HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutionCity of Miami
Resolution
Legislation
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
File Number: 4085 Final Action Date: 5/10/2018
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") TO PROVIDE,
COMMENCING IN NOVEMBER, 2021, A COMMISSION — MANAGER STYLE
OF GOVERNMENT; AMENDING THE POWERS OF THE OFFICE OF MAYOR
AND TRANSFERRING ALL OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE POWERS
PREVIOUSLY POSSESSED BY THE MAYOR TO THE CITY MANAGER;
MORE PARTICULARLY BY AMENDING SECTIONS 4,7,9,12,14,15,16,17, AND
21 OF SAID CHARTER; CALLING FOR AND PROVIDING THAT THE
CHARTER AMENDMENT BE SUBMITTED TO THE ELECTORATE AT THE
SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD CONCURRENTLY WITH THE
COUNTYWIDE PRIMARY ELECTION SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 28, 2018;
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 FORTY-
FIVE (45) DAYS PRIOR TO THE DATE OF SUCH SPECIAL ELECTION;
PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE FOR THIS RESOLUTION.
SPONSOR(S): Commissioner Joe Carollo
WHEREAS, the City of Miami ("City") was incorporated by the Florida Legislature in
1896 and operates pursuant to the Charter of the City of Miami, Florida ("Charter"); and
WHEREAS, the Charter has been amended from time to time as the governance of the
City has evolved; and
WHEREAS, on May 10, 2018, by its adoption of Resolution No. ,the City
Commission directed the City Attorney to prepare the herein proposed Charter Amendment; and
WHEREAS, the City Attorney's draft of the proposed Charter amendment is set forth in
its final form in this Resolution, said draft being submitted to the electors of the City this date by
means of the herein Resolution; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission wishes to submit the above -mentioned proposed
amendment to the electorate for approval or disapproval at the Special Election to be held
concurrently with the Municipal General Election scheduled for August 28, 2018;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA:
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Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are
adopted by reference and incorporated as if fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. Sections 4,7,9,12,14,15,16,17, and 21 of the Charter of the City of Miami,
Florida (Chapter 10847, Laws of Florida, as amended), are hereby proposed to be amended in
the following particulars:1
"CHARTER AND RELATED LAWS
SUBPART A. THE CHARTER
Sec. 4. - Form of Government; nomination and election.
(a) General description. The form of government of the City of Miami, Florida provided for under
this Charter shall be known as the mayor city commissioner -manager plan, and the City
Commission shall consist of five citizens, who are qualified voters of the city and who shall
be elected from district& at large in the manner hereinafter provided. The city commission
shall constitute the governing body with powers (as hereinafter provided) to pass
ordinances, adopt regulations; and exercise all powers conferred upon the city except as
hereinafter provided-, and The mayor shall exercise all powers conferred herein. and shall
appoint a chief administrative officer to be known as the "city manager." as provided in
ccction 'I(g)(6) of this Charter.
(b) Election of mayor and city commission; terms of office; recall. There shall be elected by
the qualified electors of the city at large a mayor who shall be a qualified elector residing
within the city at least one (1) year before qualifying and must maintain a residence in the
city for the duration of his or her term. The mayor shall not serve as a member of the city
commission.
The city commission shall consist of five members who shall be elected from districts within
the city, numbered 1 through 5 at large in groups I through V. One of said City
Commissioners shall be the Mayor and shall be elected by the people from the group to be
numbered I and all persons desiring to qualify as candidate for Mayor shall file in group I.
The Mayor shall have the powers set forth in the charter of the City of Miami in Miami -
Dade County, Florida. All persons desiring to run qualify for the office of City
Commissioners shall file in the district groups; numbered 4 II through 5-V, for which they
arc qualificd as providcd in subscction (c) of this section of the Charter. City
commissioners in district& groups numbered 3 II and 5 HI shall be elected at the general
municipal elections or runoff election to be held starting in the year 2001 2021 if their
present seat term is up and at the general municipal election or runoff election each four
years thereafter. City commissioners in district& groups numbered 1, 2, IV and 4 V shall be
elected at the general municipal election or runoff election to be held in the year 2023 if
their present seat term is up and at the general municipal election or runoff election each
four years thereafter.
1 Words and/or figures stricken through shall be deleted. Underscored words and/or figures shall be
added. The remaining provisions are now in effect and remain unchanged. Asterisks indicate omitted and
unchanged material.
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The former Mayor seat elected in 2017 shall cease to exist. The mayor shall be elected at
the general election in the year 2021 and at each general election each four (4) years
thereafter large by the electors of the city and shall hold office for a term of four years.
The mayor and all city commissioners [are] to hold office from twelve o'clock noon fivc
days after the canvass of the vote by the supervisor of elections and the declaration of the
result of either 1) the general municipal election or 2) runoff election and until their
successors are elected and qualified from twelve o'clock noon of the day after the canvas
of the vote and the declaration of the result of the election. Commencing with the election
to be held in November 2001 and all elections subsequent thereto no mayor or cit„
commissioner elected and qualified for two consecutive full terms shall be eligible for
reelection in the next succeeding term. The mayor and all other members of the city
commission shall be subject to recall, pursuant to Section 100.361, Florida Statutes.
Vacancies shall be filled as provided in section 12 of the charter of the City of Miami.
If a candidate for office of mayor or city commissioner receives a majority of votes in the general
municipal election for that office in the primary election in their group, the candidate shall be
considered elected upon and after the canvass of the vote and the declaration of the result of
the election as hereinafter provided. If there be no majority, two candidates for nomination to the
office of City Commissioner who receive the greatest bote in the primary election in each group
shall be placed on the ballot at the next regular municipal election following the primary as
provided in section 7 of this charter. no candidate receives a majority of the votes for that office,
the two candidates for the respective office who received the greatest number of votes for that
office in the general municipal election shall be placed on the ballot at the runoff election. The
candidate receiving the greatest number of votes in the runoff election, shall be considered
elected to the office for which the candidate has g6 ialifiod The candidate for nomination
receiving the greatest vote in the regular municipal election following the primary election, if
otherwise qualified, shall be elected to office from the group in which they are qualified.
Any incumbent City Commissioner desiring to run for the office of Mayor shall present an
irrevocable resignation of their office of City Commissioner to the City Commission not less than
ninety days prior to the date of election, whether primary or general, and said resignation shall
become effective on the date of the election. Upon receipt of said resignation the City
Commission shall make public announcement of the resignation and instruct the clerk to accept
qualified candidates to run for election for the unexpired term of the City Commissioner
resigning for the purpose of running for Mayor. If any Mayor or City Commissioner elected
under the provisions of this act desires to run for some elective office other than the Mayor or
City Commissioner then under such circumstances they shall not be required to resign their City
office unless and until they have been elected to such other elective office. In the event that
such Mayor or City Commissioner is elected to such other elective office other than that of
Mayor or City Commissioner, they shall immediately resign their office as Mayor or City
Commissioner and upon their failure or refusal to do so they shall be discharged and ousted
from their office and said office declared vacant by a majority vote of the remaining members of
the City Commission.
(c) Qualifications city commission; mayor, city commissioners, and other
officers and employees not to be interested in contracts, etc.; franks, free tickets, passes or
service. Candidates for mayor Members of the City Commission shall be residents of the city
for at least one (1) year prior to qualifying and s-h-all be have the qualifications of electors
therein. Further, candidates for the city commission shall have resided within the district at
least one (1) year before qualifying and be electors in that district, and shall maintain
residence in that district for the duration of their term of office. The mayor, city
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commissioners, and other officers and employees shall not be interested in the profits or
emoluments of any contract, job, work or service for the municipality. The mayor or any city
commissioner who shall cease to possess any of the qualifications herein required shall
forthwith forfeit his or her office, and any such contract in which any member is or may
become interested may be declared void by the city commission.
No mayor, city commissioner -or other officer or employee of said city shall accept any
frank, free ticket, pass or service directly or indirectly, from any person, firm or corporation
upon terms more favorable than are granted to the public generally. Any violation of the
provisions of this section shall be a misdemeanor. Such prohibition of free service shall not
apply to police or fire personnel in uniform or wearing their official badges, where same is
provided by ordinance.
(d) City commission to be judge of its own elections; neither mayor nor city commission nor
any committees nor members thereof to dictate appointments by or interfere with city
manager. The city commission shall be the judge of the election and qualifications of the
me-ye-r—an4 its own members, subject to review by the courts. Neither the mayor nor thc city
commission, nor any committees nor members thereof shall direct, request, take part in or
dictate the appointment or removal of any person in office or employment by the city manager
or subordinates or in any manner interfere with the city manager or prevent the city manager
from exercising his/her own judgment in the appointment of officers and employees in the
administrative service.
Except for the purpose of inquiry and as may be necessary as provided in section 1/1, the
mayor, the city commission, any committees and members thereof shall deal with the
administrative service solely through the city manager, and neither the mayor nor thc city
commission, nor any committees nor members thereof shall give orders to any of the
subordinates of the city manager, city attorney, city clerk and independent auditor general,
either publicly or privately. Any such dictation, prevention, orders or other interference or
violation of this section on the part of the mayor or a member of the city commission or
committees shall be deemed to be a violation of the Charter, and upon conviction before a
court of competent jurisdiction any individual so convicted shall be subject to a fine not
exceeding five hundred dollars ($500.00) or imprisonment for a term of not exceeding sixty
days or both, and in the discretion of the court shall forfeit his or her office. Any willful
violation of the provisions to this section by the mayor or any city commissioner shall be
grounds for his or her removal from office by an action brought in the Circuit Court by the
state attorney of this county.
(e) Election of officers by city commission; rules of city commission; quorum. The city
commission shall elect a city manager, city clerk and a city attorney. No member of the city
commission or the mayor shall be chosen as city manager or as a member of the civil service
board or appointed to any other city office or employment.
The city commission may determine its own rules of procedure, may punish its own members
for misconduct and may compel attendance of members. A majority of all the members of the
city commission shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn
from time to time.
(f) Meetings of city commission; ordinance to be read by title only. At twelve o'clock noon on
the day the mayor or city commissioners take office, they shall meet at the city hall.
Thereafter, the city commission shall meet at such time and place as may be prescribed by
ordinance or resolution. The meetings of the city commission and all sessions of committees
of the city commission shall be public. Ordinances shall be read by title only. No member
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shall be excused from voting except on matters involving the consideration of his or her own
official conduct, or where his or her financial interests are involved.
(g) Powers and duties of mayor. The mayor shall serve as the chief executive officer and
head of the city government with the following specific powers and duties:
_(1) The mayor shall be the presiding officer of the city commission with the authority
to designate another member of the city commission to serve as presiding officer
preside at meetings of the City Commission and perform such other duties, consistent
with the office and this charter, as may be imposed by the City Commission with the
authority to designate another member of the City Commission to serve as presiding
officer.
(2) The mayor shall be recognized as the official head of the city for all ceremonial
purposes, by the courts for the purpose of serving civil process, and by the governor
for military purposes.
(3) In time of public danger or emergency, the mayor may declare a state of
emergency as provided in state law and may with the consent of the city commission,
take command of the police and maintain order and enforce the laws.
(4) During the voluntary temporary absence or disability, the mayor shall appoint a
member of the city commission to perform the duties of the mayor Mayor's duties shall
be performed by another member appointed by the City Commission. However in the
cvcnt that thc mayor docs not or is unable to make such designation, the city
commission shall designate a member of the city commission to perform the duties of
the mayor during the temporary absence or disability of the mayor by a four fifths votc
of the city commissioners then in office.
{5) The mayor shall, within ten days of final adoption by the city commission, have
veto authority over any legislative, quasi judicial, zoning, master plan or land use
decision of the city commission, including the budget or any particular component
contained therein which was approved by the city commission; provided, however that
if,f a-nryreyen e-i-tem-i eteed, an expen tufe-+tem in -the s greater deriar
or special meeting aftcr thc veto occurs, ovcrridc that veto by a four fifths vote of the
city commissioners present, notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained
in the Charter and city code. Said veto power shall include actions pursuant to
sections 29 B through 29 D of the Charter.
{6) When one person succeeds another in the position of mayor, the succe-sor shall
have the right to appoint the city manager, subject to the approval within 14 days of a
majority of the city commissioners then in office. In the event of a vacancy in the office
of city manager, the mayor shall appoint the city manager, subject to the approval
within 14 days of a majority of the city commissioners then in office. The mayor may
remove the city manager subject to the city commission's conducting a hearing within
10 days of said removal and the city commission's overriding the mayor's action by a
four fifths vote of those city commi"sioners then in office. Additionally, the city
commission by a four fifths vote of those city commissioners then in office shall be
ablc to rcmovc the city manager.
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{7) The mayor shall establish and appoint the members of all standing and special
committees of the city commission and the chairperson and vice chairperson of each
committee. There shall be as many standing and special committees of the city
commission as deemed necessary by the Mayor. Standing or special committees of
the city commission shall mean -these comprised of city commission members only.
(8) Th a yor 6hell pr are and de-ver a r orton the state of the city to the people
�v7-^Te��uYoT F^-Pre�arc-arrcra v-crre�vr rr accrccvrcrn�rc�cv crr �cvprc
of the city between November 1 and Iani iary 31 anni sally Si ich report shall be
prepared after consultation with the city commissioners and the city manager.
t `+it„ between Iul„ 1 and September 30 TepaFt-shalll-be eepared-after
consultation with the city manager.
(h) Salaries of the mayor and commission. Effective on November 4, 2003, there shall be paid
to the city commissioners the sum of $58,200, which is equal to sixty percent of the mayor's
salary in cffcct on July 16, 2003. Such salary shall be paid per year for each commissioner, in
twelve equal installments. The compensation of the mayor shall be determined by the
commission.
Sec. 7. Election of city commissioners and mayor.
Beginning in November 2021, Aa general municipal election for the mayor and city
commissioners shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in odd -
numbered years. A runoff election for the for aR4 city commissioners shall be held on the
third Tuesday after the first Monday in November in odd -numbered years. All elections held in
said city shall be conducted and held according to the provisions of the general election laws of
the State of Florida, except as otherwise provided for in the Charter. The name of any person
qualified as provided in section 4 of this Charter shall be printed upon the ballot as a candidate
for the office of mayor or city commissioner upon paying to the City of Miami the sum as
prescribed by ordinance to be accepted by the city clerk as a qualifying fee along with the sum
for election assessment as prescribed by state law during the qualifying period as prescribed in
this Charter prior to the date of such general municipal election or special election to fill a
vacancy. Any person qualified to run for mayor or city commissioner shall file an affidavit of
candidacy in the form provided by the city clerk including his or her name, address, occupation
and willingness to serve if elected, accompanied by the requisite documents and fees as
provided in state law and section 7 of this Charter. An affidavit of candidacy shall be filed not
earlier than 60 days and not later than 45 days prior to the date of the general municipal election
or during the qualifying period for a special election to fill a vacancy.
All such qualifying documents and fees shall be deposited with the city clerk no later than 6:00
pm. on the forty-fifth day prior to the general municipal election or the last day for qualifying in a
special election to fill a vacancy.
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Sec. 9. - Declaration of election; how tie vote decided.
At any runoff election or special election to fill a vacancy held under the provisions of this
Charter, the candidates for the office of city commissioner, who shall have received the greatest
number of votes cast, shall be declared elected after the canvass of the vote by the supervisor
of elections as provided in section 4. A tie between two or more candidates for the office of city
commissioner shall be decided by lot under the supervision of the chair of the canvassing board
in the presence of the candidates.
At any runoff election or election to fill a vacancy for the office of mayor held under the
provisions of this Charter, the candidate for the office of mayor, who shall have received the
greatest number of votes cast, shall be declared elected after the canvass of the vote by the
cupervisor of cicctionc ac providcd in Scction /1 . A tic between the candidates for the office of
mayor shall be decided by lot under the supervision of the chair of the canvassing board in the
presence of the candidates.
Sec. 12. - Filling vacancies fer in for a commission.
(a) A yacancy on the city commission or in the office of mayor caused by death, resignation,
forfeiture, suspension, removal, or other action or causes shall be filled within ten days after
such vacancy occurs by a majority of the remaining city commissioners. The person appointed
must meet the qualifications of the office as required in section 4 of this Charter. The term of
office of the person so appointed, except in the circumstances detailed in section (c) below,
shall be until the successor in office is elected and qualified at whichever of the following occurs
first:
(1) the odd -year general municipal election for or 3R city commissioners
held pursuant to section 4 of the Charter, or
(2) the even -year State of Florida general election, at which election national,
state and county offices are filled,
The candidates for such election shall be qualified as provided in section 4 of this Charter and
the qualifying period and requirements for such election shall be as provided in section 7 of this
Charter. The person elected as provided in (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this Section shall serve for the
remainder of the unexpired term of that office.
(b) If the remaining city commissioners shall fail or refuse to fill such vacancy within ten days
after it occurs, as provided herein, the city commission shall call a special election to fill the
vacancy to be held at a date not less than thirty-eight or more than forty-five days after the
expiration of the ten-day period and the five day qualifying period. The qualifying period for such
special election shall be for the five days not including Saturday, Sunday or legal holidays
before the thirty-eighth day before the date of the election and the procedure for the election not
otherwise provided for in this section shall be as provided in section 7 of this Charter. Except in
the circumstances detailed in section (c), effective November 7, 2017, the person who receives
the greatest number of votes for the office in said special election is elected to fill the vacancy
for the remainder of the unexpired term of that office.
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(c) If a vacancy in any elected office is caused by forfeiture, suspension, or removal, the
vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as described in sections (a) and (b) above, provided
that if the elected official who has so vacated his or her seat is later absolved of the allegations
of wrong -doing, that elected official shall be entitled to resume his or her elected position for the
remainder of the unexpired term, if any. The term of the individual who assumed the position
previously vacated by that elected official shall automatically terminate upon the restoration to
office of the original seat -holder.
(d) If the city commissioners shall fail to comply with their duties as set forth in this section, then,
and in that event, the court is hereby empowered and authorized to enforce compliance with this
act or to call an election itself to fill such vacancy or vacancies on the city commission or in the
office of mayor.
Sec. 14. - Commission may investigate official transactions, acts and conduct.
The mayor, city commission, or any committee thereof may investigate the financial transactions
of any office or department of the city government and the official acts and conduct of any city
official, and by similar investigations may secure information upon any matter. In conducting such
investigations the mayor, city commission, or any committee thereof, may require the attendance
of witnesses and the production of books, papers and other evidence, and for that purpose may
issue subpoenas which shall be signed by the mayor, the presiding officer of the city commission,
or the chair of such committee, as the case may be, which may be served and executed by any
police officer.
Sec. 15. - City manager —Qualifications; appointment; term; salary; sickness or absence; removal.
The city manager shall be the head of the administrative branch of the city government. The city
provided in section 'I(g). The city manager shall be chosen on the basis of the city manager's
executive and administrative qualifications. At the time of the city manager's appointment the city
manager need not be a resident of the state. Neither the mayor nor any city commissioner shall
be eligible for the position of city manager during or within two years after the expiration of their
respective terms.
The mayor, subject to the approval of the city commi-lion, may designate a qualified
administrative officer of the city to a-sume the duties and authority of the city manager during
periods of temporary absence or disability of the city manager.
The city manager shall be responsible for the administration of all units of the city government
The city manager or designee shall execute contracts and other instruments, sign bonds and
other evidences of indebtedness.
The City Commission shall within thirty days after taking office appoint a City Manager who shall
be the administrative head of the municipal government and shall be responsible for the efficient
administration of all departments and may be the head of such department as the commission
may by ordinance provide. The City Manager shall be chosen on the basis of their executive and
administrative qualifications. They may or may not be a resident of the City of Miami or the State
of Florida. No member of the City Commission shall be appointed City Manager. The City
Manager shall be hold office at the will of the City Commission. The City Manager shall receive
such salary as may be fixed by the City Commission. In case of the sickness or absence of the
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City Manager the City Commission may appoint another person, not a member of the City
Commission, to act for the City Manager, during their sickness or absence and the person so
appointed may, during the absence or sickness of the City Manager, act for the City Manager and
perform all duties and all such acts of the person so appointed shall be as valid as though
performed by the City Manager. The person appointed by the City Commission to act as City
Manager during the absence or sickness of the City Manager shall not be entitled to or paid any
compensation for their services as such City Manager by the City of Miami.
(a) Removal of City Manager. The City Commission shall appoint, by a majority vote of
its members, the City Manager for an indefinite term, and may remove the City
Manager by a majority vote of its members. At least thirty (30) days before such
removal shall become effective, the City Commission shall, by majority vote of its
members, adopt a preliminary resolution stating the reasons for their removal. The
City Manager may reply in writing and may request a public hearing which shall be
held not earlier than twenty (20) days nor later than thirty (30) days after the filing of
such request. After such public hearing, if one be requested, and after full
consideration the City Commission, by a majority vote of its members, may adopt a
final resolution of removal.
Sec. 16. - Same —Powers and duties.
The powers and duties of the city manager shall be to:
(a) See that the laws and ordinances are enforced.
(b) Appoint and remove, except as otherwise provided in this Charter, all
directors of the departments and all subordinate officers and employees in the
departments in both the classified and unclassified service; all appointments to
be upon merit and fitness alone, and in the classified service all appointments
and removals to be subject to the civil service provisions of this Charter.
(c) Exercise control over all departments and divisions created herein or that may
be hereafter created by the city commission.
(d) Attend all meetings of the city commission with the right to take part in the
discussion but having no vote.
(e) Recommend to the mayor and city commission for adoption such measures
as the city manager may deem necessary or expedient.
(f) Keep the mayor and city commission fully advised as to the financial condition
and needs of the city; and
(g) Perform such other duties as may be prescribed by this Charter or be
required by the mayor or ordinance or resolution of the city commission.
(h) Prepare the budget in consultation with the City Commission.
Sec. 17. - Same —Examination of affairs of departments, officers or employees.
The city manager may, without notice, cause the affairs of any department or the conduct of any
officer or employee to be examined. Any person or persons appointed by the city manager to
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examine the affairs of any department or the conduct of any officer or employee shall have the
same right to require the attendance of witnesses and production of books and papers and other
evidence as is conferred upon the mayor and city commission by this Charter.
Sec. 21. - Department of law.
The city attorney shall be the director of the department of law and an attorney -at -law admitted to
the practice in the State of Florida. The city attorney shall be the legal advisor of and attorney and
counsel for the city, and for all officers and departments thereof in matters relating to their official
duties. The city attorney shall prosecute and defend all suits for and in behalf of the city, and shall
prepare all contracts, bonds and instruments in writing in which the city is concerned and shall
endorse on each approval of the form and correctness thereof.
The city attorney shall be the prosecuting attorney of the municipal court. The city attorney shall
have such number of assistants as the city commission by ordinance may authorize. The city
attorney shall prosecute all cases brought before such court and perform the same duties, so far
as they are applicable thereto, as are required of the prosecuting attorney of the county.
When required to do so by the resolution of the city commission, the city attorney shall prosecute
or defend for and in behalf of the city all complaints, suits and controversies in which the city is a
party, and such other suits, matters and controversies as he shall, by resolution or ordinance, be
directed to prosecute or defend.
The mayor, city commission, the city manager, the director of any department, or any officer or
board not included within a department, may require the opinion of the city attorney upon any
question of law involving their respective powers and duties.
The city attorney shall be a full-time governmental employee; shall not engage in the private
practice of law; and upon his or her election by the city commission shall serve until the time for
the election of the city officials specified in section 4 of the Charter which follows the next general
municipal election.
Section 3. In accordance with the provisions of the Charter, as amended, §6.03 of the
Miami -Dade County Home Rule Charter, and Section 2-112 of the Code of the City of Miami,
Florida, from 7:00 A.M. until 7:00 P.M., on Tuesday, August 28, 2018, a Special Election will be
held concurrently with the Countywide Primary Election for the purpose of submitting to the
qualified electors of the City for their approval or disapproval of the measure.
Section 4. The Special Election shall be held at the polling places in the precincts
designated, all as shown on the list attached hereto and made a part hereof and referred to as
Exhibit No. 1 or as may be designated by the Supervisor of Elections of Miami -Dade County,
Florida, in conformity with the provisions of general laws of the State of Florida ("State"). The
Precinct Election Clerks and Inspectors to serve at said polling places on said Special Election
date shall be those designated by the Supervisor of Elections of Miami -Dade County, Florida for
such purpose in accordance with the general laws of the State. A description of the registration
books and records which pertain to Special Election precincts wholly or partly within the City
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and which the City is adopting and desires to use for holding such Special Election is all voter
information cards, registration books, records, and certificates pertaining to electors of the City
and established and maintained as official by the Supervisor of Elections of Miami -Dade
County, Florida, in conformity with the laws of the State, are adopted and declared to be and
shall hereafter be recognized and accepted as, official voter information cards, registration
books, records, and certificates of the City.
Section 5. In compliance with Section 100.342, Florida Statutes, the City Clerk is
authorized and directed to publish notice of the adoption of the herein Resolution and of the
provisions hereof at least twice, once in the fifth (5th) week and once in the third (3rd) week prior
to the week in which the aforesaid Special Election is to be held, in newspaper(s) of general
circulation in the City, which notice shall be substantially in the following form:
NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION
TO AMEND THE MIAMI CITY CHARTER TO BE HELD ON
TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2018
IN THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO.
A Special Election will be held on Tuesday, August 28, 2018, from 7:00 A.M until
7:00 P.M. in the City of Miami, Florida at the polling places in the Special Election
precincts designated by the Board of County Commissioners of Miami -Dade
County, Florida as set forth herein unless otherwise provided by law and
submitting to the qualified electors of the City of Miami, Florida, the following
question:
"Shall Sections 4,7,9,12,14,15,16,17, and 21 of the Charter be amended to
provide, commencing In November, 2021, a "Commission — Manager" style of
government; amending the powers of the Office of Mayor and transferring all of
the administrative powers previously possessed by the Mayor to the City
Manager?"
This amendment restores the City of Miami government to the style it operated
on or before 1997. The change removes the executive powers of the Mayor and
leaves the Mayor with only ceremonial powers. The City Manager will be the
chief executive officer of the City.
By order of the Commission of the City of Miami, Florida.
Section 6. The official ballot to be used at said Special Election shall be in full
compliance with the laws of the State with respect to vote -by -mail ballots and to use of the
mechanical voting mechanics or the Computer Election System and shall be in substantially the
following form:
"Official Ballot"
Special Election
Tuesday, August 28, 2018
for Approval or Disapproval of
the Following Question:
City of Miami Page 11 of 13 File ID: 4085 (Revision:) Printed on: 2/10/2025
File ID: 4085 Enactment Number:
Charter Amendment changing the City's
form of government to "Commission - Manager."
Shall Sections 4,7,9,12,14,15,16,17, and 21
of the Charter be amended to provide,
commencing In November, 2021, a
"Commission — Manager" style of
government; amending the powers of the
Office of Mayor and transferring all of the
administrative powers previously possessed
by the Mayor to the City Manager? This
amendment restores the City of Miami
government to the style it operated on or
before 1997. The City Manager will be the
chief executive officer of the City.
YES
NO
Section 7. The form of the ballot shall be in accordance with requirements of general
election laws. Electors desiring to vote in approval of the Question described above shall be
instructed to vote their selection next to the word "YES" within the ballot frame containing the
statement relating to the Question. Electors desiring to vote to disapprove the Question shall be
instructed to vote their selection next to the word "NO" within the ballot frame containing the
statement relating to the Question. Once individuals are satisfied with their choice, they shall
press the "Vote" button and the ballot shall be cast.
Section 8. The City Clerk shall cause to be prepared vote -by -mail ballots containing the
Question set forth in Section 6 above for the use of vote -by -mail electors entitled to cast such
ballots in said Special Election.
Section 9. All qualified Electors of the City shall be permitted to vote in the Special
Election and the Supervisor of Elections of Miami -Dade County, Florida is requested,
authorized, and directed to furnish, at cost and expense of the City, a list of all qualified electors
residing in the City as shown by the registration books and records of the Office of said
Supervisor of Elections and duly certify the same for delivery to and for use by the election
officials designated to serve at the respective polling places in said Special Election precincts.
Section 10. For the purpose of enabling persons to register who are qualified to vote in
said Special Election to be held concurrently with the Municipal General Election on August 28,
2018 and who have not registered under the provisions of the general laws of the State and
Chapter 16 of the Code of the City of Miami, Florida or who have transferred their legal
residence from one voting precinct to another in the City, they may register Monday through
Friday from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. at the Miami -Dade County Elections Department located at
2700 Northwest 87th Avenue, Doral, Florida within such period of time as may be designated
by the Supervisor of Elections of Miami -Dade County, Florida. In addition to the above place
and times, qualified persons may register at such branch offices and may also use any mobile
City of Miami Page 12 of 13 File ID: 4085 (Revision:) Printed on: 2/10/2025
File ID: 4085 Enactment Number:
registration van for the purpose of registration in order to vote in the herein described Special
Election during such times and on such dates as may be designated by the Supervisor of
Elections of Miami -Dade County, Florida.
Section 11. Todd B. Hannon, the City Clerk of the City, is designated and appointed as
the official representative of the City Commission in all transactions with the Supervisor of
Elections of Miami -Dade County, Florida related to matters pertaining to use of the registration
books and holding of said Special Election.
Section 12. The City Clerk shall deliver a certified copy of this Resolution to the
Supervisor of Elections of Miami -Dade County, Florida not less than forty-five (45) days prior to
the date of the Special Election.
Section 13. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption and
signature of the Mayor.2
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
2 If the Mayor does not sign this Resolution, it shall become effective at the end of ten (10) calendar days
from the date it was passed and adopted. If the Mayor vetoes this Resolution, it shall become effective
immediately upon override of the veto by the City Commission.
City of Miami Page 13 of 13 File ID: 4085 (Revision:) Printed on: 2/10/2025