HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal-Public Comments Submitted Online for the September 10, 2020 Virtual First Budget HearingCommission Report
Solid Waste special assessments Public Comment - September 10th, 2020
September 10, 2020 5:31 PM MDT
Public Comment
motero@miamigov.com
First Last Street Agenda
Name Name Address Item
BH. 2
7722
Discussio
n - DDA
test test test Proposed
Miltage
Tentative
Budget
FY '21
BH. 1
7737
Discussio
3621 sw n - Public
Adam Roberti 3rd ave Commen
miami ft t on Final
Miltage
and
Budget
Saadin
BH. 1
7737
Discussio
16001 n - Public
Dassum Collins Commen
Ave t on Final
Miltage
and
Budget
Public Comment
testing to see if this form stilt works.
We are facing a climate crisis in Miami -Dade County. We need to be allocating
money to the Division of Resilience & Sustainabitity. We need to plan for the future
of our community in an effective way... not by putting band aids on issues like sea
eve rise and saltwater intrusion. Please help us.
To whom it may concern, I understand that the planned budget for the Division of
Resilience and Sustainabitity is about 0.03% of the total. As a Miami resident, I
must say it is alarming that you are not prioritizing environmental protection.
Climate change is no joke and no matter of opinion. I've seen the masses of dead
fish in Biscayne Bay. I live on the beach and have seen trucks coming in and trying
to pour more sand on the shore because the water is already getting too dose to the
buitdings. The threat of climate is one that wilt affect Miami before it does many
other places. It is time for our beautiful home to start putting its own weight and to
set an example for other cities to follow. Miami has buitt for itself a history of
prestige, do not let it fall fall from grace. Over 30% of the city's current budget is
going to the police. I understand the need to feet safe, and I sympathize with the
fact that you probably do too, but the police should not have the force of a small
military. Providing more gear for them enables both accidents as much as brutality,
and I think we can all agree that nobody wants accidents or brutality. Police are
meant to serve and protect the community, not to play judge and jury. As you may
know, at a national levet, people are unhappy with the police. If you want to get
closer to home, just think of the police shootout in Coral Gables that happened on
December 5. Residents of the whole county were shocked by this. Due to
everything going on, I think it may be a sensible idea to take at least 5% of the
budget given to the police and re -invest it in other causes, such as the Division of
Resilience and Sustainabitity. Making communities safer by investing in them is a
great approach to prevent crime. The streets would become safer even for the very
officers who patrol it. In the end, re -organizing the budget and prioritizing
environmental protection would have a positive effect on everyone. Thank you for
reading through this. I hope you were able to find some points you can agree on
with me, and I hope you have a good day.
7882 Submittal -Public Comments Submitted Online for the September 10, 2020
Virtual First Budget Hearing
First Last Street Agenda
Name Name Address Item
Andrew Stermer
Theresa Pinto
Nadia
Seetera
m
Public Comment
To the Commission: I am writing today regarding the proposed 2021 county budget.
Recently, a group of county residents, including representatives of many prominent
community service organizations including Catalyst Miami, put together a list of
budget priorities for the coming year, which you can see here:
BH. 19 http://bit.ly/miamibudgetdemands I want to express my support for these budget
7812 priorities, and to encourage you to support them as weft. I believe the
4305 SW Approve recommendations, which include increased investments in affordable housing,
130th Ct. FY 2020- mental health resources, and alternatives to incarceration, are pragmatic and fiscally
Miami, 21 Multi responsible, especially when considering the tong term benefits of such investments.
FL 33175 Year Further, I believe they demonstrate compassion, especially toward the most
Capital vulnerable members of our community --a value I cherish and tong to see embodied
Plan more often by my elected officials and the policies they propose. As Miami -Dade
continues to confront the coronavirus pandemic, the question of "what do we owe to
each other as citizens?" has been often on my mind. I believe these proposed
budget priorities answer that question with moral courage and creativity, as weft as
sound policy. Thank you for your consideration, Andy Stermer
To the City of Miami Commission: I am writing in support of expanding the budget
for the Office of Resiliency specifically, and generally to ask the Commission to take
seriously the threat multiplier that Climate Change presents to the region and put
forth funds to guide the City to a truly sustainable future. I hope I do not need to
convince the Commission of the science behind the threats that Climate Change
may pose, but can instead use this comment to emphasize that cutting the budget
for resiliency wilt only accelerate the threats we are facing as a community. Not only
must we prepare and adapt, but we must mitigate and decarbonize. In order to do
BH. 21 this, we must plan and budget. In comparison, Orlando has nearly doubted its
7736 budget for their office of resiliency this year and has over a dozen full-time staff
7231 Approve working on a dean and just transition into the future. But as the epicenter of sea-
Beffe Annual Level rise and increased disastrous storms, Miami should be Leading the way in
Meade Budget resiliency in Florida. Miami became a member of the C40 group in January,
Blvd FY '21 - committed "to collaborate effectively, share knowledge and drive meaningful,
City of measurable and sustainable action on climate change." Slashing spending on
Miami resiliency does not illustrate this commitment. Miami is also developing a climate
mitigation plan but without funds and staff to implement such a plan, also shows a
Lack of commitment to C40 and to overall sustainabitity. A community is only as
resilient as its Least resilient members. If we cut funding to the only office that is
tasked with making us more resilient, then we wilt not succeed in making Miami
ready for the environmental challenges that we face now --which wilt only worsen if
we fait to mitigate and prepare --and new challenges as they arise in the future.
Thank you for your time and attention. Theresa Pinto, J.D., M.S. Community
Advocate
1000 SW
12th
Court
BH. 21
7736
Approve
Annual
Budget
FY '21 -
City of
Miami
This comment is about the budget changes to the Division of Resilience and
Sustainabitity. The reduction of the budget for this division by 50% as weft as the
reduction in staff time is unacceptable. We have already begun to see the way that
climate change is disrupting this city and this disruption wilt only become worse. We
need a functioning, dedicated set of public officials working on the multitude of
issues that climate change presents. The reduction of this division's budget suggests
that climate change is not a priority for this City- a city that has garnered world
attention as the "ground zero" of climate change. How can this city declare a
climate emergency, yet cut the division responsible for addressing the challenges
climate change presents? Please consider revising the budget to give the City the
resources it needs to adequately address this issue. Thank you.
First Last Street Agenda
Name Name Address Item Public Comment
BH. 12
7796
Approve
24505 Annual This budget faits to adress the root causes of racial injustice and climate injustice.
Budget Public safety is about safe water and air not riot gear and prisons. Developing
Rachel Collins sw 192
ave
FY '21 - infrastructure in flood zones while failing to transition to solar power grids is not
Civilian resilient. Miami is in a crisis. Defund the police and adress the climate emergency
Investiga
tive
Panel
BH. 21
7736 The recent fish kills and record breaking temperatures are dear signals that we are
in a climate emergency. The current restructure of the budget and the office of
540 Approve
Arditi- Brickell Annual
Resilience proposed concerns me. Resilience and getting Miami Climate ready must
Yoca Rocha Key Budget be the City's utmost priority. If there are lessons learned from the Pandemic is that
we must heed the science otherwise it will be more costly and have greater impact
Drive FY '21 -
City of
on people's lives. Let's make the City of Miami a leader in climate action. Please
consider funding more staff members to do the job that is needed. Thank you.
Miami
Scylla Blervacq
Guy Forchion
2025
Brickell
Avenue
33129
Miami,
FL
4020
Virginia
Beach
Drive,
Miami,
FL 33149
BH. 1
7737
Discussio
n - Public
Commen
t on Final
Millage
and
Budget
The city of Miami is threatened by the impacts of climate change, which is getting
worst every day. We are at ground zero, many of our city's neighborhoods sit only a
few feet above sea -level. Considering the pace at which the sea level is rising, it is
only a matter of years before parts of Miami become inhabitable! We need to take
drastic actions now to prevent a future catastrophe. Climate change isn't an issue
that should be taken lightly. It is happening here and now and we are already
experiencing some of its effects. We have enough science to back it up and show us
what we can expect. There is no time left. It should be one of our biggest priorities
today and in the future. We need the Division of Resilience and Sustainability to get
the funding it deserves and needs to take the necessary actions that will allow us to
adapt and be resilient to climate change and make our city more sustainable. The
Division that tackles carbon reduction should receive more funding and staffing and
not less as it does now since it has been moved under the Office of Resilience and
Public Work.
BH. 15
7749
Approve
Annual The Virginia Key Beach Park Trust is responsible for the management and operation
Budget of the 82 acre Historic Virginia Key Beach Park. The Trust is requesting the approval
FY '21 - of it's FY2020-2021 operating budget $2,540,000 which includes a $300,000 City
Virginia Contribution. Thank you for your consideration and support of this 75-year old
Key historic site. Guy Forchion, Executive Director Virginia Key Beach Park Trust
Beach
Park
Trust
BH. 1
7737
Discussio
937 n.w. n - Public
Samuel latimore 55th Commen
street t on Final
Millage
and
Budget
The NET program was started several years ago with the intent of providing services
to City of Miami marginalized communities. With the onset of gentrification and
displacement by new residents, services became more critical. Rising Senior
populations, increasing number of citizens with disabilities, homelessness, and
citizen need for quality of life services, has resulted in Neighborhood Enhancement
Teams filling a vital gap. Additionally, their work with Code Compliance and Miami
Police has resulted in better enforcement of Code and legal violations. Illegal
dumping, illegal construction, unsafe structures, community dean ups, overgrown
Lots, assistance during all types of emergencies, distributors of information vital to
citizens. Additionally they respond to citizen complaints 24 hours a day, and serves
as the Ctiy's version of 311. Closing the Model Cities and Little Haiti's offices would
be a serious blow to the large needy and marginalized populations they serve.
First Last Street Agenda
Name Name Address Item
Julie
Williams
on
Corpus
Christi
Parish
3220 NE
7th Ave
Miami FL
33127
2101 NW
17th
Alfredo SaLas Avenue;
Miami,
FL 33142
Eileen Sitio
2925 NW
24th Ave
Miami,
FL 33142
BH. 21
7736
Approve
Annual
Budget
FY '21 -
City of
Miami
BH. 21
7736
Approve
Annual
Budget
FY '21 -
City of
Miami
BH. 1
7737
Discussio
n - Public
Commen
t on Final
MiLtage
and
Budget
Public Comment
The ALlapattah NET office is an incredible resource for the community, and its
administrator Yariel Diaz is as fine, dedicated, and hardworking a public official as I
have ever worked with. To leave the office open, as is currently planned, but
eliminate its administrator position, is counterproductive. To ensure that Mr. Diaz
continue to serve his - our - community is a life -enhancing decision for so many of
us, and a sound investment of a city funds. Please restore the two NET
administrator positions that are scheduled to be eliminated
September 9th, 2020 Dear Commissioner Alex Diaz de La PortiLta, Koning
Restaurants International, LC d/b/a Pizza Hut has been a part of the City of Miami
for over 30 years. It is our greatest concern to see the changes that are being
proposed for the upcoming budget for the Fiscal Year 2020/2021, specifically those
affecting the Altapattah NET Office. In the Last 5 years we have created a bond with
your ALtapattah Neighborhood Enhancement Team (NET) Office and its
Administrator, Yariel Diaz. Mr. Diaz and his team have been a tremendous help by
introducing our business to the community and opening the doors for our team to
become truly successful. Because of this partnership we have created with Mr. Diaz,
our Pizza Hut restaurant in ALtapattah has been recognized at a national Level for its
Level of involvement in the community. We recognize that Mr. Diaz's dedication and
commitment is unmatched. He truly cares about the neighborhood and the
businesses that are part of it, Like ours. We truly believe that Losing him and his
team wilt negatively affect this community in great ways. We ask that you
reevaluate your position on this budget changes and consider the great work and
tremendous positive impact Mr. Diaz and his team have made and continue to make
every single day. Without him, we do not believe ALtapattah would be the great
neighborhood it is today. Please make sure to do whatever necessary to keep him in
his position. Sincerely, AL SaLas CEO
On behalf of my husband, myself and my two children (Sebastian and Julian) My
comment is in support of the ALtapattah NET Office and the Administrator, Yariel
Diaz. Hurricane Irma caused much distress in our neighborhood in 2017. Since that
time, I cannot express enough how valuable Yariel Diaz has been to our community
and the NET Office that he oversees. Under his direction and guidance, our
community has evolved, created neighborhood organizations and also helped to
improve our neighborhood park, Melrose Park which the entire neighborhood now
enjoys. He has helped us to make ALtapattah shine again. At the government Level
you have the City Manager. But each community needs a manager, and that is what
Yariel represents to us. Yariel works round the dock to tackle any community issues
that are brought to his attention. Without a NET office and a Leader Like Yariel, our
neighborhood wilt rapidly deteriorate and so wilt our property values. Please
reconsider any budget decisions that wilt negatively impact our ALtapattah
community. Thank you for the opportunity to provide a comment.
BH. 1 My comment is related to the ALtapattah NET Administrator, Yariel Diaz. It is
7737 extremely important for ALtapattah to have someone Like Yariel who is so passionate
1101 NW Discussio about the community and directly engaged with the residents and business owners
23 n - Public in the neighborhood. I have Lived in Miami for 32 years - in various neighborhoods
shantelle rodriguez Street, Commen from KendaLt, to South Miami, Little Havana, Edgewater, and Little Haiti - and I must
Miami FL t on Final say that I have never seen a NET office that supports a community Like the
33127 MiLtage ALtapattah NET, and I truly believe the success of this office is directly related to
and Yariel Diaz. He is an essential part of this community and it would be devastating to
Budget Lose him.
First Last Street Agenda
Name Name Address Item Public Comment
Miami is a very special and unique place, one that truly embodies the idea of a
BH. 1 "melting pot" that the United States is said to be. But, as time progresses and no
7737 real progress on the climate crisis is made, Miami (and many other places in South
Discussio Florida) are going to suffer the consequences, and the unique treasure we call our
18130 n - Public home will soon be gone. This is why I urge you, as leaders and employees of the
Veronica Sandoval SW 82nd Commen people, to use the power you have to fight this climate crisis, both in policy and in
Ave t on Final finances. We don't need more money for police officers to get more riot gear or to
MiLfage get fancy new buildings, we NEED money out into our community; we need money
and to go to our mutual aid groups, social wellness/healthcare groups, and to the climate
Budget justice groups in Miami. Please, do the right thing and save our home, not those
who continually destroy it and make it worse.
Christian Kamrath
2539 S
Bayshore
Drive
Apt. PH2
Miami and our people are on the front lines of multiple crises, including the
existential threat of climate change impacts. Numerous reports and analyses,
including those completed by the City and County, among other experts, have
shown that the City can waste no more time in proactive investments to both
mitigate future climate pollution so we are not contributing even more to the
problem and adapt to climate change shocks and stresses. These concerns about
BH. 1 shocks and stresses are not a future problem for a future administration or a future
7737 generation. They are part of a Larger crisis which means urgent action is needed
Discussio now. This means increasing the amount of resources and staff for the City's Division
n - Public of Resilience and Sustainabifity. Not cutting it. If Miami want's to stay a world -class
Commen resilient and thriving city for aft, it needs a dedicated team and budget that focuses
t on Final on coordinating, improving, and transforming the work of all other departments,
MiLfage because we all know they are already extremely busy just trying to keep basic
and services running for our community. It takes talented individuals and Leaders,
Budget including a full-time chief resilience officer, whose #1 job is to tackle climate change
and build partnerships with other governmental., non -governmental, and private
organizations so the challenges are manageable. I urge those of you who represent
me and so many others worried about whether Miami wilt be a safe place to Live for
our kids and grandkids to not kick the can down the road and puff up short of
investing in a future that centers our greatest challenge and opportunity: to fight and
adapt to climate change. Thank you. Christian Kamrath
First Last Street Agenda
Name Name Address Item
Keon Williams
Claudia
1000 NW
2nd Ave,
MIAMI,
FL 33136
Public Comment
Mayor, Chairman and Commissioners, As a resident and business owner in the
historic Overtown neighborhood I want express my concern for some of the things
that I am seeing continuing to take place in the neighborhood that impacts the
quality of life for all those around. First, the issue of homelessness is a real concern
in our neighborhood. There are so many encampments in the public space in
Overtown that it should be a shame. We allocate so much money to help eradicate
poverty in Miami and yet when it comes to the Overtown neighborhood nothing
seems to be done about it. How is it as a business owner I'm expected to provide
exceptional service to our patrons when they have to ride through the neighborhood
and see that first? How is it you expect me to continue to hire people when no one
wants to come to my neighborhood because of the ongoing reputation? How do we
expect our kids who Live in play in this neighborhood, to grow up and be healthy
when we are constantly traumatized by waking over feces and smelling urine and
seeing discarded needles Laying in the streets. Why is this acceptable in the
Overtown community? What are the administrators who job it is to handles these
problem doing? Don't tell us one thing in Overtown and do something else in
BH. 1 another neighborhood. Secondly, I do not want to see our Local N.E.T. office dosed.
7737 The N.E.T. offices are a resource for us business owners and residents in our Local
Discussio communities we when can't get through the bureaucracy of different departments
n - Public not answering the phones and not being helpful with finding solutions to for the
Commen businesses in the city of Miami. Removing our N.E.T. offices would be a great
t on Final disservice. I recommend that we prioritize the quality of Life of our residents over
MiLlage things that do not add to the quality of Life. Having a N.E.T. office in our Local
and neighborhood does that. I have relationships with my Local neighborhood resource
Budget officers because that N.E.T. office is there. I have a relationship with the director of
our Local N.E.T. office because I can go into the office or pick up the phone and that
person wilt answer. If I have an issue with the permit my Local N.E.T. officer is who I
go to first because of the frustration of dealing different departments within the city
of Miami. Do not undo something that is working. Think back to why N.E.T. offices
were put in place to begin with. It's because they offered a more community
approach to the issues that the residents and business owners were facing. Those
problems have not gone away and they wilt be exacerbated again by Losing our Local
N.E.T. offices. Commissioner Keon Hardemon, as a business owner in Overtown I
thank you for standing up for us and making resources available for us to continue
to do business in the great city of Miami and I would continue to encourage all of
our commissioners to work together to continue making our city a great place for the
residents and businesses in addition to the tourist that visit here. Commissioners
you all have a tough job and I respect the work that you do but please hear my
concerns not only as a resident of this great city but also as a business owner who
has come back to his city to do his part to make a difference thank you for your
time.
BH. 21
7736
Approve
Des 4202 NW Annual
Rosiers 1ST AVE Budget
FY '21 -
City of
Miami
INVEST IN OUR COMMUNITY! Would Love for the Miami Budget to focus on
investing in public health & social service infrastructures to help reduce the county
jails population by at Least 25%. And more grants to organization that are doing
these types of work. Also to invest in the affordable housing. And at Least 10% be
reallocated to meet critical community needs related to Long term COVID-19 relief.
First Last Street Agenda
Name Name Address Item
Public Comment
I would like for the City Commission and Mayor of Miami to reconsider proposed
budget cuts to NET offices, as they represent the convergence between community
BH. 1 residents' most pressing needs and city resources. By cutting down on NET offices
7737 the city would be removing an important lifeline to provide for urgent needs during a
3482 Discussio time of severe economic crisis and wilt then have to deal with even more severe,
Frow n - Public more expensive repercussions. Furthermore, I would like for the City Commission
Camito Mejia Avenue Commen and Mayor of Miami to increase funding for the Office of Resiliency, rather than cut
Miami, t on Final its budget, personnel, and merge it with another department within the city. The
FL 33133 Miltage Office of Resiliency should be overseeing the city's every investment that has an
and impact on the city's residents, from housing, to jobs, to child care, to infrastructural
Budget programs and more, in order to ensure every investment the city makes has a
positive impact in all its residents and makes Miami a more resilient city for all its
residents. Thank you!
Adrian Madriz
I want
the City
of Miami
to
#defundt
hepolice
and
invest in
#BlackR
enters, in
addition
to
increasin
g the
staff and
budget
of the
resilience
departm
ents.
7625 SW
Andrew Bowyer 19th
Terrace
Samuel
Latimore
937 n.w.
(Retired) 55th
street
BH. 1
7737
Discussio
n - Public
Commen
t on Final
Miltage
and
Budget
I want the City of Miami to #defundthepolice and invest in #BlackRenters, in
addition to increasing the staff and budget of the resilience departments.
BH. 21
7736
Approve I think more funding should be appropriated to the Division of Resilience and
Annual Sustainabitity. Miami's culture and economy is intrinsically tied to the health of our
Budget natural resources and there are never enough resources attributed to solving climate
FY '21 - related issues. This should be a priority for the FY '21 budget.
City of
Miami
BH. 2 I oppose the tentative budget that includes the closure of the Model Cities and Little
7722 Haiti NET offices. These are two of the busiest offices in the City that handle
Discussio numerous health and safety issues. Illegal dumping, graffiti, overgrown lots,
n - DDA emergency assistance to the elderly, issuing vital public information, work with Code
Proposed Enforcement and Police to reduce crime and address community deterioration. Also
Miltage deeply involved with home owners associations and stakeholders to improve the
& quality of life of City residents. Additionally, the reduction of 11 positions from NET
Tentative is more than double any other City Department. Why? What is the basis for such
Budget drastic curtailment of services to the most needy. NET was established long ago to
FY '21 serve the population it serves.
Kitan
Shetland
e
Luiza
Laura
Street Agenda
Address Item Public Comment
BH. 21 I have been consistently disappointed in the City's handling of the Department, now
7736 the Division of Resilience and Sustainability. I am writing to express my support for
201 SE Approve an increase in funding and staff support for resilience work in the city. Let us not
Ashad- 2ND AVE Annual forget that resilience is defined as the ability of a community to bounce back from
Bishop Miami, Budget shocks and stresses. We are weathering the shock of COVID-19 in the midst of
FL 33131 FY '21 - hurricane season. We cannot continue to perform our support for this office and this
City of work if we seriously value everyone's future in this city. We must demonstrate our
Miami support by increasing the proposed budget specifically for this division.
6599
Biscayne
Janvier Blvd
Miami,
FL 33138
BH. 21
7736
Approve
Annual
Budget
FY '21 -
City of
Miami
BH. 1
7737
Discussio
1901 n - Public
Leite Brickelt Commen
Avenue t on Final
Miltage
and
Budget
BH. 21
7736
Approve
Guerra- 11851 sw Annual
Lopez 99th In Budget
FY '21 -
City of
Miami
I feel compelled to speak up on behalf of the NET department and all of the various
communities it serves. We have been the foot soldiers on the ground since day one
working to provide continuity of services during all this time that the MRC and most
City departments have been remote. We are out daily in the infernal heat or
drenching rain doing food distributions citywide to residents in need. From day one,
we have provided EOC assistance 7 days a week, 12 hours per day, manning the
COVID-19 hotline, with people calling in for guidance from Dade and Broward
counties. We are the conduits that aid in the successful administration of all the
various programs, resources and initiatives rolled out by the City and its various
departments. We leave our families behind to be one of the first on the ground
during disasters. Our team steps in and intercedes in places and during times that
others would prefer to avoid. We have gone nonstop during this COVID crisis, and
this is a heck of a way to say thanks. I've heard it said that NET is not a revenue
generating department; well I venture to say that a large portion of the City's
revenue that flows in is due in large part to NET department's efforts. We are a
forward facing department with our hands on the very pulse of each of the
communities we serve. Furthermore, because we do so much in the various
communities to address and improve quality of life issues, we have a direct effect on
property values, keeping businesses in Miami, and ensuring the City remains a
viable and attractive place that people would want to visit, live, work, play and do
business. In closing, every NET office that gets dosed is a voice stripped away from
the very communities they serve. Thank you allowing me to voice this.
#NETOfficesMatter
I do not understand why the police and fire department budgets are increasing so
substantially, despite the fact that proposed positions for both of these departments
is decreasing and the fact that the city faces decreased projected revenues for this
year and next year. Worse yet is that the budget for Housing and Community
Development has been slashed by almost $1.5 million, Parks & Recreation has
decreased by $285,000, and the Office of Resilience & Sustainability is seemingly
being eliminated given its proposed budget of $0. As a professional planner myself,
I'm frustrated by where the priorities of this City (and many others) seems to be. I
ask that you not let yourself be bullied into accepting the endless demands for more
funding by the police unions. In doing so, you fait to address some of the most
important problems facing this community, including accessible housing,
homelessness, health services, and climate change. Let's do better please!
I believe it is your responsibility as our elected officials, to listen to us, you're
constituents. Constantly ignoring the people who can vote you out is extremely
selfish on your part. The people want better rehabilitation for people, better care for
our environment and better public transportation. No one wants more highways that
just benefit private pockets or jails that do the same. It's time to listen to the people.
First Last Street Agenda
Name Name Address Item
BH. 1
7737
1344 Nw
36th Discussio
n - Public
street
JasmeLy Jackson Commen
Miami
Florida t on Final
33142 MiLtage
and
Budget
BH. 8
7791
Approve
Annual
1495 Budget
Cribbs- Northwes FY '21 -
Terrance
Lorrant t 74th Omni
Street Commun
ity
Redevefo
pment
Agency
BH. 7
7793
Approve
Annual
480 NW Budget
Cribbs-
Terrance 11th FY '21 -
Lorrant Street Southeas
t
Overtow
n/Park
West
BH. 21
1235 NE 7736
96
STREET. Approve
ROBERT WILLIAM MIAMI Annual
SON SHORES Budget
FY '21 -
, FL
33138 City of
Miami
BH. 4
7725
Approve
Annual
50 Budget
AmaL Kabbani Biscayne FY'21-
BLvd Downtow
n
Develop
ment
Authority
Public Comment
I am sharing concerns as a business owner in Aftapathah, in regards to the budget
cut that will possibly eliminate Yariel and the staff from our Aftapathah NET office.
Yariel has done a tremendous job aiding residents, keeping the community and local
businesses like mines informed. Aftapathah is changing; however, we have so much
more work to do and by replacing Yariel , I am afraid that the good work needed will
come to a haft. On behalf of many businesses in the area that are in full support of
Yariel, we ask that he remains in the Aftapathah NET office. Replacing him , will be
detrimental to the future of our neighborhood. Owner Of Club Tipico Dominicano
I am in support of continual funding for Omin CRA but only with the understand that
funding is used to complete project that fact under the charter of a Community
Redevelopment Agency. There have been projects, Like Mrs. Moore's Bakery, who
have been under renovation since 2017. There has been negligence with the project
manager and those who have been assigned to this project. Individuals Like myself
are Looking closely at these matters and ask the city to do the same. Hold Omni
CRA accountable to unfinished projects.TCL
I am in support of Southeast Overtown ParkWest CRA continued funding. It is also
my demand that proper according
I AM A VOLUNTEER AT CORPUS CHRISTI CHURCH IN ALLAPATTAH. I VE HAD
THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK EXTENSIVELY WITH YARIEL DIAZ WHO IS THE
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE NET OFFICE. WE URGE YOU TO MAKE SURE MR.
DIAZ AND HIS OFFICE ARE FUNDED IN ORDER TO CONTINUE NETS SUPPORT
OF THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
Honorable Mayor and City Commissioners We have reviewed in detail the proposed
DDA budget with Executive Director Ms. Christina Crespi. DNA is in favor as it
contains all the provisions our community is Looking for. We kindly ask you to pass
BH4. as proposed! AmaL Sofh Kabbani President, Downtown Neighbors Affiance
First Last Street Agenda
Name Name Address Item
BH. 21
7736
1140 NW Approve
Elvis Mendes 4TH ST Annual
APT 2 Budget
FY '21 -
City of
Miami
Rosalba
Alyssa
Colmena
res
1023 sw
6 st apt
504
Hernand 4501 SW
ez 154 Ct
Alejandro Diaz
BH. 21
7736
Approve
Annual
Budget
FY '21 -
City of
Miami
BH. 1
7737
Discussio
n - Public
Commen
t on Final
Miltage
and
Budget
BH. 18
979 SW 7811
11th Assess
Street Solid
Miami FL Waste
33129 Fee - FY
'21
Public Comment
Hi my name is Elvis Mendes I'm a resident of Little Havana and a community liaison
for Live Healthy Little Havana and the reason I'm writing this small message is to
ask for your consideration to not dose the Net office at Marlins Park because it's
really important for the community to have a place where resident can go and plead
for their rights. Net office has help a lot during these difficult times of Covid-19
Pandemic reaching out to the community by creating food distribution, Census
outreach, support in bulk trash pickups and many other issues little Havana currently
has. Net office is a reliable source for the vulnerable community Little Havana is and
the closure of this office wilt deeply affect the community and its residents.
Hi I hope everyone is having a good day and I hope that your families are staying
safe at this time. I'm a community liaison for Healthy Little Havana and a Resident
of little Havana for 4 years. I want to make a comment and advocated in favor of
the little Havana NET office of Marlins Park managed by Albert Mora to stay open.
The reason why I want this office to stay open is because since they open Albert
and their staff work with our initiative and they were super helpful with everything we
needed and they are always attending to every event where the community is to
help, they are realty collaborative. As an example of this I want to let everyone
know that without his help and connection with the Marlins Park Little Havana would
never have a Farm Share (that was realty helpful and needed at this time during
COVI D), also he spread information of the census to a lot of residents that didn't
know that the census even exists. In addition, he is always working with the 311 to
maintain our community dean in terms of illegal dumping and he also works with
the police to try to make a connection between them and the community because
here in this neighborhood the residents are realty afraid of them due to their legal
status but Albert work with Healthy Little Havana and the police realty hard to
change this and it's been such an amazing journey to have him in our team of
collaborators. For this reasons I hope that the Little Havana NET office stays open
because they realty help the community and a lot of residents doing such a great
job this year and a half. Thank you so much for your time and consideration! Have a
great day
Hello, my name is Alyssa Hernandez. I was previously the intern for the Office of
Resilience and Sustainability and conducted the City's 2018 greenhouse gas
emissions inventory. I would like to raise the alarming fact that the new Division of
Resiliency & Sustainability absolutely needs an increase in staff, staff time, and
funding. My analysis of emissions, along with my time in this position, showed me
Miami's necessity for a large-scale climate -driven team. Even with my assistance on
other projects, it was aparent that the ORS needed more staff and bandwidth to
accomplish the ambitious goals of a Miami that is both resilient and sustainable in
all possible ways. Climate change and mitigation is rooted in the citizens, not just
government administration. Therefore government administration needs to ensure
that there is a liaison on staff solely focused on climate community outreach. We
want to be an example not only for large cities, but for tropical coastal cities around
the world; please do what it takes to place Miami at this level.. starting with the
ORS staff.
Hello, I am a resident of Little Havana and I work with a non-profit organization,
Live Healthy Little Havana. My opinion is in relation to the disappearance of the net
office of the Marlins, I think that having opened these offices was very successful for
the city because since its opening they have worked very hard for the community,
for example in this pandemic they were the first in bringing food to the residents of
Little Havana. They have been doing an extraordinary job with the problem of illegal
dumping of garbage to mention some of the activities that they would stop doing, as
a community liaison they are a great tool for connecting with residents and the city
as well as with the resources available within the community. I hope as a resident
they reconsider the closure of the Marlins net office. Closing would only increase the
problems in the community by breaking direct communication with the city and its
resources. Thank you for the opportunity to be heard. Regards.
First Last Street Agenda
Name Name Address Item
Nancy Gutierrez
BH. 21
7736
Approve
6320 SW Annual
17TH ST Budget
FY '21 -
City of
Miami
Public Comment
Hello, I would like you to reconsider the proposed budget for the Division of
Resilience & Sustainability which is currently stated to receive .03% of the budget.
Dire attention needs to be given to Miami's ecosystem. Biscayne Bay has numerous
issues yet to be addressed. If more resources are not dedicated to the environment,
Miami's whole ecosystem will be affected and the ecosystems throughout the state
of Florida. Miami is a breeding ground for a lot of species specific only to that
region. We have already seen native trees being removed causing more
catastrophes during hurricane season as they are being replaced with non native
trees which are not as resistant. It has also aggravated our climate by rising
temperatures. Please I urge all representatives to reconsider adequately funding the
Division of Resilience & Sustainability. It is not only a sound environmental decision
but a sound fiscal decision. Please help us preserve Miami and our State of Florida.
Thank you, Nancy
Hello, It is absurd that in this day in age you would consider decreasing the budget
BH. 1 for the division that tackles carbon reduction. The City of Miami should be hiring
7737 more staff and increasing that budget. Take money from the police department.
Discussio There is no reason to be increasing their budget. The City of Miami is right on the
4371 sw n - Public water, with many areas already feeling the impact of climate change. We need to
Gabriela Barrocas Commen invest in services that protect people from natural disasters, which will be a daily
150th ct.
t on Final challenge in the years to come. We should be hiring experts and pumping money
Miltage into prevention of sea -level rise. On another note, if you want to decrease crime,
and increasing the housing qnd community development budget would do a much better
Budget job of that than the City of Miami Police Dept does. This proposed budget makes
me so sad. Do you even care about this city, about it's people?
BH. 1
7737 Hello! I ask that you please prioritize decarbonization and climate resiliency work
14817 Discussio because it is important. It has many benefits for our future, and can save you
sw 166th n - Public billions of dollars for the future. I hope that you take into account all the scientific
Bianca Banato Commen research that has been done to demonstrate the increasing CO2 and greenhouse
street
33187 t on Final gases leading to our current climate crisis. The rising of the seas is occurring now,
Miltage and the IPCC reports expected those events to be viewed centuries from now. We
and need to put this as a priority because our lives & future depend on it!!
Budget
BH. 1 Hello my name is Claribel Garcia and I am speaking about the Division of Resilience
7737 and Sustainability. My concern is that the City's total budget for climate action was
4620 NW Discussio reduced to only 0.03%. It matters because the ORS should have an entirely
199th St n - Public different budget than the Resilience & Public Works department budget. Our city is
Claribel Garcia 33055 Commen at the frontline of increasing climate change effects and our budget for the ORS
Miami t on Final should reflect that. I hope to see you all take action by providing full funding for the
Gardens Miltage continuation of the Climate Change Mitigation Special Projects Coordinator
and positions, a Senior Program Manager position, and two more manager positions
Budget focused on public outreach and sustainabitity projects. Thank you.
BH. 21
7736 Healthy Little Havana is a strong advocate for the Neighborhood Enhancement
611 NE Approve Teams and believes that reducing their resources wilt be detrimental to the Little
Annual Havana community and hinder much of the progress Albert has been able to make
Melissa Hege 55th
Budget in many key issues in the community. We would love to see our partners come
Street
FY '21 - together to advocate for Little Havana and the issues that we as a collective stand
City of for -- public space, affordable housing, educational opportunities to employment.
Miami
First Last Street Agenda
Name Name Address Item
Andrea Iglesias
425 NE
22nd St.
Suite
401
Miami,
FL 33137
BH. 1
7737
Discussio
n - Public
Commen
t on Final
MiLtage
and
Budget
Public Comment
Good evening, my name is Andrea Iglesias. I am the CEO and Executive Director
for Urban Health Partnerships, a public health non-profit organization that has long
supported health -focused initiatives and projects throughout the City of Miami
including in Little Havana, Overtown, and Altapattah. We would Like to express
support for the Neighborhood Enhancement Teams who provide invaluable services
to the communities they serve, helping to keep healthier physical and social
environments. We have worked doseLy with the NET Office team in Little Havana
and can attest to the positive impact that their services and commitment have on
Little Havana residents who experience diverse needs and concerns. We believe any
reduction in resources would impair their ability to continue the progress they have
made and curtail their ability to build on their successes especially during this critical
time during a pandemic when the community re Lies on them even more. Thank you.
Good evening, Mayor Suarez, Chairman Hardemon and City Commissioners. My
name is Richard Lydecker and I am representing the Miami DDA Board as the Chair
of our COVID-19 Recovery Committee. The headquarters of my Law firm is based on
BrickeLt Ave, Miami for the past approximately 20 years. After extensive review of
my committee, the DDA finance Committee, entire DDA Board and staff who
worked closely with the City of Miami administration to prepare a budget for this
BH. 1 upcoming fiscal year, I to ask for your support of the proposed Miami DDA FY20-21
7737 budget and miLtage items — BH2, BH3 and BH4. In mid -March, when the COVID
1221 Discussio pandemic hit, the DDA, thanks to the Leadership of our Chairman Manolo Reyes,
BrickeLt n - Public has been actively working towards programs that support a healthy community and
Richard Lydecker Ave, Commen the economic sustainability of downtown Miami. As we all know, we cannot predict
19th t on Final the future, but we have an obligation to ensure a healthy economy and a healthy
Floor MiLtage community, therefore, public safety, neighborhood cleanliness, business re Lief
and initiatives, and activations designed to keep residents engaged and eventually
Budget promote tourism is the focus of the proposed budget you are considering today. As
we move towards Recovery, the DDA Board has prepared a fiscally conservative
budget that reduces our overall operations by 16%, and ensures we are prepared to
address the needs of the community to move forward into reopening Downtown
Miami in a safe and effective manner. We appreciate the support of the entire City
of Miami Commission and are happy to address any concerns or questions before
the second budget Hearing on Sept 24th.
1221
BrickeLt
Richard Lydecker Ave,
19th
Floor
BH. 2
7722
Discussio
n - DDA
Proposed
MiLtage
Tentative
Budget
FY '21
Good evening, Mayor Suarez, Chairman Hardemon and City Commissioners. My
name is Richard Lydecker and I am representing the Miami DDA Board as the Chair
of our COVID-19 Recovery Committee. The headquarters of my Law firm is based on
BrickeLt Ave, Miami for the past approximately 20 years. After extensive review of
my committee, the DDA finance Committee, entire DDA Board and staff who
worked closely with the City of Miami administration to prepare a budget for this
upcoming fiscal year, I to ask for your support of the proposed Miami DDA FY20-21
budget and miLtage items — BH2, BH3 and BH4. In mid -March, when the COVID
pandemic hit, the DDA, thanks to the Leadership of our Chairman Manolo Reyes,
has been actively working towards programs that support a healthy community and
the economic sustainability of downtown Miami. As we all know, we cannot predict
the future, but we have an obligation to ensure a healthy economy and a healthy
community, therefore, public safety, neighborhood cleanliness, business re Lief
initiatives, and activations designed to keep residents engaged and eventually
promote tourism is the focus of the proposed budget you are considering today. As
we move towards Recovery, the DDA Board has prepared a fiscally conservative
budget that reduces our overall operations by 16%, and ensures we are prepared to
address the needs of the community to move forward into reopening Downtown
Miami in a safe and effective manner. We appreciate the support of the entire City
of Miami Commission and are happy to address any concerns or questions before
the second budget Hearing on Sept 24th.
First Last Street Agenda
Name Name Address Item
Danet
BH. 4
7725
Approve
Annual
1609 S. Budget
Linares Bayshore FY '21 -
Drive Downtow
n
Develop
ment
Authority
Public Comment
Good evening, Mayor Suarez, Chairman Hardemon and City Commissioners. My
name is Danet Linares and I am representing the Miami DDA Board as the Chair of
our Finance Committee. After extensive review by the DDA Board and the hard work
of staff who worked closely with the City of Miami administration, I am here to ask
for your support of the proposed Miami DDA FY20-21 budget and miLtage items —
BH2, BH3 and BH4. Following a decade of economic and population growth in
Downtown Miami, the Miami DDA Board entered 2020 focused on two underlying
priorities: Supporting existing businesses white fostering economic development; and
enhancing quality of Life and street Level conditions for residents, visitors and
business owners. As the Covid-19 pandemic took hold in mid -March, our efforts
shifted almost exclusively to strategies and tactics that supported downtown Miami's
health and economic sustainabitity. At the time, our message was dear: we cannot
have a healthy economy unless we have a healthy community. Since then, our team
has been promoting and focusing on initiatives that enhance public safety,
neighborhood deanLiness, business relief initiatives, and activations designed to
keep residents engaged. The DDA Board has prepared a fiscally conservative budget
that reduces the overall operational expenses by 16%, and ensures we are prepared
to address the needs of the community as we move forward into reopening
Downtown Miami in a safe and effective manner. We appreciate the support of the
entire City of Miami Commission and we are happy to address any concerns or
questions before the second budget Hearing on Sept 24, 2020 Thank you for your
consideration, Danet
BH. 21
7736
24505 Approve
Annual
Rachel CoLtins sw 192 Fund decarbonization
ave
Budget
FY '21 -
City of
Miami
BH. 21
1035 NW 7736 Divert money from the policing budget toward the Department of Resilience and
47th Approve Sustainability. The policing budget is bloated and does not reflect the needs and
Annual wants of the citizens. For example, we should not spend $126K on design plans for
AmaL Rogers Street
Budget a new police headquarters. That money could go toward funding things we NEED
Miami FL
33127 FY '21 - Like a cleaning up our bay, hurricane preparedness, Covid-19 re Lief, and decent
City of housing for aLL.
Miami
BH. 1
7737
951 Discussio As a resident of Miami and a witness to the impacts that climate change and Sea
Euclid n - Public Level rise have and wilt have in our community, I am concerned by the defunding of
Brenna Kays Ave Commen the city's Division of Resilience & Sustainability. Our city has the opportunity to be a
Miami fL t on Final Leader in the fight against sea Level rise and address this climate emergency head
33139 MiLtage on. Invest in supporting our city in this fight!
and
Budget
As a resident of Miami I am appalled at the Lack of resources allocated to climate
BH. 21
7736 resiliency and sustainabitity. In 2020 it compromised only .03%... WE NEED OUR
CITY GOVERNMENT TO DO BETTER. Current scientific predictions place Miami
Approve
12969 underwater in the next 30 years. This is terrifying, we need better infrastructure in
Annual
Ana Rojas Nw 9th Budget terms of sanitary such as updated sewage system, green solutions to flooding such
Terr as mangroves and reinforced Levees, and finally we need to invest in better and
FY '21 -
City of
more affordable housing. At the current rate so many Low income families wilt be
displaced and become climate refugees if we don't act NOW. City of Miami HAS to
Miami
put more funding into preparing for the future.
First Last Street Agenda
Name Name Address Item Public Comment
As a member of the Overtown community I am asking that continued financial
BH. 21
7736 support of the Overtown NET office be sustained. Many of the residence of
Approve
Overtown depend on this central Location to conduct business pertaining to permits
480 NW and to receive resources as it relates to services being offered both through the city
CribbsLo Annual
Terrance 11th and county. In particular, the NET office service as a mini -SAFETY station for the
rrant Street Budget neighborhood. Our Local community police; NROs, work out of this Location and has
FY '21 -
City of
proven to be a necessity for reducing challenges that this community faces.
Continue to support our NET offices and offer them the support to be more
Miami
accountable to the communities they serve. TCL
BH. 15
7749
Approve
As a cultural curator and someone who understands the importance of preserving
Annual
480 NW Budget and sharing history, I ask that the City of Miami support Virginia Key Beach and ALL
Cribbs- historical BLACK institutions that share the Lessons of Miami's painful birth. It is our
Terrance 11th FY '21 -
Lorrant responsibility to be honest with our growth that we may continue to grow stronger
Street Virginia
together. WE thank you, Commissioners for earlier support and Look for you to
Key
Beach continue sustaining funding for the rebirth of historical Virginia Key Beach. TCL
Park
Trust
BH. 1
7737
6465 SW Discussio
112st n - Public
Sofia Arnau 33156 Commen N/A
Pinecrest t on Final
, FL MiLtage
and
Budget
BH. 1
425 NE 7737
22nd Discussio
Street n - Public
Anamari Ferreira Suite Commen N/A
e de Melo
401 ton Final
Miami, MiLlage
FL 33137 and
Budget
BH. 21
7736
13862 Approve
GabrieLa Rodrigue ASW 102 Buduet N/A
Lane g
FY '21 -
City of
Miami
BH. 1
7737
Discussio
Hernand 4501 SW n -Public
ALyssa ez 154 Ct Commen N/A
t on Final
MiLlage
and
Budget
First Last Street Agenda
Name Name Address Item
Public Comment
BH. 1
7737
Discussio
n - Public
6025 N
Faye Cochran Commen N/A
W 6 Ct
t on Final
Millage
and
Budget
BH. 5
7669
Approve
313 NE Annual
Maya Symes 92nd St Budget N/A
FY '21 -
Miami
Parking
Authority
BH. 1
7737
111 E Discussio
Flagler n - Public
ALISSA FARINA St, Apt Commen N/A
1509 Apt t on Final
1509 Millage
and
Budget
End of Report