HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal-Public Comments Submitted Online for the July 9, 2020 Virtual City Commission Meeting( Qm"rrY7�'Mee,. j Public C
U u.0 11 9, 2020 1111:00 AM MDT
".Il..
Public Comment
motero@mia migov.com
Ittaree
samuel
II art I'd Iran
Latimore
r
Street Ar:Wrens
937 n.w. 55th street
Agenda ttern
RE. 2 7487 Establish
Special Revenue -
2020-2021 Victims of
Crime Act
Vfi d:: irruirruc-uI
I oppose the over
$500,000 grant for
victim service to the
miami police
department. I do not
believe this type of
program should not
be housed in a
paramilitary styled
organization like a
police
department.PoLice
should be focused on
preventing crime
through protecting
and serving.
PREVENTI NG
burglaries, robberies,
violent crimes, rapes
and other criminal
activities. Victim
Advocate programs
should be housed
hosed in SAO offices,
City of Miami Human
Services Department
with mutually defined
responsibilities. These
programs are Less
threatening
environments, and
understand from the
top down the impact
of victimization on
the mental and
physical health of
crime victims.My
opposition to Victim
Advocate program
being housed in, or
supervised by MPD
has nothing to do
with the job
performance of Chief
CoLine. or his
management team.
Chief CoLine, and his
staff, especially
Assistant Chiefs
Gause and MoraLes,
have been very
responsive to the
Model Cities
7636 Submittal -Public Comments Submitted Online for the July 9, 2020 Virtual City Commission Meeting
u "ur;11IN,Varroe
;eu-c 11 Vfi d: orruirroenIIl
community. MPD's
efforts to suppress
criminal. activity in our
neighborhoods are
commendable.
Effective policing of a
community that has
historically been
marginalized by
Institutional. Racism
and overt and subtle
discrimination, is not
an easy job. Policing
is a hard and often
thankless job. In the
case of this grant, it
puts MPD in the
possible position of
having to provide
victim services to
citizens who may
have become victims
due to illegal.,
improper, or
deliberate acts of a
police officer. This
potential. conflict of
interest is not fair to
the citizen, the City
of Miami, the police
department, or the
police officer.
Accepting the grant $
but housing the
program in a more
neutral. environment
with agreed upon
duties. Let the police
protect and serve!
Professor Samuel.
Latimore, Major
(Retired)
DI. 1 7569 Discussion
Yoca Arditi-Rocha 540 Brickel.l. Key drive - USACE Back Bay N/A
CSRM Study Webinar
u "ur;11IN,Varroe
^ II: ['lame SII:recrll: slaaaaires,3
;eu cla Iteriru Vfi d:orruirroen11l.
Yoca
Arditi-Rocha 540 Brickell key drive
DI. 1 7569 Discussion
- USACE Back Bay
CSRM Study Webinar
The Army Corps
recently released a
proposal that
combines elevating
properties and a
range of grey
infrastructure
(seawalls, flood
gates, etc) but,
largely leaves out
green infrastructure
solutions (nature -
based) like
mangrove/coral reef
restoration, does not
address other climate
related issues like
increasing sunny day
flooding and does not
consider the impact
of the projects on
water quality in
Biscayne Bay, for
example, due to
pumping storm water
or altering flow. As a
Brickell property
owner, I am also
concerned about the
Brickell floodwalt
placed on Biscayne
Bay which wilt
undoubtedly cause
unacceptable impacts
to habitat, recreation,
viewscapes, and
wildlife. This 5-
million-dollar band -aid
plan it's too harmful
to the environment,
creates equity
problems, exposes
certain areas to
increased flood risk,
and does not address
— and perhaps
worsens — chronic
flooding from sea
level rise. While I
applaud the effort and
acknowledgement of
storm surge risk, we
must find a more
holistic -and inclusive -
approach to deal with
the effects of rising
seas, intensified
storms, equity
disparities, and
climatic change we
are experiencing in
our city. Thank you
Steven Adkins 1756 N Bayshore Dr. RE. 8 7599 LGBTQ Good morning
37G Miami, FL Businesses Honorable Mayor and
Commissioners;
u"ur;11II rro
llm inru ;all: llatlatlir:s
ugeu cla III Hrro nruuiruuen11l
Today you will be
making many
important decisions
and among them
regards the inclusion
of an often excluded
segment of our
population...LGBTQ
owned businesses.
The national annual
GDP of the LGBTQ
business market
exceeds $1.7 trillion,
which would rank as
the 10th largest
economy in the
world. The estimated
annual LGBTQ spend
in Miami -Dade
County exceeds $8
billion and represents
over 250,000 self -
identified voting
citizens aged 18+. As
mu college Jonathan
Lovitz from our
National LGBT
Chamber has laid out
for you, this policy
you will hopefully
pass will do the
following: • Offer
recognition of the
city's LGBT business
community— which
adds more than $1.7
TRILLION to the
national economy •
Clearly state the City
of Miami is "open for
business" with every
diverse community,
Leading to an uptick
in business creation,
growth, and new jobs
in Miami •
Establishes a list of
viable contractors for
the city and other
municipal partners to
utilize when
searching for top
quality, diverse -
owned businesses to
support • Establish a
new pipeline of
employers and job
creators in the region
who wilt now be
eligible for grants,
education,
scholarships, etc only
open to certified
minority business
owners We urge your
passage of this item
before you. Steven
Adkins,
u"ur;11II rro
llm inru ;all: /latlatlir:s
ugeu cla III Hrro nruuiruuen11l
Stephen
RE. 1 7404
Keppel 3411 Oak Avenue Settlement - 3384
Day Avenue
President/CEO
Miami -Dade Gay &
Lesbian Chamber of
Commerce
Lack of code
enforcement in
Village West is a
pressing issue. The
house at 3374 Day
Ave. whose roof
nearly touches the
house next to it, is in
dear violation of the
requirement that
houses be five feet
from the property
Line. A message
needs to be sent to
developers that they
need to follow the
rules just like
everyone else.
Samantha Morejon 12010 sw 105 DI. 1 7569 Discussion To whom this may
terrace, Miami, FL, - USACE Back Bay concern, Building
33186 CSRM Study Webinar Miami's resilience to
storm and flood
damage is of utmost
importance. Our
community is
dependent on the
resources provided by
the Bay through
tourism, food, and
our very own
livelihoods. This
proposal brings me
many concerns, I
don't believe that it
considers the routine
flooding that Miami
generally goes
through, the high
impacting weather
events that we
frequently
experience, or nature
based solutions
through living
shorelines, mangrove
or coral reef
restoration.
Mangroves and reefs
act as a buffer zone
from storms, filter
pollution, provide
nurseries for our
fisheries and serve as
niches for varying
aspects of
biodiversity, and offer
recreational and
tourist areas.These
areas are vital to the
well-being of both
u"ur;11II rro
llm inru ;all: llatlatlir:s
ugeu cla III Hrro Vfi ; Cdruuiruuen11
coastal communities
and the nation as a
whole. A known
detriment to water
quality are old and
Leaky septic tanks
that fail as sea level
rises; over 108,000
units have failed in
Miami -Dade County
in recent years. This
proposal should aim
to improve of our
wastewater treatment
plants, and convert
septic systems to
sewer. Furthermore,
the proposal of grey
infrastructure such as
flood gates and sea
walls threaten the
environment with
routine flooding and
can exacerbate the
impacts of sea level
rise. The Miami
community,
stakeholders, and
experts have also led
initiatives such as
Resilient305 to
reduce the risks and
impacts left by
storms. I recommend
that USACE considers
what is currently
working, and utilize
the investment
towards natural
solutions that would
benefit both the
environment and
above all, our
community. Please
consider these
changes to your
proposal. We are all
Looking for the best
for our community,
but we can't forget
the impact that we
are leaving on our
environment.
Research shows that
Biscayne Bay is
suffering, and if we
Lose our Bay, we lose
our fisheries, tourism,
food, and the
livelihoods that our
community depends
on. Thank you for
your time and
consideration,
Samantha Morejon
u "ur;11IN,Varroe
^ II: ['lame SII:recrll: slaaaaires,3
;eu cla Iteriru Vfi d:orruirroen11l.
Patrick Rynne
Patricia
2600 SW 26th St.,
Miami FL, 33133
My name is Patrick
Rynne, I am a board
member on the
Climate Resilience
Committee. I'd like to
comment on the US
Army Corp of
Engineer's back bay
study, currently open
for public comment.
This is a massive
project that affects all
of Miami and I am
concerned that the
timing of the
BC. 8 6957 Climate pandemic has made
Resilience it difficult for the
Committee public and elected
officials to review it
thoroughly. A 30-day
extension for public
comment has just
been granted per
request of the county
(deadline August 20),
but I think more time
is needed. I urge the
commission to push
for an additional 30
day extension so that
this item is given the
careful attention and
scrutiny it requires.
This constitutes an
egregious
overdevelopment of
the property that
ruins the residential
RE. 1 7404 character of the
Murphy 3615 Loquat Avenue Settlement - 3384 historic Coconut
Day Avenue Grove neighborhood.
Please vote no on the
settlement. They
must be held
accountable. Thank
you.
u "ur;11IN,Varroe
^ II: ['lame SII:recrll: slaaaaires,3
;eu cla Iteriru Vfi d:orruirroen11l.
Orlando Gonzales
My name is Orlando
Gonzales. I'm the
executive director of
Safeguarding
American Vales for
Everyone. I support
the resolution
DIRECTING THE
CITY
ADMINISTRATION
TO REVISE THE
CITY'S
PROCUREMENT
POLICIES AND
PRACTICES TO
SPECIFICALLY
RECOGNIZE AND
180 NE 29th St Apt RE. 8 7599 LGBTQ IDENTIFY CERTIFIED
230 Businesses LESBIAN GAY
BISEXUAL
TRANSGENDER
QUESTIONING/QUE
ER OWNED
BUSINESSES
(" LGBTQ"). Our city's
ability to account for
doing business with
the LGBTQ
community wilt help
attract conventions
and business
opportunities that wilt
increase our revenue
base and promote
inclusivity in the
community.
u "ur;11IN,Varroe
^ II: ['lame SII:recrll: slaaaaires,3
;eu cla Iteriru Vfi d:orruirroen11l.
0 Collins
19985 NE 6th Ct,
Miami FL 33179
DI. 1 7569 Discussion
- USACE Back Bay
CSRM Study Webinar
Dear Commissioners,
I am very concerned
about this proposal
for several reasons:
1. this proposal does
not consider the
source of the climate
crisis, chronic
flooding, or nature -
based solutions like
mangrove or coral
reef restoration.
Rather it has a very
narrow scope and
ONLY looks at storm
surge which is it one
of the issues plaguing
our community. 2. I
am concerned that
High -value properties
are more likely to
benefit from the
suggested protection
features, often at the
expense of
historically vulnerable
communities. 3. This
study realty presents
an opportunity to
invest billions into
resilience -building for
Miami that is holistic,
inclusive, and realistic
to be climate -ready.
4. I am concerned the
community has not
been adequately
informed and even
though the public
comment period has
been pushed back,
more outreach is
needed to get a
broader perspective.
Thank you for
considering my
comments on this
issue.
u "ur;11IN,Varroe
^ II: ['lame SII:recrll: slaaaaires,3
;eu cla Iteriru Vfi d:orruirroen11l.
Natalie Rivas
330 74st Miami
Beach 33141
I am concerned that
this proposal does not
adequately consider
the source of the
climate crisis, chronic
flooding, or nature -
based solutions like
mangrove or coral
reef restoration. We
need a more holistic
approach instead of
spending $5B on a
band aid solution.
The proposal
combines elevating
properties and a
DI. 1 7569 Discussion range of grey
- USACE Back Bay infrastructure
CSRM Study Webinar (seawalls, flood
gates, etc) but,
largely leaves out
green infrastructure
solutions (nature -
based) like
mangrove/coral reef
restoration, does not
address other
climate -related issues
Like increasing sea
Level. rise & chronic
flooding, and does
not address the
bigger elephant in the
room: the climate
crisis!
u "ur;11IN,Varroe
^ II: ['lame SII:recrll: slaaaaires,3
;eu cla Iteriru Vfi d:orruirroen11l.
3613 Loquat Avenue RE. 1 7404
Margaret Fronefield Settlement - 3384
Miami, FL 3313:
Day Avenue
A picture may say a
thousand words but
these only need two.
BIG MISTAKE. Or
maybe
"embarrassing" is a
better word? Who let
this happen? This is
about as egregious as
it get when it comes
to code violation in
the city, and there
have been some
doozies. No
enforcement, no
accountability. The
same story, over and
over. When will it
stop? Who will stand
up and do what is
right? Or are you all
still cowering, and
behind what? It's
plain to see. You are
allowing decimation
of the most historic
Land in Miami. Shall
we wait until it's all
bulldozed and has
become one big
townhouse? Or just
Let builders knowingly
run into the
neighbors' homes?
Do what is
right...after SOOO
much has gone wrong
here. Vote NO on the
settlement.
Lauren Paulet 8976 NW 169th St, DI. 1 7569 Discussion Honorable
Miami, FL 33018 - USACE Back Bay Commissioners, Good
CSRM Study Webinar Morning! My name is
Lauren Paulet and I
am a resident of
Miami at 8976 NW
169th Street. I am
also a BA Candidate
for Environmental
Studies at Johns
Hopkins University. I
am worried about the
prospects of my
future as a Miami
resident. In an ideal
world, I wilt have the
option to settle down
in this magical city
and continue residing
here with my family
for the foreseeable
future. How our city
proceeds with
resiliency planning is,
therefore, of the
utmost importance to
u "ur;11IN,Varroe
^ II: ['lame SII:recrll: slaaaaires,3
Agencla d: orruirroenIIl
me. I appreciate your
consideration of a
plan that will invest
billions of dollars into
sea level rise
solutions for our
community, however,
I am concerned that
this proposal does not
adequately consider
routine flooding,
environmental justice,
or nature -based
solutions like
mangrove or coral
reef restoration. I am
a firm believer in
ecological design
principles, which try
to integrate urban
planning with natural
processes instead of
imposing man-made
structures on a
complex system.
There are several
Locations in Miami
where living
shorelines of gray -
green infrastructure
can be implemented,
including Jose Marti
park, Virginia Key
and Greynolds Park,
to name a few.
Furthermore, I believe
that our resiliency
planning should
always recognize how
sea level rise affects
economically and
socially vulnerable
communities in
Miami.
Commissioners, I
hope that you wilt
recommend a more
equitable distribution
of this $4.6 billion
investment to support
and protect
underresourced
communities. Thank
you for your time.
Kendall Young 2101 BrickeltAve DI. 1 7569 Discussion Hello, my name is
#2402 Miami, FL - USACE Back Bay Kendall Young. I am
33129 CSRM Study Webinar a resident of Miami
and writing in regards
to agenda item DI.1:
The Army Corps of
Engineers Back Bay
Coastal Storm Risk
Feasibility study. The
US Army Corps of
Engineers' proposal to
build a 35 ft wall
u "ur;11 I I rro
llm inru ;all: llatlatlir:s
ugeu cla III Hrro Vfi ; Cdruuiruuen11
along the Brickelt
waterfront is not a
sustainable solution
to the problems this
City is facing. This
proposal does not
adequately consider
routine flooding,
environmental justice,
or nature -based
solutions like
mangrove or coral
reef restoration.
Nature and nature -
based investments
that are supported by
the community would
provide multiple
bottom -line benefits
to our community and
environment, and this
plan largely omits
these beneficial
investments. It also
misses dear
opportunities for risk
minimization by
overlooking sewage
treatment plants and
other critical
infrastructure from
the proposal. In
addition, this study
also includes
unacceptable
environmental harm,
particularly to
Biscayne Bay. This
County needs an
action plan that
benefits the
environment and our
community white
reducing storm surge
risk. The proposed
budget of $4.6 billion
should be invested
into stakeholder -led
or community- based
initiatives, such as
Resitient305, or
others who have
identified strategies
for reducing storm
surge risk.
Fortifications for our
wastewater treatment
plants, septic to
sewer conversion for
Little River and Arch
Creek, stormwater
retention and
filtration, coral
restoration, and living
shorelines should be
included in the
proposed resiliency
plan. I recommend
u"ur;11II rro
llm inru ;all: /latlatlir:s
ugeu cla III Hrro nruuiruuen11l
that the Army Corps
utilizes the solutions
that have been vetted
by the community,
stakeholders, and
experts before
pursuing this
proposal. Thank you
for your time and
consideration. Kendall
Young
RE. 1 7404
Katrina Daniel 4085 Battersea Rd Settlement - 3384 N/A
Day Avenue
Katrina
RE. 1 7404
Daniel 4085 Battersea Rd Settlement - 3384
Day Avenue
I respectfully ask that
the commissioners
REFUSE to settle.
This will just ensure
that zoning violations
will occur even more
than they do now.
The Grove is
becoming Kendal with
its boring box like
houses and lack of
trees. No entity
moves to enforce
zoning laws The city
does some " for
shoW' maneuvers -like
disallowing gravel or
pavers on right of
way. But when it
comes to allowing - or
Looking the other way
when developers cut
down old oak trees -
or they poison them
and claim they died.
And the City and the
commissioners
do....nothing.
u "ur;11IN,Varroe
^ II: ['lame SII:recrll: slaaaaires,3
;eu cla Iteriru Vfi d:orruirroen11l.
J ulieta
Good morning
Honorable
Commissioners, The
proposal brought forth
by the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers
addresses important
solutions to storm
surge like elevating
properties and using
sea wafts, but I am
very concerned
because the proposal
does not include
nature -based
solutions like
mangrove/coral reef
restoration, does not
address other
climate -related issues
Like increasing sea
level rise and sunny -
day flooding
unrelated to storm
surge, and does not
address the looming
climate crisis. For this
reason, I ask you to
tell the Army Corps
that $5 billion dollars
DI. 1 7569 Discussion is too much money
Rodrigo 2103 Coral Way - USACE Back Bay for a band -aid
CSRM Study Webinar approach. In order to
be a resilient county,
we need a holistic
approach that is
efficient and non-
invasive to our natural
environment.
Moreover, I am
concerned the
community has not
been adequately
informed on this plan
and more virtual
community
educational outreach
events are needed,
hosted in multiple
Languages to be as
inclusive as possible.
As Commissioners, I
know that you all
have the County's
best interest at heart,
and this proposal
brought forth by the
Army Corps is
insufficient and
ineffective. I thank
you for your time and
attention to my public
comment.
Jonathan Lovitz 1331 F St NW 900 RE. 8 7599 LGBTQ Among the important
Washington DC, Businesses issues you wilt hear
a IIISIlarroe
20004
Street Address
Agent tteriru 11,tuthris Cdruuiruueff
today is the
recognition of
certified LGBT-owned
businesses in the
Miami Beach region.
If passed, Miami
Beach will become
the 25th large city in
America to enact this
kind of important,
job -creating economic
empowerment
initiative. The national
and local team
members here hope
to help you
understand how vital
and also how risk -free
such an ordinance is
— as demonstrated
regionally by your
colleagues in Tampa,
Orlando, and Orange
County, FL who have
all passed identically
framed resolutions.
To be dear, this
resolution — DOES: -
Offer recognition of
the city's LGBT
business community
— which adds more
than $1.7 TRILLION
to the national
economy -Clearly
state Miami Beach is
"open for business"
with every diverse
community, leading
to an uptick in
business creation,
growth, and new jobs
in Miami Beach -
Establishes a list of
viable contractors for
the city and other
municipal partners to
utilize when
searching for top
quality, diverse -
owned businesses to
support -Establish a
new pipeline of
employers and job
creators in the region
who wilt now be
eligible for grants,
education,
scholarships, etc only
open to certified
minority business
owners DOES NOT: -
Offer any kind of
preferential treatment
or 'set aside' for any
community -Cost the
city a nickel, as the
entire process is
u "ur;11 I I rro
llm inru ;all: /latlatlire:s
ugeu cla III Hrro nruuiruuen11l
revenue neutral and
free of additional red
tape -Conflict with
any existing
opportunities for any
other diverse
community in the
region The rationale
for this policy is
simple: Miami
Beach's economy
cannot achieve its full
potential without the
full participation of
every citizen of
Miami Beach. Greater
diversity among local
suppliers and small
business owners
encourages greater
innovation and
competition on city
contracts. Greater
competition lowers
bid prices. Lower bid
prices results in
millions of dollars in
taxpayers savings
across Miami Beach
that can be
reinvested in schools,
public safety, and
beyond. It's time for
Miami Beach, a
respected leader in
business, diversity,
and opportunity, to
take its place as one
of the most inclusive
places for minority -
owned business in
America. I assure you
the growth here
among new small
businesses wilt
astound you.
Following the
implementation of the
California's AB1678
business inclusion
Law, there was a
dramatic spike in the
number certified
LGBTBEs in California
—resulting in a more
than 200% increase
in LGBT businesses in
the state in the first
year. We know that
can and wilt happen
here in Miami Beach,
especially with the
support and
Leadership of the
award -winning Miami -
Dade Gay & Lesbian
Chamber of
Commerce as a key
u"ur;11II rro
llm inru ;all: /latlatlir:s
ugeu cla I IL Hrro nruuiruuen11l
partner. Increasing
the Local. tax base of
business owners is a
huge windfatt for
Miami Beach.
Additionally, the
exposure this
opportunity could
bring to Miami
Beach's LGBT
businesses comes at
a time when they are
still deeply
threatened, despite
recent wins at the
Supreme Court. White
SCOTUS did increase
protections for
employees,
entrepreneurs and
business owners are
still without such
basic rights. White
Credit/Finance/Mortg
age protections are in
the Equality Act,
LGBT owned
businesses seeking
investment capital. —
especiaLty those
recovering from
COVID et al.— need
the help NOW. There
are more than 35
states where it is
perfeclly Legal. for a
bank/credit union
officer to say "we do
not ban money to
your kind." Florida,
sadly, is one of those
states. We are
excited to soon count
the City of Miami
Beach among those
who believe in the
power of inclusion not
just as the right thing
to do, but also as an
economic imperative
that benefits every
citizen of the city.
This city's economy
wilt be more inclusive
and successfut thanks
to your Leadership;
Leadership which our
communities are
seeking more than
ever in these
uncertain potiticat
times. We Look
forward to
announcing soon that
Miami Beach is open
for business to
everyone who Lives
here.
^ II: ['lame SII:recrll: slaaaaires,3
Agencla d: orruirroenII
Jonathan
Lovitz
1331 F. St NW
Washington, D.C.
20004
RE. 8 7599 LGBTQ
Businesses
Good morning
Commissioners,
Among the important
issues you wilt hear
today is the
recognition of
certified LGBT-owned
businesses in the
Miami region. If
passed, Miami wilt
become the 25th
Large city in America
to enact this kind of
important, job -
creating economic
empowerment
initiative. Attached is
an FAQ guide to help
you understand how
vital and also how
risk -free such an
ordinance is— as
demonstrated
regionaLty by your
coLteagues in Tampa,
Orlando, and Orange
County, FL who have
all passed identicaLty
framed resolutions.
To be dear, this
resolution — DOES: -
Offer recognition of
the city's LGBT
business community
— which adds more
than $1.7 TRILLION
to the national
economy -Clearly
state Miami is "open
for business" with
every diverse
community, Leading
to an uptick in
business creation,
growth, and new jobs
in Miami -Establishes
a List of viable
contractors for the
city and other
municipal partners to
utilize when
searching for top
quality, diverse -
owned businesses to
support -Establish a
new pipeline of
employers and job
creators in the region
who wilt now be
eligible for grants,
education,
scholarships, etc only
open to certified
minority business
owners DOES NOT: -
Offer any kind of
preferential treatment
u "ur;11IN,Varroe
^ II: ['lame SII:recrll: slaaaaires,3
;eu cla Iteriru Vfi d:orruirroen11l.
or 'set aside' for any
community -Cost the
city a nickel, as the
entire process is
revenue neutral and
free of additional red
tape -Conflict with
any existing
opportunities for any
other diverse
community in the
region The rationale
for this policy is
simple: Miami's
economy cannot
achieve its full
potential without the
full participation of
every citizen of
Miami. Greater
diversity among local
suppliers and small
business owners
encourages greater
innovation and
competition on city
contracts. Greater
competition lowers
bid prices. Lower bid
prices results in
millions of dollars in
taxpayers savings
across Miami that can
be reinvested in
schools, public safety,
and beyond. It's time
for Miami, a
respected leader in
business, diversity,
and opportunity, to
take its place as one
of the most inclusive
places for minority -
owned business in
America. I assure you
the growth here
among new small
businesses wilt
astound you.
Following the
implementation of the
California's AB1678
business inclusion
Law, there was a
dramatic spike in the
number certified
LGBTBEs in California
—resulting in a more
than 200% increase
in LGBT businesses in
the state in the first
year. We know that
can and wilt happen
here in Miami,
especially with the
support and
Leadership of the
award -winning Miami-
u "ur;11IN,Varroe
^ II: ['lame SII:recrll: slaaaaires,3
;eu cla Iteriru Vfi d:orruirroen11l.
Dade Gay & Lesbian
Chamber of
Commerce as a key
partner. Increasing
the Local. tax base of
business owners is a
huge windfall for
Miami. Additionally,
the exposure this
opportunity could
bring to Miami's
LGBT businesses
comes at a time
when they are still
deeply threatened,
despite recent wins at
the Supreme Court.
White SCOTUS did
increase protections
for employees,
entrepreneurs and
business owners are
still without such
basic rights. White
Credit/Finance/Mortg
age protections are in
the Equality Act,
LGBT owned
businesses seeking
investment capital. —
especially those
recovering from
COVID et al.— need
the help NOW. There
are more than 35
states where it is
perfectly Legal. for a
bank/credit union
officer to say "we do
not ban money to
your kind." Florida,
sadly, is one of those
states. The LGBT
business community
is deeply grateful. for
your enthusiasm and
support for this
important measure.
Should you have ANY
questions, I can be
reached directly at
rr(Mrr,r r;y()nig r;. ir7
or via my cell;
954.695.5896. Yours
in making history,
Jonathan Lovitz +
Team NGLCC and
M DG LCC
Jessica Dennis 35 Edgewater Drive DI. 1 7569 Discussion Hello ALL, Thank you
Apt 202 Coconut - USACE Back Bay for the opportunity to
Grove, FL 33133 CSRM Study Webinar comment on the Back
Bay Coastal Storm
Risk Management
Feasibility Study.
However, this
proposal Largely omits
u"ur;11II rro
llm inru ;all: llatlatlir:s
ugeu cla III Hrro nruuiruuen11l
investments in nature
and nature -based
investments that are
supported by the
community, and
which would provide
multiple bottom -line
benefits to our
community and
environment. It also
misses dear
opportunities for risk
minimization by
omitting sewage
treatment plants and
other critical
infrastructure from
the proposal. Further,
it proposes
unacceptable
environmental harm,
particularly to
Biscayne Bay, and
threatens to make
routine flooding from
sea level rise worse
through structural
improvements. Many
stakeholder -led
initiatives, such as
Resilient305, have
identified strategies
for reducing storm
surge risk. We
recommend that the
Army Corps utilizes
the solutions that
have been vetted by
the community,
stakeholders, and
experts. There are
significant equity
concerns raised by
this proposal. The
proposal, as written,
would disrupt
communities with
flood barriers -
creating "winners"
and "losers."
Furthermore, the
cost -benefit analysis
favors investments in
higher property value
areas, which leaves
under-resourced
communities without
crucial storm risk
assistance. We ask
this proposal be
modified to focus on:
- Nature and nature -
based features like
Living shorelines and
coral restoration -
Fortification of critical
infrastructure such as
water and wastewater
u"ur;11II rro
llm inru ;all: llatlatlir:s
ugeu cla I IL Hrro nruuiruuen11l
JONATHAN LOVITZ 1331 F ST NW
Washington DC
20004
RE. 8 7599 LGBTQ
Businesses
treatment plants -
Septic to sewer
conversion as a
pollution prevention
and resiliency
measure - Investment
in under-resourced
communities -
Manage stormwater
through filtration and
retention -focused
projects Thank you
for your
consideration, Jessica
Dennis
Among the important
issues you wilt hear
today is the
recognition of
certified LGBT-owned
businesses in the
Miami region. If
passed, Miami wilt
become the 25th
Large city in America
to enact this kind of
important, job -
creating economic
empowerment
initiative. We hope to
help you understand
how vital and also
how risk -free such an
ordinance is— as
demonstrated
regionally by your
colleagues in Tampa,
Orlando, and Orange
County, FL who have
all passed identically
framed resolutions.
To be dear, this
resolution — DOES: -
Offer recognition of
the city's LGBT
business community
— which adds more
than $1.7 TRILLION
to the national
economy -Clearly
state Miami is "open
for business" with
every diverse
community, Leading
to an uptick in
business creation,
growth, and new jobs
in Miami -Establishes
a List of viable
contractors for the
city and other
municipal partners to
utilize when
searching for top
quality, diverse -
owned businesses to
u "ur;11IN,Varroe
^ II: ['lame SII:recrll: slaaaaires,3
Agencla d: orruirroenIIl
support -Establish a
new pipeline of
employers and job
creators in the region
who will now be
eligible for grants,
education,
scholarships, etc only
open to certified
minority business
owners DOES NOT: -
Offer any kind of
preferential treatment
or 'set aside' for any
community -Cost the
city a nickel, as the
entire process is
revenue neutral and
free of additional red
tape -Conflict with
any existing
opportunities for any
other diverse
community in the
region The rationale
for this policy is
simple: Miami's
economy cannot
achieve its full
potential without the
full participation of
every citizen of
Miami. Greater
diversity among local
suppliers and small
business owners
encourages greater
innovation and
competition on city
contracts. Greater
competition lowers
bid prices. Lower bid
prices results in
millions of dollars in
taxpayers savings
across Miami that can
be reinvested in
schools, public safety,
and beyond. It's time
for Miami, a
respected leader in
business, diversity,
and opportunity, to
take its place as one
of the most inclusive
places for minority -
owned business in
America. I assure you
the growth here
among new small
businesses wilt
astound you.
Following the
implementation of the
California's AB1678
business inclusion
Law, there was a
dramatic spike in the
u "ur;11IN,Varroe
^ II: ['lame SII:recrll: slaaaaires,3
Agencla d: orruirroenIIl
number certified
LGBTBEs in California
—resulting in a more
than 200% increase
in LGBT businesses in
the state in the first
year. We know that
can and will happen
here in Miami,
especially with the
support and
Leadership of the
award -winning Miami -
Dade Gay & Lesbian
Chamber of
Commerce as a key
partner. Increasing
the local tax base of
business owners is a
huge windfall for
Miami. Additionally,
the exposure this
opportunity could
bring to Miami's
LGBT businesses
comes at a time
when they are still
deeply threatened,
despite recent wins at
the Supreme Court.
While SCOTUS did
increase protections
for employees,
entrepreneurs and
business owners are
still without such
basic rights. While
Credit/Finance/Mortg
age protections are in
the Equality Act,
LGBT owned
businesses seeking
investment capital —
especially those
recovering from
COVID et al— need
the help NOW. There
are more than 35
states where it is
perfectly legal for a
bank/credit union
officer to say "we do
not ban money to
your kind." Florida,
sadly, is one of those
states. The LGBT
business community
is deeply grateful for
your enthusiasm and
support for this
important measure.
Should you have ANY
questions, I can be
reached directly at
rr(Mrr,r r;y()nigV r;. irk
or via my cell;
954.695.5896.
u "ur;11IN,Varroe
;eu-ca Iteriru Vfi d:orruirroen11l.
Hollis
Glenn
RE. 1 7404
Hawkes 3645 Loquat Ave Settlement - 3384
Day Avenue
These buildings
should be demolished
by the city, the
proposed settlement
with the defendant
should not be made.
This is one of many
rampant code
enforcement
infractions that
developers are
getting away with,
ruining the Grove and
will ultimately lower
home values. Time to
work for the
constituents, not
developers.
We must not allow
rogue developers to
build illegal structures
and then have the
regulatory arm of our
City government
throw up their hands
and say, "Once
RE. 1 7404 concrete is
Patron 4050 Ventura ave Settlement - 3384 poured " We mus
Day Avenue reinstate sections
2107 & 2108 of the
Municpal code so that
there would be some
accountability. This
constrction on Day
ave is a perfect
example of why this
should be done
u "ur;11IN,Varroe
^ II: ['lame SII:recrll: slaaaaires,3
;eu cla Iteriru Vfi d:orruirroen11l.
Gabriela
DI. 1 7569 Discussion
Rodriguez 13862 SW 102 Lane - USACE Back Bay
CSRM Study Webinar
My name is Gabriela
Rodriguez and I am a
constituent of District
11 of Miami -Dade
County. As we know,
the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers is
proposing a $4.6
billion plan to address
storm surge risk our
country. This proposal
does not effectively
address the
impending climatic
impacts such as
increasing sea level
rise and chronic
flooding. It largely
ignores beneficial
green infrastructure
solutions like
mangrove and coral
reef restoration. By
focusing on elevation
and grey
infrastructure, it
inherently fails to
address the threat
multiplier of all our
concerns: the climate
crisis. As a result, this
proposal is a big
waste of money and
resources. If
anything, it's a big
ban -aid for an issue
that cannot be
patched up. I urge
you to not support
this proposal and
instead invest your
time and power into
real solutions. Thank
you for your time.
Frances Colon 453 NE 68 ST, DI. 1 7569 Discussion Dear City of Miami
Miami, FL 33138 - USACE Back Bay Commissioners, The
CSRM Study Webinar Back Bay Coastal
Storm Risk
Management
Feasibility Study
presents an
opportunity to invest
billions in federal
money into resilience -
building for Miami.
However, as written,
it is unacceptable for
the community: it is
too harmful to the
environment, creates
equity problems,
exposes certain areas
to increased flood
risk, and does not
address — or even
u "ur;11IN,Varroe
^ II: ['lame SII:recrll: slaaaaires,3
;eu cla Iteriru Vfi d:orruirroen11l.
worsens — routine
flooding from sea
level rise. Specifically,
the plan could disrupt
neighborhoods, and
has echoes of past
projects that harmed
communities by
building highways
through them — such
as Overtown. It fails
to leverage existing
community -based
resiliency plans, such
as the Urban Land
Institute panel,
Resitient305, the SE
Florida Climate
Compact, Miami
Forever, and others
that we have spent
years and taxpayer
resources on. For a
project that we wilt be
on the hook for 35%
of, the details on
buyouts and use of
eminent domain are
not available. The
cost benefit analysis
formula
overemphasizes
property values and
this wilt result in
areas with higher
property values
getting more flood
protection. City of
Miami
Commissioners
should recommend
that Miami Dade
County request the
U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers modify the
proposal to focus on:
• Nature and nature -
based features like
Living shorelines and
coral restoration •
Fortification of critical
infrastructure such as
water and wastewater
treatment plants •
Septic to sewer
conversion as a
pollution prevention
and resiliency
measure • Investment
in under-resourced
communities •
Manage stormwater
through filtration and
retention -focused
projects Miami needs
a locally preferred
plan that supports the
community and the
u "ur;11IN,Varroe
;eu cla Iteriru Vfi d:orruirroen11l.
environment while
also providing flood
risk reduction. Thank
you
325 s Biscayne Blvd BC. 10 6330 Code
Desiree D'Souza N/A
Miami, FL 33131 Enforcement Board
Collin SchLadweiler 2103 Coral Way 2nd DI. 1 7569 Discussion Dear City of Miami
Floor Miami, FL - USACE Back Bay Commissioners:
33145 CSRM Study Webinar Thank you for the
opportunity to
comment on the Back
Bay Coastal Storm
Risk Management
Feasibility Study. This
study represents a
significant and
important occasion to
address the large
investments
necessary to address
storm surge and other
climate change -
related risks to the
Miami -Dade
community. However,
this proposal lacks
investments in
nature -based
approaches that are
supported by the
community, and
which would provide
multiple bottom -line
benefits to our
community and
environment. It also
misses dear
opportunities for risk
minimization by
omitting sewage
treatment plants and
other critical
infrastructure from
the proposal. Further,
it proposes
unacceptable
environmental harm,
particularly to
Biscayne Bay, and
threatens to make
routine flooding from
sea Level. rise worse
through structural
improvements. There
are significant equity
concerns raised by
this proposal. The
proposal, as written,
would disrupt
communities with
flood barriers -
creating "winners"
and "Losers."
Furthermore, the
u "ur;11IN,Varroe
^ II: ['lame SII:recrll: slaaaaires,3
;eu cla Iteriru Vfi d:orruirroen11l.
cost -benefit analysis
favors investments in
higher property value
areas, which leaves
under-resourced
communities without
crucial storm risk
assistance. As a city
encompassing so
many cultures and
backgrounds, I hope
you take the time to
reflect where you
decide to invest
funding. We ask this
proposal be modified
to focus on: -Nature
and nature -based
features like living
shorelines and coral
restoration -
Fortification of critical
infrastructure such as
water and wastewater
treatment plants -
Septic to sewer
conversion as a
pollution prevention
and resiliency
measure -I nvestment
in under-resourced
communities Thank
you for your
consideration, Collin
u "ur;11IN,Varroe
^ II: ['lame SII:recrll: slaaaaires,3
;eu cla Iteriru Vfi d:orruirroen11l.
AMY CLEMENT 1766 Opechee Dr
DI. 1 7569 Discussion
- USACE Back Bay
CSRM Study Webinar
End of Report
The US Army Corps
study has important
implications for our
city. Various groups
around the city are
reviewing the plan
and preparing public
comments. It is
critical that we have
adequate time to do
this work. The public
comment period has
coincided exactly with
the COVID-19
pandemic, which has
significantly slowed
our ability to respond.
I understand that
Miami -Dade county
has requested a 30
days extension, but I
would encourage the
commission to
request a longer
extension to give our
community adequate
time for thorough
review and comment.
I am asking the
commission to
request a 60-day
extension to the
public comment
period. Amy Clement
Professor of
Atmospheric Science,
University of Miami
Chair of the City of
Miami Climate
Resilience Committee