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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2021-09-13 MinutesCity of Miami City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 www.miamigov.com Meeting Minutes Monday, September 13, 2021 5:05 PM First Budget Hearing City Hall City Commission Francis X. Suarez, Mayor Ken Russell, Vice Chair, District Two Alex Diaz de la Portilla, Commissioner, District One Joe Carollo, Commissioner, District Three Manolo Reyes, Commissioner, District Four Jeffrey Watson, Commissioner, District Five Arthur Noriega, V, City Manager Victoria Mendez, City Attorney Todd B. Hannon, City Clerk City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 CALL TO ORDER ORDER OF THE DAY Present: Vice Chair Russell, Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla, Commissioner Carollo, Commissioner Reyes and Commissioner Watson On the 13th day of September 2021, the City Commission of the City of Miami, Florida, met at its regular meeting place in City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive, Miami, Florida, in regular session. The Commission Meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Russell at 6:32 p.m., and adjourned at 9:26 p.m. Note for the Record: Commissioner Reyes entered the Commission chambers at 6:34 p.m., Commissioner Carollo entered the Commission chambers at 6:41 p.m., Commissioner Watson entered the Commission chambers at 7:06 p.m., Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla entered the Commission Chambers at 7:45 p.m. ALSO PRESENT: Arthur Noriega, V, City Manager Victoria Mindez, City Attorney Todd B. Hannon, City Clerk Vice Chair Russell: Good evening, everybody. How's everybody doing? (COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD) Vice Chair Russell: Thank you for joining us on this, the first of two City of Miami budget hearings. This is our September 13th hearing. The second and final hearing will be on the 23rd. This is our opportunity to lay out the City's budget, hear from all of you, and make any changes we need to make between first and second so that we can have a finalized budget by the end of this month for the City of Miami, which spends over a billion dollars for you. So, thank you very much for corning tonight, for your patience this afternoon, and for all of your advocacy because this, believe it or not, does make a difference. When you show up, it really does make a difference, and hopefully you will see that tonight in the first reading of our budget. So I will start. I am Ken Russell, current chair of the Commission for this issue. Mr. City Attorney, would you please read the procedures to be followed during the first budget meeting and related first budget public hearing? Barnaby Min (Deputy City Attorney): Thank you. Mr. Chairman. As stated, this evening the City is holding its first budget meeting and the related first public -- first budget public hearing for the purposes of fixing the proposed millage rate, adopting a tentative budget, and approving various agency budgets. There will be a final budget meeting and final budget public hearing on September 23rd, 2021 at 5: 05 p.m. Pursuant to Executive Order Number 20-179 issued by the Office of Governor Ron DeSantis on July 29, 2020, municipalities may conduct meetings of the governing bodies without having a quorum of its members present physically or at a specific location, utilizing communications and media technologies such as telephonic or video conferencing as provided by Section 120.54, Subsection 5, Subsection B, Subsection 2 Florida Statutes. Any person who is a lobbyist pursuant to Chapter 2, Article 6 of the City Code must register with the City Clerk to comply with related City requirements for lobbyists before appearing before the City Commission. A person might not lobby a City official member -- City official, board member, or staff member until registering. A copy of this code section about lobbyists is City of Miami Page 1 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 available in the City Clerk's Office or online at municode.com. Any person making a presentation, formal request, or petition to the City Commission concerning real property must make the disclosure required by the City Code in writing. A copy of this City Code section is available in the Office of the City Clerk or online at municode.com. The City of Miami requires that anyone requesting action by the City Commission must disclose before the hearing any consideration provided or committed to anyone for agreement to support or withhold objection to the requested action pursuant to Section 2-8 of the City Code. Any documents offered to the City commissioners that have not been provided seven days before the meeting as part of the agenda materials will be entered into the record at the City Commission's discretion. If any Commissioner thinks the documents supplied to the Commission fewer than seven days before merit a continuance, the item may be continued by the City Commission. Pursuant to Section 2-33, Subsection F and Subsection G of the City Code, the agenda and the material for each item on the agenda is available during business hours at the City Clerk's Office and online 24 hours a day at miamigov.com. Any person may be heard by the City Commission through the Chair for not more than two minutes on any proposition before the City Commission unless modified by the Chair. Public comment will begin when the Chairman opens the public comment period and will be closed by the Chairperson. Members of the public wishing to address the body may do so by submitting written comments via the online comment form. Please visit miamigov.comlmeetinginstructions for detailed instructions how to provide public comment using the online public comment form. The comments submitted through the comment form have been and will be distributed to the elected officials and City's administration throughout the day so that the elected official can consider the comments prior to taking any action. Additionally, the online comment form will remain open during the meeting to accept comments and distribute to the elected officials up until the time the chairperson closes public comment period. Public comment may also be provided live at City Hall located at 3500 Pan American Drive, Miami, Florida, subject to any and all City rules. If the proposition is being continued or rescheduled, the opportunity to be heard may be at such a later date before the City Commission takes action on such a proposition. When addressing the City Commission, the member of the public must first state his or her name, his or her address, and what item will be spoken about. Any person with a disability requiring assistance, auxiliary aids, and services to this meeting may notes the City Clerk. The City has provided different public comment methods to indicate, among other things, the public's support, opposition, or neutrality on the items and topics discussed at today's City Commission meeting pursuant to Section 286.0114, Subsection 4, Subsection C, Florida Statutes. The public has been given the opportunity to provide public comment before and during the meeting and within reasonable proximity and time before the meeting. Please note, Commissioners have generally been briefed by City staff and the City Attorney on items on the agenda today. Anyone wishing to appeal any decision made by the City Commission for any matter considered at this meeting may need a verbatim record of the item. A video of this meeting may be requested at the Office of Communications or viewed online at miamigov. com. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you, Mr. Min. And I will only correct that the website you mentioned has a forward slash, not a backslash. Mr. Min: My apologies. Thank you, sir. Vice Chair Russell: I don 't want them to go to the wrong place. City of Miami Page 2 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ALL BUDGET ITEM(S) 10745 DISCUSSION ITEM Office of the City Clerk PUBLIC COMMENTS SUBMITTED ONLINE BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FOR THE SEPTEMBER 13, 2021 FIRST BUDGET HEARING. RESULT: PRESENTED Vice Chair Russell: Alright. Oh, and 1 lost Commissioner Reyes. 1 guess I get to decide the budget all by myself. Applause. Vice Chair Russell: I'm lying. I need a quorum. I don 't have it. But we can begin the issue of public hearing. We have 21 budget items today, and here's my intention, that we will take up -- we will batch the budget items for the various agencies. We 've got agencies like the Downtown Development Authority, the various community redevelopment agencies, Bayfront Park Trust, et cetera. We're going to batch those, but you are welcome to speak on any one of them, and we're going to open public comment for every one of them at this time. So, if you're here to speak on the budget, please raise your hand. Who's here to speak on the budget? Great. You'll each be given two minutes. Please just start by saying which item you're looking to speak on. If it's the general budget of the City of Miami, it's BH.21. If it is one of the other agencies, you can just refer to it by name, whether it's the Coconut Grove Business Improvement District, et cetera, or the item. And all you need to do is state your name. And you'll have two minutes. You'l1 hear a little beep right at the 30-second mark. That's your cue to start wrapping it up so we're not here all evening. But you'll be given your ample time so we can get through everybody and respect everybody's time. [Later...] Vice Chair Russell: Ms. Joli. Mayra Joli: Hi, Mayra Joli. General question in reference to the budget. As a concerned citizen, I want to know if the budget calls for members of the Commission and the City Hall to use the taxpayers' money to initiate some sort of suit against a citizen? I will be more specific. Does the City budget have any specific amount of money that is going to be allocated in order to be used by the City Attorney to sue a candidate for a position? Vice Chair Russell: Just a moment please. Mr. City Attorney, are you aware of anything within our City budget that will be used to sue a candidate for office? Barnaby Min (Deputy City Attorney): I will defer to the Office of Budget, but there is a non -departmental account that is utilized for lawsuits that the City of Miami files. Vice Chair Russell: Can the City of Miami sue an individual? Ms. Joli: On behalf of the Mayor and the Commissioner. Mr. Min: Sony, Mr. Chairman, is the question, can the City of Miami sue an individual? Vice Chair Russell: Yes. City of Miami Page 3 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Mr. Min: Yes, the City of Miami can sue an individual. Vice Chair Russell: Yes, and -- but you have no knowledge of an existing suit within this budget going after an individual who is running for office? If you're more -- the more specific you are, the easier I can get you an answer. Ms. Joli: Okay, I've been told that I'm going to be sued, and I'm a candidate for the position of mayor. So, if the mayor is the incumbent and he's going to be my opponent or I'm going to be his opponent, 1 think it is a little bit a conflict of interest that the City of -- the City Attorney is commanded to call the candidate and threaten to sue if she doesn 't get off the ballot -- Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Ms. Joli: -- ifshe doesn't get off the race. Vice Chair Russell: Are you -- you're saying you -- Ms. Joli: So, I just want to know -- Vice Chair Russell: Pardon me, have you received a call from the City Attorney's Office -- Ms. Joli: 1 have, yes. Vice Chair Russell: -- that you were receiving a lawsuit? Madam City Attorney, you're recognized. Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): Unfortunately, Ms. Joli is mischaracterizing the phone call she received. She received a phone call to tell her that her paperwork was inaccurate and that she should revisit her paperwork. Ms. Joli: No, that was not -- Ms. Mendez: Then she has -- Ms. Joli: That is incorrect. Vice Chair Russell: Just a moment, just a moment, ma'am. Ms. Mendez: Because she swore under oath that she lived in the City of Miami, and she swore under oath, that she lived in Coral Gables. I gave her a courtesy call to tell her that her paperwork was inadequate, and she has twisted everything to say that she is being forced off of the ballot, which is quite inaccurate. Ms. Joli: Okay. Vice Chair Russell: Just a moment please. Just a moment please. Madam City Attorney, so the remedy there is not a lawsuit, but rather simply disqualification from the ballot; is that correct? Ms. Mendez: The City Code has a provision if the Clerk would like to read it. Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Sure. Vice Chair Russell: Regarding -- regarding -- go ahead, Mr. Clerk. City of Miami Page 4 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Mr. Hannon: I'm just going to read from Section 16-6(f) of the City Code. If the City Clerk finds that the qualification papers of a candidate on their face are not in compliance with the applicable election laws of the State of Florida and in compliance with the applicable municipal charter or laws or ordinance -- there's also another scenario, that the qualification papers of any candidate on their face are incomplete or defective and are incomplete or defective at the end of the qualifying period, the City Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to file and prosecute an appropriate action in the circuit court for Miami -Dade County in the name of the City Clerk solely for the purpose of receiving a judicial determination with regard to the qualifications of the candidate. Vice Chair Russell: So, it's a declaratory action in a sense. It's not a suit against a resident. It is a -- it -- you're filing with a judge to get an interpretation. Is that correct? Mr. Hannon: I don't know the actual legal terminology. Ms. Mendez: It's a dec action. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Ms. Mendez: For lack of a better description. Vice Chair Russell: So, according to the City Attorney, what I just asked you is -- the answer to that is a yes. Mr. Hannon: Understood. Vice Chair Russell: Okay, so is that clear, Ms. Joli? There is no lawsuit that would be filed against you. Ms. Joli: That was -- Vice Chair Russell: But if there is a -- and I can understand the confusion of how it might sound like there would be. Ms. Joli: There is no -- there is no confusion. IfI may -- Vice Chair Russell: You may. Ms. Joli: -- Vice Chairman, ifI may. It was told to my husband who's battling cancer that his wife is going to be sued. That's what was told to my husband. So, tell me where is the mischaracterization? Because if there is a defective in the paperwork, the City Clerk would have called me. But that was not the case. And the City Attorney said that she didn't have my contact information, therefore, she did not check the paperwork to call my husband, who's battling cancer, to sue him -- to tell him that his wife was going to be sued, with -- my husband is an attorney as well, and he knows the ramification, and that in turn is going to end up with something that I have to do. Either I get off this and I put this to rest so my, husband doesn 't have to go through all this, or I just fight it. So, tell me if that -- if that is not intimidation when I submitted my paperwork on September the 3rd, and then on September 9th, after hours, my husband is being called. So, if that's not intimidation, what it is? Then the person who called me, the City Attorney, said that she didn't know that I have different residences. Why she didn 't know? So, she didn't review my paperwork and immediately called my husband saying that -- implying that I lie under oath. I'm an attorney as well, so I believe I know what I'm doing. And I don't have -- City of Miami Page 5 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Ms. Joli: My husband is an attorney as well, and I don 't think anybody in this legal community have known my husband or myselffor being cheaters or liars. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments. Ms. Joli: If we have different -- Vice Chair Russell: It has -- Ms. Joli: -- if people have different -- Vice Chair Russell: Ma'am? Ms. Joli: -- addresses, different residences, and it 's not the first time. So, I request for this board to advise anyone who has a vendetta or has something to do with protecting the position for the City Mayor, back off from me. To back off. I don 't appreciate this. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments. It's been noted. Ms. Joli: 1 don't appreciate this. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Ms. Jodi: And I'm just letting the Commissioners know -- Vice Chair Russell: Ms. Joli? Ms. Joli: -- the City Attorney said she is acting on behalf of the Commission and the Mayor. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you, Ms. Joli. Ms. Joli: And I see right now that Camacho was fired to protect the Mayor. So, we have to take the lid off of all of this. Vice Chair Russell: Ms. Joli, your time is up. Ms. Joli: I am -- I am running -- Vice Chair Russell: Your time is up, please. Ms. Joli: -- and I am not going to get off the race. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments. Everything has been clarified. We want to -- Ms. Mendez: Nothing has been -- Vice Chair Russell: Madam City Attorney. Ms. Mendez: -- nothing has been clarified. I just want the Commission to know that none of what has been said today has been totally mischaracterized. Unfortunately, her paperwork is defective. If it's not clarified, then we will have to file a lawsuit. City of Miami Page 6 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Unfortunately, she will be named because she is the party. It is a declaratory action, hut the paperwork can be revised if she so desires. Vice Chair Russell: It's a declaratory action, so there are no damages being sought, correct? This is not a suit seeking damages. Ms. Mendez: No, no, no, no, no. No damages. Vice Chair Russell: I wanted that very clear though, because when someone feels they're being sued by the City, that's the assuming implication. You've clarified. I think we 're good. Ms. Mendez: Thank you. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you very much. Thank you for your comments. You 're not on the record now. Thank you, ma'am. Ms. Joli: This is smearing my name. Vice Chair Russell: Please, thank you. Ms. Joli: This is smearing my name. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Next public speaker, over here please. Applause. Vice Chair Russell: Please hold your applause. Gabriela McGarth Moreira: Hello, I'm speaking on topic BH.1. My name is Gabriela and I'm a sophomore at Coral Gables Senior High. I was born and raised in Miami, and my whole life has always had nature in it. Whether it was bike rides with my dad or going to the beach, I'm so grateful to live in such a beautiful city. I've learned to cherish and appreciate Miami. But when I see the predictions of sea level rise, a feeling of worry overcomes me because this place which I love has a chance of being destroyed. Whether it's a torrential hurricane or flash floods, destruction is inevitable with the increasing threat of climate change. Unless we make sure to protect our city, the effects of climate change, which we are already seeing, will be enough to leave a long-lasting impact, an impact that I will witness and have to live through. This is why I stand before you today as a concerned citizen. In order to keep the magic in our city, we need to protect it from what's to come. We are already witnessing the effects of climate change, with sea level rise and stronger hurricanes. Can you imagine what catastrophic damage a Category 5 hurricane would do to our city or what sea level rise would do to buildings after what we saw with Surfside? This is precisely why we are asking for at least $80,000 in order to make sure the Division of Resilience and Sustainability is able to have one more program manager. I trust that you will have the good sense to designate these funds into the future of our magic city. Thank you. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments. Thanks for coming out. Applause. Vice Chair Russell: Please hold your applause. Phillip Soares de Sa: Good evening, Commissioners. I am here also to address climate change in a way. Since 2013, there -- City of Miami Page 7 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Vice Chair Russell: Your name again, sir? Mr. Soares de Sa: Phillip Soares de Sa, sorry. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Mr. Soares de Sa: Since 2013, there's been a drastic depopulation of the seagrass in Biscayne Bay. Vice Chairman, this is part of your district, and it is quite dire. 75 percent of the seagrass has now died, and it is putting a critical cascade effect into that ecological system. Around this time, 2013, another development has happened within the Port of Miami, which is not directly under the City's control but is in the area of your district. A system called open -loop scrubbing was implemented on a vast array of ships within the cruise industry. This is a very interesting problem because it addresses one part of climate change in the fact that these ships put out about 375 million cars worth of sulfuric oxide a year, this open -loop scrub takes that emission and caps it. However, because it is open -loop, these impurities from the fuel come out in another way. So, if I'm going to go ahead and explain this, it's essentially cruise ships buy dirty fuel because it's cheap. The fuel that they burn is 2,000 times more sulfuric oxide than regular diesel. These impurities come out because it is an open system. It is not a closed loop, so they don 't keep it within the ships. So, what happens is, instead of being exhausted into the air, these ships leave these impurities in the water. So, what you have is an effect where direct action is being negatively affected towards the seagrasses because of this exhaust. We don 't see it in the air anymore, but it's in the water directly. What happened in 2013 that coincides with this die -off is this mass implementation of the open -loop system for these cruise ships. So, my question is, is there a system to make the port a zero -emission zone so that we no longer have these huge amounts of sulfuric oxide being dumped into the bay which we're seeing the catas -- whatever, you know what the word is. Vice Chair Russell: Catastrophic. Mr. Soares de Sa: Yeah, yeah, catastrophic effects. So, you know, if we don't do anything about this, seagrass is the one factor that provides oxygen to the entire ecosystem in the bay. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Mr. Soares de Sa: If we don't have seagrass, we don't have fish, we don't have larger mammals, we don't have an economy. You can't go to Joe's Stone C'rab anymore -- Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Mr. Soares de Sa: -- because there's not going to be any crabs. So, we need to effectively put fines in for this, make an implementation system that requires these open -loop systems to be closed immediately, and if that does not happen, these fines need to he levied. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Sorry, the time is up. Mr. Soares de Sa: Thank you. Vice Chair Russell: Mr. City Attorney, if you could just later on with my office try to get me some jurisdictional information with regard to the port -- Mr. Min: Yes, sir. City of Miami Page 8 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Vice Chair Russell: -- and ships that go in and out of the port over potentially City of Miami submerged lands. Mr. Min: Yes, sir. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Next comment, please. Hello. Gianna Hutton: Hello. Good evening, honorable Commissioners. My name is Gianna Hutton, and I am a 17 year -old Miami native. I'd like to take this time to thank you all as a constituent for your consideration and dedication to making my home and the city I love a more resilient place through the Climate Emergency Declaration, the Miami Forever Bond, and the $5 million item on the agenda today towards relocation assistance for tenants facing eviction, a challenge rooted in the issue of climate gentrification. In Miami, we experience climate change every day. We see the king tides flood and inundate the roads. We feel the extreme heat. We see the utility bills rise, stressing my single mother, since it's so hot that we need to raise the AC (air conditioning). We see the blue-green algae tides kill fish and hurt our bay. The list is endless. We need the staff and fiscal resources to meet the scale of this crisis. I'm asking you to prioritize climate resilience in the City's proposed budget, adding at least $80,000 to retain the second program manager for the Division of Resilience and Sustainability. We cannot allow other departments that lack the experience and skillset to handle the most sensitive of plans. I'm asking you to care for me and see the hope in my generation and the potential and invest in us. This isn't a distant problem. It already impacts me on my way to school, my mom 's finances, my neighbor's job. As Commissioners with a difficult job, I know you guys have been here forever today and 1 deeply appreciate it. 1 know you all care for the city and you're here and you have this job because you care. So please help me protect my home. I ask that you increase funding for the Resilience Once and increase full-time staffing to protect your constituents now and in the future. Thank you. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments. Mr. Hannon: Chair, my apologies, can I get the speaker's name again? Vice Chair Russell: Your -- I'm sorry, could you say your name again, please? Ms. Hutton: Yeah. Vice Chair Russell: Into the record. Ms. Hutton: Gianna Hutton. Vice Chair Russell: Gianna Hutton. Mr. Hannon: Thank you. Ms. Hutton: Thank you. Vice Chair Russell: Good evening. Camilo Mejia: Good evening. My name is Camilo Mejia. I'm the networks director at Catalyst Miami, also a resident of Coconut Grove. You're my commissioner, Commissioner Russell. Thank you for the opportunity to address you tonight. I would like for the City -- I'm speaking on the general budget, and I would like for the City to fully prepare for the climate change impact that lies ahead by adding another program manager to the resiliency program who could focus on mitigating the worst impacts in the climate crisis. I also would like for the City to allocate $9 million from City of Miami Page 9 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 the American Rescue Plan to help low-income homeowners and renters remain in their homes. Some of the funding could go to equitable weatherization programs that can have the added benefit of lowering energy bills. Also, 1 would like $5 million from that $9 million to go into legal and relocation assistance for tenants who are facing eviction. We know that with the lift of the moratorium, we have about close to 200 million people facing eviction in Miami -Dade County alone. Also I'd like to see a $854, 000 investment in unfunded costs for resiliency hubs that can in turn work in coordination with community -based resiliency hubs for which I am asking $250,000. We can use those funds, get them from the general obligation bond, the Miami Forever Bond, and maybe some CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) funds as well. Lastly, 1'd like $10 million from the American Rescue Plan to go to a grants program to help small business owners and residents to go into disaster preparedness and mental health, as well as $40 million to go into affordable housing programs with a focus on Miami renters living under 60 percent AMI (Area Median Income), who are three times as cost burdened as all other AMI categories combined. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you, Mr. Mejia. Mr. Mejia: You have received a letter that has everything in detail. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Vice Chair Russell: Yes, thank you. Mr. Manager. Mr. Manager? Mr. Manager? Good evening. 1'd just like to make sure we've got someone from staff capturing these specific requests so that as -- so that commissioners can not have to furiously keep notes at this moment, but that we can work with staff directly and we can capture what all of our residents are requesting. Arthur Noriega (City Manager): Well make sure that happens. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you very much. Good evening. Isabella Prince: Good afternoon, honorable Commissioners. I am Isabella Prince. Today I will be speaking on BH.21. I am a political asylum refugee from Venezuela. When I was 12 years old, I escaped the conditions of a country that was falling apart. I canoe to the US in search for a better future, but every day I fear of what is coming for all of us. As we know, climate change affects the livelihood of everyone, especially that of Miami as a coastal community. Climate change exacerbates natural disasters like floods, hurricanes, and droughts, hence affecting food sources, housing security, and agricul -- the agricultural industry, the economy, and so much more. We will continue to spend much more money on consequences if we do not start preventing. The recent IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) report is proof that acknowledging the issue is no longer enough and that we need to demonstrate that we care about the quality of life of citizens by making this a priority, therefore, increasing the budget for the Division of Resilience and Sustainability by at least $80,000, bringing in more professionals that are solidly focused on this area as program managers instead of cutting the number of. How can we implement the new plans we make if we don't have the necessary, staff? As an immigrant, I can escape a troubled country, but I cannot escape a world whose environment continues to decay every day. Therefrre, for my future and the future of your children, I am asking you to commit to this responsibility. We're in a Code Red and the ball is in your court. Nonetheless, I would like to thank and express my, respect for the hard work that you all are doing. Thank you so much. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments. Vet); well done. Thank you. Good evening. City of Miami Page 10 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Trenise Bryant: Good evening, Commissioners. 1 am Trenise Bryant, a concerned mother and a community organizer. We are all -- we all love our great city, the City of Miami, and that is why we are here, taking the risk to be here in the middle of a pandemic. While we're dealing with COVID-19, climate is still here, and housing is still a big concern for us. Who called Miami our hometown? Now we understand raising temperatures is a sign of climate change because many of our seniors are suffering from related illnesses like heat stroke. While we are dealing with the lack of housing and housing crisis in our city, rent rising is putting a household in danger of becoming homeless. Please allocate five million in funding to legal relocation assistance to tenants facing evictions, as well as four million for climate adaptation Jrothe homes of low-income owners and renters with the emphasis on Miamians facing the greatest cost burdens. On climate, please fund three programs managers in divisions of resilience starting at $80, 000. We also would like immediate electrification of the vehicle fleet and $15 million to fill the funding gap for bicycle infrastructure. We also would 85 -- $854, 000 for resilience hubs, $250K for community -based resilient hubs. Finally, $10 million for the grants program to support struggling small businesses, residents, disaster preparedness, and mental health support. We can't afford to let any of the items I spoke above fall through the cracks again. We're in the middle of a pandemic. Let's work together as a community to save Miami. I raise this red flag that symbolized we're in the city of an emergency and thank you. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments. Good evening. Nicole Gazo: So, good evening, my name's Nicole. Thank you, Chairman, for being here. Thank you, Commissioner Reyes, for being here. Let me get something really, really, really straight. It's one thing to hear the words come out of your mouth, oh yeah, we're going to listen to your demands, we're going to add the commissioners, we're going to add our resiliency officers, we're going to do something about it. And it's another thing to actually do it. Today in class, we learned about Hurricane Ida. Do you know what happened to families in Hurricane Ida? The water pressure from the floods were so strong that families were drowning in their own homes. I'm not looking this up. My teachers are teaching me this in school. So, I have to wake up every single day and learn about this. And you expect us to have peace of mind when you tell us, oh yeah, yeah, yeah, we're listening, but we're not seeing anything. The point is, this is all happening because we're choosing to stay with the status quo. We're choosing to continue to invest in things like oil, coal, and gas, which I understand is economically feasible, but can you imagine the amount of profit -- which I know you all prioritize and I respect that -- that we could make from green energy? The sun barely stops shining here. And that is literally our only request, that you harness the unlimited amount of energy that the earth supports us with. Because at the end of the day, we are going to drill the last bit of oil. We are going to mine the last bits of coal. And you are going to continue spending $3 million raising roads, wasting your money and time and resources instead of just going to the root of the issue. Listen, I'm upset. I have homework. I shouldn 't have been sitting here for two hours when three of my commissioners aren't even here. It's a joke to hear you all say that you're doing something when you all were looking at your phones when high schoolers that are scared for their future are speaking to you. I'm being so serious with you. So let me get this straight. I want to see action. I don't want to hear words, and I respect you so much, Chairman, for speaking to us and for actually, doing something about it, but our resiliency officers need to go to the root of the issue. And you know what that is. And you are going to make so much more profit off of it, harnessing green energy. And we aren't here to fight you. Instead, I invite you to work with us because we get educated on this every single day. They scare us more and more every single day. For a long time, I felt pointless going to college, studying for a future when my own university gives money to fissil, fuels. It's a joke. It is a joke. I am waiting for action, not for words. So, what I would love is Jroyou all to use the City of Miami Page 11 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 hundreds of millions of dollars to invest in green energy. Don 't add resilience -- obviously, add resiliency officers, but add them if they're willing to actually do something. Raising roads, that's something that you 're going to have to do every 10 years. Dealing with storm surge, that's something that's going to get worse. Hurricane Ida could have been you and your family. And it will be if we don 't stop. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Thank you for your comments. Applause. Vice Chair Russell: Please hold your applause. Thank you. Same way we keep people from booing, we try to keep it just very civil decorum here. Thank you. Jeanette Ruiz: Good evening. My name is Jeanette Ruiz. This mic is real close. Thank you to the Commissioners who are here listening to us, and I do hope that everything that is being said here is being recorded so that the commissioners that aren 't present have a chance to review it. Ms. Mendez: I'm sorry, I wanted to clarify something for the record. Commissioner Watson: For the record -- hold on, hold, hold, hold, hold. For the record, we're wired in to this place, you all talking. We can't go anywhere in this building and not hear you and/or see you, for the record, right? If I go to the bathroom, I'm listening to you. If 1 go to my office, I'm listening to you. IfI go in the back to talk to the administrator, I'm listening to you. So for the record, there's no place we can go in this building where we cannot hear or see you. Just for the record, okay? Ms. Ruiz: I appreciate that, Commissioner Watson. Commissioner Watson: Alright. Ms. Ruiz: I hope that those who aren't present are listening and hearing us, okay? Thank you so much. So, I've lived and worked in Miami my entire life. This city is like no other, and I care deeply about its preservation, which is why I'm here today advocating for dollars to be allocated to climate action. I want to thank the Division of Resilience and Sustainability for their hard work and commitment and their recent efforts of the Greenhouse Gas Report, Green Economy Report, and the monthly Public Resilience Action Forum calls. We greatly appreciate what they've done to outreach to the community. This is exactly why we need to invest in more manpower to not only mitigate greenhouse gases, but adapt to present day effects of flooding, stronger storms, as mentioned before, and extreme heat. We need multiyear commitments of three program managers to continue to mitigate the impacts of our climate crisis, but also to communicate the City s most hard -to -reach residents about how they can achieve climate resilience. And along those lines, I would also like to support $4 million from the American Rescue Plan allocation targeting low-income homeowners, renters, and owners of low-income rental units, as well as an additional $5 million for legal and relocation assistance for evictions. Thank you so much. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments. Allisson Harrison: Good evening. I'm speaking on topic BH. My name is Allison Harrison. I'm going to be sharing a poem from my heart, and I thank you all in advance for listening. This poem is titled, It is Time. We are not protecting nature. We are nature protecting itself We are not just asking for higher importance to be placed on protecting Mother Earth. We are demanding reverence to be shown for the unfathomable beauty that exists in this place that is our home. Other planets are not City of Miami Page 12 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 like this. Forests of 500-foot-tall trees, warm hugs from the sun that make your skin and heart glow, endless oceans miles deep with 150 ton beasts swimming around, deserts, beaches, mountains, glaciers, rainforests, all existing in one place. Again, I say other planets are not like this. We aren't simply asking for change because we know that it's the right thing to do. No, we are asking for change because as our Mother Earth is hurting, we are hurting deeply. As her forests light on fire and shrivel up, our hearts do the same. As her grounds ferociously shake and turn to rubble, our hearts, all of our hearts, do the same. But we learned our resilience from her, so just as she stands tall through it all, our hearts do the same. When we walk barefoot in her grass, we hear her, we feel her, and she is crying. She is screaming. She is demanding that action be taken. And she demands very sternly. She floods and collapses cities. She rises the temperatures and the sea levels. And we don't listen. People who have the power to make changes ignore the cries and screams. And these cries and screams are just warnings, because let me tell you, if our Mother Earth decides enough is enough, we are all gone, and she is finally at peace. So, if we want to continue living here, we must take action. We must allocate our assets to preserving and protecting this planet, because really, what matters if our city gets destroyed and we have nowhere to live? You know what you need to do. It's time to step up and do it. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Ms. Harrison: You have the tools. Turn your head around. Face the problem. No more turning a blind eye. Even someone who's blind in both eyes would still know what needs to be done here. It is time. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Thank you for your comments. Next speaker, please. And when you hear the 30 seconds, please start to get to the wrap-up portion. I know there's a lot of pre -written comments to be made, but we need to try to keep everything within two minutes. Thank you. Yanelis Valdes: Hi, good evening. My name is Yanelis Valdes, and I'm the director of organizing and advocacy at Engage Miami and a City of Miami resident. I'm here to speak on Item BH21. I learn with and from young people across Miami, imagining together a better future for our city. Our climate crisis conies up time and time again as one of the most pressing issues of our lifetime. It makes it hard for young people to dream. How can we imagine a future if our climate crisis threatens the very existence of our city? Climate mitigation must start with those most affected by climate change, namely low-income communities that have been historically under-resourced. We must build resilient structures and embed equity in the process every single step of the way. Our proposed budget shows that we are cutting back on these efforts, rather than expanding when things are just getting worse. Resiliency should be integrated into all of our planning, and we need a dedicated office with the experience and skillset necessary to make these critical decisions and implement solutions to combat extreme heat and other extreme weather events, deal with flooding and sea level rise, and update our infrastructure. We are on the front lines. I urge you to increase funding for our resilience office and increase full-time staffing. We need to create additional positions that can fully focus on the issue with at least three program managers. We need at least $80, 000 for this effort this year. We also need $854, 000 of unfunded funds for resilience hubs and an additional $250,000 for community -based resilience hubs. Finally, climate and housing are inextricable. I support a $5 million allocation from American Rescue Plan Act funds for legal and relocation assistance for tenants facing eviction, much of which is due to climate gentrification. COVID-19 has also heightened housing insecurity, especially for low-income residents. I urge you to continue to invest in the Emergency Rental Assistance Program and continue supporting our residents experiencing high utility bills. Please invest $4 million of ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds towards this. We need to invest in our environment and in our people so we can have a future to dream about. Thank you. City of Miami Page 13 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Vice Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments. Next speaker, please. Katrina Erwin: Hi, good evening. My name's Katrina Irwin, and I am here to speak on BH.I, resilience budget. I recently returned home to Miami after six years. I was excited to come back after hearing all the great things Miami has done to combat the climate crisis, such as passing a climate emergency and even creating an office of resilience. However, after attending my first Resilience Action Group meeting, I was shocked to find out the City is not investing as much in resilience efforts as I had thought. What has become apparent to me is the City of Miami is prioritizing its economic future with a focus on cryptocurrency and tech. However, there will be no economic future for our city unless we invest in protecting Miami from sea level rise, hurricanes, and extreme heat. I appreciate you all trying to grow Miami's economy through tech. However, ctyptocurrency requires huge amounts of power and will further contribute to the impacts the climate crisis has on our city. The City of Miami is ignoring the promises it made when it passed a climate emergency in 2019. The future of the Magic City depends on climate action. The Office of Resilience is set to lose one of two project managers unless there is increased funding in the proposed budget. To really tackle this existential issue, we need to increase the number of full- time employees at the department and make it a true priority. We can afford to invest in resiliency if we do it now. The longer we wait, the more expensive it will be. We are risking not being able to afford it in the future. Please do the right thing and invest in our livelihoods by adding at least -- 1 am saying at least, $80, 000 in funding to the Office of Resilience. Remember, the environment is the economy. Thank you. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Next comment, please. Zelalem Adefris: Hi, Commissioners. My name is Zelalem Adefris. I work with Catalyst Miami and the Miami Climate Alliance, and I'm here to echo the urgings of almost everyone that spoke today asking for more investment in the Division of Resilience and Sustainability as well as the -- we noticed that there were unfunded -- that's a letter that we had emailed you. But we noticed that there were unfunded projects in the capital budget around resilience hubs. And we know there are many incredible community efforts to do the same, and I think with the absence of some of our neighborhood offices from last year's budget, it'll be incredibly important for us to fund that. In addition, I'd like to underline how important government services are today, particularly for housing. We're facing a situation in the city right now where we're all competing for rent from people that are coining to work remotely from New York and trying to keep up with those -- that disparity in salary. Everyone is suffering from the workers that make our city run, to seniors, to a lot of my friends as well, and so I want to urge you all to please continue your emergency rental assistance program. Having $137 million is a huge gift through the American Rescue Plan Act. So, we'd love to see the allocation that everyone is asking for, for supporting tenant advocates and relocation. And we'd also love to see funding really focus on those that have the highest cost burden in the city, which are those that are 60 percent of the area median income and below. Lastly, there are lots of services that the City does not provide that could easily be filled by community organizations, so I encourage you to create a grants program for financial assistance, small business assistance, mental health, disaster preparedness, and other critical community needs. Like I said, this is an amazing opportunity. Please, please, please use it to address climate change, use it to address our housing crisis. Thank you so much. Thanks for listening. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments. Good evening. Sean De Sales: Good evening. I'm Sean De Sales on behalf of the Climate Alliance. Code Red. Code Red for Miami. Code Red for humanity. Code Red for everybody. We are amidst a dire, dire climate crisis. Do you go outside much? Do you actually see City of Miami Page 14 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 what happens when it rains? 1 work in Miami Beach. 1 can 't get out in the street without at least ankle deep in rain, passing the curb, of course. I don't know about you, but I'd like to take my kids out to see our beautiful beaches, walk along our precious palm trees, coexist amongst our diverse, but yet dwindling, dwindling wildlife. There are still $127 million left in the ARP. I just want 80,000 of those to be put into three additional managers. More hands on deck. This is a crisis. I'm sure my peers have explained this more than enough than I ever could. But in the Division of Resilience and Sustainability, there's just one manager there. It's like being at the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) with one line. No, I don't mean to be funny, but that's literally how it is. I have three questions for you. Well, not just for you, but for everybody in this room. Do you feel the rain, or do you just get wet? Do you see the storm? Or do you just get swallowed up? Do you see the fire? Or do you just get so hot you just burn -- burn up? I don't want us to burn up. Fund our earth, Miami. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Mr. De Sales: Thank you. Vice Chair Russell: Good evening. Daniel Alvarez: Good evening, Commissioners. My name is Daniel Alvarez. I am a business owner in the City of Miami, and I'm here to speak on point BH.21 of the climate. Let me actually start on my wrap up portion, which is that currently the City has two program managers for climate, one for mitigation, one for adaptation. So, I'm here to advocate on one more, which, you know, the idea would be to -- for mitigation on the hardest hit people and communication, because I think there's a lack of communication between what's going on on climate issues and normal people in the city. So, the reason why I got interested on this subject is because I go to the Everglades National Park a lot and I speak with the rangers there and they tell me all the issues that they're having because of the rising sea levels, you know, the mangroves getting dry because of the -- on some portions, you know, species getting extinct. Now, when I speak with my colleagues on the issue, then they let me know the impact on low-income neighborhoods. You know, the hurricanes getting harder and harder. And, you know, that's the reason why I got involved in this subject, because I think it's important to plan for the long term. So one person more, I think it's a low amount, $80, 000, you know, just a salary of one person, compared to a billion dollars that you're deciding today, so I think that's tiny. So, yeah, that's what I think -- Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Mr. Alvarez: -- very important. Vice Chair Russell: Thanks for your comments. Mr. Alvarez: Thank you. Vice Chair Russell: Good evening. Claudia Rodriguez: Good evening, board. My name is Claudia Rodriguez. Ajjbrdable housing is a pressing matter that cannot be further overlooked. The City of Miami just approved a $40 million in affordable housing through Miami Forever Bond. It is not only crucial but time sensitive to remedy the housing crisis that Miamians are being presently affected. Furthermore, this populace of affected individuals is considered Miami renters that are under the 60 percent area medium income and that face three times the vulnerability of being cost burdened. Therefore, these funds would make the greatest contributions to those who suffer the greatest grievances, that such communities who face the greatest threat of displacement and gentrification. And City of Miami Page 15 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 those are Little Haiti, Liberty City, Allapattah, Little Havana, and Coconut Grove. As a local of more than 22 years of residing in Miami, a full-time student of University of Miami, a honorably discharged Marine Corps veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom, and a part-time baggage handler that is fortunate to be covered by a VA (Veterans Administration) that provides me and many other safety nets through medical compensation. I hope we attempt to remedy this local humanitarian housing crisis. Thank you for your time. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Adrian Madriz: Adrian Madriz -- Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Madriz. Mr. Madriz: -- 1990 Northwest 4th Court, 33136. I'm speaking today on BH21, specifically highlighting the need again for $5 million to go to legal and relocation assistance for any tenants affected by evictions. And I'm just going to go down the list of the resilience and climate -related initiatives. It is Code Red. That's why I've worn red today. We're not just in Code Red because of housing. We are in Code Red because of climate. So, three program managers, $80, 000 for the Division of Resilience and Sustainability, $4 million of the American Rescue Plan allocating to targeted low-income homeowners, renters, and owners. We also need the $854,000 in unfunded costs for resilience hubs, as well as $250,000 for community -based resilience hubs, and $10 million in American Rescue Plan allocation for our grants program for small businesses, residents needing financial assistance, as well as disaster preparedness and mental health support. And 1 want to bring up something that Commissioner Watson brought up earlier, and I'm very glad he did, regarding whether or not the Commissioner is actually paying attention to these meetings. Because I'm very happy to hear that you are. It really does make me feel better about our condition right now. But I want you to also know that we 're also paying attention to you. We're seeing you every single time you open your phone when somebody's here speaking at the podium. We see you every single time that you decide to do all kinds of many -- all kinds of different behaviors that just indicate that you're not really paying attention, like rolling your eyes or sighing or just like being extremely dismissive and showing extreme contempt for your own constituents. We also see how it is that you act when you 're on the dais in terms of policy and I saw a disgusting display today in terms of how people were talking about homelessness and people who happen to be homeless and how it is that the people who are homeless they just want to be on the street. It's a business for them that they just want to be out there being addicted to drugs as though they have -- really have a choice at the end of the day and I'm telling you they absolutely do not. If you have ever spent just four hours trying to get through on the Homeless Assistance Helpline you would know that trying to get any kind of shelter in the City of Miami is next to impossible. So, I very much request that the next time that you have the option between conducting another police sweep of the homeless or actually doing something to permanently end the homelessness issue, that you actually stand up and deliver on something that's going to actually make a difference. Because the danger is clear and present, and you are doing absolutely nothing in that regard. Please do not continue to insult our intelligence by pretending like we don 't see everything that you're doing because we see everything. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you, Mr. Madriz. Applause. Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Casamayour. Briefly, one of the items brought up was with regard to the homeless hipline. We received a list of recommendations from Miami City of Miami Page 16 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Homes for All. 1'd like you to take a look at that and see definitely from an operational perspective what needs to he improved, but if there's a budgetary need that we look at that between first and second as well. Fernando Casamayor (Assistant City Manager/Chief Financial Officer): Yes, sir. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Next comment, please. Calla Hummel: Good evening. My name is Dr. Calla Hummel. Again, I'm a homeowner in Miami and I'm also a professor at the University of Miami in the Political Science Department. First of all, thank you for being here. 1 understand it's been a very, very long day for the three of you, and 1 appreciate that y 'all are still seated here during this hearing. 1 also second what the speakers who have come before me, especially the students, have said regarding climate change, climate resilience, and affordable housing and homelessness in the City of Miami. I would like to emphasize that by saying that I am here as well to ask that the City of Miami increase funding for the Division of Resilience and Sustainability. Yes, it would be great if we could get another program manager, but as people have said, we need more funding and more action from the City on climate resilience. As a homeowner, I'm particularly interested in this since I've made a big investment betting that the City will still be here by the tinge I pay off my mortgage. So, I'd appreciate if you use my tax dollars to increase that probability. Second, 1 strongly support increasing funding for affordable housing and continuing the emergency rental assistance program. Yesterday, 1 saw what appeared to be the neighbors across the street from me being evicted. As far as I'm aware, the people that lived in the house that they were evicted from do not have very much money and also probably don 't have formal leases. So, I would like to see the City of Miami doing more to try to target rental assistance to people who do not have formal leases and may have more difficulty accessing assistance, though they may be some of the people who need it most. Thank you. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Travis Gardner: Hello, everybody. My name is Travis Gardner. I am with SMASH, or Struggle for Miami Affordable and Sustainable Housing, and Miami Climate Alliance. I'm here for the BH.21. And before I begin, I would let you know -- I would let you know that we also have a new item on the agenda, and that is allocation of $5 million towards legal assistance and relocation for tenants facing eviction. Saying that, we have three demands. The first demand is climate action. We're asking that the actions for -- we're asking for actions -- asking for multiyear commitment of at least three program managers in the Division of Resilience and Sustainable, starting with an investment of $80,000 for increasing staffing this year. Second is immediate electrification of including the associated infrastructure of the City's vehicle fleet, and finally, to fill the funding gap of bicycle infrastructure. The second demand is that we need affordable housing now, the reasons that we urge that the City to continue to leverage federal funding for its emergency rental assistance program. Third, is that we see the continuations of programs like Miami -- Keep Safe Miami, single family home rehabilitation, and AC giveaway be supported through the $4 million American Recourse -- I mean, Rescue that are allocated for low-income homeowners, renters, and owners of low-income rent units. And finally, we would need to see all public funding for affordable housing to go towards the Miamians that face the greatest cost burden. The final demands that we have -- we're asking for is utilization of American Rescue Plan Act funds to support our struggling communities. So, support would look like allocating $854,000 in unfunded costs for our resilient hubs, as well as at least $250,000 to support similar community -based resilient hubs. Finally, in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, we would like to see a $10 million American Rescue Plan allocated for the grants program supporting struggling small business and residents City of Miami Page 17 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 needed financial assistance as well as disaster preparedness and mental health support. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Mr. Gardner: Thank you. Vice Chair Russell: Thanks for your comments. Evan Bycholski: Mr. Chairman, Commissioners, thank you for your time this evening. My name is Evan Bycholski. I'm a student at the University of Miami, and I'm a civil servant who's held public office in the City of Boca Raton since age 16. I'm speaking on BH.1 tonight. 1'd like to begin with some common ground, because 1 know we've all been disagreeing all night. Miami is the greatest city on earth. From our beaches, our nightlife, our diverse population, I can't think of a single metric that any other city has over us, not one. But there is one metric that our community has miles above any other, potential. The youth across Miami takes climate research and advocacy very seriously. We are just one of several youth environmental advocacy groups all over Miami, and just one of many youth groups here in the City dedicated to creating solutions to climate change. The sheer energy of the youth in this city is, in my opinion, what really makes Miami the greatest city on earth. But we also have to remember what this administration is capable of This is one of the most storied and respected municipal administrations in recent memory. We have a budget and financial administrator, we have a former mayor, we have a Florida state senator. In theory, there's so much experience to work with here. 1 want to see it. We want to see it. Why not utilize the passion and the power of our groups, of our climate reality groups? What I'm suggesting is a solution, because we've suggested a lot of you know, changes to make, but why not work with us? Why not sit down and have a dialogue with how we, together, can change our city? This -- there's so much experience on this panel, and there's so much potential here in our youth climate organizations. Let's talk. Let's make solutions. Thank you. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. What office -- ? You held office in Boca Raton? Mr. Bycholski: Yes, sir. Vice Chair Russell: Do they know that you think Miami is the greatest city on earth? Mr. Bycholski: I love it here. I'm sorry, Boca. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Mr. Bycholski: I love it. It's great. I just -- it just is the greatest city on earth. Vice Chair Russell: Thanks for serving. Good evening. Guy Forchion: Good evening, Mr. Chairman, Commissioners, Guy Forchion, executive director of Virginia Key Beach Park Trust. I just want to speak just a bit to the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust budget, $2,255,000. I ask for your support, your continued advocacy for the park. We've experienced a very difficult COVID-19 past year and a half, but the recovery, has begun. And so I look for your support as we go into the next fiscal year to continue that recovery. The public has been excited about coming back out to the historic beach park, seeing it in literally record numbers in our last few months. And it's something that I think can continue with your support. We look forward to sitting down with each of you and discussing capital improvements as we go forward. Improving restrooms, playgrounds, and other amenities on the park. Sea level rise is apparent and that is something that we'll have City of Miami Page 18 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 to discuss over not just this next fiscal year, hut moving forward on what this stretch of one mile of historic beachfront will look like in the future for these other generations of Miamians who do want to enjoy this space the way it has been for the past 76 years. Thank you for your support. We look forward to continuing with you. Thank you. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you, Mr. Forchion. Next comment, please. Samuel Latimore: Good evening. My name is Samuel Latimore, 937 Northwest 55th Street, Miami, Florida, a longtime resident since the 1950s of the City of Miami. I am here in support of BH.13, the Liberty City Trust. I'm listening at the monies that are being suggested for programs that do not directly impact people, and I'm talking about the people that we are advocates for. I'm president of the Charles Hadley Neighborhood Association, a nonprofit organization primarily, made of seniors who volunteer their time and effort to improve the conditions of seniors and children and to help with some environmental issues as it relates to the degradation of the Liberty City area. I'm here to support this organization because they support us. Without the Liberty City Trust, for the last six years, in helping us deal with children who are impacted by crime and violence, who helped us deal with seniors who find themselves in some unusual places that they had not anticipated, primarily seniors of color. I'm here to talk about the way that they've helped with the homeless housing issues. Without them, we would not be able to and not have been able to get ten buildings, unsafe structures demolished. Without them and their support, without that program and their support, we would not be able to do the things that we do. So, 1 encourage you to support that budget because we need here, for those of us who are still facing the struggles that we experience in Liberty City/Model Cities area. Thank you very much. Have a nice evening. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments. Good evening. Leroy Jones: Good evening. Vice Chair Russell: Good to see you. Mr. Jones: Leroy Jones from Neighbors and Neighbors Association. First I want to ask your support in the Liberty City Trust item, BH.13, as well as the Overtown Southwest CRA, BH.7 -- BH7 item. And also, want to -- I want to say maybe your second year in office, Commissioner, you supported a grant program that I did in your district. So, 23 years ago, Neighbors and Neighbors Association created the Mom and Pop Grant Program under my leadership as a director. Vice Chair Russell: The what grant program? Mr. Jones: The Mom and Pop Small Business Grant Program. Twenty-three years ago, and 23 years ago it's still going strong. It a county program. It's offered in all 13 County Commission districts. So here's my request. I'm requesting that each commissioner consider a line item of $300,000 per district. You don't want to call it the Mom and Pop Grant Program, I wish you would, but if we can come up with another name for small businesses that have been impacted by COVID that have not been approved for any COVID funding. Believe it or not, it's quite a few small businesses in each one of y'all districts that have not been approved or qualified for any government funding because of COVID, right? And I'm talking about the very small micro mom-and-pop businesses. So, I'm asking that you create a line item that don't have anything to do with HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) dollars. It could be from some of this funding that you all got because of COVID or some general fund dollars, right? And in two months, we'11 get the $1.5 City of Miami Page 19 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 million on the streets in less than two months, and we'll do it for only 10 percent for administration costs. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Mr. Jones: Okay. Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Casamayor, not in this moment, but I'd like Mr. Mensah to address that, small business assistance for COVID relief because I know we do have programs in place for that. 1 want to see if they're still funded and if there's allocations within here but we'll take that up at the item. Thank you for the comments. Mr. Jones: Thank you. Twenty-three years of experience, over 20,000 grant contracts have been executed because of the agency that I created 25 years ago. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Good evening. Jade Castellat: Good evening. I'm speaking on BKl. My name is Jade Castellat. I'm 17 years old. The climate is changing, so why aren't we? I'm not just talking about speaking about change, I mean action. Thank you for what you are doing, it's not enough. It's getting hot, I know you feel it. Nothing means anything if we destroy our planet. Economy is nothing. Funding housing means nothing without a home.1 am not asking anymore; I am demanding at least $80,000 in funding. Thank you. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments. N. Patrick Range, II.: Good evening, Mr. Chair, members of the Commission. My name is Patrick Range, II. I am the chair of the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust, and I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to be here before you this evening. Obviously, I'm here advocating for the approval of the budget for Virginia Key Beach Park, and I just wanted to share with you just a couple of facts as to why you should continue to support us and even support us in a greater fashion than what we are receiving and have been receiving from the City currently. Hopefully, you all have been out to Virginia Key Beach Park. If you have not, I encourage you, take an hour out of your day, come out to our park, see what it is that we are providing for your constituents to enjoy. This is not a park of District 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, even though we do geographically sit within the District 2 boundaries. However -- and we have the data as my executive director came before you and we're happy to share it with you -- we entertain constituents from every district in the city. We are the largest park in the City of Miami. And I'm going to say that again. We are the largest park in the City of Miami. Eighty-two acres is what the boundaries of the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust consist of. And again, each of your constituents, each district, each constituent -- all the constituents in each district here have the opportunity and do enjoy the amenities that we have at the park. And so we want to encourage you to continue to support us. As many, of you know, or all of you know, we are in the process of building a museum, which will be the first museum here in the City of Miami dedicated to the African American and Bahamian immigrant experience. Also, highlighting the environmental features of our park, because we have a number of endangered species, protected species that are there before us. So again, I want to thank you for your support. However, we don 't share the same support that many of the other parks in the city do, many of the other trusts in the city do. And ask yourself is that really fair? But ask yourself that after you've had a chance to go out and see the wonderful things that we're doing out at Virginia Key Beach Park. Vice Chair Russell: Thanlcyou, Mr. Range. Mr. Range: Thank you so very much. City of Miami Page 20 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Vice Chair Russell: The only blue water beach in the City of Miami. It is. It's the only blue water beach in the City of Miami. Mr. Range: It's the only beachfront property in the City of Miami. Thank you. Vice Chair Russell: I have memories of the concession when I was a little kid. Yeah, thank you. Good evening. Lynn Purcell: Hi, my name is Lynn Purcell and I'm here to reiterate and advocate what Climate Alliance has said -- have been saying before in front of you all. 1 just want to thank every one of you all that sit here on this dais and work for us as people. Also, 1 wanted to say that 1 noticed that during -- throughout this here session that we had a lot of sidebars going on, not just pointing the finger at Mr. Watson. Everyone had sidebars. And I'm saving, like my professor tells me, I hope each and every one of you all are not just listening, that I hope that we're being heard, and I hope that we do something about this here. Thank you. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments. Good evening, sir. Caleb Freestone: Good evening. My name is Caleb Freestone and I'm speaking on the budget for the houselessness aid -- assistance. 1 'in listening to all these extremely well -researched and articulate speeches and 1 can't help but thinking that or wondering whether or not their facts and figures are already obsolete. Just today, this council passed three resolutions designed to criminalize and make the lives of the homeless miserable, more miserable than they are already. You also passed the first reading of an ordinance designed to increase the criminal charges against the homeless. I can't -- I -- the facts and figures that were relevant yesterday are already obsolete. We need greater funding to mitigate the actions that you yourselves have taken today. And Vice Chairman, I recognize that you made many, many attempts to compromise with your colleagues, all of which were shot down. I'll be honest, I did not like all of your compromises, but I recognize that they were more forward - thinking than your colleagues. You even proposed working with a mayor from a different party than your own. And yet, your colleagues shot every single one of them down. They would not even wait two weeks to talk about these criminalization policies. That is why I believe that there needs to be further funding to mitigate the harm that you guys have caused today. Thank you. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments. Is there anyone else here who would like to speak regarding the budget? Any one of the items on tonight's agenda for the budget? Going once, going twice. Alright, we will close the public comment section for the budget. Thank you all very much for your advocacy. City of Miami Page 21 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 BH - BUDGET HEARING BH.1 DISCUSSION ITEM 9462 Office of Management and Budget BH.2 9474 Downtown Development Authority PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ALL ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDING PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE CITY'S PROPOSED FY 2021-22 MILLAGE RATE AND FINAL BUDGET. RESULT: DISCUSSED Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number BH.1, please see "Public Comments for all Item(s)." Vice Chair Russell: Good evening. Leon Michel (Assistant Director): Leon Michel for the Office of Management and Budget. There are some required language that we need to read on the record first before the meeting keep going. Vice Chair Russell: Point your microphone just up a little bit and you have the floor. Mr. Michel: Okay. The proposed general operating millage rate is 7.6665 mills for the City of Miami for the fiscal year beginning October lst, 2021 and ending September 30, 2022. The operating millage rate is 4.41 percent higher than the state - defined rollback rate of 7.3428 mills. Thank you, Commissioner. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you very much, sir. Nice job on the budget, by the way. DISCUSSION ITEM A DISCUSSION OF TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE AND PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE MIAMI DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ("MIAMI DDA"). RESULT: DISCUSSED Vice Chair Russell: Commissioner Reyes, you and I, we get to decide it all. (COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD) Vice Chair Russell: And we learned from Tallahassee. If you sleep on the budget, you might lose your items. Alright. We'll get a quorum, out here. Don 't worry. In the meantime, if you'd like to speak on any of the items on this budget, please come forward and stand at the lectern. Go ahead and form a line in both directions. I'll be alternating and you'll have your two minutes to speak. All you're going to need to do is state your name. You have to read an item as well? You'll be recognized and we'll incorporate it into the public comment. So, feel free everybody so that we can just be efficient. You can respect social distancing from each other, but just be ready to speak and then, as you're done -- and I don't believe we have anyone outside waiting so everyone can -- can stay as we rotate through. I'll start with you, Ms. Crespi, from the DDA (Downtown Development Authority). You are very welcome. Cristina Crespi (Executive Director, Downtown Development Authority): Thank you. City of Miami Page 22 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 BH.3 9475 Downtown Development Authority Vice Chair Russell: Good to see you. Ms. Crespi: Hello. Good evening. My name is Cristina Crespi and 1 am the executive director of the Downtown Development Authority, and I have to read a certain language into the record prior to the budget hearing. The proposed miliage rate for the Miami DDA for the fiscal year beginning October 1st, 2021 and ending on September 30th, 2022 is 0.4681, which is 2.43 percent more than the state -defined rollback rate of 0.4570 mills. Thank you. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. That's it? That was easy. Ms. Crespi: That's it. RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENTS, PROPOSING AN ADDITIONAL TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE FOR AD VALOREM TAXATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 200.065, FLORIDA STATUTES; DEFINING AND DESIGNATING THE TERRITORIAL LIMITS OF THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT ("DISTRICT") OF THE CITY OF MIAMI; LEVYING AN ADDITIONAL AD VALOREM TAX ON ALL REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY IN THE DISTRICT AT THE RATE OF 0.4681 MILLS ON THE DOLLAR OF TAXABLE VALUE OF SUCH PROPERTY IN THE DISTRICT FOR THE PURPOSE OF FINANCING THE OPERATION OF THE MIAMI DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2021 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2022; PROVIDING THAT THE TENTATIVE MILLAGE SHALL BE IN ADDITION TO THE MILLAGE ADOPTED BY THE CITY COMMISSION PURSUANT TO ARTICLE VII, SECTION 9 OF THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION AND SECTION 166.211, FLORIDA STATUTES, AS WELL AS ANY SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS IMPOSED BY THE SAME; PROVIDING THAT THIS RESOLUTION SHALL NOT BE DEEMED AS REPEALING OR AMENDING ANY OTHER RESOLUTION OR ANY ORDINANCE FIXING MILLAGE OR LEVYING TAXES, BUT SHALL BE DEEMED SUPPLEMENTAL AND IN ADDITION THERETO; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0356 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner AYES: Russell, Diaz de la Padilla, Carollo, Reyes, Watson Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number BH.3, please see Item Number BH.2. Vice Chair Russell: Tonight's vote will not be the final vote. We will be taking up budget once again on the 23rd -- correct? -- to finalize. But in the meantime, we have noted everything and I would like to say and some may find it hopeful that in tonight's budget will be reflected an additional new funding for the Resilience Department of $388,000, not just $80,000, but a newly funded CRO (Chief Resilience Officer) independent of the Public Works Department, a Deputy CRO, and a program manager. That will bring the total staff to five, which is a significant increase and gets City of Miami Page 23 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 us much closer to where cities of our size are staffing their resilience departments. So, this is a big win and thank you all for your advocacy. You'l1 see that in tonight's budget as it passes on first reading. All right, Commissioners, 1 would like to take up BH.2 through 19 -- no, I'm sorry, 2 through 18. This would be -- I'm sorry, no, that's the assessment. Yes. Yes, 2 through 17. BH.2 through BH.17, that will be all of the non -citywide issues, all of the agencies. Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair -- Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Clerk. Mr. Hannon: -- BH.2 is just a discussion item. BH.3 and the following agenda items are all resolutions. Vice Chair Russell: BH.2 is discussion item to propose millage and tentative budget. Mr. Hannon: Which Cristina Crespi already -- Vice Chair Russell: Oh, that -- so we did not participate in that discussion though, that was her -- her -- Mr. Hannon: It was just a brief statement that she needed to make on the record -- Vice Chair Russell: -- her comment. Mr. Hannon: -- but you'll vote on their tentative millage and budget here with, you know, BH (Budget Hearing) -- Vice Chair Russell: Right, no I understand no action to be taken, but we did not have any chance for us to discuss up here so I'll at least -- Mr. Hannon: Oh, the idea is to -- Vice Chair Russell: -- put in -- Mr. Hannon: -- do it on either BH.3 or 4. Vice Chair Russell: Understood. Is there anyone here who would like to discuss the DDA (Downtown Development Authority) budget for that discussion item? Seeing none, I'll hear -- I'll consider that item closed then, BH.2. So, then BH.3 through BH 17 is on the floor. Is there a motion? Commissioner Carollo: Motion. Vice Chair Russell: Moved by Commissioner Carollo, seconded by Commissioner Reyes. We'll open for discussion. Commissioner Carollo: (INAUDIBLE) Casamayor. Make sure I didn't miss anything. The budget that's been presented to us by Virginia Key Beach, can you go over the amount that it's for again? Fernando Casamayor (Assistant City Manager/Chief Financial Officer): Give me a moment, sir. Let me have my staff come out here with the document. Guy Forchion: Mr. Chairman? Vice Chair Russell: Yes, you're recognized, Mr. Forchion. City of Miami Page 24 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Mr. Forchion: Commissioner Carollo -- Commissioner Carollo: Yes. Mr. Forchion: -- I'll be happy to discuss any parts of our budget if needed. Commissioner Carollo: No, no, I just want the overall amount. Mr. Forchion: Two mill -- Commissioner Carollo: The overall amount of the budget. Mr. Forchion: $2,255, 000. That is -- that's 955 in projected revenue generation -- Commissioner Carollo: Right. Mr. Forchion: -- $300, 000 from a contribution from the City of Miami. Commissioner Carollo: Okay, let's -- Mr. Forchion: And $1 million from the Ultra Festival if it does take place. Commissioner Carollo: We have a problem here and I spoke to the Manager on that and he said that was not included in our budget nor in theirs. Leon Michel (Assistant Director): Leon Michel, for the Office of Management and Budget. Commissioner, when we spoke, I looking at the budget, there is a million dollars for Ultra. Commissioner Carollo: Excuse me? Mr. Michel: There is $1 million for Ultra and they reserve that $1 million in the expenditure. It's like a zero transaction. You have revenue one million and reserve one million. They put in their budget in case they have a contract, but technically it is a zero transaction. Commissioner Carollo: Well, look, you're telling me that the one million is a reserve. Mr. Michel: Yeah, it's reserved, meaning that it's revenue up and expenditure reserved. That's zero, technically. Commissioner Carollo: The problem that I have is that, one, we will be voting for something that we don't know if it's going to happen or not. Second of all, there's' going to have to be further discussions on that. It's not a given of the way that it happened before, why it happened. So, you know, if we don 't have it in our budget, we're not projecting any monies from Ultra, as I was told in our general fund budget. Mr. Michel: No, I'm sorry -- Commissioner Carollo: How can they have it in their budget? Mr. Michel: No, I'm sorry, Commissioner. We don't have it in our budget. They have it in the budget and they will present it. It 's like a zero transaction. Commissioner Carollo: It's like a what? City of Miami Page 25 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Mr. Michel: Zero transaction. Zero, no effect. One million dollars revenue and one million dollars reserves. Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Forchion, does your budget reflect how you would spend that money if it were to come in? Or is it just to be held in reserve as well? Mr. Forchion: It would be held. We do not -- this happened one year ago when we were quite disappointed when the Ultra Festival did not take place due to COVID. And our budget at that time projected the $1 million from the event. But it is designed only that if it comes forward. We do not have that million dollars spent. Vice Chair Russell: I would recommend that none of your expenditures include an assumption -- Commissioner Reyes: That's right. Vice Chair Russell: -- of that revenue because we -- Mr. Forchion: They do not. Vice Chair Russell: -- we don't know. There's several things at factor, whether Ultra comes back, period, and then the policy discussion of how the money -- the revenue gets spent from Ultra, which is 1 think the root of where Commissioner Carollo is going. Commissioner Reyes: If I may ask, if Ultra comes in, Ultra is going to be -- I mean it's not going to be -- from what 1 heard, it's not going to be at Virginia Key. Vice Chair Russell: Correct. Commissioner Reyes: It's going to be at -- Commissioner Carollo: Bayfront Park. Commissioner Reyes: -- at Bayfront Park. Why are we are I mean, if there's one million from Ultra, it's going to be directed to Virginia Key. Vice Chair Russell: Well -- Commissioner Reyes: I mean, I don't understand. Vice Chair Russell: -- you can't blame him. for trying. Mr. Forchion: I can -- Commissioner Reyes: No, I mean, I can try too. Vice Chair Russell: I think it's an optimistic assumption -- Commissioner Reyes: That's right, butt could try. Vice Chair Russell: -- because it was there at that time. Mr. Forchion: What would be -- Vice Chair Russell: It was there at that time. City of Miami Page 26 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Commissioner Reyes: If there is money, extra money for parks, I mean, I'm in the line. Commissioner Carollo: Now, where you stand to get some money is if the Charter amendment on Virginia Key Marina passes. I think Commissioner Russell has stipulated that 10 percent of that, or did you say $500,000 of it? Vice Chair Russell: I've got to recall. Mr. Forchion: It's 10 percent because it's -- Commissioner Carollo: Huh? Mr. Forchion: It's 10 percent -- Commissioner Carollo: Okay, so -- Mr. Forchion: -- because it's listed now. Commissioner Carollo: -- 10 percent of that, at the rock bottom minimum, would be a little over half a million dollars, and probably a lot more than that because that 's the minimum that we would get, so you have that into the, future. Mr. Forchion: If 1 may, Commissioner, as the language stipulates it now, it's $275, 000. It's $2, 750, 000 is the base rent and 10 percent of that, so $275,000. Commissioner Carollo: Well, whatever it is, it's 10 percent. That's why, you know, I brought that up. So, that one, you know, you 're better to bank on, maybe, than anything from Ultra but -- Commissioner Reyes: I mean, it makes no sense. Vice Chair Russell: Yes, the Ultra portion was created when you were not only getting the hardship of having -- Commissioner Reyes: That's right. Vice Chair Russell: -- Ultra on site -- Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Vice Chair Russell: -- and going through it -- Commissioner Reyes: That's right. I mean, it makes no sense. Vice Chair Russell: -- but also making a fair revenue from it was the intention. Commissioner Reyes: Now the hardship has been shifted. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Commissioner Reyes: It's shifted to BayfrontPark. Commissioner Carollo: You better believe it. Bayfront Park personnel is going to have to take all the work, which is a tremendous amount, and frankly, we are going to have even more expenses there than I ever was told. And Bayfront Park is the one that generates the dollars, not only to run Bayfront Park, but to run the old museum park, now Ferre Park. City of Miami Page 27 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Commissioner Reyes: Yes, and you're going to have extra money that you can contribute to the Homeless Trust. Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Forchion, I'm going to have a hard time fighting for that Ultra money for you, so I'm going to recommend we start finding additional sources of revenue. It's my opinion that pretty much every dollar that's made on Virginia Key should have a portion that goes toward the accomplishment of the master plan on Virginia Key. And that's my original goal when I set that into the amendment for the marina. But we'll continue to work together on finding additional sources -- Commissioner Reyes: That's right. Vice Chair Russell: -- of funding to make sure that the County unlocks that 19 million for the full museum, because I think that's a big vision that we all want to see realized. But I don't know that can hold that Ultra money in there for you. Commissioner Carollo: Look, this trust was founded under my watch and directions when I was mayor, so I believe in it. After November, when I will have a little more time in my hands and have a quieter four years, let sit down, because I think I can come up with different ideas that can generate additional recurring revenue for the trust. There's a lot that 1 think could be done there that could bring you a lot more money in activities, but it's not happening. Vice Chair Russell: Commissioner Carollo -- Commissioner Reyes: Activities (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Vice Chair Russell: -- are you proposing an amendment to BH.15? Commissioner Carollo: I am, minus the $1 million from Ultra. Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Vice Chair Russell: That's a motion to amend the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust budget. Is there a second on that motion? Commissioner Reyes: I second that. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Second that. Vice Chair Russell: Seconded by Commissioner Reyes. Any other questions or comments on that change? Okay. Sony about that. Mr. Forchion: I look forward to working very closely with you, Commissioner Carollo, and all of you on the dais for -- Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Mr. Forchion: -- additional and other dedicated funding sources for the trust. Commissioner Reyes: What I'm saying is -- I mean, what I'm opposing, that the proceeds from Ultra, which takes place in a place -- I mean, in a different venue, you see, be directed to an (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Now that we will find that require and needed funds for your -- I mean, for the Virginia Key to keep on continuing operating? Yes, we will. Okay? City of Miami Page 28 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Mr. Forchion: We look for those dollars -- and thank you Commissioner Reyes. We look for those dollars largely for capital improvements on the property -- Commissioner Reyes: Okay, we will. We will find it. Mr. Forchion: -- so the American Rescue funds might be something that we can -- Commissioner Reyes: But I don't like to commingle like that, you see, that's what I (INAUDIBLE). Mr. Forchion: Thank you. Commissioner Reyes: Okay. You're welcome. Commissioner Carollo: Thank you very much. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you very much. There's a motion, there's a second. Is there any further discussion on that amendment? We'll just take this item. Actually, I -- if I'm hatching them all, we can do the vote with all the amendments captured at once, right? So, if we could just capture this amendment for now, and we'll keep discussing all of the agencies, please. Thank you. Are there other discussion -- any further discussion on the dais with regard to BH.3 through BH.17? Commissioner Reyes: Nope. Commissioner Carollo: Actually, it's BH.2, right? Vice Chair Russell: BH.2 was already settled. That was the DDA, but BH.3 is the actual approval of their millage and BH.4 is the approval of their budget. Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Vice Chair Russell: So, you can still discuss DDA if you'd like. Commissioner Carollo: I call the question. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yep. Vice Chair Russell: Alright. Commissioner Reyes: Call the question. Vice Chair Russell: BH.3 through 16, we have a motion and we have a second, and we have one amendment. Is there any further discussion? Mr. Clerk? Mr. Hannon: Through 17, correct? BH.3 through 17. Commissioner Carollo: 17. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Yes, thank you. Commissioner Carollo: And Wynwood. Vice Chair Russell: It's been a long day. Don't want to forget Wynwood. Commissioner Watson: Let me ask a question about the -- City of Miami Page 29 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Vice Chair Russell: Yes, Commissioner Watson. Commissioner Watson: -- Miami Parking Authority. So we approving their budget now? Is that what's going to -- when you loop it all together, that's what's happening? Vice Chair Russell: Yes, sir, that's BH.5, that's encompassed in this vote. Commissioner Reyes: That's right. Commissioner Watson: Alright. Vice Chair Russell: No question? Commissioner Watson: No. Vice Chair Russell: Okay. And these are single reading items, correct? Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Vice Chair Russell: So, we will not have a second bite at the apple at this for these. Commissioner Reyes: Call the question. Mr. Hannon: Well, BH.3 and BH.4 are tentative so they come back on the 23rd. Vice Chair Russell: 3 and 4, yes, I understand. I apologize. Commissioner Reyes: That's right. Mr. Hannon: 5 through 17, done deal. Vice Chair Russell: Are a one shot. Alright, so any questions now or forever hold your peace, Commissioner Watson, on the Miami Parking Authority. Commissioner Carollo: Where's the --? Vice Chair Russell: That's BH5. Commissioner Watson: No, it's fine. It's fine. I'm in. Vice Chair Russell: Alright, we are ready to vote. All in favor of the motion, say "aye." The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Vice Chair Russell: Any opposed? Motion passes as amended, unanimous. Thank you very much. City of Miami Page 30 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 BH.4 9476 Downtown Development Authority RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE TENTATIVE ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE MIAMI DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA ("MIAMI DDA"), ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A," IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $14,108,000.00 AND MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FROM THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT AD VALOREM TAX LEVY AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS INCOME FOR THE MIAMI DDA FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2021 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2022; AUTHORIZING THE MIAMI DDA TO MAKE TRANSFERS BETWEEN ACCOUNTS FOR NECESSARY AND PROPER PURPOSES; AUTHORIZING THE MIAMI DDA TO INVITE AND ADVERTISE REQUIRED BIDS; PROVIDING THAT THIS RESOLUTION BE DEEMED SUPPLEMENTAL AND IN ADDITION TO THE RESOLUTION MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2021 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 FOR THE OPERATIONS OF THE CITY OF MIAMI. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0357 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner AYES: Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes, Watson Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number BH.4, please see Item Number BH.3. BH.5 RESOLUTION 9328 Off -Street Parking Board/Miami Parking Authority A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET, ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A," OF THE DEPARTMENT OF OFF STREET PARKING FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2021 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 IN THE OPERATING AMOUNT OF $22,329,794.00, EXCLUDING DEPRECIATION, AND OTHER NON -OPERATING EXPENSES OF $5,360,054.00. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0358 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner AYES: Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes, Watson Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number BH.5, please see Item Number BH.3. City of Miami Page 31 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 BH.6 RESOLUTION 9530 Midtown Community Redevelopment Agency A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING AND APPROVING THE ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE MIDTOWN COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("MIDTOWN CRA"), ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A," IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $20,638,418.00, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2021 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2022. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0359 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner AYES: Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes, Watson Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number BH.6, please see Item Number BH.3. BH.7 RESOLUTION 9543 Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING AND APPROVING THE ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("SEOPW CRA"), ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A," IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $86,063,253.00, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2021 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2022. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0360 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner AYES: Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes, Watson Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number BH. 7, please see Item Number BH.3. City of Miami Page 32 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 BH.8 RESOLUTION 9554 OMNI Community Redevelopment Agency A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING AND APPROVING THE ANNUAL GENERAL OPERATING AND TAX INCREMENT FUND BUDGET OF THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("OMNI CRA"), ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A," IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $66,531,544.00 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2021 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2022. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0361 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner AYES: Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes, Watson Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number BH.8, please see Item Number BH.3. BH.9 RESOLUTION 9458 General Employees' and Sanitation Employees' Retirement Trust A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GENERAL EMPLOYEES' & SANITATION EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT TRUST ("GESE RETIREMENT TRUST FUND"), ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A," IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,201,413.00, EXCLUDING NORMAL COSTS AS ACTUARIALLY DETERMINED, TO PROVIDE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE GESE RETIREMENT TRUST FUND FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2021 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2022. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0362 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner AYES: Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes, Watson Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number BH.9, please see Item Number BH.3. City of Miami Page 33 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 BH.10 RESOLUTION 9459 General Employees' and Sanitation Employees' Retirement Trust A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GENERAL EMPLOYEES' & SANITATION EMPLOYEES' EXCESS BENEFIT PLAN ("GESE EXCESS BENEFIT PLAN"), ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A," IN THE AMOUNT OF $110,991.00, TO PROVIDE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE GESE EXCESS BENEFIT PLAN FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2021 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2022. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0363 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner AYES: Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes, Watson Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number Bh.10, please see Item Number BH.3. BH.11 RESOLUTION 9507 Firefighters' and Police Officers' Retirement Trust A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE CITY OF MIAMI FIRE FIGHTERS' AND POLICE OFFICERS' RETIREMENT TRUST FUND ("FIPO RETIREMENT TRUST FUND"), ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A," IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $2,137,199.00 TO PROVIDE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE FIPO RETIREMENT TRUST FUND FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2021 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2022. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0364 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner AYES: Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes, Watson Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number BH.11, please see Item Number BH.3. City of Miami Page 34 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 BH.12 9455 Civilian Investigative Panel BH.13 9472 Liberty City Community Revitalization Trust RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE CITY OF MIAMI CIVILIAN INVESTIGATIVE PANEL, ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A", IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $1,174,000.00 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2021 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2022. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0365 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner AYES: Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes, Watson Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number BK12, please see Item Number BH.3. RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENTS, APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE LIBERTY CITY COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION TRUST ("TRUST"), ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "B," IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $311,000.00 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2021 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2022; FURTHER APPROVING THE TRUST'S MASTER PLAN, ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "C". ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0366 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner AYES: Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes, Watson Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number BH.13, please see "Public Comments for all Item(s)" and Item Number BH.3. City of Miami Page 35 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 BH.14 10604 Bayfront Park Management Trust RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE BAYFRONT PARK MANAGEMENT TRUST IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $4,286,780.00, ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A," TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANAGEMENT, OPERATIONS, MAINTENANCE, AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS OF THE MILDRED AND CLAUDE PEPPER BAYFRONT PARK AND MAURICE A. FERRE PARK FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2021 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2022. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0367 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner AYES: Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes, Watson Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number BH.14, please see Item Number BH.3. BH.15 RESOLUTION 9478 Virginia Key Beach Park Trust A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE VIRGINIA KEY BEACH PARK TRUST ("TRUST"), ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A,' IN THE AMOUNT OF $955,000.00 IN ANTICIPATED REVENUE, $300,000.00 FROM CITY OF MIAMI OPERATING FUNDS, AND $1,000,000.00 FROM THE 2022 ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL, FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $2,255,000.00, TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANAGEMENT, OPERATION, AND MAINTENANCE OF THE TRUST FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2021 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2022. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0368 MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s) RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S) MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner AYES: Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes, Watson Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number BH.15, please see "Public Comments for all Item(s)" and Item Number BFL3. City of Miami Page 36 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 BH.16 RESOLUTION 9477 Coconut Grove Business Improvement District Board BH.17 9495 Wynwood Business Improvement District Board A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE COCONUT GROVE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT ("BID"), ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A," IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $5,334,482.00 TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANAGEMENT, OPERATION, AND MAINTENANCE OF THE BID FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2021 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2022. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0369 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner AYES: Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes, Watson Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number BH.16, please see Item Number BH.3. RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE WYNWOOD BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT ("BID"), ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A," IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $1,325,000.00 TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANAGEMENT, OPERATION, AND MAINTENANCE OF THE BID FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2021 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2022. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0370 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner AYES: Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes, Watson Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number BH.I7, please see Item Number BH.3. City of Miami Page 37 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 BH.18 RESOLUTION 9463 Office of Management and Budget A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENTS, AFTER A DULY NOTICED PUBLIC HEARING, RELATING TO THE PROVISION OF SOLID WASTE SERVICES, FACILITIES, AND PROGRAMS IN THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY"); IMPOSING SOLID WASTE ASSESSMENTS AGAINST ASSESSED PROPERTIES LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2021 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2022; APPROVING THE RATE OF ASSESSMENT; APPROVING THE ASSESSMENT ROLL; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0371 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Alex Diaz de Ia Portilla, Commissioner SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner AYES: Russell, Diaz de Ia Portilla, Carollo, Reyes, Watson Vice Chair Russell: And now we will take up the remaining, and we 've already done BH.1, so we will take up BH.I8 through 21. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So moved. Vice Chair Russell: BH.18 through 21, moved by Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla. Commissioner Reyes: Okay. Vice Chair Russell: Seconded by Commissioner -- Commissioner Reyes: Yes, but I -- Vice Chair Russell: -- Reyes. Commissioner Reyes: -- I am proposing a -- I second it, but I have a -- Vice Chair Russell: Okay. Mr. Clerk? Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): And Chair, just so you're aware, BIT.20 is a first reading ordinance, so the title will need to be read into the record. Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Before we vote on 18 through 21, I want to -- this is first reading, correct? Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Commissioner Carollo: I'd like to go into the budget, City of Miami Police Department. Commissioner Reyes: Okay, I -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I agree with that. Commissioner Reyes: Before we go, I have an amendment for the Miami Police Department. And that amendment is that -- City of Miami Page 38 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Vice Chair Russell: Is my dais about to defund the police? Commissioner Reyes: No. Vice Chair Russell: Oh, okay, just checking. Commissioner Reyes: No, no, no. Vice Chair Russell: Just checking. Commissioner Reyes: It's about a position. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Just defund certain positions. Commissioner Reyes: Okay, it's about a position that says one civilian constitutional advisor at $200,000. I think that we have only one legal department, and the legal department is the one that should assign the attorneys, and they have an attorney. Why the chief wants to have an --? Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Because my understanding, I'm wrong, Commissioner, maybe you're more knowledgeable than this, but what I heard, a little bird told me there was like $205, 000. Commissioner Reyes: $200, 000. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Oh, okay. Commissioner Reyes: $200,000. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: It's still pretty high. Commissioner Reyes: But the thing is -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: It's still pretty high up there. Commissioner Reyes: They thing -- they have -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: But they have 16 sworn officers, right? And -- Commissioner Reyes: No, no, 16 that's -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: That's fine. That's fine. Commissioner Reyes: That's fine. I'm fine with that. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: And then one -- Commissioner Reyes: Then one -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: -- one lawyer. Commissioner Reyes: -- civilian constitutional attorney. They have how many, attorneys do you have assigned to the police department? Two. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Two. City of Miami Page 39 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Commissioner Reyes: And he wants -- I mean, the police chief wants to hire his own Attorney. Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): Well, it's two plus all -- so two strictly assigned to them, and then obviously, my office does all the -- Commissioner Reyes: Yes, I don 't -- Ms. Mendez: -- the work. Commissioner Reyes: --1 don't see why we have to spend additional -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So, can we --? Commissioner Reyes: -- $200,000. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Mr. Chair? Commissioner Carollo: I'm going to explain it to you. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So, can we get rid of that particular position and just do the 16 sworn officers? Commissioner Reyes: Absolutely. That's what 1 was -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: As an amendment for now. Commissioner Reyes: That's what I was going to propose. Commissioner Carollo: Let -- let me -- Commissioner Reyes: That what I'm -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I'll support it. Commissioner Reyes: That is my amendment. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah, I'll second that. Commissioner Carollo: No, no, no, no. Vice Chair Russell: So, Commissioner Reyes -- Commissioner Carollo: We have more to go. Vice Chair Russell: -- you want to --? Commissioner Reyes: No, no, well, we're going to start with that. Commissioner Carollo: Okay, can I -- or can get that from you? Commissioner Reyes: I'll rent it to you. Commissioner Carollo: Thank you. Okay. Vice Chair Russell: Alright, Commissioner Reyes, can you be clear on your amendment, please? City of Miami Page 40 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Commissioner Reyes: My amendment is to -- my amendment is to eliminate the one civilian constitutional advisor at $200, 000. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yes. Commissioner Reyes: I don 't know where those funds could go for additional police officers, which I'll be fine, but I don't agree with any department having their own attorneys, you know, paid by the -- by -- I mean -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: But we can also -- I don't know (UNINTELLIGIBLE) --1'm sorry, if may. Vice Chair Russell: Sure. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Then we can just -- if we're going to fund that amount of money (UNINTELLIGIBLE), maybe we give it to the City Attorney's Office to have an additional lawyer. Commissioner Reyes: Absolutely. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Maybe we do that. Commissioner Reyes: Then we can do that. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: And that way -- Commissioner Reyes: Move it -- well move it back to the -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah, so we give you the 200. Commissioner Reyes: I have no problem with it. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: We shift it over to the -- Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Commissioner Reyes: Absolutely. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: -- City Attorney's Office, she gets her additional lawyer -- Commissioner Carollo: That might be good, yeah. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: -- that can serve that function and we -- Commissioner Carollo: Good idea. Commissioner Reyes: Good idea. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah so -- Commissioner Reyes: Good idea. Good point. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah, so we'll just do that. City of Miami Page 41 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Commissioner Reyes: Okay. 1 accept that amendment -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Thank you, sir. Commissioner Reyes: -- to my amendment. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: It's an amendment to the amendment. Commissioner Reyes: Amendment to amendment. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: You're way too much Tallahassee here. I don't like that. Commissioner Carollo: See, now -- Vice Chair Russell: More lawyers. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: No, lawyers are important. Vice Chair Russell: You want to be recognized. Jorge Blanco: Good evening, Chairman and Commission. Jorge Blanco, Budget and Finance Manager for the City of Miami Police Department. Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Sorry, Chair, 1 can 't -- Mr. Blanco: The name as it appears -- Mr. Hannon: -- I can't hear the speaker. Vice Chair Russell: A little closer to the mic, please. Mr. Blanco: Sure. Jorge Blanco, Budget and Finance Manager for the City of Miami Police Department. The name that originally appears, the Constitutional Policing, that was a concept that we were developing at the time of the budget, and it's a concept that exists in other police departments, such as Los Angeles, Houston, and most major -- Commissioner Reyes: This is Miami, sir. Mr. Blanco: -- metropolitan areas. Commissioner Carollo: That's the problem. This is the City of Miami. Commissioner Reyes: This is Miami. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: It's not Los Angeles, not Houston, sorry. Mr. Blanco: Understood, understood. Commissioner Reyes: This is Miami. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: We have our city attorney. Commissioner Reyes: And we have a -- City of Miami Page 42 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Mr. Blanco: 1 understand. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: We have our city attorney. Commissioner Reyes: The legal -- we have a legal department -- Commissioner Carollo: Let's -- Commissioner Reyes: -- and this is Miami. Commissioner Carollo: -- let's not beat around the bush, okay? Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah. Mr. Blanco: So -- Commissioner Carollo: You know, when I was a young man, I was taken out to hunt, and this good old boy taught me that the first thing you do when you hunt quails, you flush them out right away. Well, let's flush this quail out. Commissioner Reyes: That's right. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: You got a good pointer -- you got a good pointer to flush him out. Commissioner Reyes: That's right, a pointer. You got your pointer to flush -- Commissioner Carollo: This position already had a name -- Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Commissioner Carollo: -- and the name was for someone outside of the state of Florida from Texas and they were going to be placed in this position. Mr. Blanco: Okay. Commissioner Carollo: So, let's not beat around the bush anymore with it. Commissioner Reyes: There is a motion and -- Commissioner Carollo: And they weren't even -- they didn't even have the Florida Bar passed as far as I understand. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: That's correct. Commissioner Carollo: So -- Commissioner Reyes: There's a motion. Commissioner Carollo: Okay. So, on that one, unless you want to wait for a few more but -- and we can lump it together but -- Vice Chair Russell: It's all going to be together. Commissioner Carollo: -- it's up to you. Okay. Vice Chair Russell: So, there's been an amendment proposed. City of Miami Page 43 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Commissioner Carollo: Okay, now -- Commissioner Reyes: And there is -- Vice Chair Russell: I'm sorry. Who is the mover and seconder on the -- Commissioner Reyes: -- an amendment to the amendment. Vice Chair Russell: -- on the item? Mr. Hannon: Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla, seconded by Commissioner Reyes. Vice Chair Russell: Got it. Does the mover -- Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Vice Chair Russell: -- accept the amendment? Commissioner Carollo: Here -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yes, I accept the amendment, which shifts the allocation to the City Attorney's Office, so the monies are shifted over there. That's the amendment to the amendment. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, now -- Commissioner Reyes: The amendment to the amendment. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: His amendment -- it was his amendment. It was Commissioner Reyes's amendment. Vice Chair Russell: Yes. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I have an amendment to the amendment. Commissioner Carollo seconded the amendment as amended and now we just vote on it. Commissioner Reyes: That's right. Vice Chair Russell: No, we don't vote until we do everything. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: No? Vice Chair Russell: We'll match all the amendments and then -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah. Vice Chair Russell: -- we're going to go Ibrivard. You wanted to say something. Mr. Blanco: No, I just wanted to clam, right? So, the -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: It doesn't matter how it was. We understand what it was. Mr. Blanco: So, I can't talk to your comment of whether the position was identified -- City of Miami Page 44 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: You're clarifying now before we vote. Mr. Blanco: -- for someone or not. I'm not privy to that, right? So, the correct title for the position would be Deputy Director of Professional Standards and Policy, okay? So, the role would actually add value to what's happening within the police department. Commissioner Carollo: I see. Mr. Blanco: Whether the person is a lawyer or not or outside the agency or internal to the agency -- Commissioner Carollo: Alright. Mr. Blanco: -- I'm not privy to that. Commissioner Carollo: Very well. Give me the other title that you said. It's not Civilian Constitution Advisor. What is the other title? Mr. Blanco: Deputy Director of Professional Standards and Policy. Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Both of those titles, either one, we're not going to fund them. Mr. Blanco: Okay. Commissioner Reyes: That's right. Commissioner Carollo: Okay, either one. Commissioner Reyes: Okay. That's it. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So, there's a -- the Clerk just -- if I may, Mr. Chair. The Clerk explained to me that I was the original -- it was my amendment so -- Vice Chair Russell: You were the mover. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I was a mover. I'm sorry, I was a mover, not the amendment. So, everything that's been said will be incorporated into the whole -- we all agree, amendment to the amendment and everything, including not funding those two positions, correct? Commissioner Reyes: There's only one. Commissioner Carollo: There's only one but -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Oh. Commissioner Carollo: -- since we're -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Oh, different titles. Two different titles. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Commissioner Reyes: Two different titles. Commissioner Carollo: Since we're playing games with titles, you know. City of Miami Page 45 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah, no, no. I'm sorry, 1 missed it, yeah, but okay, Igot it. Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Now, let me go to the next one. We defunded four positions in the rank of major in the police department. Actually, I believe it was five, but one was not filled. Correct me if I'm wrong. Vice Chair Russell: Good evening. Cherise Gause: Good evening, Chair and good evening, Commissioners. Cherise Gause Assistant Chief Miami Police Department. Commissioner Carollo: Yes, ma'am. How many majors positions did we do away with? Ms. Gause: There were a total ofjive positions. One was due to a retirement. We have two that are still open and vacant. And then we had one that was audited to a sergeant -at -arms position and then one was audited to an assistant chief position. Commissioner Carollo: Okay, hold on a minute. Let's go back to that because -- and you know, please bear with me. 1 have a lot of respect for you, so don 't -- Ms. Gause: Thank you. Commissioner Carollo: -- misunderstand me, I'm just trying to, you know, get my bearings correctly because there's different terminologies being used by you, and I want to put it in plain English what happened. We had five majors position, as I understood, that were done away with. Ms. Gause: Yes. Commissioner Carollo: The -- one of those positions was a vacant position. Nobody was serving. Ms. Gause: Correct. Commissioner Carollo: So, there were four -- Ms. Gause: Correct. Commissioner Carollo: -- that we actually had four majors that were set back to whatever prior position they had? Ms. Gause: It was actually three majors. Commissioner Carollo: Three majors? Ms. Cause: Yes. Commissioner Carollo: What happened to the fourth? Ms. Gause: The fourth position was audited and that individual was promoted to an assistant chief. Commissioner Carollo: Who was that? City of Miami Page 46 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Ms. Gause: Thomas Carroll. Commissioner Carollo: Okay, audited. Ms. Gause: Yes. Commissioner Carollo: Okay, but we still did away with the other majors position? Ms. Gause: Yes. Commissioner Carollo: Okay, so I stand -- Ms. Gause: So, there were a total of three. Commissioner Carollo: Okay, so, yeah, but when, you say audited, the bottom line is that we had five majors positions. One was vacant, four were filled, and we don't have those five positions, neither the vacant nor the 'bur that were filled before. Ms. Gause: That's correct. We have two vacancies. Commissioner Carollo: So, we're less five majors position. Now, Major Carroll was promoted to assistant chief which was a new fifth position that was created within the deputy and assistant chiefs that we had because I recall we had a deputy police chief position -- Ms. Gause: Yes. Commissioner Carollo: -- and we had three assistant police chiefs positions. Ms. Gause: Correct. Commissioner Carollo: So, now we have an additional assistant chief position, which in essence, is a deputy position to the chief because one just carries the title of deputy, but they're all assistant -- Ms. Gause: Yes. Commissioner Carollo: -- police chiefs, just like you. So, so far, with the five major positions that we're going to save money in, we're using the money to create this $205, 000 position for the constitutional lawyer, or whatever title you mentioned there, that was coming from Texas. The deputy assistant police chief that we named was another position that we have, came from Texas. Okay, what additional new titles have we created since ChiefAcevedo has come on board within the department? Ms. Gause: The only other new title is the chief of staff, which is a civilian. Commissioner Carollo: Okay, chief of staff. How is that a civilian, okay? Ms. Gause: That is a civilian position, so one of the executive officer positions. Commissioner Carollo: Okay, but did that replace any other of the traditional positions that prior chiefs had? Ms. Gause: So, it was an executive officer position that was then audited to a chief of staff: City of Miami Page 47 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Commissioner Carollo: Okay, so when you say audited, we still kept one position, we just did away with the executive officer title, and it was created into a chief of staff title. Ms. Gause: Correct. We had a total of three executive officers. One was audited to a chief of staff. We still have two executive officer positions remaining. Commissioner Carollo: Okay. So that's fine because you're within the numbers that you were there before. So I would let that one go. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: But Commissioner, it was -- and may I interrupt? Commissioner Carollo: Yes. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Is that the same salary for -- that existed before? Or is it an increase in salary? Those three FTEs (Full Time Employees), the three FTEs, right? Ms. Gause: Yes. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay, and what's the amount for the original three FTEs, executive FTEs, versus these three? Is it more? Ms. Gause: 1 believe it is actually on par. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: On par, it's even? Ms. Gause: Yes. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay, what was the total? Ms. Gause: I believe it's $140,000. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay, for all three? Ms. Gause: No, no, $140,000 each -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Per. Ms. Gause: -- makes a salary of about $140,000. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Per, per? Ms. Gause: Yes. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay. Commissioner Carollo: That is more -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I just wanted to clarify. I just wanted to make -- Commissioner Carollo: That's more than we make up here but that's okay. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I know, well, three times as much, but we just wanted to make -- two and a half Commissioner Carollo: I'm sure I put more hours. City of Miami Page 48 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Ms. Gause: Well, it's also going to depend on that person 's tenure with the department -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Of course. Ms. Gause: -- and so forth, but about 140 or so. Commissioner Carollo: Okay, so when you say his tenure with the department -- Ms. Gause: I'm sorry? Commissioner Carollo: Is he retired from the Miami Police Department? Ms. Gause: Is who retired? Commissioner Carollo: The chief of staff. Ms. Gause: No, it's a new employee. She was previously in a grant funded position. Commissioner Carollo: No, no, I mean the chief of staff position that you said. Ms. Gause: Yes. Commissioner Reyes: Yeah. Ms. Gause: This is a newly created position. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, but is it she or he? Ms. Gause: It's a she. It's a female. Commissioner Carollo: Okay. And -- okay, so she came from within the department or from where? Ms. Gause: Yes, but as a grant funded employee. Commissioner Carollo: As a grant -- okay. Alright. And the executive officer that we have there, what are their names? Ms. Gause: Executive Officer Chavez. Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Ms. Gause: And then we do have one vacancy. Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Ms. Gause: A recent vacancy. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, out of the three that you had originally. Ms. Gause: Yes. Commissioner Carollo: That's fine. Now, what other -- because I believe there's one more position that was a newly created position. Is there any other one at all in the department? City of Miami Page 49 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Ms. Gause: No, I'm not aware of any other position that was created. Commissioner Carollo: Or should I say new title? I mean, you guys used the word audited back and forth. Ms. Gause: No. Commissioner Carollo: That's new to me. I'm sorry. I've never heard that expression before. Ms. Gause: No, sir. It was just the chief of staff which is the only new position. Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Alright. The deputy police chief position, how much is that costing us? Ms. Gause: I believe that salary is 218 annually. Commissioner Carollo: 218? Ms. Gause: Yes. Commissioner Carollo: Okay. What was Deputy Chief Papier making before? Ms. Gause: 1 would have to look into it, but I want to say probably around 210 or so. Do you have it, Jorge? Commissioner Carollo: You guys should have it right there. Ms. Gause: 208. Commissioner Carollo: 208, so -- Ms. Gause: Sony. Commissioner Carollo: -- this person is making how much more than Papier, if you could confirm for me also? Commissioner Dial de la Portilla: 10. Ms. Gause: About 10,000 more. Commissioner Carollo: Okay, so we're still at the 218, not higher? Okay, so they're making even 10,000 more than Papier was. Okay. The -- well, no other titles have been created within the department? Ms. Gause: No. Commissioner Carollo: Well, the -- the guy that, you know, runs the numbers, okay. Mr. Blanco: Jorge Blanco. Commissioner Carollo: You're the bean counter. So do we have any other positions that have been created? Mr. Blanco: No. City of Miami Page 50 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Commissioner Carollo: None? Mr. Blanco: So, the net effect where you're -- Commissioner Carollo: And you'll bet your hair on that, right? Mr. Blanco: I don't have any hair so. (COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD) Mr. Blanco: Listen, I think at the end of the day -- at the end of the day, what you're trying to get at is, after all the changes that were done, there's a net salary savings of $366,814, okay, and the staff is reduced from 40 to 36. Commissioner Carollo: Question. How much does a starting police officer cost us? Mr. Blanco: Based on the -- Commissioner Carollo: A rookie police officer. Mr. Blanco: -- not the current contract that's being negotiated. I believe it's $53, 000. Commissioner Carollo: How much? Mr. Blanco: 53,000. Commissioner Carollo: 53,000. Mr. Blanco: $52,800, $53,000, somewhere in there, sir. Commissioner Reyes: That's with benefits? Mr. Blanco: That's the FOP (Fraternal Order of Police) starting stage one. Commissioner Reyes: Yes, that is -- Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Commissioner Reyes: -- that is salary plus benefits? Mr. Blanco: No, just the salary. Commissioner Reyes: Just the salary. Mr. Blanco: Just the salary. Commissioner Reyes: So, about 20 percent more for benefits. Commissioner Carollo: About 52, okay. So -- Commissioner Reyes: (INAUDIBLE). Commissioner Carollo: -- 4 times 52 is the 208,000 that Assistant Chief Deputy Police Chief and former Acting Chief Papier, was making. Four new officers is that amount. We still got 10,000 to spare. So, this is what I'm going to propose. You guys wanted to cut all the majors positions out. You thought you had too many. I think we City of Miami Page 51 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 have one too many in the upper ranks where we only had four assistant chiefs, now we got five. Mr. Blanco: No, no, no, no, no. We have four, four assistant chiefs -- Commissioner Carollo: And a deputy. Mr. Blanco: And one deputy chief. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, but look, from my point of view, they're all assistant chiefs, just that the chief decided to name one of them his deputy. But it falls within the same area. We could call it whatever we want to. It's the same. It's like assistant city Managers. Mr. Blanco: But I think they have different responsibilities and the size of the department and the city that -- Commissioner Carollo: Well, the responsibilities can change. We've always, for decades, had four. Got along fine with four. In fact, probably where you needed a little bit more push was maybe on the captain 's side, or you know, maybe not have taken out so many majors. But where I'm going to now is that, in the sanie motion, I am going to take out the position of deputy police chief leave it with four assistant police chiefs. He could use whoever he wants to act as a deputy. He might have, depending on what the circumstances holds, different assistants to be deputy from time to time, but with the savings that we would then have in that position, then I would put that money to hire four additional police officers. Commissioner Reyes: Who is the deputy police chief that he wants? Commissioner Carollo: No. Commissioner Reyes: Can you identify the deputy chief -- police chief? Commissioner Carollo: What I'm talking is the position. I don't know the name of the person. Commissioner Reyes: No, no, no, but it is very important. To me it's very important because some of the deputies that are -- I mean, the assistant police chief -- Commissioner Carollo: There's one deputy only in the budget. Commissioner Reyes: Well, who is -- who is occupying that? Mr. Blanco: So, the position is filled, and her name is Heather Morris, is the deputy chief ofpolice. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, okay. Commissioner Reyes: Okay. Commissioner Carollo: This is the lady that applied to police chief in Fort Lauderdale recently. Mr. Blanco: That's correct. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, and she did not make it by far. City of Miami Page 52 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Just for clarification, so the four assistants remain in place. Commissioner Carollo: Will stay. Commissioner Reyes: Remain in place. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: And the deputy -- Commissioner Carollo: They remain in place. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: -- the title deputy, the lady that applied to Fort Lauderdale -- Commissioner Reyes: Okay because -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: -- is out. Commissioner Carollo: That deputy position -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: The budget for it is out. Commissioner Carollo: -- is out. Correct. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay, I just wanted to understand, okay. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, that is correct. And with the savings that we will now have on that salary, we can hire four additional police officers. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Beyond the 16. Commissioner Reyes: Beyond the 16. Commissioner Carollo: Beyond the 16. That's right. Commissioner Reyes: Increase to 20. Commissioner Carollo: It's increased to 20. So that is my final motion. Oh, by the way, how many new motorcycles were we putting in the budget? Mr. Blanco: Yes. We do have a request Ihr some motors. Commissioner Carollo: I'm just curious. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: And Commissioner Carollo, because you're very good with -- if I may, -- you're very good with numbers. So, the four additional police officers that we're adding, at the 52 salary plus benefits, right? Not at -- Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, but the -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Not at any -- Commissioner Carollo: No, no, of course, they get benefits, but what the -- on the salary that this deputy chief is making, it's actually $10,000 more. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right, 218. City of Miami Page 53 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, the benefits are not included in the salary. Commissioner Reyes: That's right. Commissioner Carollo: That's all separate. Commissioner Reyes: It's going to be about 20 percent on the -- Commissioner Carollo: Exactly so -- Commissioner Reyes: -- on her salary also. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right, but does it have to be 'bur or can it be two executives? Let's say hypothetically, like the sergeant's office or something of that nature? Vice Chair Carollo: Well, look -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Is it just the amount? Or is -- Commissioner Carollo: That's another possibility that you have, because what I wanted to go back to was what was mentioned here, that this auditing, the word auditing means that they switch. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I never heard it. Commissioner Carollo: I never heard it. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: It's just like I never heard socializing until I met Art Noriega. What the heck is socializing, right? Commissioner Carollo: The auditing, you know, I guess in plain English is they switch to another position. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Change of title. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. I heard something on sergeant -of -arms in one position, so I -- you know, I'll visit that in a minute to see, you know, how that switch or what it was. Commissioner Reyes: Can you repeat that name again? Auditing? Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Auditing. Commissioner Carollo: Auditing. Commissioner Reyes: Auditing? Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah. Commissioner Reyes: Auditing to me is -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: You're an economist. I know. I know. I know it means something different. Commissioner Reyes: I mean, it's auditing, I'll check what you're doing and look at all the numbers. City of Miami Page 54 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So, auditing to you guys is kind of switching the title of the position so you have something (INAUDIBLE) -- Mr. Blanco: No, that's a process. The City has an established process where you take a position and you audit that position into another classification. So, it's an estab -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right, so you change the name of the position. Mr. Blanco: It's not only changing the name, it's changing the responsibilities and the roles and responsibilities of the position. Commissioner Carollo: And -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: My English is pretty good and I never used auditing in that sense but well -- Mr. Blanco: Well -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: -- maybe that's an internal thing that you guys do. Mr. Blanco: But 1'd like to make a comment before we go any further because 1 think there's just some clarification that's required, right? So, the department has gone through a restructuring process where now there's created a different section, right? So, before we only had FOD (Field Operations Division), SIS (Special Investigative Section), and Investigations, right? So, now we've created a fourth entity, right? (COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD) Mr. Blanco: Right. But we've created -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Oh, auditing, they're auditing. Mr. Blanco: So, the point that I'm trying to make -- Ms. Mendez: Commissioner. Mr. Blanco: -- is that each of the sections has an assistant chief for each of the sections. So, Mr. Morales does FOD, Aguilar does SIS -- CID (Criminal Investigations Division), sorry, Assistant Chief Goss does Administration, and Assistant Chief Carroll does SIS. Commissioner Carollo: But you basically have the same amount of officers -- Mr. Blanco: Special Operations. Commissioner Carollo: -- as you had before so this is very simple. All you have to do is give a little bit more to one of the assistant chief that doesn 't have enough in his plate to supervise, and they could handle it. Believe me, they could handle it. Now, on that sergeant -of -arms that you mentioned that got audited, where was the sergeant of arms at and where did he get audited to? Ms. Gause: His previous title is what you're asking, sir? He was assigned to the Special Investigations Section -- Commissioner Carollo: Okay. City of Miami Page 55 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Ms. Gause: -- and the position was audited to create another sergeant at arms position. Commissioner Carollo: But wasn't that Camacho's position? Ms. Gause: I'm sorry? Commissioner Carollo: Wasn't that Camacho's position? Ms. Gause: No. Commissioner Carollo: So, we had -- Ms. Gause: No, we still -- Commissioner Carollo: So, you mean we have room for another, a fourth one? Ms. Gause: We still have a vacant sergeant -at -arms position. Commissioner Reyes: A vacant. Commissioner Carollo: Okay, so -- Commissioner Reyes: Which that is Camacho. Commissioner Carollo: Okay, for the Commission side, which -- how many sergeant - of -arms do we have? We have Abbott, we have Albert, we have the audited one -- Ms. Gause: Tillman. Commissioner Carollo: -- and you have -- Ms. Gause: Andrea Preston. Commissioner Carollo: -- still one additional one that is available. Ms. Gause: Is vacant, yes. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: But Andrea has been assigned upstairs, right? Because my understanding is the chief said there were four upstairs and three downstairs. So Andrea doesn't count. That's what we're talking about. Commissioner Carollo: Who? Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Andrea Preston is the one you're talking about? Commissioner Carollo: And she's upstairs. Ms. Gause: Andrea Preston is assigned to -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: She's upstairs. Ms. Gause: -- the mayor. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, but my understanding, and maybe you picked it up more than I did, I'm sorry, that for down here we have Albert. City of Miami Page 56 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yes. Commissioner Carollo: We have Abbott. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yes. Commissioner Carollo: And we have the audited one. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right. Commissioner Carollo: Is that you, Freddy? (COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD) Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: He doesn't know. He doesn't know vet. Commissioner Reyes: And we had -- we had -- according to what we discussed, that date, we will have, I think, a couple of, that they will come in as necessary. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right, the separate -- Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: -- but we're talking about sergeant, not this special Commissioner Reyes: That's right. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right, the separate one. Commissioner Carollo: But see, this is where -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: But Andrea Preston is not accurate because Andrea Preston is assigned upstairs. And the chief was very clear that there were four upstairs and they would never come downstairs -- Commissioner Reyes: That's right. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: -- unless the mayor came down here and one of them comes, one, right? And the other one stays up there. But there's four up there and three up here and they would never come -- the one upstairs can never come down here or are told not to come down here, right? Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, but -- Unidentified Speaker: 111 may address the Commissioner. Commissioner Carollo: Hold on for a second. Commissioner -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I just want to figure it out. Commissioner Carollo: But see, I think you -- you remember what I thought (UNINTELLIGIBLE), 'bur upstairs and three down here. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yes, sir. City of Miami Page 57 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Commissioner Carollo: But now I'm finding out that there's four in the budget down here. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right, exactly. Commissioner Reyes: But we have three. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right. Commissioner Reyes: There's one position -- Commissioner Carollo: But we got three. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right. Commissioner Reyes: She says that there is one position that is open. Commissioner Carollo: Uh-huh. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right. And, sir, was it originally proposed by me that we have five? Commissioner Carollo: You talked -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: One, two, three, four, five. Commissioner Carollo: You talked about five, but this is not five. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right, it's four. Commissioner Carollo: This is four. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right. Commissioner Carollo: And no one talked to us -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Never. Commissioner Carollo: -- to see if we wanted beyond the three that we had discussed that day. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Correct. Commissioner Carollo: As you remember -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yes, sir. Commissioner Carollo: -- I said, look, you know, let's get a couple of other people qualified that work in one of the other units there in case we ever had a situation that all five of us or four of us -- Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Commissioner Carollo: -- need one, then we could go to someone else. Commissioner Reyes: Yes, but -- City of Miami Page 58 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Commissioner Carollo: So, you know, no one ever came back to speak to me about any of that, to you -- Commissioner Reyes: Commissioner -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Not to me, not to me. Commissioner Reyes: -- Commissioner; let me say this. Let me just say this and clarify this. At the moment that we were asking for five and then they said there's three, then the chief said I'm going to have two that they are going to be used as needed. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Commissioner Reyes: Okay. That -- Commissioner Carollo: Because we proposed that. We proposed that. Commissioner Reyes: That's right. And we proposed that three plus two. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Correct. Commissioner Reyes: It is five, but there was going to be three permanent and two that will come in as needed. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right. Commissioner Reyes: I think that that was -- Unidentified Speaker: Chairman, ifI can address what we have -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Now -- Commissioner Reyes: That's right. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: -- but before you do because I want to try to understand between the commissioners what we're talking about. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, we have to settle this between us here. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah, Commissioner Carollo 's correct. He 's already identified four. Commissioner Reyes: No, but nobody -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: No, its all you. Hold on. It's all you because still the total is five, but they've already identified four. Commissioner Reyes: That's right. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So, why is it so -- so why is it so convoluted and so complicated instead of us just simply budgeting, because we have the power to budget, right, nobody else does. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, but -- Commissioner Reyes: No, no, no. City of Miami Page 59 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: -- just budget ,five here and three up there (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and we're good to go. Commissioner Reyes: The question is also why if we are four and they are four, that position was not filled? Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: That's the first question. The second question is why don't we just budget, cut through the chase, and just budget jive. Commissioner Reyes: And get another one. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: And that's it. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, but -- but -- Commissioner Reyes: But it's -- Commissioner Carollo: Commissioners, Commissioners, here's what's starting to bother me. In that meeting, it was agreed that there would be four fbr upstairs for the mayor and three for us. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: That's correct, yes. Commissioner Carollo: And two officers that would not be sergeant -of -arms would be in standby in case we ever got into a situation that, a rare situation, that more than three of us would need a sergeant -of -arms. No one said anything to me about a fourth in the budget. No one said anything to you -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: No. Commissioner Carollo: -- I don't believe to any of us. Commissioner Reyes, did somebody say something to you that there was going to be a fourth sergeant -of -arms that was going to be put in the budget? Commissioner Reyes: No. Commissioner Carollo: Okay, so that -- Commissioner Reyes: No, I didn't know that that it was in the budget. Commissioner Carollo: So, that's -- no, none of us knew that. So, here we .find another sergeant -of -arms that was stuck, and now I'm hearing that it's for us, but I really don't know where the sergeant -of -arms is supposed to go to. And this is problematic for me. To begin with, the audited one, if Camacho would be back, and I know they want to put him up against a foreign wall, you know, without a blindfold. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: (FOREIGN LANGUAGE). Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Commissioner Reyes: (FOREIGN LANGUAGE). Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. He would have that, but this is a -- you know, this is where the games happen, and this is where they're caught. Listen guys, I started here when I was just a kid. I've seen it all. This is the fourth time I've been around as commissioner, run twice as a mayor. I've had every other title you could count in the City of Miami Page 60 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 city, and I've also been a city manager. Besides other things, it's between me and the jobs that I've had. So, I'm too old right now to play games, and I'm not going to play them, and if there's any doubt whatsoever, any doubt whatsoever that whatever game anybody wants to play is going to end up bad, real had for them, just tsy me. I don 't shoot with blank bullets. Now, I don't know where the heck this extra sergeant -of - arms came from, but this had never been approved by the Commission, this had never been discussed with any of us, and all of a sudden it's knocked into the budget. I know how to read budgets, believe me. I've done budgets when I was in Doral. I saved them more money than they have ever seen when I got there and took the budget apart that had recently been given to them. But the Manager knows 1 don't have the time for that now. 1 don't have the staff for that support. If there were three of me today, there still wouldn't be enough. And I do not appreciate these kinds of games. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you, Commissioner. Commissioner Carollo: Now, what is the will of this body to do with this extra mysterious position of sergeant -of -arms? Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Commissioner. I would like to give the Administration a chance to respond. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, that's fine, that's fine, Chairman, but we need to discuss -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah, we're having a debate among commissioners. Vice Chair Russell: He may have the answer to the mystery of where it came from. Commissioner Reyes: That's right. But before that, before that, I'm going to ask, please, Commissioner, don't steal my line. I am the one that is too old for this. I'm also -- I'm also -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: No, but you're commissioner -- Commissioner Carollo: I'm too old, you're way too old. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: You're the (UNINTELLIGIBLE). You're Commissioner (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Commissioner Reyes: Let me tell you this. I started working at the City of Miami back in 1977 as a budget analyst, you see, as a budget analyst. And I also was a senior budget analyst for the school system. I know budgets too, sir. Commissioner Carollo: But that's all -- Commissioner Reyes: But don't steal my line, please. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I'm a new kid on the block, so I listen to my elders. I'm okay. Commissioner Reyes: Well, you can -- you can say I'm too young for this. Commissioner Carollo: But they snuck that one on you too today. Vice Chair Russell: Alright. I want to regain some control to get us back on timeliness because we've done an amazing job today, but I definitely wanted the Commissioners City of Miami Page 61 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 to get this all out on the table. The department would like to respond with regard to the issue of sergeant -at -arms. Art Acevedo (Police Chief): Good evening again, Commissioners. First, I want to clarify that the deputy position was 218, 217, 987. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, but that's what we said to those two. Mr. Acevedo: No, they said 208. Commissioner Carollo: No, no, 208 was for -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: The old one, Papier. Commissioner Carollo: Papier. Mr. Acevedo: Right, but he was -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: The new one was 217 now, yeah. Mr. Acevedo: -- making 218. Commissioner Carollo: The new one's making -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: You added 10K to it. Commissioner Carollo: -- 10,000 -- Mr. Acevedo: No, he was making $217,987 -- Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Mr. Acevedo: -- round off to $218,000, it's the same salary. Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Mr. Acevedo: The other thing that I think -- Commissioner Carollo: We still have $10,000 more than we need for -- we still have $10, 000 more than we need for four officers. Mr. Acevedo: No, it's -- the point is that it was two -- he was making $217,987, the new deputy is making the same salary. Commissioner Carollo: That's right, it wasn't much of a difference between one and the other. Mr. Acevedo: Yeah, the other thing that I think is important for the Commission that has not come out is that when we made our assessment, we actually saved -- reduced the budget for $366,814 was the salary savings that we 've achieved. Now I would just urge the Commission to -- actually Commissioner, you quite frankly, in one-on-one meetings with you, you've recommended I bring in a deputy from the outside and I think it's really important to have a deputy chief for the department. They've had a deputy for many years now and I would just urge the Commissioners to reconsider that in light of the fact that we did in fact save $366,814. And in terms of the fourth, we had that discussion where we advised the Commission, I'm sure there's video ofit, that we had added an additional individual to -- the fourth one to the Mayor's office, City of Miami Page 62 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 the Mayor's floor, and we're going to have three here, and the direction was (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah, I'm having difficulty understanding. Mr. Acevedo: I'm sorry, Commissioner. Commissioner Carollo: We could hear you better. Mr. Acevedo: And the direction was to have an additional personnel. We were going to -- Commissioner Carollo: You do have your shots, right? Mr. Acevedo: Say again, sir? Commissioner Carollo: You do have your shots, right? Mr. Acevedo: Yes, sir, ves. Commissioner Carollo: We're okay. We're okay. Mr. Acevedo: Yeah, 1 'm that Attila the Hun that wants everybody to get shots. Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Mr. Acevedo: I mean, vaccinations, not gunshots. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I know, I saw the interview. Mr. Acevedo: So, the discussion a few months back was that we would have alternates trained in executive protection. We 'd keep using them and that we would continue to monitor the needs of the Commission. And when we added the fourth, because I see the characterization that we're hiding it, it's right here in the budget, it's actually been around since this budget -- current budget year isn't quite accurate. The discussion was we're going to add a fourth to deal with that workload up there and three here and we were going to commingle the two units. We were basically -- the four up there are going to work up there, the three down here are going to work down here, and they would have additional executive protection trained SIS members. Commissioner Carollo: But see, where is thatfourth sergeant -of -arms down here? Mr. Acevedo: We added it -- we converted a position after an audit in this current budget. So, in order to move it forward, we'd have to obviously continue it moving forward. Commissioner Carollo: So, in other words, what you 're telling me is that you have four sergeant- of -arms for upstairs and four sergeant -of arms for downstairs on this budget? Mr. Acevedo: We have three currently and we have a cadre of trained personnel in executive protection. Commissioner Carollo: Chief look -- Mr. Acevedo: But we have -- City of Miami Page 63 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Commissioner Carollo: -- you're -- Commissioner Reyes: Talking about positions. Mr. Acevedo: And you all were going to let us know -- Commissioner Carollo: You 're playing with words now. We have, yeah, three that are physically here. Mr. Acevedo: Yes. Commissioner Carollo: But there's a fourth position that is budgeted. So this is what I'm talking about. There are four positions that are budgeted jor the Commission, yes or no? Mr. Acevedo: I'd have to double check with the budget officer. We -- my recollection, we have three. Commissioner Carollo: This is what she has said so -- Mr. Acevedo: Oh, we do have one. What do we have? Commissioner Reyes: One empty. Mr. Acevedo: We do have one vacancy, Commissioner. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: That's four FTEs. Mr. Acevedo: Yes. Commissioner Reyes: And one is vacant. Mr. Acevedo: Yes. Commissioner Carollo: Come on, look. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay. Commissioner Carollo: You didn't know that? I mean -- Mr. Acevedo: It's been a long day, Commissioner. I could just leave it at that. Commissioner Carollo: No, no, no, no, no, no. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: For all of us, right? For all of us. Commissioner Carollo: I'm sorry. It's been a long day for all of us. Mr. Acevedo: Yeah. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: For all of us, yeah. Commissioner Carollo: But I can 't buy the fact that you didn't know that we had four here, and you're dancing around what you're telling me with words. And that's not good, Chief That's not good. If you -- you know, I've seen that in the past, and it's not a good sign. You know well, you 're a smart guy. You looked at the budget, there 's no City of Miami Page 64 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 way that a fourth position for a sergeant -of -arms for the Commission was going to be put in our budget without you not knowing it or approving it. Mr. Acevedo: I'm talking about the fourth position upstairs. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: No, we're talking about the one here. Commissioner Carollo: You just -- Mr. Acevedo: Well, then I misspoke, then I apologize. Commissioner Carollo: And you keep, you know, shifting games. Look, if you want, I'll bring the three little, you know, cups, and we'll put the bean, and we can move it around. I know how to do that, too. Remember, I was raised in Chicago as a kid. Mr. Acevedo: In where? Commissioner Carollo: Chicago. That's where I was raised. Commissioner Reyes: Al Capone. Commissioner Carollo: So, gentlemen, what is the will of this Commission and this extra position that we now know is there? Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: If you allow me to ask a few questions, Chair, and I'm not going to make it long, l promise. Vice Chair Russell: Yes, but before you do, I just want to make sure we capture -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Just to follow up because I don't want to lose -- no, he -- Vice Chair Russell: I want clarity on an amendment. So, I just need to get clarity, on the amendment, and I'll absolutely recognize you. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Absolutely. Vice Chair Russell: So, Commissioner, we captured the very first amendment earlier, but did you have a specific amendment with regard to additional officers versus the deputy? Commissioner Carollo: Yes, I did. Vice Chair Russell: So, I need to make sure that gets accepted by the mover and the seconder. So -- Commissioner Carollo: Yes. Vice Chair Russell: -- can you state that clearly? Commissioner Carollo: My additional amendment is that the position of deputy police chief -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Be eliminated. Commissioner Carollo: -- be eliminated from the budget -- City of Miami Page 65 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Commissioner Reyes: In lieu of. Commissioner Carollo: -- in lieu of hiring four additional police officers. Commissioner Reyes: Police officers, patrolmen. Commissioner Carollo: Patrolmen. Commissioner Reyes: That's it. Commissioner Carollo: You -- Commissioner Reyes: That's an amendment to the amendment to the amendment. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Vice Chair Russell: So, does that -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Three degrees, three degrees. Vice Chair Russell: -- has that deputy position been staffed? Commissioner Reyes: It's staffed (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Vice Chair Russell: So, by eliminating it, are you dismissing somebody? Commissioner Reyes: Yes, that's what -- Commissioner Carollo: Well, you know what -- Commissioner Reyes: -- that's (UNINTELLIGIBLE) or could be moved. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: But you're not hiring someone who is proposed to be hired. Vice Chair Russell: That's what I'm asking, have they already been hired? Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Well, somebody could have hired, but we're the ones who do the budget. Commissioner Reyes: But that person -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right? Commissioner Reyes: -- will be moved to another -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: But we have to allocate the money. The Commission does the budget. Somebody can have great ideas, but if we don't fund it, it doesn't happen. That's the way government works, you know that. So they may have promised someone a job, but it hasn't been funded. There is no funding for the job, the job doesn't exist, right? Vice Chair Russell: Yes, I just didn't know if somebody's in place on that job yet. Commissioner Reyes: Yes, it is. City of Miami Page 66 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: 1 think someone's been interviewed, somebody's been picked, and maybe that person won't he -- that position, forget the person, that position will not be funded. That's what we're talking about, that's the debate we're having. But I need clarification on one thing before you go on because, Commissioner, because it's related to this. I just want -- it's a couple of questions only. Fernando, how much total did you allocate to the police department in the 10 point -- I think 10.7 million of the Administration's proposal for different, including the police department, the firefighters, how much of that was for the police department? Fernando Casamayor (Assistant City Manager/Chief Financial Officer): So, not including the amendment, reducing the -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: No, we're talking about what you proposed, not what we're changing now. Mr. Casamayor: Right, so. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Again, you're a mask, I'm having difficulty hearing. Maybe I have a little bit of a cold, so my hearing -- Mr. Casamayor: Sorry, sir, I forget I'm wearing it. So, $2.6 million in the proposed budget, that was for the additional positions. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay, so that's for 17 positions, 16 sworn and one civilian, which we're going to eliminate, but one sworn. Mr. Casamayor: And -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: But the one civilian. Mr. Casamayor: Right. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: What else? Mr. Casamayor: And $1.5 million for capital costs. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay, and the $1.5 million for capital costs is for what? Mr. Casamayor: Those are for -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: For what specifically? Mr. Casamayor: I'll let the police tell you exactly what those line items are for. I don 't have the details in front of me. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Well, what's an additional -- because we're giving the police department two point -- I want to make clear to everyone listening, we're funding the police to the tune of $2.6 million more. We're not taking anything away. We're actually adding $2.6 million, $1.3 million in salaries, right, funded positions, and the rest in? Commissioner Carollo: And nobody -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: That's my last -- City of Miami Page 67 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Commissioner Carollo: -- nobody ever told me how many additional motorcycles we're getting. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Well, that's -- I know. I know because -- Mr. Blanco: Because we're jumping over but we have that. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: They have a problem with precise language, right? You know, six motorcycles, two police cars, ten raiders. Just be precise. Mr. Blanco: Do we want to talk about the motorcycles? Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I want to talk about -- Commissioner Reyes: Yeah. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Tell me what the money's for. Mr. Blanco: Okay. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: What are you buying? Mr. Blanco: So, the motorcycles, we're going to go back to the motorcycles -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Is this within the $1.6 million? Mr. Blanco: No. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay. Commissioner Reyes: What brand --? Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: No. Let's take it one step at a time. I like the motorcycle question too. Mr. Blanco: Okay, so that's (INAUDIBLE) -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: But one step at a time. Tell me with this additional Mr. Blanco: I was going to find it, but then we jumped. So, let me find it and I'll tell you in a second. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay. Yes, sir. Commissioner Reyes: Are they Harley or BMWs? Mr. Blanco: They're Harlevs. Commissioner Reyes: Good. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Made in the USA. Commissioner Reyes: Made in the USA. Leon Michel (Assistant Director): Leon Michel, for the Office of Management and Budget. Police Department, we give them $2.6 million, for 17 new positions, 16 sworn City of Miami Page 68 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 personnel and one civilian, and $1.5 million for capital projects. And the capital projects -- Commissioner Reyes: The civilian is the one that we eliminate. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: The capital projects are? Commissioner Carollo: Excuse me. Mr. Michel: Yeah. Commissioner Carollo: The 17 sworn personnel -- Unidentified Speaker: 16. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: 16. Mr. Michel: 16 sworn personnel -- Commissioner Carollo: 16, okay. Mr. Michel: -- and one civilian. Commissioner Carollo: And one civilian. Okay, now that's what 1 want. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay, hold on. Let me get the 1.5 first. Commissioner Reyes: No, but I wanted to identify the civilian. The civilian was the position that was the constitutional attorney? Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Lawyer. Mr. Michel: Yes, that position -- Commissioner Reyes: Okay. Mr. Michel: -- I'm sorry. We just -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Was part of the amendment that we have to eliminate that position. Commissioner Reyes: That position is eliminated. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right. And the 1.5 million? Mr. Michel: And for the CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) system, the CAD. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: The CAD system. Mr. Michel: Yeah, CAD. And taser too. I think that includes some taser. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So tasers and what else? Mr. Michel: Okay, hold on a second. One million dollars for the taser. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: One million. City of Miami Page 69 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Mr. Michel: 1.43 for the CAD, 155 for CCTV (Closed Circuit TV) mobile trailer, 180 and that's it. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: And what's that? A body camera? Mr. Michel: For the trailer? The body cam. I think it's a body cam. And taser is $1 million. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: On top of that, okay. Mr. Michel: That's the total, yeah. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay, that was my clarification. And the 16 sworn officers, they could be divided any way we choose according to our amendment, or are you going to allow it to be -- demand that it be 16 officers? Commissioner Reyes: Officers. 16 officers. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Or could we --? Commissioner Reyes: Let me tell you, we need more police in the street. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Of course. That's my -- Commissioner Reyes: We need more police officers in the street. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I agree. Commissioner Reyes: That's why I said -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I agree. Commissioner Reyes: -- fine with this 16 plus the other four that we are -- and if we can use the $200,000 that were assigned for the constitutional attorney on police officers, I'm all for it. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay. And that goes to the city -- Vice Chair Russell: That amendment's already been captured to spend it elsewhere though, so if you'd like to -- Commissioner Reyes: That's right. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: And that goes to -- Vice Chair Russell: But we can amend it. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: That goes to the city -- Vice Chair Russell: Do you want more lawyers or you want more police? Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: That goes to the City Attorney's Office. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, that went to the Attorney's Office. Commissioner Reyes: It went -- it went -- City of Miami Page 70 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Commissioner Carollo: Madam City Attorney, do you truly need an additional attorney to keep track of everything in the police department? Ms. Mendez: So, what I need is two attorneys. I don 't need an extra attorney in police. Commissioner Carollo: Okay, so we're going to take that money back then. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah. Commissioner Carollo: And we're going to put -- Vice Chair Russell: You already have two attorneys. Commissioner Carollo: -- four additional -- you have two attorneys there, right? Vice Chair Russell: You told us earlier you have two attorneys within the department -- within your department. Ms. Mendez: Right, I have two attorneys there. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, okay. Vice Chair Russell: Yes. Ms. Mendez: I don 't need to add another attorney over there. Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Ms. Mendez: I need -- I need in my office -- not dealing with police matters -- in a perfect world, I need two more attorneys. Vice Chair Russell: Different story. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: She wants to take -- Ms. Mendez: So, I wanted to take that position -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: You can't blame her. Commissioner Reyes: You know, I mean -- Ms. Mendez: -- that position that you were -- Commissioner Reyes: We opened up the door -- Ms. Mendez: I need -- Commissioner Reyes: -- you know, she's no fool. She said, okay, give it to me. Give it to me. Vice Chair Russell: You can 't blame her for trying. Ms. Mendez: No, I'm serious. Commissioner Carollo: Well, how come -- Ms. Mendez: So, I thought you gave me one attorney. City of Miami Page 71 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Commissioner Carollo: -- how come -- how come you hadn't asked for that in the budget before? We would have given it to you. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah. Ms. Mendez: Because I don 't like asking for things unless -- Commissioner Reyes: Oh, come on. Ms. Mendez: -- there's the opportunity like this. It was -- you know, I don't like asking you for stuff Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So, can we give her one new attorney and an additional sergeant and that way we're five sergeants down here and four upstairs? Commissioner Reyes: Yeah. How much you need? Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: And she gets an attorney and we're good to go. Commissioner Reyes: How much do you need for one attorney? Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: One hundred. Commissioner Carollo: What did you say in the sergeant? Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: One additional sergeant, four to five. Commissioner Carollo: For here? Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: For here. And then one for her. We take the 200 and we split it. Commissioner Carollo: Well, the sergeant -of -arms is already in the budget that was proposed. Commissioner Reyes: Yes, it is. Commissioner Carollo: To be the fourth sergeant -of -arms. Commissioner Reyes: Yeah, four. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right. Commissioner Carollo: The only thing is we have to specify within the budget that it 's for here. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right, because it's -- right. Commissioner Carollo: Because somehow -- Commissioner Reyes: I have the suspicion. Commissioner Carollo: -- I don't think it was specified, so we have to spec it's for here and then we're fine. You better get a real good attorney or an additional 205 that you're going to get, yeah. City of Miami Page 72 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Why are you being so generous with her? Commissioner Carollo: Well that's what that had for an attorney. I mean -- Commissioner Reyes: That's what we did set up. Commissioner Carollo: -- and she is going to give one that's, you know, that's got their Florida bar, not Texas bar. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Oh, okay, it's okay. Alright, we'll give it to her. It's fine. Vice Chair Russell: But not police related. So, we're just -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Not police related. Commissioner Reyes: No, no, no. Vice Chair Russell: -- allocating an additional budget to the Attorney 's Office. Commissioner Reyes: She -- the police department already has two attorneys assigned. Vice Chair Russell: Yes, that I understand. Commissioner Reyes: Okay, we are going to give her one more, so she -- I mean, another position, so she can use it for City business. Vice Chair Russell: Got it. So, gentlemen, there's a lot of discussion going around. Every time there's a change, I need it incorporated as an amendment -- Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Vice Chair Russell: -- where the mover and the seconder approves. Commissioner Carollo: Let me include it for the amendment. We have given the City Attorney one additional position to use for an additional attorney at her discretion. The only other thing that we have to add or do is confirm in the budget that this fourth sergeant -of -arms position for the Commission is only assigned to the Commission. So, it would be as was told to us that the chief didn't know about. It's late, he forgot, he didn't remember. That that fourth position stays in the budget -- Commissioner Reyes: Exactly. Commissioner Carollo: -- with the caveat that he specified Commission, four sergeant -of -arms for the Commission, four sergeant -of -arms -- Commissioner Reyes: For the Mayor. Commissioner Carollo: -- for the Mayor. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: And the third thing is that the 17th position in the $2.3 million allocation for a civilian is eliminated. Commissioner Reyes: Yes, yes. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: The 7th -- City of Miami Page 73 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Vice Chair Russell: Chief of Staff. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: -- the Chief of Staff -- no, no, the deputy. Mr. Blanco: No, the constitutional policing. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: The constitutional lawyer. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, that's the one that we're giving to the City Attorney. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: But it has to be eliminated from the existing proposal, which is -- Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So we take that out. Commissioner Carollo: That's -- Commissioner Reyes: I do understand what he's saying. Commissioner Carollo: -- part of the motion, that position -- Vice Chair Russell: The amendment. Commissioner Carollo: -- or whatever other name that he wants to use for so we're not being played with later on, it's eliminated. Mr. Blanco: Understood. Vice Chair Russell: Just a moment, just a moment. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: And I have one more question because we had a conversation about -- Commissioner Reyes: Mr. Chair, they're driving you nuts. Commissioner Carollo: We're -- Vice Chair Russell: We're adding stuff I need to clarify what we've got so far. Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Bean Counter, if there are games played with that position later on, that you, you know, tried to move the cups and hide the bean, I will call immediately for a budget amendment, a hearing. In the new budget amendment, your position will go to dust also. And if I have to go up the ladder, I'll keep doing that. So, I don't want any games like I saw here a few minutes ago, because I'm reading through people's minds. You know, in my prior life, you know, I was a mind reader. Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Clerk, can you -- Commissioner Reyes: I thought you knew so much because you were old. Vice Chair Russell: -- do you have un-clarity with regard to the amendment that's being proposed? City of Miami Page 74 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Mr. Hannon: So, as of this time, it's my understanding that there's one amendment that has been accepted by the mover and seconder, and that 's to eliminate the $200,000 for the one civilian position moving it to the City Attorney. Commissioner Carollo: It's about $205,000. Mr. Hannon: I'm sorry, $205,000. Mr. Blanco: No, $200,000. Commissioner Carollo: It's $200,000 exactly. Well, I thought 1 heard 205 before. Vice Chair Russell: Alright. Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Vice Chair Russell: Go ahead, Mr. Clerk. Mr. Hannon: 200,000. So, that's the one amendment that the mover and seconder have accepted. It's my understanding that there 's another amendment that was on the floor, and that was to take out the deputy police chief leaving four assistant police chiefs, using the savings to hire four more patrolmen. Commissioner Reyes: With police deputy. Mr. Hannon: But now is the mover and -- Commissioner Reyes: Deputy police. Commissioner Carollo: Deputy police chief's position. Commissioner Reyes: Deputy police. Mr. Hannon: Yes, yes. Commissioner Carollo: For $218, 000, they said, approximately. Mr. Hannon: And that would now -- those funds would be use to hire four new patrolmen. Commissioner Reyes: Four more, four police officers. Mr. Hannon: But the -- Commissioner Carollo: Four new patrohnen. Mr. Hannon: And -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Four sworn police officers. Commissioner Carollo: Yes. Commissioner Reyes: Sworn police officers. Mr. Hannon: Four sworn police officers. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Four sworn police officers. City of Miami Page 75 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Mr. Hannon: And the mover and seconder accepts that? Vice Chair Russell: Not vet. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yes. Mr. Hannon: Not yet. Vice Chair Russell: That's what I'm asking right now. Commissioner Reyes: We accept. We accept that. Vice Chair Russell: Does the mover and seconder -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yes. Commissioner Carollo: Yes. Vice Chair Russell: -- accept? Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yes. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Now, with regard to the sergeant at arms. Mr. Hannon: Yes. It's my understanding you're just seeking confirmation. It's not as Ors an amendment to the budget. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right. Mr. Hannon: You're just seeking confirmation from the police department. Commissioner Reyes: Confirmation. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: About the fourth -- Commissioner Carollo: Not confirmation, that we're including in the budget that that fourth position is strictly for the Commission. There will be four positions for the Mayor's Office, four for the Commission. Mr. Hannon: Mr. Blanco, do you understand what their --? Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: And to clar -- for clarification on the last one, is that the two additional officers that were assigned to the Commission in case there's a need for five will not be removed now as punishment, for lack of a better word, to this Commission for acting, for doing its job, right? So, in other words, there were additional -- two additional officers -- Commissioner Carollo: That's right. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: -- that were assigned to us that were not under sergeant -at -arms that will be available to us in case the five of us want to go to some event and we need one so that we have access to two additional officers, which were promised to us by the police chief when he brought us down to three and now it 's four. So, there's always two additional ones. This is a guarantee that's part of the conver -- will be part -- City of Miami Page 76 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Commissioner Reyes: Well, it's going to he one because if we have a position that is a permanent position. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: It could he one, yes sir, you're correct. Commissioner Reyes: Yeah, a permanent position. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: One additional one. Commissioner Reyes: Now, if we need -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yes. Commissioner Reyes: -- if the need comes, that all five of us request for a sergeant -of - arms that somebody's going to be available, there 's going to be somebody assigned as a relief pitcher. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right, relief pitcher basically. Commissioner Carollo: But let me tell you why you still need two -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Two. Commissioner Carollo: -- that are assigned. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I agree. Commissioner Carollo: In case that would happen where everyone is going to need someone and one of our sergeant -of -arms or the relief sergeant -of -arms -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Is sick or -- Commissioner Carollo: -- is sick or is not available. Commissioner Reyes: No, no. We need -- we need -- we need train -- train -- train at least two. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So, we leave the two that the police chief had promised when he made his statement here. Commissioner Reyes: That's right. That is going to be -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: We have four permanently assigned here, four that you mentioned upstairs, they don't go up and down, they're separate. And the two additional ones, in case they're needed, are assigned clearly down here only. Commissioner Carollo: Now -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Nowhere else. That's kind of the agreement. Commissioner Carollo: That would have to be worded -- because now this is not line item budget. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: No, no, no, I know, I know. But I think the Manager understands what it is. I think the police chief understands what it is. City of Miami Page 77 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Commissioner Reyes: The Manager understands it. Commissioner Carollo: The Manager's looking at the stars up there, I don't know. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: He's looking at those planes. You want to be in one of those, don't you? But I think you know the -- you know the -- (COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD) Vice Chair Russell: So, no amendment necessary for that clarification. Commissioner Reyes: In summary -- in summary, we are adding 20 uniformed police officers. Commissioner Carollo: Police officers. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Sworn. Commissioner Reyes: That is what -- Commissioner Carollo: Exactly. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yes, sir. Commissioner Reyes: Twenty -- we are eliminating one deputy chief position. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yes. Commissioner Reyes: We eliminated from the budget the attorney, the constitutional attorney, and the proceeds of that -- I mean, the funds assigned to that attorney, they are transferred to the legal department, and the elimination of the deputy chief of police, the salary of that salary -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Is for the four. Commissioner Reyes: -- is going to be, I mean, used for an additional four police -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Sworn. Commissioner Reyes: -- sworn police officer -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: That's correct. Commissioner Reyes: -- which gives us a total of 20 additional police officers. I like that. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: And that is the amendment, but the understanding is, as you said, Commissioner Carollo, is that those four that are here are here -- Commissioner Reyes: Yes, that -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: -- and the additional two are still there and are here. Commissioner Reyes: That is an instruction that we'll give -- City of Miami Page 78 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: To the City Manager. Commissioner Reyes: -- to the City Manager. Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay. That works. I'm ready to vote. Are you hungry? Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah, me too. Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Vice Chair Russell: Alright. Well, this is just the police -- discussion on the police item. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Vice Chair Russell: Are there any more amendments to the police budget? Commissioner Reyes: No. Commissioner Carollo: Not at this moment. 1 will say -- Commissioner Reyes: Oh, my God. Commissioner Carollo: -- the motorcycles and the Marine Patrol boat -- Commissioner Reyes: Motorcycles must be -- Commissioner Carollo: -- was there one involved or not? Mr. Blanco: I'm sorry, I couldn't hear that part. Commissioner Carollo: The Marine Patrol boat, was there one included in the budget? Mr. Blanco: Yeah. Commissioner Carollo: Can we go through that, please? Mr. Blanco: So, you want to hear motors first or--? Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, let's hear motors. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Can we pass this amendment first to get this out of the way? Vice Chair Russell: It's all going in one big batch vote. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Oh, it's all going in the same thing? Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, it's all -- it's all one. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay, okay. City of Miami Page 79 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Mr. Blanco: So, on the motor side, there's currently 23 staff members; 1 captain, 3 sergeants, 19 officers, okay? Commissioner Carollo: One captain. Mr. Blanco: 3 sergeants, 19 officers. Unidentified Speaker: Good. That's good. Mr. Blanco: And an inventory of 31 motorcycles, okay? Commissioner Reyes: Very good. Mr. Blanco: So, the ask is for 10 additional motorcycles and 11 additional officers. Commissioner Reyes: Good. Mr. Blanco: Okay? Commissioner Carollo: The 11 additional officers were coming out of the 16? Mr. Blanco: I'm sorry. Commissioner Carollo: The 11 additional officers, were they coming out of the 16? Mr. Blanco: It would be in addition to. Commissioner Reyes: Additional, okay. Commissioner Carollo: In addition to the 16? Mr. Blanco: Correct. Commissioner Reyes: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Mr. Blanco: Correct. Commissioner Reyes: 31. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: 31 now. Commissioner Reyes: Good. Commissioner Carollo: Well, this is what I wanted clear. Mr. Blanco: It's in addition to the 16 -- Mr. Casamayor: Commissioners, Commissioners. Mr. Blanco: -- that's already been discussed. Mr. Casamayor: So, this is an additional request that's not included in the budget. Mr. Blanco: Correct. That's an additional request. City of Miami Page 80 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Commissioner Reyes: Well, that's an additional request? Mr. Casamayor: Yes. Commissioner Reyes: That hasn 't been funded yet. Mr. Casamayor: No. Commissioner Carollo: But this is -- Commissioner Reyes: Okay. Commissioner Carollo: Look, this is why 1 was wondering what he's talking about because I didn't see it in the budget. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right. Commissioner Carollo: I was wondering if I missed it. This is a request that the Administration turned down. Okay, alright. That's fine. Now -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: And the Administration's position is you turned it down, but you won 't put it in down the line from reserves or anything like that? Mr. Blanco: Yes. Commissioner Carollo: Down the line we can see. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah. Commissioner Carollo: Down the line we can see. Commissioner Reyes: Down the line we are -- we work for it. Commissioner Watson: On the what? Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: On the -- from reserves. Commissioner Watson: From reserves. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah. Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Mr. Blanco: Based on the revenues and expenses that we have today, we turned down this request. That can change tomorrow obviously -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Of course. Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Mr. Blanco: -- as will the -- you know, and based on your policy decisions, well do whatever we need to do. Commissioner Carollo: Okay, that's fine now. The Marine Patrol boat, I'm assuming that also was your proposal that the Manager did not accept. Is that correct, Mr. Manager? City of Miami Page 81 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Commissioner Reyes: Marine Patrol is funded or not? Mr. Michel: Just -- sorry, Leon Michel from Management and Budget. Let me clarify a little bit for you, Commissioner. In the 16 positions, we got six HEAT (Homeless Empowerment Assistance Team), those are the units, five marine patrol, three motor, and two K-9. That's a total of 16 positions. Those new positions are in the budget. Commissioner Carollo: Okay, two are K-9. Mr. Michel: Two K-9, three motor. Commissioner Carollo: Three motors? Mr. Michel: Yes, Jive marine patrol and six -- Commissioner Carollo: How many marine patrols? Mr. Michel: Five. Commissioner Carollo: Five marine patrols. Mr. Michel: Um-hmm. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay. Mr. Michel: And that's it. Additionally, I think we apply for COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) grant 2020. That's an additional 15 positions. Commissioner Carollo: This is out of the 16? Mr. Michel: No, that's additionally. We will get that position next year. We will bring it in the mid -year -- Commissioner Reyes: Okay. Commissioner Carollo: Okay, so these are -- Mr. Michel: -- those 15 positions. Commissioner Carollo: -- these are additional ten positions? Mr. Michel: Fifteen. Commissioner Carollo: Fifteen. Commissioner Watson: You said two, three, and five. Mr. Michel: So, hopefully -- Commissioner Carollo: Two, three, and five. Mr. Michel: -- we got two COPS grant -- two COPS grant. Commissioner Carollo: Two what? Mr. Michel: We got two COPS grant. City of Miami Page 82 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Commissioner Carollo: Well, 1 got two K-9s. Commissioner Watson: Three. Commissioner Carollo: Three motors, five marine patrol. That's ten. Where's the other five? Mr. Michel: HEAT, six. Commissioner Carollo: What's that? Mr. Michel: HEAT, HEAT. Commissioner Watson: Oh. Mr. Hannon: Chair, I'm sorry. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, the homeless -- Mr. Hannon: Mr. Blanco, you need to speak into the microphone. Mr. Michel: Homeless. Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Mr. Casamayor: The homeless unit. Mr. Blanco: So, the Homeless Empowerment Assistance Team has six officers. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So, you're adding six police officers -- Commissioner Carollo: Okay, so this is -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: -- to take care of the homeless issue. Mr. Blanco: Correct. Commissioner Carollo: So, this is more than 15, this is 16. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah, it's 16. Commissioner Reyes: No, no, no, no, no. Mr. Blanco: Okay, let's take a minute because we're getting confused. So, in the original 16 that are part of the budget, the breakdown is 6 for the HEAT team, 5 for Marine Patrol, 3 for Motors, and 2 for K-9. That equals 16. Commissioner Carollo: So, 16 then, 16. Mr. Blanco: Okay. In addition to that 16, Leon mentioned the COPS grant. That COPS grant has an additional 15 officers. Mr. Casamayor: Let me -- Commissioner Reyes: Are we receiving that grant next --? City of Miami Page 83 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Mr. Casamayor: Let me clar. What we're including in the budget is the $983, 000, which is our grant match for the COPS grant. We're anticipating receiving that grant next year, which will equal 15 additional police officers. Commissioner Reyes: Okay, just listen. I mean, I like things real clear. We have 16 funded positions in this budget. Mr. Casamayor: Yes, sir. Commissioner Reyes: In addition, we requested a grant. Mr. Casamayor: Yes, sir. Commissioner Reyes: That -- I mean, the proceeds of that grant is to hire an additional 15 positions. Mr. Casamayor: That is correct, sir. (COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD) Commissioner Reyes: With -- hold on a second. I mean, are we sure that we are going to receive that grant? Mr. Michel: Yes, Commissioner, you received that grant already. Part of it you already received. Commissioner Reyes: We going to receive that grant when? Mr. Michel: There is a resolution that's 21-0225. Commissioner Reyes: Okay, then -- Mr. Michel: (INAUDIBLE). Commissioner Reyes: -- then we can count that as additional police officers that are going to be hired. Am I correct or not? Mr. Casamayor.• Yes, sir. Commissioner Reyes: It's going to 15 plus 4 is 20 plus 16. Commissioner Carollo: Plus -- Commissioner Reyes: And 16, plus 4, 20, plus 15, 35, new police officers that are going to be -- I mean, the way that you break it down, it is internal, okay? That is internal. Commissioner Carollo: Well, I'll -- Commissioner Reyes: Okay, hold on a second. I haven't finished. I want to have it clear in my mind, okay. Now, the next question is, we are going to receive a grant that is going to fund those positions for one year, two years, or three years? Mr. Blanco: We've already received the grant. Commissioner Reyes: Absolutely, but that's not the question. City of Miami Page 84 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Mr. Blanco: And it's for three years. Commissioner Reyes: For three years. Mr. Blanco: Yes, the match. Commissioner Reyes: So, three years from now, we will have to fund out of our revenue, that grant. Okay, but we have a grant for three years that will fund 15 new police officers. Mr. Blanco: That's correct. Commissioner Reyes: Uniform police. Okay, clear. Okay, that's it. Commissioner Carollo: Okay, look, make it simple, because the count that I got here is one. Give me the overall, the 16 patrolmen, the 4 that we've included, the 16 in the different positions and the 15 from the COPS grant. What is the total law enforcement, sworn law enforcement officers that you bringing to the budget? Mr. Casamavor: 35. Mr. Blanco: 35. Commissioner Carollo: I was counting 41, so you had 16patrolmen, then we added 4 more, that's 20. Mr. Blanco: That's 20. Commissioner Carollo: Then 15 -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Plus 15. Mr. Blanco: That's 35. Commissioner Carollo: Civilian, that's 35. Mr. Blanco: Right. Commissioner Carollo: Then how about those other 16 positions that you were talking about? Mr. Blanco: There's only one 16 positions. There's not two 16 positions. There's only one 16positions. Commissioner Carollo: Okay, so then, that's where I'm having a hard time understanding you guys. Mr. Blanco: I know. Commissioner Carollo: I thought that from the beginning, but then I thought you had said no. The 16 positions that we have for sworn officers, you're then breaking them into 2 K-9 -- Mr. Blanco: Correct. Commissioner Carollo: -- 3 Motors, 5 Marine Patrol -- City of Miami Page 85 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Commissioner Watson: No. Commissioner Carollo: -- and 6for the -- Mr. Blanco: HEAT. Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Mr. Blanco: The HEAT team. Commissioner Carollo: Alright, so that's clear now. Alright, so it's a total of 35. Mr. Blanco: Correct. Commissioner Carollo: Alright. Mr. Blanco: So, that's all already included in the budget. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Okay. Mr. Blanco: So, now in addition to that is the Motors component and the Marine Patrol component. Commissioner Carollo: But that was not approved. Mr. Blanco: Correct. Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Mr. Blanco: This is the ask -- the request that we're making at this time. Commissioner Carollo: Okay, at this time, but that was not approved. Now, Mr. Manager, I'm not used to having this ever. And Mr. Manager, can you come up? I'd appreciate it. Commissioner Watson: What's the additional ask? Mr. Blanco: I'm sorry? Commissioner Watson: What's the additional ask? Motor and who? Mr. Blanco: Marine Patrol. Commissioner Watson: And Marine Patrol. Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Manager, I'm sitting back here and I can't believe what is going on here. You're the city manager. You set the budget that you're proposing to us. And now they're telling me that the request that they made to you, that you did not approve, they're coming directly to us to ask for their request. This is what this gentleman here is telling tne. I've never seen something like that done before in all the years that I've been sitting in budget hearings on this commission or any other commission. If a department director would have pulled this on me when I was city manager before, he wouldn't be around. He wouldn't be around. So, what the heck is going on here? You know, are you in charge? Are they in charge? Who's in charge? Commissioner Reyes: What's going on? City of Miami Page 86 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Commissioner Carollo: You told them this is the budget you're going to propose. 1 have no problems with that. If 1 would, I would tell you. But now they're telling me that they're proposing this to us up here to see if we overruled you. And, you know, there has to be a chain of command. This is not the way things are done. Mr. Noriega: Yeah, I think there was clearly a bit of miscommunication in terms of procedurally. There wasn't an attempt to get you to approve something that we had not already approved. For some reason, they felt maybe there was some deference to an additional request for an enhancement, but we were crystal clear that that was not an option, that what was proposed in the budget was proposed in the budget. So, I think we were very clear on that. Commissioner Reyes: Okay. Commissioner Carollo: I'm just surprised at the way this has come about. Look, I -- we have even 23 motors because the last budget I thought we were way too low. I still do. I've been asked for additional personnel for a Marine Patrol boat in the Miami River, but we could probably get the money if we're nice to the governor and don't pick fights with him in the next budget. If not, maybe we can go and confiscate one. We used to do that. And we used to get even better boats than the ones we had when we confiscated them. And believe you me, there's still some of those guys, you know, flying around in our waters. But you know, there -- this is the part that's starting to scare me. I'm seeing actions that I've never seen before. And it's got to be one voice. And you're the manager; so you're the one that I'm listening to. Anyway. Commissioner Reyes: Okay. Go back to what we are funding. We're funding 35 positions. Commissioner Carollo: Yep. Commissioner Reyes: We're funding 20 of them come from general fund and 15 comes from the grant for three years. Now, okay, do we have the funds for the equipment, the motorcycles? Mr. Noriega: Well, yes. So, all -- every officer has a line item attached to them with -- for equipment that's assigned to them. Commissioner Reyes: Okay, okay. The way that -- Mr. Noriega: Whether it's Motors or whether it's patrol (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Commissioner Reyes: Okay. The way that -- I mean, how you use those 35 uniformed officers', if it's going to be a Marine, if it's going to be patrol or whatever, it is at the discretion of the police chief. I mean, the department is the one that knows how -- Commissioner Carollo: That's correct. Commissioner Reyes: Okay, I think that's it. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Commissioner Reyes: Okay, that's it. Call the roll. Call the question. Commissioner Watson: So -- so -- so -- so -- Commissioner Reyes: That's just police? Call the question. City of Miami Page 87 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Commissioner Watson: But on police, is there a will to do more, Moto and Marine? 1 mean, we hear enough complaints about what's happening on the water -- Vice Chair Russell: Oh, yeah. Commissioner Watson: -- and enough speeding. So, is there a way to do it? Commissioner Carollo: Listen, we could -- Commissioner Reyes: That, you could talk to the Manager. Commissioner Carollo: If we do not get monies for a Marine Patrol boat in the Miami River from the State, we could always consider coming back* a midterm or -- Commissioner Reyes: Yeah. Commissioner Carollo: -- or earlier than midterm budget amendment and we could move monies around -- Commissioner Reyes: Yeah. Commissioner Carollo: -- if we so see fit. Commissioner Watson: So that would be in our legislative priorities? Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, but I do believe that we stand an excellent chance as long as we don 't pick fights with the people up in Tallahassee to get those monies for down here. Commissioner Watson: Okay. Commissioner Reyes: As a matter of fact, I agree with Commissioner Carollo. There is great interest from, I mean, from senators and the river and what's going on in our waters and how can we protect that. There is great interest from our legislature, and I believe that Commissioner Carollo is right that it is a great chance that we will get the necessary equipment. Vice Chair Russell: So, Mr. Manager, between first and second, if you could look into funding for the police boat if it's necessary. If the -- we believe -- the will of this Commission believes there may be a need for it based on everything that we 've seen. Commissioner Carollo: I think we'll get it from Tallahassee, Mr. Manager. And by the time -- Mr. Noriega: We can certainly look into the FIND (Florida Inland Navigation District) grant because that's where the funding comes from. Vice Chair Russell: Yes, and FIND also has offered -- Mr. Noriega: Yeah. Vice Chair Russell: -- if we man it, they will -- Commissioner Reyes: But please, don't pick a fight with Tallahassee. Mr. Noriega: Me? Nobody's going to -- City of Miami Page 88 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Commissioner Reyes: No, 1 mean --1'm talking about everybody. Mr. Noriega: -- pick a fight with anybody in Tallahassee. Commissioner Reyes: Okay. Vice Chair Russell: Alright, are we done with any amendments to the police budget? Commissioner Reyes: Yes, sir. Commissioner Carollo: For now, unless 1 see something else that catches my eye before the second reading. Commissioner Reyes: You got all the -- Mr. City Clerk, you have it clear? Could you read what is the --? Vice Chair Russell: Do you need to do it again? Mr. Hannon: There were two amendments made. Commissioner Reyes: No, no, no. Mr. Hannon: They've been captured. Commissioner Reyes: No, no, no. I mean, you have it clear? Vice Chair Russell: Yeah, I think we're clear. Commissioner Reyes: Okay, fantastic. Let's do it. Vice Chair Russell: Alright, no, next. Parks. There's something I brought up a couple years ago and I was given assurance on that there was -- that there's no full-time employees in our -- in our City staff that aren't making at least $15 an hour and that the part-time employees that weren't making $15 an hour were mostly people, you know, taking on a summer job as a part time thing but I've really learned over the last couple years that that's so not true. There are people that that work in Parks part- time because they also have two to three other jobs and they're really depending on that at $9 an hour and that's not right on our part. You know, there's also -- there's other levels of staff from groundskeepers, laborers, who aren 't making $15 an hour yet. Every other corner of the staff, we've looked at this. So, I've talked to the Parks director and they're doing an analysis. It's not fully done on exactly what that would cost. I'm not looking for a domino effect that would ripple up and increase everybody's salary, simply creating a common denominator minimum base of $15 an hour for anyone that works for us in the City of Miami. So, Mr. Manager; I'd like you between first and second reading to work with the department and with the budget office to see what can be done to get us there because that is -- that is my. Mr. Noriega: We're putting together the numbers at your request. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Commissioner Reyes: Mr. Chair, I'll go beyond that. Since day one I've been advocating for those people, I mean, it is incredible. When you go around, and it 's not only in parks, that we have about 600, over 600 employees that they are part-timers without no benefit whatsoever. And that is another question. I think that in all negotiations that we had with unions and all of that, those people should be allowed to become full-timers. Because of that provision that they couldn't -- the position City of Miami Page 89 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 opened and they were not part of the bargaining unit, they were not able to he hired as full-timers. Vice Chair Russell: So, please include that in the analysis as well. Commissioner Reyes: Okay, and it is unfair. I know a person that have been a part- timer for close to 20 years, part-timer for close to 20 years, and you're going to say, well why that person doesn 't -- because that person had lived with the hope of becoming a full-time in the City of Miami, be able to retire from the City of Miami. That is an injustice. And people that really are working, and let me tell you, they are hard workers. They are hard workers. And that is some of my objections that 1 have with those agreements that we have reached. Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Manager, are we clear? Because it's mine as well as Commissioner Reyes. So what would it take to bring part-time employees up to full- time employees both logistically and financially. Commissioner Reyes: Yes. It's not only Parks, sir. There are other positions. Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, bring that back to us, Mr. Manager. Commissioner Reyes: Okay. Commissioner Carollo: Speak to us before you do so we know where we stand. Thank you, sir. Mr. Noriega: We'll disseminate that information before we -- Commissioner Carollo: Thank you. Vice Chair Russell: Alright, Monsieur Michel, you have some things to read to us I believe with regard to the budget items. Some things you need to read into the record, is that correct, Mr. Clerk? Mr. Michel: The millage already read on the record. All we have to do is vote on the millage now. Mr. Hannon: Mr. Budget Director, BH.19 and BH.21, is there a statement that needs to be read into the record about a memorandum dated August 31st that they're being adopted and incorporated? Mr. Michel: Oh, yes. For those two items, we would like to adopt it as amended to include the change -- the information in the memorandum dated August 31st. We call it change memo 1. So, we would like to include that memo as part of the -- this resolution. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Mr. Michel: Thank you, yeah. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Can you --? Vice Chair Russell: Mr. City Attorney -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Do you have a copy of that memo? Vice Chair Russell: You have a question for the -- City of Miami Page 90 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah, I'm sorry. Vice Chair Russell: -- Mr. Michel. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Can von read the memo? If it's not too long. It's not too long? Mr. Michel: Oh, the change memo. Okay, hold on a second. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Is it too long? Okay, can you give me --? Forget about reading it. Can you give me the gist of the memo? Like the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) version of the memo? Mr. Michel: Okay. It's a little bit long change memo. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: No, no, no, no. Don't read the memo. Just tell me what it does. Mr. Michel: Oh, the memo. Okay. Vice Chair Russell: From your office. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Summarize. Mr. Casamayor: Leon, 1 got it. Mr. Michel: We include -- we increase budget for Building Department by $1.9 million. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay. Mr. Michel: And then we increase transfer in from American Rescue Plan by $1.2 million. And we increase all the department budget by $3.1 million in total. So, the budget moved from $866 million to $869 million. The proposed budget in the book was $866,130 million to $869,244. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: And that increase is already included in the last budget that we got? Mr. Michel: No, it's in the memo that we add to the -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: When did this memo come out? Mr. Michel: The same day as we publish the agenda for this Commission. Same day. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay, is that what we spoke about in briefing? Mr. Casamayor: Yes, sir. That includes the positions in Human Resources, Planning, Zoning -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: It's additional positions. Mr. Casamayor: -- and Resilience and Public Works. Yes, there's additional positions. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: How many additional positions? City of Miami Page 91 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Mr. Casamayor: It's four additional positions in Human Resources. We have seven new positions in Planning. There's four new positions in Zoning and I believe eight new positions in Resilience and Public Works. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Eight new positions? Mr. Casamayor: No, no, I'm sorry, seven in Resilience and Public Works. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Seven in Resilience? Seven? Mr. Casamayor: Yes. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay. Alright, thank you. Commissioner Watson: (INAUDIBLE) on Code? Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Are those positions filled or just --? Mr. Casamayor: No, they're not filled. They're new positions. Commissioner Watson: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So you're going to hire moving forward. Mr. Casamayor: We're going to hire additional positions. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So you're going to hire how many? What's the total again? Mr. Michel: A total of 23 new positions. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: 23 new government positions. Mr. Michel: Um-hmm. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay, you haven't hired anyone yet? Mr. Michel: No, not yet. Nobody. None. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay, alright. Mr. Michel: It's new. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay. Mr. Michel: Those are new positions. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay. Commissioner Watson: They're 23 -- Mr. Noriega: You're going to recruit for us? Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Of course. Mr. Noriega: Okay. City of Miami Page 92 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I'm a good recruiter, you know that. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Commissioner Watson: That 23 includes -- that 20 -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: But I'm not going to bring you Tom Brady, I'll just bring you like a rookie. Mr. Noriega: No, you've got to aim high. Commissioner Watson: (INAUDIBLE) 23 positions include additional positions in Planning. Mr. Michel: Pardon me? Mr. Casamayor: Planning, Zoning, Human Resources, Resilience and Public Works. Mr. Michel: Okay, I can repeat again if you want me. Commissioner Watson: And Public -- Public Works slash Code? Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Code Enforcement. Mr. Casamayor: No, sir. Commissioner Watson: Well, Code is in Resilience. No Code Enforcement positions? Mr. Casamayor: In the proposed budget that we published in July, we are including five additional new positions in the Code Department. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: This is the addendum -- this is the addendum to that budget, which adds -- Mr. Michel: Exactly. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: -- an additional -- Mr. Casamayor: Correct. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: -- 23 positions. Mr. Casamayor.• Correct. Commissioner Watson: Okay. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay. Vice Chair Russell: Alright. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Government is getting bigger. Mr. Michel: At the will of this Commission. Vice Chair Russell: It's a rhetorical statement. You don't need to -- Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: The government is getting bigger. City of Miami Page 93 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 Vice Chair Russell: Madam City Attorney, could you read BH.20 into the record, please? Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I'm sorry, it's -- I'm not a partisan guy, but it's the Republican in me. I can't help it. We're hiring like 23 new people. Commissioner Reyes: Okay. Commissioner Watson: And we're still short. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: And it is what it is, it's late. Commissioner Reyes: Okay, let's go. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Let's go. The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you very much. Any further discussion from the dais? Commissioner Reyes: No. Vice Chair Russell: All in favor, say "aye. " The Commission (Collectively): Vice Chair Russell: Any opposed? Motion passes as amended. We have a tentative budget. We'll see you all at second reading. Mr. Noriega: One real quick -- I know we did an introduction during the briefings, but Fernando wants to make a formal introduction. Mr. Casamayor: Yeah, I'd like to introduce Marie "Maggie" Gouin. She's our new budget director. We spared her having to do this this time, but hopefully she'll be ready for the next meeting. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: You're lucky. Mr. Casamayor: Please welcome her. Commissioner Watson: She was lucky. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Welcome, welcome. You're a lucky young lady being spared today. Commissioner Reyes: Do you really want this job? Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I asked her the same thing in a briefing. Commissioner Reyes: Do you really want this job after seeing what happened here? Marie Gouin (Director, Management & Budget): I'm still here. Commissioner Reyes: Oh, you're tough cookie. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Be careful what you ask for. City of Miami Page 94 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 BH.19 9457 Office of Management and Budget Commissioner Reyes: That's right. Vice Chair Russell: You are very welcome. Congratulations. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Welcome to the City of Miami. Ms. Gouin: Thank you. Commissioner Carollo: Well, Marie, I'm glad you don't have any back pockets to pull numbers up. Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Alright. Gentlemen, it's been a long day. Well, thank you to the staff and of course, thank you to our public for their involvement, patience, and advocacy. Everyone have a good night. We are adjourned. RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING THE CITY OF MIAMI'S ("CITY") FISCAL YEAR 2021-22 MULTI -YEAR CAPITAL PLAN ("PLAN") AS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO THE COMMUNITY PLANNING ACT, SPECIFICALLY SECTIONS 163.3161 AND 163.3177, FLORIDA STATUTES (2020), AND CHAPTER 18/ARTICLE IX/DIVISIONS 1 AND 2 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TITLED "FINANCIAL/FINANCIAL POLICIES/ANTI-DEFICIENCY ACT/FINANCIAL INTEGRITY PRINCIPLES," TO SET FORTH THE CITY'S FISCAL NEEDS FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS, SUBJECT TO AN ANNUAL PLAN REVIEW, TO DETERMINE PROJECT PRIORITIES, TO ADD NEW CAPITAL PROJECTS, AND TO MODIFY FUNDING ALLOCATIONS AS NECESSARY; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION OF SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS TO THE PLAN; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0353 MOTION TO: RESULT: MOVER: SECONDER: AYES: Adopt with Modification(s) ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S) Alex Diaz de Ia Portilla, Commissioner Manolo Reyes, Commissioner Russell, Diaz de Ia Portilla, Carollo, Reyes, Watson Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number BH.19, please see Item Number BH.18. City of Miami Page 95 Printed on 10/08/2024 City Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2021 BH.20 ORDINANCE 9465 Office of Management and Budget AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION RELATED TO TAXING, DEFINING, AND DESIGNATING THE TERRITORIAL LIMITS OF THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY"); LEVYING AN AD VALOREM TAX ON ALL REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY IN THE CITY AT A TOTAL FINAL RATE OF 7.9900 MILLS ON THE DOLLAR OF THE TAXABLE VALUE OF SUCH PROPERTY FOR THE PURPOSES OF FUNDING THE GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET AND PAYMENT OF DEBT SERVICE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2021 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2022; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING MOVER: Alex Diaz de Ia Portilla, Commissioner SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner AYES: Russell, Diaz de Ia Portilla, Carollo, Reyes, Watson Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number BH.20, please see Item Number BH.1 and Item Number BH.18. BH.21 RESOLUTION 9464 Office of Management and Budget ADJOURNMENT A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION ADOPTING A TENTATIVE BUDGET AND MAKING APPROPRIATIONS RELATING TO OPERATIONAL AND BUDGETARY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2021 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2022; RATIFYING, APPROVING, AND CONFIRMING CERTAIN NECESSARY ACTIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER AND DESIGNATED CITY OFFICIALS IN ORDER TO UPDATE THE RELEVANT FINANCIAL CONTROLS, COMPLETED PROJECTS, PROJECT CLOSE-OUTS, ACCOUNTING ENTRIES, AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH AND FOR GRANTS IN PROGRESS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0354 MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s) RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S) MOVER: Alex Diaz de Ia Portilla, Commissioner SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner AYES: Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo, Reyes, Watson Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number BH.21, please see "Public Comments for all Item(s)" and Item Number BH 18. END OF FIRST BUDGET HEARING The meeting adjourned at 9: 26 p.m. City of Miami Page 96 Printed on 10/08/2024