HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2017-07-13 MinutesCity of Miami
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
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Meeting Minutes
July 13, 2017
9:00 AM
Regular
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 July 13, 2017
9:00 AM INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Present: Chair Hardemon, Vice Chair Russell, Commissioner Gort, Commissioner
Carollo and Commissioner Suarez
On the 13th day of July, 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
9:03 a.m., recessed at 11:55 a.m., reconvened at 2:05 p.m., recessed at 4:13 p.m.,
reconvened at 4:34 p.m., and adjourned at 4:48 p.m.
Note for the Record: Commissioner Suarez entered the Commission chambers at 9:08
a.m., Vice Chair Russell entered the Commission chambers at 9:22 a.m. and
Commissioner Carollo entered the Commission chambers at 9:49 a.m.
ALSO PRESENT:
Daniel J. Alfonso, City Manager
Victoria Mendez, City Attorney
Todd B. Hannon, City Clerk
Chair Hardemon: Welcome to the July 13, 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 Chair; and me,
Keon Hardemon, the Chairman. Also on the dais are Daniel J. Alfonso, our City
Manager; Victoria Mendez, the City Attorney; and Todd Hannon, our City Clerk. The
meeting will be opened with a prayer by Commissioner Gort, and I will follow with
leading the pledge of allegiance. All rise, please.
Invocation and pledge of allegiance delivered.
Chair Hardemon: You may have a seat.
PR - PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
PR.1 PROTOCOL ITEM
2607
Honoree
Presenter
Protocol Item
Antonio Gonzalez -Sanchez
Comm. Suarez
Distinguished Citizen
Jose L. Barletta
Comm. Gort
Proclamation
Bernie Rosen
Mayor Regalado
Proclamation
Antonio Daniel Castellanos
Mayor Regalado
Proclamation
RESULT:
PRESENTED
1) Mayor Regalado and Commissioner Suarez aid tribute to Mr. Antonio Gonzalez -
Sanchez, Distinguished Citizen of the City ojMiami. Also known as Antonio Divine
by his peers and friends, he has have lived in the Flagami Section of District 4 since
1978 and has been a tireless, compassionate voice for those in need, particularly
seniors and disabled citizens. Mr. Gonzalez -Sanchez, an appointee of Commissioner
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Meeting Minutes July 13, 2017
Suarez, to the Senior Citizens' Advisory Board, and has recently been named
Chairman of the Board, has become the link between many of the City of Miami
constituents and the elected governance. Elected officials paused in their
deliberation to pay tribute to him.
2) Mayor Regalado and Commissioner Gort presented a Proclamation to Mr. Jose L.
Barletta, who has played a key role in the development of commercial relations
between Latin America and the South Florida community and, in so doing, has made
significant contributions to the economic growth and prosperity of the City of Miami.
Mr. Barletta, ex Vice -President of the Argentine -American Chamber of Commerce,
organized highly successful commercial missions to different Latin American
countries in addition to being an eminent lecturer on international investments, real
estate and migration issues (EB-5) and has worked closely with the elected
leadership of the City of Miami in promoting trade to and from our community.
Elected Officials proclaimed Thursday, July 13, 2017, as "Jose L. Barletta Day."
3) Mayor Regalado and Commissioners presented a Proclamation to Mr. Bernie Rosen,
who has served the City of Miami and South Florida community for sixty-five (65)
years, bringing its residents news and information while working at local television
station WTVJ. Mr. Rosen was one of the great pioneers in the television industry and
helped launch Florida's first television station based in Miami and has become one
of the most well-known people in our community, befriending and providing
guidance through the years to not just sports figures, but business people and
community leaders alike. For the occasion of Bernie Rosen's birthday and in
recognition of his invaluable contributions to the South Florida community, Elected
Officials proclaimed Sunday, July 16, 2017as "Bernie Rosen Day."
4) Mayor Regalado and Commissioners presented a Proclamation to Mr. Antonio
Daniel Castellanos', who has repeatedly demonstrated a spirit of community
engagement and compassionate social action. He continues to inspire his peers and
is a source of pride for family, friends and school; and rose up the ranks as a
respected member of Boy Scout Troop 575 at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church
in the past eight (8) years. Mr. Castellanos was awarded the highest rank of Eagle
Scout, an honor attained by less than 2% of scouts, and has received commendations
from the President of the United States, the Governor of the State of Florida and
many other elected officials, including Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who
presented him with the U.S. flag flown over the Capitol on the day Antonio became
an Eagle Scout. He has founded several projects to help the community including the
construction of a basketball court and facility to provide outdoor recreation to the
underprivileged boys and girls of "His House, " a foster home and adoption center
for abused and abandoned children, and is currently Vice -President of Christopher
Columbus News Network (CCNN), Elected Officials paused in their deliberations
and proclaimed Thursday, July 13, 2017 as "Antonio Daniel Castellanos Day."
Chair Hardemon: We will now begin our presentations and proclamations.
Presentations and proclamations made.
AM - APPROVING THE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETINGS:
AM.1 City Commission - Regular Meeting - May 11, 2017 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: Is there a motion to approve the regular meeting minutes of May
11, 2017?
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Meeting Minutes July 13, 2017
MV - MAYORAL VETOES
ORDER OF THE DAY
Commissioner Suarez: So moved.
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved and seconded. Any further discussion
on it? All in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: Motion passes.
NO MAYORAL VETOES
Chair Hardemon: Now, what I'll do -- Well, first of all, Mr. Clerk, are there any
mayoral vetoes?
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair, there are no mayoral vetoes.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much.
END OF MAYORAL VETOES
Chair Hardemon: We will now begin the regular meeting. Madam City Attorney,
will you state the procedures to be followed during this meeting?
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): Thank you, Chairman. 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 related City requirements for lobbyists before appearing before the City
Commission. A copy -- 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 this 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 or
rescheduled, the opportunity to be heard may be at such later date before the City
Commission takes action on such proposition. The Chairman may 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 -- may first state his or her name, his or her address, and what item
will be spoken about. A copy of the agenda titles will be available at the City Clerk's
Office and at the podium for your ease of reference. Anyone wishing to appeal any
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Meeting Minutes July 13, 2017
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 chambers; please silence
those now. No clapping, applauding, heckling, or verbal outburst in support or
opposition to a speaker or their 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 assistance, auxiliary aids and 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 agenda, 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 1 Alfonso (City Manager): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good morning,
Commissioners. At this time, we have no deferrals or withdrawals. When we do
come up to the item on the Hyatt, though, we will have to have some clarification
and direction.
Later...
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chair.
Chair Hardemon: You're recognized, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: I'd like to request a deferral for -- on half this agenda; but
anyways, I'm just going to ask addition -- the deferral on only one item, which is
PH.2, and only to the next meeting.
Chair Hardemon: Will PH.2 also include CA.1?
Commissioner Carollo: I don't have an issue with CA.1. PH.2, I think I just want to
go over some things. And so, I don't have the issue with CA.1 --
Commissioner Suarez: Second.
Commissioner Carollo: -- which is with the State. PH.2 then is the sublease
agreement. So that's my motion; for deferral to the next meeting.
Chair Hardemon: Is there any other item that any other Commissioners want to
defer or withdraw?
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Hardemon: You're recognized.
Commissioner Carollo: I'm sorry. And there's an item that I do not want to defer; I
just want to table to the afternoon, and if you give me a second, it is RE.9. RE.9, if
we could table that to the afternoon.
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Chair Hardemon: All right. But there is a motion to defer and take -- defer PH.2;
table RE.9 to the afternoon, and it was seconded by Commissioner Suarez. Is there
any further unreadiness about that? Seeing none, all in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: That motion passes.
Commissioner Carollo: Thank you.
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PA - PERSONAL APPEARANCES
PA.1 PERSONAL APPEARANCE
2483 DANNY SUAREZ TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION REGARDING
THE RELEASING OF HIS INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC MEDIA,
WHICH INCLUDED HIS SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, BY THE
MIAMI POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND REQUESTING THAT AN
INTERNAL INVESTIGATION BE LAUNCHED AS TO WHY HIS
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, AND OTHER PROTECTED
INFORMATION, WAS RELEASED AND WHY PROCEDURE WAS
NOT FOLLOWED REFERENCE F.S. 119.
MOTION TO: Withdraw
RESULT: WITHDRAWN
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing item PA.1, please see
"Public Comment Period for Regular Item(s) " and item PA.2.
Chair Hardemon: Mr. Clerk, I want the record to reflect that PA.1 was -- is
withdrawn, because, I mean, I called for the presentation; never made an
appearance throughout the duration of the meeting, so I'm going to withdraw it from
the agenda.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): I would prefer a motion to withdraw from the agenda.
Commissioner Suarez: So moved.
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
Chair Hardemon: Any further unreadiness? Anyone against?
Vice Chair Russell: Sony; what are we withdrawing?
Chair Hardemon: We're withdrawing the PA.1.
Commissioner Suarez: Person didn't show up. Yeah. We're good? We got to vote.
Chair Hardemon: Seeing no objection, motion shall carry.
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PA.2 PERSONAL APPEARANCE
2488 PRESENTATION BY TONY NEWELL ON BEHALF OF CITY
GRADER REGARDING A NEW ONLINE PLATFORM FOR
REVIEWING MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS.
RESULT: PRESENTED
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing item PA.2, please see
item NA.1.
Chair Hardemon: I'll go to our Personal Appearance Agenda. We have a personal
appearance, PA.1, of Mr. Danny Suarez. Is Mr. Suarez in attendance? I'll move on
to PA.2, personal appearance of Mr. Tony Newell. You're recognized, sir. You'll
have five minutes to address this body.
Tony Newell: Thank you. I think we're getting set up here real quick. I'll start as
soon as we're ready to go. Okay. Good morning, Commissioners. I appreciate the
opportunity to appear before you. I'm Tony Newell. I'm with a company called
Citygrader, and we host a website called Citvgrader.com. This is Paola Newell, a
co-founder and Anthony King; they're here with me. I want to, of course, thank you
for the opportunity to be here. 1 want to thank in particular Commissioner Suarez,
who's sort of been the impetus behind our appearance here today. We approached
the Commissioner about this some time ago, and he was very enthusiastic about
what we have. And I think that, you know, you speak a lot about, you know,
transparency, accountability, public engagement. And by us being here, I think it's
proof that you don't just talk the talk, you walk the walk, so I want to thank you
personally for that. On that note, Citygrader. Citygrader is a website. You'll see a
little intro here and some language. In a nutshell, Citygrader is a review site that
just focuses exclusively on local government. So what we do is, we invite the public
to give feedback on their experiences with cities, counties, and towns, which can be
the city, as a whole; it could be a department within the city; or it can be an
employee, who works for that city. To put it another way, we're essentially Yelp. But
instead of focusing on hotels and restaurants, we focus on local government. What
you'd see on Yelp is, someone would say, "Hey, you know, we need faster service at
this restaurant." What you'll see on Citygrader is, "This County needs better traffic
light coordination." Or in Yelp, you'll see, "Hey, this hotel has the best room service
there is." You'll see, "Hey, this City has the best garbage collection." No one's
doing this; no one has done this. There are a lot of review sites, but none, for
whatever reason, that focus on local government. We are not a "me, too" company.
We are not somebody who just took someone else's model and applying it to this.
This is, we think, unquestionably unique. And we think once you get to see the site
and how it works, you'll understand. And it's particularly important when it comes
to, I think, accountability and transparency, which everyone knows it's not what it
should he in the public sector. So I will take you through some slides real quick to
give you an idea of how Citygrader works. Right now, so you know, we are in a live
beta, we have given the site to some select stakeholders in the City to use a test for
us. We plan to go live very soon, probably in the month of August. So this is
actually, how the site looks right now. You would log on, just like you would for
Yelp. You see a normal slash page. What you'd be able to do is, you'd be able to
sign up, up top, which we already are signed up as "Juan Perez"; and you'll see a
search bar, just like Yelp. And what you would do is, you would click on either a
municipality or public employee, as a category. If you want to search for a public
employee, you enter "Miami, Florida"; "Miami, Florida" will come up, and then
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every single employee in your city is in that database, everyone. So I was just
hanging out with Andres, Commissioner Suarez' assistant. I gave him an "A, "just to
test the -- he's been very kind. So everyone's in there. You click on them and it'll
take you to their page. You can do the same thing with just a city, itself So if I want
to search a city, I say, "County, municipality"; and, boom, 1 click on "Miami,
Florida," and it'll take you to Miami's page. So this is what the beta site looks like
on Miami's page. You see "Miami, Florida," and you'll see a bunch of categories --
"safety, schools, cleanliness, entertainment and culture," et cetera -- and you'll see
grades next to those categories, and you'll see -- let's go back one real quick -- also a
main grade up top. That grade is a junction of all these other grades you get. And
you see down on the bottom here, you have department grades and employee grades.
Those are the grades that went to your employees. So ifI want to grade the City of
Miami, press "grade me." And then I have all these bars next to the categories. I
select a grade for each category. I have the ability to upload photos. IfI see a fallen
tree that hasn't been addressed or something, I can upload a photo there. I can up --
I can link a video, as well, and then I get to write a review. Underneath our review,
you'll also see a bar that says, "Please provide additional information." We're very
serious about making sure that these reviews are legitimate, they're kosher, they're
not somebody just spouting off, so we ask that people provide some background
information, and then it'll go to our moderators. Once the review is posted, it goes
back to the page, and you'll see a grade. So the Mayor's Office right now has a "B. "
Don't take that personally; its just -- those are just test grades. City Administration,
"C," et cetera, et cetera. So underneath, what you saw -- I'm sorry, go back one
more -- is the review underneath. So Juan P. submitted a review, and his grade is
there. So when it comes to the City, we ask you guys to be what is called a public
partner. Public partner says, "Hey, we're going to commit to using this site, to
monitoring the site, to provide greater transparency, accountability, and public
engagement." This is the oath you would take. So if you were to sign up as the City
of Miami, your social media person would see this oath. They would say, "I agree,"
and then you're done; you're signed up. It's completely free to Miami. So I want to
move to -- next slide -- why we're going to use Citygrader. So I think, obviously, this
question is sort of self-evident. Any time a city like Miami has the ability to improve
communication with its residents, to increase transparency and accountability, not
only should a city seize on this, I think it absolutely must. I think, frankly, it is a
city's obligation to the public to always attempt to increase accountability and
engagement when possible. But beyond that, beyond demonstrating your
commitment to those qualities, we really think this is going to be a boon for cities.
You're going to be provided with a trove of mineable information. You're going to
have thousands at some point -- probably tens of thousands of reviews that are
focused on your city that you can go in and your social media person, whoever you
designated -- even yourselves with your own profiles -- go in and mine this data, and
look. for any specific piece of information. To give you an example of how this
works, this -- New York City right now is using Yelp for this. New York City goes to
Yelp. They've written algorithms that search Yelp reviews for any sort of safety
hazards in restaurants. So, you know, they -- their algorithm that they type in may
be "rat" or, you know, "cockroach," and if a restaurant's getting an, you know,
inordinate number of reviews that have these terms in it, they send a health inspector
out to those restaurants. Well, with Citygrader, you're going to have more targeted
reviews, because these are people actually commenting on the City itself. So we
think this is going to be, actually, a very, very useful tool for cities, counties, and
towns to use jor the purposes of improving your city. The increased quality of public
service is -- obviously, I think, goes hand in hand with this. We're in the construction
business. Anthony is an attorney. We deal with building departments all the time.
This is how this idea came about for us. Oftentimes, when you deal with
bureaucracies, you're dealing with somebody who isn't maybe the most polite or the
most helpful, and we have found there's almost no way to hold that person
accountable. So now you have a way. This is public. This is out there for the world
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to see. If someone is not providing the proper level of services, now you can lodge a
complaint. At the same time -- On the way over here, Paola and I were driving, and
we saw a City of Miami police officer pull behind a person with a flat tire on 32nd
Avenue, right there by the Home Depot, on U.S.1., because it's a very busy
intersection with people merging, and it was dangerous. So the police officer pulled
behind him and stopped to help him; he put his lights on. That police officer should
be commended. That police officer should get a shout out from somebody. That
person who had the flat tire should be able to go on Citygrader and say, "Thank you,
Officer" -- whoever -- 'for your great service, and for helping me out." And we think
that this site is obviously going to provide a lot of positive feedback, as well. So 1
want to keep it short, get to the point. What are we asking of you? Not much. All
we're asking the City of Miami to do is to basically sign up for the site, like you
would with a Twitter account or a Facebook account. It's absolutely free. It'll take
you 60 seconds, and that's it; that's all you need to do.
Commissioner Suarez: Mr. Chair.
Mr. Newell: You take the oath and commit to using it, to monitoring it. This isn't a
piece of software that we -- you know, we're not selling a platform that we license to
you for a million bucks a year and you have to incorporate it into your system. This
is a public -facing website. It's going to exist whether -- You can do -- You can tell us
to go away and never want to hear from us again. But in August, Miami will be live.
You will be graded; your city will be graded; your employees will be graded. So
what we're asking you to do is go ahead and sign up so you now have the ability to
give feedback, to respond to reviews, to respond to us; tell us,, "Hey, look, we don't
agree with this review. We think it's not legitimate," et cetera, et cetera, et cetera,
and you have this ability.
Chair Hardemon: Commissioner Suarez.
Commissioner Suarez: Yes. Thank you.
Mr. Newell: Sure, sure.
Commissioner Suarez: I thought it was a magnificent presentation. I think that, as
you mentioned in your presentation, the level of accountability that your website
provides, it's coming, whether we like it or not. And I think, you know, it should be a
challenge that we embrace, honestly, as a government. I mean, every single
employee should see this as an opportunity to get an "A." And I think sites like Yelp
and other sites, which are review sites, which provide feedback that people rely on
are important. I think it could be a tool for us internally, to understand and better
gauge where we're doing well and where we're falling short.
END OF PERSONAL APPEARANCES
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PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR REGULAR ITEM(S)
Chair Hardemon: So at this time, what I'll do is I'll open up the public comments
section, so if you're here on any agenda in the morning -- so the CA (Consent
Agenda) Agenda, PH (Public Hearing) Agenda, SR (Second Reading), FR (First
Reading), RE (Resolution) Agenda, this is your opportunity to speak. If you're here
to speak on any of those items, please approach any of the lecterns. State your
name, and you may state your address, and what item it is that you're here to speak
about. You're recognized, sir.
Horacio Stuart Aguirre: Good morning, Mr. Chairman. Horacio Stuart Aguirre, as
chairman of the Miami River Commission. As pertaining to CA.1, this matter came
before the Miami River Commission. It was thoroughly discussed in the course of
two meetings, and it has the full and enthusiastic support of the Miami River
Commission. The present usage of this property right now underneath the bridge is
rather deplorable, and this is a substantial improvement to the area, and it has our
wholehearted support. Thank you.
Jodi Finver: Hi. Good morning. Jodi Finver, 1654 Tigertail Avenue. I am here not
just to support RE.15, so the co-ops -- thank you to fellow co-op member
Commissioner Russell -- but I'm here to invite all of you at the dais to join our solar
co-op. I'm here to invite every single single-family homeowner that's here in
chambers and watching at home or at work to join our solar co-op. If you live in the
City of Miami and own a home with a nice, sunny roof put it to work. Put the
sunshine to work in the Sunshine State. You'll not only save on your electric bill --
we pay $9.42 a month -- you'll be doing your part to save the planet, and you'll be
saving up to 20 percent on your installation. Combined with a 30 percent Federal
tax credit, that's a savings of up to 50 percent, going solar. So if you oppose the high
voltage transmission lines that would have run along U.S.1, along a multi -million -
dollar bike path, multi -million -dollar condos, and multi -million -dollar offices, join
the co-op. If you want to protect our drinking water from fracked gas pipelines, join
the co-op. If you want to protect our base from radioactive isotopes leaking from
power plant cooling canals, join the co-op. If you opposed the withdrawal from the
Paris Agreement, shout it from your rooftop with solar panels. It's the protest seen
around the world, thanks to Google Satellite images. If you want to tell FPL
(Florida Power & Light) to take their 811-million-dollar rate hike and stick it where
the sun shines, join the co-op. If you want to charge your electric car for a penny a
mile, join the co-op. Or if you simply, want to lower your electric bill and increase
the resale value of your home, join the co-op. Visit flsun. org, find the Central Miami
North Co -Op, and sign up. There is no cost to join the co-op. There is no obligation
to go solar through the co-op, but it's only open to members through August 25. So
sign up and make kilowatt hours while the sun shines.
Unidentified Speaker: Can you state the address again?
Chair Hardemon: Sorry. Can you state your website --?
Ms. Finver: Fisun.org. It's on the T-shirts. These co-ops were brought here by the
Green Corridor. You are a member of'the Green Corridor.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much.
Vice Chair Russell: I've signed up, gentlemen; just saying.
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Maggie Fernandez: Okay. Good morning. Maggie Fernandez, 3620 Southwest 21st
Street, Miami, Florida 33145. First, I want to say congratulations to the Manager
and the Mayor on your proposed budget. I look, forward to digging into it. I'm here
to speak in favor of RE.15, so thank you so much. We look forward to your support
on solar. But equally as important as mitigation efforts of solar are our adaptation
efforts. Every day -- it's exhausting -- there's a new article, which is not fake news,
about Miami drowning, so 1 urge you to allow the voters to vote on the GO (General
Obligation) Bond Program. 1 know it's not an item today, but I'm still going to
encourage you to vote for it. Hopefully, if that's approved, then we could start
funding some of those infrastructure projects that we need to move forward on in
order to start addressing sea level rise. So that's it. Oh, I also encourage you, along
with that website that made a presentation today -- or comment -- we need more
civics training. That's it. Thankyou. Bye.
ChairHardemon: Thankyou, ma'am. You're recognized, ma'am.
Sharon Van Smith: Hello. My name is Sharon Van Smith. I -- born and bred here
in Miami; grew up in Coconut Grove; went to your Peacock Park. Today, I live out
in West Kendall. My address is 11600 Southwest 131 st Avenue. I'm here to speak to
you as a representative from Rise Up Florida, a civic engagement group of
approximately 600 people, made up of residents of Miami, Coral Gables, and South
Miami, predominantly, with a few of us who drive in for their meetings in Coral
Gables every month. I'm also here to recommend that you vote favorably on the
resolution, for working with Florida Sun; also, on behalf of the Sierra Club that I'm a
member of that is housed right down the street here. And I personally think that
Florida Sun is so important, because it gives the individual homeowner a chance to
make a difference. We ask a lot of you guys and women on our City Government.
We ask you to take leadership, which City of Miami has been fantastic with their Sea
Level Rise Committee doing that. I've attended some of your meetings. But we also
need to ask individuals to step up and help in this renewable clean energy solution to
some of the problems we're facing with sea level rise, and this is a chance for you
guys to empower your citizens to do that with your sponsorship, so we really would
like to see you do that. It makes it affordable for people, there's finance plans,
there's lots of options; it's no longer just for the rich. So this is an environmental
justice issue, also. Thankyou so much.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you, ma'am. You're recognized, sir.
Simon Rose: Thank you. And good morning, everyone. Simon Rose, 1654 Tigertail
Avenue. I know Jodi is a hard act to follow, so I'll just make this very brief I'm here
to urge your support for the resolution for nominal support of FL SUN's initiative to
bring affordable solar -- rooftop solar to citizens of Miami. This resolution is very
much consistent with Miami being part of the green corridor; it's also consistent with
the City of Miami waiving solar permitting fees; it is also consistent with the City of
Miami expediting solar permitting -- the whole process of solar permits. And more
importantly, it is consistent with the countywide initiative to support FL SUN's solar
co-op initiative. So, again, I appreciate your support. Thank you very much.
Renita Holmes: Good morning, Commissioner. Madam Holmes, for the record;
executive director, Wave of Women. I'd like to thank that wonderful lady. It's really
important to me, because there's always a good side and there's always a divide. I'd
like to talk about how green building affects those of us who are not necessarily
middle income or high income, or homeowners that are not -- involvement and
inclusion. I'd like to concurrently raise the awareness of the gap in workforce when
it comes to urban planning and the illusion that all of us simply do construction. I'd
like to talk about the number of -- from this agenda, CA.1 and PA.1 [sic], how they
collectively affect me as a taxpayer and in my neighborhood, where we hardly ever
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hear about green. And I'd like to pronounce to the world that we are actually one of
those pilot programs originally coming out of the Martin Luther King Economic
Development Corporation, a green corridor. I'd like to share with you, and it's my
concern that you be in sync with the recent funds that came from HUD (Department
of Housing and Urban Development) for those inner city homeowners that they're
now doing the weatherization. It would be nice if we could just collectively do
things. 1 hear mention about the MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) and so
forth and so on. 1 hired a lot of men that were homeless, and trained them; a lot of
boys out of Juvenile, and trained them. It's a signature program. And we have
another signature program coming, because we actually at the Women's Association
Alliance -- well, WOW (Wave of Women) and Our Homes, Business and Property
are addressing that divide; myself currently preparing for tests for LEED
(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. When we talk about
the divide and environmental justice, it is normally between communities such as
mine, such as Overtown, and those such as Coral Gables. We love solar power; we
are homeowners; we love building; we love doing weatherization, and women do
more than just work on the inside of a house. Thus, Our Homes was created in
public housing. I'd like to thank you for CA.2; it's wonderful I'd like to ask, what
are you going to do about persons such as these subcontractors, such as myself, who
are disabled and can't quite meet the gap? We've met with others. And like I said,
being a formerly homeless person, you would not think that I would go from the
street to the diases [sic] and all raw advocacy, and understanding systematically
how we participate in the growth of a city to actually now coming before you and
presenting a opportunity to hire more persons, such as myself. I thankyou again for
CA.2. Commissioner Russell, I'm looking forward to addressing that lady, and I
wanted her to know that I've spoken with some of you -- the others of you. But like I
said, there are pilot programs that just don't reach down. There are those that have
not been supported with the proper resources and workforce, because it seems to be
a stereotype about how green women can be, and just how green black women
aren't. Thank you so much.
Chair Hardemon: Sir, you're recognized.
Peter Ehrlich: Good morning, Mr. Chair and Commissioners. Peter Ehrlich, 720
Northeast 69th Street. I'm here on -- quickly, on two items. FR.1, which is the item
dealing with billboards in the Design District, I'd like to speak after the City presents
in case there's some new information that hasn't been presented to the public or put
on the record.
Chair Hardemon: There probably won't be, but -- so I suggest you start now,
because I don't think there's going to be any new information.
Mr. Ehrlich: Is that right?
Chair Hardemon: That's what I think; if there is, then I'll be sure to call you.
Mr. Ehrlich: In that case, I can speak on FR.1 now.
Chair Hardemon: Okay.
Mr. Ehrlich: I support any effort to reduce billboards and mural ads from harassing
residents and tourists. I'm recommending that you pass the legislation to ban mural
ads in the Design District, specifying that in Exhibit "B" in your item that it includes
all properties north of I-95, all properties in the Design District, and that there
aren't any carve -outs for anybody that hasn't put up a billboard already at this time.
Vice Chair Russell: 195.
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Mr. Ehrlich: 195; 1-195.
Chair Hardemon: It happens to me all the time.
Mr. Ehrlich: What did 1 say?
Vice Chair Russell: You said, "1-95."
Mr. Ehrlich: Oh. Sorry.
Vice Chair Russell: North of I-95, that's New York.
Mr. Ehrlich: Thank you very much. Thank you for listening.
Vice Chair Russell: He's checking us. All right.
Mr. Ehrlich: And the --
Commissioner Gort: I'm going to let it go, and I think (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Mr. Ehrlich: Big difference. Also, under Section 3 in the legislation, I would ask
that whoever makes the motion to please change the vesting period from 10 years to
one year. Currently, in the Mural Ad Ordinance, there is no vesting. If you decide
that billboards need to come down off buildings, they come down immediately. So I
would ask you to change that from 10 years to one, where zero vesting is currently in
the legislation. And then very, very quickly, on July 28 is the birthday party for the
City of Miami. I think it's the lllth birthday of this -- incorporation of the City of
Miami, and the Mayor's Office and Mayor Tomas Regalado is having the event at
Lemon City Branch Library, on 61st Street and 4th Court, at noon on July 28, and
there'll be some -- six markers that he's arranged, commemorating history, Lemon
City history that'll be distributed and installed around the Lemon City area. So I
hope you all attend. Thank you very much.
Chair Hardemon: You're recognized, ma'am.
Johanna Brown: Hi. Good morning. My name is Johanna Brown. I live at 4360
Ingraham Highway, and I -- my comments are more questions about RE.5, 6, and 7,
the leases that are coming up on the -- or being recommended of going about in
November. Most of the attachments on the government website are the terms of the
leases. Is -- Will the public be provided with any more information regarding the -- I
don't -- I see references to feasibility studies by CBRE (Commerical Real Estate and
Appraisal Services), and basically, what the proposed developments will bring in, in
revenue, et cetera, et cetera, while the future payments are based on percentages of
revenue coming in, and how does the public -- How are we able to judge the -- you
know -- the appropriateness of the percentage, et cetera? Is there any other
information?
Commissioner Suarez: Great question.
M. Brown: Anyone?
Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Hardemon: You're recognized.
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Vice Chair Russell: Thank you, Johanna. Thank you for watching closely; and we
are, as well. All these will be contingent on proper appraisals and projections to
move forward. At this point, we're going to be looking at these items today, and then
on the second meeting of July, as this is the absolute last opportunity before they
cannot make it on the ballot for this November.
Ms. Brown: Right.
Vice Chair Russell: But there will be a big public outreach, obviously, from the
applicants for these items, but I'm -- I'll be interested in directing the City
management to also create a budget of -- for some communication regarding the
ballot items; not just the initiatives, like the bond that we're putting forth --
Ms. Brown: Right.
Vice Chair Russell: -- but I believe the City also has some obligation to do some
explaining on these items further to the public before November.
Ms. Brown: Yeah. It would be helpful. It's hard to judge whether, you know, this is
fair market value or, you know, this is really good for the City as a whole. We ran
into this whole problem with --
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah. It's impossible to --
Ms. Brown: -- Flagstone, and I'd hate to have to go through that again --
Vice Chair Russell: Of course.
Ms. Brown: -- to find out that, really, it was not a great deal. So if -- yeah, any
information that could -- you know, more transparency is better and more eyeballs
on it is always better. There's a lot of intelligent people who could look at it and --
Vice Chair Russell: Yeah.
Ms. Brown: -- you know, more intelligent than me, probably. But --
Vice Chair Russell: In fact, I'll move that we direct the City Manager to prepare
something for the next meeting this month that can be a plan of communication for
the public from the City with regard to all ballot initiatives that get placed on the
ballot, to increase public awareness, engagement, questions, everything;
transparency.
Ms. Brown: Great. That would be wonderful. That would be certainly helpful
before November.
Commissioner Suarez: I would just caution to not put the cart before the horse,
because I think before we, you know, decide to, you know, spend money on public
engagement and all, we have to make sure that, as you said, we -- I haven't seen one
appraisal on any of these deals, as you have. I have not -- I mean, as you have not, I
have not, also.
Ms. Brown: Okay.
Commissioner Suarez: So I think before we even decide to engage in a public
campaign for something we don't even know that we're going to approve --
Ms. Brown: Right.
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Commissioner Suarez: -- I think, you know, we got to -- that's my -- that's just --
When we get there, well get there. We can flush it out.
Vice Chair Russell: Fair enough. Withdrawn.
Commissioner Suarez: Okay.
Ms. Brown. Okay. Thank you. And I support RE.15 on the solar; that's great.
Thank you.
Mike Siegal: Good morning. My name is Mike Siegal. My family is the owner of
100 Northeast 38th Street. This property's been in my family for 30 years. And I've
provided the City Clerk with a short handout, which you gentlemen should have.
We're here to support Resolution FR.1, which recommends that murals not be
allowed in the Special Area Plan of the Design District. Our property is south of
but not in the Special Area Plan. The PZAB (Planning, Zoning & Appeals Board)
recommended in April of 2017 to revise Exhibit "B," allowing our property at 100
Northeast 38th Street to maintain its mural rights. There are only two properties
south of the Special Area Plan, but north of 195 that meet the criteria where they
could have a mural permit. These are the two purple carve -outs that are on the
handout. One of the carve -outs, 3704 Northeast 2nd, has an existing permit. My
property, which is on the same side of the street, 350 -- 300 feet away, and not in the
Special Area Plan, did have a mural permit issued back in January in 2015.
Because of this proposed resolution, which has been going on for well over a year,
the permit holder moved that permit to another location in the City. We would
appreciate being treated the same as other property hold -- properly owners in
similar circumstances, and that the Commission votes for the approval of this
resolution, with the PZAB recommendations, as shown in the agenda. Thankyou.
Chair Hardemon: Thankyou.
Olga Granda: Good morning. Olga Granda, 3444 Main Highway. Fin the
executive director of the Coconut Grove Playhouse Foundation. I'm here to support
RE.15 clean -- RE.15's clean energy initiatives that are also about economic impact
and opportunities that create jobs in our community. Similarly, I encourage you to
continue the discussions for the GO bond, which are also about investing in the
future of Miami and sustainable development, and preservation of our City. Thank
you.
Chair Hardemon: You're recognized, sir.
Miguel Soliman: Good morning. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. My name is
Miguel Soliman. I reside at 1436 Southwest 6th Street. I'm here to speak about the
situation we have on Flagler; I have in the past. I'm a member of the PAG, the
group that -- it's a Project Advisory Group for the project that's going to be coming
on Southwest 8th Street with FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation), and
about a year and a half we went up to Tallahassee; spoke with Senator Jose -- well,
at the time -- I'm sorry -- Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, and also Representative David
Richardson, about creating this advisory group. We were successful. We've been
meeting for many months, discussing 8th Street, and truing to avoid the situation that
we have on Flagler. And we've also gotten Secretary Wolfe to come into the
meetings in the last two meetings, and as a result, we are now going to be having a
meeting on July 20, and I would like to invite all -- everyone here to that meeting
with Representative David Richardson, Secretary Wolfe, at CAMACOL (Latin
Chamber of Commerce), at 1401 West Flagler Street. There, we hope to have some
accountability or some idea of what's happening on Flagler and perhaps -- although
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we were not able to create that Project Advisory Group for Flagler, because it was
too late -- but perhaps this group for 8th Street can help push along Flagler. So I'm
just here simply inviting everyone to please participate. It's going to be at
CAMACOL, 1401 West Flagler, July 20, from 6 to 8. Thank you very much.
Marissa Amuial: Good morning. Marissa Amuial with Akerman. Our offices are at
98 Southeast 7th Street. We represent the Miami Design District Associates and
their associated entities. We are here on behalf -- for item FR.1, in favor of the
proposed boundaries, as you have in your materials for Exhibit "B," and would
oppose any further carve -outs of that area. MDDA (Miami Design District
Associates) is the property owner most impacted here, and the largest stakeholder in
the area. We have spent hundreds of millions of dollars designing, creating a
beautiful, high quality, low -intensity neighborhood, with unique public art, open
spaces, and civic spaces, which is a true asset to the City. Commercialization is to
the detriment of the greater community, and the objective is to limit
commercialization, preserve the aesthetics of the community and the neighborhood
and the uniformity, and basically maintaining that unique appearance and beauty of
the neighborhood. We're in support of the proposed legislation, Exhibit "B," but
we're against the condition that was recommended by PZAB. It's not about the SAP
(Special Area Plan) boundaries -- we have our own limitations -- but it's about the
collective Design District. There are other properties that will be impacted north of
195 that are not within the SAP, but it's really about maintaining the appearance. If
we carve out, carve out, carve out, continue to carve out, there's really no point in
this legislation any -- and so, we would ask that you support FR.1, as currently in
your backup material., the map that you have before you as Exhibit "B." Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: You're recognized, sir.
Luis Martinez: Thank you. Good morning, Commissioners. My name is Luis F.
Martinez. I actually live in 3211 Southwest 18th Street. I'm here representing Start
'Em Up, which is a nonprofit initiative. It's actually PH.4 on the agenda.
Commissioners, in each one of your districts, there are literally thousands of
students between the ages of 10 and 15, who are falling way behind. The primary
reason that they're falling way behind is financial disadvantage. That financial
disadvantage is keeping a lot of these students from one specific topic. That topic is
believing in themselves, being capable of becoming technologists, inventors,
engineers, and all of these things that are going to be necessary for a very
unpredictable future. What I'd like to do in the next brief minute is briefly go
through the last year of what Start 'Em Up has accomplished in the Shenandoah
community. Our program is measured on three specific metrics. Those metrics are:
How many students between the ages of 10 and 15, and their families do we expose
to this world and to this possibility? Over the past year, we've got approximately
1,000 City of Miami community members who have been exposed. The next metric
that we are measured on is engagement. How many of these students can we convert
to being engaged on this topic? Over the past year, we have 600, using our online
platform; 600 students between the ages of 10 and 15, who have jumped onto our
platform and could become continuous learners in this field. And the last metric that
we use is really performance. Performance can be looked at in a lot of different
ways. The way that we look at it is, we're in partnership with Miami -Dade County
Public Schools. We work specifically -- right now, our model is built in Shenandoah
Middle School. We're going to be extending our model to other schools throughout
the Citv of Miami and in the parks. But our performance is -- Students that have
actually gone through the Start 'Em Up Program were correlated to out perfbrrn
their peers in science by 10 full points. So with that and on those three metrics,
we've really blown out our -- sort of expectations for the last year. We really
encourage you not only to support our initiative, but to consider it for your own
districts. It is something that is a real possibility for children who are severely
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disadvantaged from a financial standpoint, but can not only change their lives, but
potentially change their communities and improve their communities, as well. Thank
you for the consideration.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you, sir. Madam.
Brenda Betancourt: Good morning.
Chair Hardemon: Good morning.
Commissioner Suarez: Shot down.
Ms. Betancourt: Brenda Betancourt, 1436 Southwest 6th Street. I just -- FR.1, the
questions of this board, we still thinking about it. I just want to support what he
said. Instead of be doing 10 years, one year. It will be better if it's zero, but one, I
guess we all can live with it. Supporting FR.2, I think that's very important to
people, about Code violations when they pull up the permit. Remember, guys, if you
have a Code violation, citation, or if in your property you go pull up a permit, it
doesn't -- the person who is giving you a permit is not going to know about this,
because the system -- unless you go look for it, you're not going to be able to see it.
And we hear a lot of complaints about people that they're trying to do -- they do the
permit, but then you still having a violation, even though you're trying to work on it.
And unfortunately, the City take a little bit longer than weeks. And sometimes, we
give them 30 days, and it's not enough. So that's -- I think FR.2 is going to help to
coordinate a lot of those violations and in our -- a lot of seniors. Remember, we
have a lot of seniors in our City, that sometimes, they cannot pull up the permit right
away in order for them to fix these violations. And I wanted just to shout out to our
director, Kevin (UNINTELLIGIBLE). We did have an event on this past weekend
with the Children Trust and six different nonprofit organizations in Little Havana,
and it was amazing. And I think this is something that we can keep going in the City.
It would be great to help, as they did. The guys from the park was amazing. There
were over 600 kids. And let me tell you, I like kids, but when you have so many, it's
not that simple. And I want to thank the -- for the Budget director, who's having now
at the 24th -- on the NET (Neighborhood Enhancement Team) Office, we're having
our budget hearing and public engagement. I think it's so important that we all need
to participate, so when something doesn't happen, we don't complain, because if you
don't come and you speak and you know about it, you can't say nothing else after
that. Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you. Seeing no other person here for public comment, I'll
close the public comment section.
CA - CONSENT AGENDA
The following item(s) were Adopted on the Consent Agenda
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RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
CA.1 RESOLUTION
2275
DEPARTMENT OF
REAL ESTATE
AND ASSET
MANAGEMENT
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE A NEW LEASE AGREEMENT ("NEW LEASE"), IN
SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, BETWEEN THE STATE
OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE
CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") FOR THE PREMISES LOCATED
UNDERNEATH THE NORTHWEST 12TH AVENUE BRIDGE, AS
MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A" OF THE NEW
LEASE ("PROPERTY"), FOR A TERM OF TEN (10) YEARS WITH
AN OPTION TO RENEW FOR AN ADDITIONAL TEN (10) YEARS,
AND PROVIDING FDOT'S APPROVAL FOR THE CITY'S
SUBLEASE OF THE PROPERTY TO NKMIA, LLC, A DELAWARE
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, FOR USE OF THE PROPERTY
FOR PARKING PURPOSES, WHICH TERMS MAY BE MODIFIED
BY THE CITY MANAGER, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO MEET THE BEST
INTEREST OF THE CITY.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0331
This matter was ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S) on the Consent
Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing item CA.1, please see "Order of the
Day," "Public Comment Period for Regular Item(s), " and "End of Consent
Agenda."
CA.2 RESOLUTION
2384
Department of
Procurement
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING A TWO (2) YEAR EXTENSION OF
THE LOCAL DISABLED VETERANS' WORKFORCE PILOT
PROGRAM, AS SPECIFIED IN "EXHIBIT A (REVISED),"
ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1,
2017 THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2019, TO PROVIDE AN
OPPORTUNITY FOR DISABLED VETERANS TO BE EMPLOYED
THROUGH CITY OF MIAMI CONTRACTS TO PERFORM
SERVICES THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A
WORKFORCE MINIMUM PERCENTAGE GOAL REQUIREMENT
FOR THE HIRING OF LOCAL DISABLED VETERANS.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0332
This matter was ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S) on the Consent
Agenda.
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Note for the Record: For minutes referencing item CA.2, please see "Public
Comment Period for Regular Items)" and "End of Consent Agenda."
CA.3 RESOLUTION
2425
Department of
Public Works
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY
MANAGER TO ACCEPT TEN (10) RIGHT-OF-WAY DEEDS AND
ONE (1) QUIT CLAIM RIGHT-OF-WAY DEED OF DEDICATION, AS
DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED
HEREIN, FOR HIGHWAY PURPOSES; APPROVING AND
AUTHORIZING THE RECORDATION OF SAID DEEDS IN THE
PUBLIC RECORDS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA;
FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO KEEP COPIES OF
SAID DEEDS.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0333
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
2581
Office of the City
Attorney
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO PAY MARIO
JAVIER CORDOBA, WITHOUT ADMISSION OF LIABILITY, THE
TOTAL SUM OF $79,000.00 IN FULL AND COMPLETE
SETTLEMENT OF ANY AND ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS
AGAINST THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY"), ITS OFFICERS, AGENTS,
AND EMPLOYEES, IN THE CASE OF MARIO JAVIER CORDOBA
VS. CITY OF MIAMI, ET AL., PENDING IN THE UNITED STATES
DISTRICT COURT, SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA, CASE
NO. 16-24691-CIV-COOKE/TORRES, UPON EXECUTING A
GENERAL RELEASE OF THE CITY AND ITS PRESENT AND
FORMER OFFICERS, AGENTS, AND EMPLOYEES FROM ANY
AND ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM
ACCOUNT NO. 50001.301001.545010.0000.00000.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0334
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing item CA.4, please see "End of
Consent Agenda."
END OF CONSENT AGENDA
Chair Hardemon: Is there any discussion on any of the Consent Agenda items? Any
discussion on any of the Consent Agenda items?
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Commissioner Suarez: Move them.
Vice Chair Russell: Second.
Daniel J. Alfonso (City Manager): Commissioner, on CA.2, we need to make a quick
correction. There was a scrivener error as to the 12-month extension; it's 24-month
extension.
Commissioner Suarez: As amended; amend the motion.
Vice Chair Russell: The seconder agrees.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): And Chair, it's my understanding that CA.1 also
needs to be amended.
Commissioner Suarez: Which one?
Vice Chair Russell: 12th Avenue Bridge.
Commissioner Suarez: Okay.
Mr. Hannon: C'A.1.
Commissioner Suarez: No?
Chair Hardemon: Now, Madam City Attorney, I'm trying to understand the
distinction between CA.1 and PH.2. PH.2 is the 4/5ths, because it waives the
competitive process.
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): Right.
Chair Hardemon: But CA.1 -- because I'm assuming, then, PH.2 would also -- If you
waive it, you're also giving him the authority to enter into the agreement, so why is
there a -- Well, I'll just say this, instead of saying, "Why is there a distinction?" One
of the things that I want to say is that I'm looking at a process that is allowing for a
company to come down to Miami. It's not just the City; the County has been, if you
will, trying to provide some type of benefit to this organization so that it can come to
this neighborhood. There's certainly a benefit to them being there on the river,
bringing jobs, et cetera. The County, I know, is giving -- possibly could give more
than $1.5 million towards the development of the building. But one of the things that
I've been having an issue with, with FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation)
is just the ability to enter into an agreement with a plot of land that we already have
an agreement with them with. So, for instance, we know in this situation that our
agreement has lapsed. And so, now, we're trying to enter into this agreement to then
go into a sublease. So I'm assuming, then, there's a reason that they're entering it
with us rather than with the entity itself -- that's probably ease, right? -- among some
other things. So here we are, in the Overtown area. We have the -- what is properly
termed as "Range Park," which is underneath the expressway, but it is not a park,
whatsoever. It is a plot of land that's been closed since about 2007. And at least for
a year, I've been asking, through the MPA (Miami Parking Authority) and through
the City, to have this space re -- to move into an agreement. I've spoken with Mr.
Wolfe the last time he was here, so that we can use that space as parking, because
Overtown has a severe parking shortage, and we can probably gain upwards of
three or four hundred parking spaces. But we haven't had the type of success that
they're having here in moving this along with getting an agreement with FDOT. And
so, that kind of troubles me, because I want to see FDOT respond to the
neighborhood like they're responding to this organization; especially when we're
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giving them a benefit that appears to be without a cost, when premiunas go towards
parking, and especially near the river, for any organization, from MPA or whatever
private -- or if it was a privately owned organization. So, you know, here we are at
this crossroad where there is a benefit being conferred to this organization. FDOT
is moving its mountains so that it can be there, but then there's a community that's
been suffering with blight, really, and with the lack of use of a space, where there's
homelessness and et cetera that lines up these fences that the City of Miami closed
this space, and I'm not getting this same type of movement. And, you know, this is
the only time that 1 can have an opportunity to really say something about it, when
we have something that possibly comes before us that now, you want us to sign along
with FDOT Commissioner.
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman, I think you're right on target. I've had
similar scenarios, trying to obtain long-term leases. But the way I see it is, in CA.1 -
- and Madam City Attorney, correct me if I'm wrong -- CA.1, I'm seeing -- okay. So
even though I've had, you know, issues trying to obtain long-term leases for
businesses in the Little Havana area, at least here, we -- you know, it's State-owned
property that will be leased to us. Now, that's what I understand CA.1 is doing.
PH.2, then, is going into the agreement with the other organization that they're
going to benefit from.
Chair Hardemon: Well, I believe it goes a little. further. I think CA.1 also allows --
because there's language in CA.1 that also talks about the subleasing.
Ms. Mendez: Right. So -- and I had those same concerns, so that's why I kind of
wanted to tie the two together with regard to mentioning the other one. But as
Commissioner Carollo said, one is doing -- CA.1 just does the sublease with FDOT.
And then --
Chair Hardemon: When I read --
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Hardemon: -- CA.1, they also --
Commissioner Carollo: And I know exactly what you're saying. It's my
understanding -- and again, correct me if I'm wrong, Madam City Attorney -- this is
really an agreement between the City -- CA.1, anyways -- between the City and
FDOT; however, however, it does mention the sublease and their approval, per se.
It's my understanding that doesn't mean we must sublease to this organization, and
that's why I'm -- I want a deferral on the other one, because I want to make sure --
For instance -- I'll go a step further, Commissioner. In the memo that was written by
Dan Rotenberg to the Manager, it says all the various benefits that we will be
getting. And I don't mean "we," like the City, but the County. In there, you see 50
jobs, 50 new high -skilled jobs. I want to make sure out of those 50 how many are
within the City of Miami. So those are things that I'm looking at that I -- that's why I
want a deferral within PH.2, and that's why I think there's a distinction between
CA.1 and PH.2.
Ms. Mendez: Chairman Hardemon, I'm sorry if confused the issues by referencing
them, but that's how it's supposed to be; the first -- the CA.1 just is the FDOT and
City of Miami; and the PH (Public Hearing) is the other one.
Chair Hardemon: Okay. And -- but --
Ms. Mendez: But Mr. Rotenberg can talk about the details of the deal, because we
weren't present.
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Chair Hardemon: I don't need to talk about the details of the deal right now. I
mean, I read enough to understand exactly what's happening. But what -- but
certainly, what Pin trying to describe to you is how difficult it is to even have
adequate lighting in a space where 1 personally witness drug sales; 1 personally
witness people overdose; 1 personally witness people being victimized, personally.
And so, if I can't get them to give me better lighting, why should I give them, you
know, this type of reciprocation? So -- but -- Mr. Manager, yes.
Mr. Alfonso: Yes. 1 just want to say in the issue that you're mentioning, we have
deferred to the MPA for -- They basically have control of the lot, but if you want, we
will take over and push the issue as much as we can.
Chair Hardemon: Yeah, man. It looks like we can do the same thing. If we can do
this for this third party entity, we can do this for a government agency --
Mr. Alfonso: We will gladly --
Chair Hardemon: -- even though we already have the agreement.
Mr. Alfonso: -- push the issue, sir.
Chair Hardemon: And I know we haven't had our public comment and we have to
get into public comment, but the only other thing about CA.2 that I have a question
about, the extension of the pilot program. So that means that this pilot program is
extended for the life -- or for additional time within the existing agreement that Abel
and that the other organization has, right?
Mr. Alfonso: Correct. And any new agreements that come onboard, we would apply
the same standard.
Chair Hardemon: And I just want it to be known -- I mean, it was written in the
backup -- that Abel, it appears, hired five times as marry veterans as the other
organization. And Abel is even losing their employees, so they're not coming
through the City's contract, because we don't have the living wage, like what the
County has. And so, we know we want to do this living wage thing, but however we
could find a way to -- I mean, even if it takes -- They've already competed for this --
for the piece of the pie that they have. So even if it takes us waiving the requirements
of the competitive process to add the living wage to this agreement, maybe that's
something that we should be -- that we should look into, because I understand that
you don't want to put it back out, because we've already gone through that process,
and adding the additional dollars may give more people an opportunity to apply or
to bid for this. But considering the fact that they're doing all these good deeds and --
Mr. Alfonso: We will talk to the Law Department and see how -- if it's possible to do
that, and come back to the Commission.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much.
Later...
Chair Hardemon: There is a motion that is on the floor for the approval of items
CA.1 through CA.4. Is there any further discussion regarding that motion? Hearing
none, all in favor of the motion, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
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Chair Hardernon: All against? Motion passes.
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PH - PUBLIC HEARINGS
PH.1 RESOLUTION
2411
Department of
Community and
Economic
Development
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING THE CITY OF MIAMI'S ("CITY")
ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR FISCAL 2016-2017, PREVIOUSLY
APPROVED BY RESOLUTION NO. 16-0132, ADOPTED ON MARCH
24, 2016; APPROVING THE CITY'S ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR
FISCAL YEAR 2017-2018, ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED;
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO AMEND THE ANNUAL
ACTION PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2016-2017 AND TO SUBMIT
THE ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017-2018 TO
THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN
DEVELOPMENT FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL; AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY
DOCUMENTS, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0136
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo
ABSENT: Suarez
Chair Hardemon: Okay. Is there a motion to approve the PH (Public Hearing)
Agenda, excluding PH.2?
Commissioner Carollo: Move it.
Commissioner Gort: Excluding what?
Chair Hardemon: PH.2, because that was deferred. PH.2 is deferred, so it's PHI,
3,4,and 5.
Commissioner Gort: Second.
Chair Hardemon: Been properly moved and seconded. Any. further discussion on
that motion? Seeing none, all in favor of the motion, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: Motion passes.
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PH.2 RESOLUTION
2276
Department of Real
Estate and Asset
Management
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
DETERMINATIONS, FINDINGS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS,
ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS ATTACHMENT "A,"
PURSUANT TO SECTION 18-182 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), WAIVING THE
REQUIREMENTS (A) FOR SAID PROCEDURES, AND (B) FOR A
RETURN TO THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") OF FAIR MARKET
VALUE; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A
SUBLEASE AGREEMENT ("SUBLEASE"), IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE
ATTACHED FORM, BETWEEN THE CITY AND NKMIA, LLC, A
DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, FOR PREMISES
LOCATED UNDERNEATH THE NORTHWEST 12TH AVENUE
BRIDGE, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN THE
SUBLEASE, ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS ATTACHMENT
"B," WITH TERMS AND CONDITIONS ALSO MORE
PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN SAID SUBLEASE, WHICH TERMS
MAY BE AMENDED BY THE CITY MANAGER, IN A FORM
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, AS MAY BE
NECESSARY IN ORDER TO MEET THE BEST INTEREST OF THE
CITY.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Note for the Record: Item PH.2 was deferred to the July 27, 2017 Planning and
Zoning Commission Meeting.
For minutes referencing item PH.2, please see "Order of the Day," "End of
Consent Agenda," and item PH.1
PH.3 RESOLUTION
2430
Commissioners
and Mayor
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF GRANT FUNDS FROM THE
DISTRICT 1 COMMISSIONER'S SHARE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI'S
("CITY") ANTI -POVERTY INITIATIVE, IN A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT
TO EXCEED $5,000.00, TO THE MIAMI POLICE DEPARTMENT
FOR THE MIAMI POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0335
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Meeting Minutes July 13, 2017
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo
ABSENT: Suarez
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing item PH.3, Please see item PH.1.
PH.4 RESOLUTION
2522
Commissioners
and Mayor
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, 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 TO THE CITY OF MIAMI
("CITY"), 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
COMMISSIONER'S SHARE OF THE CITY'S ANTI -POVERTY
INITIATIVE, IN A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $100,000.00,
TO STARDOM UP, INC., A FLORIDA NOT FOR PROFIT
CORPORATION, TO EDUCATE TRADITIONALLY
DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS IN TECHNOLOGY AND
INNOVATION; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY
DOCUMENTS, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0336
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo
ABSENT: Suarez
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing item PH.4, please see "Public
Comment Period for Regular Item(s) " and item PH.1
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PH.5 RESOLUTION
2540
Commissioners
and Mayor
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, 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 TO THE CITY OF MIAMI
("CITY"), 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 2
COMMISSIONER'S SHARE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI'S ("CITY")
ANTI -POVERTY INITIATIVE, IN A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO
EXCEED $5,000.00, TO MIAMI BRIDGE YOUTH AND FAMILY
SERVICES, INC., FOR GENERAL PROGRAM FUNDING;
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND
EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, IN A FORM
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0337
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo
ABSENT: Suarez
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing item PH.5, Please see item PH.1.
END OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
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SR - SECOND READING ORDINANCES
SR.1 ORDINANCE Second Reading
1749
Commissioners
and Mayor
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 22 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA,
AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "GARBAGE AND OTHER SOLID
WASTE," BY UPDATING AND CLARIFYING THE PROCESS FOR
COLLECTION OF GARBAGE AND OTHER SOLID WASTE IN THE
CITY OF MIAMI; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE;
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: 13693
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner
SECONDER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo
ABSENT: Suarez
Chair Hardemon: And moving into our seconding reading ordinances. SR.1.
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 Gort.• Move it.
Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved; seconded by the --
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
Chair Hardemon: -- and seconded by Commissioner Carollo. Any further
discussion about the item? Hearing none, all in favor of the item, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: Motion passes.
END OF SECOND READING ORDINANCES
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Meeting Minutes July 13, 2017
FR.1
1092
Commissioners
and Mayor
FR - FIRST READING ORDINANCES
ORDINANCE First Reading
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 CITY OF MIAMI MURAL GEOGRAPHICAL AREA TO
EXCLUDE A PORTION OF THE DESIGN DISTRICT, AS
DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "B," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND PROVIDING FOR
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading
RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING
MOVER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing item FR.1, please see
"Public Comment Period for Regular Item(s). "
Chair Hardemon: FR.1. Madam City Attorney, read it into the record.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Chair Hardemon: The Chair would like to entertain a motion to approve.
Commissioner Carollo: Move it.
Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved and seconded.
Commissioner Suarez: Second.
Chair Hardemon: Any further discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: All against? Motion passes.
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Meeting Minutes July 13, 2017
FR.2 ORDINANCE First Reading
2121 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
City Manager's ESTABLISHING A NEW SECTION 2-208 OF THE CODE OF THE
Office CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"),
ENTITLED, "NEW PERMITS PROHIBITED, NON -HOMESTEAD
PROPERTIES," TO PROHIBIT NEW PERMITS FROM BEING
ISSUED FOR NON -HOMESTEAD PROPERTIES WHERE THERE
ARE OUTSTANDING CODE ENFORCEMENT VIOLATIONS,
BUILDING VIOLATIONS, CITY LIENS, OR CITY INVOICES DUE
AND OWING; AMENDING SECTION 10-4 OF THE CITY CODE, TO
ADD SECTION 10-4(B)(6), ENTITLED "NEW PERMITS
PROHIBITED, NON -HOMESTEAD PROPERTIES," FOR THE SAME
PURPOSE; FURTHER AMENDING SECTION 62-22 OF THE CITY
CODE, ENTITLED "PLANNING AND ZONING/SCHEDULE OF
FEES," FOR THE SAME PURPOSE; EXCEPTING PERMITS TO
REPAIR NECESSARY LIFE SAFETY ISSUES AND OPEN
VIOLATIONS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND
PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE 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 FR.2, please see
"Public Comment Period for Regular Item(s)."
Chair Hardemon: FR.2. Madam City Attorney, read it into the record.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Commissioner Gort: Move it.
Commissioner Suarez: Second.
Chair Hardemon: Properly moved and seconded. Any further discussion? Hearing
none, all in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: All against? Motion passes.
Commissioner Suarez: Congrats.
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FR.3 ORDINANCE First Reading
2609
Commissioners
and Mayor
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 17 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA,
AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION,"
TO ADD A WAIVER FOR PERSONS WHO QUALIFY FOR THE
SENIOR CITIZEN EXEMPTION UNDER SECTION 196.075,
FLORIDA STATUTES, AND PERSONS WHOSE TOTAL
HOUSEHOLD INCOME IS BELOW EIGHTY PERCENT (80%) OF
THE AREA MEDIAN INCOME OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY AS
DETERMINED BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT ANNUALLY; AMENDING
DEFINITIONS; 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: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Chair Hardemon: Before you read into the record FR.3, I just want to make a note.
I'm not sure if Commissioners see things my, way, so I kind of want to get in some
discussion before we have a motion on the floor. The -- this ordinance would create
a hardship exemption, so people who are seniors -- or senior citizen exemption,
pursuant to Section 196.075 of Florida Statutes. So if you're a senior and then --
comma -- "And persons whose total household income is below 80 percent of the
area median income" -- they will be allowed to have a hardship exemption, and
therefore, not have to abide by the one -for -one requirements of tree replacement for
homestead exemption properties. And I kind of wanted to have some discussion
about this, because I feel like I understand what we're trying to do. We're trying to
give some assistance to the seniors. But what don't appreciate about the ordinance
is that it reduces the tree canopy in areas that are predominantly poor. And so, we
certainly want to increase our tree canopy, just like in areas where there are
conservation efforts being made. And, I mean, I can think about a property that's
near where I live where -- when I look at the aerial shot from Google Maps from a
few years ago, maybe even less than that, there -- in someone's yard, there were a
tremendous amount of trees; and now, it's just a hardscape. And so, I know the City
of Miami didn't grant them the ability to cut all those trees down, but we have those
types of issues. So the thought that I had was, instead of giving them an exemption,
maybe we can provide them with a replacement. So, for instance, we have -- we
receive a lot of trees, because people who have to go through this whole process, a
lot of developers buy trees, add trees to what we have. So if maybe instead, those
who had this same requirement -- who met these requirements were allowed a gift of
a tree from the City of Miami, rather than not having to put a tree at all, maybe that
would be better than just allowing them not to meet the tree requirement and then,
thus reducing the tree canopy in these areas that are poor.
Commissioner Suarez: Mr. Chair.
Chair Hardemon: You're recognized, sir.
Commissioner Suarez: I'll yield to the left.
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Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Mr. Chairman, would you still impose the potential
waiver of the fine and the mitigation fee and then give the gift, or would you like to
see the fee and -- the fine implemented on the (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Commissioner Carollo: That's the crux of the issue.
Chair Hardemon: Right. No, the fine -- I'm not interested in fining poor people for
trees.
Vice Chair Russell: Got it.
Commissioner Carollo: Exactly. That's the crux of the issue.
Chair Hardemon: Right. What I'm concerned about is replacement of trees in these
areas. So we cannot fine them -- If they meet this requirement, we agree not to fine
them --
Vice Chair Russell: Right.
Chair Hardemon: -- and also gift them a tree if we have that availability of trees to
be gifted; or, you know, just do something -- because if they're availing themselves of
this, that means that they're more educated about the process, they've gone through
it. I mean, these are not people that you're catching in the middle of the night,
cutting down a tree. And so, you know, that's what I'm more concerned about. Yes,
sir.
Vice Chair Russell: Madam City Attorney, and possibly Mr. Garcia, can we use our
Tree Trust funds to populate private property with trees?
Commissioner Gort: Yeah.
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): That is a very, good question. We do have
programs wherein we actually give out trees for people to plant. It could definitely
be one of those programs. It's done usually during Arbor Day and things of that
nature. I would -- if you allow me just to research that issue, how it could be done;
not that it be always done, because, obviously, most of those trees are usually put in
the public right-of-way and parks and those things, so maybe a certain percentage
can be used from the Tree Trust Fund, because normally, we get trees that are
donated, and then those trees we assist with -- like Home Depot and things -- you
know -- and give those out. So we would have to do a little bit of research about
that.
Vice Chair Russell: If it's not possible, I'd like to look at amending the legislation
that governs how the Tree Trust, funds are used, and I'd like to do that anyway for
some other reasons, so I'd like to meet with you about that. But if I'm not mistaken,
it's up to around $4 million right now in the Tree Trust Fund, and these are funds
generated mostly from trees that have been removed, whether legally or illegally,
through development on private property. And so, it's loss of canopy from private
property that's giving us funds to replant trees, to replace the canopy. I think it's a
logical ask to say that we might be able to utilize those funds where appropriate on
private property, as well.
Commissioner Gort: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Hardemon: You're recognized, Commissioner.
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Commissioner Gort: Not only the senior citizen; we have -- in a lot of our
neighborhoods, we have individuals, they fall within this guideline of 80 percent of
the median income. They have the houses for a long time. They don't have the age
limit, but they would like to do something at their homes, and the tree limits -- the
setup of the trees or moving a tree, it makes it impossible for them to make those
movement. So 1 would like to see not only for -- I'd like to see it on an income issue
rather than age.
Chair Hardemon: Yeah.
Commissioner Gort: Because a lot of our neighborhood, people want to do some
repair to their home. They can't.
Chair Hardemon: They can't.
Commissioner Gort: Because they can't afford to. And I -- yes, I would like to keep
the trees, and I think they should be able to get it from the Trust.
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Hardemon: You're recognized.
Commissioner Carollo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I don't have any issues with an
amendment if you want to make it as an amendment. My issue was more with
regards to ,fining, you know, someone that's going to have a hardship. And it's two
prong, because you fine them, but at the same time, then they have to do remediation.
That remediation is up to $500 per tree, so it starts becoming very costly, and
someone that has a financial hardship cannot necessarily, even if they would want
to, be able to pay those fines. So that's really the crux of the issue; however, in all
fairness, no, I don't want to reduce the canopy. So I don't have a problem with some
type of amendment where the City or the Tree Trust Fund could, you know, provide
the trees, and they accept.
Commissioner Gort: You'd be amazed how many people do not know about the
ordinance, the Tree Ordinance.
Commissioner Carollo: Exactly.
Commissioner Gort: Right now, we're talking about the -- we're in hurricane
season.
Commissioner Carollo: Exactly.
Commissioner Gort: Cut the branches.
Commissioner Carollo: Exactly.
Commissioner Gort: They're going to affect the electricity, and so on. And they're
not aware of it.
Commissioner Carollo: Exactly.
Commissioner Gort: We also need to educate the community.
Daniel J. Alfonso (City Manager): Mr. Chairman, over here. If I may propose that
if this moves on first reading, bring it back for second reading in September. That'll
give us time to talk about possible rule changes to the other sections of the
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ordinances that might be required, and we can bring it back .for second reading with
those changes.
Chair Hardemon: But we can certainly move it with the recommended changes of
not fining the individuals --
Mr. Alfonso: Right.
Chair Hardemon: -- who would avail themselves of this, as well as providing them
the access to the Tree Trust Fund.
Mr. Alfonso: Right.
Chair Hardemon: Correct?
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. So we could do that. And then any further legislation
with regards to the Tree Trust Fund we could do in the future. But I prefer to have
first reading and second reading now, in July. Let's get it done so at least give some
type of a -- you know -- a hardship clause for elderly residents, because I could tell
you, it's already happening where they're getting hit with fines that they can't afford.
Vice Chair Russell: So rather than -- Is it possible, though, to do an amendment at
this point with regard to the Tree Trust funds to be used on private property if we
don't yet have an opinion on that?
Ms. Mendez: Right. So --
Vice Chair Russell: So we can't.
Ms. Mendez: -- no.
Chair Hardemon: So with that part.
Vice Chair Russell.' All right. So let -- why don't we move it as written at the
moment, first reading; then we can make a second -- a separate motion directing the
City Attorney --
Commissioner Carollo: Yes.
Vice Chair Russell: -- to study the Tree Trust Fund issue --
Commissioner Carollo: Yes.
Vice Chair Russell: -- with regard to private property.
Commissioner Carollo: Yes.
Vice Chair Russell: And then that one can come when this one's coming for second
reading, so that, hopefully, we can get them done together; that sound good?
Commissioner Carollo: Would the -- Can that be for the second meeting in July,
Madam City Attorney?
Ms. Mendez: Right. So as I understand it, we'll bring this same draft for the second
meeting in July. There may be a slight tweak.
Chair Hardemon: But the second meeting in Julys agenda, I think, is over full.
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Mr. Alfonso: We already have 62 --
Chair Hardemon: It's already closed.
Mr. Alfonso: -- items on the agenda already in the second meeting in July. We have
a reso or --
Chair Hardemon: And what that means is that --
Mr. Alfonso: -- City Code that says 60 is the limit. I'm sure there are more coming.
There may be some more deferrals from today, so, you know, I strongly urge that we
try to keep that next agenda as slow as possible. I've -- I spoke to the Chairman
yesterday, and we've already, asked that protocol for the next Commission meeting be
done away with. I told my staff we're not going to do protocol next Commission
meeting at all so that we try to maximize the time that we have to work on that day,
so I really urge the Commission to help out.
Vice Chair Russell: Shall we set aside a day in August for a special meeting?
Chair Hardemon: No, not necessarily.
Commissioner Carollo: No.
Chair Hardemon: I --
Commissioner Carollo: We're not doing August.
Commissioner Gort: I don't mind.
Commissioner Carollo: However --
Chair Hardemon: Listen, if this Commission thinks that this item absolutely needs to
be heard, I don't have a problem having it on the agenda. I just know that these are
the rules that we -- that I did not write; that were written way before me that have
been the rules of this board that the items are limited to 60 on an agenda. And so, I
mean, there's obvious reasons for that.
Commissioner Carollo: But Mr. Chairman -- and I'm sorry to cut you off. What is
not being stipulated is that this Commission can waive --
Chair Hardemon: No, that's why -- but that's why I'm saying to you --
Commissioner Carollo: -- the 60 items.
Chair Hardemon: -- if you want to hear it, this item on that agenda, then, you know,
then we make it happen. But I just want you to be aware that I want to follow the
rules that we've set and -- because it allows all of us to get through the business. It
allows the public to be able to interact with us, and these are rules that were set
before us for a reason, so, you know, I don't want to arbitrarily waive them. But in
this instance, if you really want it to be heard, then we can do that.
Commissioner Carollo: I would.
Chair Hardemon: Okay.
Commissioner Suarez: That's fine with me.
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Ms. Mendez: Now, Chairman, I just wanted to clarify that for second reading, we're
pretty much bringing it back as it's drafted today, without the Tree Trust Fund
amendment, but I'll try and find an amendment that I can give you with regard to the
gifting of trees that is allowable --
Chair Hardemon: Okay.
Ms. Mendez: -- for second reading.
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Ms. Mendez: I just want to clarify that it probably won't be from the actual Tree
Trust Fund, and then we'll look at that with the second directive that the Vice
Chairman is going to give.
Vice Chair Russell: I'll move FR.3 then.
Ms. Mendez: Thank you.
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
Chair Hardemon: It was properly moved and seconded to approve FR.3. Any
further discussion? It's as is.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): The title just needs to be read into the record.
Chair Hardemon: Oh, I'm sorry. It has not been read into the record. Can you read
it in the record, please? Oh, was there something that you wanted to say, absolutely
burning in your soul?
Brenda Betancourt: Yes. Brenda Betancourt, 1436 Southwest 6th Street. I think
that one of the biggest problems that we have with our seniors is they hire anybody
to go and butcher the trees, and they don't understand, because I have --
Unfortunately, I have to report a couple people around different areas of the City
when I'm driving by doing anything, and I see that the only thing they have is the
trunk of the tree. And sometimes, the seniors, most of them, they don't understand
that they are not allowed to do that.
Chair Hardemon: Right.
Ms. Betancourt: So sometimes -- Is any way that you guys can make sure that all
these landscaping people knows -- or the residents? Somehow, as a city, let the
residents know that it's not legal for them to chop the tree more than 25 percent
without a permit. So sometimes, the owner of the property paid the price after they
pay somebody to go and cut down the tree, and they don't even know.
Chair Hardemon: Right.
Ms. Betancourt: So unfortunately, we have both sides. So those landscaping people
go and chop the trees, even though they know they're not supposed to. And
unfortunately, the owners of the property, they end -- which a lot of them are seniors
-- end paying double and triple.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you. Madam City Attorney, go ahead.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
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Chair Hardemon: All in favor of the motion, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: All against? Motion passes.
END OF FIRST READING ORDINANCES
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RE - RESOLUTIONS
RE.1 RESOLUTION
2383
Office of
Management and
Budget
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENTS, RELATING TO THE PROVISION OF SOLID
WASTE SERVICES, FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS IN THE CITY
OF MIAMI, FLORIDA ("CITY"); DESCRIBING THE METHOD OF
ASSESSING SOLID WASTE COSTS AGAINST PROPERTY
LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY; DIRECTING THE PREPARATION
OF AN ASSESSMENT ROLL; AUTHORIZING A PUBLIC HEARING
FOR SEPTEMBER 14, 2017, OR ANY OTHER DATE BEFORE
SEPTEMBER 15, 2017 WHICH IS (A) SET BY THE CITY
COMMISSION, AND (B) PUBLICLY NOTICED, AND DIRECTING
THE PROVISION OF NOTICE(S) THEREOF; FURTHER
AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO
DETERMINE THE APPLICABLE NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS FOR
THE ASSESSMENT ROLL ON OR BEFORE THE LATEST
POSSIBLE DATE BEFORE SUBMISSION OF SUCH REQUIRED
INFORMATION TO THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PROPERTY
APPRAISER FOR THE ESTIMATED SOLID WASTE ASSESSMENT
RATE SCHEDULE; PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL LEASED
GARBAGE CONTAINER(S) FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING
OCTOBER 1, 2017; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0321
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner
SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Chair Hardemon: RE.I.
Christopher Rose (Director): Good morning, Commissioners. Chris Rose, Office of
Management & Budget. RE.1 is the annual assessment for solid waste collection.
We have two amendments that we'd like to put forward. The first one is to
incorporate the ordinance that was passed earlier today on second reading, which is
SR.1, the Waste Ordinance. So if the blanks that are in there can reference
Ordinance Number 13693, that will complete the two items talking to each other and
referencing each other properly. And the second one is an item that's being handed
out to you from the Clerk's Office right now, Composite Exhibit "E," which are the
notices that will be -- First notice is the notice of a public meeting in September at
the time of the first budget hearing; and the second one is the notice that
homeowners will see attached to their bill; otherwise, it's the same $380 per
household per year, as we have had for several years. Be happy to take any
questions.
Commissioner Gort: Move it.
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Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved by the -- by Commissioner Gort;
seconded by the Chair. Any further discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, say
"aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: All against? Motion passes.
Mr. Rose: Thank you, Commissioners.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): As amended.
Chair Hardemon: As amended, that's correct.
RE.2 RESOLUTION
2424
Commissioners
and Mayor
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING, SETTING FORTH, AND
SUBMITTING TO THE ELECTORATE A PROPOSED CHARTER
AMENDMENT AMENDING THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CHARTER"), KNOWN AS
CHARTER AMENDMENT NO. _; AMENDING SECTION 12,
ENTITLED "FILLING VACANCIES FOR MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION," TO PROVIDE THAT A CANDIDATE ELECTED IN A
SPECIAL ELECTION FOR THE PURPOSE OF FILLING A
VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION
SHALL SERVE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THAT UNEXPIRED
TERM AND ALLOWING ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO ARE
ABSOLVED FROM ALLEGATIONS OF MISCONDUCT TO
IMMEDIATELY RESUME THEIR POSITION FOR THE REMAINDER
OF THE UNEXPIRED TERM; CALLING FOR AND PROVIDING
THAT CHARTER AMENDMENT NO. _ BE SUBMITTED TO THE
ELECTORATE AT THE REFERENDUM SPECIAL ELECTION TO
BE HELD CONCURRENTLY WITH THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL
ELECTION SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 7, 2017;
DESIGNATING AND APPOINTING THE CITY CLERK AS THE
OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CITY COMMISSION WITH
RESPECT TO THE USE OF VOTER REGISTRATION BOOKS AND
RECORDS; FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO CAUSE
A CERTIFIED COPY OF THE HEREIN RESOLUTION TO BE
DELIVERED TO THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS OF MIAMI-
DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA NOT LESS THAN 45 DAYS PRIOR TO
THE DATE OF SUCH SPECIAL ELECTION; PROVIDING AN
IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0318
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MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner
SECONDER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo
ABSENT: Suarez
Chair Hardemon: RE.2. Mr. Manager, can you read RE.2?
Commissioner Suarez: Commissioner Gort, Commissioner Gort, I think this was
your --
Commissioner Gort: Move it.
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): Right.
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
Chair Hardemon: Properly -- it's been properly moved and seconded.
Commissioner Gort: It's got to be read.
Chair Hardemon: Any further discussion regarding RE.2?
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): And Chair, there's just -- briefly.
Chair Hardemon: Yeah.
Mr. Hannon: The resolution needs to be amended to include Resolution Number R-
17-0318. And it also needs to be amended to take out a sentence from Section 12-A,
which is not necessary.
Chair Hardemon: All right. Mover and the seconder agree to those amendments?
Well, is there an objection from the mover and the seconder? Seeing none, all in
favor of the item, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Mr. Hannon: And -- sorry. Lastly, we're also going to take out the reference to
Charter amendment number in the resolution. There's going to be a discussion item
at the July 27 Commission meeting, where we'll go ahead and decide what the order
is for the Charter amendments.
Chair Hardemon: Seeing that there was some unreadiness, I'll -- if there's no
abjection from the mover and seconder to what was just stated by the Clerk, I'll move
an to the vote. All in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: All against? Motion passes.
Mr. Hannon: Thank you, Chair. My apologies.
Chair Hardemon: You're recognized. No problem.
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RE.3 RESOLUTION
2505
Commissioners
and Mayor
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING, SETTING FORTH AND
SUBMITTING TO THE ELECTORATE A PROPOSED CHARTER
AMENDMENT, AMENDING THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CHARTER"), KNOWN AS
CHARTER AMENDMENT NO. ; AMENDING SECTION 36 OF
THE CHARTER, ENTITLED "CIVIL SERVICE," TO INCLUDE THE
OFFICE OF INDEPENDENT AUDITOR GENERAL ("OIAG") AS AN
UNCLASSIFIED SERVICE; CALLING FOR AND PROVIDING THAT
CHARTER AMENDMENT NO. _ WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE
ELECTORATE AT THE REFERENDUM SPECIAL ELECTION TO
BE HELD CONCURRENTLY WITH THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL
ELECTION SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 7, 2017;
DESIGNATING AND APPOINTING THE CITY CLERK AS THE
OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CITY COMMISSION WITH
RESPECT TO THE USE OF VOTER REGISTRATION BOOKS AND
RECORDS; FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO CAUSE
A CERTIFIED COPY OF THE HEREIN RESOLUTION TO BE
DELIVERED TO THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS OF MIAMI-
DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, NOT LESS THAN 45 DAYS PRIOR TO
THE DATE OF SUCH SPECIAL ELECTION; PROVIDING AN
IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE FOR THIS RESOLUTION.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0319
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Chair Hardemon: RE.3.
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman, RE.3 shows myself as the sponsor. I wasn't
sure that I was going to be the sponsor, but that's okay; I could still be the sponsor. I
don't mind. In essence, as you know, I brought an issue to this Commission
regarding our Office of Independent Auditor, where it appears that we need a
Charter amendment in order to make sure that all of his staff is unclassified, and
make sure that he could appoint, as per what the Charter says, his own staff. So this
is the language, and I think that the second part is actually the ballot language. So
that's RE.3 and RE.4. So if there's any questions, I could answer or -- the Auditor
General is here; if not, then I'm going to move the item. So move RE.3.
Chair Hardemon: You can do both if you'd like.
Commissioner Carollo: I'll move RE.3 and RE.4.
Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved to approve RE.3 and RE.4. Is there a
second?
Commissioner Gort: I'll second for discussion.
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Chair Hardemon: Second for discussion. Move into discussion. Commissioner
Gort.
Commissioner Gort: I believe the other department, they should have the same
thing, because when you have a supervisor that has an -- a grievance with one of the
employees and they both have to be defended by the same individual, it could be a
conflict. So I'd like to see the Auditor General to explain the reason why he believe
that should be done.
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Guba.
Theodore Guba (Auditor General): Repeat the question.
Commissioner Gort: Why do you want to have it like that? There's a reason why.
Mr. Guba: Why don't we have unclassified --?
Commissioner Gort: Why do you want to make the changes?
Mr. Guba: Why do we need to make the changes?
Commissioner Gort: Right.
Mr. Guba: The City Attorney has opined that --
Chair Hardemon: Can you announce yourself for the record, as well, sir?
Mr. Guba: Oh. Ted Guba, Auditor General for the City of Miami. The City
Attorney has opined that the Charter does -- because it does not indicate that I have
exclusive authority to designate my employees that -- and I'm also not included as
the exempt employees from classified service under the Civil Service Charter that I'm
required to have Civil Service employees.
Commissioner Gort: But you have a reason why, also, you want to make that
change. That's what I'd like to hear from you.
Mr. Guba: The reason for making the change?
Commissioner Gort: Right.
Mr. Guba: It's so --
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman, if I could interrupt?
Chair Hardemon: I think --
Commissioner Carollo: Speak about the independence.
Commissioner Gort: Yeah.
Mr. Cuba: Well, the independence issue, I -- In accordance with government
auditing standards -- We're supposed to conduct audits under government auditing
standards, and it requires that we be independent. And if management is involved in
the hiring and firing process, as they are under Civil Service employees, we will not
have that independence. You know, just to give you an example, if we're doing an
audit and I don't have exclusive authority over my employees, if it's a particular area
within the City Administration, they can threaten to fire that person if they don't
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withdraw, or if they -- you know, we won't have objective conclusions or objective
audits if we don't have independence, and we won't he able to conduct our audits in
accordance to any standards, because all standards require independence.
Commissioner Gort: Thank you.
Daniel J. Alfonso (City Manager): Mr. Chairman.
Ms. Mendez: 1 just wanted to -- but before, Mr. Manager, I just wanted to say RE.3
is the one that deals with the Civil Service. RE.4 is the one that deals specifically,
with the Office of the Independent Auditor. I just wanted to say that. Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: I think the Clerk wants to add a few amendments that must be
stated for RE.3 and RE.4. Can you state what they are on the record, please?
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Thank you, Chair. RE.3 will need to be amended to
include Resolution Number R-17-0319, as well as taking out the reference to
"Charter Amendment Number." And RE.4 will be amended to include Resolution
Number R-17-0320, as well as taking out the reference to "Charter Amendment
Number."
Chair Hardemon: Is there any objection, from the mover and seconder?
Commissioner Gort: No.
Commissioner Carollo: No, but I want -- I would like to understand. What are --
what is -- what are those resolutions?
Mr. Hannon: Those resolutions will actually be referenced in the news -- I should
say the publication --
Commissioner Carollo: Understood.
Mr. Hannon: -- calling for this item to be placed on the ballot.
Commissioner Carollo: Understood.
Chair Hardemon: Seeing no objection, it will be included in the motion. Any further
discussion about the main motion? Hearing none, all in favor of the motion, say
"aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: All against?
Commissioner Gort: I think the Manager wanted to --
Mr. Alfonso: Oh, I just wanted to point out that there's a statement that the
Administration fires the -- his staff. We don't. And Civil Service is not the
Administration; it's a separate process set in the Charter.
Chair Hardemon: Motion passes.
Commissioner Gort: Thank you.
Commissioner Suarez: He just cleaned it up.
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Chair Hardernon: Thank you, sir.
RE.4 RESOLUTION
2049
Commissioners
and Mayor
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING, SETTING FORTH AND
SUBMITTING TO THE ELECTORATE A PROPOSED CHARTER
AMENDMENT, AMENDING THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CHARTER"), KNOWN AS
CHARTER AMENDMENT NO. ; AMENDING SECTION 48(D) OF
THE CHARTER, ENTITLED "OFFICE OF INDEPENDENT AUDITOR
GENERAL/STAFFING" ("OIAG"), TO PROVIDE THE
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR GENERAL EXCLUSIVE SUPERVISORY
AUTHORITY OVER EMPLOYEES OF THE OIAG; CALLING FOR
AND PROVIDING THAT CHARTER AMENDMENT NO. _ WILL BE
SUBMITTED TO THE ELECTORATE AT THE REFERENDUM
SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD CONCURRENTLY WITH THE
GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER
7, 2017; DESIGNATING AND APPOINTING THE CITY CLERK AS
THE OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CITY COMMISSION
WITH RESPECT TO THE USE OF VOTER REGISTRATION
BOOKS AND RECORDS; FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY
CLERK TO CAUSE A CERTIFIED COPY OF THE HEREIN
RESOLUTION TO BE DELIVERED TO THE SUPERVISOR OF
ELECTIONS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, NOT LESS
THAN 45 DAYS PRIOR TO THE DATE OF SUCH SPECIAL
ELECTION; PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE FOR
THIS RESOLUTION.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0320
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing item RE.4, please see item RE.3.
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RE.5 RESOLUTION
2575
Department of Real
Estate and Asset
Management
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), DIRECTING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO
PREPARE AN AMENDMENT TO THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA ("CHARTER") FOR CONSIDERATION AT THE
REFERENDUM SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD
CONCURRENTLY WITH THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION
SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 7, 2017, PROPOSING, UPON
APPROVAL OF THE ELECTORATE, TO AMEND SECTION 29-B
OF THE CHARTER ENTITLED "CITY -OWNED PROPERTY SALE
OF LEASE -GENERALLY," TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY
COMMISSION BY A FOUR -FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE,
TO WAIVE COMPETITIVE BIDDING AND TO AUTHORIZE THE
CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT TO ENTER
INTO A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT ("AGREEMENT"), IN
SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, BETWEEN THE CITY
OF MIAMI ("CITY") AND ESJ JI LEASEHOLD, LLC ("ESJ")
AMENDING CERTAIN TERMS OF THE EXISTING LEASE AND
DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND ESJ
AND AGREEING TO ENTER INTO THE AGREEMENT INCLUDING,
BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING MATERIAL TERMS:
EXECUTION OF AN AMENDED AND RESTATED LEASE OF 19.35
ACRES OF CITY OWNED WATERFRONT PROPERTY WITH ESJ
TO MODIFY THE CURRENT REMAINING LEASE TERM ("TERM")
OF FORTY THREE (43) YEARS AND EXTEND THE TERM FROM
2060 TO 2099; PROVIDE ONE PERCENT (1%) RENT FROM
ANNUAL GROSS REVENUE FROM A $50,000,000.00 HOTEL,
WITH A ONE HUNDRED THIRTY (130) FOOT MAXIMUM HEIGHT,
SUBJECT TO CITY DESIGN APPROVAL AND SUCCESSFUL
ZONING CHANGES, AND AN EIGHTEEN (18) MONTH RENT
ABATEMENT; PROVIDE PARKING, RETAIL/RESTAURANT AND
MEETING ROOM SPACE; PROVIDE AN ICHIMURA-MIAMI
JAPANESE GARDENS SEVEN HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLAR
PAYMENT ($700,000.00); PROVIDE A $500,000.00 GREEN
ENERGY EDUCATIONAL FACILITY; ESTABLISH A RESERVE
ACCOUNT FOR CAPITAL REPAIRS OF TWO HUNDRED
THOUSAND DOLLARS ($200,000.00) PER YEAR; IMPLEMENT A
THREE PERCENT (3%) TRANSFER FEE OF GROSS SALES; AND
FURTHER IMPLEMENT AN APPROXIMATE ONE PERCENT (1%)
REFINANCING FEE; WITH RESTRICTIONS, REVERSIONS, AND
RETENTION BY THE CITY OF ALL OTHER RIGHTS.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair
SECONDER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Note for the Record: Item RE.5 was deferred to the July 27, 2017 Planning and
Zoning Commission Meeting.
For additional minutes referencing item RE.5, please see "Public Comment Period
for Regular Item (s) " and item RE.8
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Chair Hardemon: Mr. Rotenberg, you're recognized.
Daniel Rotenberg (Director): Good afternoon, Commissioners. Daniel Rotenberg,
Department of Real Estate & Asset Management. RE.5 is a resolution directing the
City Attorney to prepare referendum language for Jungle Islands Hotel and lease
extension.
Commissioner Gort: Did we move on this?
Vice Chair Russell: We withdrew the -- we withdrew (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Commissioner Gort: We did?
Chair Hardemon: So I guess we'll open up some discussion. One of the things that I
asked -- well, I'll preface by saying this: I had a meeting yesterday. I happened to
have it at the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) in the conference room, but
it was regarding things that are -- that have -- that deal with the City Commission,
and it was basically about rezoning. And one of the -- and the conversation -- there
was a gentleman there who owns a home that was built in 1930, I believe. I think it
was about 1930. And there were two structures on this lot. One day we -- there was
a board meeting -- maybe the Unsafe Structures Board meeting, or something of that
nature -- and I happened to sit in on it just for a brief time, and I remember him
making his case. I ended up leaving, so I didn't see the closing of his issue, but what
ended up happening was that his property, the 1930 property, was torn down. And
so his property went from -- it went from like a -- it was a -- I believe it was a
six/two.
Commissioner Suarez: Six/two.
Chair Hardemon: I think it was a six/two, then it went to a three/one, because
they're two different structures. Because this was built in 1930 --
Commissioner Suarez: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Chair Hardemon: -- it didn't need a lot of bathrooms. Right, basically.
Commissioner Suarez: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Chair Hardemon: Two different structures. And so, part of the issue was that, you
know, he was basically pleading to have the place saved, and unfortunately, that
didn't happen for him. And so, he was bringing me back to this whole issue, because
I wasn't aware of all the facts of his case. But in that conversation, I came to a
realization. I mean, this is -- his property still is -- and this -- and his ownership is
kind of complicated, because his -- I think it was his sister that actually owned it, and
she passed, and then it went to some other individuals in the family, but they didn't
have any probate, so it's -- there's a lot of things going on, but and still --
Commissioner Suarez: It was a tenancy by the entirety.
Chair Hardemon: Right, but there's still ownership within his family.
Commissioner Suarez: Right.
Chair Hardemon: And so --
Commissioner Suarez: Tenancy by the entirety.
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Chair Hardemon: -- the reason I'm explaining this to you is because, you know, he
really wanted to save that property. And when you think about Overtown, there
aren't a lot of single family homes in Overtown. And so, his plea was saving, "Look
you know, this property has been in my family for 100 years. It's been here since
19, " you know -- or however long -- it's been there since 1930. And so his plea was
basically, "We don't have the money to bring it to Code, but we want to. Give us the
time. Let us work on it. Can you help us?"And in the City ofMiami, unfortunately,
it fell on deaf ears with that board. And so, it got me to thinking about the issues that
we have before us, and we have all these assets, and we -- we're asking our
constituency to vote positively on these assets. And the question is always, you know,
"Well, what is it in there for them?" You know, why should we give a 99-year lease
extension to someone? What benefit -- what reason should someone go out and
actually support it? And so one of the things that I asked Mr. Rotenberg, actually
today, to have a discussion with some of the individuals who are left on the agenda
about was possibly helping us with the creation of a -- and I know we have some
small funds, but really the creation of a single-family rehab And. And so, basically,
tying 1 percentage point of the gross receipts, for instance, Jro-- say, like Jungle
Island, and also the same thing for the Monty's lease -- tying that 1 percent, and
saying that 1 percent of that is going to go towards single-family rehabs of
properties that are existing within the City of Miami, where those people who are
living in, let's say, a CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) -eligible
household. So these are poor people that can't afford to fix their homes, that can't
afford to have standard -- a standard of living, and a -- an increased standard of
living, because they don't live in these new affordable housing projects, et cetera, but
they have something that they worked for in their family to keep, and so we want
them to live with pride. Just say, "Well, we want to service all homeless that
actually live in better facilities than they get a chance to live in," and they pay
property taxes within our communities. And so, I think Mr. Rotenberg had some
preliminary discussions with some of them, so I know he wants to give us at least
some feedback on that. But the whole idea is so that all over the City of Miami,
someone -- if they have an issue with their home, they can come to the City and say,
"Hey, you know, I need some help, " and our City help them in staying into their -- in
staying in their homes. I think it's an important thing to do. I think that it's not
going to cost us anything; and certainly, it'll take care of that huge backlog that we
have, because we do have some -- a single-family home rehab program, but, you
know, the waiting list is hundreds long, because we just don't have the income to do
it. Yes, sir.
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah. And I was wondering if you were going to use the "G"
word, because it's probably one of the only ways to stem gentrification in our City,
which is obviously a huge pressure that I think all of us in our districts are feeling,
particularly in what they call SFRs, single-family residential homes. You know, if we
don't find a way, to help people, particularly poor people, stay in their homes, afford
their homes, and have nicer homes, then what's going to happen in our --
particularly our traditional neighborhoods is what's been happening, which is
people come in, they buy those properties, and they make mega mansions, or
whatever, and they transform the character of the neighborhood to something else.
And so, I know we struggled with it a lot in the Grove. We've talked about it a lot in
the Grove. I think this is an opportunity to get ahead of it a little bit and do things
prophylactically, or proactively, rather than reactively. So I like the idea. I really
do think it's a good concept.
Chair Hardemon: And I think that it'll be a good thing that we can say to the voters
to sell this, to say, "Listen, if this thing passes" --
Commissioner Suarez: Right.
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Chair Hardemon: -- "you create a funding you can actually go to and help you
increase the" -- "improve the standard of living in your household, in your
neighbor's household," and I think that that'll make a big difference in how people
perceive these items when they go to the Charter amendment. I think it's generally,
good policy; that we're saying, "Listen, we care about the least of us, and we want to
help those people who can't afford to make improvements to their home." And these
are people that we go out every day and we cite, you know. Code Compliance will
go there and say, "Listen, this is this way. This is that way. And therefore, since you
can't pay for it, we're going to tear down the house, and then we're going to stick you
with the bill." And ultimately, what ends up happening is, that same gentleman loses
his entire property, because he couldn't afford to upkeep -- or put his house in the
condition that was sustainable, or livable even. Commissioner Gort.
Commissioner Gort: We have CDBG funds that we used in the past to help those
individuals to fax their homes, so this can be an additional leverage that can work
very close with the CDBG funds that we have. They've been diminished quite a bit,
and I think that's very helpful. If we want to keep people -- to maintain home
ownership in some of our neighborhoods, we need to help them.
Chair Hardemon: Mr. Rotenberg.
Mr. Rotenberg: We have had plenty discussions. I know -- I think Commissioner
Gort was referring to some funds that was set aside from closing costs, but I'd be
happy to continue the conversations, and I think it is important to do it.
Chair Hardemon: Have we gotten any feedback, for instance, on RE.5, so with the
Jungle Island? Sir, you're here.
Alexander Tachmes: Mr. Chairman, Alexander Tachmes, for the record, on behalf
of ESJ Capital Partners and Jungle Island. Mr. Chairman, we'd be happy to discuss
that. We know that we are a partner of the City's for the long-term, and we want the
City to get better while we get better, so we obviously haven't had a chance to
process that or discuss it; we're just hearing about it today, but I'm sure we can have
a discussion and come to an agreement on something before the 27th.
Chair Hardemon: All right.
Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Hardemon: Yes, you're recognized, Vice Chairman.
Vice Chair Russell: Yeah. Let's have as much discussion as we can today so that if
we lead into the 27th, we're not starting from scratch there. The discussion
regarding the potential of a hotel, I think that's the key element here that voters are
being asked to decide upon. Everything else is extra. But whether or not the voters
want a hotel there is important. I don't believe that the original ballot language that
they voted on, moving Jungle Island to that location, allows for it. And so, when we
approved the transfer of the lease a few months ago. I'm thankful that your clients
came and met, but I recognize that at some paint, a hotel would be in the cards, and
so I implored the developer to show their cards at the beginning; if this is the end
goal, to bring it out now. Let's not do a theme park for a few years, get the foot in
the door, and then test the waters. Let's find out from the voters if this is something
they want to see. And for that, while I've never said that I'm the champion of a hotel
being there, it -- for me, if it's within the right scale, does not adversely impact the
traffic on the causeway, keeps us as good neighbors with the Beach, not
environmentally impactful to where we're losing our green space and our park there,
it could he a boutique hotel that services the tourists that come there, residents who
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want to get away for a weekend, experience the theme park, let's ask the voters now.
And that way, your client knows. If it's off the table, they got to reevaluate their
options moving forward, and they can do so clearly. So that's where this motion
toward a -- getting a hotel initiative on the ballot came from. I have to take
responsibility for pushing you on that, I'd say, because I want to hear what the voters
have to say on it. 1 do believe that, as you said, it behooves all of us to see this be
successful. It's not something that we can just allow to fail. We're too intertwined in
the deal historically with the County, with the State, and everything. So that being
said, it's on the developer to do the outreach necessary to get us there; and not only
the outreach between now and ballot time, if it gets onto the ballot, but to get onto
the ballot, I really need hyper connectivity and buy -in from the local residents,
because once it gets put to the entire City, their voice gets drowned out by the votes
of an entire community, who may just see an improvement to the tax base, an
amenity, but the impact it has on the residents of Venetian Causeway, for example. I
know that you've spoken with a few people, and some have advocated for it, but
we've reached out to the Venetian Way Neighbors [sic] Alliance, and they haven't
heard a word yet. A lot of them, granted, are on vacation at this point, but we've
spoken with both the president of the association, as well as some of the key
neighbors involved, and they haven't been presented this concept yet. So I wouldn't
say that it's been publicly vetted well enough yet to get full voter buy -in. Beyond
that, the only other comment I have on the entire proposal is with regard to the size
of. the hotel. That concerns me a little bit -- and I've mentioned that to you directly --
it's 130 feet too much, and it's 300 rooms too many. And I know that we're looking at
potentials of reducing parking or doing underground parking that may allow us to
reduce the height, which would be significantly beneficial, I think. The number of
rooms, you know, that's something else to be discussed. Financially, Mr. Rotenberg,
what do we have in terms of appraisals of what we should be receiving, and
projections of what this will generate for the City in terms of the 1 percent issue?
Mr. Rotenberg: Well, we have one draft appraisal that we're reviewing right now;
the second one is due the 20th. Roundabout value right now for the land lease is
about 1.4, but the appraisal has to be worked on. There are issues in it that --
factual errors that we have to work on. Current rent: In fiscal 2016, Jungle Island
paid the City $770,000. We would be bumping that up. The additional rent, again,
would be fair market value. If it's the 1.4, or whatever that is, that will be included
on top of the rent from Jungle Island. In addition, there's going to be a contribution
of $700,000; take care of the Ichimura Gardens; $500,000 that's going to be towards
a green facility that is going to be both educational, and a --from what I understand -
- museum on site. There'll be a reserve account built into this, because this is a long-
term lease. They're redoing the park at the beginning, but in year 25 to 30, we put it
in a sinking And account, where they'll be contributing somewhere between two and
a half and $5 million, probably closer to five, so that will continue 25, year 50, and
year 75, so we don't have issues going forward ever again with a facility that's not
being taken care of We're going to have a transfer fee built into this of 3 percent
going forward. We have a 1 percent refinance fee; all those items that seem to have
been left out of former leases. And hopefully, the hotel, if it goes up, will help
generate more visitors to the hotel -- I paean, to the park itself It's been marginal;
we'd like to see it operate a lot better.
Vice Chair Russell: And as far as the agreements go, we don't have a solid
agreement. What we have is an agreement to enter into an agreement?
Mr. Rotenberg: That's correct.
Vice Chair Russell: Right.
Mr. Rotenberg: It has to come hack to the Commission.
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Vice Chair Russell: What is the repercussion of this -- hammering that out before we
go to the voters so that they know specifically what they're getting into in terms of
next cycle? What does that do with regard to --? I mean, obviously, they weren't
contemplating a hotel at this point for the next couple years anyway, right? So we're
not under a time constraint, emergency to approve a hotel here for sake of financial
needs of the park.
Mr. Rotenberg: Well, I mean, you could look at it two different ways.
Professionally, just as a subject matter expert on this, if you're going to go ahead --
From what I understand, the group that's entering into this right now, there is some
sense of urgency with that group, but for us as a city, it is subject to Planning &
Zoning, it has to pass through the City's Buildings [sic] Department, it was not
contemplated like you said originally; but I think, if it was allowed and the voters
allowed it, it would exponentially increase the income over there and would make
that tourist attraction a real tourist attraction. I think they've suffered in the past
over there; this would be a benefit.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. I welcome to hear from the other Commissioners,
as well, on this project and the process, and the financials, as well.
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah. I mean, I sort of echo your concerns. You know, I
think, first of all, we need to have community buy -in on the size of the hotel, which
I've spoken to the applicant about. And I, today, don't think I can support the item,
because I haven't seen an appraisal., so it's impossible for me to know what the fair
market value is. And we're injecting into the process not only that, but some
additional factor which has to do with housing, which I think is a fantastic idea, but
that's a concern that I have. The concern that I have has to do with the financials
and, obviously, the community buy -in, but it sounds to me like you have a good
handle on that. I don't think we have a good handle on the financials.
Vice Chair Russell: The community buy -in is still very preliminary. Literally, three
people have chimed in on it.
Commissioner Suarez: Right.
Vice Chair Russell: Or four people have chimed in on it. And that 1 percent, has
that translated into a number, that projected 1 percent? Other than the other
payments and parts in the deal, what would be the ongoing annual 1 percent revenue
generation? What would that bring the City?
Mr. Rotenberg: I think the developer -- the hotel itself is a $50 million project that
would go up. I'm not sure what the flag is or which hotel it is, so we don't know what
the projections are. If the developer wants to answer that, they have better
information than we do.
Mr. Alfonso: Mr. Chairman, ifI may for a minute, before the gentleman answers the
question? I just want to remind us that we're wanting to have this discussion for
information, but what we're trying to pass today is for the writing of the question,
and we can certainly finalize some of those details, but we do want to have the
discussion so that we know what we're talking about.
Mr. Tachmes: Mr. Chair --
Mr. Alfonso: Go ahead.
Mr. Tachmes: -- could 1 make a couple of comments?
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Chair Hardemon: Go ahead.
Mr. Tachmes: Thank you. Just to address some of the comments that Vice Chair
Russell made, we have made a significant amount of outreach to some of the key
stakeholders in the area. Apparently, Mr. Vice Chair, we haven't reached everyone,
but I can assure you that we want to be as transparent as we can. If that means
having an open house of some type at the park and inviting people to come over and
showing them everything we've got, we will do it. It's not our desire to hide
anything. We're not going to be playing a bait and switch type of thing. You know,
we want to be completely transparent about what we're going to do. And if that
means reaching out to everyone, as I said, inviting them to the park for a discussion,
we will do it, and we're happy to do it. I know we discussed the height, and the issue
of the number of rooms and the height. I think a couple of things are important to
mention. First of all, remember that there is an existing parking pedestal there now
of two stories, so we would be building on basically where that is now. We'd be
knocking down the parking pedestal, replacing the existing parking for the park, and
then building our own pedestal in the hotel above. So our new construction for the
new space might be about six stories or five stories, but we're being required to put -
- we're required to replace the existing parking that's at the park now. One thing
which we talked about, which I think, in my opinion -- the zoning lawyer -- I think we
have a really good shot to achieve, is if the referendum passes, we would come back
and request some waivers or variances under Miami 21 in order to be able to have
the hotel be wider and a bit squatter; and then, if we do that, we can keep the same
program, but not make it so high. Another issue you and I talked about is there is a
strong trend all throughout South Florida to reduce the parking requirement under
zoning codes, because of people taking Uber and other modes of transportation. So
parking codes from 20 years ago that had parking requirements for hotels and
whatnot are a bit antiquated, and I'm not saying Miami 21 is necessarily, but I do
believe that there's an argument that can be made that it's kind of over parked for
Jungle Island, and then we could also present that to the Commission. And if we get
a parking reduction, again, we can remove a floor or two from the project. And
then, of course, we did discuss the -- parking one floor underground. It is very
expensive to build underground. But my point in saying all this is, I think that there
are multiple ways where we can get the project not to be so tall, particularly if the
City gives us some sort of zoning approvals that would help us to better fit it on the
site, so I'm pretty optimistic about that. And I just want to make one last comment a
bit from a -- from kind of a 30, 000 foot kind of view. This is a homerun for the City.
I wish I could mention the name of the company that they're talking to, and I think
we'll be able to by the end of month, but this is -- if we can get this done, this eco-
adventure company that is almost like on a Disney scale, they want to come here to
open a eco-adventure hotel that will blend perfectly with the park. It'll make it a
destination people know about around the country and the world. So you've got a
chance to take an asset that has been underperforming for a long time that needs
TLC (tender loving care), and really kind of make it a triple "A" attraction. Our
client is already proceeding with a $20 million series of improvements in the next 24
months for short-term improvements; that is going ahead no matter what. But this
opportunity with -- to merge -- to blend with this company and do a really
spectacular hotel, we have a small window of time. And if we don't produce -- we
don't move ahead with this company, they're going to find somewhere else to build
this boutique hotel. So I think, yes, we need to take care of the outreach, and we
need to be transparent, but this is a special opportunity. As far as -- one last
comment. As far as the rent is concerned, your Charter says, you can only do it for
fair market value, so we have to abide by that. So when the appraisals come back,
we will sit down with Daniel, and we will go over the appraisals that came back, and
well make sure you're getting fair market value. I mean, there's really no other way
around that. The only reason the 1 percent was included was because a third
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amendment to the ground lease, which gives us the right to do a hotel, specifically
says that the rent for the hotel would be 1 percent of revenues of the hotel; and so,
since it said that, that's what we started with. But we know it's got to be fair market
value, and if it turns out it's different, it'll be different.
Commissioner Suarez: Mr. Chair.
Vice Chair Russell: You don't have a projection of what that 1 percent could be or
would be?
Mr. Tachmes: My clients are saying, "No." So we --
Vice Chair Russell: Yeah, it seems a little preliminary.
Mr. Tachmes: -- not at this point.
Vice Chair Russell: So if I could just follow up on what you said.
Mr. Tachmes: Sure.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. And I do believe we have a good -faith partner in
ESJ. I've enjoyed working with them this year. Obviously, I don't know who the
hotel partner is that you're considering, but when you liken them to a Disney level of
operator and developer, you may have a very good partner there --
Mr. Tachmes: Yes.
Vice Chair Russell: -- that -- this is an opportunity. I would like to hear and put on
the record the intention and commitment that right now, what we're looking at is 130
foot within the ballot language and within the agreement; that if we're able to reduce
that based on less parking, that we're not making space for more rooms and more
floors of hotel; that we are actually, by reducing parking, reducing the height, with
the objective of hopefully, if we can get rid of a couple of floors of parking, go down
to maybe 80 feet. I believe this is a perfect candidate for it, because most of your --
this is not residential; no one's going to live there.
Mr. Tachmes: Right.
Vice Chair Russell: You're going to have most of your clientele being tourist -based,
coming off the planes, coming off the cruise ships. They won't need a car,
necessarily. And a lot of them will be based at the theme park; and so, you won't
need parking for the theme park and. fully parking for the hotel; a lot of it will
overlap. You may need a lot less parking than you think, and we'll know that
through studies, and then whatever waivers we can do through Miami 21. So I'm
open to looking at this either way, gentlemen. If we want to direct the City Attorney
to start working on the ballot language, knowing that this is very contingent for the
second meeting in July 27. There's a lot of answers left to be -- you know, a lot of
blanks to be filled in here with regard to the financials, the hotel partner; you know,
giving the public the maximum chance to get their head around this before we agree
to put it on the ballot; and, of course, the public outreach. This gives you another
couple weeks to really, you know, find the absolute stakeholders there that are -- that
this would impact and try to get some buy -in there. I think that'll help you in the
long run, because they're the ones who would be the biggest challenge to this,
whether it's legal or just on the ballot, so that'll help all sides.
Commissioner Suarez: Mr. Chair, if1nay?
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Chair Hardernon: Yes.
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah. So I just wanted to sort of jump back in and say, look,
I totally, agree with what you said on the sort of trend for parking reduction, and you
sort of touched on it as well, and I do think that's in line with our philosophy and our
current philosophy in the direction that we're going. I also want to note, just from a
general perspective, that we've been doing these deals a lot better than we have in
the past; with transfer fees, which we never had; sinking fund fees, which we never
had; and refinance fees, which we never had. So, you know, 1 don't want to be a
"Debbie Downer," you know, completely. You know, from my perspective, what
worries me is, we've had a lot of time to get to this point. We shouldn't have the
appraisal coming in `post" a decision that we have to make of this magnitude.
That's what bothers me, honestly. I mean, I think -- you know, I maybe can be
convinced when it comes back, but just from a process perspective, it bothers me that
we've had all this time to negotiate this and not had the appraisal, from my
perspective, in advance. Because what happens? We talk about -- and I understand
where the 1 percent came from. It came from the third -- I mean, they have a clear,
established -- that didn't just come from nowhere. It came from a third amended
agreement, which, by the way, was voted on before any of us were up here; even the
ones that have been up here the longest. I think it was in 2008, if I'm not mistaken.
So, you know, we sort of inherited that. But that, to me, is the part that -- it just
doesn't look right, and it doesn't seem like that's the right deal. And then, of course,
if you throw into the mix dedicating a portion of those funds to a single-family
rehabilitation fund, which I agree with, by the way, that also plays into the
economics of it. So, you know, I may be able to get there -- if we pass this today, I
may be able to get there on the next one, but I can't support on this one, just because
of that.
Vice Chair Russell: IN prove that we defer this item to the 27th, and I'm doing so
optimistically. I think we can get there, and --
Mr. Alfonso: Wait, wait.
Vice Chair Russell.' -- then we can fill in the blanks.
Mr. Alfonso: Mr. Chairman --
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): We can't --
Mr. Alfonso: -- couple of things. A couple of things.
Vice Chair Russell: Tell me why.
Mr. Alfonso: Number one --
Commissioner Suarez: We could. Of course we could. We've done it
(UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Mr. Alfonso: -- by the 27th, if we do not have an appraisal, you will not be able to
move this item forward, so --
Commissioner Suarez: Oh, there's no doubt about that.
Mr. Alfonso: Right.
Vice Chair Russell: Right.
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Mr. Alfonso: That's correct.
Commissioner Suarez: Right.
Mr. Alfonso: That's number one. But number two, you still need to -- this item is not
the deal. This item is directing the City Attorney to write the question so that we can
come back on the 27th and we have all the components; then that moves forward.
Ms. Mendez: You'll need a special meeting --
Mr. Alfonso: Right.
Ms. Mendez: -- ifvou defer this item.
Mr. Tachmes: Right.
Vice Chair Russell: We have another -- we had two items on the --
Mr. Alfonso: The same thing.
Vice Chair Russell: Well, we had two items today; one directing the City Attorney to
draft language and actually putting something on the Charter.
Commissioner Suarez: Exactly.
Vice Chair Russell: So it is possible.
Commissioner Suarez: Of course, it's possible.
Vice Chair Russell: We -- and I know you're already working on drafts; I've seen
them.
Commissioner Suarez: Exactly.
Vice Chair Russell.' So it's not that we're completely stopping the train here.
Mr. Tachmes: Mr. Chair, respectfully, I think we're overcomplicating the matter. If
you just vote today to give the City Attorney the direction to proceed with the
drafting of the ballot, we'll have the appraisals done between now and then, and
well vote on it on the 27th. If you let it -- if you don't vote on it today -- I think what
the City Attorney is saying is you'd have to have a separate meeting -- special
meeting in August, which really doesn't make much sense. And I know the two
appraisals have been ordered already; Daniel can speak to that, but I would
imagine, within a week, they'll be back. So we urge you to proceed ahead today and
instruct the City Attorney to do -- write the ballot language. It doesn't give you any
obligation, you're not bound by anything, and we can come back and finish this on
the 27th.
Vice Chair Russell: I've made a motion at this point, so we can second it, discuss it,
and then if you guys want to direct the City Attorney today, we can, like I said --
Commissioner Carollo: It was second.
Vice Chair Russell: It was seconded.
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah.
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Chair Hardemon: Well, I'd like to put that, certainly, it seems to me that even the
motion to direct the City Attorney to do something is more -- it's just ceremonial, if
you will. I guess it's a show of respect, because if not -- if the City Attorney were to
draft something like this, I'm assuming, and one of us found -- or if it was discovered
through some sort of Chapter 119 request, then we would all be looking like, "Well,
where did this come from?" So, 1 kind of look at this part more as ceremonial,
whereas the -- But 1 will say, though, that the language -- So if we were amending
this for her to write ballot language, we would want to include something like the
percentage that our -- that's stated, because you want to give it some degree of
attractiveness for the community, so including -- I call it -- I just wrote something
called a -- well, having some sort of fund to kind of save these homes, if you will, but
-- So I think that we could certainly pass this today, with the language that we want
in it, but we don't have to. I think you're absolutely right that we can do both of them
on the 27th, as well.
Commissioner Suarez: And my issue is this, guys: It's -- your idea's a great idea,
you know. Understanding the financials, which I think is at least 50 percent of the
puzzle here, is important, if not critical. So we have had how long to negotiate this
deal? Why is the appraisal due beyond the time that we have to vote on this deal?
Chair Hardemon: No. You're absolutely right.
Commissioner Suarez: You know what I'm saying?
Chair Hardemon: You're absolutely right.
Commissioner Suarez: Like, there's just no reason. So to me, I just think, from a
process perspective, it doesn't make sense. Why would you, you know, order an
appraisal with not enough time -- You could've ordered it six months ago; could
have ordered it four months ago -- I mean -- to get it on for us to analyze it and make
sure that it's the right decision before we vote on it; even to instruct the City Attorney
to write the question? So that's the concern that I have.
Mr. Tachmes: Mr. Chairman.
Vice Chair Russell: And Mr. Chairman, if you noticed in your draft agenda -- it's
been taken out of the final -- but in your draft agenda, there was an Exhibit "B" with
draft language for the ballot actually on it. It was a mess, but it was there. And so, I
know that the City Attorney's already working on it. The developer is also working
on it, as well. This won't stop that train. I think it's an issue of I appreciate
the patience of this dais to say that "If it's not right, we will wait. We're not going to
allow lack of preparation to force an emergency on our side in terms of malting a
decision without all the facts before us. This is a pretty key part of the decision." I
don't want to sound negative on it, because I do want to see this succeed.
Commissioner Suarez: Me, neither.
Vice Chair Russell: I want it to get a chance to get to the voters so we can really
hear from them: They want a hotel; they don't want a hotel; and if they do, we're
going to do it in a good way; and if they don't, you'll have a clearer picture from
them. But I don't want it in limbo .fbr next few years. So, you know, we've got a
motion to defer the item. I think we've got some diligence to do between now and the
27th. We absolutely can pass both things on the 27th.
Mr. Tachmes: I --
Vice Chair Russell: We can. And there --
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Mr. Tachmes: Mr. Vice Chair, I --
Vice Chair Russell: -- won't be any violation of process or illegality with regard to
it.
Mr. Tachmes: -- strongly recommend you instruct the City Attorney today. She's
told you she needs two meetings to do this. So if you don't do it today, and you don't
meet again before September, you blow the elections deadline. So you -- it's --
again, there's no obligation for you to say -- instruct her to proceed. You can come
back on the 27th and just throw everything out the window; there's no obligation.
Why wouldn't you do that? I mean, if you do it -- if you try to do it, and she's telling
you that it's going to take two meetings, you're done.
Ms. Mendez: Now, let's just clarify this then for the record. Commissioners, you are
all fine with having both items on the next agenda. This is something that you're fine
with. I just -- we need to put this on the record then so that there is no question that
it was improperly placed, or what have you. You all have read the material; you
want some more time. And if you are fine with that, then it needs to just be clear for
the record that that's how you want to proceed, and that I am not doing anything that
you did not instruct me to do.
Chair Hardemon: All right. Well --
Ms. Mendez: That is what I would --
Chair Hardemon: -- it's been properly moved and seconded. Is there any further
discussion on the motion to defer it to the next agenda, including the language -- or
possible language for the ballot?
Ms. Mendez: So you will not be offended if I bring the other language --
Mr. Tachmes: So --
Ms. Mendez: -- stating to put it on the ballot? That's all I need permission from you.
Chair Hardemon: Just bring a big, red pen.
Mr. Tachmes: Mr. Chair, just to clam then, so we can do it then on the 27th?
Madan City Attorney, the whole thing could be done without the need for another
meeting?
Vice Chair Russell: Correct. We'll have two items.
Ms. Mendez: So we'll hear the -- "Madam City Attorney instructs you to draft," and
the ballot there, but it just needs to be clear -- and the ballot language. We just have
to hear them in order. They have to be two separate items.
Mr. Tachmes: Okay.
Ms. Mendez: And the Commission is saying that they are fine with it at this meeting,
and are allowing it to be placed in the other one.
Mr. Tachmes: We can finish at the next meeting completely, if they vote in favor?
M. Mendez: Yes, yes.
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Mr. Tachmes: Okay. Thank you.
Ms. Mendez: If they decide to vote that way.
Mr. Tachmes: Thank you. Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: Any fitrther discussion on the motion that's on the floor?
Nathan Kurland: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Chair Hardemon: Yes. Yes, sir.
Commissioner Suarez: Of course.
Chair Hardemon: Yes, sir.
Mr. Kurland: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Commissioner Suarez: You got to come to the mike, Nathan.
Commissioner Carollo: Come to the podium.
Commissioner Suarez: You got to come to the mike, buddy.
Vice Chair Russell: He's trying to be the peanut gallery.
Chair Hardemon: Yeah.
Mr. Kurland: Normally, I start out with something amusing, but I wasn't amused
today. My next -door neighbor came up to me this morning and told me that he was
addicted to brake fluid, and I told him the one good, positive thing was he could stop
anv time.
Commissioner Gort.• And you are?
Mr. Kurland: My name is Nathan Kurland, 3132 Day Avenue. Thank you,
Commissioner.
Commissioner Suarez: I was wondering about you (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Mr. Kurland: I just wanted to make sure, Mr. Chair, that we will -- the public will
be offered a time to speak during the particular object under discussion, which is the
hotel.
Chair Hardemon: You know, we normally -- how we do our public comment.
Mr. Kurland: I do.
Chair Hardemon: However, as always, as the standing rule, if there is a great need
for a member of the public to speak and the board finds it necessary, they will be
allowed to speak.
Mr. Kurland: I have that great need.
Chair Hardemon: Right.
Mr. Kurland: Would it he possible to speak two minutes today?
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Chair Hardemon: Well, today, on this --
Mr. Kurland: Right now.
Chair Hardemon: -- on a deferral?
Vice Chair Russell: On a deferral.
Mr. Kurland: Yes.
Vice Chair Russell: On deferral.
Chair Hardemon: You want to speak on a deferral?
Mr. Kurland: Yes, because it has to do with what's coming back on the 27th, and if
given your permission, I would love to speak on that. As Commissioner Russell
fairly pointed out, stakeholders should be given the opportunity to voice their
opposition or pleasure at a particular project. We do not have a history of that. The
residents of Coconut Grove, 10 of 11 precincts, voted against the shopping center
parking garage, and the redoing of Scotty's, and the Chart House, and yet, we had
nothing to say regarding this being put in our neighborhood by other people outside
of our neighborhood. The Bayside Marketplace, 103-foot bungee jump is supposed
to he one question per ballot question. That ballot had additional 72,000 square
feet, two more floors of parking 103-story bungee jump. I mean, it was supposed to
be one question. When we tried to file a lawsuit, we found out that we, the residents
of the City of Miami, who own this property, are -- we don't -- we're not -- we had no
standing. Why an owner of a particular property has no standing, I don't know, but
that seems to be the history in the Third DCA (District Court of Appeal). I would
just like to make one point clear: That if we're going to put a ballot question on the
ballot that we do not frame the ballot question like we framed issues corning on this
agenda, because without a college degree, you can't even tell what many of the
things you're discussing are all about. Can this ballot question just say, "Do you
favor a hotel or do you not?" Can we make it in English so that people actually
know that we're voting on one question and one question only? Unfortunately, it
gets so obfuscated here -- that means "hard to understand, " for those of you who
may not know.
Commissioner Suarez: What is that? Are you talking English?
Mr. Kurland: I practiced that word all day.
Chair Hardemon: I would have skipped that question on the ballot.
Mr. Kurland: I would just like to make sure that whatever we decide to do, it's --
people can understand the question, and that there's only one question per ballot
question. Thank you for the time, Commissioner.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you, sir. Any further discussion on the motion to continue
-- or defer? Seeing none, all in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: All against? That motion shall carry.
Mr. Tachmes: Thank you.
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RE.6 RESOLUTION
2576
Department of Real
Estate and Asset
Management
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), DIRECTING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO
PREPARE AN AMENDMENT TO THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA ("CHARTER") FOR CONSIDERATION AT THE
REFERENDUM SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD
CONCURRENTLY WITH THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION
SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 7, 2017, PROPOSING, UPON
APPROVAL OF THE ELECTORATE, TO AMEND SECTION 29-B
OF THE CHARTER ENTITLED "CITY -OWNED PROPERTY SALE
OF LEASE -GENERALLY," TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY
COMMISSION BY A FOUR -FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE,
TO WAIVE COMPETITIVE BIDDING AND TO EXECUTE AN
AMENDED AND RESTATED LEASE WITH HYATT EQUITIES, LLC,
TO EXTEND THE CURRENT LEASE TERM TO A TOTAL OF
NINETY-NINE (99) YEARS, WITH AN ANNUAL BASE RENT
PAYABLE TO THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") OF AT LEAST TWO
MILLION DOLLARS ($2,000,000.00), PLUS ADDITIONAL
PERCENTAGE RENT FOR OTHER USES, WITH RESTRICTIONS,
REVERSIONS, AND RETENTION BY THE CITY OF ALL OTHER
RIGHTS, TO BE REDEVELOPED PURSUANT TO A
COMPREHENSIVE REDEVELOPMENT MASTER PLAN
INCORPORATING THE JAMES L. KNIGHT CONVENTION
CENTER LAND REQUIRING CITY COMMISSION APPROVAL.
MOTION TO: Withdraw
RESULT: WITHDRAWN
MOVER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair
SECONDER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing item RE.6, please see
"Public Comment Period for Regular Item(s) " and item RE.8.
Chair Hardemon: All right, so we're done with our PZ (Planning & Zoning)
agenda. We'll move back to our regular agenda. I guess we can start with RE.5.
Daniel 1 Alfonso (City Manager): Mr. Chairman, if I may request, in briefings this
week, in meeting with Commissioner Russell, he has clarified for us an idea as to
how we should develop the Hyatt property, and I want direction from the
Commission on that item. If the direction is to follow along those lines, we will need
to withdraw this item and continue discussion with Hyatt for future development, but
it would not be on this agenda. So I would like the Commissioner to explain to all of
us exactly, so we understand how he would like that space to be developed.
Vice Chair Russell: I've got a small -- a few slides to show here for the public and
for the Commissioners.
Chair Hardemon: We're bringing our attention to RE.6.
Vice Chair Russell: So, if you can picture from the Brickell Bridge on the Miami
River to the Metromover Station at Fort Dallas Park, this is a jewel of an asset that
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the City holds. We have all but one -- control of all hut one piece of that vast
property there. Currently, the Hyatt Hotel, the Knight Center -- Convention Center,
and then there's a hotel that we don 't own, a very -- a thin one right there, and then
the Fort Dallas Park. There has been recent interest in redeveloping the Fort Dallas
Park and the historic structure; that's coming along well. How we move forward
with Hyatt. They have a few years left on their existing lease, then they have some
renewals, but as happens in a lot of these long-term leases, the building itself is not
up to par anymore. A lot of work needs to be done. It's not the jewel of a hotel it
should be for our community. And so, I know that the Manager and our Real Estate
Asset Management team had been working for quite some time with the Hyatt to put
together a new deal, and that's what we're looking at today. It has a extension on
their lease; it has an extension of their footprint to where they would completely
assume the Knight Center, and it would involve basically raising the entire thing;
destroying the entire thing and starting from scratch on a new plan. As I've said for
the last year -- and this is a point of contention I've had with the management -- is at
what point does the public get brought in? At what point do the Commissioners get
brought in to represent the public, and generate the policy through which we will
move forward with these projects and plans? And I've said, "I want to know what's
coming down the road." I don't know how many times I did that. I want to know
what's way down the road; not just before we vote on it. The first time this was
brought to me was April 19; I was given a briefing on basically the deal already
done with. Hyatt, and I expressed at that meeting my goal to see green space included
in the redevelopment. We've had two subsequent discussions here on the dais with
regard to this, wondering -- which I even held up a photo and talked about it -- the
potential for this to be a multimodal transit hub of water taxis; the Metromover,
which is already there; the bay walk, which should be developed, and a
transformational park for that section of downtown. If you can picture coming from
1-95 into downtown, there is a downtown distributor -- it's called "Viaduct" -- that
takes cars and drops them right at the Brickell Bridge. It's a big part of our
congestion issue that's down there. That could physically come down much earlier if
the willingness of FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) were there, and we
plan this entire thing out properly. It's not a lot of reconstruction. It's really
removal of the viaducts. And then there are already existing roads that come down
at Miami Avenue. All of it, all oft--95's drop-off could come down to Miami Avenue,
which would then lead into this property; instead of dropping it right -- everybody
right at the Brickell Bridge. So I was told, `Don't worry about it. We're going to
have a master planning process after this, after we vote on it, after the public votes
on it; then we'll have a master planning process in which we can inject the green
space." But I've said all along, our partner needs to know what we're expecting of
them to see if they're still on board with that, to see if this is something that they can
work with, so I've asked about it. "What is it? What is it?" And so, I've been told,
"Don't worry; the master planning will come down the road." In those discussions
that I was having on the dais about looking to see a park, Bernard Zvscovich came to
my office and said, `1 heard what you said on the dais. Did you know we've already
done a master plan for that area?" And he brought the plans of almost 10 years ago
that were developed for downtown, recognizing that that viaduct, which you can see
on the screen going through there, splits the rest of downtown off from this river
district, which could be a very vital and vibrant area of downtown. And the concept,
you can see what it looks like now on the left, and what this rendering from that
master planning process, which ended up to being the cover of a book on urbanism,
involves. If we ever had the chance to redevelop that Hyatt site, what would you do
with it? And in this particular case, you've got the hotel pushed to the north side of
the lot, giving them an entire front park and garden amenity, and a better view down
toward the river, but still giving them a significant pedestal for parking, ballrooms,
conference rooms, and everything, and plenty of tower space for a first-class hotel
for downtown. This would involve a couple things. And part of this concept 1 like,
and part of it I'm not crazy about. You can see, you've also got a street going here
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on the right side, which bifurcates between the hotel and the park. If you could go to
the next slide, please. So these are taken from that master plan, and this is basically
an aerial view of that exact concept that was vetted out 10 years ago. This is one of
the options that was presented. And you can see right where the words "Miami
River" are, that block right there is the Hyatt, the Knight Center, the Fort Dallas
Park, and you can see the number 8 and the number 2 there. Number 2 is the
proposal of where the Hyatt would be, and number 8 is an open space green park.
By complete coincidence, this master planning that had been done 10 years ago falls
very much in line with what my hopes of a park and green space could be. It could
honor our history that could really welcome the area. You've got Fort Dallas Park;
it could become our Julia Tuttle Park, for all we, you know, could decide. Who
knows what it could be.
Chair Hardemon: You have to name it after Tequesta Indians.
Vice Chair Russell: Well, to make up for Fort Dallas and what that's named after,
all right. So -- if you could go to the next slide, please. This is just a napkin drawing
of mine in order to accomplish this. Basically, you've got the lot here, as we have it
now. It could get bigger than that, because f you see to the left of this is this River
Park Inn or the Clarion Motel, which is not under our control; and then to the left of
that, we do have control. But what we know we're dealing with in this particular
discussion right now about Hyatt is everything from that little Southeast 4th Street
that winds along the downtown distributor -- you can picture it -- and it comes in
line with Brickell Avenue. It's a labyrinth of streets in there. It's not very well
organized. It's not very well planned. But that's a city street in there, and we could
potentially vacate that street, move Hyatt against the distributor, petition FDOT to
get rid of the distributor, and then you'd have -- right where Biscayne Boulevard
Way -- you see on the right here, that's where you come off the Brickell Bridge and
you turn right toward the Epic and everything there. That street could line up with a
grand paseo that goes along the edge of this park. You can picture this in the cities
of Europe, under the Eiffel Tower; broad walking spaces that are well lit, with shade
trees that are basically the entrances to large and welcoming parks; and then
everything south of that to the water's edge would include the river walk, the
greenway, as you'd call it; and this park, which can yet be designed, but this leaves
to the north of that 220 feet from north to south, on the east side of the project, for
Hyatt to develop, and on the west side of that lot would be 190 feet north to south.
This is as big or bigger than what the JW Marriott has across the street, that block.
This is a very significant piece of land on which to develop a sufficient Hyatt Hotel
that could service downtown, be world -class, and have one of our greatest parks.
This is not an idea just being pulled out of the air. This has been master planned. It
should be vetted with the public. It should be something that the Hyatt is very willing
to consider. I don't think bringing this idea into play should completely cancel the
idea. I don't think -- unless Hyatt looks at this and says, "Listen, we're gone. This
doesn 't work. for us, and we don't want to talk," which I think would be a premature
-no," because it's a negotiation. They should be at the table. We should be talking
about the potentials. What would the size of that park be? What would it be? But if
it's a non -starter for them, then it's a non -starter for me. And I believe that -- I
haven't heard that from them, so I don't want to put words in their mouth. I really
believe their probable intention was thinking that they had the entire property to
develop for a hotel use and business space and convention use, but I was only
brought in the discussion after the deal was pretty much made, so these dreams of
the City that I would like to start talking about never had a chance. Well, here we
are today, and this is the chance. Ifit's going to get on the ballot this fall, I'm going
to say that there would need to be an amendment in here requiring this green space
that's developed with a hotel partner. This could also be an incredible staging area
for other projects in the vicinity. If we start move -- getting forward movement on
the tunnel, you've got this entire area along with river here now which can stage and
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develop the construction for not only that hotel, hut the tunnel and bridge
improvements and whatever. This is thinking big, hut this is what we need to do.
And I'm willing to go to the table with the Hyatt, if necessary. If they're not
interested, I'm willing to look for new partners, but I don't think that's necessary.
I'd like to work with them. 1 think they've been a good partner. 1 think they can be
the right future partner for here. And 1 think -- once they study the numbers and we
negotiate a little, 1 think that they'll see the benefit of having this jewel of a green
space in front of their hotel on the river. For the Manager to tell me that this just
kills the deal right out, I think that's a shame, because I've been asking to talk about
this park and the plan, and how this park could be involved for quite some time. I
just haven't been at the table enough to do so. I've only met with Hyatt the one time.
So that's where I am on this item. If there's a way for it to move forward with this
involved, and then an incredible campaign of public input, I'm -- you know, I'm not
opposed to this trying to get on the ballot for this fall, if it's fully worked out. That
doesn't even take into account the financial issues of appraisal and projections with
regard to this hotel, and so I know that the whole dais will be interested in chiming
in on that. But this is the part that I was injecting; that the Manager's concern that
may put the project in jeopardy altogether, so I wanted to lead off with that. Thank
you.
Daniel J. Alfonso (City Manager): Commissioners, these changes are significantly
different from what we had thought, obviously. We have no objection to continuing
the discussion with the Hyatt group. My only statement is that this will not be
resolved over the next few days, so there's no time to really get this on the agenda.
So I would just respectfully request to withdraw this item, and we will continue
discussing with them, and that will be a future development of the City.
Chair Hardemon: When does the -- their lease expire?
Mr. Alfonso: The initial portion -- Is it eight years? 2028, the initial portion, and
then they have two extensions beyond that of -- 50? 50 years beyond that.
Vice Chair Russell: Now, those are --
Chair Hardemon: But the --
Vice Chair Russell: I'm sorry.
Chair Hardemon: -- initial expiration, we can terminate --
Mr. Alfonso: No.
Chair Hardemon: -- if we (UNINTELLIGIBLE)?
Mr. Alfonso: It's at their option, I believe. Correct?
Chair Hardemon: Their option to extend?
Mr. Alfonso: It's their option to extend.
Chair Hardemon: Vice Chairman.
Commissioner Suarez: Mr. Chair.
Vice Chair Russell: I -- you know, if it stays at -- in its current state, it's untenable
for beyond that eight years. 1 think they know and we know it needs to be
redeveloped.
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Mr. Alfonso: What's that again? Okay, so 2023, and then 45 years remaining after
that.
Vice Chair Russell: All right, 2023 is right around the corner.
Mr. Alfonso: Correct.
Vice Chair Russell: And I think it's decision time for us, together, as partners.
Mr. Alfonso: Right. The 2023 will be a decision time, but it is their option. So if
they choose to keep it, they keep it. If they don't, and they want to redevelop at that
time, then we can introduce all these ideas, or we can continue to talk about these
ideas, and it could be a next -year item or the year after.
Commissioner Suarez: Mr. Chair. Go ahead. Go ahead, go ahead, finish.
Vice Chair Russell: Yeah. I do want to stay at the discussions. I don't -- you know,
if this changes the wording and the negotiation of the deal, and the percentages and
everything, you know, enough that we need to go back to the table, then that's where
I am. We still have time leading into the sunset of the initial term. If for example,
we can come to an agreement, because they want all of the property, including the
Knight Center. which they're not entitled to, by the way -- you know, in an extension,
that's an additional, very large piece of land that we're including in the deal. You
know, what would they be able to do with the property as it is under the current
extensions? Not much. The hotel really needs reinvestment. It really needs
redevelopment. So I don't think either party is in a position to just leave it status
quo. I don't think it's very tenable for them to trigger the extensions with the
property in its current state without their ability to get extensions to the lease that
would allow them to finance the improvements that would be needed. So I think
we're at a point where we do need to come together. I would have liked to have had
this discussion earlier, leading up to now, but it's not enough for me to say that
there'll be a master plan at some point in the future. It's the cart before the horse to
say that we shouldn't at least put the minimum requirements of what we're expecting
to see from this property as it gets redeveloped in this ballot language. And I think it
actually would help the ballot language pass with the public to recognize that this is
an amenity that they'll be bringing, and not just a financial transaction to improve
the hotel that they have. So I'd -- if it's necessary to withdraw the item, I'm open to
that. I'd like to hear from the other Commissioners, their thoughts on the process. I
don't know that we were ready to go on this to start with, with regard to the
appraisals, because I don't know that we've gotten the appraisals yet for financial
projections on this, but that's where I am, gentlemen.
Chair Hardemon: Commissioner Suarez.
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah. I think, unfortunately, this one is just not ready. If we
go in a different direction -- which I actually love the direction that you're going in,
because, number one, I think the I-95 distributor is a huge problem for downtown. I
work across the street at the JW Marriott building, so I experience it every, single
day. And I do think that there isn't sufficient -- or there hasn't been sufficient
discussions with reference to staging for the tunnel. I don't think there's an urgency
to do it now, and I don't think you can reconfigure the deal in two weeks with
appraisals and all the things that have to be done to ensure that we're getting fair
market value for the deal. So I would second the withdrawal.
Commissioner Gort: May I (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
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Chair Hardemon: Commissioner Gort.
Commissioner Gort: Has anyone talked to DOT (Department of Transportation)
about the -- closing that --?
Mr. Alfonso: No, and that's why -- There's a lot of issues here. You got the FDOT
right-of-way; there's an FPL (Florida Power & Light) electrical facility on the
corner, so there's a lot of discussion to be had. That's why we don't believe that this
could be resolved in a couple of days or weeks, so it is best to -- if we're going to
follow this idea as -- it's a wonderful vision; I'm okay with it, but it would require
further discussion (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Commissioner Gort: No, I understand. The second question is, the Knight Center
used to belong -- it was a contract with the University of Miami; am I correct, and
not with the Hyatt?
Mr. Alfonso: The Knight Center doesn't belong to the Hyatt. The Knight Center is
City of Miami.
Commissioner Gort: It's ours?
Mr. Alfonso: Yes.
Vice Chair Russell: There was a deal with the University.
Commissioner Gort: It was a deal that we were going to do with the University of
Miami, and it was going to pay for itself, it never did. The second is, my
understanding is, where you proposing the park, I understand there's a place there
for the Indians.
Vice Chair Russell: The Miami Circle.
Commissioner Gort: No, no, no. The Miami Circle across the street. Right here in
the Hyatt, they found some bones in there, so you got to look at -- right next to the
park, my understanding, there's a little area that cannot be built or anything,
because there has to be grass in case they have to go back in, so you have to check
on that also.
Mr. Alfonso: We'll have to look at that.
Commissioner Gort: Okay. Okay.
Chair Hardemon: If I may, it's a beautiful vision. It reminds me of when you think
about -- And what's special about Chicago, in their downtown area, they don't build
directly on the waterfront; partly, so that people who come to the area -- anybody,
no matter how much money you have -- you can experience the waterfront and enjoy
it. So, you know, it's a wonderful vision to have, and I think you're right in the sense
that this is the time to really start to express that vision, so, I mean, it's certainly
worth looking into. When I think about some of these things, you know, they're 99
years long, so, you know, I won't be here when a lot of these things come up again.
Commissioner Gort: I know I won't be here.
Vice Chair Russell: This is our chance, though.
Chair Hardemon: So --
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Vice Chair Russell: This is our chance.
Chair Hardemon: Yeah. And so, I think that's special, to he able to leave this type
of legacy for the community, so it's a good thing to look into.
Vice Chair Russell: One last comment to Commissioner Gort's question about
FDOT. They've been a very good partner with us on working on the Brickell Bridge
alleviation and the different issues with regard to that. I'll be glad to bring this up
with them about changing the downtown distributor, but with or without that change,
this plan does work. The Hyatt can still abut the distributor, even as it is, if we
vacate Southeast 4th Street. The elimination of that viaduct would just be a bonus,
honestly. It would really help with the congestion, and give them a better grand
entrance into the Hyatt, as it were, but it's not contingent. We could still forward
this plan even without FDOT.
Commissioner Gort: That idea was -- goes back 10, 15 years; not only here at the --
this area here next to the Hyatt, but some of the other places where they were trying
to cut it to come down before to create -- to avoid the traffic on Biscayne Boulevard
and some of that, so they have studied that, and they have that on their mind. I think
the Hyatt should be able to look at this, and it could be a very. -- better deal for them.
It could be something more attractive.
Mr. Alfonso: Well take it to them.
Commissioner Gort: So there's a motion.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: So if --
Vice Chair Russell: It's withdrawn.
Chair Hardemon: I'll take the Vice Chairman's -- his discussion as a motion, and
Commissioner Suarez as a second, and the item will be withdrawn without objection.
All right.
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RE.7 RESOLUTION
2297
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Department of Real ATTACHMENT(S), DIRECTING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO
Estate and Asset PREPARE AN AMENDMENT TO THE CHARTER FOR
Management CONSIDERATION AT THE REFERENDUM SPECIAL ELECTION
TO BE HELD CONCURRENTLY WITH THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL
ELECTION SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 7, 2017, PROPOSING,
UPON APPROVAL OF THE ELECTORATE, TO AMEND SECTION
29-B OF THE CHARTER ENTITLED "CITY -OWNED PROPERTY
SALE OF LEASE -GENERALLY," TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY
COMMISSION BY A FOUR -FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE,
TO WAIVE COMPETITIVE BIDDING, AND TO EXECUTE A FIFTH
AMENDMENT ("FIFTH AMENDMENT"), IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE
ATTACHED FORM, TO THE LEASE AGREEMENT ("LEASE")
BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") AND ALIGNED
BAYSHORE MARINA LLC ("BAYSHORE MARINA") FOR CITY -
OWNED PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2550 SOUTH BAYSHORE
DRIVE, MIAMI, FLORIDA ("PROPERTY") TO MODIFY CERTAIN
PROVISIONS OF THE LEASE AS STATED HEREIN, INCLUDING
THE EXTENSION OF THE CURRENT LEASE TERM BY AN
ADDITIONAL TERM OF APPROXIMATELY THIRTY-TWO (32)
YEARS, WITH TWO (2) ADDITIONAL TEN (10) YEAR OPTIONS TO
RENEW, AN ADDITIONAL MINIMUM RENT PAYMENT OF TWO
HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($200,000.00) PER LEASE
YEAR (A MINIMUM OF TEN MILLION DOLLARS [$10,000,000.00]
OVER THE BASE TERM OF THE AMENDED LEASE EXCLUDING
RENEWAL OPTIONS), OR ONE AND THREE QUARTERS
PERCENT (1.75%) OF GROSS RENT RECEIPTS DERIVED FROM
THE PROPERTY; WHICHEVER IS GREATER, AS ADDITIONAL
RENT DUE TO THE CITY, INCLUSIVE OF SIGNIFICANT CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PROPERTY OF A MINIMUM OF SEVEN
MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($7,500,000.00)
TO BE SPENT WITHIN THREE (3) YEARS OF APPROVAL OF THE
FIFTH AMENDMENT BY THE ELECTORATE, THE CREATION OF
A CAPITAL ACCOUNT REQUIRING A MINIMUM ADDITIONAL
INVESTMENT TO THE PROPERTY OF FOUR MILLION DOLLARS
($4,000,000.00) OVER THE FULL AMENDED LEASE TERM
INCLUDING RENEWAL OPTIONS, IMPLEMENTATION OF A
TRANSFER FEE IF THE PROPERTY IS TRANSFERRED OR
ASSIGNED, A REFINANCING FEE SHOULD THE PROPERTY BE
REFINANCED AFTER THE INITIAL REFINANCING, AND
PURSUANT TO THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, ("CHARTER") SECTION 29-B ENTITLED "CITY OWNED
PROPERTY SALE OR LEASE -GENERALLY," AND SUBPART A,
SECTION 3 (F)(III), ENTITLED "POWERS," TWO (2)
INDEPENDENT APPRAISALS OBTAINED BY THE CITY
AFFIRMING FAIR MARKET VALUE OF THE FIFTH AMENDMENT;
FURTHER PROVIDING FOR CONSENT TO THE RELATED
SUBMERGED LANDS LEASE AND WAIVER OF DEED
RESTRICTIONS REQUIRED FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA;
SUBJECT TO APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT BY
REFERENDUM, CONSENT TO THE RELATED SUBMERGED
LAND LEASE, AND WAIVER OF DEED RESTRICTIONS BY THE
STATE OF FLORIDA; WITH ADDITIONAL TERMS AND
CONDITIONS MORE PARTICULARLY SET FORTH IN THE FIFTH
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AMENDMENT.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0322
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
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing item RE. 7, please see
"Public Comment Period for RegularItem(s)" and item RE.8.
Chair Hardemon: RE.7.
Commissioner Gort: We're going to have the appraisal?
Chair Hardemon: And --
Daniel Rotenberg (Director/Department of Real Estate & Asset Management):
RE.7.
Chair Hardemon: --, for time sake --
Commissioner Gort: Do we have the appraisal?
Chair Hardemon: -- the same thing that I said earlier about the percentage, I
proffered it to this, as well, the ballot; any development deal that's going on the
ballot.
Mr. Rotenberg: We can let the developer address that. But Commissioner, RE.7 --
Commissioners, RE.7 -- Daniel Rotenberg, Department of Real Estate & Asset
Management. This is the resolution directing the City Attorney to prepare
referendum language for a lease extension for the Aligned Bayshore Marina down
the block from City Hall. I don't know whether or not I've had this time to speak with
the developer about the percentage to go to the affordable housing; I will, and I will
make it a priority.
Chair Hardemon: He haven't received the -- well --
Vice Chair Russell: Are we on RE.7?
Chair Hardemon: Yeah. We're on -- Is there someone who's speaking on the behalf
of the developer, for RE. 7? I want to recognize you.
Melissa Tapanes-Llahues: Good afternoon. Melissa Tapanes-Llahues, with the law
firm of Bercow Radell Fernandez & Larkin, at 200 South Biscayne Boulevard,
Miami. I'm here representing Aligned Bayshore Marina, LLC (Limited Liability
Company), the lessee of 2550 South Bayshore Drive, Miami's iconic Monty's
Coconut Grove. I'm here with Jose Hevia, the principal of and president of Aligned
Bayshore and principal of Prime Marina Group, and owner and operator of mixed
use destination marina properties in key geographic locations along the eastern
seaboard. We're prepared to make a full presentation or a brief one, or answer any
questions; it's at your pleasure.
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Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Mr. Chairman.
Chair Hardemon: You're recognized.
Vice Chair Russell: So I -- 1'm very thankful to the developer who's been very open
with me for the last year. I'd say we've been meeting about this issue and discussing,
you know, what their investment is, having taken the lease over from a previous
owner and the investment that they've put into it; knowing that the investment they've
been putting into it is at their own risk, because if we do not agree to the extension of
this lease, they are out this investment. And the extension is necessary in order for
them to finance the improvements that they're already making. And if you've been
down to Montv's here in the Grove, you've seen a new Sushi Maki there, you've seen
a Starbucks there, you've seen new pavers, open space; they've got further plans to
open up the area to the views of the bay. These are all things that I'm in favor of
and I believe the community are in favor of, as well. It's our job now to make sure
that it's a good deal before it goes to the voters. And I believe we're a little further
along on this one than maybe some of the others, because we do have appraisals on
this issue. If I understand correctly, we have two appraisals.
Mr. Rotenberg: We do. We have two appraisals.
Vice Chair Russell: And one of them came in a little bit below what the projection is
of what we're looking to get, and one of them came in above, if I'm not mistaken.
Mr. Rotenberg: The one -- one of them that came in below, we still have, again,
factual issues, different appraiser, but we review them. If the opinions are off it's
one thing. This has some factual issues. I believe that we're looking at a $1.5
million appraisal, based on the two of them, with the corrections that will be coming.
Vice Chair Russell: Right.
Mr. Rotenberg: Fair market value.
Vice Chair Russell.' But the revenue the City is going to generate does not have a
minimum requirement; it's just by straight percentage. And so, I'd like to make an
amendment that we do include a minimum rent; that in 2019, it starts at 1.5, which is
probably the average of the two appraisals, I'd say, because one of them was over
1.5; one of them was under; but 1.5 I think is a good number, and I've spoken with
the developer, as well. This would be an instituted minimum; and from there on, the
average steps would kick in. What is it? The average of the previous three years
would step in as the raises to the rent from that point forward; am I correct?
Mr. Rotenberg: Correct.
Vice Chair Russell: So that's -- so I'd like to move the item. I'd like to amend that to
be in there.
Commissioner Suarez: Second.
Vice Chair Russell: And beyond that, I think we can move on to the next step on this
project.
Commissioner Suarez: Second. Mr. Chair, can I be recognized?
Chair Hardemon: Um -hum.
Commissioner Suarez: Thank you. Yeah, 1 think this deal is different --
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Chair Hardemon: Wait. Before you go too far into praising the deal, I know I want
to get a response at least about the percentage. I mean --
Commissioner Suarez: Go ahead.
Ms. Tapanes-Llahues: We accept, absolutely. We've been in communication -- well
Jose Hevia: Mr. Chairman,1 think --
Chair Hardemon: Yes.
Mr. Hevia: Jose Hevia, president of Aligned Bayshore Marina. Mr. Chairman, the
minimum of rent that's been spoken at 1.5 is a sizable increase to where we are
today. And thinking this through, from your comments earlier, Mr. Chairman, we'd
like to -- for you to consider -- and the Chairs to consider -- the board to consider
$25,000 a year, which, over the 50 years, would be a million, two hundred and fifty.
It's a recurring amount of money. You could cap that at a number, and you could
draw against that number, so.
Vice Chair Russell: To go toward?
Mr. Hevia: To go towards the fund that the Chairman --
Commissioner Suarez: Single-family residential.
Mr. Hevia: -- Yeah.
Commissioner Suarez: Right.
Vice Chair Russell: I just wanted to clad it, because it wasn't
(UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Mr. Hevia: I'm sorry.
Chair Hardemon: The -- for the extension, it's an additional -- what? -- 200 -- is it
$200,000 over the current base rent?
Mr. Hevia: Well, today we pay 1,000,160, and what we're talking about is 1.5
million, so it's 360,000; and it's percentage, so it grows as our gross grows, which is
-- we're optimistic.
Chair Hardemon: Right. So -- and the point that I'm making -- I guess the point that
I'm coming to is that if you created a minimum, you know. deal -- I'm sure you've
done the financing to understand that that's your floor, so at the -- I don't want to say
at the worst times, but, you know, when you're least performing, you should be able
to at least meet your minimum rent. Everything from there, you planned on, you
know, greatly exceeding, I'm assuming.
Mr. Hevia: If the gross revenue -- so the way it works is the minimum is 1.5. If'we
do better, the way the lease is now structured in the amendment would be 11 point --
11 and three quarters on the office building, 11 and three quarters on the restaurant,
16 and three quarters on the marina. No one pays that kind of rent. And so as the
revenues grow, what we pay in rent grows. What we're establishing now with
Commissioner Russell's suggestion is a floor of 1.5.
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Chair Hardemon: Understood. So what I'm thinking is this -- and maybe
Commissioners, we can help -- say, for instance -- say we accept that $25,000 that
they want to give per year. I don't think that's a lot. I mean -- but it's 25,000, right?
And say one of the percentage points that they're giving us on a gross rent, et cetera,
may be from -- on our end, we can say, "Okay, let's dedicate that towards the fund,"
so that 25,000 plus 1 percent (UNINTELLIGIBLE). 1 think the gross receipts is like
7.5 percent.
Mr. Hevia: The gross currently that the property is generating is approximately
$11.2 million.
Chair Hardemon: But the percentage is 7.5, correct?
Mr. Hevia: The percentage is on -- so the revenue sources -- I'm sorry if I'm being
redundant.
Chair Hardemon: You're not. Just go ahead (UNINTELLIGIBLE). That's fine.
Mr. Hevia: No. The revenue sources are from three points.
Chair Hardemon: Right.
Mr. Hevia: The restaurant, the marina, and the office building. It's currently 10
percent of the office building, 10 percent of the restaurant, 15 percent of the marina.
Those are all going to jump up one and three quarter; 11 and three quarter 11 and
three quarter, 16 and three quarter.
Chair Hardemon: So maybe what we could do is like a third, a third, a third.
Daniel J. Alfonso (City Manager): Right. So Mr. Chairman, if I may propose
something. The percentages go up. They offered $25,000. That would be beyond
that percentage, right?
Mr. Hevia: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Suarez: Correct.
Mr. Alfonso: Okay.
Mr. Hevia: Yes, sir.
Mr. Alfonso: So we take that 25,000; thank you very much. If the Commission wants
to designate, you know, half a percent so it's 11 and a quarter; and then the 11 and
three quarters, the other half goes to that fund, we can work that out.
Commissioner Suarez: What was that? What was -- how is it?
Mr. Alfonso: So the rent is supposed to be 11 and three quarters.
Commissioner Suarez: No, I got that part. I got that part.
Mr. Alfonso: So half of a percent -- so 11 and a quarter then goes to the general
fund, for lack of a better word; the other half a percent goes to the fund --
Commissioner Suarez: Got it.
Mr. Alfonso: -- plus the --
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Commissioner Suarez: That's what thought.
Mr. Alfonso: -- $25,000.
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm cool with that. I'm good with
that.
Mr. Alfonso: Right.
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah, I'm good with that, and I think part of reason why --
and you're absolutely right; you sort of anticipated where I was going -- that this
deal is much, much better than the other ones is because the percentage of gross
numbers are dramatically more.
Chair Hardemon: Right.
Commissioner Suarez: They're higher. Plus, we have the appraisal, which is what
we were waiting for on the other deals to make sure that we have a base minimum
rent that takes into account fair market value, and two appraisals; not one. So I do
think it's different. I can live with the half a percent, plus $25,000. I think that's fair.
I think that's good. It also -- we do have to be mindful of the general fund, because,
you know. we are trying to grow the general fund; and we do have, you know,
responsibilities going forward, and this is a long-term commitment. So I'm fine with
that.
Vice Chair Russell: All right. So that would be in a second -- an additional
amendment to it.
Commissioner Suarez: Exactly.
Vice Chair Russell: And what's the name of the fund it would be going to?
Chair Hardemon: We haven't identified a --
Commissioner Suarez: SFR rehab.
Chair Hardemon: -- (UNINTELLIGIBLE) yet.
Commissioner Suarez: Single-family rehab fund.
Chair Hardemon: We haven't done a name. for it yet, but --
Commissioner Suarez: In CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) areas.
Chair Hardemon: -- I understand the spirit. I'll come up with a name.
Commissioner Gort: I think we had a name from (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Mr. Alfonso: We'll work an account number, I'm sure.
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Commissioner Gort: Yeah.
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
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Chair Hardemon: We got to make it a name that's (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Commissioner Suarez: B-01134.
Commissioner Gort: We got to make sure we have the right place where it's going to
go.
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah.
Ms. Tapanes-Llahues: Mr. Chairman, just to confirm what the Manager mentioned,
that this -- these funds come out of the one and three quarter percent, so you're just
saying how you're going to divvy it up.
Chair Hardemon: It's coming out of the percentage that you're already paying us --
Ms. Tapanes-Llahues: Perfect.
Chair Hardemon: -- so it's not on top of it.
Ms. Tapanes-Llahues: Yes.
Chair Hardemon: The 25,000 --
Ms. Tapanes-Llahues: Just wanted --
Chair Hardemon: -- is on top -- like I said, I don't think that's a lot. I think 25,000 -
- you know -- but certainly in -- where we are today, I appreciate the kind gesture
towards making it work, and I appreciate my colleagues in trying to find a way to
come to some resolution about this. The meeting that I had with the gentleman -- I
mean, I would love to be able to say, "We're going to identify some monies to help
you bring your property, you know, back to where it needs to be." And I'm sure
there's a lot of us in our districts that we know some houses that really need the help.
So, you know, you'll be a part of that. I just -- I look forward to seeing the success
that you have and all the developers have pour into the neighborhood. I think that's
- - it's a good way of --
Commissioner Suarez: Amen.
Chair Hardemon: -- putting that.
Commissioner Suarez: Amen.
Chair Hardemon: Any further comments? You're a citizen, sir; last time I checked,
at least.
Joe Carollo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Mr. Vice Chairman, members of the
Commission. It's good to see that we have a partner, a leaseholder, that's being
responsible, that's being fair, and is not coming here to take advantage of the
residents of Miami, like I've seen happen so many times in the past. And I appreciate
that, because this particular lease pays more than just about every other lease we
that have for the same service, whether it's restaurants, marinas, or office space.
This one's different than the other two that you dealt with earlier, and those I have
some issues with that I won't get into; I'll address this one. This one, on top of
getting top dollars, we're also getting an additional percentage and three quarters.
And even with that -- and I think this should be telling to this Commission -- out of
the two appraisals that are required under Charter, hack when we got the Charter
amendment passed in '87, even one is telling you that, "Hey, doesn't think that it's
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fair market value; that you're a little off still," and you should take that into
consideration with others that we have. But the point that I want to go into is that
what -- the leaseholder offer should be the standard for this Commission here on that
-- well, first of all, you should always get a minimum, if I may suggest that, from any
lease you're going to give or renegotiate; and at the same time, that you have a
percentage increase. I appreciate that he offered a flat amount in dollars, but we
should put a percentage increase of the minimum due payment to the City, which --
with the amounts that he's given, I will tell you that it'll be almost impossible for him
not to meet that. So I would suggest to you, first, that instead of just taking the
25,000, maybe you put in a 2 percent, that's 30,000; or two and a half that's
37-5 increase every year, and you use that for other leases in increasing the
minimum amount every year that they have to pay. Secondly of all, once someone --
in his case, I think he's done most of the work already, if not all -- gives you an
amount -- here, it's seven and a half million dollars -- that they're going to spent
[sic] on the project, that they're going to put into the project, and they're saying that
they're going to do it in "X" amount of time -- here, it was three years -- that you put
some stiff penalties, and you make it again a standard on all leases; that if they don't
meet that, every month they're going to pay "X" amount -- and it's going to be steep -
- until they keep their promise to us, and that's the only thing that I have to say in
here; that instead, first of all, taking the direct 25,000, put a percentage. This way,
you could, more or less, use that for other leaseholds in the City, and have something
to look at; and then put some kind of penalty on when they're going to finish, putting
the seven and a half million dollars in there; that they don't finish by the time they
said, each month there's a kicker, and they're going to have to pay a steep penalty.
Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: The -- thank you very much, sir. I forget the name of it. Is it the
cost of living increase? What's the percentage increase --?
Commissioner Carollo: Cost of living increase.
Chair Hardemon: Can we apply the COLA (Cost of Living Allowance)?
Commissioner Suarez: CPI (Consumer Price Index). The CPI.
Chair Hardemon: Well, CPI, the CPI, because this is 25,000 for the -- you know,
that amount. I mean, 25,000 today is not $25,000 tomorrow; certainly not 99 years
from now.
Mr. Hevia: So let's go -- and again, forgive me for being redundant again. If we
break down the revenue sources, Mr. Chairman, if you look at the office building,
every single one of the tenants in the office building have leases, and every single
one of those leases have increases. They're either based on CPI or 3 to 4 percent
annual, so it's already built in in the office. The same thing holds true with the
marina. On the marina, they are leases that are only one year. Typically, they're
either one month -- and this is by law, maritime law -- one month, six months, or one
year. They can't exceed one year. 98 percent of our marina tenants are one year,
and they all have increases as they renew every single year at 3 to 5 percent on the
marina. So it's already built in on the gross. The restaurant is a different story. The
restaurant, we're taking initiatives to try to increase our gross sales there, but
restaurants typically, in general, really don't have those built-in numbers in it. But
the bulk of what we have, which is the 60 percent of the revenues backing out the
restaurant, it all has built in there minimum 3 to 4 percent. So it's already built in.
Vice Chair Russell: I'm satisfied with it, as amended.
Commissioner Gort: Call the question.
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Vice Chair Russell: I think we've got a good deal here with the partner with -- and
implementing the minimum is the first big step. That's a big change --
Mr. Hevia: Thankyou.
Vice Chair Russell: -- that -- and I appreciate you coining to the table on that, and it
gives the City a lot more security, and there is an inherent and organic, and natural
growth that will come with that from there forward.
Chair Hardemon: Any fi'rther discussion? Would you like to say something, sir?
Frank Pichel: Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Frank Pichel, Mayor's staff in Code
Enforcement. I like the idea that you propose for that fund. May I make a
suggestion? I don't know where the funds go from the fines of Code Enforcement. I
think they go into the general fund. You might consider taking those funds and using
it for your project.
Chair Hardemon: Okay.
Mr. Pichel: Because we don't -- you know, I think we collect over half a million
dollars a year, and that we could help out a lot of families.
Chair Hardemon: Okay.
Mr. Pichel: Thankyou.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you for the suggestion. Seeing no further discussion from
the dais, is there -- there has been a motion; there has been a second, I believe. So
the motion is on the floor.
Commissioner Gort: Yes, there has.
Chair Hardemon: And no further discussion. All in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: All against? Motion passes.
Ms. Tapanes-Llahues: Thankyou.
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RE.8 RESOLUTION
2453
Department of Real
Estate and Asset
Management
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE
CITY ATTORNEY, (A) A SOVEREIGNTY SUBMERGED LANDS
LEASE MODIFICATION TO RE -CONFIGURE AND REDUCE
SQUARE FOOTAGE AND NUMBER OF WET SLIPS PURSUANT
TO BOT FILE NO.130034016 PA NO. 13-0315232-006-EM ("STATE
LEASE MODIFICATION") BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY")
AND THE STATE OF FLORIDA, BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT TRUST FUND ("STATE"), AND (B)
THE RELATED SUBMERGED LANDS SUBLEASE WITH ALIGNED
BAYSHORE MARINA LLC., AS SUBLESEE, FOR THE USE OF
STATE-OWNED SUBMERGED LANDS ("SUBMERGED LANDS")
LOCATED ADJACENT TO CITY -OWNED UPLAND PROPERTY AT
2550 SOUTH BAYSHORE DRIVE, MIAMI, FLORIDA ("UPLANDS")
COMMENCING MARCH 28, 2017 THROUGH JULY 1, 2024, WITH
AN ANNUAL PAYMENT OF TWO THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED
TWO DOLLARS AND TWELVE CENTS ($2,602.12) SUBJECT TO
ANNUAL INCREASES PURSUANT TO THE FLORIDA
ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, AND ANY AND ALL STATE LEASE
MODIFICATION PROCESSING AND RENEWAL FEE(S), IF ANY,
AND AT NO COSTS TO THE CITY, WITH TERMS AND
CONDITIONS MORE PARTICULARLY SET FORTH IN THE STATE
LEASE MODIFICATION; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE FUTURE
SUBMERGED LANDS LEASE AND RELATED SUBMERGED
LANDS SUBLEASE RENEWALS, AMENDMENTS, AND
MODIFICATIONS, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, PROVIDED THAT SUCH SUBMERGED LANDS
LEASE AND RELATED SUBMERGED LANDS SUBLEASE
RENEWALS, AMENDMENTS AND MODIFICATIONS DO NOT
CONTAIN MATERIAL AMENDMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO
THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SAID STATE LEASE
MODIFICATION.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0323
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Chair Hardemon: RE.5.
Commissioner Suarez: Mr. Chair, can I make a suggestion? Either do all the other
ones and then table this to the afternoon, or I can make another suggestion on how
to dispose of them.
Chair Hardemon: On the --
Commissioner Suarez: 5, 6, and 7.
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Chair Hardemon: Okay.
Commissioner Suarez: Which one do you want to hear first?
Chair Hardemon: You think that these will be -- will involve much more discussion;
is that what you're saying?
Commissioner Suarez: 1 do, number one.
Chair Hardemon: Okay. We can handle other items that are less controversial, if
you will, so --
Commissioner Suarez: Right.
Chair Hardemon: -- on the RE (Resolution) Agenda. For instance, I'm looking at
maybe RE.8, even 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. Those all seem to be noncontroversial,
but that's up to the body. So --
Commissioner Suarez: I'm fine with that. I mean I -- subject to -- I think
Commissioner Carollo wanted to table one of them, but as long as he's fine with that,
I'm good with that.
Commissioner Carollo: I'm going to table RE -- with -- except we mentioned we
were going to table RE.9.
Chair Hardemon: RE.9, that's correct.
Commissioner Carollo: And I think we need to -- that CRA (Community
Redevelopment Agency) budget does need to have some discussion.
Commissioner Suarez: You want to table that one, too?
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Table it or --
Commissioner Suarez: I'll move 8, 10, 11, 13 -- I'm sorry, not 13. You said -- yeah,
13, and 14, and 15. Is that what everyone agrees on?
Commissioner Carollo: Let's take -- can we table RE.12 and 13 together?
Commissioner Suarez: Okay. So excluding --
Commissioner Carollo: All the others.
Commissioner Suarez: -- exclusive of 13, so 14 and 15.
Commissioner Carollo: Yes.
Chair Hardemon: So the motion on the floor is to approve agenda items RE.8, 9, 11
Commissioner Suarez: No, no. 9 is tabled.
Chair Hardemon: -- 10 --
Commissioner Gort: 9 is out.
Chair Hardemon: I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
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Commissioner Carollo: Item 9 is tabled.
Chair Hardemon: Item 8, 10, 11 --
Commissioner Suarez: 14 and 15.
Chair Hardemon: -- 14 and 15.
Commissioner Carollo: Yes.
Commissioner Suarez: Right.
Chair Hardemon: Is there a second?
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved and seconded. Any further discussion?
Hearing none, all in favor of the item, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: Motion passes.
RE.9 RESOLUTION
2341
Department of Real
Estate and Asset
Management
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
("AGREEMENT"), IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM,
BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") AND SOUTHSIDE
PLACE, LLC, A FLORIDA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
("DEVELOPER"), PURSUANT TO CITY OF MIAMI CHARTER
("CHARTER") SECTION 29-B(C) PROVIDING FOR THE WAIVER
OF COMPETITIVE BID AND ANY OTHER CITY REQUIREMENTS
WHEN CONVEYING PROPERTY TO IMPLEMENT PROJECTS OF
ANY GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY OR INSTRUMENTALITY,
WHEREBY THE CITY AND DEVELOPER SHALL CONSOLIDATE
THEIR PROPERTIES TO PROVIDE VARIOUS PUBLIC BENEFITS
AT DEVELOPER'S SOLE COST AND EXPENSE, INCLUDING THE
DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW FIRE STATION AND A MIXED -USE
TOWER WITH FIRST FLOOR RETAIL AND A PARKING GARAGE,
WITH TERMS AND CONDITIONS MORE PARTICULARLY
DESCRIBED IN THE ATTACHED AGREEMENT; FURTHER
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO MAKE REVISIONS AND
NON -SUBSTANTIVE AMENDMENTS TO SUCH AGREEMENT AS
NEEDED, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0330
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Meeting Minutes July 13, 2017
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing item RE.9, please see
"Order of the Day" and item RE.8.
Chair Hardemon: Let's move on now to RE.9.
Daniel Rotenberg (Director): Good afternoon, Commissioners. Daniel Rotenberg,
Department of Real Estate & Asset Management. RE.9 is a resolution directing the
City Manager to execute a development agreement for Fire Station 4.
Commissioner Carollo: And Mr. Chairman, the City Attorney is drafting some of the
last-minute negotiations. It should be coming down relatively soon.
Chair Hardemon: Okay.
Commissioner Carollo: I could probably go over some of it, butt don't want to miss
anything, so.
Chair Hardemon: Yeah, I agree.
Commissioner Carollo: I think it's important, especially when it comes to public
safety, so I think we'll want to wait to make sure that the documents
(UNINTELLIGIBLE) stated said and done.
Later...
Mario Garcia -Serra: Going to start at least with the background information of the
deal, if you'd like.
Chair Hardemon: That's fine. You're recognized. State your name for the record.
Mr. Garcia -Serra: Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman, Commissioners. Mario Garcia -
Serra. Law offices at 600 Brickell Avenue, representing Southside Place, LLC
(Limited Liability Company); joined today by Alain Lantigua, the principal of
Southside Place, LLC. It's a situation here where we have a property owned by the
City, next -door property owned by my client; neither property is being used really to
its maximum potential. We're looking to unify the sites under City ownership so as
to benefit both property owners. Let me just take out a few exhibits here, so you can
get some background information. Okay, the property outlined in orange is Fire
Station Number 4. It's the City Fire Station located on Southwest 2nd Avenue,
between 11 th and 12th Streets; has served the City very well for many years, but now
is running out of useful life. Just to the south of that, partially outlined in yellow, is
my client's property. It's a small apartment building, which also has pretty much
outlived its useful life, and really is not representative of the other development that's
taking place in the area. When we looked at the situation, we realized that the City's
needs and our needs could be met at the same time by unifying these properties, by
my client conveying its property to the City. So at the end of the day, the City owns
everything that is either outlined in orange or yellow in that aerial photograph. We
could build a new fire station, which is very much in need. So we would build a new
fire station on the property outlined in yellow, which is both my client's property and
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the existing surface parking lot of Fire Station Number 4; invest $8 million -- again,
coming from my client -- to build the new fire station to the Citv's specifications.
We've spent over a year speaking with the Department about what the specifications
are. It would be essentially their new dream fire station, over 30,000 square feet in
space, two floors with a mezzanine, workout equipment, plenty of space for facture
fire trucks of the size which they expect. And then, once that fire station is
completed, we would then proceed to build a tower above -- a parking garage
pedestal and a tower above that fire station. We would then end up owning the
tower, operating that out of -- for a particular use, with the City then having its new
fire station. Aside from just that general conveyance of land and the construction of
the new fire station, as well as the construction of the pedestal and the tower, there
are other public benefits which we are offering to the City. I'll list them right now.
We'll probably go into further detail on it later. But there will be at the time of
issuance a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy; a payment from us to the City of
$2.2 million, which will cover new equipment for the Fire Department, which I think
Commissioner Carollo will go in more detail about later. We'll also be conveying
50 parking spaces to the City for use by the City and management by the Off -Street
Parking Authority. The value of those 50 parking space is $1,500,000. Lastly,
there's also a profit participation provision. The City will essentially be receiving 5
percent of all profit as we move forward, with 800,000 of that, 800,000 of that being
paid in advance. So that would be paid in advance to the City subject -- credited
against any future participation profit that the City might be otherwise entitled to,
but the very important point being the risk of that profit participation is now more on
my client than it is on the City, because the City will be getting the money up front
and will stay with the money, regardless of how much profit there may or may not be
in the future. That's not ruling out there could be profit in excess of that 800,000,
which the City would be getting 5 percent of then. Commissioners, this is not the
biggest project that you're looking at today, but I think it's an innovative one. I think
it's one that does a great job of putting together two properties that otherwise would
have just been wallowing I think; permitting the Fire Department to continue its
service seamlessly. They would be moving from the old fire station to the new fire
station, a turnkey operation, and will provide a new fire station that will easily last
70, 80 years for the City and the -- in this area where this is much growth, and bring
-- also bring about a new project, which is just fitting in the place where we want to
have density close to mass transit and close to retail office and all the other mixed
uses that there are. With that said, I will conclude our presentation. But, of course,
we're here for any questions. And I think the City Attorney just passed out the newly
revised list of public benefits, which I just described.
Chair Hardemon: Commissioner Carollo.
Commissioner Carollo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. When we talk about public
benefits, you know, first of all, I think I need to begin by saying, this is all about
public safety. It's about obtaining a brand-new fire station, fully occupied with
brand-new vehicles, brand-new trucks. When Mr. Garcia -Serra mentioned about the
public benefits, you're showing here $2.2 million of public benefits, restricted to one
ladder truck, one engine truck, two fire rescue trucks, and two Ford trucks, so it will
be fully operational fire station, and I think that's definitely important. We will also
own 50 spaces or a whole deck. The only thing that -- the only friendly amendment I
would add to this is that any potential future sale, or any future lease or long-term
lease, that those monies or profits go directly to the Fire Department, to our City
Fire Department. You have the 5 percent participation. This, I believe, is a very
good deal that took a long time to negotiate. So I --
Commissioner Suarez: Second.
Coninaissioner Carollo: -- make a motion to --
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Commissioner Suarez: Second.
Commissioner Carollo: -- move forward.
Chair Hardemon: Been properly moved and seconded. Any further discussion?
Ms. Mendez: If I may, just -- you have an agreement that's attached to this item.
Just note that everything that has been proffered in that new exhibit, obviously, this
document will be modified to reflect all those changes, as was described by the
Commissioner and placed in that Exhibit "A." So this document has to change,
addressing all those issues. Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: Any further unreadiness.
Daniel J. Alfonso (City Manager): Mr. Chairman.
Chair Hardemon: You're recognized.
Mr. Alfonso: Just one additional clarification, because I don't want people to
misunderstand. Could you please put back up the other piece that outlines the two
properties? I hate to do this, but --
Commissioner Suarez: Why are you doing it?
Mr. Alfonso: Well, you know -- I know. Okay, so that is correct. The yellow outline
on that map is correct; that that's the property that's additionally being conveyed to
the City as the apartment.
Mr. Garcia -Serra: Correct.
Mr. Alfonso: In the --
Mr. Garcia -Serra: This property is the one that we own right now, my client owns,
and --
Mr. Alfonso: Correct.
Mr. Garcia -Serra: -- will be maintained (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Mr. Alfonso: And that's being conveyed to the City.
Mr. Garcia -Serra: Yes.
Mr. Alfonso: The rest of the property will remain the City.
Mr. Garcia -Serra: Correct.
Mr. Alfonso: The --
Mr. Garcia -Serra: At the end of the day, the City owns that.
Mr. Alfonso: The other thing that was being shown on the monitor a little while ago
had a bigger yellow box, but I just wanted to --
Mr. Garcia -Serra: That's just showing old fire station site, new fire station site.
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Mr. Alfonso: Right. Okay.
Mr. Garcia -Serra: The new fire station site will be located partially on the property
owned --
Mr. Alfonso: I got it.
Mr. Garcia -Serra: -- by us at present and --
Mr. Alfonso: I got it.
Mr. Garcia -Serra: -- some (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Mr. Alfonso: I just wanted to clarify, because some people were concerned that
what's being conveyed is that one right there.
Chair Hardemon: So your point is that the entire -- the entirety of the block will be -
Mr. Alfonso: City of Miami property.
Chair Hardemon: -- City of Miami property.
Mr. Alfonso: Yes.
Mr. Garcia -Serra: Correct.
Mr. Alfonso: Thank you.
Commissioner Carollo: With a new fire station, with all the new trucks and so on.
Mr. Alfonso: Correct.
Chair Hardemon: Got it.
Ms. Mendez: And I also wanted to clarify, in the resolution, we'll be adding a few
more "whereas" clauses, and this is not a Development Agreement; it is an
agreement. I needed to clam that as a record, because the Development Agreement
has other bells and whistles to it. This is an agreement. So it will be amended for
the Clerk's records. Thank you.
Mr. Alfonso: Thank you all.
Chair Hardemon: Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor of the
resolution, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: All against?
Commissioner Suarez: Congratulations.
Mr. Garcia -Serra: Thank you very much.
Chair Hardemon: Motion passes. And this meeting is adjourned.
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RE.10 RESOLUTION
2410
Office of Capital
Improvements
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING THE BID RECEIVED JANUARY
25, 2017, PURSUANT TO INVITATION TO BID ("ITB") NO. 15-16-
040, FROM WEST CONSTRUCTION, INC. ("WEST"), THE
LOWEST RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE BIDDER, TO
PROVIDE CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FOR THE CURTIS PARK
NEW SWIMMING POOL FACILITY— DISTRICT 1 PROJECT, IN
THE AMOUNT OF $2,983,745.00 FOR THE SCOPE OF WORK
PLUS A TEN PERCENT (10%) OWNER CONTINGENCY AMOUNT
OF $298,374.50 FOR A TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED AWARD VALUE
OF $3,282,119.50; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM THE OFFICE OF
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT NO. B-35806/B-35806S;
FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE
THE NEGOTIATED AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE
ATTACHED FORM, WITH WEST CONSISTING OF THE ITB
DOCUMENTS AND ATTACHMENTS, AND TO NEGOTIATE AND
EXECUTE ANY AND ALL SUBSEQUENT DOCUMENTS,
INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS AND MODIFICATIONS TO THE
AGREEMENT, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, AS MAY BE NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0324
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing item RE.10, please see item RE.8.
RE.11 RESOLUTION
2479
Office of Capital
Improvements
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE
ATTACHED FORM, WITH MIAMI-DADE WATER AND SEWER
DEPARTMENT FOR THE PROVISION OF WATER AND SANITARY
SEWER SERVICES FOR MORNINGSIDE PARK SANITARY
SEWER REPLACEMENT, CAPITAL PROJECT B-30839S.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0325
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MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing item RE.11, please see item RE.8
and item BC.1.
RE.12 RESOLUTION
2075
OMNI Community
Redevelopment
Agency
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING AND APPROVING THE AMENDED
BUDGET OF THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("OMNI CRA"),
ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A," IN THE
AMOUNT OF $26,334,478.00 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2016 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30,
2017 ("AMENDED BUDGET"), AS APPROVED BY THE OMNI
CRA'S BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0328
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair
SECONDER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Suarez
NAYS: Carollo
Note for the Record: Direction by Commissioner Suarez to the City Manager to
place an item on the July 27, 2017 City Commission agenda for the reconstruction
and repair of the existing walkway at Museum Park located at 1075 Biscayne
Boulevard.
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing iteni RE.12, please see
item RE.8.
Chair Hardemon: RE.9.
Daniel Rotenberg (Director): I'm still here. Daniel Rotenberg, Department of Real
Estate & Asset Management. RE.9 is a resolution directing --
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): On RE -- Pm sorry -- on RE.9,, just give me a few
more minutes; drafting stuff. Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: RE.12.
Commissioner Suarez: Omni.
Jason Walker (Executive Director/Omni Community Redevelopment Agency): Good
afternoon, Commissioners. RE.12 is the Omni Redevelopment amended budget for
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2016/2017. It passed at the Omni Board. It needs to go before the City Commission,
and then the Miami -Dade Commission later this month.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. I'll move it.
Commissioner Suarez: Second.
Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved and seconded. Is there any discussion?
Commissioner Carollo: Discussion.
Chair Hardemon: You're recognized.
Commissioner Carollo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. What I'm seeing here is a
difference from when it was first passed and now. I'm not seeing the identified $2
million for Museum Park, so if you could show me if it's identified for Museum Park
in this budget amendment.
Mr. Walker: It's not itemized in there, but it's on the record that it is reserved until
the board makes a decision on that $2 million. When we did the budget amendment,
we took out some money to buy the --
Commissioner Carollo: Buy land.
Mr. Walker: -- bank building, so we -- most of it is about the way it looks. If we took
out the 2 million and separate it from the general fund that would only leave us with a
couple of hundred thousand dollars in the reserve. But we know that the next item,
which is a $25 million loan, will go to repay us back the money that we spent on the
bank building. So although it's not line item in there, it is known that there's a $2
million reserve waiting for the decision to be made by the board.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. I just want to make sure that it's there, because
anyone who looks at the budget and it's not clear there.
Mr. Walker.: And I talked to --
Commissioner Carollo: And under one -- what line item is it placed? Is it under
reserves or --?
Mr. Walker: It's included in $2.3 million reserve.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. So in that 2.3, 2 million is for Museum Park, correct?
Mr. Walker: Two million is in reserve, waiting for the decision to be made by the
board, whether or not to let it go to Museum Park.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Any chance the board let's it go now?
Daniel J. Alfonso (City Manager): Nah. We just --
Commissioner Carollo: It'll go a long ways.
Mr. Alfonso: The only question the Administration has is, is this Commission or the
Board of the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) ever going to consider the
fact that they were given a bill for $4 million last year for past payments? And what
about the 2 million annual contribution; is that being taken into account?
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Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. I think this is a starting point.
Chair Hardemon: White whale in the room.
Commissioner Carollo: What's that?
Chair Hardemon: That's the white whale in the room. He noticed it because it's out
of water.
Vice Chair Russell: We've set this -- if I may, Mr. Chairman?
Chair Hardemon: Yes.
Vice Chair Russell: Obviously, we've discussed this wearing our different hats at the
CRA; here we're talking as the City Commission. And in order for me in both
positions to be comfortable releasing the funds, I needed a -- an outside solid amount
that was going to be the maximum limit; and then for us to, as a policy decision, de -
obligate the remainder of those funds. Because I am in disagreement that the $30
million is owed to the City -- there are varying legal opinions about that, as well -- I
want to look at it from a policy perspective of what we want the CRA to be doing from
here forward. What was decided to be done with Museum Park was taken to a certain
level and left. I don't agree that that's enough. I do believe Museum Park needs
further improvements. I don't necessarily agree that if they are CRA funds that should
be used to do that. I am open to releasing the $2 million, because Commissioner
Carollo's identified a specific need and use for it in Museum Park. He has a board at
the Bayfront Park Trust that is -- that has a specific concept and idea that could use
that. Beyond that, however, there are no projects, there are no concepts, there is no
amount. I'd be willing to release the two in the same way that I said before, that we
then turn around and amend the Interlocal Agreement, the Global Agreement to de -
obligate the rest. So that's where I am.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. And I appreciate you saying that. So if we could do
the -- release the two million in this Commission meeting well set another sunshine
meeting so we could then discuss what will be the final amount. And Commissioner
Russell, listen, I get it. Politically, it'd be easy for me to say, "Oh, sure, let's get the
$4 million. I get to do the playground, some other things, " and stuff like that, and,
you know, we all get a win -win. I get it. Politically, that's the right thing to do.
However, I just can't do that, because there are issues that I still don't have a dollar
amount to, and I'll give you two examples that I will tell you personally, I was very
embarrassed, number one, during the fireworks show for the Fourth of July. Bayfront
Park did the, fireworks show; where it wasn't just Bayfront Park. You know, from that
fireworks show, many people from downtown benefited: Museum Park, the Frost
Museum, PA AI (Per forming Arts Museum). I could tell you -- and I was embarrassed
-- I saw residents needing flashlights, and actually walking with flashlights through
Museum Park in order to get to the end to the bay and be able to watch the fireworks.
It's embarrassing. That's minimum. You know, at least lighting through the passway
[sic]. I don't know how much that cost. Honestly, I can't give you an honest
reasonable estimate, so that's why I'm holding back. So that's one. Two, you know --
and if you want to write it down -- and that's why we still haven't come up to an
amount to tell you, because I'm really, out of good faith seeing really what are the
essential that we need. And when you see residents, your constituents walking with
flashlights, you know, that was embarrassing to me. That's number one. Number two,
the Manager just mentioned. We had a great, a great major league baseball events,
plural, you know. It wasn't just that one event. What? You're in the penalty box or
something?
Chair Hardemon: No, no.
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Commissioner Carollo: It wasn't just that one event. We really had numerous events.
One of the events was the gala, Major League Baseball Gala at the PAMM, and they
actually rented out some of the parking that we have at Museum Park. And renting
out that parking was actually to bring in buses, okay, from, you know, the persons that
were attending, that parked somewhere else, and then came in in buses and walked
through Museum Park to the PAMM. 1 could show you -- and we have the video -- of
what they were walking in. 1 don't get how a brand-new park has a walkway that's so
rundown, full of potholes, and so forth. But 17l tell you, I was embarrassed. 1 walked
through that walkway, and if you want, I could show you the video now; I could show
you pictures. I think it's just embarrassing, plain and simple. And you know what?
Show the video. Show some of the pictures. And again, I would tell you, I don't know
how a brand-new park has a walkway this bad. But this is what all these people, and
in various attires, gala attires, and so forth, had to walk through. Here, you see the
sidewalk that is done. However, this is the walkway. Walking all the way to PAMM,
and you could go into -- so you could continue. Look at those potholes. By the way,
in those water puddles, they actually have a hole. It actually is a pothole. It just
happens that it's been raining lately. I don't have a price yet on what this will cost,
but I think, this item, minimal, you know, and that's why I haven't got -- had that
discussion with you yet; not the mention that I don't think we've hired the outside
counsel yet to see how we do this. But I'm telling you, I'm working in good faith, but
I'm showing you issues that -- 171 be honest with you, it is embarrassing.
Chair Hardemon: Can we authenticate this video, please?
Daniel J. Alfonso (City Manager): Mr. Chairman.
Commissioner Carollo: I --
Commissioner Suarez: Can we what?
Commissioner Carollo: Absolutely. I'll authenticate -- I'll be -- you know what? I'll
do one better.
Commissioner Suarez: Can we what?
Commissioner Carollo: Let's take a field trip.
Mr. Alfonso: Mr. Chairman, if I may?
Commissioner Carollo: Let's take a field trip over there so you see it. Look at the -- I
mean, look at this. This is -- look at this. This is -- going to the end. This is the walk
-- this is the stairs now to go into the PAMM.
Commissioner Suarez: So --
Commissioner Carollo: This is what we have.
Chair Hardemon: I want to recognize Commissioner Suarez
Commissioner Suarez: I'm ahnost afraid to be recognized on this. So I tried to
propose a settlement the first time. I have another idea; hear me out. You know, I
think the -- obviously, his -- and I don't want to put words in either of -- two of your's
mouth, but 1 think the Vice Chair's concern is using CRA money, right? I mean, that's
pretty clear. And your issue is you've got at least a $2 million -plus commitment --
right? -- on the park improvements that need to he done. The question 1 had for the
Manager was, can't we use park impact fee money -- right? -- that we designate? I
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think we have like 8 million in unspent park impact fee -- Go ahead. You want to
jump in?
Mr. Alfonso: Yeah. I'm not sure how much it is --
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): Not for maintenance.
Commissioner Suarez: It's not maintenance.
Mr. Alfonso: No, no.
Ms. Mendez: That's maintenance.
Mr. Alfonso: No, no. Hold on, Madam City Attorney.
Commissioner Carollo: I --
Mr. Alfonso: May I? May I?
Commissioner Suarez: Yes, please.
Mr. Alfonso: Okay. We have some unspent money that was designated for land
acquisition that is impact fee. If the City wishes to defund that land acquisition and
move it towards the construction of the playground, which is an additional --
Commissioner Suarez: Correct.
Mr. Alfonso: -- thing, yes, that can be done. That's something that this Commission
can do. The repairs of the potholes, as the City Attorney's saying, you can't do that.
Commissioner Carollo: I would say --
Mr. Alfonso: Wait. Almost done, almost done.
Commissioner Carollo: -- that was not repair. You need to -- that's a capital
improvement.
Mr. Alfonso: I --
Commissioner Carollo: This is not patching up.
Mr. Alfonso: No, I know. Commissioner, redoing it because it was originally done
and it was leveled at the one time, that is a repair.
Commissioner Suarez: You're saying that was done? To me, that does not look like it
was done.
Commissioner Carollo: That's my point.
Commissioner Suarez: To me, that looks like --
Commissioner Carollo: That's a new park.
Commissioner Suarez: -- you put a few benches in -- I'm just giving you my
perspective.
Mr. Alfonso: 1 understand, sir.
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Commissioner Suarez: Maybe it was done. I don't know.
Mr. Alfonso: I understand.
Commissioner Suarez: I don't know factually.
Mr. Alfonso: The other point that I wanted to make -- because there was a statement
on the record made, Commissioner Russell, that there is -- there was no plan. You
know, since we talk about --
Vice Chair Russell: I didn't say that. That there was no plan on what?
Mr. Alfonso: On the park.
Vice Chair Russell: Oh, no. There is a plan. There was a plan on the park.
Mr. Alfonso: Yeah, that's what I was about to say. So there was a plan that was over
50 --
Vice Chair Russell: A big plan on the park.
Mr. Alfonso: -- $60 million --
Vice Chair Russell: Sure.
Mr. Alfonso: -- of the plan, which is what that 30 million was supposed to go to. So,
you know, I don't want it to be people think that there is nothing -- no ideas that were
brought forth to spend that money on; I mean, there were, but --
Vice Chair Russell: I agree, and if I implied that there wasn't a plan before, I
misspoke, because I know there was a plan. The question is, is the political will still
there for the monies of the CRA meant to eliminate slum and blight and create
affordable housing worthy of being taken away and putting toward that plan? And is
the political will still there to implement that plan to that scale? I mean, it was a
tremendous plan. It was Epcot Center over there. Now, as the Chairman of the Omni
CRA, I am dedicated to preserving those dollars to go where they should go. As the
Chair -- as the district Commissioner for the area where that park is, and as a board
member of the Frost Science Museum, I am dedicated to making those improvements.
Now, the lights you had mentioned, in one of the budget amendments that we did last
year, you'll recall, I said, "I will find you creative ways to find this money that is not
antipoverty money." And we came up with Tree Trust funds to bring in -- I believe it
was 200,000 in trees, maybe three.
Commissioner Cal -olio: 300, 000.
Vice Chair Russell: 300,000 in trees, and lighting. I don't know where that's gone,
and why it hasn't started, or maybe the planning's in process, but we had solar -
powered lighting that was going to be implemented, and I believe it was using DRI
(Development Regional Impact) funds. But that was passed at a budget amendment
last year. So we should have lighting on the way there without using CR [sic] fends.
We should have trees on the way there without using CRA funds. The only reason I'm
willing to utilize CRA fends for a $2 million jungle gym children's park is that it will
de -obligate the remainder and allow us to give back to our mission as a CRA.
Commissioner Suarez: And what Pin getting at is rather than have that discussion,
which we are obviously not in agreement on, you know --
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Vice Chair Russell: We may get (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Commissioner Suarez: In order to -- All right. You guys want to, keep going at it. I
would just say don't do it on our time; you guys have a sunshine meeting.
Commissioner Carollo: Right. Like I said, we'll still have a sunshine meeting. But
what I'm saying, out of good faith, let's release these $2 million -- you know where
they're going --
Commissioner Suarez: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Commissioner Carollo: -- and -- I think he will. I think he's up to it. And I think he
knows that we're working in good faith. Release those $2 million now. Let's vote to
release the $2 million; we could continue with the playground, and then let's have a
sunshine meeting and really -- And listen, I'm open. My end result is to get that park
to a level where we can all be proud of. I'll be honest with you. I was embarrassed in
those two occasions just recently, okay? Just seeing families walking with flashlights
because we don't provide adequate lighting at a park, I think it's -- you know, it's
unacceptable. And then, having to walk to the PAMM in those conditions, you know, I
think it's unacceptable. So I'm not saying these are the only two issues, but this is the
reason why I'm -- I really -- I don't have a price tag, you know. I don't have the
estimates for those repairs, or I think they're capital improvements.
Vice Chair Russell: Well, one creative solution that the Manager mentioned is that
the jungle gym is a capital improvement, is an addition to park capacity, could be
utilized with park impacts [sic] fees; the other stuff would have to be used potentially
from this money, for example. So there are creative ways to do this. But for me, I'm
not willing to let go of the 2 million until I have certainty on the amount, because
otherwise, it's give now, and then come back and give more later, and then come back
and give more later. And we've got to get to work in the CRA with regard to the
affordable housing issues. So it's going to go one of a couple ways here today. We
either approve it as is. We vote; we approve the budget as is. If we want to defer it,
we defer it, and we have a sunshine meeting; we try to hammer this out. Or three, I'm
prepared with a pocket resolution right here empowering the City Manager to start
negotiations to open the Global Agreement, just as we did at the CRA, that gives us an
outside number. So bird in the hand, $2 million; off it goes to Museum Park, and then
we get security as a CRA and a city with regard to the outside obligation of this other
$28 million versus the two. So those are the three things I'mwilling to do here today
from my part. Obviously, we're a board and body, but I've already made a motion to
pass it, as is. If we're to amend it, I'll be bringing this, but I -- as I said at the CRA, I
am not open to releasing it without the security of what the back end of it is.
Chair Hardemon: Does the Omni Redevelopment Plan include affordable housing?
And I'm asking that --
Mr. Walker: Yes.
Chair Hardemon: Are we sure?
Mr. Walker: Yes.
Chair Hardemon: It does?
Vice Chair Russell: That was one of my original criticisms when I came in; that it's
mentioned time after time in the Redevelopment Plan, and not one unit had been done.
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And so, that is our mission; that really is our mission, and it's up to us to protect the
budget that serves that mission.
Chair Hardemon: The reason I brought it up was because I read -- you know, I read
these different plans, and certainly, the Redevelopment Act says that you could have
affordable housing, but it does not require it. So our plans must adopt affordable
housing. So I just --
Mr. Walker: Our plan --
Chair Hardemon: -- wasn't sure --
Mr. Walker: Our plan has it.
Chair Hardemon: -- if our plan has it. Well, that's good.
Mr. Walker: And ifI may, Commissioners, you know --
Commissioner Suarez: Has to have it.
Chair Hardemon: No, it doesn't.
Mr. Walker: -- you talked earlier --
Commissioner Suarez: It has to have it.
Mr. Walker: -- about housing --
Commissioner Suarez: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) like literally, has to have it.
Mr. Walker: -- rehabbing.
Commissioner Suarez: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) it should have it, yeah.
Chair Hardemon: Yeah, yeah.
Mr. Walker: You know, it's also about maintaining the housing that's there. You
talked about housing rehab. You all in this budget will put a million dollars for home
rehab in our section of Overtown, which we're spending money on right now. This
money that's supposed to go other places could also be used for our area of Overtown
to put rehab money into existing structures. We had a meeting this week about
housing projects that we have in the pipeline. We're -- the next item is to approve a
$25 million loan, but there's probably 50, $60 million worth of projects that we can
go after right now to build housing within the Omni CRA that this money is kind of
holding us back on, because we don't have no resolution.
Chair Hardemon: And --
Commissioner Suarez: Mr. Chair.
Chair Hardemon: -- Ms. Stewart, the house that I've been speaking about, the
gentleman who was in the meeting --
Mr. Walker: Are you talking about Mr. Taylor, by the way?
Chair Hardemon: Is it Mr. -- that was Mr. --? Yeah.
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Mr. Walker: Lewis Taylor?
Chair Hardemon: Lewis Taylor.
Mr. Walker: I met with Lewis Taylor.
Chair Hardemon: Okay.
Mr. Walker: Mr. Taylor came to my office --
Chair Hardemon: Right.
Mr. Walker: -- and he said, you know, "Can you fix up my house?" And I said, "Yes,
we can." And then we got into the whole issue. We were the people that referred him
to Legal Services. Barnaby Min actually was in on that conversation, because we
want to help him, but he has the issue with -- the relatives are not there; two deceased
people on the property.
Chair Hardemon: Right, so they had some issues.
Mr. Walker: Yeah.
Chair Hardemon: But we got to -- I mean, we got to do what we can, because he's
already lost one of his dwellings.
Mr. Walker: He lost the front part, and we're trying to help him with the back part.
We told him, "Look, let's try to fix up the probate issue, and we'll put you a new house
on there."
Chair Hardemon: Right.
Mr. Walker: Because the house, if you've been there -- talk about being embarrassed
about something --
Chair Hardemon: Has --
Mr. Walker: -- is really bad.
Chair Hardemon: I can imagine. He's -- you know, he's lived -- he's born in --
Mr. Walker: We told Mr. Taylor --
Chair Hardemon: -- Overtown.
Mr. Walker: -- that -- 80 years.
Chair Hardemon: Right.
Mr. Walker: And we told him, "We'll put a new house in there for you." It'll be the
first house in our land bank, but we need to do -- we need to have money to do
projects like that.
Chair Hardemon: Right. No, I understand. I just want to make sure that we have the
commitment. And do you know what the response was from Legal Services in helping
him clean up his issue?
Mr. Walker: The last --
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Chair Hardemon: Because maybe we can get some, you know, do -good Miami
attorney out there that wants to lead -- to lend their services to an indigent person,
who was obviously going to have a great benefit to him if you just help him clear up
his probate issue.
Mr. Walker: Yeah.
Chair Hardemon: So that would be great, if we could try to find that type of
assistance.
Mr. Walker: Sure. I know Barnaby --
Chair Hardemon: Because I think --
Mr. Walker: -- was working with our office. Macia (phonetic) was working on it last
week.
Chair Hardemon: Because the gentleman has to be -- I mean, he's --
Mr. Walker: He's 85 years old, I think.
Chair Hardemon: -- 85 years old. Two of the people on the property --
Mr. Walker: Are deceased.
Chair Hardemon: -- are deceased, and it does not state that --
Mr. Walker: For 20 years.
Chair Hardemon: -- on the City records. So if you look at our City records as far as
the property being passed through intestate, it doesn't -- it does not do -- it does not
(UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Barnaby Min (Deputy City Attorney): Legal Services of Greater Miami is already
assisting. We're working with their attorneys.
Chair Hardemon: Okay, so let's -- I mean, time is really of the essence.
Commissioner Suarez: Can I ask a question? I mean --
Chair Hardemon: Sure.
Commissioner Suarez: Because sometimes I feel like I'm missing something. Does
anybody disagree with the fact that we need to repave that street, or whatever you
want to call it?
Chair Hardemon: We don't know if it was paved or not. I thought it was gravel.
Commissioner Suarez: No. I'm just -- I'm asking a general question. Does anybody
think that -- does anybody disagree that that needs to be repaved as soon as possible?
Does anybody disagree with that?
Chair Hardemon: No.
Commissioner Suarez: No.
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Chair Hardemon: Right now it's a (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Commissioner Suarez: Okay. So can we direct the City Manager from general funds,
okay, to repave that street immediately?
Vice Chair Russell: Is that a motion?
Commissioner Suarez: Does anybody have a problem with that? Yeah, it's a motion.
Vice Chair Russell: Well, I've got a motion on the floor right now, so.
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah. What's -- what motion you have on the floor?
Commissioner Carollo: I just don't -- I --
Commissioner Suarez: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) -- I supersede your motion.
Chair Hardemon: Yeah.
Commissioner Suarez: Can I supersede his motion with my motion?
Chair Hardemon: Not with that motion.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): No.
Chair Hardemon: So to clam, the motion on the floor right now is to approve the
item, as is, so the acceptance of RE.12, correct? That's the motion on the floor.
Mr. Hannon: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Hardemon: You're recognized.
Commissioner Suarez: I'm going to withdraw my second.
Commissioner Carollo: I'm going to make one last-ditch effort. $2 million, let's
release it. I mean, you're making the residents wait for a project that is very much
needed. It's within the Cooper Robertson Plan. Why would we -- I mean, you know,
it's funny. I didn't want to chime in, but you're here speaking about new parks; yet,
existing parks, we're obviously not taking care of them very well. So, I mean, when
you show that diagram with the new park and so forth, I really staved quiet. But
looking at new parks and we can't even take care of the parks that we have? You
know, I'm telling you, I was embarrassed, you know. And all I'm saying is -- Listen,
right now I believe it's $6 million that the CRA will owe to date. All I'm saying is
release 2 million, and then let's have a healthy discussion. And I'm not saying that
maybe to fix some of other issues -- And by the way, I disagree; I think they're capital
improvements, because I don't think we're going to patch up those holes. I think we're
going to have to do then brand-new (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Vice Chair Russell: It's not about whether or not you have to do them brand-new or
not; it's whether or not they were an existing amenity that we are refurbishing or
redoing, which is not an increase in capacity.
Commissioner Carollo: We may have a different definition, but --
Vice Chair Russell: Fair enough.
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Commissioner Carollo: -- there's no reason of -- argue over that. All I'm saying is,
listen, like a last-ditch effort, instead of the reserves, let's put those $2 million where
we know they're going to end up, you know.
Mr. Walker: Also --
Commissioner Carollo: And then from there, let's have a sunshine meeting, you
know; and really, I'm willing to iron it out. The only thing 1 need is some of the
estimates of some of these, you know -- so it's not just throwing a number up in the
air. I know you mentioned 4 million. I don't want to just throw a number up in the
air. I want to be able to say, `Listen, this is what I really want to do." You
understand what I'm saying? And maybe have some wiggle room, a buffer in case --
You were there; you saw how many people from the public came and mentioned
different things that they would like and stuff like that. You understand what I'm
saying? Have some buffer.
Vice Chair Russell: I do, Commissioner, but, you know, I think it's a little unfair to
the Parks Department and Capital Improvements to be, you know, saying what an
embarrassment that park is, because it makes it look to the public as though it's on
their shoulders. This park is managed by the Bayfront Park Trust --
Commissioner Carollo: Right.
Vice Chair Russell: -- which is proud of its budget as being self-sustaining, and
through many of the events there --
Commissioner Carollo: Understood.
Vice Chair Russell: -- it creates a significant budget.
Commissioner Carollo: Right.
Vice Chair Russell.' But please let me finish. That creates an appropriate budget. If
more is needed, we can find the budget. Commissioner Suarez is looking for a
consensus even to pull from the general fund for such an impressive park of the City.
I believe it's an amenity' of the district, it's amenity of the City, it's amenity of Bayfront
Park Trust. To me, it is not a responsibility of the CRA and the anti poverty funds. $2
million, I'm okay with, on the sole condition that it creates the outside security of
"that is it," period, and that's my only contingency. I'm not going to let go of it
without that security. And if I can get that security from you, we agree on it, we move
forward. I don't see us getting there. Why don't we defer the item; have a sunshine
meeting, talk about it some more. Otherwise, we can just pass it, as is. Even if -- we
can vote and pass it, as is; and still, the money is allocated within
(UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Mr. Walker: For Museum Park. For Museum Park.
Vice Chair Russell: Right. Now, without amending the budget, could we cut a check
to the City?
Mr. Walker: Without amending --
Commissioner Carollo: No.
Mr. Walker: You would have to vote to cut a check to the City.
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Commissioner Suarez: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Vice Chair Russell: We'd have to vote at the CRA level.
Commissioner Suarez: You have to authorize it.
Vice Chair Russell: Not at this level?
Commissioner Suarez: You have to authorize it.
Mr. Walker: At the CRA level.
Commissioner Suarez: You have to authorize it.
Vice Chair Russell: So we could pass this, as is, right now.
Mr. Walker: Yes.
Vice Chair Russell: And at the CRA level, we could still authorize the cutting of the
check.
Commissioner Suarez: We could.
Mr. Walker: Yes.
Vice Chair Russell: So in that case, my motion still stands. I think we can vote to
pass this budget. We still reserve the right to pay the $2 million. I -- you know, as the
CRA Chair, I can tell you now, all you need to come with is the agreement on that
outside number. We've already authorized Jason to start the negotiation or
discussions about opening the Global Agreement for amendment; all we would need
is what that number is and plug it in, and then I've got the following reso that the City
Manager could do from this end to do the same thing. And then, we're in agreement
between the City and the CRA to de -obligate the additional $28 million; let the 2
million go; Museum Park has its fun.
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Hardemon: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: Two things: One, I want to address the Bayfront Park
Management Trust. So, one thing is manage, which we're doing very well, and that's
operational. One thing is capital improvements; two various things. And that's why
we have requested and have funded -- As a matter of fact, general fiend, a million
dollars per year to the Guzman; someone else is managing it; yet, we're paying for
the capital improvements. And I pointed out in the last Commission meeting that
Bayfront Park Management Trust funded capital improvement, which was the
remediation; the only park in the City of Miami that the City didn't actually pay for.
That's $1.3 million. That's a lot of money. And that's not even managing. That's not
the operational, the day-to-day operation; that's capital. So, yes, even though we are
managing it, and we're doing a very good job with what we have, at the same time,
some of these are capital improvements that it -- that's actually why -- not you or I --
but that's why there was a contract, a Global Agreement that stipulated $2 million per
year for 15 years, for 30 years, in order to have those capital improvements so that
then Bayfront Management Trust could actually operate. With that said, I don't see
us getting to an agreement, so I'm going to vote against the budget, and take it from
there.
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Chair Hardemon: Any further discussion on the motion on the floor?
Mr. Walker: I would just also like to add, Mr. Chairman, that -- and part of this
budget includes $850,000 from the Omni CRA to the City of Miami for the rehab of
Dorsey Library that's been sitting there for a long time. Also --
Commissioner Gort: Speak -- bring the mike up.
Mr. Walker: Excuse me. Also part of this budget is 850,000 for the rehab of Dorsey
Library that's been sitting dilapidated for many years, owned by the City of Miami.
And also, one -- a sizable amount of this is to clean and maintain the City -owned lot
on -- between 16th to 17th and 1st. That was used as a tent -- drug house that we
went in and put a fence around and cleaned up. So I'd like to put that as highlights as
a part of this budget.
Chair Hardemon: Okay. Any further discussion?
Commissioner Carollo: No.
Chair Hardemon: The only thing I'd like to add is that I never agreed that CRA funds
are what they call "antipoverty funds." I think that's -- I know, but its important;
you'll see later.
Commissioner Suarez: Okay. I trust you.
Chair Hardemon: Yeah. Thank you. Seeing no further discussion, all in agreeance
of the motion, say "aye."
Commissioner Gort: Aye.
Commissioner Suarez: Aye.
Vice Chair Russell: Aye
Chair Hardemon: All against?
Commissioner Carollo: No.
Chair Hardemon: Motion passes.
Commissioner Suarez: Mr. --
Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Chairman.
Commissioner Suarez: -- Chair.
Chair Hardemon: RE.13.
Vice Chair Russell: Before --
Commissioner Suarez: Can I have a point of order on -- before? I really think we
need to do something about that walkway --
Vice Chair Russell: Yeah, I was going to go there, as well.
Commissioner Suarez: -- you know.
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Vice Chair Russell: Jeovanny, could -- is there an estimate on that walkway?
Jeovanny Rodriguez: Good morning, Commissioners. Jeovanny Rodriguez, director
of Capital Improvements. Are we talking about the walkway at Museum Park; the
pictures that we just saw from the Commissioner?
Commissioner Suarez: Yes.
Mr. Rodriguez: I don't have an estimate for that. 1 will tell you that that was part of
the original design.
Commissioner Carollo: Yes.
Mr. Rodriguez: And when it was built, it was built out of a --
Commissioner Suarez: Gravel.
Mr. Rodriguez: -- sort of gravel or granite that it was bonded, and obviously it's
falling apart. I don't have an estimate to replace those walkways.
Commissioner Suarez: Can you JOC (job order contract) out a -- some sort of a
surface -- it doesn't have to be even the permanent solution, but something that gets
rid of the potholes and makes it look respectable so that -- I mean, it's one of the nicer
parks in our entire inventory of parks. It's a waterfront park, and that's
embarrassing.
Mr. Rodriguez: Yeah; absolutely, we can, Commissioner. The only, question will be,
you know, what -- how to do it.
Commissioner Gort: Mr. Chair.
Commissioner Carollo: How do we pay for it?
Mr. Rodriguez: And --
Commissioner Suarez: I will --
Mr. Rodriguez: -- that's another (UNINTELLIGIBLE)
Commissioner Suarez: -- pass a resolution -- I mean, I will present a resolution to
JOC out -- to spec out, JOC out, and I will authorize from the general fired whatever
amount of money is necessary, you know, within JOC to do that. Can't possibly --
Mr. Rodriguez: To be replace it with exactly how it was done before, the same type of
material?
Commissioner Carollo: No.
Mr. Rodriguez: To go with concrete?
Commissioner Suarez: What do you want to do?
Mr. Rodriguez: To go with --? Because it makes a difference. You know, that will be
a question.
Commissioner Carollo: I --
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Commissioner Suarez: Give --
Commissioner Carollo: -- don't know, hut the park opened in August of 2014, and
look how it is.
Commissioner Suarez: Right. It looks terrible in two years.
Vice Chair Russell: You know, and that's not the same stuff
Commissioner Carollo: And that's not the only place, either.
Commissioner Suarez: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) two years.
Mr. Rodriguez: So we'll --
Commissioner Carollo: That's not the only place, either.
Vice Chair Russell: Yeah.
Mr. Rodriguez: -- have to look at other type of surfaces, then.
Commissioner Carollo: Yes, other type of surface.
Chair Hardemon: The surface -- to pit -- I mean -- well, I'm no expert. I'm no
engineer, but I'm assuming that the surface is like that so that water can go through
it?
Commissioner Carollo: No.
Mr. Rodriguez: Well, the surface that was fit for that design was part of the overall
design.
Commissioner Suarez: Well -- Listen, why don't you do this?
Mr. Rodriguez: Yeah.
Commissioner Suarez: Let's do this. Why don't you bring back to the next
Commission meeting agenda a scope of work, JOC, and I will sponsor a resolution to
appropriate the funds.
Mr. Rodriguez: And what 171 do is I'll give you several estimates on different type of
surfaces.
Commissioner Suarez: Fine, fine.
Mr. Rodriguez: Concrete, pavers.
Commissioner Suarez: Not too many.
Commissioner Carollo: Exactly.
Commissioner Suarez: Don't get too crazy.
Mr. Rodriguez: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) stuff like that.
Commissioner Suarez: Just three, at most.
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Commissioner Carollo: Four.
Mr. Rodriguez: Okay, no problem.
Chair Hardemon: Commissioner Gort.
Commissioner Gort: Make sure you do that. Make sure you have all the scope of
work that we require in our park in the district, where we sit down with you, that
we've be waiting for a long time. 1'd like to have that number also, because if we're
going to pass a resolution out of general funds with CIP (Capital Improvement
Programs), I want to make sure my area takes care of and not be ignored, so I want to
make sure we get that, also.
Mr. Rodriguez: Okay. Absolutely.
Commissioner Gort: Because we discussed that quite a bit. I mean, our -- Curtis
Park, the most used park in my area, has been closed for four years now. Okay?
Vice Chair Russell: And finally, the lighting that was approved in last year's budget,
what is the status of that?
Mr. Rodriguez: Commissioner, we're looking. for that "B" number right now. That's
not something that I'm working on, as we speak. And, quite frankly, that's something
that I'm looking into right now.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you.
Commissioner Suarez: That's a motion.
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Commissioner Suarez: Is that a motion or a direction?
Chair Hardemon: No. It's direction.
Commissioner Carollo: Direction.
Commissioner Suarez: Direction, okay.
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman, and real quick, Commissioner Gort is
correct; and that is the reason why in the Global Agreement, they specified a funding
source in an agreement, in a contract, so that these issues would be taken care of for
capital improvement.
Commissioner Suarez: Okay.
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RE.13 RESOLUTION
2303
OMNI Community
Redevelopment
Agency
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ACKNOWLEDGING THE INTENT OF THE OMNI
REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY ("OMNI CRA") TO OBTAIN DEBT FINANCING THROUGH
ITS ISSUANCE IN A TOTAL AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
NOT TO EXCEED TWENTY-FIVE MILLION DOLLARS
($25,000,000.00) OF TAX INCREMENT REVENUE NOTES
("SERIES 2017 NOTES") TO FINANCE THE OMNI CRA'S
REDEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES AS SET FORTH ON "COMPOSITE
EXHIBIT A", ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF CHAPTER 163,
PART III, FLORIDA STATUTES, AS AMENDED; DELEGATING TO
THE OMNI CRA THE AUTHORITY TO ISSUE AND SELL THE
SERIES 2017 NOTES AND AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING THE
ISSUANCE AND SALE OF THE SERIES 2017 NOTES BY THE
OMNI CRA; FINDING, DETERMINING AND ACKNOWLEDGING NO
LIABILITY ON THE PART OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
("CITY") FOR (A) ISSUANCE, SALE, AND REPAYMENT OF THE
SERIES 2017 NOTES, (B) FOR THE DISCLOSURES RELATED
THERETO, (C) FOR CONTINUING COMPLIANCE RELATED
THERETO, AND (D) COMPLIANCE BY THE OMNI CRA WITH THE
RELATED INTERLOCAL AGREEMENTS; REQUIRING THE OMNI
CRA TO INCLUDE ALL OF SUCH RESTRICTIONS, LIMITATIONS
AND INDEMNIFICATIONS OF THE CITY IN ALL DOCUMENTS,
INSTRUMENTS, AND INFORMATION RELATED TO THE SERIES
2017 NOTES; REQUIRING AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0329
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair
SECONDER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing item RE.13, please see
item RE.8.
Chair Hardemon: RE.13.
Jason Walker (Executive Director/Omni Community Redevelopment Agency): RE.13
is the issuance of a loan for $25 million for purchase of property and building of
affordable housing in the Omni CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) with Bank
United. This was passed at the Omni CRA Board, and it needs City Commission
passed -- approval and County' approval later this month.
Vice Chair Russell: I'll move it.
Commissioner Suarez: Second.
Chair Hardemon: Is there any further discussion on the item?
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Commissioner Carollo: Yes, Mr. Chairman.
Chair Hardemon: You're recognized.
Commissioner Carollo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Who's the back stab -- backstop
on this? If Omni CRA cannot pay the money back, the principal, who ultimately has
to pay?
Mr. Walker: Well, 1 don't think they would give us money if we weren't -- they didn't
think we were going to pay it back, but the City would be, if the loan went after 2030,
which it does not; it goes to 2030.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. But still, who will be the backstop? Mr. Manager;
Mr. CFO (Chief Financial Officer), is the City the backstop?
Commissioner Suarez: Depends on how you structure it.
Fernando Casamayor (Chief Financial Officer/Assistant City Manager):
Commissioner, I don't have the answer for you right now. I'd have to take a look at
the bond documents in order to give you a definitive answer. I have not seen all the
bond documents fbr this.
Mr. Walker: There's no --
Commissioner Suarez: It's not a bond.
Mr. Walker: -- I mean, we --
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah.
Mr. Walker: -- are the entity that's there until 2030. The loan is until 2030. The
amount is based on the tax collection until 2030, and the estimates, and this is a
small percentage of what we could go out for.
Commissioner Carollo: Let -- okay. So do you have PFM here today?
Mr. Walker.: He had to leave at 3 o'clock. He was here all day.
Commissioner Carollo: Because the last time we mentioned about the liability, he
mentioned, no; he felt uncomfortable, or he said, "No, I will not show this without
that liability."
Mr. Walker: Of course. And when they -- when we applied, they had to take into
account everything, and so that -- this liability, or whatever we want to call it, is on
the books --
Commissioner Carollo: Right.
Mr. Walker: -- so it is included within the approval of this loan by the bank.
Commissioner Suarez: Potential liability.
Mr. Walker: Potential liability.
Commissioner Carollo: Well --
Commissioner Suarez: That's what 1 call it.
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Commissioner Carollo: -- it's there on --
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah, yeah.
Commissioner Carollo: You know, like --
Commissioner Suarez: Potential liability.
Commissioner Carollo: He felt uncomfortable saying, 'yeah, potential liability, " so
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah.
Commissioner Carollo: -- let's not show it.
Mr. Walker: But it's in there. It's in there as if (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Commissioner Carollo: Understood. So let me ask you yet another question. The
original amount by contract, by the Global Agreement, was $68 million.
Mr. Walker: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: I think it was mentioned in the last CRA meeting that only
16 million was actually spent. Is there a liability for the rest, and are you showing
that liability, and taking into consideration this offering now with the potential
liability of the rest of the amount?
Mr. Walker: We're not showing a $68 million; we're showing the $30 million as
liability.
Commissioner Carollo: Understood. That's for the capital.
Mr. Walker.: Yep.
Commissioner Carollo: But the original --
Mr. Walker.: Is 68.
Commissioner Carollo: -- it was 68.
Mr. Walker: Yeah.
Commissioner Carollo: And only 16 was put in.
Mr. Walker: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: So is there a liability for the rest, and are you showing it?
Mr. Walker: Our City Attorney would have to opine on that. We're not showing it as
a part of --
Commissioner Carollo: Okay.
Commissioner Suarez: Can --
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Commissioner Carollo: Because if you do owe that money, then I think there's a
possibility that you cannot pay back, and then the City will he the backstop.
Commissioner Suarez: Can Ijust --?
Commissioner Carollo: That's why I'm asking our CFO (Chief Financial Officer).
Commissioner Suarez: Can I chime in real quick? Can 1 chime in? Let me chime
in. So there's a couple things. One is, there's a difference between a liability for
purposes of legal liability and accounting liability, right? I think we agree on that.
The second part is, the backstop or lack of a backstop is based on how you finance a
transaction. A transaction may be financed with a secondary pledge to budget and
appropriate, or not financed with a secondary pledge to budget and appropriate. I
think what you're saying is, this authorization allows you to go to some sort of a
lending instrument, whether it's a bond or commercial loan, or whatever, but not
with a secondary pledge to budget and appropriate; is that correct?
Mr. Walker: Right.
Commissioner Suarez: Okay. So whether or not in the bond disclosure documents,
or whatever lending disclosure documents, you probably have to -- you have a duty
to disclose this potential liability or contingent liability, or whatever you call it, you
know, in the accounting world and in the disclosure world, you have to make sure
that you disclose. "Look, this is a possible risk." So it might affect the interest rate,
because having a risk versus not having -- I mean, having a lia -- a potential liability
versus not having a potential liability obviously affects the interest rate.
Commissioner Carollo: Understood.
Commissioner Suarez: Right.
Commissioner Carollo: Was that disclosed?
Mr. Walker.: Everything was disclosed, Commissioner.
Commissioner Carollo: You're -- okay, so it's disclosed. And if it is, show me
where. And was it disclosed that we were supposed to pay $68 million; we did 16?
Mr. Walker: It's in the --
Commissioner Carollo: And there's a possible liability for the rest of that amount;
not the 30 million; different amount?
Mr. Walker: Well, we give them the documents that they request. We give them the
documents they requested. One of the documents that they requested was the Global
Agreement. One of the things that they pointed out was the 30 million, which, in that
same paragraph, is the 68 million. So they looked at everything. And it should be
noted that just in the memo that was sent out last year by Mayor Gimenez, the Omni
CRA in particular, its growth rate over the next -- I guess, with the extension, 40 -- to
2045 is about 770 million bucks. With the stuff that we're working on with the
School Board property, with the 10 acres of the School Board property, that's
coming in at about 4 to $500 million. So this is -- 25 million is a very small part in
that scheme.
Commissioner Carollo: Understood, but I'm not talking about that. I'm talking
about monies that the Onini CRA potentially owes.
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Commissioner Suarez: So let me just jump in. So if you look at Article 4, which is
on page 29 of the packet, in Section 4.01 and 4.02, it talks about this just being a
liability in terms of the revenue generate -- the incremental revenue generated by the
CRA, so I don't -- I think part of your concern, which was whether there was a
backstop, is addressed by those two provisions. I think we're good there.
Commissioner Carollo: Right. But what if there's not enough TIF (Tax Increment
Fund)?
Commissioner Suarez: That's on -- that's a risk --
Commissioner Carollo: Be --
Commissioner Suarez: -- that's the risk that the -- that's a risk that the lender takes.
Commissioner Carollo: And --
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah.
Commissioner Carollo: -- that's what I want our CFO to put on --
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah, yeah.
Mr. Casamayor: Sir, after reviewing the document, yes, there is no lia -- there is no
backstop for the City itself
Commissioner Suarez: Right.
Mr. Casamayor: It is all the CRA.
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah. By the way, they probably won't lend to that level, if
there's even a remote risk, so just FYI (for your information). Would you agree with
that statement?
Mr. Casamayor.• Yes, sir. And --
Commissioner Suarez: Because they have a debt coverage ratio.
Mr. Casamayor: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Suarez: Right?
Mr. Casamayor: And I did speak to the financial advisor earlier --
Commissioner Suarez: Which is above and beyond --
Mr. Casamayor: -- and, yes, he did mention that the $30 million was taken into
account as part of their analysis.
Commissioner Suarez: Right.
Mr. Casamayor: However, I didn't ask about the original 68.
Commissioner Carollo: And that's my question now. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) is the
original -- because if you take one into consideration, why aren't you taking the
other one into consideration?
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Mr. Casamayor: If I get a reply phone call, sir, I will come back and address it.
Commissioner Carollo: Thank you.
Commissioner Suarez: All right. Yeah, let's go.
Chair Hardemon: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Any further discussion? Seeing none, all
in favor of the motion, say "aye."
Commissioner Suarez: Aye.
Vice Chair Russell: Aye.
Chair Hardemon: All against?
Commissioner Carollo: No. And I wish we would have waited on the response
before we actually take the vote.
Chair Hardemon: Oh, I'm sorry. I thought the response was (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Vice Chair Russell: Wait. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) have another meeting on
(UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Commissioner Carollo: He's waiting on the financial advisor to call him.
Commissioner Suarez: So let's wait. I mean --
Chair Hardemon: If there is unreadiness --
Commissioner Suarez: Can we wait?
Chair Hardemon: -- I mean, I --
Commissioner Carollo: Yes.
Chair Hardemon: -- I'll recognize unreadiness.
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah, there's unreadiness.
Chair Hardemon: I know you were drink -- he was -- for the record, he was drinking
a drink of water at the time that he had an opportunity to object, and so therefore, I
would take his desire immediately after drinking that glass of water as objecting or -
- and so, we'll wait on a response before we come to a vote.
Mr. Walker: Commissioners, I'd just like to point out one thing. This item is very
time -sensitive --
Mr. Casamayor: Yeah.
Mr. Walker: -- because of --
Commissioner Suarez: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) sensitive.
Mr. Walker: Oh, it is, because we were looking to purchase a property in the Omni
area, not the Overtown area; to do affordable housing in the Omni area at 1990
North Miami Avenue, which you all approved at the CRA Board meeting. They
wanted us to close in September, or else we're going to lose --
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Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Walker, everything is time -sensitive. The residents
have been waiting for that playground for I don't know how many years now. It was
promised way before --
Mr. Walker: And --
Commissioner Carollo: It was already promised, so --
Mr. Walker: -- with all due respect, sir --
Commissioner Carollo: -- everything is time -sensitive.
Mr. Walker: -- the residents of Overtown have been waiting for us --
Commissioner Carollo: I understand.
Mr. Walker: -- the CRA to do some things in their district, as well.
Commissioner Carollo: Absolutely.
Vice Chair Russell: Specifically, what are we waiting for, and when will we get it,
that's holding this up?
Mr. Walker: We're waiting to see if Sergio included the 68 million, which -- while
we have him on the phone, we might as well see if he included the streetcar that
we're supposed to pay for the -- you know, that's nowhere right now either, but it's in
the same paragraph where the $30 million is. So I'm sure that when they read the
$30 million, they read the $68 million commitment, as well, so.
Vice Chair Russell: So you're just asking whether or not the bank has contemplated
this amount in offering us this loan. We're double-checking their homework to see if
they've qualified us correctly?
Me. Walker: Yes.
Commissioner Gort: And the interest rate is in according to --
Mr. Walker: Which, you know, they've already approved us, which is why we're
going through this process.
Vice Chair Russell: I'm -- yeah. I'm -- like I said, that's -- I'm comfortable finalizing
this now. I don't know exactly what we're waiting for specifically with regard to
hearing if the bank did their diligence on us, because if they've approved us, they
did.
Commissioner Gort: The bond documents should have everything in it. If it's
approved, that's their answer.
Vice Chair Russell: I agree.
Commissioner Gort: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) take.
Vice Chair Russell: I agree.
Commissioner Gort: When they sign on that bottom document, that's it.
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Vice Chair Russell: We had half the votes in when we called this one back. So
where are we, Mr. Clerk?
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk)_: I believe we're on -- the Chief Financial Officer was
getting some information so that we could proceed with the vote.
Vice Chair Russell: That's something that's pending right now. We're not tabling
this to another day, or whatever; we may get a call back in a moment. Is that what
we're waiting for?
Commissioner Carollo: We should.
Vice Chair Russell: Fair enough.
Commissioner Carollo: We should.
Commissioner Gort: Who are you trying to get? Sergio?
Mr. Hannon: So the item could be tabled at this time. You can move on with RE.9.
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): So now would be a really good time to just take a
15-minute break so we can finish up (Flew things, please, on RE.9.
Commissioner Carollo: Let's do it.
Chair Hardemon: Okay, 15 minutes.
Ms. Mendez: Thank you so much.
Later...
Chair Hardemon: (INAUDIBLE) back into order. If Commissioner Carollo can
hear me, "Ven aqui, por favor."
Vice Chair Russell.' Two Commissioners descending.
Chair Hardemon: There he is.
Commissioner Gort: Sunshine.
Chair Hardemon: So we --
Commissioner Suarez: Hi, guys.
Chair Hardemon: -- have a motion on the floor; we had some unreadiness. I believe
that we have the information necessary to address the unreadiness.
Commissioner Carollo: He's still on the phone.
Commissioner Suarez: Guys, are we good? What's the deal?
Mr. Walker: The deal was that it was not taken into account, because it's not a part
of our existing cash flow debt. And if you read the language in the Global
Agreement, it says, "An amount necessary to fund 68 million for capital
improvements for the park component of the project, to be funded by the Omni CRA
and completed by the City of Miami, no later than January 2012." So that wasn't
done. So they didn't take it into consideration, because that's something that we're
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currently paying out; the City never did it, so we never reimbursed the City. It's not
an obligation that they take into account in the current cash flow, as they've done
with the PAC (Performance Art Center) payment, as they did with the Port Tunnel
payment, and as they did with the $2 million payment for capital improvements at
Museum Park.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay.
Commissioner Gort: Call the question.
Commissioner Carollo: I think some may disagree, but okay.
Mr. Walker: We were on the speaker phone together.
Commissioner Carollo: No, no, no.
Mr. Alfonso: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) there was nothing in the contract.
Commissioner Carollo: No. Right. I imagine it wasn't, but I think some will argue
that it should have.
Commissioner Suarez: And do we --?
Mr. Walker: The City should have --
Commissioner Suarez: I think -- we haven't -- obviously, we haven't authorized the
transaction, so it hasn't closed. So what I'm getting at is, when we have these
discussions on the record, we're disclosing that these are issues. So I just want to be
clear.
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Well --
Commissioner Suarez: They're disputed issues. I mean, we're disputing them here.
Commissioner Carollo: Right. So there are disputed issues, so I don't -- yes, you're
right.
Commissioner Suarez: You get what I'm saying?
Commissioner Carollo: Absolutely. It needs to be disclosed because --
Commissioner Suarez: Of course, and we are disclosing it.
Commissioner Carollo: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) -- Right. Because then we're acting in
bad faith that, you know, we're seeking some type of loan or some type of -- without
disclosing our full, financial picture.
Mr. Walker: No, we're not acting in bad faith, Commissioner. We gave -- every
single document that was asked for by the bank, we gave it to them. In that
document, included the Global Agreement, which included Section "C, " which is our
part. And they made their decision based on the documents that were given.
Commissioner Suarez: But let me just be clear; because this -- because a little bit
into stuff that I have a little bit of knowledge on. The lending transaction, the
instrument, is it a loan or is it a bond?
Mr. Walker: Loan.
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RE.14
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Civilian
Investigative Panel
Commissioner Suarez: Okay, that's significant --
Commissioner Carollo: That's different.
Commissioner Suarez: -- because if it's a bond, it's a security; and if it's a security,
you have to make all material representations. I still think, nevertheless, that even in
a lending transaction, it's a good idea -- and we have ad nauseam discussed this
issue on the record, so whoever's lending us the money should understand and
should price into their loan the fact that there's a debate over this money.
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Hardemon: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: So because it's a loan and not a bond, I'm going to vote in
favor of it. If it was a bond --
Commissioner Suarez: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) absolutely.
Commissioner Carollo: -- I'd be voting against this.
Commissioner Suarez: I wouldn't --
Commissioner Carollo: (UNINTELLIGIBLE)
Commissioner Suarez: -- it wouldn't -- I wouldn't begrudge you that if you did.
Chair Hardemon: Seeing no further unreadiness, all in favor of the motion, say
"aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: Against? Motion passes.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING THE COMPENSATION AND
BENEFITS FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CIVILIAN
INVESTIGATIVE PANEL, CRISTINA BEAMUD; PROVIDING FOR
AN EFFECTIVE DATE AS SET FORTH HEREIN.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0326
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing item RE.14, please see item RE.8.
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RE.15 RESOLUTION
2538
Commissioners
and Mayor
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AGREEING
TO BE A NOMINAL SPONSOR OF FLORIDA SOLAR UNITED
NEIGHBORHOODS ("FL SUN"); AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO ALLOW FL SUN TO USE THE CITY OF MIAMI'S
LOGO ON ITS SPONSORSHIP PAGE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0327
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing item RE.15, please see "Public
Comment Period for Regular Item(s)" and item RE.8
END OF RESOLUTIONS
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BC - BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT COUNCIL FOR
TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY:
Marcelo Holzinger Mayor Tomas Regalado
Howard Miller Mayor Tomas Regalado
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0339
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Commissioner Suarez: Want to do the BCs (Boards and Committees) quickly?
Chair Hardemon: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: Knock them out, Todd.
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): By any chance, did you move RE.11 ?
Chair Hardemon: That is correct.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Yes.
Vice Chair Russell: We did.
Ms. Mendez: Yes?
Chair Hardemon: Yes.
Commissioner Suarez: Yes.
Ms. Mendez: Okay. Thank you.
Commissioner Suarez: Moved and passed.
Chair Hardemon: The BC Agenda.
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BC.3
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Nicole N. Ewan (Assistant City Clerk): Thank you, Chair and Commissioners.
BC.1, Arts and Entertainment Council: Mayor Regalado has requested the
reappointment of Marcelo Holzinger and Howard Miller.
Commissioner Suarez: So moved.
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
Chair Hardemon: Seeing no objection, motion passes.
Commissioner Suarez: That was Commissioner Carollo, for the record, in the back
there; took me a while for me to figure out who it was.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE AUDIT ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR TERMS
AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
LRESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Chair Keon Hardemon
Vice Chair Ken Russell
Commissioner Frank Carollo
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A CERTAIN
INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE BAYFRONT PARK MANAGEMENT TRUST FOR
A TERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
Vice Chair Ken Russell
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BC.5
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Office of the City
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RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE
FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Wifredo (Willy) Gort
Commissioner Frank Carollo
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION CONFIRMING THE
APPOINTMENT OF CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE CIVILIAN
INVESTIGATIVE PANEL FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Civilian Investigative Panel
Civilian Investigative Panel
Civilian Investigative Panel
Civilian Investigative Panel
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BC.7
2511
Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A CERTAIN AS A
MEMBER OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD FOR A TERM AS DESIGNATED
HEREIN.
APPOINTEE:
(Alternate Member)
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Commission -At -Large
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION WAIVING THE TERM LIMIT BY A
FIVE -FIVE (5/5) UNANIMOUS AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, AS IT RELATES TO JASON NEAL
AS A MEMBER OF THE COMMERCIAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT ADVISORY
COMMITTEE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0340
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Nicole N. Ewan (Assistant City Clerk): And Chair, I need to go back to BC.7, the
Commercial Solid Waste Management Advisory Committee. It's a resolution
waiving the term limit requirement as it relates to Jason Neal, who is a member of
the board. This requires a 5/5 term waiver.
Commissioner Suarez: Move it.
Chair Hardemon: And it's been -- and I'll second it, and I want to make the
statement that he represents the large hauler, so --
Ms. Ewan: Correct.
Chair Hardemon: -- he's a representative from the large haulers. That is always on
the board, so in this situation, I think it's fitting to have him sit there, because that's
who the large hauler wants to represent their interests.
Vice Chair Russell: We already approved it --
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah.
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Vice Chair Russell: -- unanimously, though, before, right? You're just clarifying it's
a 5/5?
Chair Hardemon: This is a 5/5ths.
Ms. Ewan: This is a 5/5, correct. And that concludes the Boards and Committees.
Thank you, Chair.
Chair Hardemon: So seeing no objection, that motion shall carry.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A CERTAIN
INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE COMMERCIAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR A TERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE:
Keon Hardemon
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0341
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Suarez
ABSENT: Carollo
NOMINATED BY:
Commission -At -Large
Nicole N. Ewan (Assistant City Clerk): BC.8, Commercial Solid Waste Management
Advisory Committee: There is one Commission -at -large seat currently held by
Commissioner Hardemon, who has requested to be reappointed.
Commissioner Gort: Move it.
Vice Chair Russell: Second.
Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved and seconded. Seeing no objection,
motion passes.
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BC.10
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RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD FOR TERMS
AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Tomas Regalado
Chair Keon Hardemon
Commissioner Frank Carollo
Commissioner Frank Carollo
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN
FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Tomas Regalado
Vice Chair Ken Russell
Commissioner Wifredo (Willy) Gort
Commissioner Frank Carollo
Commissioner Frank Carollo
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BC.11
1713
Office of the City
Clerk
BC.12
2123
Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A CERTAIN
INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD FOR A TERM
AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE:
Deryn Cowdy
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0342
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Suarez
ABSENT: Carollo
NOMINATED BY:
Vice Chair Ken Russell
Nicole N. Ewan (Assistant City Clerk): BC.11, Education Advisory Board: Vice
Chair Russell will be appointing Deryn Cowdy.
Commissioner Suarez: Move it.
Vice Chair Russell: Second.
Chair Hardemon: Seeing no objection, motion shall carry. Motion passes.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A CERTAIN
INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ADVISORY BOARD FOR
A TERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE:
Ivan Parra
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0343
NOMINATED BY:
Vice Chair Ken Russell
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair
SECONDER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Nicole N. Ewan (Assistant City Clerk): BC.12, Equal Opportunity Advisory Board:
Vice Chair Russell will he appointing Ivan Parra.
Vice Chair Russell: Ivan. Move it.
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BC.14
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Office of the City
Clerk
Commissioner Suarez: Second.
Chair Hardemon: Seeing no objection, motion passes.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR TERMS AS
DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Tomas Regalado
Vice Chair Ken Russell
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE HEALTH FACILITIES AUTHORITY BOARD FOR
TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Vice Chair Ken Russell
Commissioner Frank Carollo
Commissioner Francis Suarez
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2518
Office of the City
Clerk
BC.16
2519
Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A CERTAIN
INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE HISTORIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL
PRESERVATION BOARD FOR A TERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE/CATEGORY: NOMINATED BY:
Christopher Cawley Chair Keon Hardemon
(Landscape Architect — Category 2)
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0346
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner
SECONDER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Nicole N. Ewan (Assistant City Clerk): BC.15. This is the Historic and
Environmental Preservation Board. Chair Hardemon will be appointing
Christopher Cawley to the landscape architect category.
Commissioner Gort: Move it.
Commissioner Suarez: Second.
Chair Hardemon: Seeing no objection, motion passes.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A CERTAIN
INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE MAYOR'S INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR A
TERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
Vice Chair Ken Russell
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2520
Office of the City
Clerk
BC.18
2127
Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A CERTAIN
INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE MIAMI SPORTS AND EXHIBITION AUTHORITY
FOR A TERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE:
James S. Cassel
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0347
NOMINATED BY:
Vice Chair Ken Russell
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Nicole N. Ewan. (Assistant City Clerk): BC17, Miami Sports and Exhibition
Authority: Vice Chair Russell will be appointing James Cassel.
Vice Chair Russell: Move it.
Commissioner Suarez: Move it.
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
Chair Hardemon: Seeing no objection, motion passes.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Vice Chair Ken Russell
Commissioner Wifredo (Willy) Gort
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Office of the City
Clerk
BC.20
1721
Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A CERTAIN
INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE SENIOR CITIZENS' ADVISORY BOARD FOR A
TERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE:
Peter Wood
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0348
NOMINATED BY:
Vice Chair Ken Russell
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Nicole N. Ewan (Assistant City Clerk): BC.19, Senior Citizens Advisory Board:
Vice Chair Russell will be appointing Peter Wood.
Vice Chair Russell: Move it.
Commissioner Suarez: Second.
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
Chair Hardemon: Seeing no objection, motion passes.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A CERTAIN
INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE STARS OF CALLE OCHO WALK OF FAME
COMMITTEE FOR A TERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
Mayor Tomas Regalado
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Office of the City
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BC.22
1603
Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE URBAN DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD
(UDRB) FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Chair Keon Hardemon
Chair Keon Hardemon
Vice Chair Ken Russell
Vice Chair Ken Russell
Commissioner Wifredo (Willy) Gort
Commissioner Wifredo (Willy) Gort
Commissioner Frank Carollo
Commissioner Frank Carollo
Commissioner Francis Suarez
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE VIRGINIA KEY BEACH PARK TRUST FOR
TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Chair Keon Hardemon
Vice Chair Ken Russell
Commissioner Frank Carollo
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Office of the City
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RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A CERTAIN
INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE WATERFRONT ADVISORY BOARD FOR A TERM
AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE:
Wendy Kamilar
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0349
NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Wifredo (Willy) Gort
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Nicole N. Ewan (Assistant City Clerk): BC.23, Waterfront Advisory Board:
Commissioner Gort will be appointing Wendy Kamilar.
Commissioner Gort: Move it.
Commissioner Suarez: Second.
Chair Hardemon: Seeing no objection, motion passes.
END OF BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
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DI - DISCUSSION ITEMS
DI.1 DISCUSSION ITEM
2494
Office of
Transportation
Management
DI.2
2481
City Manager's
Office
DISCUSS THE RESULTS FROM THE RESIDENTIAL STREET
SPEED REDUCTION LIMIT STUDY COMPLETED BY KIMLEY-
HORN AND ASSOCIATES, INC.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing item DI.1, please see
item NA.3.
Chair Hardemon: All right. Let's -- What we could do is we can go through the
discussion items, then. DI 1.
Sandra Harris: Good morning. Sandra Harris, Office of Transportation. DI.1 is a
discussion on the Residential Speed Reduction Study. Basically, what we did was
divide the City of Miami into 29 residential communities, excluding downtown, Park
West, Virginia Key, and Dodge Island, because it lacks sufficient single-family
residents; and Bay Point, of course, because it's not maintained by the City. The
study came out where there was three neighborhoods that would meet the 20-miles-
an-hour speed limit, which would have been the Bayside community, up in the Upper
Eastside; Venetian Isles and Brickell; then 21 other neighborhoods, based on the
FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) criterias [sic] meet the 25-miles-an-
hour criteria. So with that, next step is for a resolution or direction from the
Commission here to either do a citywide 25-miles-an-hour speed limit or 25 miles an
hour in the communities, except for the three that met 20 miles an hour; so two speed
limits within the City.
DISCUSSION ITEM
DISCUSS THE 2017 STATE LEGISLATIVE SESSION REPORT AND
PRIORITIES FOR THE 2018 STATE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
Chair Hardemon: DI.2.
Diana Arteaga (Senior Advisor to the City Manager): Good morning,
Commissioners. Diana Arteaga, Government Relations for the City of Miami. I
want to be brief.' I've provided your offices with a copy of the End of Session Report;
nothing new in there that you haven't already heard about, but I would be
understating that -- this year has been a particularly difficult one for local
governments, where special interests went head on with local governments. I'm
happy to report that the majority of our priorities did pass. A lot of the bills that
would have cost the City of Miami tens of millions of dollars were defeated. And I
also want to thank each and every one of you that I had to call on this session to help
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fight those hills, including the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) Preemption
Bill, to help us support the Storm Water Funding Plan and lobbying the Governor's
office. I thank you for being responsive; and also, the City Attorneys Office that was
very much involved this year, especially with the Linear Facilities Bill that would
have overturned our victory with FPL (Florida Power & Light) on the transmission
line issue. So if you have any questions about the report, I'm happy to answer them
at this time.
Commissioner Suarez: Mr. Chair.
Chair Hardemon: You're recognized, sir.
Commissioner Suarez: I just want to commend you. You're a pleasure to work with.
I get a lot of positive feedback from legislators about you, unsolicited. It's not like
I'm asking, "Hey, what do you think about Diana?" They're constantly telling me.
And, you know, you had a great session, we had a great session, and you work very
well with us, you work very well with our partners. I just -- you know -- I want to
commend you.
Ms. Arteaga: Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: I agree with that. I agree.
Ms. Arteaga: Thank you.
Daniel J. Alfonso (City Manager): And I'll take credit for hiring her.
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah, well, you should. Before -- one quick question: I
heard that the legislative session next year is going to be pushed up to January; is
that correct?
Ms. Arteaga: Yes, sir. That's why, in the backup, I have a list of proposed --
Commissioner Suarez: Got it.
Ms. Arteaga: -- priorities for the 2018 session committee weeks. They're expected
to start around September/October.
Commissioner Suarez: Got it.
Commissioner Carollo: Exactly. Mr. Chairman, if I could?
Chair Hardemon: You are recognized.
Commissioner Carollo: And that's why I want to make sure that we address Flagler,
the issues we've had in Flagler. I don't have to go into details. I think I've
mentioned it in front of the Senator that represents the area; in front of the State
Representative that represents the area. So I want to make sure that that's a priority
for the City of Miami. Also, an item that Pm bringing later on today -- Last year; one
of the senior centers were cut for meals, and this Commission stepped up and was
able to fund those meals. In this current Legislature that just passed, they did not
add the monies. I want to see if we could push for that, because I do believe the
senior meals are extremely important, so I want to make sure that becomes a priority
gins. Thank you.
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DI.3
2480
City Manager's
Office
Ms. Arteaga: Yes, sir. Is there anything in the backup. for the suggested priorities
that you have questions on or would like to see added or removed, in addition to
those he mentioned?
Chair Hardemon: Not just yet.
Ms. Arteaga: Okay, great. All right. Thank you very mach.
Commissioner Carollo: Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you so very much. And I'm doing this because this is what
we normally do any time we see someone who has served in our form of government
here. Although he is a candidate, this is not about his candidacy. This is just to
recognize the fact that we do have a former Commissioner in our presence, so I want
to recognize the presence of Commissioner Joe Carollo.
Commissioner Carollo: Mayor.
Chair Hardemon: I'm sorry; former Mayor --
Commissioner Suarez: Mayor.
Chair Hardemon: -- as well, yeah.
DISCUSSION ITEM
PRESENTATION OF THE ANNEXATION FEASIBILITY STUDY.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
Chair Hardemon: The -- I want to move over to DL 3.
Fernando Casamayor (Chief Financial Officer): Good morning, Commissioners.
Give me a second here while I get my audio visual set up here for this very brief
presentation. Fernando Casamayor, Assistant City Manager. While they're setting
that up, I can give you a little bit of information that you don't need the visuals for.
As a background, in 2014, we were asked -- this Administration was asked to come
forward with a feasibility study for annexation for four areas: Palmer Lake in
Melrose; Blue Lagoon West; Blue Lagoon in Waterford; and an area noted as 36th
Street North. At that time, the feasibility study did show that there would be a net
gain for all four areas. We were then asked to come back and include an area near
the Liberty City area as part of another annexation, and we took the opportunity to
not only do that, but also go back and refresh the other areas that we had already
looked at, because in the three years, some things have changed. So the three areas
we looked at were an area known as Brownsville, and the geographic location is
detailed here.
Unidentified Speaker: Added?
Mr. Casamayor: Added. Added, sir. The Melrose area, which had been previously
looked at, as well as the Blue Lagoon area this time, as one block of area; not two
separate ones. The following slide shows you the maps of the areas; Brownsville
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being to the north, Melrose kind of there in the center, and Blue Lagoon kind of there
on the southwest side of the map.
Vice Chair Russell: Could IT (Information Technology) put this on our monitors on
the dais; is that possible? Oh, here it comes. Thank you.
Mr. Casamayor: You want the map back, Commissioners?
Vice Chair Russell: Yes, please. Brownsville, Melrose, Blue Lagoon.
Mr. Casamayor: They're in your monitor?
Chair Hardemon: It's a bigger screen.
Mr. Casamayor: Right. So all of this information is detailed in the item itself the
attachment to the item, but this is just an overview of what's in the package. So the
data analysis showed a couple of things. The first page of data analysis shows the
general expenditures that we would see if we would give the existing level of services
that we provide to the average Citv of Miami resident to these areas. There is a cost
of about 24 and a half million dollars for the Brownsville area, 15.7 million in the
Melrose area, and a little over 10 million in the Blue Lagoon area. Again, some of
the key things that were in that data analysis for expenditures is some things the
departments reported that they needed to have in order to service these areas. So,
for instance, if the Fire Department needed additional apparatus, possible new
station, those are the things that were included in data analysis. We reported a
public safety expenditure of roughly $688 for the average City of Miami resident in
FY fiscal year) '14/15, and the projection provided for the same services in these
areas was about $1,500. That -- because you have to start up the service in the
areas, so there is some capital cost that may need to be included as part of that. This
also included some staffing and administrative cost, as well as fleet and fuel, and
some other things that are just kind of overhead that would expand along with this
area. The following page is a revenue summary, so this takes into account the
millage rate that we have right now, which is 7.6465, expanded out to the property
values that are noted in these areas. And then, there's a bottom line, which will tell
you the plus or minus delta of incorporating this area with our -- with the revenues
that we would get, and the expenditures that we would need in order to serve these
areas. As you can see in the analysis, we are a net minus on two of the areas, and a
net plus on one of the areas.
Commissioner Carollo: So what's the total net minus?
Mr. Casamayor: Total net minus is about $14 million.
Commissioner Carollo: $14 million to add all these areas?
Mr. Casamayor: To add all three areas, and that's as they exist today. It does not
mean that in the future, based on our Zoning Code and the additional services that
we will be providing in those areas that it couldn't spur some development; and
actually, these numbers could flip at some point.
Commissioner Carollo: No, understood, at some point. But my question is, some of
the conversations we've had with future budgets and so forth, you know, I don't know
if we want to take up additional losses, so I just -- I think it needs to be looked at very
closely; not to mention issues like CIP (Capital Improvements Program) and getting
roads fixed, and so forth. Already, with what we have as a city, we're --
Commissioner Suarez: Deferred maintenance is there in those areas.
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Commissioner Carollo: Yes. You know, we're struggling to keep up.
Mr. Casamayor.: Understood.
Commissioner Carollo: So, you know, that needs to be taken into consideration, so.
Mr. Casamayor: Yes, sir. The following page is a brief description of the type of the
demographics that are included in the areas, including the total number of residents,
the race and ethnicity of those residents, and some information regarding household
information. The chart that follows that includes voter statistics. As we can see,
some of these areas are much more populated than others. And then the last slide --
that last graphical slide that we have is a description of the land use types, the
different types of properties and what land use codes they have. So the last slide is
the next step section. This is where we await the Commission to tell us what is it that
you want us to do with all or some, or one of these --
Chair Hardemon: Commissioner Gort.
Mr. Casamayor: -- potential annexation areas.
Commissioner Gort: I think we began this about four years ago, and I requested
that. And after that, I have talked to some of the Commissioners. Some of the
Commissioners. they're in favor of it. I think we need to discuss that, because if the
Commission, the County Commission does not approve it, they're not going to vote
.for it. Also, at the same time, get a look at the -- what people are paying right now.
What's the taxes, the yearly taxes, compared to ours have to be? Because the people
have to vote on it, and if we don't -- they don't really see an advantage to it, I don't
think they will vote for it. Nobody wants to vote to increase their taxes, that's for
sure. So I hope we can conduct those things. And particularly, talk to the County,
especially the Commissioner representing that area. I've talked to them. One of
them was very much in favor of it; the other ones were not. So we need that.
Chair Hardemon: So, I mean, that's a conversation we'll end up having with our
individual Commissioners in the County that represent these areas to see if we can
have that type of support. I know there are some areas where there is some
pushback, but there may be areas where there is not, so it's a process. But we do
appreciate you providing us the information, and I guess we'll have continued
conversation about how we move forward, because it ends up having to be a -- sort
of a campaign to annex communities, and that's going to be something that we're
going to have to lead and the County will have to follow, if you will, so. Any further
discussion on the item?
Daniel J. Alfonso (City Manager): So I just want to make sure. So are we going to
get a direction to continue the process, continue discussion; go to the County, look at
what the next steps are, and kind of push the issue? Is that what I'm hearing?
Chair Hardemon: I would say so, without any --
Commissioner Gort: That's what I'm recommending.
Chair Hardemon: Right. I would say so without any --
Mr. Alfonso: It's still a lengthy process. I mean, it's not --
Chair Hardemon: Yeah, exactly.
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Commissioner Suarez: I think you got some feedback from us as to what the
concerns are, you know, and then you can continue the process and see where the
County is, too.
Mr. Alfonso: Okay.
Commissioner Suarez: And by the way, there are other issues that the County, 1
think, wants from us, and I think that should also be included into the conversation.
Chair Hardemon: Okay.
Mr. Casamayor: Thank you, Commissioners.
DI.4 DISCUSSION ITEM
2608
Commissioners
and Mayor
DISCUSSION ON ELDERLY RESIDENTS IN THE CITY OF MIAMI
LOSING THEIR MEALS DUE TO LACK OF STATE FUNDING AND
PROVIDING FOR A POSSIBLE RESOLUTION TO ADDRESS THE
ISSUE.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
Chair Hardemon: DI.4.
Commissioner Gort: Thank you.
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Hardemon: You're recognized, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: I'm sorry, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. Mr. Chairman, I
brought this item as a discussion item. If you remember, last year, there were some
issues with the State funding or lack of funding, or cut of fundings for some senior
centers; more particularly, the one that I'm bringing up is Palermo. I know I
provided Anti -Poverty funds; Commissioner Suarez and Commissioner Gort, also.
And once again, this year, they were not funded. So unless we want the elderly
meals to be eliminated, we'll need to fund again. So I -- you know, I have a budget;
it's the same as last year. And, you know, I'm going to in the next Commission
meeting bring up a resolution. I just want to see if I could get consensus to once
again do Anti -Poverty, or whatever funding, and fund them.
Commissioner Suarez: So from my perspective, yes. I will provide the same level,
which I think was 25, as well --
Commissioner Carollo: Yes.
Commissioner Suarez: -- from Anti -Poverty --
Commissioner Carollo: Yes.
Commissioner Suarez: -- from the same line item or whatever.
Commissioner Carollo: Right.
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Commissioner Suarez: You know, there's a concern, and I think this should be part
of the discussion, like you said, of the legislative priorities --
Commissioner Carollo: Yes.
Commissioner Suarez: -- that we need to find a way to permanently fill this gap so
that we can --
Commissioner Carollo: Right.
Commissioner Suarez: -- you know. So to -- because this was funded by the State,
so.
Commissioner Carollo: And that's why I brought it up at that time --
Commissioner Suarez: Right.
Commissioner Carollo: -- especially since we're going to have --
Commissioner Suarez: Exactly.
Commissioner Carollo: -- committee meetings start a lot earlier this year.
Commissioner Suarez: Got it.
Commissioner Carollo: And Commissioner --
Commissioner Gort: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: -- same amount as last year?
Commissioner Gort: I'm -- the same commitment, yes.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Thank you. And what -- I want to direct the
Administration to do a resolution, same as last year, for the same amount that "D" --
Commissioner Suarez: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: -- myself, Commissioner Suarez, and Commissioner Gort
did. And you know what? I'll do it in the form of a resolution, of a motion. Is that
okay?
Commissioner Suarez: You could do it now if you want.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): I'm sony, sir?
Commissioner Carollo: I want to make sure -- Do I do it as the form of a motion, or
do I -- Is it just direction, Madam City Attorney?
Commissioner Suarez: If you want to, do it now.
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): You can do it as a form of a motion in order --
Commissioner Carollo: Well, let me ask you something. Can I just make the motion
to allocate "X" amount from my Anti -Poverty? You want that as a resolution?
Ms. Mendez: Right. So that, we need to have --
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Commissioner Carollo: Right.
Ms. Mendez: -- at our next meeting --
Commissioner Carollo: Okay.
Commissioner Suarez: That's fine.
Ms. Mendez: -- because it's a fiscal impact.
Commissioner Suarez: That's fine.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. So can I direct you Do you need a resolution
directing you to bring an item in the next Commission meeting?
Ms. Mende: No. I'll place it --
Commissioner Gort: The same as last year.
Commissioner Carollo: Same as last year.
Commissioner Suarez: Same as last year.
Ms. Mendez: Okay.
Commissioner Carollo: Right. Same as last year. Thank you.
Vice Chair Russell: Does the same hole exist that was there last year?
Commissioner Carollo: Yes.
Vice Chair Russell: Because I had heard that perhaps it does not; it may have been
filled.
Commissioner Carollo: Well, no. I have actually spoke with them. I got a -- not a
letter -- I guess, like a -- yes, a letter; it's just not a formal letter. It's them saying
exactly the funding that they need, from what period to what period. While I'm
calling this, I'm going to make a copy. Put it in the record and make sure that each
Commissioner receives one. But, yes, they're saying that their funding gap for this
senior center is the same.
Commissioner Suarez: And we can ask Ms. Arteaga to confirm that, you know --
Commissioner Carollo: Sure.
Commissioner Suarez: -- if she wants for the next meeting.
Commissioner Carollo: Sure. But I will provide each one of you and the Clerk this
letter that 1 received from them.
Commissioner Suarez: Perfect.
Chair Hardemon: Okay.
Commissioner Suarez: Cool.
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Chair Hardernon: All right.
Commissioner Suarez: Good stuff.
Chair Hardemon: Seeing no further discussion on the item, thank you very much.
END OF DISCUSSION ITEMS
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PART B: PZ - PLANNING AND ZONING ITEM(S)
Barnaby Min (Deputy City Attorney): Mr. Chair -- The PZ (Planning & Zoning) items
will proceed according to Section 7.1.4 of the Miami 21 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 the 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 286.011(5) 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 will be 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. Staff
will then briefly present each item to be heard. For applications requiring City
Commission approval, the applicant will then present its application request to the City
Commission. If the applicant agrees with the staff recommendation, the City
Commission may proceed to its deliberation decision [sic]. The applicant may also
waive the right to an evidentiary hearing on the record. The order of presentation will
be as set forth in Miami 21 and in 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
recommendations 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. If any Commissioner thinks a document supplied to the
Commission less than seven days before merit a continuance, the item may be
continued by the City Commission. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much. What I can do right now is I can open up the
floor for public comment for the PZ items, so if I can have the Clerk swear everyone in,
please.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Anyone
speaking on today's Planning & Zoning items, may I please have you stand and raise
your right hand? Anybody speaking on today's Planning & Zoning items? Thank you,
Chair.
The following item(s) shall not be considered before 2:00 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR PLANNING AND ZONING ITEM(S)
Chair Hardemon: All right. I'll open up the floor for public comment, so this is the
public comment section for our 2 o'clock or our PZ (Planning & Zoning) Agenda, Part
"B." If you are here to speak on item PZ.1 or PZ.2, please approach one of the
lecterns. Seeing no one here that wants to speak on those items, I'll close the public
hearing.
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PZ.1 ORDINANCE Second Reading
1900
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 3550 WEST GLENCOE STREET AND 3535
HIAWATHA AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA FROM "T5-R", URBAN
CENTER TRANSECT ZONE -RESTRICTED, AND "NCD-3", COCONUT
GROVE NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT, TO "T3-R",
SUB -URBAN TRANSECT ZONE -RESTRICTED, AND "NCD-3",
COCONUT GROVE NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT;
MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: 13694
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair
SECONDER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Chair Hardemon: And are you ready for PZ.1? You're recognized, sir.
Francisco Garcia: Thank you, sir. Francisco Garcia, Planning & Zoning director.
Item PZ.1 is before you on second reading. It is the rezoning proposal for a property
fronting on West Glencoe Street, at 3550 West Glencoe Street, but also fronting
Hiawatha Avenue on the rear. And the request is before you to change the zoning
designation from T5-R with an NCD (Neighborhood Conservation District)-3
overlay, which it is presently, to T3-R, with an NCD-3 overlay. Our
recommendation is for approval, as was that of the Planning, Zoning & Appeals
Board. Happy to respond to any questions you may have.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you, Mr. Garcia. IfI may, Mr. Chairman?
Chair Hardemon: Yes.
Vice Chair Russell: So, yes, we've deferred this a couple times, and I'd like to close
it up today. I'd like to thank Ms. Tapanes for working with her client and the
neighborhood over these past few weeks. What we have are some upset neighbors
who feel that they don't have a good neighbor in this developer; and so, they're
looking fbr some sort of timelines and restrictions, and hopeful cooperations. And
so, Ms. Tapanes has sent an email to my office that I would just like entered into the
record. I know it's not conditional on our rezoning, but I would like it entered into
the record that this conversation is happening, and that these promises are being
made to the community with regard to construction timeline, noise ordinance, and
environmental considerations, roadway and drainage work. And so, as we move
toward the final plat, I'd like you to know that these promises need to be kept. We'll
be back here again, and the neighbors will be in opposition again if they don't feel
that they've had a good experience with the developer. I know growing pains are
tough, but I think we all can get along. So I'd just like to enter this into the record,
Mr. Clerk.
Chair Hardemon: You want to be recognized, ma'am?
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Melissa Tapanes-Llahues: Yes, please.
Chair Hardemon: Please.
Ms. Tapanes-Llahues: Thank you, Chairman. Melissa Tapanes-Llahues with the
law firm of Bercow Radell Fernandez & Larkin. Commissioner Russell, thank you
very much for assisting us with our efforts with the community. The one item that is
noted in my email that you could be of most assistance to not only the neighborhood,
but also my client, is expediting the review and approval of that final plat. We would
hope that it could be on the July 27 agenda, because if it's not, then we're looking at
September; and thereafter, it would begin the County process, which takes a couple
months. So if the plat is able to be on the next Commission agenda, then we can
keep to the three-month timeline, because we will be going through that County
process in the month of August, while this Commission is in recess.
Vice Chair Russell: We have a -- we're already beyond our limit of items for this
coming agenda. Would the lack of approval of the final plat hold up the construction
and sales in any way?
Ms. Tapanes-Llahues: Yes, absolutely.
Vice Chair Russell: How so?
Ms. Tapanes-Llahues: So what transpires is that no closing can occur on these
properties until the final plat is recorded. Because of the three months of deferral of
this rezoning application, the plat has been on hold. Following this Commission's
approval of the final plat, there is a subsequent County process that will take about
two months to end in the recording of that final plat. So this -- a plat of this nature,
as you know, is a ministerial item; it could be placed on the consent agenda. It is
ready to go in your Public Works Department, and it has been ready to go for
several months now. So if this item can be put on the July 27 agenda, that would
certainly assist us in completing this three-month timeline to complete construction
of the underlying three units that are subject to the Major Use Special Permit.
Vice Chair Russell: All right. I'll talk with the City Administration, unless they have
something to say at this point about the item, about the replatting, the final plat, and
the status.
Nzeribe Ihekwaba (Director, Public Works): Good afternoon. Zerry Ihekwaba. The
package for this plat is actually ready pending this -- passage of this item today.
However, that does not grant us the ability to have the plat recorded. It still has to
go to the County.
Vice Chair Russell: Of course.
Mr. Ihekwaba: It still has to go to the County Commission ever before it gets
recorded. So you're looking at maybe 60 to 90 days to get this done.
Ms. Tapanes-Llahues: That's correct. But the first item is for the Commission to
approve it so that we can go on to the County recording process. What I'm saying
is, if this plat is not heard until September, that is adding two months to the timeline
of the three additional two to three months that it takes to actually record the plat
that he mentioned.
Chair Hardemon: Does this need to he heard twice; this item need to be heard
twice?
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Mr. Ihekwaba: No, it's just once.
Chair Hardemon: So once this is heard, where does it go?
Mr. Ihekwaba: It goes to Miami -Dade County.
Chair Hardemon: So --
Ms. Tapanes-Llahues: No.
Chair Hardemon: -- you're saying that your --
Ms. Tapanes-Llahues: I'm sorry. That's the plat.
Chair Hardemon: Right.
Mr. Ihekwaba: That's the plat.
Ms. Tapanes-Llahues: This is the rezoning. The plat is not --
Mr. Ihekwaba: This is the rezoning prior to the plats coming in before you.
Chair Hardemon: If -- so this -- the rezoning -- you're saying that the rezoning has
to come back?
Vice Chair Russell: No.
Commissioner Suarez: No.
Chair Hardemon: What are you asking to come back?
Ms. Tapanes-Llahues: So the re --
Chair Hardemon: Oh, the recoding of the plat.
Ms. Tapanes-Llahues: The rezoning is done, and then the plat can be put on the City
Commission agenda.
Chair Hardemon: Right.
Ms. Tapanes-Llahues: What I'm saying is in the regular course, we'd be looking at -
- because the rezoning has been delayed. for three months -- and I've been up here
for the last three months saying just this -- if it gets put off till September, that adds
two months to the timeline, which makes it impossible. We don't gain that month of
August through the County process --
Chair Hardemon: But f --
Ms. Tapanes-Llahues: -- so we're looking at a five -month then.
Chair Hardemon: -- the City can be ready, and if you don't anticipate you'll have
any, you know, pushback from your neighbors; they'll just come in, and we can go
through the ministerial process, then let's just add it to the July 27.
Vice Chair Russell: I'll move this item now.
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Chair Hardemon: Been properly moved and second.
Commissioner Suarez: Second.
Chair Hardemon: Any further discussion on the item? Hearing none, all in favor of
the item (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by Deputy City Attorney
Barnaby Min.
Chair Hardemon: All in favor of the item, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Ave.
Chair Hardemon: All against? Motion passes.
Daniel J. Alfonso (City Manager): Mr. Chairman, real quick. So do the
Commission want me to bring this back as a public hearing item on September -- I
mean, on the 27th agenda?
Commissioner Suarez: Sure, whatever. That's fine.
Vice Chair Russell: Yes.
Mr. Alfonso: Yes?
Vice Chair Russell: If it could make it on there, yes.
Commissioner Suarez: We waive the restriction.
Mr. Alfonso: Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: No one -- there are no -- I promise you; we have one person. I'm
just playing. Now you have -- then 15 people show up, but we don't anticipate that
to happen, because no one showed up yet.
Vice Chair Russell: Well, it depends on how well they --
Chair Hardemon: Communicate that message.
Vice Chair Russell: -- take care of the neighbors. Yep.
PZ.2 ORDINANCE Second Reading
2289
Department of
Planning and
Zoning
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI, AS AMENDED, SPECIFICALLY BY AMENDING ARTICLE
4, TABLE 4, ENTITLED "DENSITY, INTENSITY, AND PARKING," AND
ARTICLE 5, SECTION 5.7, ENTITLED "CIVIC SPACE ZONES AND
CIVIC INSTITUTION ZONES," TO CLARIFY REGULATIONS RELATED
TO CIVIC SPACE ZONES; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE
AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: 13695
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MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Chair Hardemon: Sir.
Francisco Garcia (Director, Planning & Zoning): Thank you. Ready for item PZ.2?
Chair Hardemon: Yes.
Mr. Garcia: Item PZ.2 is an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance of the City of
Miami to clam that development is allowed in CS (civic space) and CI (civic
institution) zoned properties, pursuant to master plans previously approved by the
City Commission --
Commissioner Suarez: Move it.
Mr. Garcia: -- in public hearing.
Vice Chair Russell: Second.
Chair Hardemon: Been properly moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? I
don 't see any discussion. Assistant City Attorney.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by Deputy City Attorney
Barnaby Min.
Chair Hardemon: All in favor of the item, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: All against? Motion passes.
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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D1 - DISTRICT 1
COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT ONE WIFREDO (WILLY) GORT
END OF DISTRICT 1 ITEMS
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D2 - DISTRICT 2
VICE CHAIR KEN RUSSELL
END OF DISTRICT 2 ITEMS
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D3 - DISTRICT 3
COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT THREE FRANK CAROLLO
END OF DISTRICT 3 ITEMS
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D4 - DISTRICT 4
COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT FOUR FRANCIS SUAREZ
END OF DISTRICT 4 ITEMS
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D5 - DISTRICT 5
CHAIR KEON HARDEMON
END OF DISTRICT 5 ITEMS
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FL - FUTURE LEGISLATION
FL.1 ORDINANCE
2428
Department of
Public Works
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
SECTION 55-10 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "SUBDIVISION
REGULATIONS/BUILDING PERMITS; ISSUANCE;
RESTRICTIONS; EXCEPTIONS," TO REMOVE THE PROHIBITION
ON THE ISSUANCE OF A TEMPORARY CERTIFICATE OF
OCCUPANCY PRIOR TO COMPLETION OF THE SUBDIVISION
IMPROVEMENTS; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
END OF FUTURE LEGISLATION
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NA.1
2667
Office of the City
Clerk
NA - NON -AGENDA ITEM(S)
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE
CITYGRADER.COM WEBSITE BY ENROLLING, TAKING THE
PLEDGE, USING THE WEBSITE, AND MONITORING THE
FEEDBACK RECEIVED THROUGH CITYGRADER.COM SITE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0338
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Vice Chair
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Suarez
ABSENT: Carollo
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing item NA.1, please see
item PA.2.
Commissioner Suarez: And so, I would just like -- and I don't know what formal
action, if any; whether it's a direction, Madam Attorney, that we have to take to
basically sign up and take the pledge. Do you need a resolution or do you need just
a direction?
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): I would -- just so that we can record it, just
direction or -- Todd, a resolution?
Commissioner Suarez: What do you think?
Ms. Mendez: What's the best wav to record the Commission's directive to advise the
Manager to sign up and participate?
Commissioner Suarez: To take the pledge and participate in the site.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): From a historical standpoint, a resolution would be
preferred.
Ms. Mendez: Okay, perfect.
Commissioner Suarez: So moved.
Ms. Mendez: So well create it after the, fact.
Mr. Newell: Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: Been properly moved and seconded. Is there any further -- Is
there any objection to it?
Commissioner Gort: I don't have any objection, but I have a lot of questions. A lot
of people are staying here. We have 32 municipalities in the City of Miami and we
have Dade County.
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Commissioner Suarez: 34.
Commissioner Gort: We have the -- 34. Okay, at present. Thank you.
Commissioner Suarez: 1 got to -- okay.
Commissioner Gort: I've been corrected.
Commissioner Suarez: Mr. former president.
Commissioner Gort: A lot of time, there's a lot of misinformation; like, you got State
roads, you got County roads, City roads and Federal roads. You also have the
Transportation. City of Miami doesn't have any input, except for our trolley, but
Transportation is a responsibility to the County. So we want to make sure, because a
lot of times, I get complaint related to the County, not to the City of Miami, so I have
to inform the individual.
Commissioner Suarez: Mr. Chair.
Commissioner Gort: So if somehow we can inject in there what is the responsibility
of the City so people could understand. I don't have any problem with it. I think it'll
be very good.
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah.
Commissioner Gort: Also, I would like to get reports from you all where -- Will you
be able to detect where they're coming from?
Mr. Newell: Sure, absolutely.
Commissioner Gort: Because there's certain communities, certain neighborhoods in
our City that they don't have the capability to go into here and put their remarks.
And then, this can be used by certain groups to do certain things.
Mr. Newell: May I respond real quickly?
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah. And Mr. Chair -- through the Chair. But I would just
-- I want to support everything that Commissioner Gort has said. And I'll give you
an example. I think yesterday or the day before -- I think it was yesterday -- literally,
while I was getting a haircut, a lady came to me from Shenandoah, complaining
about her streets. And I said to her -- and I think the Mayor would appreciate this,
having been our district Commissioner -- I said to her, "This is" -- "it's not our
project. It's a Water & Sewer project. We're not involved in it." But she was very --
in fact she said she got polled, and she said that she would not vote for me because
of --
Mr. Newell: Right.
Commissioner Suarez: -- the project.
Mr. Newell: Right.
Commissioner Suarez: And I said to her, "Look, you know, I" -- "you have the right
to vote for me or not vote for me; that's your choice, you know. But I just want you
to know that it a Water & Sewer Project; it not a City of Miami project. In fact,
we're doing everything we can on the City side to keep" -- "to hold them accountable
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and to make sure that they finish the project timely and as cleanly as possible." And
then, at the end, she said, "Okay. Well, I'll vote for you now." Thank you. I
appreciate that. But the point is that, as Commissioner Gort said, there's a lot of
misinformation. And the second piece that he said, which is very important, is you
have to try to avoid being used as a tool for manipulation --
Mr. Newell: Sure.
Commissioner Suarez: -- because there are a lot of people out there that -- what I
call -- I call them "telephone tough guys," you know, where -- you know, they like to
hide behind anonymity and then use these sites or use other forums to try to be
critical, and try to legitimize their criticism of elected officials when they don't have
the guts to do what you guys are doing, which is coming here before us and saying,
"Hey, we're going to do this" --
Paola Newell: Right.
Commissioner Suarez: -- "and this could be critical, and, you know, we stand by it."
So --
Mr. Newell: I appreciate these comments. I'll just say -- and I know -- I know you
want to move on; you have a long agenda. The -- We take moderation very
seriously, so there'll be two layers; automated layer for profanity, and, you know,
unsuitable images; and, of course, the human level, as well. But it's all the more
important for you to be a public partner, because you get to, when you're a public
partner, actually flag a review and say, "Hey, this isn't right. This is isn't" -- "this
doesn't even relate to us." And then we can negate that grade so it won't affect your
overall grade, because your grade is a product of all your employees' grades, your
department grades and your city grades. So, yes, we take that very seriously. We
also will be implementing a sort -- like Yelp uses -- a rating system for the users,
themselves. So if people are posting unhelpful reviews or things that are mean -
spirited, they'll get knocked off, their rating goes down. And that peer pressure
works it very well for Yelp. We think it'll work well for us, too. So we have a lot
planned to keep this on the up and up, so to speak, for the cities.
Chair Hardemon: Commissioner Gort.
Commissioner Gort: No, I'll yield to him. Go ahead.
Vice Chair Russell: No, I didn't mean to --
Commissioner Gort: Oh.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Thank you for coming. This is a great idea, and I'm
glad we're directing the management to get involved. I'd like to take it a step further,
though, because what happens a lot of times when the residents have different
avenues through which to complain, they feel that that's an official complaint being
filed, and we're seeing this now on the Next Door website, for example, where
neighbors will say, "Why don't they fix this thing?" And unless we're monitoring that
officially, and that goes through a process of dealing with that constituent's request,
it gets lost into space and it just reduces our score, perhaps, and they don't get
addressed. I would really like to see us strengthen our 311 and our NET
(Neighborhood Enhancement Team) Office to really be the catchall for all
constituent services in the City. We, as City Commissioners, each deal with
constituent services in our own way, and even though we are not the Administration,
we are the elected, who are held accountable, so we all get involved in constituent
services. This could be an excellent tool that the NET Office could use if it's being
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monitored regularly and the items that are -- the complaints that are made are
channeled properly. So, as the management signs this on, I'd like to see more than
just being signed on. I'd like to really see an interactive involvement with this. And I
would like to see, you know, 311 and NET Once really, really be strengthened for
constituent services even better. Thank you.
Mr. Newell: Thank you. And we'd be happy to dis -- explore ways with Miami how
to integrate 311 with the site and make them coordinate better, as well. I think it's
an excellent point. Thank you, Commissioner.
Commissioner Gort: I would like to suggest that for them to get together with the --
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah, absolutely.
Commissioner Gort: -- Communications Department and mainly, also, to have
something there where they can guide them to our website. I think we have a pretty
good website where they can go directly, also. So f you can put something in there
so they can also connect with our website, it'd be very important, too.
Ms. Newell: Of course.
Commissioner Suarez: Mr. Chair.
Mr. Newell: We'd be happy to.
Chair Hardemon: Yes.
Commissioner Suarez: I think connecting to the website creates a lot of that
interactivity that the Vice Chair is talking about, and I do think that Commissioner
Gort has a great idea. We have a Chief Innovation Officer, Mike Serasti (phonetic),
and if they can get together, we could facilitate a meeting between them, there might
be ways to cooperate that both sides can benefit from.
Mr. Newell: Great. Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: All right. Seeing no -- you want --? Yes, sir.
Daniel 1 Alfonso (City Manager): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'd just like to point
out that we have -- we're eager; we can get involved; it's not a problem; we're not
concerned. I would like to have the ability to have a conversation with the folks,
because even in the beta that we saw, they had -- they're grading us on schools. We
have nothing to do with schools; they should be excluded from our grade. That's got
to be the School Board. So we'd like to have that conversation. I know that they are
very eager to go, and they're presumptuous. They already list us as a partner on
their website. I guess they just presumed that you guys are going to approve this. So
we would like to have a discussion with them, and we're more than eager to work
with them.
Commissioner Suarez: Or a possible sort of corollary -- but this would obviously be
flushed out in the discussion -- is that if they're going to grade us on schools, there's
a disclaimer that says that we're not the School Board, because -- I'll give you an
example. I think Miami Beach's interaction with the School Board on schools is
much more profound and much more intense than ours is, for example. So, I mean, I
still think we have a role to play, and we do play a role with our Poverty Initiative,
thanks, in large part, to the Chair, you lcnow, that created it. We have a role to play
by and through different organizations and institutions with the School Board, and
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so, you could grade us on that. But there could be -- there needs to he like a
disclaimer.
Mr. Newell: Sure. If I may, the schools are there, and not for the school itself to he
gradedd, and this is something you probably couldn't see in the demonstration, and I
understand, and this is why 1 think a meeting is a good idea. It's there for -- it's the
way Zillow uses schooling as a way to give a score, as well. It's the availability of
schools within that city, so it's more for residents if they're thinking of moving to
Miami or the Gables or the schools like there, or the access to schools, which is
something you'll see there. But it's not in order -- it's not necessarily to hold you
accountable for the schools. So -- but that's a very, very good point.
Commissioner Suarez: But, again, therein lies the tension and the --
Mr. Newell: Sure.
Commissioner Suarez: -- sort of complication where you're trying to grade a
government, but the function or the -- you're specifying, which is the availability of
schools is not under our control. So I think the best way to do it is to -- because,
again, part of it, I think -- I would presume is not only for the public to be able to
grade us, but to be able to grade us fairly. And I think you have a role ethically --
Mr. Newell: Sure.
Commissioner Suarez: -- right? -- to make sure that whatever we're being graded on
is a fair representation of the work that we do.
Mr. Newell: And this is fantastic feedback. This is why we're here during beta and
not during -- after live launch, because this is the kind of feedback we want from the
City, from you --
Commissioner Suarez: Thank you.
Mr. Newell: -- because this helps us create a better product. That's what we're after
at the end of the day, is to have the best product possible.
Commissioner Suarez: Awesome.
Chair Hardemon: Is there --
Mr. Newell: So we would love to meet.
Chair Hardemon: -- any further discussion --
Commissioner Suarez: No.
Chair Hardemon: -- on the motion on the floor? Seeing none, all in favor, say
"aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: All against? Motion passes.
Commissioner Suarez: Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much, sir.
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Commissioner Suarez: Thank you for corning.
Mr. Newell: Thank you, Commissioners. Thank you.
DISCUSSION ITEM
DISCUSSION REGARDING HOMELESSNESS IN THE CITY OF
MIAMI BY RESIDENT CATHERINE CHRISTOFIS.
rRESULT: DISCUSSED
Chair Hardemon: There was a young lady that was approaching before -- Can you
please approach the lectern, please? Announce yourself for the record, so your
name, your address, and you'll have --
Catherine Christofis: My name is Catherine Christofis, and I'm at 2430 North --
Chair Hardemon: -- five minutes to address us. Go ahead.
Ms. Christofis: -- east 135th Street, North Miami. Thank you, Chairman, for letting
me speak on this particular matter. Gentlemen, I'rn here as a long-time employee in
the Miami Downtown District; actually, it's Mr. Russell's district. And gentlemen, 1
am here because I really need to plead with you, ask for your assistance. Do
something with this pervasive, persistent and more tragic problem that I'm seeing
with homelessness. We claim that we are a world -class city with our museums, with
our condos that are peppering our skyline, with our performing arts center; yet, we
are not able to handle a very pervasive problem that creates us to be really a third -
world city, and that is our homeless issue. I was walking from my job to the library,
and I saw a woman sitting on the floor, crying her eyes out, in rags, and she was
asking for help. And I asked her what was wrong, and she said no one cared. I think
that really hurt me so much that I said, "I have to come and do something and say
something about the issue to you all," and that perhaps something can be done with
the $1 billion budget that you have to allocate more to the homeless issue. I know
you work with the Miami -Dade Homeless Trust, and I know that their funds have
been limited due to the Federal cutbacks, and they have been able to receive more.
But, gentlemen, the problem is not really Miami -Dade Countv's as much as it is the
City of Miami's. It is prevalent in your area. You do not see the amount of homeless
in -- from Aventura, North Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Kendall, Pinecrest.
Wherever you go in the County, it is not as pervasive as it is down here.
Commissioner Gort: That's the problem.
Ms. Christofis: That's the problem.
Commissioner Gort: They will not accept them in other places.
Chair Hardemon: There's a reason. This has been going on for 20-something years,
because all of the homeless shelters are in our City.
Ms. Christofis: Exactly.
Chair Hardemon: So -- but what Ion saying to you is that we would love for the City
ofAventura --
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Commissioner Suarez: Yeah.
Chair Hardemon: -- we would love for the City of Pinecrest --
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah.
Chair Hardemon: -- we would love for everyone to take a share of the -- of solving
the issues of homelessness, and take some of these facilities so that people -- so that
homelessness is not concentrated in one spot, and so that we have solutions to it that
are available everywhere. But --
Ms. Christofis: Well, I understand that, Chairman. But the thing is, I don't see the --
and from speaking to many of the homeless that I have, they're not really staying in
homeless shelters. They're staying on the street, because I'm seeing them sleep at
night behind Macy's. I'm seeing them sleep behind your River headquarters. And I
don't know what the answer is, and I know it's difficult, but what about buying some
of those dilapidated buildings on North Miami Avenue and changing them into
affordable housing for the homeless? What about giving special -- sort of vouchers,
so they could afford, you know, rental properties? I'm thinking out of the box, and I
can, but I just know that we need to do something. What about involving our
churches? For instance, our Church of Saint Sophia that is in the Roads goes to the
Miami Rescue Mission, provides meals, is providing toiletries, is providing clothes.
Right now, we're doing a sneaker drive. Perhaps you can get some of the churches
within the downtown area to do something. I had thought when I had spoken to
someone in Ken Russell's office that there was a homeless task force being created. I
know it's a very difficult subject, and I understand where you're coming from,
Chairman, but the problem is here. And I know that the other cities are -- not have
the major issues, but that doesn't excuse us to be able to turn a blind eye and say,
"There's nothing more that can be done." We just can't have a few toilet, you know,
places, like in -- near Jesu Church or in some other areas, because the homeless are
still there; they're still sleeping. They're still affecting our businesses, too. I mean,
you go into the 7-Eleven, and you find three people sleeping in the front. So I'm here
just to plead, if you can do something more with the budget; something to give more
to your homeless division, and come up with some ideas from other cities in the
country that have had this problem that have successfully beaten it. We have to do
something, so I ask for that assistance. And I thank you all. I know it's a hard job
that you're all doing, and I appreciate anything you can do for them. Thank you so
much.
Chair Hardemon: Thank you very much.
Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Hardemon: You're --
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you very much for coming in, and I'd like to speak with
you more about this in my office, or otherwise. As the Chairman of the Downtown
Development Authority; I have formed a Homeless Task Force. Mr. Tim Schmand is
the chairman of that task force, and it's very well attended, and a lot of the
stakeholders are there, including the Homeless Trust, and a lot of good ideas are
coming about. How we address those, it's -- You obviously have short- and long-
term solutions that are involved. For me, the biggest thing we can do in the long
term is build more affordable housing from which people can graduate from shelters
and move and get their first key, and afford to live, with the wraparound services
that get them back into society. Prior to that, we need more units of shelter that can
house the people. Prior to that, we need more outreach that gets them to be
comfortable coming into that shelter. The risk we had earlier this year with
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Camillus House losing their day budget was severe, and the City did step up and
allocated $60, 000 to fill the gap. And the DDA, the Downtown Development
Authority added another $50,000 to fill the gap so over 100 people would not be out
on the streets during the day, when they could be in, having meals, clothes, showers,
services, and getting comfortable coming into shelter. But we don't have enough
capacity within shelter and we don't have enough capacity within affordable housing
for them to move out of shelter to really put a dent in the situation long term. And I
haven't even addressed the issue of drug abuse and psychological issues. So you're
absolutely right; it is a crisis and it's very dire. And the City is not ignoring it, and
we are taking action, I want to assure you that. But specific concerns you have, I'd
be glad to talk with you more.
Commissioner Suarez: Mr. Chair.
Chair Hardemon: Commissioner Gort; Commissioner Suarez.
Commissioner Gort: The -- one of the things we did in my neighborhood, we got the
church to create a mentor program that adopted two or three individuals. You need
to understand, 80 percent -- about 80 percent of these individuals, they're mentally
ill. They need assistance. When the State closed the mental hospital about 20 years
ago, these are some of the people you have in the street. So church can be very
helpful with those mental program, where you can go and select a person. And then
they need someone to take them. We had one -- this one individual. He didn't know
where he was from. He didn't have any idea, any documentation at all. So we took
him through the process and we find out he was a refugee. He had certain
assistance and he received a lot of help, and he's back in the community. So the
mental program does work, but the churches got to get involved, and everyone have
to get involved. And we have to get somehow a facility where those people can be
taken care of because they have a lot of mentally ills [sic].
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah. I just want to say very briefly that it probably the
most complex problem we have right now in the City. At the end of the day, you
know, the homeless are human beings. Sometimes we categorize them as
"homeless," as if that's some pronoun that's separate and apart from the fact that
they are human beings. And so, in addition to that, I'm sure you know that we have -
- we're the only city, I think, in Dade County -- maybe in the world -- that has a
court -mandated set of procedures that we have to follow when dealing with our
homeless, and we take that very seriously. I think there is a lot of room for
improvement; a lot of room for improvement, and it's something that we absolutely
need to focus on, and we even should consider providing resources, too. I know that
the Homeless Trust, which I just became a member of tried to get Miami Beach, for
example, to tax their hotels and their -- at the same rate that we're taxing our own to
provide more resources, because -- Because of the fact that we have this lawsuit, and
because of the fact that we have our -- the two Homeless Assistance Centers,
essentially, the HAC (Homeless Assistance Center) and Camillus House in the City
of Miami, and a lot of the, feedings happen in the City, we are sort of a magnet in
many, ways. So it's a complex problem, but, you know, to the extent that I'll be here,
I'll be working really hard to solve it.
Ms. Christofis: Again, I want to thank each one of you, because I had called all of
your offices. Commissioner Gort; and your staff' too, Commissioner Russell, they
have been very helpful, and they are trying to do more. I guess what I'm really here
for is to try and push it a little bit faster, because I'm seeing it more. I'm seeing it
every day and it's -- I'm the one who's facing it. So I hope the Chair and the rest of
the Commissioners can do something; although, I do have to say about my own
district Commissioner, where our church is, Commissioner Carollo, I had hoped to
have heard from your office in doing something more. As what Commissioner Gort
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said, that was a fabulous idea about mentoring. I have called several times, and to
get some sort of input. Whether it's our festival, whether it's a mentor program,
whether it's a homeless thing, and I have not heard back, and I was hoping Domini
would have returned my calls. So on that note, I still thank all of you, and I hope you
do something in the fitture. And 1 hope, if 1 do call back, Commissioner, I'll be able
to get more response. Thank you very much, gentlemen, and 1 hope it succeeds.
Bye-bye.
Daniel J. Alfonso (City Manager): Mr. Chairman, just brief.
Chair Hardemon: Okay.
Mr. Alfonso: Thank you, sir. I wanted to point out that the City of Miami has the
Green Shirt Program, which is subsidized by the City of Miami, because the money
that we get from the County is not sufficient, so we subsidize the program; over 40
employees that we provide health and benefits to. In addition to that, in the
proposed budget, we have created a Department of Homeless and Veterans Affairs to
focus on those issues. We have funded the Beds Program at Camillus House with
over $360, 000 for the last couple of years. We, as the Commissioner said, funded
Day Beds Program for the remaining of this year, and we put $100, 000 into the
proposed budget for next year to continue on that effort, as well. So, I mean, we are
putting in some effort. And the food and beverage taxes generated in the City of
Miami, and it goes to the Homeless Trust, it's distributed, really, citywide. So that's -
Vice Chair Russell: I have a question for the Manager. Green Shirts you mentioned,
how many funded positions in the Green Shirts have not been hired? Isn't there a
hiring issue with Green Shirts right now; we have some open spaces?
Mr. Alfonso: Not to my knowledge, but I will confirm that. I believe we're pretty
much fully staffed; maybe a couple of vacancies, but not that many.
Vice Chair Russell: Okay. Then we'll speak after, because I heard we have some
open seats, but they were having trouble filling them for some reason. I wanted to
learn more about, if that's the case, why; if it's a hiring issue.
Mr. Alfonso: I will follow up on that.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you.
Commissioner Gort: Look, it's my understanding the Homeless just received
additional funds from the Federal Government; that's what I read in the paper; that
they were able to get back the funds that they lost last year.
Mr. Alfonso: Mr. Vickers is telling me that in the Housing Programs, there may be
additional, funds.
Commissioner Gort: Okay.
Chair Hardemon: All right. Thank you very much.
Later...
Chair Hardemon: Should we go to RE.5 now?
Daniel J. Alfonso (City Manager): Yes.
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Chair Hardemon: Yes.
Mr. Alfonso: May I just take a second, Commissioners? I want to answer a question
from earlier. Commissioner Russell, the fact is we do have 12 vacancies right now
in the homeless group, the Green Shirts. We have 11 people that have been put
through the process; that list will be certified shortly. And we should have them on
board within the next 30 days or so, pending physicals and those kind of things.
Vice Chair Russell: 11 of the 12.
Mr. Alfonso: II of the 12 --
Vice Chair Russell: That's excellent.
Mr. Alfonso: -- should be filled soon.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DIRECTING
THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE AN
INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE
CITY ATTORNEY, WITH MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, BASED UPON A
TRAFFIC AND SPEED REDUCTION STUDY CONDUCTED BY
KIMLEY-HORN AND ASSOCIATES, INC., ("STUDY") IN ORDER
TO EFFECTUATE THE REDUCTION OF SPEED LIMITS TO
TWENTY (20) OR TWENTY-FIVE (25) MILES PER HOUR, ON A
NEIGHBORHOOD SPECIFIC BASIS, AS MORE PARTICULARLY
DESCRIBED IN THE STUDY, ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0345
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Francis Suarez, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing item NA.3, please see
item DI.1.
Commissioner Suarez: How about 20 miles an hour in the ones -- the communities
thatjustify the 20, and 25 in all the others?
Ms. Harris: That's what --
Chair Hardemon: That's what she was saying.
Ms. Harris: That's correct. That's --
Chair Hardemon: That's what she just said.
Ms. Harris: Sorry.
Commissioner Suarez: Okay. So move. I'll move that.
Vice Chair Russell: Second it.
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Chair Hardemon: It's been properly moved and seconded. Is there any further
discussion about that?
Commissioner Carollo: Yes, Mr. Chairman.
Chair Hardemon: You're recognized.
Commissioner Carollo: So I'm glad that certain communities met the 20-miles-per-
hour speed limit, but it's still uncomfortable for me to say, "Okay, so this area gets
20 miles per hour; and then other areas, which we also represent and know that
traffic and speedings [sic] are an issue, only get 25." So I think this is a good first
step, and I'm glad we're doing it in some of the areas that are able to get 20 miles
per hour -- I think three communities will get it -- but I think it's a first step. I think
we need to sort of see how we engage for the other communities, you know. And I
could start throwing out communities, you know, from the Grove to Shenandoah to --
you know, other areas that also are having issues with traffic and speeding. I think
we shouldn't now, you know, stay stagnant or at least stay -- you know, I think we
need to keep pressing to see if we could actually get those communities also to get
the 20 miles per hour.
Commissioner Suarez: Mr. Chairman.
Ms. Harris: And we are addressing them some other ways with traffic -calming
devices; and, of course, we request enforcement from police, but the -- it has to meet
FDOT guidelines, and FDOT say if 85 percent of the people are speeding --
Commissioner Suarez: That's the thing.
Ms. Harris: -- maybe the speed limit is too low.
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah. Mr. Chair.
Chair Hardemon: Commissioner Suarez.
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah. I was going to say -- First of all, thank you both.
Thank the Administration; thank you, Ms. Harris; thank you, Mr. Parjus -- great job
-- for listening to our request, formalizing it, getting the study done quick -- very
quickly. If we get -- I agree with what Commissioner Carollo said. I don't want to
create a two-party system, if you will, but if we get 25 in the whole City and 20 in
some select neighborhoods, we're already ahead of the curve --
Ms. Harris: Yes.
Commissioner Suarez: -- because the most --
Commissioner Carollo: That's my point.
Commissioner Suarez: -- Coral Gables has gotten is 25.
Commissioner Carollo: Good first step.
Ms. Harris: Yes.
Commissioner Suarez: And then, I know -- I've worked a lot with -- through MPO
(Metropolitan Planning Organization) and through -- I've worked a lot with, you
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know, these transportation agencies. And like you said, if —we don't have a study that
justifies it, they're not going to do it.
Ms. Harris: Right.
Commissioner Suarez: So, you know, 1 think he's right. 1 think this is a good first
step.
Commissioner Carollo: Right.
Commissioner Suarez: I think, ultimately, the goal should be, hopefully --
Ms. Harris: Three.
Commissioner Suarez: -- to go further.
Commissioner Carollo: Right.
Commissioner Suarez: But I think we should try to get this, at least start it.
Vice Chair Russell: To start.
Commissioner Carollo: Right. I think we should get this, and I agree with you, but I
want to send a clear message --
Commissioner Suarez: Right.
Commissioner Carollo: -- that now, we're not going to rest on our laurels.
Commissioner Suarez: I agree.
Commissioner Carollo: We're going to try to continue to see if we can get the whole
City at 20 miles per hour.
Commissioner Suarez: Agreed.
Ms. Harris: Okay.
Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Hardemon: You're recognized.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you, Ms. Harris. I have a question about signage. So
would this change the default speed limit for an area where there is no sign, for
example?
Ms. Harris: 30, yes.
Vice Chair Russell: So currently, if you're on a street and there's no sign at all, it's a
30 mile an hour?
Ms. Harris: That's correct.
Vice Chair Russell: And this would change that, right? So that would --
Ms. Harris: Once we post the signs.
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Vice Chair Russell: Well, that's going to he my question. So is this going to require
signage on every one of those streets that will be at 25 that currently do not have a
sign?
Commissioner Carollo: Yes, yes.
Ms. Harris: It will requires signs, which is estimated -- For 2,500 signs, Public
Works said would cost between 200 and $500 a sign, so this could be about a 750 to
1.2 million cost for installation; not maintenance.
Vice Chair Russell: So my original goal -- and I wasn't the sponsor of the item, but
I'm an advocate for it. I've listened to the community on this issue -- was that we
change the default speed so that it wouldn't require signage on every street. Where
currently it's 35 or 30, we move it to 25 or 20 --
Ms. Harris: Yeah, I hear you.
Vice Chair Russell: -- where possible, and that only the signage would go on the
ones that are outliers from that; if it's either lower --
Ms. Harris: Yes, sir.
Vice Chair Russell: -- for example, the 20, for example, but that would, one, he a
significant cost savings.
Ms. Harris: Yes.
Vice Chair Russell: But we could start enforcing it and make it known that that is
our default speed; that if you don't see a sign on a street, the speed limit is --
whatever we can get it to.
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Hardemon: Is that set by the City or is that set by the State?
Ms. Harris: State, the State.
Commissioner Carollo: And that's whatl was going to --
Vice Chair Russell: The default speed is set by the State.
Commissioner Carollo: Yes.
Vice Chair Russell: And the study did not contemplate changing the default speed; it
just went specifically street by street, study by study.
Ms. Harris: The State law, which we're -- I guess we're crossing legislation or
something --
Commissioner Carollo: Would trump us.
Chair Hardemon: Yeah, it trumps.
Commissioner Carollo: Will trump City ordinance.
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): I think you still need the signage no matter what
different speed you put in.
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Vice Chair Russell: Do we have signage on all streets? No. We have default speed
limit, where it's accepted to --
Daniel J. Alfonso (City Manager): Right. That is the State law, sir.
Vice Chair Russell: That is the State.
Mr. Alfonso: So we would have to change the State law.
Commissioner Carollo: Right.
Chair Hardemon: It's uniform throughout the State.
Vice Chair Russell: Right.
Commissioner Carollo: Yes.
Chair Hardemon: So, basically, any driver that you're driving from city to city, you
expect --
Ms. Harris: In the State.
Chair Hardemon: -- to travel a certain --
Commissioner Carollo: Yes.
Ms. Harris: Yes.
Chair Hardemon: Right.
Commissioner Carollo: Yes.
Chair Hardemon: So that's the difficulty' in that.
Vice Chair Russell: Got it.
Chair Hardemon: So there would probably have to be sufficient notice that their city
Mr. Alfonso: So if we move this forward, we're looking at an expense of nearly a
million dollars that we'll be putting into the budget.
Chair Hardemon: Question I have: Now, I'm assuming this 25-miles-per-hour
speed limit is going to be on the interior roads, so within the neighborhoods and not
the main --
Ms. Harris: That's correct.
Chair Hardemon: -- street. So, for instance, if 46th Street is a main street --
Ms. Harris: It's a County road.
Chair Hardemon: -- then 45th Street, which is in the residential area, would not be
subject to -- I mean would be subject to, but 46th would not.
Ms. Harris: That's correct, that's correct.
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Chair Hardemon: Okay.
Ms. Harris: Yes.
Commissioner Suarez: Awesome.
Chair Hardemon: Any fitrther discussion?
Commissioner Gort: Mr. Chairman.
Chair Hardemon: Yeah, you're recognized, sir.
Ms. Harris: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) we get a resolution?
Commissioner Gort: My only worry is -- and I agree with all this, because people
are cutting through our neighborhood, and they're going at very high speed, because
they want to get quick to their home and to their job. Unfortunate.
Chair Hardemon: Unfortunate, yeah.
Commissioner Gort: We have plenty of laws and codes and so on, and people laugh
at it many times, because there's no enforcement. So this is something we really
need to coordinate with the police and make sure when we start implementing that
people understand there's' going to be enforcement that's going to be taking place.
So I don't know if in your study, you sat down with the police and talked to them.
Ms. Harris: Mm-hmm, yes.
Commissioner Gort: Okay.
Ms. Harris: Yes.
Chair Hardemon: Vice Chairman.
Vice Chair Russell: Final question, Ms. Harris: Considering we implement the
budget, what's the timing for this? And do you have a map, an overlay where we can
start communicating to residents where they can expect to see these changes?
Ms. Harris: Do I have a map?
Vice Chair Russell: Is there a visual map of which streets will see the change?
Ms. Harris: Yes, I could provide a map. I don't currently have it, but I could get you
a map, without a doubt.
Vice Chair Russell: And then, what is the timing of rolling this out to where the
community can expect to see the change after we pass this?
Ms. Harris: It would be a Public Works thing about the installation and the
procurement of the signs when the study is complete.
Commissioner Suarez: And County would have to approve it, right? I don't think
that just because --
Ms. Harris: 1-- oh, thank you for mentioning that.
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Commissioner Suarez: Yeah.
Ms. Harris: I would need a resolution, basically; the decision here to do it by
neighborhood by neighborhood, and have to enter interlocal agreement with the
County.
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah.
Vice Chair Russell: You'd need a resolution from us for --?
Commissioner Suarez: Yeah.
Ms. Harris: Yes.
Commissioner Suarez: We already moved it. We made the resolution, so --
Chair Hardemon: Moved, and we seconded.
Commissioner Suarez: -- we got to vote on it.
Chair Hardemon: We're still discussing.
Ms. Harris: Okay. So then, with that, I would go to the County and get a interlocal
agreement --
Commissioner Suarez: Hopefully.
Ms. Harris: -- for the maintenance and installation of the signs. Yes.
Vice Chair Russell: So timing what would be the best case scenario?
Ms. Harris: It's government.
Chair Hardemon: Yeah.
Commissioner Gort: A year.
Chair Hardemon: 20 years.
Ms. Harris: I will speak with the --
Chair Hardemon: The County has --
Mr. Alfonso: The County has a committee process --
Commissioner Gort: A year.
Mr. Alfonso: -- and then -- so it would take some time, Commissioner, but --
Commissioner Suarez: Push; we'll push, we'll push.
Mr. Alfonso: -- we will do our best to move it.
Ms. Harris: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) a methodology going in.
Vice Chair Russell: I just don't want to create a false expectation within the
community that we passed this, and then tomorrow, it's --
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Commissioner Suarez: I wouldn't --
Chair Hardemon: It will not be tomorrow.
Ms. Harris: Their methodology was reviewed going in by the County.
Commissioner Suarez: Vice Chair --
Ms. Harris: So then (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Commissioner Gort: It's not going to happen (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Commissioner Suarez: -- I would hold your horses, because the County could take a
bit.
Chair Hardemon: Yeah.
Commissioner Gort: It takes a long time.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you.
Mr. Alfonso: We know the Public Works director over there, so, you know, we might
get help.
Commissioner Suarez: Oh, the Public Works director, but still -- nevertheless.
Chair Hardemon: All right. So seeing no further discussion, all in favor of the
motion on the floor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: All against? The motion shall carry.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION URGING
GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT AND THE MEMBERS OF THE
FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO ENACT LEGISLATION THAT WOULD
MAKE TEXTING WHILE DRIVING A PRIMARY OFFENSE;
DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS
RESOLUTION TO GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT AND THE MEMBERS
OF THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-17-0344
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner
SECONDER: Frank Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Hardemon, Russell, Gort, Carollo, Suarez
Chair Hardemon: We're going to recess this meeting until 2 o'clock.
Vice Chair Russell: 3.
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Chair Hardemon: All right.
Commissioner Suarez: Thank you.
Commissioner Gort: I got a small pocket item. Can we take it? It'll be a minute.
Commissioner Suarez, please, one pocket item.
Commissioner Carollo: Commissioner Gort's asking.
Commissioner Gort: You want to read it?
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): It's a resolution of the Miami City Commission,
urging Governor Rick Scott and the members of the Florida Legislature to enact
legislation that would make texting while driving a primary offense, and directing
the City Clerk to transmit a copy of this resolution to Governor Scott and the
members of the Florida Legislature.
Commissioner Gort: Move it.
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
Ms. Mende: Apparently 46 other states already have this legislation.
Chair Hardemon: Well, I mean --
Commissioner Gort: Thank you.
Chair Hardemon: -- what about eating while driving, or smoking while driving, or,
you know, reading while driving, talking while driving, even? And how do you know
they were texting? I mean, Facebook Live while driving. I mean, I don't know if
you're going -- The police are not going to be able to enforce -- This is going to be
ridiculous. This is going to be stopping, stopping, stopping, stopping, stopping. It's
been properly moved and seconded. Any further discussion? Is there anyone from
the public that wants to speak on this item? I don't see any. So therefore, all in
favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Hardemon: Motion passes.
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ATTORNEY -CLIENT SESSION
UNDER THE PARAMETERS OF SECTION 286.011(8), FLORIDA
STATUTES, A PRIVATE ATTORNEY -CLIENT SESSION WILL BE
CONDUCTED AT THE JULY 27, 2017 MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
MEETING. THE PERSON CHAIRING THE CITY OF MIAMI
COMMISSION MEETING WILL ANNOUNCE THE
COMMENCEMENT OF AN ATTORNEY -CLIENT SESSION,
CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC, FOR PURPOSES OF DISCUSSING
THE PENDING LITIGATION IN THE MATTER OF FLAGSTONE
ISLAND GARDENS, LLC AND FLAGSTONE DEVELOPMENT
CORP. V. CITY OF MIAMI, CASE NO. 17-13829 CA 44, PENDING
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 11TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN
AND FOR MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, TO WHICH THE CITY IS
PRESENTLY A PARTY. THIS PRIVATE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT
APPROXIMATELY 5:00 P.M. (OR AS SOON THEREAFTER AS
THE COMMISSIONERS' SCHEDULES PERMIT) AND CONCLUDE
APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR LATER. THE SESSION WILL BE
ATTENDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COMMISSION:
CHAIRMAN KEON HARDEMON, VICE-CHAIRMAN KEN RUSSELL,
COMMISSIONERS WIFREDO "WILLY" GORT, FRANK CAROLLO,
AND FRANCIS X. SUAREZ; CITY MANAGER DANIEL J.
ALFONSO; CITY ATTORNEY VICTORIA MENDEZ; DEPUTY CITY
ATTORNEY JOHN A. GRECO; DIVISION CHIEF FOR GENERAL
LITIGATION CHRISTOPHER A. GREEN; GONZALO DORTA, ESQ.;
MATIAS DORTA, ESQ.; AND LAURA BESVINICK, ESQ. A
CERTIFIED COURT REPORTER WILL BE PRESENT TO ENSURE
THAT THE SESSION IS FULLY TRANSCRIBED AND THE
TRANSCRIPT WILL BE MADE PUBLIC UPON THE CONCLUSION
OF THE ABOVE -CITED, ONGOING LITIGATION. AT THE
CONCLUSION OF THE ATTORNEY -CLIENT SESSION, THE
REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING WILL BE REOPENED AND
THE PERSON CHAIRING THE COMMISSION MEETING WILL
ANNOUNCE THE TERMINATION OF THE ATTORNEY -CLIENT
SESSION.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
Chair Hardemon: Calling the meeting back into order.
Barnaby Min (Deputy City Attorney): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I need to
announce a shade meeting for July 27, if you will. Mr. Chairman, members of the
City Commission, pursuant to provisions of Section 286.011(8) Florida Statutes, the
City Attorney is requesting at the City Commission meeting of July 27, 2017, an
attorney -client session closed to the public be held for the purpose of discussing the
pending litigation in the matter of Flagstone Island Gardens, LLC (Limited Liability
Company) and Flagstone Development Corporation versus City of Miami; Case
Number 17-13829-CA-44; pending in the Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial
Circuit, in and for Miami -Dade County. The subject of the meeting will be confined
to settlement negotiations or strategy discussions. This private meeting will begin at
approximately 5 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the Commissioners' schedules permit,
and conclude approximately one hour later. The session will be attended by
members of the City Commission, which include Chairman Keon Hardemon, Vice
Chairman Ken Russell; Commissioners Wifredo "Willy" Gort, Frank Carollo, and
Francis Suarez; City Manager Daniel J. Alfonso; City Attorney Victoria Mendez;
Deputy City Attorney Jonathan Greco; Division Chief for General Litigation Chris
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ADJOURNMENT
Green; Gonzalo Dorta, Esquire; Matias Dorta, Esquire; and Laura Besvinick,
Esquire. A certified court reporter will be present to ensure that the session is fully
transcribed, and the transcript will be made public upon the conclusion of the
litigation. At the conclusion of the attorney -client session, the regular Commission
meeting will be reopened, and the person chairing the Commission meeting will
announce the termination of the attorney -client session. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
DISCUSSION ITEM
CITY MANAGER, DANIEL J. ALFONSO, PAID TRIBUTE AND
RECOGNIZED CITY OF MIAMI EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING
MEMBERS OF THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS, FOR
THEIR HARD WORK AND EFFORTS DURING THE 2017 MAJOR
LEAGUE ALL-STAR GAME.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
Daniel J. Alfonso (City Manager): The other thing that I wanted to do is take this
opportunity to recognize all of the employees in the City of Miami in the Police
Department and Fire, Solid Waste, and the various other departments who
participated in the All -Star Game and celebrations, and cleaning up the streets, and
all those things. 1 think they did a fantastic job. We had a great event within an
event that was unwarranted. So 1 just want to commend all our staff for that, so
thank you.
The meeting adjourned at 4: 48 p.m.
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