are the proposal for land use change and rezoning change for
the property where the Dorsey Library, the Historic Dorsey Library presently, sits.
And the purpose for the change, which is from T3-O, present designation, to CI, the
civic constitutional zoning designation, is to allow for the existing building, the
edifice, which is in the process of being refurbished, to. function properly as a library
use, since the present zoning does not allow for that. The Planning & Zoning
Department recommends approval. The Planning, Zoning & Appeals Board
recommended approval unanimously for both items.
Vice Chair Russell: I'll move it.
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Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved and seconded. Any further discussion on
--? And we're going to -- Well, PZ.17 [sic]. Because we have to read both of those
into the record separately; is that true?
Barnaby Min (Deputy City Attorney): Yes, sir.
Chair Hardemon: Okay, so PZ.17 [sic]. Is there any further discussion --?
Mr. Garcia: Sir, I believe it's 19.
Vice Chair Russell: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). This is 19, wasn't it?
Mr. Garcia: 19.
Chair Hardemon: I'm sorry, 19. Is there any further discussion on PZ.19? Seeing
none --
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by Deputy City Attorney
Barnaby Min.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Roll call on item PZ.19.
A roll call was taken, the result of which is stated above.
Mr. Hannon: The ordinance passes on first reading, 5-0.
PZ.20 ORDINANCE First Reading
1543
Department of
Planning and
Zoning
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING THE ZONING ATLAS OF ORDINANCE
NO. 13114, AS AMENDED, BY CHANGING THE ZONING
CLASSIFICATION OF THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT
APPROXIMATELY 100 NORTHWEST 17TH STREET, MIAMI,
FLORIDA, FROM T3-O, "SUB -URBAN TRANSECT ZONE OPEN", TO
CI, "CIVIC INSTITUTION ZONE"; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading
RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING
MOVER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner
SECONDER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item PZ.20, please see
Item PZ.19.
Chair Hardemon: PZ.20.
Commissioner Gort: Move it.
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Commissioner Suarez: Second.
Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved and seconded. It's an ordinance.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by Deputy City Attorney
Barnaby Min.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Roll call on item PZ.20.
A roll call was taken, the result of which is stated above.
Mr. Hannon: The ordinance passes on first reading, 5-0.
PZ.21 ORDINANCE First Reading
1233
Department of
Planning and
Zoning
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI, MORE SPECIFICALLY BY AMENDING ARTICLE 1,
SECTION 1.2, ENTITLED "DEFINITION OF TERMS", TO ADD CREW
QUARTERS; AND BY AMENDING ARTICLE 6, TABLE 13, ENTITLED
"SUPPLEMENTAL REGULATIONS"; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Continue
RESULT: CONTINUED
MOVER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair
SECONDER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo
ABSENT: Suarez
Note for the Record: Item PZ.21 was continued to the February 23, 2017 Planning
and Zoning Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item PZ.21, please see
"Public Comment Period for Planning and Zoning Items."
Chair Hardemon: Madam City Attorney, there were a couple of continuances that
needed to be made. Can you announce those for the record?
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): Yes, Chairman. Thank you. Apparently, PZ.21,
having to do with crew quarters, and PZ.22, having to do with storage facilities; both
those items that are here on first reading will need to be continued in order to address
notice issues. Apparently, the notice was not proper for it to be here today.
Chair Hardemon: Okay. Is there a motion in accordance with that statement?
Vice Chair Russell: I'll move it.
Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved by the Vice Chairman.
Commissioner Carollo: I'll second.
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Chair Hardemon: Seconded by Commissioner Carollo. Any further discussion about
that continuance?
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): And, Chair, just --
Chair Hardemon: Yes.
Mr. Hannon: -- so that we're all on the same page, those two items are being
continued to the February 23 Planning & Zoning meeting?
Ms. Mendez: Yes, please.
Chair Hardemon: Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: All right, motion is approved.
PZ.22 ORDINANCE First Reading
1131
Department of
Planning and
Zoning
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, BY AMENDING ARTICLE 6,
TABLE 13, ENTITLED "SUPPLEMENTAL REGULATIONS", TO ALLOW
A DISTANCE REQUIREMENT FOR PUBLIC STORAGE FACILITIES;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Continue
RESULT: CONTINUED
MOVER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair
SECONDER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo
ABSENT: Suarez
Note for the Record: Item PZ.22 was continued to the February 23, 2017 Planning
and Zoning Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item PZ.22, please see
"Public Comment Period for Planning and Zoning Items."
Note, for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item PZ.22, please see
Item PZ.21.
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PZ.23 RESOLUTION
1411
Department of
Planning and
Zoning
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
GRANTING/DENYING THE APPEAL FILED BY DR. JOHN SNYDER
AND REVERSING/AFFIRMING THE DECISION OF THE MIAMI
HISTORIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION BOARD'S
APPROVAL, WITH CONDITIONS, OF FIVE (5) WAIVERS FOR THE
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3701 PARK AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA.
MOTION TO:
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
ABSENT:
Deny
ITEM WAS DENIED
Ken Russell, Vice Chair
Francis Suarez, Commissioner
Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Suarez
Carollo
Note for the Record: The motion to deny Item PZ.23 was reconsidered and a new
motion to continue Item PZ.23 to the February 23, 2017 Planning and Zoning City
Commission Meeting was passed by the City Commission (see below).
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing
"Public Comment Period for Planning and Zoning Items."
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing
Item PZ.19.
Item PZ.23, please see
Item PZ.23, please see
Vice Chair Russell: If Chair Hardemon is not nearby -- he's still --
Commissioner Gort: He's right there.
Vice Chair Russell: -- working with the Buena Vista residents.
Commissioner Gort: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Vice Chair Russell: Why don't we take a look at PZ.23?
Francisco Garcia (Senior Director, Planning & Zoning): Thank you, sir. I've been
advised that the appellant is not present. If I am mistaken, because that's the news
I've received, please, Dr. Snyder, identify yourself. But the brief introduction would
certainly be that the Planning & Zoning Department, along with the Preservation
Office, here represented by the Preservation Officer Megan Schmitt, are
recommending that this Board uphold the findings and designations of the Historic
and Environmental Preservation Board, .finding that the waivers obtained are all in
accord with the City Code, and certainly within the domain of the Historic &
Environmental Preservation Board to grant. Happy to answer any questions you may
have.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. For the appellant not being here, are we you able to
even consider this at this point?
Mr. Garcia: We have verified, sir, that he was properly noticed and had received
said notice.
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Vice Chair Russell: Has anyone heard from the appellant, in my staff, that he's
coming or not coming? Well, then, I'd be inclined to deny the appeal, if he's not here.
Barnaby Min (Deputy City Attorney): Mr. Vice Chair, if I can just suggest that the
Commission rely upon what's in the record, as well as what was presented to the HEP
(Historic & Environmental Preservation) Board, and your determination to deny the
appeal, just to make sure it's -- if Mr. Snyder does decide to go to court, we can base
it on that record.
Vice Chair Russell: Rather than because he's not here.
Mr. Min: In addition to him not being here, you're also relying upon what's been
presented to you.
Vice Chair Russell: I'll pass the gavel and move to deny the appeal, based on exactly
what Barnaby just said.
Commissioner Gort: Okay, there's a motion to deny the appeal.
Commissioner Suarez: Second.
Commissioner Gort: Is there a second?
Commissioner Suarez: Second.
Commissioner Gort: It's been second. Any further discussion?
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Sorry. One second.
Commissioner Gort: Yes.
Vice Chair Russell: I passed the gavel.
Mr. Hannon: Okay. My apologies. Just want to make sure. Thank you.
Commissioner Gort: All right.
Vice Chair Russell: Musical gavel. It's going down the (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Chair Hardemon: What is this? We haven't actually voted?
Commissioner Gort: No. Here.
Vice Chair Russell: We tabled your three items -- four items, and we're dealing with
PZ.23.
Commissioner Gort: There's a motion to deny the appeal --
Chair Hardemon: Now, let me tell you something.
Commissioner Gort: -- and it's been second. Any further discussion?
Vice Chair Russell: Based on the recommendation of the --
Commissioner Suarez: HEP Board.
Vice Chair Russell: -- HEP Board.
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Commissioner Gort: HEP Board. Any further discussion? Seeing none, hearing
none, all in favor, state it by saying, "aye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: The matter of PZ.6 and PZ.7, those were continued, or were they
heard, or what was the --? PZ.6 and 7, what did we do with those? You passed
them?
Mr. Hannon: PZ.6 and 7?
Vice Chair Russell: We're --
Chair Hardemon: Yes.
Vice Chair Russell: -- up to 17 and 18 --
Chair Hardemon: Yes.
Vice Chair Russell: -- 19 and 20.
Chair Hardemon: So 15 -- what happen to 15? Does 15 pass? Did we hear PZ.15?
Mr. Garcia: Yes, sir, we did, and it passed.
Vice Chair Russell: Yes, it did pass. I'm sorry.
Chair Hardemon: It did pass. Okay, good. Okay, so we're now at --
Vice Chair Russell: 17.
Chair Hardemon: -- PZ.17, 18, 19 and 20.
Vice Chair Russell: Correct.
Later...
Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Hardemon: Yeah.
Vice Chair Russell: I'm sorry. Once we're done with sea level rise, I had one point of
privilege, just one thing.
Chair Hardemon: Okay. I know I recognized the resident to speak about something.
Vice Chair Russell: Yeah. That's what it -- that's what it's in -- referred to. Thank
you. Mr. Snyder, I recognize you're here now, and that you weren't here when the
item was heard, and I'm --
John Snyder: I understand. Our item was PZ --
Commissioner Carollo: 23.
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Mr. Snyder: -- 23. When I arrived, you were hearing PZ.17, so apparently, when we
left her house, 1 believe you were on PZ.13. And apparently, you skipped PZ.17, 18,
19, PZ.20, PZ.21, and PZ.22.
Vice Chair Russell: Yes.
Mr. Snyder: We were PZ.23, and we were not here. So I would think that out of
courtesy, you would at least wait until you'd heard the other PZ items.
Vice Chair Russell: Then we -- I do sympathize with that, because it is complicated to
look at the agenda and estimate when something's going to happen, but our PZ
agenda does run from 2 p.m., and it could go till 2 a.m., and I know that you talked
with my staff about that; "When should we be here?" or whatever. Things -- unless
it's a time certain item, it can get heard out of order. And the applicant jrothe
project, they -- their side was here from 2 p.m., and they waited all day, and they
spoke during the public hearing portion; and that's why I was kind of looking around
for you, even during the public hearing portion, because you can speak on all the PZ
items at that time, and we hadn't heard from you -- or the Clerk hadn't heard from you
that you weren't going to be here at any specific time or that you were coming at a
specific time. I certainly would have made a -- an accommodation to hear from you.
So I'd like to meet with you in my office afterwards. The item did get voted on, on the
merits of what the HEP (Historic and Environmental Preservation) Board
recommendation was, but 1'll be glad to sit and talk with you this afternoon to see if
there's any merit for rehearing the item or bringing it back. And 1've asked the City
Attorney already, noticing that you're here now, to let me know of what mechanism is
available to us, ifpossible, to do that.
Mr. Snyder: I had noticed in the past that when one side wasn't here, you would wait
for them, but perhaps, they had contacted the --
Vice Chair Russell: If I hear from a party, for sure, 1'll table it or defer it, or
whatever is necessary. All the other parties were here, and I wish you had been here,
and I really do, because I know you feel very strongly about this. It's a very important
issue.
Mr. Snyder: It's certain --
Vice Chair Russell: 1 know that you recognize that 1, in the past, am willing to go to
the mat on this very issue when it is correct. When there's a mistake done, I will
defend it tooth and nail. 1 have studied this, and 1've been looking at it -- watching it
very carefully, the HEP Board decision; your appeal as well. And so, the denial of
the appeal today was based on that merit, but I didn't get to hear your side. I didn't
get to hear --
Mr. Snyder: Exactly.
Vice Chair Russell: -- you present it here today, and so I'd like to meet with you in my
office, and I'm going to talk to Victoria, as well, to see what mechanism is available to
us, ifpossible. There may be a reconsideration. It's --
Mr. Snyder: Thank you.
Vice Chair Russell: Also, we have to consider the fairness to the other side, the
applicant, the property owner, who will now be delayed, and they were here ready to
present and defend their side against the appeal, obviously. So we'll need to let them
know, if that's the case, that it will be delayed, and it will all be coming back, so we're
going to talk.
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Mr. Snyder: Okay. Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: Is that all? All hearts or minds clear --
Commissioner Gort: Need to adjourn.
Cindy Snyder: Can I (UNINTELLIGIBLE) something?
Chair Hardemon: You want to say something to the Commissioners?
Ms. Snyder: Yes. You know, we were aware --
Chair Hardemon: Can you state your name --
Ms. Snyder: Oh.
Chair Hardemon: -- and address for the record?
Ms. Snyder: I'm Cindy Snyder, and I'm involved with this as well, as are many
neighbors. And many neighbors who are not here yet were aware that there was a 5
o'clock time certain hearing. We were aware -- no?
Vice Chair Russell: Not for this item, no.
Commissioner Gort: No.
Ms. Snyder: Pardon me?
Chair Hardemon: No, no, no. She's talking about the --
Vice Chair Russell: The sea level rise.
Chair Hardemon: -- sea level rise.
Ms. Snyder: Yes, that there was a sea level.
Chair Hardemon: So they assumed that they were going to (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Ms. Snyder: Yeah, not for our item. So we were watching what was going on and
trying to gauge when our issue would be heard, because a lot of people who were
concerned about this were planning to come, and they have jobs and do various
things, so we were trying to keep them abreast of what was going on. A lot of the
people concerned do live close by and intended to come home from work early, or do
whatever, so that they could be here, you know. So we didn't know that items got took
-- taken out of order. You know, we weren't aware that that's the way --
Vice Chair Russell: I can sympathize with that, and it is difficult.
Ms. Snyder: Yeah.
Vice Chair Russell: And to your credit, today we actually went quite at an
accelerated pace --
Ms. Snyder: Yeah.
Vice Chair Russell: -- an efficient pace through the agenda.
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Ms. Snyder: 1 would like to request --
Vice Chair Russell: Many items that were on the agenda got deferred to another
date, which suddenly accelerates the entire pace of the day.
Chair Hardemon: But you should know, as I was explaining to you outside, that any
time there's a PZ item -- the PZ agenda -- I don't care what number you are --
Ms. Snyder: Okay. Well, we hear that now --
Chair Hardemon: Right.
Ms. Snyder: -- you know, but we also weren't aware of how one requests and gets a
time certain item, but we would like one for this in the next case, because now we
have people who, you know, think, "Well, this is a real crazy process. How are we
supposed to" --?
Chair Hardemon: It's really not.
Ms. Snyder: -- you know.
Chair Hardemon: So, to explain it to you, if you want to speak on the item that is on
the Planning and Zoning agenda, you come at 2 o'clock, because that's the time in
which the public comment is made. If you are a applicant -- if you are a party to the
matter, you're usually here at 2 o'clock, because that's the time that the PZ items can
be heard. So you want to be in place, because your item may be called. It may -- so it
may go 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or it may go 1, 2, 6, 7, 10, 12, which is somewhat what it did
today.
Ms. Snyder: Well, it does seem that fromm the perspective --
Chair Hardemon: So what I'm trying to explain to you is that, so for residents who
are corning to give their comments about the issue, they should come at 2 o'clock; just
the same as on our morning agenda, residents should come -- really, it's at 9 o'clock,
but we don't -- we typically get to the business around 9:30, 10 o'clock, when public
comment is had. But for Mr. Snyder, being a -- the appellant in this whole matter, it
would have been proper for him to be accountable.
Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Chair, what -- just -- I'm worried we're going to lose
quorum, and I want to make this --
Chair Hardemon: We're done with business.
Vice Chair Russell: -- I want to -- actually, I would like to make this simple, while we
do have three of us here, and I'd like to move to reconsider this item at another date.
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
Chair Hardemon: Okay. No discussion on motion to reconsider. All in favor, say
"aye.
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: Okay, so the motion passes for reconsideration, so now the item is
alive, as if it has not been heard. And then, now you have to choose a date.
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Ms. Snyder: All right.
Chair Hardemon: And it'll probably -- it may need to be noticed again --
Vice Chair Russell: It will.
Chair Hardemon: -- because the parties are not here.
Ms. Snyder: How do we get a time certain?
Vice Chair Russell: Through the Chair.
Chair Hardemon: Yeah, that's a request that you have to make, if its necessary. So
time certains just aren't something that we just hand out, like, you know --
Ms. Snyder: All right. Well, how do we get in the queue? What's the routine?
Chair Hardemon: Depends. I don't want -- see, I don 't want to confuse you.
Because if you're here from the community to speak about it, you should come at 2
o'clock. That is your time certain, 2 o'clock. And you're going to be heard -- you'll
have an opportunity to be heard, and to go about your day if you want to or not. If it's
a 5 o'clock time certain, all that means -- let's say, if we make a 5 o'clock time certain,
all that means is that Mr. Snyder will have an opportunity to present his case at 5
o'clock.
Ms. Snyder: Well, that would be a big help.
Chair Hardemon: But what Pm saying to you is that --
Ms. Snyder: I think I understand what you're saying. You're saying that the people
who want to be heard can come at 2.
Chair Hardemon: Yes. That's automatic; every time.
Ms. Snyder: And that in -- okay.
Commissioner Carollo: Chairman --
Ms. Snyder: And I just --
Vice Chair Russell: Next Planning & Zoning agenda.
Commissioner Carollo: -- motion to move it to the next zoning agenda.
Chair Hardemon: That's the --
Commissioner Carollo: Is there a second?
Chair Hardemon: -- proper motion; seconded by the Vice Chairman.
Mr. Hannon: I'm sorry. Again, that's moving it to the next PZ?
Vice Chair Russell: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: PZ.
Chair Hardemon: PZ agenda.
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Mr. Hannon: Okay, so that'll be February 23.
Vice Chair Russell: Correct.
Commissioner Carollo: That's correct.
Ms. Snyder: February 3?
Vice Chair Russell: That'll give sufficient time and notice, yes.
Chair Hardemon: February 23.
Mr. Hannon: Yes, sir.
Ms. Snyder: 23.
Mr. Hannon: 23.
Commissioner Carollo: Take the vote.
Chair Hardemon: All right, all in favor say "aye."
Ms. Snyder: Okay.
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: Motion passes.
Ms. Snyder: Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: This meeting is adjourned.
PZ.23 RESOLUTION
1411
Department of
Planning and
Zoning
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
GRANTING/DENYING THE APPEAL FILED BY DR. JOHN SNYDER
AND REVERSING/AFFIRMING THE DECISION OF THE MIAMI
HISTORIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION BOARD'S
APPROVAL, WITH CONDITIONS, OF FIVE (5) WAIVERS FOR THE
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3701 PARK AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA.
MOTION TO: Reconsider
RESULT: RECONSIDERED
MOVER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair
SECONDER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Carollo
ABSENT: Gort, Suarez
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PZ.23 RESOLUTION
1411
Department of
Planning and
Zoning
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
GRANTING/DENYING THE APPEAL FILED BY DR. JOHN SNYDER
AND REVERSING/AFFIRMING THE DECISION OF THE MIAMI
HISTORIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION BOARD'S
APPROVAL, WITH CONDITIONS, OF FIVE (5) WAIVERS FOR THE
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3701 PARK AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA.
MOTION TO: Continue
RESULT: CONTINUED
MOVER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Carollo
ABSENT: Gort, Suarez
Note for the Record: Item PZ.23 was continued to the February 23, 2017 Planning
and Zoning Commission Meeting.
END OF PLANNING AND ZONING ITEM(S)
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M - MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS' ITEMS
CITYWIDE
HONORABLE MAYOR TOMAS REGALADO
END OF CITYWIDE ITEMS
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Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
D1 - DISTRICT 1
COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT ONE WIFREDO (WILLY) GORT
END OF DISTRICT 1 ITEMS
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Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
D2 - DISTRICT 2
VICE CHAIR KEN RUSSELL
END OF DISTRICT 2 ITEMS
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Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
D3 - DISTRICT 3
COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT THREE FRANK CAROLLO
END OF DISTRICT 3 ITEMS
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Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
D4 - DISTRICT 4
COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT FOUR FRANCIS SUAREZ
END OF DISTRICT 4 ITEMS
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Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
D5 - DISTRICT 5
CHAIR KEON HARDEMON
END OF DISTRICT 5 ITEMS
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Meeting Minutes January 26, 2017
FL - FUTURE LEGISLATION
END OF FUTURE LEGISLATION
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NA.1
1688
Commissioners and
Mayor
NA - NON -AGENDA ITEM(S)
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DIRECTING
THE CITY MANAGER TO DRAFT AN ORDINANCE PROHIBITING
THE CITY OF MIAMI FROM JOINING AS CO -APPLICANT FOR
ANY PRIVATE SPECIAL AREA PLAN APPLICATION AND
PROHIBITING LAND ZONED FOR CIVIC SPACE FROM
COUNTING TOWARDS THE GREATER THAN NINE (9) ABUTTING
ACRE MINIMUM REQUIREMENT FOR SPECIAL AREA PLANS.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0060
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Commissioner Suarez: If I may; just have one pocket item.
Chair Hardemon: You're recognized.
Commissioner Suarez: If you can, Andres, pass out the pocket item. It's a simple
resolution, and it's a resolution bringing back an ordinance; it's not an ordinance --
the ordinance, itself; just a resolution directing that an ordinance be brought back,
amending Miami 21, and modifying the law with regard to SAPs (Special Area Plans).
Currently, we have had a practice where we have in the past allowed ourselves, as a
City, to co -apply; and we've also allowed ourselves, as a City, to aggregate parkland
for purposes of the nine -acre threshold. I think that's problematic on a multitude of
different fronts. The first is, if we are a co -applicant and we are supposed to be the
entity that scrutinizes the application, it sort of creates a conflict of interest. It's hard
to scrutinize someone who you are co -applying with, so that's one issue that I have
with it. The second issue is, rightfully or wrongfully, the SAP language has a nine -
acre requirement. And the way I've always viewed it is, there are two vehicles by
which you can do large-scale planning. One of them is an SAP, which is a -- sort of a
private application from a private developer; and the other one is an NRD
(Neighborhood Revitalization District), which is -- which was done in Wynwood --
and that is a City -based application; in other words, the City says, "Hey, we want to
redevelop this area, and we're going to take the lead on doing this." I think mixing
the two creates problems. We all -- many of us attended a Legion Park meeting,
where many residents were angry -- let's put it that way -- with the perception that the
City was in league with the developer. And as we grow -- and I know we've done it in
the past -- but as we grow as a City, I think our residents are growing more and more
skeptical of our oversight, so I think we need to be even more careful that the actions
that we take don't create a perception that we are biased in, you know, in our analysis
of these applications. So what I'm asking for is simple; it's just bringing back an
ordinance. You know, obviously, the ordinance will have sort of the meat and
potatoes of it, but those are the two principles behind the ordinance, and then we can
decide whether or not we want to make that law. But that's my resolution, and 1 move
the item.
Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Chair.
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Chair Hardemon: You're recognized, Vice Chairman.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. 1 understand the intention of this, and I absolutely
agree that whatever good we intend, if the perception is not there from the public that
we intend well that we'll get smacked for it. And so, it's really important that we are
transparent, and that we follow a really good process. My only concern is that if we
pass this, are there unintended consequences for other projects in which we are the
applicant, or in which -- you know, I just want to make sure that we're achieving the
PH intention, without killing the ability for further SAP, where it's our property,
exclusively, for example. It's my understanding that the Virginia Key Marina RFP
would require an SAP, and that is CS Land, so would this preclude that? One
potential amendment which might solve this is that in any case where the City wishes
.for us to be a co -applicant, it would come to the Commission before the application --
the co -application; that way, it's in the public, we are accountable; and if it works, if
it makes sense and the public knows, and we're all in agreement, it can move forward,
but that it doesn't happen in this way.
Commissioner Suarez: So -- Mr. Chair. So I'm open to that. Obviously, my intention
here was to put a resolution of what sort of our basic concept is. This does not
prohibit the City from them self -- if they have nine acres, they, themselves being the
applicant on an SAP. They also could be the applicant on an NRD, so if the City
becomes the applicant, it's a little bit of semantics in that particular context, but it
doesn't prevent the City from being its own applicant. AVM- as there being some sort
of procedure where it comes to the Commission for co -application, I'm open to that. I
think that's the purpose of debating, you know, an ordinance in the next meeting or
whenever it comes. And then I know -- I think we should get public input on that.
Commissioner Gort: Mr. Chair.
Chair Hardemon: Yes, you're organized.
Commissioner Gort: Look, I understand and agree with you, but at the same time,
you can't -- each neighborhood has different need, like you have right now in Virginia
Beach, and we might have -- and I agree, it should be corning from the Commission,
so we approve it and there's the public hearings, and we get the Manager to do
something. Now my understanding, also, we, as a Commission, can ask for an NSP
(Neighborhood Stabilization Program) in any of the areas that we think it could be
useful, so that would not stop.
Vice Chair Russell: We could ask for one.
Chair Hardemon: Fine. What I'd like to do before we move further into discussion,
I'd like to open up the floor for public hearing for this resolution that's being brought
forth, so I recognize you, sir.
Elvis Cruz: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Elvis Cruz, 631 Northeast 57th Street.
Commissioner Suarez, I want to thank you very much for bringing forth this initiative
this morning. This is an excellent thing to do; it's an excellent amendment. The City
of Miami is already zoned to allow eight times the number of housing units that are on
the 2010 census; eight times. That's that maximum density potential that you agreed
to have the City calculate; that was the result. The City is already insanely over -
zoned, and SAPs only make that insane, over -zoning worse. Commissioners Suarez,
Carollo and Hardemon, you were at Legion Park last week. You saw the mood of the
public. "Fed up" is a kind word. There was much raw emotion and anger in the room
at the amount of vertical concrete that's happening all around town; much of it at the
expense of residential neighborhoods, especially established residential
neighborhoods. This concept is an excellent first step in reversing a very bad
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situation with the insane over -zoning that has taken place. 1 want to bring your
memories back -- especially Commissioner Russell's memory back -- to April 27 of
2016, when you and 1 were both in the room at the Plymouth Congregational Church,
and the room was packed with the neighbors from Coconut Grove, and they were very
angry about lot splitting, et cetera, and all the things that are happening in the Grove.
You're familiar with the mood of the public regarding overdevelopment. And at that
meeting, I heard my favorite Xavier Suarez quote -- not a Francis quote -- Xavier
Suarez quote. He said, "The City should be looking at down -zoning." He said it
twice. That's what should be happening; not up -zoning; down -zoning, because we're
already zoned for eight times the number of housing units. Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you.
Iris Escarra: Good morning, Chairman. Iris Escarra, with offices at 333 Southeast
2nd Avenue. I feel a little bit -- somewhat guilty, since it's our development that's kind
of really brought this to fruition, but it's actually a good thing; it's actually a good
thing. And I wanted to first thank you, Commissioner Hardemon, for setting up that
community meeting. Thank you for those that attended the community meeting, your
staff that attended these community meetings; and a very special thank you to James
McQueen, and Francisco Garcia, who really took on a variety of questions from the
community very eloquently, and I wanted to thank them personally, because they were
out there answering questions fbr an application that's being processed, butt think it's
actually opened the eyes of a variety of different issues with special area plans. And
I'm just here to say that we're here; we continue to work with the City. We look
forward to developing the site, whatever may come of that, with regards to this
particular ordinance, and we're just here to say thank you, and we will continue to
work with you all. Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: Is there any other person from the public that'd like to speak on the
item? Seeing none, I'll close the public hearing. Commissioners, we had an SAP that
recently passed in Commissioner Carollo's district that involved a park. No one from
that community was up in arms about that particular SAP and how it moved forward.
There have been other SAPs that have been passed in our communities, for instance;
some that did not involve parks. And I sav that to say, not all SAPs instill anger in
people; not all SAPs. There are many SAPs that don't involve, as was stated -- what
was stated earlier -- these large buildings being built. The Design District SAP is one
instance of that. There was particularly no mass vertical building that was erected
because of SAP; it was more so for the style, for the lighting; it was different
improvements that were not standard in the City. And so, 1 say that to say, in
reference to SAPs and what SAPs mean to our community, they're different; each SAP
proposes something completely different. And so, I wouldn't want to be a part of
saying, just because something is an SAP, the City should be against it, so that's first.
Relating to the public discussion that we had about the SAP in the Upper Eastside, I
think you should always remain -- Well, first, we're going to have another public
hearing involving this office -- my office and that community, because I want to
discuss with them more so the options, because many times, when people get into a
public discussion, they will say -- for instance, what was said loudly there was, "No
SAP." And so, we're not -- I'm not here to discuss right now that SAP or the
applicant, or anything of that nature. But just generally speaking about that in those
types of discussion, they say, "No SAP." And, okay, say it conies before the
Commission or if it doesn't come before the Commission, no matter what -- Say if the
Commission decides that they are not in support of an SAP in that area. The
applicants could still build what they want to build by law, and then the question is
always, "Are we going to be happy with what they build by law?" And so, many times
-- and I say this to say that in an SAP, it gives the City an opportunity to manage
development, because now, the community can be a part of saying, "No, we don't want
the buildings to be that high, as you propose. The buildings should be this high"; or,
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"We want it to be over here versus over there," and you can have more say in things
being done. So 1 want to ensure that the community has an opportunity to talk about
that from the community's perspective, with me, as the representative of that area.
And so -- but there are other parts of our communities where SAPs could be proposed
that could involve, say, a public participation or public land, and it may he beneficial
to that area, and the people who live around that area could say, "Hey, we want that
in our area, because we think this would be an improvement to this overall area."
And so, that's part of my issue with this one, this resolution, because it essentially
blocks out the possibility of having that discussion, and I don't want to do that,
because it may have unintended consequences with other developments; particular,
that may affect areas that we're not thinking of at this time. And, you know,
Commissioner Suarez, you mentioned that the City, as a co -applicant, sometimes, it --
well, it could be troublesome if the City is a co -applicant. But the City sometimes is
an applicant, period, you know. And the City is an applicant, and then the staff and
PZAB (Planning, Zoning & Appeals Board) have to decide whether or not the zoning
that is being sought by the City or any other development issues being sought by the
City is something that is recommended. And the City, I expect to give their
professional recommendation, and I expect PZAB to give their recommendation, as
well, and we have to consider those things. And, you know, by bringing it -- say, for
instance, the discussion about should we bring the issue of an SAP before the
Commission, as an -- before we decide that it's an applicant -- before the Commission
can be -- that's a -- Let me explain myself correctly. The Vice Chairman said that
maybe we can bring the application before this Commission decides whether or not
we want to apply and before the City actually makes an application. And I'm
wondering if that would complicate the issue even further, because, for instance, if we
decide, okay, as a City, we want to apply -- this Commission decides we want to apply
-- it would still have to come back before us to decide whether or not the SAP would
be approved in the end. And so, if you have an applicant who -- No. Say you have
opposition from the community, because no one is going to completely, 100 percent
agree that you should have it. So someone is going to always say, "No, I don't like it."
You say, "We have free water for the residents of the City of Miami." Someone is
going to say, "No, I don't like water. I prefer milk." You know, it's going to happen.
And so -- but that person, who has a right to be in the negative about something, say
they sue. And they say, "Well, City of Miami, you decided before" -- "As
Commissioners, you all decided in the beginning that you all wanted to have an SAP
when you made the decision beforehand. So all of this other stuff is just kangaroo
court. The fact that I'm putting on evidence to show that the SAP isn't worthy for this
area, it is inappropriate, it means nothing, because you all made your decision. You
were biased from the beginning, and therefore, you shouldn't" -- 'your decision
shouldn't be binding." And so, those are some of my issues that 1 have with what's
there. Commissioner Suarez.
Commissioner Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Well, first, the way I look at it is like
this: Miami 21 -- and I often say -- use this analogy: It's like an operating system.
So we have, you know, Windows or Apple; that they issue an operating system. And
that operating system, like every operating system, has glitches. So you start using
the operating system, and as you're using the operating system, you start discovering,
"Well, maybe we need to refine something here; maybe we need to tighten something
up here, " et cetera, et cetera. 1 think the SAPs were certainly well intended when they
were created as part of Miami 21. 1 think what we started to see, little by little, is
they've been used to expand development capacity enormously, so 1 think that's an
issue. I think you've also started to see developers -- private developers that don't --
haven't amassed the nine acres say to the City, "Hey, lend us three of your acres, four
of your acres, " whatever the total amount is, "to create an application." And I'll give
you an example. I think it would be impossible, for example, for the Planning
Department to say, "We're a co -applicant on an SAP, " and then, "Recommendation:
Denial." How could you be a co -applicant on an application and then say,
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"Recommendation: Denial"? You're -- you know, you just -- you are the oversight,
sort of the police officer. And they do a great job of it. They're professionals. I've
never questioned Francisco's professionalism, not once in my entire time. He takes a
very professional -- If there's anyone that could potentially balance that, it would be
someone like him. But I just think you're putting -- actually, I think you're putting him
in a very bad position, personally. I think you're putting him in an impossible
position, because he has to decide, number one -- and it was very evident in that
meeting that he was the deciding person, apparently. He has to decide whether,
number one, "A," they're going to be a co -applicant. Then he has to take an objective
analysis of the application and give a recommendation. Well, it's really hard to say,
"We're going to recommend denying the SAP," if you're a co -applicant. And so, I
think that's where the public starts to say, "Hmm, I'm not sure you can scrutinize these
applications" -- which are big developments, they're massive developments" -- "if you
have already decided that you're going to co -apply."
Chair Hardemon: But that's the thing about it. The -- so the co -application versus
the passing of the SAP. You know, what I -- I try not to -- I do my best not to affect his
professional decision -making or not intimidate it, or not to influence it --
Commissioner Suarez: Question.
Chair Hardemon: -- in any way. And I'm speaking of Francisco, for the record. And
the reason I do that, because I want to ensure that he's giving me objective
information that we have to consider. And so, I have a right to disagree with his
information.
Commissioner Suarez: Of course.
Chair Hardemon: And I have a right to vote the way that I want to vote. If there is an
SAP that I was in favor of I could vote in favor of it; and if there was one that I was
not in favor of --
Commissioner Suarez: Absolutely.
Chair Hardemon: -- no matter what -- how he professionally recommended.
Commissioner Suarez: I agree with that.
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman, can we have Francisco give his opinion on
this, ifpossible?
Chair Hardemon: Please.
Francisco Garcia: Thank you for the opportunity, sir. Francisco Garcia, Planning &
Zoning director. I think I'm going to paraphrase Commissioner Suarez. Special area
plans -- SAPs -- are essentially a tool; nothing more, nothing less, and we take it as
such. I think in response, or the only comment that came to mind as the comment was
made that by virtue of deciding to become a co -applicant, we were essentially in favor
in some manner. What 1 would say is that we -- In the moment in which we decide
that being a co -applicant may be a good idea, all we're doing, really, is saying,
"We're very interested in hearing what you, developers, have to say about what the
possibility for a correct proposal of this land is." We certainly work -- we -- and not
only us in the Planning & Zoning Department, but all the departments in the City --
Public Works, Building, et cetera -- work with the applicant to try to craft their
proposal in the best manner possible. As you well know, this certainly involves the
public throughout many public meetings, and subsequently, hearings. And our
participation simply is about that -- optimizing the proposal; and, ultimately, of
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course -- and Commissioner Hardemon said this -- ultimately, of course, we
understand and accept that the decision will be made in a public hearing setting.
Commissioner Suarez: Mr. Chair.
Chair Hardemon: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Suarez: But you try to optimize proposals, whether you're a co -
applicant or not, correct?
Mr. Garcia: That is always the case; yes, sir.
Commissioner Suarez: Of course. So my issue is, it's hard. for the police -- the person
who is, you know, having -- enforcing the police powers of the City; the person who is
reviewing an application to be a partner. You're either the -- sort of reviewer, and
someone who's trying to make it better, obviously, for the City; or you're a partner,
but it's hard to play both roles. I'm saying, if there's anyone that has the integrity to
do it, it's you. I just have a problem with it; and I think, not only do I have a problem
with it, I think the public perceives there to be a problem with it. So --
Chair Hardemon: And Commissioner Suarez, I'm going to change it just a little bit,
because, particularly, that -- it brings to mind -- Sometimes we -- I think we interpret
what items it is that we use that type of mindset about, because what brings to mind --
what comes to my mind immediately is, say someone has an interaction with a police
officer, and its not favorable. And they go to IA (Internal Affairs), and they want to
file a complaint. And we all know that IA investigates the complaint about the police
officer. So now you have the police officer in the City of Miami being investigated by
the -- by another police officer in the City of Miami. And the resident has to live, if
you will, with the decision that was made by another police officer. Now, I bring that
up because not too long ago, when we had the issue with the containers, you had a
police union president say, "Well, we can't trust our police to conduct an investigation
about what's occurring in the Police Department." Now, to me, that was a huge thing
to say, because my thing is, if you can't trust the police to investigate the police about
something the police did, then how is it that we can trust the police to investigate the
police about something -- you know -- regarding someone who is outside of the Police
Department? And so, if -- I bring that up, because
Commissioner Suarez: You're kink of making my --
Chair Hardemon: -- if that's the way we're going to
Commissioner Suarez: -- argument.
Chair Hardemon: -- it should be -- no, no, but my point is this: Professionally, I
expect that the police and the Internal Affairs can do their job, and should do their job
by investigating incidences that occur within the Police Department. I expect that,
because it's the professional law enforcement. Now, if the police union president
doesn't believe that that can happen, to me, that speaks milestones. And so, then
maybe -- then there is no IA; maybe then there should only be outside investigation of
things that occur, because he spoke -- to me -- his thought that he doesn't trust his
own Police Department to do an investigation of itself. So that speaks milestones
about the Police Department, itself. And he's authorized to speak on behalf of all the
police -- I'm just saying that's what he said, right? And in this case, it wasn't the City
saying, "Well, we don't trust what Francisco has to say." It's the perception from the
community that, if the City is a co -applicant, then they don't trust. And so, the
question is -- and the way you stated it, Commissioner Suarez -- that you trust
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Francisco and his decision -making to be in the -- professional, in the best interest of -
- well, professional, for that matter. And so, the question is, are they the same?
Daniel J. Alfonso (City Manager): Mr. Chairman, I would like Francisco to define
the ward, "optimization," because I think that there's a confusion. I think in the way
some people think "optimization" means, "I'm going to put the highest possible
structure there, with the highest possible density." So I would like Francisco to
explain. What do you mean by "optimization, "Mr. Garcia?
Mr. Garcia: Thank you for the opportunity, sir. And to be perfectly honest, that had
not even occurred to me, because, certainly, when we look at the quality of a project
and we look to optimize a project in every single review we conduct, what we are
doing -- and you've heard me say this a million times before you in my presentations -
- is we try to ensure that the project that is being presented and the project that is
ultimately presented to you for decision -making is the best project it could be.
Commissioner Suarez: Of course.
Mr. Garcia: In many instances -- and this is the case with, I' going to say, just about
every single special area plan that has been presented to you, in every, instance -- the
end product is not the highest and best use; it is not the densest; it is not the most
intense. It is actually much less than that. What the SAP does -- and this is probably
the highest utility of this tool -- what it does that no other mechanism does is to
provide for design flexibility in terms of the look, feel, configuration of the project that
other regulations that were put in place before the project could even be thought of
bring into the plate. So for us -- the big advantage for us, as your staff, is that we now
get to configure and mass the project; give it scale that properly addresses the context
- - and "context" is the key word -- that it sits in. Now, that, of course, is a very
subjective matter. What we try to do as part of the SAP process or any other review
process is to ensure that it is optimized, in the sense that it is the most contextual,
beneficial for the community project it can be. And ultimately, of course -- and I'll
close with this; forgive me, Commissioner Suarez -- and ultimately, the decision is
yours to make; and ultimately, the public's to make on appeal.
Commissioner Suarez: Look, I'm very wonkish about these things, and Francisco and
I have very lively debates oftentimes about some of this stuff. I think -- First of all,
this resolution just asks for a ordinance to come back, so we'll have two other sort of
bites at the apple, if you will, to discuss and debate the merits of it. 1 think, first of all,
it doesn't prevent the City from doing its own SAP, number one. Number two, it
doesn't prevent the City from doing an NRD, and it doesn't prevent or restrict an
applicant from doing an SAP. What it does is, it says, "We don't want the City in the
SAP game as a co -applicant, and we don't want them using City land as part of the
nine acres." The -- to me, the idea behind an SAP was, if you have enough land in
principal, we want to allow for that flexibility -- a developer to come in and propose a
more flexible development, which is exactly what you just stated. I'm not so sure that
the original intent or the original vision was that we were going to let developers --
not nine -- let's aggregate five or six, and then let's get three acres of City land or four
acres, or even a majority of City land in the application, for purposes of having that
flexibility for three acres of private land, or four acres of private land. So I just think
it's like everything else in life. You create something -- 1'm not saying it's a bad thing.
I'm saying you create something, and then, in practice, it starts being utilized, and it
starts being utilized in different formats. And we have an option. We can either allow
it to continue to be utilized that way, or we can change it. I personally feel that it
should be changed. I just don't think that it's -- we should be a co -applicant. I think,
again, it's a conflict. Irrespective of your integrity, it is a conflict, to me, and I think
the public perceives it as a conflict. And I also think that there is a problem with
having public land be part of a private SAP app -- or a co -application, because it --
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again, it's weird. You know what 1 mean? You're using the public's asset to
potentially reconfigure, give -- you know, redevelop land, and 1 just think that, even
though we've done it in the past, I'm not sure that just because we've done it in the
past doesn't mean that we should continue to do it in the future.
Chair Hardemon: Vice Chairman.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, Francisco, for your
briefing on this issue with me. It was very enlightening, because I was very familiar
with what happened at the Legion Park meeting, and that's the -- you know, you hear
the public and their will, and their suspicion of what is happening. But really
listening to Francisco, if the public could hear where he was corning from this and if
the intention to be a co -applicant had been vetted publicly and approved by us as a
Commission, there may have been either less controversy, or it would have died at an
earlier stage, understanding that public will. What Francisco expressed to me in our
briefing was that the City does wear two hats, and in one time, we're a regulatory hat;
and one time, we're a landowner hat. And when the public sees us and they can't tell
which hat we're wearing, and as that landowner, we're trying to find a benefit, at the
end of the day, and in -- I know Francisco sincerely believes this -- that the benefit
being gained from this SAP, and by being a co -applicant would eventually benefit the
residents through the redevelopment of that park, the community center; all of the
things that the City can bargain as benefits from the SAP would be good for the
community. But he is not the elected that is -- listening to those people, with the
finger on the pulse of whether that is worth the tradeoff that the SAP has for their
community in terms of development. Of course, that does come down to us at the end
of the day when it comes to us, but my requested amendment was simply that we
would not do any of these things without prior approval of the Commission being co -
applicant, using City land as part of a private SAP. So my amendment that I was
asking for, which might not tie our hands to where, when the community and the City
does feel that there would be mutual benefit. Let's say the residents said, "Hey, this is
a good tradeoff" but we've now tied our hands, and we couldn't do it, that we could --
you know, by vetting this earlier at Commission, we could be an applicant with the
public -- with the will of -- there will always be some who dissent, but if we vet it
publicly, we can move forward or not. So my requested amendment was just to add
the phrase, "without prior approval of the City Commission," at the end of Section 2
and Section 3. That was -- and I think that would make his -- the intention of the
Planning & Zoning (UNINTELLIGIBLE) much more public and less suspicious.
Commissioner Suarez: Mr. Chair, if I may just chime in on a couple things? One --
First of all, thank you for your latitude on this issue, which is a pocket item. 1
appreciate that. I would argue -- Pm comfortable with the reso as is, but I would
argue that a lot of the things -- and we've had this discussion a lot in the -- in --
behind closed doors, because I have actually been looking at this prior to the Legion
Park meeting, for a while, and we hadn't had a chance to sit down and vet it, you and
I. But I would argue that a lot of the things that are -- that can be achieved through
having the City be a co -applicant can be achieved, regardless; in other words, park
improvements, those can be achieved, regardless of whether or not the City is a co -
applicant on an application; in other words, we could be scrutinizing in a --
Vice Chair Russell: Not if they can't reach the threshold.
Commissioner Suarez: I'm sorry? Yes.
Vice Chair Russell: If they can't reach the threshold, then we don't have the --
Commissioner Suarez: Oh, absolutely, we can, and we do it every single day. We've
done it for years. Your predecessor did it very, very well. He would make, you know,
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park improvements as part of the entitlement process a continual thing, and it was
done in many projects on the Biscayne Corridor. Its been done all over the place,
and I could cite you many, many examples of it. In fact, I think Mr. Milton came in
and improved, as part of a bonus program, a park, and wanted to trade those bonuses
and maintain them as TDRs (Transfer Development Rights). So improvements to park
and public property as a function of the normal zoning process happens every single
day. It was here before SAPs, and it's going to be here long after SAPs, so that's one
thing. The second thing I would tell you is, there is a finite amount of SAPS left. We
talk about these things in abstract terns, but there's a finite amount of aggregated
parcels that level. I don't know what that number is; maybe six, maybe seven, I don't
know; somewhere in that vicinity. But I would also urge you guys to sit in this time
with the Planning director and look at a map, and see -- What do we have left? What
is our capacity? What is our -- you know, where are our doughnut holes, if you will?
And where do we expect massive developments, and how is that all going to play out?
Because I think what you'll see is, there's probably very, very little other SAPs that
will be affected by this ordinance. But -- so I just wanted to put those things out there.
I would prefer, if you don't mind, that the reso stay as is. You can change it at -- once
it becomes an ordinance, and we can debate it and decide -- I mean, I want to think
about it, but I'm not opposed to it, off the bat, at all. Like, I mean, I think it's a
reasonable request. I just want to think about it, if that's okay.
Chair Hardemon: One of the first questions that came to my mind when the SAP was
presented, using parkland that was in Commissioner Carollo's district was, is that
possible? And that was my first threshold in deciding the way that I decided. And as
I -- as was explained to me, a legal -- this is something that is possible; you can do
this, this way. And so, I voted the way that I did, because it gave a benefit to his
district, which are the people that live in that area that were supporting have it -- that
SAP there. And so, most of the SAPs that are underway now are in my district, you
know. So when we say, "a finite amount of SAPs," SAPs can -- the way they're
presented -- come and go. I mean, it's just a matter of you selling your land, you not
selling your land, you aggregate more land, and this, that, or the third. And,
certainly, there can be some -- there can be a lot of benefits to having an SAP, and I
think one of the -- We know Brickell City Centre had an SAP, right? I think we see
how that turned out; much different from when I talked -- when we talked about the
Design District's SAP; completely different, but, I mean, that area is beautiful. You
think you're on Rodeo Drive; you're in the heart of District 5. And so, what -- I just --
it's one of those things where -- I like making my decisions when I have an
opportunity to make them. In a sense, what I'm saying to you is that l want to be able
to consider what's before me, and I think this gives you -- gives us an opportunity.
This creates a situation where Commissioner Carollo's SAP could not have come into
existence, because, upfront, it would not have been considerable, and so, that's the
issue that I have. So if there is an SAP that is possible, that there is something that
the community would support, I want them to be able to bring that on, and I'm afraid
that this would keep us, actually, from doing that, because, I mean, I can imagine --
When I think about, for instance -- it may not be possible, but I think about an area, I
think about Manor Park, so -- the Little Haiti Soccer Park, and the avenue that Little
Haiti Soccer Park and the properties that are just across from it, I think there are a
lot of property owners there that are supportive of the Little Haiti designation, and
making that a cultural destination for that area. And so, if an SAP came about that
joined Little Haiti Soccer Park and those property owners and -- for instance -- I'm
not giving my opinion, but I'm saying, and for instance, the community was supportive
of it and it changed the streetscapes and the lighting that goes along with the median -
- not with the median that we just approved -- that made this a place to be, because if
you said, 'Man, I want to experience things that are authentic to the Little Haiti
community, or to Haiti community," and you know -- you went there and you looked
around and you saw that Caribbean feel and things of that nature, I mean, that would
be something that that type of SAP could allow. But if this is an -- if this is ordinance
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or this resolution passes, I think that it would keep us from being able to do that, and
that's part of what my worry is. Commissioner Gort.
Commissioner Gort: Let me tell you what my experience has been in the past, and a
lot of things that comes in opposition or favorable is misinformation, and I'm just
going to give you one example. I don't speak much, but the one example is the -- You
all seen the building on Northwest -- I mean Southwest 22nd Avenue and Dixie
Highway, a three-story building that's being modeled right now, 22nd Avenue and on
Dixie Highway. There was a application here -- you were here -- the bank wanted to
put a drive -through, deposit. It was just one story, and cars come in and they deposit
-- you make your deposit. The whole neighborhood came against it. Now they have
the building, three-story building with a lot more use than before, and that was
because of a lack of knowledge, what was taking place. I'm a great believer that
presentations should be made. I mean, a lot of time, we defer items, they go to the
community and they talk to the community, but you got to be upfront. You got to give
all the information, and the community have to see if it benefits them or not. To me,
it's very important, because I see a lot of places where we defer items, people have
gotten together, they instructed the developers what they would like to see. The
developer looked at it and says, "Hey, that works, that's good, that's going to help
both." And this is where we come in, also.
Commissioner Suarez: Mr. Chairman.
Commissioner Gort: 1 think we are responsible to talk to our people and make sure
they were given the right information.
Chair Hardemon: You know, and Commissioner Suarez, the one thing that I realize,
as well, being here, is that developers -- for instance, if you consider the SAP that is
in the Upper Eastside that the City is not a co -applicant in at this moment, and the
development is -- say, is a party to this whole thing. If there's -- if they're looking, if
they watch what happens on this dais, and they look and they say, "Man, the whole
community is against this. I'm going to put $600,000 to continue moving forward."
They know that they're taking a risk, because when it gets to this body, we're going to
make our decision based on the law, but certainly, our residents and their concerns
about whether or not something like this fits the character and integrity of that
neighborhood. It's a decision that we get to make, and when people give their
testimony about what's happening in that area, you know, we can consider. So, you
know, those things, 1 think, if you are a business person, you have to -- you definitely
have to consider, you know. You look at the museum -- what museum is that? "C" --?
Commissioner Suarez: Ice.
Chair Hardemon: Ike -- what's it called?
Commissioner Suarez: The Contemporary Arts Museum.
Vice Chair Russell: Braman?
Chair Hardemon: Yeah, yeah, yeah, the Braman Museum. I mean, you had people
come in, saying you want it; you had people come in, saying that we didn't want it.
Commissioner Suarez: ICA (Institute of Contemporary Art).
Chair Hardemon: ICA, that's what it's -- ICA. You had people come in, say that we
want it; people said that we didn't want it. They bought more and more property, and
they changed things around that, you know, not everybody agrees with, but they took
that risk. They took the risk of starting to build before they had approval from the
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City Commission, when they were being appealed. I don't know what the result of the
appeal is just yet, but 1 just know that they took that calculated business risk. And so,
any time someone is an applicant in something like an SAP, they're taking a
calculated business risk. Yes.
Commissioner Suarez: A hundred percent agree. I agree that -- you know, I'm not
saying that they're not taking a risk, certainly. I do agree with something that
Commissioner Gort said, and I agree with what you just said. I agree with -- you
know, oftentimes, deferrals are healthy, because the -- you know, people get to come
together. We just saw it happen in your district not that long ago with the -- I think it
was the Presidente that came before us. You know, my issue is, we are living in a city
that's growing rapidly. We did a billion dollars of construction last year. We grew
26 percent in property values over the last two years. And what people don't
understand, residences, residential communities, is that they're abutting commercial
corridors with invisible boxes on top of them, and those invisible boxes are higher
than the buildings that currently stand there, and as development continues, those box
-- those buildings are going to get demolished, and people are going to build to the
extent of those boxes. And so, what's happening is, there's just a significant amount of
pushback, because those residents that came there that day, they've seen a one- or
two-story building that is -- that American Legion Building. And now, they're looking
at a massive development there, in their minds. But that box, that invisible box has
always been there. The question is, how does that -- you know, whether that invisible
box should be there, to what extent it should be there, and how it should be
manipulated, which is what the SAP allows for. But I would just submit, again, that
we have a process that we can improve our parks that -- and we've used it before,
which is the NRD. We used it in your district, in Wvnwood, which is essentially an
SAP, but that was a City -driven SAP; in other words, that was -- I know that there are
people looking at it in Overtown. It's the City saying, "We are going to drive the bus
on this issue," which creates, I think, a very clear distinction between a private
application or a set of private parties coming together -- By the way, nothing -- I don't
think there's anything that prohibits more than one private party from coming
together to aggregate the nine acres. So you could have other private -- If there
really is something that's good for a community, you could have other private parties
come together and put together a major development; or the City can say, "Look, we
think that this is in the public good and we're going to spearhead this, and this is a
City application." And so, I think those are two different concepts, but I would just --
what I would request is passage of the reso, which will bring back an ordinance that
we can continue to debate. We'll -- it'll be filled in so you'll know. 1 think it can be
amended to include the language that the Vice Chair wanted if he so wants to amend
it at that time, after having some time for us to all consider it and talk it over with
Francisco; is that okay? Is everyone cool with that?
Chair Hardemon: The -- I know that --
Commissioner Suarez: Doesn't prohibit, by the way, anything from happening in your
district, do you? At least not until it's --
Chair Hardemon: The way that Francisco explained it as being a tool is important,
because tools are dumb; they do what you tell them to do. You pick it up, you take --
a hammer, you know, is a hammer when you look at it, but it doesn't do any work until
you actually pick it up and you use it, and you can use a hammer in many different
ways. You can use hammers to do some positive things, and you can use hammers to
do some very negative things; and, certainly, we've seen different examples of that.
And so, I look at this as that same type of thing, because the one thing that I can say,
that when you have an SAP -- what Commissioner Suarez said, I mean, is absolutely
true. You're looking at someone who has development capacity near something like
your home, or something like a park. It's important that we realize that they have the
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right to go a certain height and things of that nature that they may not be exercising
today, because during the time when that building was built, many, many, many years
ago, buildings weren't going that high, especially in certain areas. However, when
you look at -- For instance, I'm going to use a home instead of a park, because I don't
want to give anything -- I don't want to give any indication legally of certain thoughts
about things, because I don't have anything before me to consider, so 171 use a home
instead. If I have a home or a neighborhood that is bordered -- bordering an area
where an SAP is being considered, it's important to know that -- you're the neighbor
there -- that person who is on that commercial corridor can go, say -- let's give an
example of three or -- three stories. They can go three stories. Now, your home is
only one story today, and that person -- that business right next to you is only one
story. But an SAP gives you the ability -- or gives the City the ability to say, "Okay,
well, let's not go three; let's go two," and that's the important part about -- you know,
that I want to be considered, because if we have the ability to calm the effects or
prevent a building from being -- from having a harmful effect upon the neighbor, I
don't want to lose that ability. And I think that if we use this ordinance the way that it
is, what I'm afraid of is that we're going to lose the ability to create a positive effect;
not just on the park itself but a positive effect of how that building is built in relation
to the park. So -- and I don't want to get too far into it, because I don't want to cause
any issues for myself with legal, but that's my biggest worry about it. If we pass this
resolution, then we're saying, "Hey, we're creating" -- "we're going to limit the" --
"limit our ability to regulate what is next to what we care about." Yes.
Commissioner Suarez: 1 just want to wrap it up. 1 just -- you know, this is a reso to
bring an ordinance. I didn't want to bring it as an ordinance, because I figured that
they would engender some discussion, and I think we're saying a lot of the same
things; we're saying some things differently. And the reason why I brought it as a
reso versus just an ordinance was because I figured that everyone would be very --
have some very strong feelings about it. And I also figured that Francisco -- you
know, you would all want to sit with Francisco and sort of hash it out and debate it.
So I'm just asking that it be passed and then we just continue to debate it. Obviously,
you can debate it with Francisco internally, but then debate it publicly when it
becomes an ordinance for our consideration.
Chair Hardemon: All right. I'll take that as a motion from --
Commissioner Suarez: Yes.
Chair Hardemon: -- Commissioner Suarez. Is there a second?
Vice Chair Russell: Second.
Chair Hardemon: Seconded by the Vice Chairman. All in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: All against? Motion passes.
Commissioner Suarez: Thank you, guys.
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NA.2
1726
Office of the City
Clerk
ADJOURNMENT
DISCUSSION ITEM
DISCUSSION ON WARRANT APPLICATION 2016-0090:
MODIFICATION TO PREVIOUSLY APPROVED MAJOR USE
SPECIAL PERMIT FOR FLAGSTONE ISLAND GARDENS MIXED
USE DEVELOPMENT.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
Vice Chair Russell: While we wait for Chair Hardemon, I did have one pocket
discussion item. Mr. Garcia, I had the discussion item on the letter that we had
received regarding the Flagstone project, and wanted to know if you could help the
Commission go through that. I believe you made an analysis. Was this just for my
office, or have you circulated that to the other Commissioners?
Francisco Garcia (Senior Director, Planning & Zoning): No, I certainly have copies.
I believe we presented you a draft in an attempt to ascertain whether or not we had
addressed the issues sufficiently, but I certainly have the ,final draft, which is
essentially what you've seen, with minor corrections, ready to distribute at the
appropriate time.
Vice Chair Russell: Okay. Just for the sake of discussion, and then I'll bring it back
once the Commission has had time to go through this. This has to do with Flagstone
on Watson Island and the modification of their MUSP (Major Use Special Permit),
and if it should be granted. And the warrant that they were seeking was brought to
our attention through a letter that was sent to all the Commissioners back in
November, I want to say; whether it was a warrant versus an exception. They raised
several points. Thank you. And so, I had asked Mr. Garcia for an analysis of that
letter back then, which I've received the answer today, which was due to the
discussion item that 1 was bringing, but we haven't really had time to parse through it,
and certainly, the Commission hasn't had time to digest it. Actually, 1 haven't even
seen the final draft yet, so I would invite Mr. Garcia to share that final draft with the
rest of the Commission so that we can bring this back. Really, one of the main issues
had to do with whether there's a substantial change having to do with -- mostly, the
main issue being the square footage of the project, which would -- if being
substantial, would elevate it to an exception rather than a warrant process. So,
really, that -- other than going through the details at this point, I think we'll wait; let
you all digest Mr. Garcia's analysis, and then we'll bring it back.
The meeting adjourned at 5:41 p.m.
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