HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2021-10-14 MinutesCity of Miami
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
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Its
4.7
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, October 14, 2021
9:00 AM
City Commission Meeting
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 October 14, 2021
9:00 AM INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Present: Vice Chair Russell, Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla, Commissioner Carollo,
Commissioner Reyes and Commissioner Watson
On the 14Ih day of October 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 9:06 a.m.,
and adjourned at 12:09 p.m.
Note for the Record: Commissioner Reyes entered the Commission chambers at 9:14 a.m.,
Commissioner Watson entered the Commission chambers at 9:31 a.m., Commissioner
Carollo entered the Com,nission chambers at 9:50 a.m., and Commissioner Diaz de la
Portilla entered the Commission chambers at 10:09 a.m.
ALSO PRESENT:
Arthur Noriega, V, City Manager
Victoria Mendez, City Attorney
Todd B. Hannon, City Clerk
Vice Chair Russell: Please stand for the pledge of allegiance followed by a prayer with
Commissioner Reyes.
Pledge of allegiance delivered.
Invocation delivered.
Vice Chair Russell: You can be seated. Thank you. Alright, we are short one member for
quorum. And we've conducted all the business we can without a quorum at this point. The next
-- so we will -- we will pause until we have a third.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Vice Chair Russell: But don't go anywhere because I need you.
Commissioner Reyes: You need me?
Vice Chair Russell: You're number two.
PART A - NON -PLANNING AND ZONING ITEM(S)
City ofMiami
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Meeting Minutes
October 14, 2021
PR - PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
PR.1
10837
PROTOCOL ITEM
Honoree
Presenter
Protocol Item
Ocean Rescue Lifeguards
Mayor Suarez and
Commissioners
Certificate of Merit
Miami Dade County FR - Progressive
Firefighters Association
Mayor Suarez and
Commissioner Reyes
Certificate of Merit
The Children's Trust
Mayor Suarez and
Commissioners
Miami Dolphins
Mayor Suarez and
Commissioners
Certificate of Merit
Solomon Kindley Foundation
Mayor Suarez and
Commissioners
Certificate of Merit
Elite Loyalty Sports
Mayor Suarez and
Commissioners
Certificate of Merit
City of Miami Progressive Firefighters
Association
Mayor Suarez and
Commissioners
Certificate of Merit
Nancy Dawkins
Mayor Suarez and
Commissioners
Birthday Recognition
CARE Elementary School Kids
Mayor Suarez and
Commissioners
Recognition
RESULT: PRESENTED
Vice Chair Russell: I hope everyone's having a great day. Thank you for coming out.
We 're going to start with our presentations and proclamations.
Presentations made.
[Later...]
Vice Chair Russell: Good morning, Commissioner. I apologize. We have one more
protocol item. Commissioner Watson, you have the floor.
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Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
ORDER OF THE DAY
Presentation made.
1) Mayor Suarez and Commissioners presented Certificates of Merit to volunteers of
the Miami -Dade County Fire Rescue Department, City of Miami Progressive
Firefighters Association, The Children 's Trust, Miami Dolphins, Solomon Kindlev
Foundation, and Elite Loyalty Sports who have taught 485 children to swim in a 7-
week program. Elected Officials paused in their deliberations to commend these
organizations for helping to prevent drownings in the City of Miami and elevate the
quality of lives for its residents.
2) Mayor Suarez and Commissioners presented Certificates of Merit to the City of
Miam Ocean Rescue Lifeguards to commend them for their lifesaving skills and
service they contribute to the residents of the City of Miami.
3) Commissioner Watson and Commissioners paused in their deliberations to celebrate
City of Miami Civic Activist Ms. Nancy Dawkins 98th Birthday and wished her well.
Elected Officials paused in their deliberations to commend her for her work and
legacy in the City of Miami.
4) Mayor Suarez and Commissioners presented a Certificate of Merit to the students of
CARE (Christian Academy for Reaching Excellence) Elementary School in the City
of Miami, furthermore, welcoming them to the City and teaching them about civic
involvement.
Vice Chair Russell: Good morning, everyone. Welcome to the October 14th, 2021
meeting of the City of Miami City Commission in these historic chambers. Procedures
Jrothe public comment will be explained by the City Attorney shortly. Procedures for
the swearing in of parties for the Planning and Zoning and/or quasi-judicial items
will be explained by the City Clerk. The members of the City Commission appearing
for this meeting are Alex Diaz de la Portilla, Joe Carollo, Manolo Reyes, Jeffrey
Watson, and me, Ken Russell. Also appearing are City Manager Art Noriega, City
Attorney Victoria Mendez, and City Clerk Todd Hannon. Mr. Min, would you please
state the procedures to be followed during this meeting?
Barnaby Min (Deputy City Attorney): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Any person who is a
lobbyist pursuant to Chapter 2, Article 6 of the City Code must register with the City
Clerk and comply with related City requirements for lobbyists before appearing
before the City Commission. A person may not lobby a City official, board member, or
staff member until registered. A copy of the code section about lobbyists is 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 disclosures required by the City Code in writing. A copy of
the City Code section is available at the Office of the City Clerk or online at
mun.icode. 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 Sections 2-33(1) and (g) of the City Code, the agenda
and material for each item on the agenda is available during business hours in the
City Clerk's Office and online, 24 hours a day, at miamigov.com. Any person may be
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Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
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 at approximately 9 a.m. and remain open until the public
comment is 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.com for detailed instructions on how to provide public comment using
the online 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 officials 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 elected officials up until the time the
Chairperson closes public comment. 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, as they may be amended. 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 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 for this meeting may notify 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 to be discussed at today's
City Commission meeting pursuant to Section 286.0114, subsection 4, subsection C of'
Florida Statutes. The public has been given the opportunity to provide public
comment 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 item -- 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.
Planning and Zoning items shall proceed according to Section 7.1.4 of the Miami-21
Zoning Code as temporarily modified pursuant to Emergency Ordinance Numbers
13903 and 13914. Pursuant to Emergency Ordinance Number 13903 and 13914,
parties for any Planning and Zoning items, including any applicants, appellants,
appellees, City staff and any person recognized by the decision -making body as a
qualified intervenor, as well as the applicant's representatives and experts testifying
on behalf of the applicants, appellants, or appellees, may either be physically present
at City Hall to be sworn in by oath or affirmation by the City Clerk, or may appear
virtually and make arrangements to be sworn in by oath or affirmation in person at
the location by an individual qualified to perform such duty. Pursuant to Emergency
Ordinance Number 13903, members of the General Public who are not parties to an
action pending before the City Commission are not required to be sworn in by oath or
affirmation. The members of the City Commission shall disclose any ex-parte to
communications to remove the presumption of prejudice pursuant to Section 286.014
of Florida Statutes and Section 7.1.4.5 of the Miami-21 Zoning Code. Staff will briefly
present each item to be heard. For applications requiring City Commission approval,
the applicant will present its application request to the City Commission. If the
applicant agrees with the staffs recommendation, the City Commission may proceed
to its deliberation and decision. The applicant may also waive the right to an
evidentiary hearing on the record. The order of presentation shall be as set forth in
Miami 21 and the City Code, provided that the appellant shall present first. For your
appeals, the appellant will present its appeal to the City Commission followed by the
appellee. Staff will be allowed to make any recommendation they may have. Please
silence all cell phones and other noise making devices. This meeting can be viewed
live on Miami TV at miamigov.com, the City's Facebook page, the City's Twitter
page, the City's YouTube channel, and Comcast Channel 77. The broadcast will also
have closed captioning. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Good morning, Mr. Clerk.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Thank you, Chair. The procedures for individuals who
will be providing testimony to be sworn in for Planning and Zoning items and any
quasi-judicial items on today's City Commission agenda will be as follows: The
members of City staff or any other individuals required to be sworn in who are
currently present at City Hall will be sworn in by me, the City Clerk, immediately
after I finished explaining these procedures. Those individuals who are appearing
remotely may, be sworn in now or at any time prior to the individual providing
testimony for Planning and Zoning items and/or quasi-judicial items. Pursuant to
Emergency Ordinance Number 13903, those individuals appearing remotely may be
sworn in at their location by an individual qualified to administer the oath. After you
are sworn in, please be sure to complete, sign, and notarize the affidavit provided to
you by the City Attorney's Office. Each individual who will provide testimony must be
sworn in and execute an affidavit. Please email a scanned version of the signed
affidavit to the City Clerk at thannon@miamigov.com prior to providing testimony on
the Planning and Zoning item and/or quasi-judicial item. The affidavit will -- shall be
included in the record for the relevant item for which you will be providing testimony.
Chair, are you comfortable with all the notice provisions set forth in these uniform
rules and procedures we have established for this meeting?
Vice Chair Russell: Yes, I am.
Mr. Hannon: Chair, may I proceed with administering the oath?
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you.
Mr. Hannon: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Good morning, ladies and
gentlemen. If you'll be speaking on any of today's Planning and Zoning items,
Planning and Zoning items, may I please have you stand and raise your right hand?
The City Clerk administered oath required under City Code Section 62-1 to those
persons giving testimony on zoning items.
Mr. Hannon: Thank you, Chair.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you.
[Later...]
Vice Chair Russell: Alright, everyone. We have a busy day ahead. We have a full
agenda this morning, including the Planning and Zoning agenda and the City's
business, which 1 hope to conclude all of which before 1 p.m., as we have a special
meeting this afternoon, which is a hearing regarding the police chief. So, I would like
to conclude all of our business this morning and what we don 't conclude I'll be asking
to defer and table. So, efficiency is of the utmost. Mr. Manager, if you could help us
with the order of the day, any items that you'd like to see withdrawn, deferred, or
continued from the regular agenda?
Arthur Noriega (City Manager): Good morning, Mr. Vice Chair, Commissioners,
Madam City Attorney, or Mr. City Attorney, Mr. City Clerk. At this time, the
Administration would like to defer and/or withdraw the following items: PH 1, to be
deferred to the October 28th meeting; FR.2, to be withdrawn. And that concludes the
items from the Administration.
Vice Chair Russell: I'll ask him. I'll ask him.
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Commissioner Watson: Can you hit me again right quick? I'm sorry.
Vice Chair Russell: Commissioners, are there any items you'd like to see --?
Commissioner Watson: Can I get Mr. Manager right quick again, please?
Mr. Noriega: I'll repeat. So, the -- PH.1, to be deferred to the October 28th meeting
and FR.2 to be withdrawn.
Vice Chair Russell: Yes, you're recognized.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes, I would like to indefinite defer PZ.2 until I have time to sit
with staff and see if we can solve some of my concerns. I think that I'm very
concerned about the neighborhoods, how this is going to affect the neighborhoods,
and we have to -- I mean, me personally, I think that we have to do everything that is
on our power to protect our neighborhoods. The neighbors are before any
development. So, I want to defer it and work with staff and see how we can better this
up.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you, Commissioner. You're killing me. We want to get
affordable housing done. We both do. I know you do as well. And I understand your
concerns for single-family neighborhoods. I'd like to come to whatever this consensus
is that we need to reach. I understand an indefinite deferral would be six months or
earlier --
Commissioner Reyes: Absolutely,
Vice Chair Russell: -- i f you can if you can find a comfort zone.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
Vice Chair Russell: 1 know the Administration's worked hard on this. My question to
the Administration, and particularly, the Planning Department, are there any projects
in the pipeline that are currently awaiting this potential amendment and what's the
timeliness of this?
Cesar Garcia -Pons (Director, Planning): Good morning. Cesar Garcia Pons,
Planning Department. Of course, there always are. 1 know of two, some of which have
been before this Commission recently. The one on 20th Street, the Rainbow Village
project, as well as a couple in Coconut Grove that are waiting to get this passed. And
again, we're happy to work with the commissioners to see if we can get the language
to allow that to happen. But there are always projects, right, that are waiting for this
to be attainable.
Commissioner Reyes: Commissioner Russell.
Vice Chair Russell: Yes, sir. If it is an advocate for affordable housing, it is me. And
I've been fighting for real affordable housing since the first day that I got sworn in.
But I want real affordable housing. But we cannot have affordable housing at the
expense of destroying our neighborhood. They're not mutually exclusive. We've got to
protect our neighborhoods and we have to provide for affordable housing. And that's
what I want to do. I mean, we cannot -- we shouldn't bow to developers and allow
them to write our ordinances, okay? I don't agree with that. So, I am going to be
fighting for affordable housing. I'm going to be -- as a matter of fact, we are in the
process of starting six family homes, six family homes, that houses that are going to
be built for first-time buyers. We purchased a tract of land where we can build 38
units. I know about affordable housing, but as I said before, real affordable housing.
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Real affordable housing, and also, we don't want to be encroaching in the single-
family homes, and we don't want to be destroying our neighborhoods. They are
sacred. We have to provide them, 1 mean, the best, I would say, legislation that could
take care of affordable housing and at the same time helps our neighborhood and
protect our single family homes. And that's what I want to reach an agreement with
this guy.
Commissioner Watson: And let me just say, Mr. Chair.
Vice Chair Russell: Commissioner Watson, you're recognized.
Commissioner Watson: Yeah, let me just say right quick. And there -- because of our
code, there's going to come a time where we're going to be more involved in the
transaction than we even realize, right? And I think it's great to change categories,
but I think our folks have to be in that discussion in the development of affordable
housing, not just the for profit dynamics, but changing categories doesn't necessarily
give you an incentive to build.
Commissioner Reyes: Yeah.
Commissioner Watson: And so where we get trapped is because we're a low -wage
earning city and they're getting money from who sets the parameters, which has
higher wages, right? Federal and then the state make them use a higher number for
AMI (Area Median Income). And so my concern is if you don't talk to our folks who
are dealing with those rules and regulations, then we're not going to be able to
accomplish what we're trying to accomplish. And just changing the categories is not
going to do that. So, in conjunction with this should be what's happening when we get
our report back from Miami 21 on how things are happening in the neighborhoods so
that we can truly do that. Otherwise, I mean, otherwise we would have had this
Forever (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Bond money that's been sitting --
Commissioner Reyes: Absolutely.
Commissioner Watson: -- in one way used right, because the dynamics are changing
and so we have to take into account. I understand what Planning is coming forth with,
but I want Mensah in that conversation. I want folks in that conversation that have to
now deal with what we do. That we're not taking into consideration their voice and
then we're not going to be successful with what we're trying to get done, which is
truly affordable housing, whatever that means, because the state uses the county AMI.
Except we're like 30, 40 percent lower than that. So, how do we then get to where
we're going to get to without having our guys who have to look at that involved in the
conversation? So, 1 think that's what I'd like to kind of see happening. That's my
view.
Vice Chair Russell: Understood. I think there's just a need in my district that I'm
trying to encourage, and there's a concern in Commissioner Reyes' district that he's
trying to protect. So, we're trying to find how we get past that. And I think we will.
I'm open to the indefinite deferral.
Commissioner Reyes: I'm also protecting your district, single-family homes.
Commissioner Watson: Well, let's not have it indefinite.
Vice Chair Russell: Commissioner, the way my district has been zoned, to its own
detriment --
Commissioner Reyes: Well --
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Vice Chair Russell: -- there is no buffer zone. And so the main corridors where there
is T5, they need this density.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay, but --
Vice Chair Russell: And so through an exception process we can mitigate the impact
on single-family, but certainly, I'm not trying to encroach into single family
neighborhoods. I'm not trying to damage single-family neighborhoods --
Commissioner Reyes: Okay, let's --
Vice Chair Russell: -- but we need the density where the main arteries are.
Commissioner Reyes: We need to also analyze what are the consequences of what our
decisions are, because we come here -- I mean, I don't know if it is because of my
discipline. But every time that I do an economic analysis, like I did, you see, you do
like a cost -benefit analysis. You do the benefits and also what are the eosts. What --
how much is this going to affect, you see, or 16 businesses, whatever it is. But we have
to really analyze what it is the effect of whatever decision we make here. And having
said that, let's go for a six-month.
Vice Chair Russell: We'll table it.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Vice Chair Russell: It's listed for indefinite deferral. Are there other items that
commissioners would like to see withdrawn, deferred, or continued?
Commissioner Watson: So, did we answer the question that if something's on the
table, they will come forth and have an analysis and still be able to do it as we look at
this? We did not?
Vice Chair Russell: They -- until this ordinance passes, affordable housing will not be
able to reach their double density targets if they abut T3, even with an exception
process. There is no process unless a one-off is given, a zoning amendment for one
particular project, but that's not what we're trying to achieve here. We're trying to
achieve a process citywide that will allow it, but only by each case coining to us, so
that the commissioner of that district can make sure that all steps have been taken to
see if it's appropriate or not, it's a high bar.
Commissioner Watson: Well, I guess --
Vice Chair Russell: But I get it, we're not ready yet so --
Commissioner Watson: No, no, no, but I guess I just want to say to my colleague, you
know, in deference to really a serious issue on affordable housing, since this started
now, no action taken way back April of '19, let's not make it indefinite, let's force the
issue so that it can be --
Vice Chair Russell: Well, we can bring it back any time before then.
Commissioner Watson: Okay, all right.
Vice Chair Russell: But yes, Rainbow Village will not happen until this passes.
Commissioner Watson: Okay, alright.
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Vice Chair Russell: If 1 want to be clear about it. And several projects in my district
as well. So, we'll keep working on it --
Commissioner Reyes: Yeah.
Vice Chair Russell: -- and I definitely want to respect my colleagues.
Commissioner Reyes: We will find a happy medium.
Vice Chair Russell: Alright. Are there any other items that commissioners would like
to see withdrawn, deferred, or continued? You'd like to be recognised, Ms. Escarra.
Iris Escarra: Good morning, Commissioners. Iris Escarra, with offices at 333
Southeast 2nd Avenue. I'm requesting PZ.1 to be deferred until Januaryy. We have
been -- the client's been working on refining the application and providing
information. He has not completed the site plan and so forth, so we're asking for it to
be deferred to a date certain January 27th, which is the second meeting in January.
Vice Chair Russell: Is there a Commissioner that would like to grant that deferral?
Commissioner Carollo: Yes.
Vice Chair Russell: Until January, what was the date, please?
Ms. Escarra: 27th, I believe is the second meeting in January.
Vice Chair Russell: Alright, we'll add that to the list.
M. Escarra: Thank you.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Are there any pocket items that commissioners would
like to see added to the agenda before we vote?
Commissioner Watson: I have --
Vice Chair Russell: D5 (District 5). We'll call this PI.1. This is a noise waiver for
2217 Northwest 5th Avenue?
Barnaby Min (Deputy City Attorney): Yes, sir.
Vice Chair Russell: I have a copy of it in front of me. From October 22nd through
October 23rd, 2021.
Commissioner Watson: Yes.
Vice Chair Russell: Got it. We will add that D5 pocket item as PI.1, noise waiver for
2217 Northwest 5th Ave. Are there any other pocket items that commissioners would
like to add?
Commissioner Carollo: There's not, Chair, but I would like -- when you can allow me
to address the timing for today's meeting.
Vice Chair Russell: Yes, let's take a vote on the order of the day. Is there a motion for
the order of the day?
Commissioner Reyes: Move it.
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Vice Chair Russell: Moved by Commissioner Reyes, seconded by the Chair. Is there
any further discussion?
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair, my apologies, I need to read a statement into the
record for Item PZ.2. Pursuant to Section 62-22 of the City Code, an indefinitely
deferred action initiated by the City will cost the City mail noticing, advertising, and
posting of properties as applicable.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. For my part, the withdrawal of FR.2, the amendment
to Chapter 36, `Noise," this amendment isn't accomplishing what I was hoping it
would accomplish. It targeted good neighbors, such as Bayside, which has come into
compliance over the last few years. As we've not received complaints in my office, but
this ordinance would expose them. And it does not hold those accountable we're
trying to hold accountable, which is Jungle Island, due to their lease having very
specific language allowing noise. So, I'm going to withdraw this on the condition that
we start working as an administration with Jungle Island, because if we can't bring
this noise issue under control, I'm going to be asking for an amendment to their lease.
I know they can do it, but having an outdoor nightclub on the water right next to
residential towers is definitely causing an issue. But I recognize that this ordinance
won't achieve what I'm trying to reach. So, I want to thank Bayside. I know you're
here today and this has been a concern for you and I appreciate you being a good
neighbor to downtown, so thank you. So, I'm withdrawing FR.2. Is there any further
discussion on the order of the day?
Commissioner Watson: Yes. Mr. Chair, right quick, I've had a number of
conversations and I know my colleague is interested in this quickly being resolved. On
SR (Second Reading) -- there is a request to have a conversation among a number of
parties to help strengthen and help our encampment and I'd like to see it rolled over
to at least the next meeting, if possible.
Vice Chair Russell: So, a continuance?
Commissioner Watson: Yes, to the next meeting.
Vice Chair Russell: So, a continuance on SR.2, Mr. Clerk?
Mr. Hannon: Yes, sir. And that will be to the October 28th meeting.
Vice Chair Russell: Does the mover --
Commissioner Watson: Yes.
Vice Chair Russell: -- does the mover accept the amendment?
Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
Mr. Hannon: Yes, seconder does as well.
Commissioner Watson: Thank you.
Vice Chair Russell: Any further discussion on the order of the day? Hearing none, all
in favor say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Vice Chair Russell: Any opposed? Motion passes. We have an agenda.
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[Later...]
Vice Chair Russell: Commissioner Carollo, you 're recognized.
Commissioner Carollo: Thank you, Chairman. Chairman, I need to be out of the
building sometime after 12. I have a family matter that I have to attend to. So, if you
could let me know at what time we would break so that I could have at least an hour
to take care of that.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you, sir. My goal is to have the entire morning's agenda
done by noon, and anything we don't have done by noon, to defer to next meeting, so
that we have the entire afternoon for the hearing.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay, that's very good. The other thing that I wanted to bring
out is the fact that for the meeting this afternoon that begins at 3, I am more than
willing to be here until midnight, maybe even a little after midnight. I think that we
definitely, definitely have an obligation to give Mr. Acevedo and his attorneys
sufficient time and due process to present anything they want to in addressing us. But
what I want to be very clear from the onset is that this is not going to be a free for -all
where they're going to want to extend this for days and days. We have a very clear
directive from the City Charter that hearings such as these, we must begin and finish
within five days after notice has been given. The City Attorney might disagree with
me, but I'm of the opinion that notice was given on Monday. Therefore, the end of the
fifth day would be at midnight Friday. This is the fourth day. But that's my opinion
anyway on the count. I'd rather be safer on the count than being told later on and
going to court to say that we have waived our rights because we did not give the
hearing within the requirement of our charter.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you, Commissioner. I agree with you, and at 3 o'clock, I'll
go through my proposed procedures for how the afternoon should go, and I believe
we'll be done within the day.
Commissioner Carollo: Thank you.
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ALL ITEM(S)
10946 DISCUSSION ITEM
Office of the City PUBLIC COMMENTS SUBMITTED ONLINE BY MEMBERS OF THE
Clerk PUBLIC FOR THE OCTOBER 14, 2021 CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
RESULT: PRESENTED
Vice Chair Russell: So, with that being said, we'll begin public comment for anything
on this morning's agenda. So, public comment will be reserved to this morning's
agenda, including the Planning and Zoning items, but will not include this afternoon 's
hearing which is a complete different subject. So, if you're here to speak on the issue
with the Chief or whatever, that is not happening this morning. Right now, we're just
taking up the items on this agenda. Please approach the lecterns if you'd like to speak
on any of this morning's items. All you have to do is state your name, which item
you're speaking on, and you'll have two minutes to speak. When you hear a beep, that
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means 30 seconds are left in your two minutes, and for everyone's time, please start
wrapping it up at that point. Good morning, Mr. Pathman.
Wayne Pathman: Good morning, Mr. Chairman and Commissioners. I'm here on
Item PH2. I just first would like to say I'd like to thank Commissioner Carollo and
the rest of the Commissioners for the last meeting giving us the opportunity to work
out the issue concerning the FP&L easement over at Grove Harbour between Grove
Bay. Within less than an hour with staff's help, we were able to do that. And I'm just
here to make a record that the easement that is attached and represented as part of
your agenda today, an exhibit that was prepared by Vera and Associates, is now
where the FP&L easement will be. Also, that the 2017 easement should be terminated
or extinguished, and we'd like to work with staff that, hopefully, we can get those
things memorialized before the end of the year by December 31st because we'd like to
submit plans for the development of the area that we talked about last time. And I
think that the -- I know there's a representative here from Grove Bay, I think they're
in agreement with us. And like I said, it was a very simple solution and we resolved it
with staff's help in less than an hour.
Vice Chair Russell: Would you like to speak as well, representative of the other side?
Please approach the other lectern. Mr. Manager, I might need you or staff to address
this request regarding Grove Bay and Grove Harbour.
Jeffrey Bass: Yes, good morning.
Vice Chair Russell: You're recognized.
Mr. Bass: Jeffrey Bass, 46 Southwest 1st Street, representing Grove Bay. Nice to see
you all again. And thank you. Yes, the easement that we've proffered resolves, I
believe, the objection by Grove Harbour. I'd like to be clear that we eliminated a part
of what was previously proposed and designed to feed the fine dining. We're going to
have to come hack at some point to work that out. But we believe we've solved the
present acute issue, and we thank you for the opportunity to do it.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Thanks for working it out. Mr. Pathman, do you need
any information from the administration with regard to what you said?
Mr. Pathman: Again, we just want to confirm that we are in agreement as to the
easement that's part of your package today and that is where the new FP&L easement
will be placed and also the extinguishment of the 2017 FP&L easement. And I think
staff is in agreement with that. We had that discussion over a week ago, and again,
we'd like to memorialize it before December 31st of this year.
Vice Chair Russell: Good morning, Mr. Ihekwaba. Mr. Pathman is just looking for
confirmation that what's in the agenda as proffered in the agreement between the two
parties is acceptable by the Administration and the deadline that you're looking for,
Mr. Pathman? It was an agreed deadline?
Mr. Pathman: By December 31st of this year.
Vice Chair Russell: To do exactly --
Mr. Pathman: I want to memorialize that the parties are in agreement that this is a
new FP&L easement and the old one is --
Vice Chair Russell: To extinguish the old easement.
Mr. Pathman: -- the old one is extinguished.
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Nzeribe Ihekwaba (Deputy City Manager): So, good morning Mr. Chair. The
Administration would like to take a moment to review the legal description that has
just been provided. At this time, we don't have any comments and we would like to
provide that at some point during the day.
Vice Chair Russell: Got it.
Mr. Pathman: The -- what I just handed the assistant city manager is already part of
the record. It's -- 1 believe the Clerk will confirm that. So, it is what the parties and
the City have already agreed to.
Vice Chair Russell: If it's memorialized, and it's what we vote on it's what's going to
happen.
Mr. Pathman: Okay, alright.
Suzanne Hollander: Good aft -- good morning, Commissioners. Suzanne Hollander,
director of DREAM, Department of Real Estate and Asset Management. We worked
with both Grove Bay and Grove Harbour to come to this resolution that they both
agreed to. The easement is revised as it is in your packet, and we worked on the
revision to the packet.
Vice Chair Russell: Great. Thank you very much.
Ms. Hollander: Thank you.
Mr. Pathman: Okay, that's it. Thank you very much.
Ms. Hollander: Thanks.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Next public comment, please. Ms. Snyder, how are
you? Just a moment, please.
Cindy Snyder: Good morning. My name is --
Vice Chair Russell: Just a moment please.
Ms. Snyder: Okay, I'm sorry.
Commissioner Carollo: I'm sorry, ma'am.
Vice Chair Russell: The Commissioner wanted to address the last item.
Commissioner Carollo: I just wanted to say that I'm glad that this got resolved. These
are two very important leaseholders for the City of Miami. One that's an established
one, a successful established one for the city, and one that is getting started that is
extremely important for the city. So, I hope now that this project can go forward as
quickly as it can because the City of Miami residents are losing dollars every day that
it's not built out completely. So, thank you, both parties, for getting together and
being reasonable individuals and working this out between yourselves. Thankyou.
Vice Chair Russell: Thankyou, Commissioner. Agreed.
Mr. Ihekwaba: Mr. Chair?
Vice Chair Russell: Sir, you're --
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Mr. Ihekwaba: Mr. Chair?
Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Ihekwaba.
Mr. Ihekwaba: The Administration would like to be given some moments, maybe in
another hour, for us to take a look at this easement to make sure it's consistent with
what was negotiated.
Vice Chair Russell: Is there something been entered that's different than what's in the
-- in the item this morning?
Mr. Ihekwaba: It's my understanding that this is different from what we had included
in the agenda package. So, we want to make a confirmation first before you vote on it.
So, iif you can table it for maybe one hour, we'll appreciate it.
Vice Chair Russell: That's --
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair?
Vice Chair Russell: -- PH.2. Mr. Clerk.
Mr. Hannon: Mr. Manager, there was an email sent with -- dated October 12th, a
memo from the Manager indicating that -- attached please find updated legislation
containing highlighted changes and amended specific terms agreed upon by the
Grove Bay Investment Group, LLC and Grove Harbour Marina and Caribbean
Marketplace, LLC. Also attached, please find a revised Exhibit A, sketch and legal
replacing initial Exhibit A and the Harbor proposed drawing submitted on 9/23/2021.
This email was sent out on October 12, 2021 at 5: 01 p.m.
Vice Chair Russell: And that's a substitution request?
Mr. Hannon: Yes.
Vice Chair Russell: And was that substitution memorialized in our record Ibr what we
have before us?
Mr. Hannon: This is what I have here. It matches what Mr. Pathman was showing me.
Vice Chair Russell: And no, my question is does that match what's in our backup for
the item we're voting on today?
Mr. Hannon: Well, it's going to be a substitute. So, that was emailed to you on
October 12th containing the substitute --
Vice Chair Russell: Got it. So we're --
Mr. Hannon: -- exhibit and legislation.
Vice Chair Russell: Understood. So, Mr. Ihekwaba just wants an hour to review
whether or not the City is willing to accept that substitution and add it to the record?
Mr. Ihekwaba: No, Mr. Chair. I've just been reminded that what needs to be voted on
is the item the Manager's Office has already distributed to the Commissioners.
Vice Chair Russell: Yes.
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Mr. Ihekwaba: Not the one were just handed this morning. What you just provided us
this morning is not something that you want to vote on.
Vice Chair Russell: It's not relevant to the item?
Mr. Ihekwaba: I don't think so. I think what --
Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Pathman?
Mr. Pathman: That's the legal description that we also worked with the City with
Danny Lozano.
Barnaby Min (Deputy City Attorney): Mr. Chair, may I suggest that Mr. Pathman
simply look at the memo that Todd has, the Clerk has, to ensure that it's consistent.
Because I think the confusion, I think the confusion is --
Mr. Pathman: I'll do that, but did that this morning with the Clerk, but I'll be happy
to do it again.
Mr. Min: That's fine. I think the confusion is something was handed to Dr. Ihekweba -
Ihekwaba, my apologies -- and he's not sure if it matches what the Clerk has.
Vice Chair Russell: Okay. I just -- he just wants to check that it matches. That's fine.
Mr. Ihekwaba: Yeah, that's all I'm asking for.
Vice Chair Russell: That's absolutely fine.
Mr. Ihekwaba: Yeah.
Vice Chair Russell: So, the item's not up right now anyway, but the concern is noted.
The Administration is working on it. So, we'll move on. Ms. Snyder, sorry to keep you
waiting.
Ms. Snyder: Okay. I'm concerned that there's no quorum here but okay.
Vice Chair Russell: Oh, we have plenty of quorum. We're good.
Ms. Snyder: Well --
Vice Chair Russell: We have a -- we have a near fill dais.
Ms. Snyder: Commissioner Reyes is back. That would be great. Thank you.
Commissioner Reyes: (INAUDIBLE), I'm sorry.
Ms. Snyder: Okay.
Commissioner Reyes: I'm sorry.
Ms. Snyder: I just didn 't want to talk without there being people here. Okay, good
morning, Commissioners.
Vice Chair Russell: Could you pull the microphone just a little closer? You don't have
to take your mask off, just the microphone.
Ms. Snyder: I will because --
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Vice Chair Russell: It's up to you.
Ms. Snyder: -- that way you can see me and I can talk and we're just talking to a
microphone here. I'm talking about PH.9, the item that has to do with eliminating the
balloting and the democratic process.
Vice Chair Russell: Your name, please.
Ms. Snyder: In what happens in -- is what happens in communist China -- Cuba and
Venezuela, other places such as that. I don't think we should do that.
Vice Chair Russell: Could we get your name please just for the record?
Ms. Snyder: Okay, my name is Cindy Snyder and my address is 3980 Hardee Road.
I'm in the South Grove and this has to do with a proposal for in the South Grove. We
don't want to let that balloting process be bypassed. The neighbors need to be able to
weigh on this item that affects this neighborhood. Don't let that happen here. Let the
people vote, as they have always done, on these traffic control matters. That's all I'm
asking you to do, is to let the process continue to work. Also, I have a question for
you, Commissioner Russell. I believe I heard you say or somebody refer to that the
speed limit in the South Grove had been reduced to 25 miles per hour. And this
morning, we did see one new sign that indicated that the speed limit was now 25 miles
per hour, such as it is over in Coral Gables on the other side of Le Jeune. And we
would just request that there would be a few more of those signs. We have not done an
exhaustive study on this, but we just see one and we think that in and of itself could be
a significant improvement and we know that has been done. We just want to see a
couple of signs and important places for people to recognize that.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you.
Ms. Snyder: Thank you.
Vice Chair Russell: On that I agree with you. We've lit a fire and hired another
contractor to increase the speed at which they implement the signs.
Ms. Snyder: What was that?
Vice Chair Russell: More signs are coming sooner, yes.
Ms. Snyder: Yeah, well we don't want to be inundated with signs. We just think that --
Mr. Hannon: Ma 'am, please speak in the microphone.
Ms. Snyder: -- on those collector roads --
Mr. Hannon: Ma'am.
Ms. Snyder: -- it would be good to have that.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you.
Ms. Snyder: Thank you.
Vice Chair Russell: Good morning, sir.
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Commissioner Reyes: Mr. Chair, I'm glad she brought up the installation of the 25
miles per hour signs because my district is lacking them also, you see. I mean, let's try
to increase the speed of installing those.
Vice Chair Russell: Increase the speed of reducing the speed.
Commissioner Reyes: Increase the speed of reducing the speed.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you, Commissioner. Good morning, sir.
Gary Ellsworth: Good morning. Gary Ellsworth, I would like to draw your attention
to the rally that is currently taking place outside in opposition to SR.2. I am so
pleased to know that the Commission is so intimidated by the democratic
participation of the people that you have chose to delay this. However, I guarantee
that we will return at the next meeting. We will come in greater numbers and we will
not be silenced. This ordinance is pure barbarism, a violation of human rights, and
completely the opposite of what any civilized society should be doing. Thank you.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments. Good morning.
Pedro Martinez: Commissioners, can I speak on SR.2? I may not be here on the 28th.
Vice Chair Russell: Yes.
Mr. Martinez: Would that be okay? Well, dear Commissioners, as you know, the City
of Miami has the highest number of homeless in Miami -Dade County. You are aware
that Miami -Dade County has a no camping ordinance that is not being enforced. The
only city, in Miami -Dade County that is enforcing it, it is the City of Miami Beach and
it remains free of tents. I have dedicated 20 years working with the homeless. For 12
years, we hosted six yearly homeless events in the City of Miami Beach with the
attendance of 250 to 350 homeless and poor people. The last seven years, I worked
directly with the Homeless and Housing Department of the City of Miami Beach doing
two things. Number one, street outreach with their staff equivalent to the Green Shirts
and hiring homeless people placed in shelters by the City of Miami Beach. We hired
190 people in seven years. My experience has led me to place homeless people in
three categories. Number one, those that want help. Number two, those that are
mentally ill and don't understand they need help. And number three, those that are
homeless by choice, they refuse to accept help. Homeless that are tent dwellers are
homeless by category, in category number three. They refuse to accept assistance,
shelters, permanent housing, bus relocation to live with family or friends, and
substance abuse program. This help is constantly offered by the Green Shirts, the
police department, and the Homeless Trust. Most have substance abuse problems
and/or personal issues and refuse to follow the rules. Allowing tent living is
promoting a harmful lifestyle and prolonging what is best for the homeless, to accept
help. Living in tents is dangerous, unsanitary, no toilets, no running water, more
infestation of rats, rodents, and roaches. There is no electricity, more prone to illness,
especially during COVID. It damages the body, mind, and spirit and exposes them to
abuse, especially the women. Let us hope and pray they accept help. In today's job
market, it is much easier to them to find employment and move forward to be self-
sustaining, independent, and free. Not allowing tent living is not criminalizing the
homeless. On the contrary, it is criminal to continue to allow human beings to live in
tents. Promoting this lifestyle shows a lack of true compassion for human beings. It is
damaging to those homeless people.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you.
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Mr. Martinez: Tent living is -- I'm finishing -- detrimental to the quality of life of all
residents and visitors of Miami -Dade County and the City of Miami. Thank you and
please pass the no camping ordinance.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you, Father. If I could ask everyone in the audience as well
as the Administration to please take any conversations outside the chambers so we
give respect to those who are speaking. Thank you. Mr. Snyder, good morning.
John Snyder: Yes, John Snyder. I'm the president of the South Grove Neighborhood
Association. I live at 3980 Hardee Avenue. I've lived there for 35 years. My
understanding was that the speed limit on Hardee -- oh, and I'm speaking on PH.5,
the traffic calming. I put quotes around it because I feel that that's a good name for a
bad idea. They wish to construct 50 --
Vice Chair Russell: Just a moment, Mr. Snyder. Please, please, no conversations in
the chambers other than who is recognized to speak. Thank you.
Mr. Snyder. The proposal is to construct 50 constructions, things like speed tables.
There are 20 of these speed tables. All of those speed tables come with approximately
six large yellow signs. It may be traffic calming, but I call it a cacophony of urban
blight. We don 't need it. There was a traffic study, I looked at some of the particulars
of it, it said if one out of six cars is exceeding the speed limit, the posted speed limit,
by 10 miles an hour, that qualified for a speed table. The highest speed on Hardee
was 34 miles per hour. It's not posted anywhere. The speed limit was 30. So, that's
only 4 miles per hour. Even if it's changed to 25, and they do post it someday, then
it's still not 10 miles per hour. This is a bad idea. It has a good name, but it's a bad
idea. The characteristics of governments that are transitioning from socialism to
communism is that when somewhat reasonable rules aren't followed by people --
some of the people, then the government thinks that they know what is best and take
away decision -making from the people. Ultimately, this will destroy their rights, their
property, and their liberty. Don't do it.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Good morning.
Mr. Snyder: Thank you.
Helena Del Monte: Good morning. Helena Del Monte, CEO (Chief Executive Officer)
of the Association for the Development of the Exceptional, 51 Northeast 79th Street. 1
am here with a loud, loud message of thanks, especially to our District Commissioner,
Commissioner Watson. Thank you very much for your support on CDBG (Community
Development Block Grant) funds. This shows what not only you, sir, but the rest of the
Commissioners, because in one way or another, each one of you have always come to
the rescue of adults with developmental disabilities and that goes to the core of one of
the priorities of the City of Miami, always helping our most vulnerable. Thank you
very, very much. Thank you, and also have a wonderful, happy Thanksgiving that is
coming up very, very soon. God bless you all.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Good morning.
Jerome Reisman: Good morning. Jerome Reisman on behalf of PH.8. I have been
born in Miami. I worked for the City of Miami multiple years during college and law
school, traveled with Steve Clark, and was on multiple committees here, international,
and actually established a sister city with Israel. I'm here on PH.8 because this is the
type of program that this city needs. Aging out of foster care leaves children on the
street. We need to take care of them. This is an opportunity to take care of those
children, help them become educated, and contribute to society. The program has
already placed, since 2006, a number of children into advanced college educations
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and into employment where they contribute to society and the tax base, and I ask you
to support this item.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments. Good morning.
Shirley Presley: Good morning. My name is Shirley Presley, and I am one of the
board members for Liberty City Optimist. I am here to thank the City Commissioner,
all of the City Commissioners, for continuing to support the youth in our community.
Our baseball program -- two of our baseball teams won sectional titles this summer
and one of our teams was able to compete against the state championship. I also
tutor. The funding helps provide materials that I need to work with my students. I
tutor four days a week and it's grades one through nine. So, we are very gratefid for
your continued support. Thank you.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments. Mr. Pathman.
Mr. Pathman: Mr. Chairman, I just wanted to clam again for the record, what the
Clerk has was identical to what I submitted, except mine is the certified copy, which
now the Clerk has so I think we're all in agreement that the record is clear and this
would be the proper easement for the FP&L easement.
Vice Chair Russell: Mr. Ihekwaba, you're satisfied?
Mr. Ihekwaba: Yes.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you very much. So, we can move on with --
Mr. Pathman: Thank you.
Vice Chair Russell: -- PH.2 --
Mr. Pathman: Thank you, everybody.
Vice Chair Russell: -- when that item comes up. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Bass.
Where was I? Good morning.
Audrey Aradanas: Good morning. My name is Audrey Ardanas, representing Miami
Homes For All, located on 1951 Northwest 7th Avenue, Miami, Florida, 33136. I'm
here to speak in opposition to SR.2. This measure will criminalize people
experiencing homelessness and make it increasingly difficult for folks to qualify for
housing in the future. In August 2021, there were 510 people living on our streets.
This is a 28 percent decline from last year and the lowest unsheltered number the City
has seen since 2014. SR.2 will only increase these numbers of people living on our
streets and make it harder for our partners like the City of Miami's outreach team,
Camillus House, Lotus House, and others to serve our residents. Vote no or defer this
item. I know this is already going ,for next week, but please consider this, these
alternatives. Increase coordination with the Homeless Trust and service providers to
create more housing to decrease street homelessness. The Trust is already working to
secure two new sites outside of the city, one for seniors and one for unsheltered single
adults with disabilities. They've partnered with the Miami Foundation to help buy and
operate new facilities. They've also scaled up the pace, referring households to
permanent housing in addition to deploying new specialized outreach teams focused
on encampments and people struggling with substance abuse. Develop innovative
solutions using ESG (Emergency Shelter Grant), ARP (American Rescue Plan), and
CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act to assist residents in
accessing housing directly from the street. Do not criminalize people experiencing
homelessness. We can all come together to implement best practices. Everyone
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deserves a safe and stable place to call home. We want to work with you to make
Miami the best city so everyone can thrive. We must, one, build a unified team to get
to a functional zero, and two, partner with each other to utilize data to target efforts
and resources accordingly. We are so ready to work with you to achieve functional
zero on homelessness in the City of Miami. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
Thank you. Have a good day.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments. And for those of you who are here
speaking on SR.2, the item has been deferred. This is the public comment for that
item. So, if you're speaking today, we will not be opening public comment Jrothat
item when it does come next month or at the next meeting, except Jrothose who
weren't here today to speak. So, this is your moment for public comment, not to come
today and then come again in the next meeting and say the same thing. So, I just want
to let people know, if they want to speak when the item is up, do not speak today,
please. Good morning.
Colla Hummel: Good morning, my name is Dr. Colla Hummel. I live at 790
Northwest 51st Street, and I am a professor of political science at the University of
Miami. I'm also here to speak on SR.2. I may, be teaching the next time it comes up,
and so I'd like to take time to urge you to vote no on this ineffective and wasteful
ordinance today. It costs about $4,500 to jail a person in the City of Miami for a
month. In comparison, the median rent is $1,950 right now and the median income is
only $1, 750 per month. Thus, spending taxpayer dollars to jail people when it would
cost less than 50 percent of that to give them a rental voucher for the month is a waste
of the taxes I pay and I believe a waste of the time of the police officers that we all
pay. We have, as other speakers have mentioned, we have more effective and direct
ways of addressing homelessness in the City of Miami. You have all worked for and
supported these efforts in the past, and so I urge you to continue to do that and to vote
no on this particular ordinance.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you.
Ms. Hummel: Thank you very much.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla -
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Let me ask you --
Vice Chair Russell: -- you're recognized.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah, thank you, thank you, Chair.
Vice Chair Russell: Would you like to speak to that speaker?
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Professor, you 're a professor of psychology at the
University of Miami or political science?
Ms. Hummel: Political science.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay, and you're offering an opinion on
homelessness today?
Ms. Hummel: I'm offering my opinion as a homeowner here in the City of Miami, not
as part of my department.
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Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay, not in your profession, right? Just as a
resident of the City of Miami?
Ms. Hummel: As a resident, yes.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay, not your area of expertise, correct?
Ms. Hummel: I can use my expertise as somebody who's very used to looking at data
and laws, but I'm not here to represent the University of Miami as an official
representative of the University of Miami.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: As a political science professor?
Ms. Hummel: I am a political science professor.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay, thankyou.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments. Next speaker, please. You're
recognized, sir.
Winnick Blain: How's everybody doing? Good morning. My name is Winnick Blain. I
live in Little Haiti. I live on 568 Northeast 76th Street, Miami, Florida, 33178. Fin
here today to speak about -- upon behalf of my grandfather, my grandparents, Mr.
Viter and Maria Juste. They are the pioneers, one of the major pioneers of Little
Haiti. And I'm here to speak to try to push forward on getting a street named after my
grandparents. And the reason for it is my grandfather, throughout the years, himself
coming from Haiti in the early 1970s, he found a way to get to the United States,
legally of course. And when he got to this great nation, he was able to establish
businesses, he was able to establish funding, he was able to establish -- he was an
educator, entrepreneur, and also he fought for the people here in Little Haiti, for
those who came here illegally, to help them become legalized in America. He also
helped them find jobs, et cetera. My grandparents, collectively, over the 40 years
residing over Little Haiti, helped over 100,000 people, Haitians. And my grandfather
also worked very closely with the Cuban community as well, too, in order to unite
back in the early 1970s. So, this is very, important. Mr. Commissioner Watson, nice to
meet you. I know you run our district, and I've been -- I'm very pleased to be in front
of you right now to be talking to you. But definitely, this is very, very important, not
only to our family and to the legacy of Mr. Viter and Maria Juste, but also to the
community of Little Haiti and for a lot of Haitians around the world that fought for
their independence and freedom. And this is why I'm here, to get that street named
after my grandparents.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. And that's in favor of RE.2.
Mr. Blain: Yes, sir.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments.
Mr. Blain: Alright, thankyou. Appreciate everybody. Have a great day.
Vice Chair Russell: Thanks for coming.
Mr. Blain: Thank you.
Vice Chair Russell: Good morning.
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Melanie Ramirez: Good morning, everyone. My name is Melania Ramirez. 1 live in
3145 Mundy Street, and I'm speaking in opposition of SR.2. I'm going to be sharing
my experience of homelessness. 1 was couch surfing for three weeks and had nowhere
else to go. I borrowed a friend's phone and called the homeless hotline. Hoping for
good news, I met with the disappointment of finding out that there was no available
space in any homeless shelter and was told to wait after the weekend to call again on
Monday to gamble with the possibility of meeting with the same disappointment.
Feeling helpless and defeated, all I could do was cry in the anticipation of what is
going to be my next move. This is a common thing for those who've experienced
homelessness in Miami. Media has portrayed the homeless to be dirty, irresponsible,
hostile, lazy, and drug addicts. This right here is my homeless ID from last year. 1 was
a scared defenseless 19 year -old college student at the beginning and the worst time
during the COVID-19 pandemic. After running out of options, someone from Miami
Dade College was able to place me in a shelter. But what if I wasn't so lucky? The
homeless consists of young people, those with disabilities, the elderly, families with
children, the list goes on. These people fight for survival against COVID and
homelessness. Hypothetically speaking, when your mother tells you to clean your
room, shoving everything under your bed doesn't cut it, but that's what SR (Second
Reading) is doing. Giving two people two hours to go where? I know someone
listening is thinking, why can't the homeless get a house? It's because they can't
afford it. Why can't they get a job? Because a lot of them don't have identification to
get employed. They say, give a man a fish, it will feed him for a day. Teach a man to
fish, he will feed himself for a lifetime. What this is, is giving -- is putting a hole in
their boat and watching them sink and swim with the fishes. So, the next time you say,
I'm going home, think about those who can't. Thank you.
Applause.
Vice Chair Russell: Please, please, please, nope, nope, nope, nope. We don't allow
booing and we don't allow applause. Please just give you respect in silence. I thank
you for your comments and advocacy. Thank you for coming. Good morning.
Alana Greer: Morning. My name is Alana Greer. I work at the Community Justice
Project and I'm here today in opposition to SR.2. I want to thank you all for deferring
the item. I think it's the right call. This issue is near and dear to my heart. I grew up
in times before the Pottinger Agreement and very close to that fight. And my first job
out of college was going out to California to coordinate a program to help bring legal
services and relief to people who are criminalized under a law exactly like this. 1 saw
what happened when cities did this. I saw mothers who had waited decades on a
Section 8 waiting list get denied because they had a ticket for sleeping outside. I saw
people get denied rehab programs, educational programs, and I saw the frontline
police officers bringing our referrals brochures as they wrote tickets because they
knew how ineffective those processes were. The only people who benefited from that
were the politicians who said, hey, we did something about it and could walk away.
This policy is not only morally wrong, it's going to cost millions of dollars and
condemn people to many more years of homelessness. When I was out in California, I
was so proud of what we did at the City of Miami, of the fact that we did things
differently, that we were striving to treat people with dignity. We had a long way to
go, but we were trying. And it saddens me so deeply, that we are considering turning
our backs on that basic principle. I really hope you all consider the testimony of
people who have experienced homelessness in this city and do the right thing when
this item comes back up. Thank you.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you --
Commissioner Carollo: Excuse me.
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Vice Chair Russell: -- for your comments.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: 1 have a question.
Vice Chair Russell: Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla and then Commissioner
Carollo.
Commissioner Carollo: I do have a question.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: What part of California?
Ms. Greer: I was in San Francisco.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah, great job they did with homelessness over
there.
Ms. Greer: Exactly, they criminalized it and it caused a lot more people to stay in the
street. We should do better like --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: It's world renowned what they did over there.
Thank you.
Ms. Greer: So, I'm confused as to why you want to copy them.
Commissioner Carollo: Excuse me, Ms. Greer?
Vice Chair Russell: Commissioner Carollo, you're recognized.
Commissioner Carollo: Ms. Greer --
Ms. Greer: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: -- I didn 't understand something you said before, I'm sorry.
What organization do you represent?
Ms. Greer: I'm with the Community Justice Project. We're lawyers and we work with
racial justice organizations.
Commissioner Carollo: Community Justice Project.
Ms. Greer: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: Is that connected, involved, part of Dream Defenders?
Ms. Greer: They're one of our clients.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay, they're a client. They're not part of your group.
Ms. Greer.• No, we're lawyers and they're an organizing group.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay, then maybe I read something wrong. Okay, thank you.
Ms. Greer: Thank you.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments. Good morning, Constance. How
are you?
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Constance Collins: Good morning. My name is Constance Collins. 1 'in the executive
director of the Lotus House Women's Shelter. The Anti -Encampment Ordinance is
only going to exacerbate homelessness. I have spent the last 18 years of my life as a
full-time volunteer and executive director at Lotus House. We are committed to
evidence -based best practices. We have sheltered over 7,000 women and children in
that time. One thing we know is that the solutions to ending homelessness are not
simple, but we cannot arrest our way out of them. It requires a multifaceted,
comprehensive, resource -enriched approach with supportive shelter, with trauma -
informed outreach, with access to medical and mental health care, job training,
educational support, financial resources, and pathways to housing that is actually
affordable. We have an opportunity as a community to come together. We all
recognize that homelessness is an enormous public health issue and it's a human
rights issue in our community. We want what's best for everyone. I would encourage
you to take leadership with this time for the deferment and more if that's what it takes
to bring together the Homeless Trust, the Continuum of Care, the parties that stand in
this room that are deeply passionate about and dedicated to ending homelessness.
And let's come up with solutions that are humane. Let's come up with that
multifaceted, comprehensive approach that is a best practice, that is evidence -based,
and that will provide meaningful pathways to safe, secure lives. You know, violence is
the leading cause of homelessness for women and children. Every day at Lotus House,
we have over 500 sheltered with us. More than half of who we shelter are children.
Last night, we took in seven children from the age of 3 to 11. They need a honie. Their
mom did not need to be arrested because they were out on a sidewalk. They need a
place to be safe and you can help make a difference with the resources available to
you. But we don't do it by punishing people. We do it by lifting them up.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you, Ms. Collins.
Ms. Collins: And I pray that you will take that to your heart and remember if it was
you who lost your home tonight, where would you sleep? Would it be the laundromat?
Would it be the hallways of the hospital? Would it he the abandoned alley? Would it
be the abandoned building?
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you, Ms. Collins.
Ms. Collins: Thank you.
Commissioner Watson: Mr. Chair.
Commissioner Reyes: Mr. Chair.
Vice Chair Russell: You're recognized, Commissioner Reyes, and then Commissioner
Watson.
Commissioner Reyes: Mr. Chair, let me include now that you have this conversation,
although it has been deferred, but I want you to know that it is not the City of Miami,
the only one that is taking action against the, I mean, the epidemic of -- homeless
epidemic and what is transforming cities in a -- you see, and how much the negative
effect of all the cities. There are other cities that are taking action also. I have
Ordinance Number 187127 from Los Angeles, that they are taking action and they
have a -- they have creating constraint or making it illegal to sitting, lying, or
sleeping or storing, using, maintaining or placing personal property in the public
right of way. You see, what I'm trying to tell you is that I agree with you. We have to
find a solution that is humane, but also, as I stated, when we were outside, the
homeless have a right, but the residents have a right, too. The people have the right,
too. So, we -- let's have -- let's try to do it the best way we can, okay? I agree with
you, but we will be discussing this.
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Vice Chair Russell: Thank you, Commissioner.
Commissioner Reyes: But it's not only us.
Ms. Collins: Thank you.
Commissioner Reyes: There are other cities, and you know the state of L.A. (Los
Angeles) with homeless.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you, Commissioner Reyes.
Ms. Collins: Understood, Commissioner, and L.A. has definitely not ended
homelessness with its anti -camping --
Commissioner Reyes: Well, they just --
Ms. Collins: -- activities.
Commissioner Reyes: -- they just passed this July the 28th.
Ms. Collins: Ipray we come together. There are solutions. Let's find them together.
Commissioner Watson: Well, I think --
Vice Chair Russell: Commissioner Watson, you're recognized.
Commissioner Watson: Mr. Chair; what 1 wanted to say, because a lot of people seem
to want to speak on this. The reason we deferred it was to have a conversation with
those activists who said they had a solution. So, a lot of people come to the podium
speaking, maybe not hearing us, hut the reason that it was deferred was to have a
conversation. 1 don't know if all those people you're talking about are going to he
involved, but at least someone said, we think we have some solutions that we can live
with, that you can live with, and we think it make a lot of sense, so let's talk about it.
And that's why we deferred it. So, for those who want to talk about it, let the process
as you have asked for take its course, okay, see what then comes out of it, and then
you can come back. Because we're not necessarily truing to give it short shrift, that's
why 1 asked my colleague to defer to having a conversation because someone asked
for that conversation. Okay, so if you're speaking on it as it exists today, it may not
make a lot of sense to continue to speak because it might change to the benefit of
everybody, right? Just want to have that sink in a bit. That's why we deferred it, okay?
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you, Commissioner. Good morning.
Jennifer Hernandez: Good morning. Hello, my name is Jennifer Hernandez, and I'm
here to speak on regards to -- in regards to Ordinance SR.2. The problem is
homelessness, not the homeless. People are not on the street by choice, they are on
the street because they have nowhere to go. Shelters are full with a minimum wait
time of two weeks and resources like the Homeless Trust are overwhelmed. Research
shows that providing housing is the most effective solution to homelessness. Los
Angeles, which has been mentioned in this meeting already, has a homeless
population of at least 40,000 individuals and they've been able to build housing
facilities using recycled shipment containers. There's inexpensive solutions. They've
set a goal to build 25,000 housing units by 2025. There are plenty of vacant buildings'
in this county and city that could be converted to housing for the homeless. Providing
these people with safety and stability allows them to transition back into society. This
is doable. Providing homes mixes fiscal responsibility with compassion. There is hope
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for change. The solution is housing, not punishing those who are struggling. And 1
hope you are hearing us all here today. Thank you.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Good morning.
Iona Sawyer: Good morning. My name is Iona Sawyer. I work with Lotus House. The
problem is not homelessness, it's how do we help the homeless. As they always say,
please don 't judge a book by its cover. So many times we hear about what we see and
what goes on, but the issue is we're so quick to point out the problem, especially what
they see as wrong. I was homeless and 1 remember so many times 1 called on the Lord
and I just said, I must just keep moving forward. As a person that is not able to drive
because of my health, I've come to see -- I've come to talk with people. You hear
about and I've seen there are homeless that use the restroom. And as you say,
residents have a right. But do you hear people pointing the finger at the residents that
are using the restrooms or have their dogs and they're giggling and laughing about
it? Do you hear about --? You hear so much about the homeless, oh, they're just
sitting there throwing the trash, but do you hear about those residents that didn't light
that cigarette, flicked it on the side. You're so quick to hear about those that aren't
able to speak for themselves, whether it be maybe they're a little on the alcohol,
they're a little on the tired, but did you take the time out to find out why? There was a
gentleman that he had a seizure, and come to .find out, he was a police officer.
Gentlemen, the people -- I knew he was a police officer because I talked with him. A
police officer drove by him, and I said, sir, he's having a problem. Oh, he's probably
on crack. Literally said that and I just shook my head. One of the gentlemen that was
sitting on the side who was homeless was a doctor. He had became -- he had became
homeless due to some situations. He literally, stopped and tended to the gentleman. I
said, sir, thank you so much. Again, we need to stop looking at homeless is the
problem, but we need to look at it as the situation and the issue needs to be how do we
help the homeless.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Thank you for your comments.
Commissioner Carollo: Excuse me. How many UM (University of Miami) students do
we have here today? Any UM ,students here? Okay, thank you.
Vice Chair Russell: Good morning.
Rai Johnson: Hi, good morning. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Rai
Johnson. I am the health --
Mr. Hannon: Chair, I'm sorry. We cannot hear her.
Vice Chair Russell: Just a little closer to the microphone, please.
Ms. Johnson: Okay. My name is Rai Johnson. I'm the program director for wellness
and substance abuse at Lotus House Women's Shelter. Thank you so much for
hearing me today. I wanted to just talk about a little bit about what Iona was talking
about that we -- when we see somebody experiencing homelessness we never know
why they're really experiencing it. So, many times women with serious trauma
histories go untreated because they lack access to resources such as basic medical
services and mental health services, resorting to self -medication, a constant
consequence of traumatic lived experiences. When you are on the street, breast exams
and pap smears are not a priority. To find somewhere to sleep when it got dark, that
is the priority. Today, I want to share with you over 16 years ago, I found myself in
the same position as the people targeted by this ordinance. Life circumstances had led
me to become homeless and to live on the street. I would like to just take a minute and
let that sink in because if I would not have told you that you would not have known
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that. People experiencing homelessness look like you and myself. We have -- they look
like the mailman, they look like the bus driver, they look like police officers, they look
like EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians), they look like police dispatchers
because I know some of them personally that have experienced homelessness myself.
Today I have a master's in social work and I'm a social -- and I'm a certified
addiction professional. We talk about what people experiencing homelessness are, but
do we talk about what they become and what they're able to become because we're
able to stabilize and to receive resources from places like the Lotus House. Because if
I had not found myself there at the Lotus House, I don 't know where I would be today.
So, 1 want to just implore you, before 1 close, to take a minute to look around the room
and see people who are fortunate, but that -- and that's not a bad thing. Just don't
target those who are less fortunate. Instead of investing in more policing and jails,
let's invest in people. Thank you, please, and read the handouts --
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you.
Ms. Johnson: -- that we have provided.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Ma'am.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla,
you're recognized.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Ma'am, you said you had a master's in social
services?
Ms. Johnson: I do, social work, yes.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Social work. And who do you work for now,
ma'am?
M. Johnson: Lotus House Women s Shelter.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: You work for Lotus House.
Ms. Johnson: I'm their wellness director of the substance abuse program, yes.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: And was there an organized effort to bring people
here today by Lotus House?
Ms. Johnson: Absolutely.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: There was?
Ms. Johnson: Was it organized?
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah, was there sort of an organized effort to bring
people here before this Commission today by Lotus House?
Ms. Johnson: Yeah, my director is here. We're here with my director.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right, I saw your director already, but was there
an organized effort to bring people here today?
Ms. Johnson: Yeah, we're here together.
Ms. Collins: I want to be clear --
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Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yes, ma'am.
Ms. Collins: -- that we explained to Lotus House team that this hearing was scheduled
today and that anyone who wished to volunteer could speak. And that's all that was
done.
Ms. Johnson: Yes.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So, it was an organized effort to bring people here
today to speak against this ordinance?
Ms. Johnson: I would not call it an organized effort. I would call it --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: It's just a -- it's a simple question.
Ms. Johnson: -- a volunteer.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: It's sort of a --
Vice Chair Russell: Quiet, please.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: it's sort of a yes or no question. Was there an
organized effort to bring people here today?
Ms. Collins: No, it was not an organized effort.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: It was spontaneous, oh, it was organic in nature?
Ms. Collins: It was most certainly organic, and until this morning, I had no idea who
was actually going to be there.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: And do you appreciate the conversation we're
trying to have about this issue?
Ms. Collins: We appreciate and we want to contribute to that conversation.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay, in a positive way, right, not in a hostile
manner.
Ms. Collins: Of course, no.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay.
Ms. Collins: Of course.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Vice Chair Russell: Quiet, please.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Because you do know that we're the duly elected --
all of us are duly elected officials of this city and we all want to find a solution to this
and we want to have an honest and open conversation about this. So, we already
deferred the item. We're going to have that honest and open conversation and take all
viewpoints into account, of course. Intelligent people do that, right? And that's what
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we want to try to do. But what we don't want is to have this adversarial kind of
conversation because it doesn't benefit anyone and it clearly doesn't benefit the
homeless in our city
Ms. Collins: We have asked for everyone --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Because you keep on using Los Angeles as an
example of a model of the things that have happened. Los Angeles has 40,000
homeless people. What does Miami have?
Ms. Collins: Totally agree.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right. No, we don't have more --
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Ms. Collins: We --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: No, I'm sorry. The facts matter. Facts matter.
Ms. Collins': Agree.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: And then you have someone else from San
Francisco talking about -- a political science professor, or whatever she was, I'm
sorry, talking about the Los Angeles, the California experience. Everybody knows
what the California experience is like, too, right?
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: It has not worked. San Francisco's definitely not
the model we want to follow. So, we want to have a serious conversation, a
compassionate conversation --
Ms. Collins: Thank you.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: -- because we all are, we have that compassion
here, but we want to be practical. We don 't want to use bad examples that don't work,
that won't work in the City of Miami. Miami's homeless problem is a lot less than a
lot of those cities in California you're talking about. So, let's have an honest, honest
conversation with facts.
Ms. Collins: And that's why we're here, Commissioner.
Vice Chair Russell: Please, no outbursts from the audience, please.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Ms. Collins: And that is why we're here, and that is why we have asked ,for all parties
to come together --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Correct.
Ms. Collins: -- because we do know what works. We have 18 years of knowing what
works.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Of course, and Lotus House --
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Ms. Collins: We have over 7,000 --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: -- is one of the most respected organizations in our
community.
Ms. Collins: And that's what we're talking about.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: But have you -- but ma'am, have you called my
office ever to have a meeting with me?
Ms. Collins: Yes.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Really, ma'am?
Ms. Collins: Yes, we have. And we've been unable to get a meeting.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: On this -- on this --?
Ms. Collins: And we have emailed.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Really? On this item?
Ms. Collins: We have -- I'm sorry. If I could, please. We have contacted your office.
We have sent emails to you. We wish to meet with you about homelessness generally.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I will meet with you today during our lunch break.
You come to my office, I'll meet with you today.
Ms. Collins: Thank you.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I'm not talking about mass emails. I'm talking
about have you personally contacted my office. My chief of staff sitting right there --
she went outside now -- Karla Fortuny, call her and I'll meet with you during lunch
with you today.
Ms. Collins: Thank you.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: One on one.
Ms. Collins: I would so appreciate that.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Because 1 know what you do. In fact, one of your
workers, one of your biggest activists, used to work for me. So, I'm very, very
sensitive and very appreciative of the work you do.
Ms. Collins: Thank you.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: But I think it works -- it works with having an
honest, open conversation --
Ms. Collins: Agree.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: -- not an adversarial one, because it doesn't
benefit anybody. It clearly doesn't benefit our city. It doesn't benefit our homeless
population. We want to talk about it and --
Ms. Collins: We do, too.
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Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: -- and find common ground.
Ms. Collins: We do, too.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah.
Ms. Collins: That's all we want.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So, during lunchtime, you come to my office and
well sit down --
Ms. Collins: Thank you.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: -- and talk about it, okay?
Ms. Collins: Thank you.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you, Constance.
Unidentified Speaker: Alright.
Vice Chair Russell: Please let me he clear. We will not tolerate outbursts in the
chambers. If you want to speak amongst yourselves, please go outside. If you cannot
control yourself and you want to yell at this dais, it's not going to be tolerated in here.
You will be asked to leave. So, I'm going to ask very politely. I know you're very
passionate about this subject. You have come to speak on it. You're worried about this
ordinance. I get it. But we need to be civil and have order in this chamber. Thank you.
Commissioner Watson: And Mr. Chair, just, you know, and I think another colleague
had asked as well, I think what happens is everybody has good intentions. And I know
what has happened as relates to why we deferred it. And so we deferred this item
because a member of concern organization asked for it to be deferred so that we can
sit down and talk to each other and have solutions. They had solutions. I think that's
fair and that's what we tiy to do. Okay, we can 't talk to each other but that's what we
tiy to do. That's why I asked my colleague could I put that forth, right? And so I think
the concern becomes now we'll get a continuation of barrages of how bad people we
are, when in fact people who are working in the issue are not talking to each other.
And so you want us to be considerate, right? But you are not talking to each other
because someone who's involved in the issue, and I know there's 18 years of
experience, look, there's a dedicated source of revenue at the Homeless Trust. A
dedicated source of revenue that gets from all of us, ,from all of us, a dedicated source
of revenue. And the problem still continues. And you 're right, L.A. is not the greatest
model, but clearly when we hear from people in the community, in the community who
are involved, and they have come. forward and said we have solutions, and you all are
not talking to each other, right? So, it's great to holler and scream at us, but clearly
that's not happening because that's why the item was deferred. This is just one -- as
our colleagues, my colleagues now have their own comments and issues relative to
the concern, we are concerned. Otherwise, we probably would have moved forward.
But we deferred it in favor of sitting down, okay, and making sure that there's a win -
win for everybody involved. So, I think that's what you hear from us. Just wanted to
say.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Good morning, you're recognized.
Lily Ostrer: Hi, good morning. My name is Lily Ostrer. I'm a physician at Jackson
Memorial Hospital. I'm here to speak out against SR.2, the anti -camping ordinance.
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Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla just spoke about compassion. And what compassion
does not look like is discharging your patients from the hospital back to the street so
that they can get arrested. What compassion does not look like is when 1 have patients
that get admitted to the hospital month after month because their medications are
stolen on the street and when they say doctor can you help me find housing I say the
waiting list is over a month long. That is not what compassion looks like. Our city can
do better. Our city can do better than sending people back to the street to get
arrested. You're here saying that we need to learn how to speak with each other to
come up with solutions. There are years upon years of research that have shown
solutions that work. Solutions that include building more affordable housing, building
supportive housing, which means offering supportive programs to people that are
experiencing mental and medical -- mental health and medical issues. And there are
cities across the country that are implementing these programs. We can do the same
in Miami and we have not done that. So, when we say that that there are
conversations that need to be had, we completely agree. But we're out here today
because the item that came before the Commission today was to consider locking
people in jail. I just spent the last 19 months caring for patients with COVID-19 in the
hospital. We were overwhelmed by the number of patients that were coming in. And
sending people to jails where we know COVID-19 spreads is not a solution. So, for us
to turn up today, this was an urgent matter that affects not only ourselves and our
brothers and sisters here in Miami, it affects our entire community. So, I'm asking you
today not only to reject this ordinance and to never again consider arresting people
on the street simply for existing and trying to live on the street for the crime of being
poor. I'm asking you to invest in programs that are shown to actually provide people
with the resources they need to have a sustained livelihood and to have health. And
this City has not attempted that. And I look forward to the solutions that you can come
up with in the conversations you mentioned --
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you.
Ms. Ostrer: -- Commissioner Watson.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments. Good morning.
Alison Dos Santos: Good morning, my name is Alison Dos Santos. I live at 237
Southwest 13th Street in Miami. I am here today because I showed up organically and
I'm here today to share my story, my father's story, and my family story because
stories are powerful and they're integral to solutions, with all due respect,
Commissioner Watson. About a year and a half ago, my brother and I couldn't find
my father. He experienced chronic homelessness for many, many years. We tried to
track him down. We talked to his friends. And about a week later, my brother set out
to go ,find him. When he found my father, he was dead without a roof over his head.
Homelessness is not a choice. It affects not only the individual who is homeless or
experiencing homelessness, it affects mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, sister,
brothers, it affects entire communities. It's a product of a system that values profit
over people. And I hope that you will hear all of these stories today and take them into
consideration as you guys put together your solutions. Thank you very much.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments. Good morning.
Anna Neill: Good morning. My name is Anna Neill. The way to end homelessness on
the streets of Miami is not to put people experiencing homelessness in jail. It is to put
them into homes. I'm an attorney. I'm not a civil rights attorney.
Commissioner Carollo: Excuse me, you said put them into homes.
Ms. Neill: Homes.
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Commissioner Carollo: Okay, you're giving me some ideas. Thank you.
Ms. Neill: Okay, great. I'm not a civil rights attorney. I'm actually a federal antitrust
litigator, but about three years ago, I joined a group of attorneys defending the
Pottinger Consent Decree because I was deeply troubled by the City's cruel and
inhumane treatment of some of its most vulnerable residents. At that time, the City
was systematically harassing homeless residents and destroying their personal
property; medications, eyeglasses, family photos. In the name of cleaning up, these
items were taken from unhoused residents by City employees, oftentimes when the
residents were present and over their objections and thrown into City garbage trucks.
And the response of this Commission at that time was not to curtail these actions but
instead to seek an end to the decades long Pottinger Consent Decree that protected
the constitutional rights of individuals experiencing homelessness. Over the course of
several months of discovery and several days of an evidentiary hearing in front of
Judge Federico Moreno, attorneys and witnesses for the City assured the court that
the City had changed. They said Pottinger was no longer needed because the City had
changed its tune. It respected homeless residents, it had safeguards in place to assure
that their personal property would be protected, and never again would the City try to
arrest its way out of homelessness. Now I'm a litigator, and I must say that I love
being proven right. I mean, look at my notepad, my list of things I was right about.
And when the City assured the federal judge that it had changed, I was skeptical. I
didn't believe the City was being sincere. But when Judge Moreno ended the consent
decree, taking the City at its word, I wanted desperately to be proven wrong. I hoped
my skepticism was unfounded and that the City would keep its promises, that it would
protect and help its residents experiencing homelessness. So, it brings me no pleasure
to stand here today and say, unfortunately, I was right. Recently the City has returned
to traumatizing and harassing homeless residents, destroying their property and
making an already difficult life worse. And now with this proposed ordinance, the City
wants to fane and arrest people merely for living on the street. Again, if the City of
Miami wants to get folks off the street, it has an option. Help to put them into housing,
don't put them in jail. I urge this Commission to vote no on this ordinance. I look
forward to hearing what might be proposed in two weeks. And I would urge the City
to seek a compassionate and constructive solution for this problem.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments. Good morning, you're recognized.
Shameequa Buxton: Good morning, my name is Shameequa Buxton on behalf of Lotus
House Women's Shelter, and I'm here in opposition of SR.2. Punitive measures like
this proposed anti -camping ordinance serve no productive purpose, as people
experiencing homelessness are not there by choice, but from lack of choices.
Continuing the cycle of homelessness, punitive policies place additional barriers in
the way of escape, as criminal records and fines make it even more difficult to find
employment, housing, maintain financial stability, and transition out of homelessness.
This anti -camping ordinance will not solve this public health crisis as there's a lack
of affordable housing within our community. With rising cost of operations shelters
are struggling to keep their doors open and beds available. Shelters like Lotus House
are extremely underfunded as additional resources are needed to maintain basic
operation, food, supportive services, and safety. Rather than proposing ways to
punish people for life -sustaining activities. Let's shift the conversation. The
conversation needs to be shifted to practical solutions like greater financial
assistance, supportive shelters, affordable housing, and community -based resources
that can actually bridge the gap and allow people to successfully exit out of
homelessness. Passing this ordinance will worsen homelessness and unfairly penalize
our communities most vulnerable. Thank you for your time.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments. Good morning.
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Daniela Hernandez: Hi, good morning. My name is Daniela. Sony, I've never spoken
on a mic. And I'm speaking as well, coming here just on my own time. I focus on
helping feed the houseless community every week with a lot of other people that I
know taking charge to try and understand the situation that's continuously changing
every month because new ordinances keep on being in place making it much harder
for us to help our community.
Vice Chair Russell: Can you just lift the mic up?
Ms. Hernandez: Sorry.
Vice Chair Russell: It'll actually bend toward you a little closer. Thank you.
Ms. Hernandez: Can you hear me?
Vice Chair Russell: Yes.
Ms. Hernandez: Good, okay. You guys don't want to talk about L.A. and I get that.
I'm not here to talk about it. I want to talk about Miami because there's a lot of
people that actually know what's happening every single day, every single night,
going out, running around, avoiding fines that police officers are giving while we're
just trying to feed, watching houseless community members crying because they went
to go get their HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) medication and came back to a
police officer ripping apart their tents. Creating communities within these
encampments is very special, and I'm not saying it's the correct thing to be doing. We
should be pushing people towards housing, but those encampments are safe spaces
for a lot of people where they can create community and try and find a little bit o f joy
with the destruction and the sadness that they have to deal with every day. Okay, so
that's just something I wanted to make a comment of before I start. I'm here hoping
that somehow we can convince the City to reconsider the fining penalty being
enforced over the houseless community, as well as the humble traveling people
making their way to their needed destinations through this very difficult transition of
living during a pandemic while being condemned for trying to survive. It is absurd to
me and clearly many who are also here because we are closer to being houseless than
we are to being millionaires and to being in your positions, which is why we're here
to avoid that. It is absurd to me and many that there are people getting up every
morning, putting on fresh clean clothes, deciding what they want to eat for breakfast,
and then driving to their jobs only to spend the day removing the only belonging a
human might own while they sleep on an empty stomach and wake up in a roofless
morning. It needs to become more clear that many people care about the lives of those
affected by these ordinances. People that have been living in fear every day that they
are losing more opportunity in this country and in this world.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you.
Ms. Hernandez: Losing hope. I'm ahnost done. We cannot cleanse our city from its
poverty problem and call prison cells accessible rehabilitation centers. We cannot
continue to ignore the fact that this city is putting more energy into quick solutions for
street decluttering than actually supporting and funding the groups of people
dedicating time and love to this crisis and the humans affected by it every day. Lotus
House is an example of what we can do when effort is put in helping those on the
street. Many work to bring hope to those who feel forsaken while our city builds
bridges over our homes. Listen to those who are here on their own time to speak for
the houseless. We come because we care. We have to face the fact our city has over
3,000 unsheltered civilians. The fact that we run out of meals every time we go out
and people are chasing our cars and all I can do is put my head under.
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Vice Chair Russell: Thank you.
Ms. Hernandez: I apologize, the time's up, ma'am.
Ms. Hernandez: We need to have mercy and gather more ways to bring people out of
the streets rather than give them a reason to be there.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you.
Ms. Hernandez: Thank you.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you Jroyour comments. Please, when you hear the 30
second beep, please wrap it up at that point. If we add a minute to two minutes to
each person's comments, we're not being fair to others that are respecting the two -
minute limit. Thank you.
Jeff Weinberger: Vice Chairman Russell, is the mask required at the mic?
Vice Chair Russell: It's not.
Mr. Weinberger: Thank you. Commissioners and others who make and enforce the
laws in the City of Miami, I'm here today to oppose the proposed ban on
encampments whenever it comes back to the floor. It should never come back. Such
laws serve no purpose toward ending homelessness. They serve only to add misery
and to demonize traumatized people who do not want to be living on the street. As
founder of October 22"d Alliance to End Homelessness, I've been an advocate .for
people experiencing homelessness for over 12 years in South Florida, so I speak from
experience. As an advocate, I interviewed the victims of the sweeps of homeless
encampments, especially those in Overtown, not long after the August 2"d sweep.
When you moved this ordinance forward on September 13th, Assistant Chief Manny
Morales referenced the HEAT (Homeless Empowerment Assistance Teant) Unit as
leading these sweeps. A more accurate term would be perpetrating these sweeps since
what occurred was nothing short of criminal barbarism. Mr. Morales concluded by
stating to this body, I guarantee you that you're going to be pleasantly surprised with
the results that the task force is going to bring to the city with compassion and care.
But how can anyone agree that trashing tents, IDs, medications, unique items like
family photos, and even the urn containing the ashes of a woman's mother equates to
compassion and care. These actions were perpetrated by Green Shirts, backed by
MPD (Miami Police Department) officers, and I've seen such violent abuse by Green
Shirts who are funded by the Homeless Trust going on for years. It's past time that
this unit be independently investigated. The encampment ban is but an extension of
this brutality. Neither shelters nor jails can be the mandatory alternative to living on
the street. Supportive housing is the only solution. With the passage of this measure,
we'd only regress to darker tines and complete a vicious circle to nowhere.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you.
Mr. Weinberger: I urge you to vote no, and to Mayor Suarez, who's going to see this,
please veto this ordinance if it's passed today.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments.
Mr. Weinberger: Thank you.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you.
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Mr. Hannon: Chair, if I can get the speaker's name.
Vice Chair Russell: Your name, sir? I apologize. I didn 't hear it.
Mr. Weinberger: Sony, Jeff Weinberger from the October 22" d Alliance to End
Homelessness.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Good morning.
Brian Heidbreder: Good morning. My name is Brian. I would just like to say that I'm
opposing SR.2. I don't expect for the City Commission to show compassion as I've
seen how the City reacts to individual and community -led structures that show
compassion to our houseless neighbors. The Commission brings up the rights of those
living in high-rises in downtown while they disregard the rights of those living on the
street below them. I don't think that it is right or moral to put the rights of those who
can afford to pay their own rent and pay exuberant prices in downtown to have their
rights put above those who cannot afford to pay rent. I think the rights of our
houseless neighbors should be respected and I urge the Commission to reinstate the
All agreement of the Pottinger commission that was revoked last year, or a couple
years ago. I've seen how the City reacts to large group feedings of our houseless
communities with violence and police -backed task force. I think that the sweeps that
the City conducts on a weekly basis are inhumane and they do not serve to solve or
eradicate any of the misery that is seen by those living on the street. I oppose SR.2
and I hope that you all can think about the policies that are in place. Thanks.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments. Good morning, ma'am.
Miriam Urra: Good morning. My name is Miriam Urra.
Vice Chair Russell: A little closer to the microphone, please.
Ms. Urra: My, name is Miriam Urra, and I'm here representing Allapattah
Community Action, Inc., located at 2257 Northwest North River Drive, in Miami. I'm
here to speak about the CBG [sic] funding recommendations and I'd like to first
commend you all for the hard work that you put on this type of services for the needy
people of the City of Miami. My agency provides homebound and congregate meals,
among other services, to the elderly, needy people in the Allapattah and Miami area.
1'd like to thank our Commissioner, Alex Diaz de la Portilla, for the hard work that he
put through all this difficult time during the pandemic and providing food and water
and going through buildings, mostly every week. So, I thank you again, and I ask you
for your support. I thank you for your past support throughout the years to our
agency, to our community. And I ask you to please take that into consideration and
continue funding our agency so we can continue providing these much needed
services. Thank you.
Vice Chair Russell: Thankyou. Commissioner, you're recognized.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: And -- thank you, Chair. And I want to thank you,
Miriam. Miriam, I want to thank you for the good work you've been doing for decades
and the great legacy that your husband left for that center to help so many people in
need in Allapattah. So, thank you --
Ms. Urra: Thank you, Commissioner.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: -- for the countless hours over decades that you
and your husband have committed to this community. Thankyou.
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Ms. Urra: Thank you, Commissioner.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Good morning.
Sedrika Jacques: Good morning. Can you hear me?
Vice Chair Russell: No. You've got to pull that mic out. Someone bent it. There you
go.
Ms. Jacques: Good morning. Can you hear me?
Vice Chair Russell: Yes.
Ms. Jacques: I'm opposing SR.2.
Vice Chair Russell: Your name, please?
Ms. Jacques: My name is Sedrika Jacques. I reside at 2050 Northwest 66th Street,
Miami, Florida, 33147. And to be honest with you, I know exactly how it feels to be
homeless because I was. I know exactly how it feels for someone not to have what they
need and they're on the streets. And that bad part about it is that I'm a disabled
woman. If I don 't tell you, you would not know it. And the crazy part about it is that
my medicine was took from me. It's a lot of things that done had happened in this
community that does not happen -- I mean, its not supposed to be happening. Like the
people that's homeless right now, they was working peoples. Those people that's
homeless right now, they had good jobs. They had all that they needed and now they
don't have anything and now we're -- we, the people's, y'all putting them out on the
streets. And the crazy part about it is that we don't work for y'all, y'all work for us.
That's the whole thing about it. And y'all need to get on y'all job. Like the words say,
get your house in order. Y'all need to get y'all house in order.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments. Good morning.
Robert Deresz: Hi, my name's Robert Deresz. I live at 200 Southeast 15th Road,
33129, in Commissioner Russell's district. And I want to thank everybody here, what
your concerns are for the last couple years. I supply the needle clinic with
toothbrushes as a donation, and I carry cases of triple antibiotic cream and
hydrocortisone, and that's my newest thing of giving to the homeless, either out my
window, or I stop and hand it to them. But that's not what I'm here for. And I hope
you listen to what I'm addressing. And this I've been addressing numerous times here
and on editorials and personal letters and coining to groundbreakings when you had
your shovel in your hand since 2015. And I was going to read one of the letters to the
commissioners that 1 wrote in 2017. But I'm going to generalize it here so it's a little
clearer. And this has a lot to do with what's on the ballot also, not for the mayor, but
the item on the public -- item on Virginia Key Marina. And it had to do with the
previous RFPs (Requests for Proposals), you know, and this is the point of it. And it's
public property, you know, our public property. And the giving away of it just takes
the click of a vote of you gentlemen without even having to go to the public. Because
whoever these people are, since the beginning of the RFP, they included 27 acres,
which they have in the ballot this coming couple weeks. 27 acres when the developers
were talking about the old Marine Stadium area and the marina. That included all the
way across the Marine Basin, the stadium basin, from the intercoastal pretty much to
the boundary of the stadium itself:It gave 10 acres in the RFP. In fact, when I came
up here and started talking about this, the developers stopped showing the picture of
the boundaries. They discontinued that because they didn't want them to know it. And
I'm sure they don't want me talking about this today.
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Vice Chair Russell: Thank you.
Mr. Deresz: So what -- so when they got rid of the 300 slips, you know, they finally, in
the RFP, it was to the, you know, a couple hundred, a hundred feet from the shoreline.
But did they change the acreage from 27 acres to 17 acres? They did not. And this is
what's happening with the vote too, to the public.
Vice Chair Russell: The time's up, sir.
Mr. Deresz: Okay, that's it. And what this does, just with the vote of the
Commissioners, after this passes, you can change it and give away the whole -- half a
basin --
Vice Chair Russell: Sir, is there an item on this --
Mr. Deresz: -- without the (INAUDIBLE). Thank you for listening.
Vice Chair Russell: -- agenda you're speaking to?
Mr. Deresz: It has to --
Vice Chair Russell: Got it. Thank you. Thanks for your comments.
Mr. Deresz: Thank you for it.
Brian Jackson: Good morning, Commissioners, chairmans [sic], controllers, so on
and so on. My name is Brian Jackson. I am the leader and founder of HLMMD,
Homeless Lives Matter Miami -Dade. I have been through state to state. I have been
through city to city, county to county. And Miami by far is the most horrendous,
barbaristic, Nazi-ist, fascist place I have ever laid eyes on or had the opportunity to
live. False arrests are made every day. How is it that you could stop somebody from
giving food out of the generosity of their heart? You used to have public toilets and
hand -washing stations, portable showers throughout the pandemic. The pandemic is
still on. You can easily clean up the homelessness simply by providing more space.
The City has funded properties that they do nothing with. They sell it to the highest
bidder for high-rises. Why is it that simple people such as myself who are now low-
income from being eight years homeless, suffering from throwing up blood in the
streets from Crohn's to Type 2 diabetes, deaf people, blind people, they're all in the
streets. How is it you can sit back and allow this literal Nazism to continue? It is a
farce. I have come from New York and I can speak quite fast, so I can make two
minutes run like the next day, okay? So, believe me when I tell you I've lived it. It is
not fair for you to dehumanize a whole group of people just because you prefer to take
checks in your pockets. 1 speak the truth as I stand here. You can have me arrested,
you can detain me, you can do whatever you please, but it's not going to stop me from
fighting back. What we are living as homeless out here and low poverty income
families is called the Les Miserables syndrome. Maybe you've heard of Les Mis,
where the people stood up against its own government to fight for better things, to
fight for freedoms. You cannot take away from people knowing what you have and sit
there and be happy with yourselves. Because if I were on that board or in one of your
chairs this world would be different in the City of Miami.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you.
Mr. Jackson: You need to provide not take away.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments.
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Commissioner Carollo: Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Commissioner Carollo: Give me --
Vice Chair Russell: Commissioner Carollo, you're recognized.
Commissioner Carollo: Give me one second. It's great to get a New Yorker come
down to Miami and tell us how we need to do with things and how Miami should be
run. But last time I looked at New York, it wasn't paradise at all. But I'm sorry to the
gentleman that I didn't come here today with my I love Che Guevara" pin and that I
don't have the gold marks sign put up here. And this is the whole problem. You know,
we have poverty throughout the whole City of Miami. We're sadly a city that's two
cities in one; those that are well-to-do, that live mostly by the water's edge, and then
the rest of the city, whether it's in Liberty City, Overtown, Little Haiti, Little Havana,
Wvnwood, Allapattah, Flagami, it's a different city. I can tell you that a lot of the
people in my district in Little Havana, they're paying outrageous rent prices so they
could be living in broken down places full of roaches and rats that are owned by, in
many cases, many outstanding fine slumlords from New York. Now, no one's going to
tell me that thousands of our residents that live in these conditions, that are getting
exploited every day with their rents being increased constantly, living in those
conditions, have to stand back and let so-called homeless, that in many cases, and in
most cases here in Miami, want to be homeless, that they are the ones that have a
right to get ahead of the line and get a brand-new apartment and not them. It's not the
way it works. In fact, let me go further. I heard the fine attorney mention that what we
needed to do was put the so-called homeless into homes. She said, put them into
housing. Well, she said that we need to protect and help those residents. I'd like to
propose to all you fine people that are here today, and of course, I know that, as the
lady said, this was not organized. And I think we all know better than that here, unless
we all want to pretend that a lie is not a lie. This was organized today, just like the
entails that we all got, that the majority, were same type of entails. Sadly, the homeless
issue has become a business here, and particularly, in Miami. You see the people that
are not organizing, that are the ones that are leading the charge, making the calls,
just like the little rally outside before this Commission meeting got started. That was
not organized either. That just happened by chance. But homelessness has become,
sadly, a business, a business so that some of the leadership that's here today that
didn't organize anything can get a nice paycheck and make a living. And yes, if they
get a hold of 500, the monies for 500 new units, that's going to be millions of dollars
that someone's going to be running. So, I propose the following today, since, you
know, we're all bad people up here and we don't care. I mean, the City of Miami has
spent tens and tens of millions throughout the years in trying to be humane with the
homeless population. This year alone, it's over $7 million that we're spending
outright, not including all the service that we provide from our different departments.
So, I make a proposal, I mean, I made notes here that the attorneys said put them into
homes. Well, I'd like to create a new program today for all of you here that I'm sure
many of you are going to jump right up and stand in line and be the first to help. And
that's the Adopt a Homeless Program, where each of you can adopt a homeless and
bring them to your home so that you could be humane in helping them to the next step.
Now, how many of you -- raise your hands -- want to adopt a homeless? Okay, all
right, well, good. Good. So, Mr. Clerk, make a list of all the people here that want to
adopt a homeless, that are willing to get someone off the streets so that they can bring
them to their home and they can give them all the care, the love, the humane
treatment that they want. Now, those that --
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
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Commissioner Carollo: Excuse me, excuse me, excuse me, 1 didn't mean to get
anybody upset. 1 didn't mean to get anybody upset but let me go to the next one.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Chair, can, you --?
Vice Chair Russell: Commissioner, we've got to get out by noon.
Commissioner Carollo: Can --?
Vice Chair Russell: We've got 30 minutes to run this agenda.
Commissioner Carollo: They didn't like it. Can you shut the people that don't want to
allow me to speak up, please? Now, I understand that some of you maybe don't have
room in your homes. You know, you don't have the space, and that's understandable.
So, maybe then, in your front yard --
Unidentified Speaker: Oh, my God.
Commissioner Carollo: -- you could get a tent, those that have front yards --
Unidentified Speaker: Put them in your yard.
Commissioner Carollo: -- then have a homeless be adopted there. Or you could put
them in the sidewalk in front of your building where you live.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Vice Chair Russell: Commissioner, let's move on.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Unidentified Speaker: How y'all let him do that and say these (INAUDIBLE) things?
Commissioner Carollo: Well, well --
Vice Chair Russell: Commissioner.
Commissioner Carollo: -- well, well, well. You know --
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Commissioner Carollo: -- this is wonderful. You know, you come here --
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Vice Chair Russell: Alright.
Commissioner Carollo: -- you come here demanding rights, but then when we say
something to you that you don't like, then my God, we don't have rights. You want
anarchy then, right? Just like you have in the streets now.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Commissioner Carollo: Because the bottom line is, look, this city has --
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Unidentified Speaker: You're taking it personal.
Commissioner Carollo: -- been as humane, if not more than any city in America. And
we're not talking about making --
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Commissioner Carollo: -- homelessness a crime. We're talking about laws that have
to be followed. That people cannot block sidewalks.
Vice Chair Russell: Alright.
Commissioner Carollo: That others have rights to just like that wonderful city that
you all have talked about, Los Angeles.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Vice Chair Russell: Alright, that's enough, Commissioner.
Commissioner Carollo: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) too.
Vice Chair Russell: Let's all bring this back.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Vice Chair Russell: Commissioner.
Unidentified Speaker: (UNINTELLIGIBLE), not you. (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah.
Vice Chair Russell: Commissioner, please.
Commissioner Carollo: Listen, listen, listen.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Vice Chair Russell: Ma'am, please, ma'am.
Commissioner Carollo: The vast majority ofyou don't even live in the City of Miami.
Vice Chair Russell: Commissioner.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Vice Chair Russell: Alright., everybody, please.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Vice Chair Russell: Commissioner, through the Chair, please. When you address the
audience, the audience responds.
Commissioner Carollo: I certainly get the hornet's nest going.
Vice Chair Russell: And I figured that was the intention.
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Commissioner Carollo: No, the intention was that I'm sick of this hypocrisy. They
want to do so much.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Vice Chair Russell: Everybody, please be quiet.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Vice Chair Russell: Alright, let me have --
Commissioner Carollo: Chairman, get them all out of here if they're screaming.
Vice Chair Russell: No, let me help.
Commissioner Carollo: Get them out of here if they're screaming.
Vice Chair Russell: Let me help out here. Please.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Vice Chair Russell: Let me help here. Let me help here, please, because we need to
move on, and I want you all to be heard.
Unidentified Speaker: Okay.
Vice Chair Russell: You all know where I am on this issue.
Unidentified Speaker: Yeah.
Vice Chair Russell: I'm in the minority on this issue. But I'm not up here calling
names of my fellow commissioners because that's not how I'm going to get anything
done. I will. just continue to be a 1-4 losing vote, a potted plant up here getting
nothing done. Instead, we need solutions that work together. These commissioners
aren't here to punish and hurt anyone. They're trying to solve a problem out of
frustration. Please hear me out. They're not out with a vendetta on the homeless. As
you can hear, they're trying to solve a problem for those with homes. I believe, and I
know you believe, that if we solve the homeless situation, it solves the problem for all
of us.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Vice Chair Russell: I do believe -- and we are out of capacity. Listen, please --
Unidentified Speaker: Yes.
Vice Chair Russell: -- because you're going to lose your opportunity to speak. The
Commission didn't need to allow me to allow public comment at all for a deferred
item, but they did, and I appreciate that. But we need to be civil. We cannot be calling
names, Nazis, communists, different things up here right now. Civil solutions. I'm
going to be proposing the creation of 500 new supportive permanent housing units,
because I believe that will open up the pipeline from shelter. We don't need more
shelter, we need more housing to get folks out of shelter, and that will bring people off
the streets.
Applause.
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Vice Chair Russell: But that's not an overnight solution. But I need their support to
work on that. These are not our enemies. These are not my enemies. These are our
elected commissioners. So, I would like us all to respect each other and these
chambers as we work toward positive solutions. So please, everyone has two minutes.
Tight. Positive solutions. Say your comments. You don't have to be supportive, but
let's not be rude.
Unidentified Speaker: Okay.
Vice Chair Russell: And well get through this together.
Unidentified Speaker: Thank you.
Vice Chair Russell: Alright?
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Vice Chair Russell: Now, we have -- Commissioner Carollo, you said you had to
leave at some point.
Commissioner Carollo: I do. I have to leave. I stated that, from the beginning --
Vice Chair Russell: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: -- at noontime. And Mr. Clerk, you let them know when they
could come to your office and line up, so they could put their names and addresses,
all those that want to adopt a homeless.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Vice Chair Russell: Stop, please. Please, no outbursts in the dais. We will clear the
chambers. Is there anyone here to speak on items not SR.2? Because that item is
deferred and it's not being taken up at this meeting. I want to make sure those who
are speaking on items at this meeting get their chance so that we can get to those
items on this meeting. If you're here to speak on an item not SR.2, please come to the
front so that we can address those items that are on this agenda today. I don 't want to
disrespect anyone who's come here today to speak to us, but we must prioritize the
items that are on this agenda. Are you here to speak on SR.2? Please.
Commissioner Watson: But let me just say for you -- hold on, before you move
forward though, let me say this, Mr. Chair. I guess as we continue to try to work
towards a solution, because 1 think a lot of times folks have misinformation. 1 just
heard you say you 're on the losing end of a 4-1 vote. I don 't know if there's been a
vote, one. You say you're going to --
Vice Chair Russell: Just on first reading.
Commissioner Watson: Well, but because we wanted to have it be heard. And then I
heard you say that you're going to propose something. So, I think what I've said
earlier, the reason we asked for a deferral was because someone in the community
that deals with homeless, and I've probably dealt with it as long as many, right,
wanted to bring forward some solutions. And so I think from that perspective, we all
have now agreed to look at it and wait to see what solutions that might exist that
works for everybody involved. So, I just wanted to make sure that's also clear.
Because some will walk away saying, we're all a bunch of heathens, when in fact,
we're still trying to talk through the issue, as we always do. Things like or not like,
sometimes it's an opportunity to hear something when you move it on first reading so.
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Vice Chair Russell: I appreciate that. And that is my goal to get more so it's not a 4-1.
I would like a 5-0 in the other direction. But we need good positive solutions to get us
there. You're recognized, sir.
Luis Garcia: So, my name is Luis Garcia and I'm representing Brickell on the River
North Tower, right next to Riverside, which you will -- all well know. And I'm here to
support FR.5, which is adding more tools to the noise ordinance and code
enforcement to control the noise, right? This is a good start, but I'm not sure why with
the tools that we have today, the City cannot enforce places like Riverside to comply
with their TUP (Temporary Use Permit) and the law. Riverside is a business that
consistently violates the noise ordinance, having multiple citations, and most recently,
one issue last weekend, when the decibel measurements were same as a concert, as
the inspectors acknowledge. I urge you, honorable Commissioners, to take the actions
needed to revoke their license, because this place is clearly not interested to respect
the community as live as part of it. So, that's why we're here and I really hope that we
take this issue seriously. We have been one year almost talking about this and nothing
happened, right? This place just keep getting citations and citations and citations and
there is nothing that had happened besides that. You know, for a place like that, $500
is nothing in a, with a citation, right? So, thank you for the FR.5, but we need a little
bit more. We need clear directions right now. Now, I mean, at least to know what is
the next step when a place like that keep violation, keep this way to work, right,
violating --
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you.
Mr. Garcia: Yeah, but my answer is not --
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you.
Mr. Garcia: -- my question was not answered. Sorry.
Vice Chair Russell: It's not a question and answer session. We're here to listen to
you. Thank you.
Mr. Garcia: Alright. Thank you.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments. Good morning, Mr. Cruz.
Elvis Cruz: Good morning, Commissioners. Elvis Cruz, 631 Northeast 57th Street.
I'm going to speak on three items. The first is the Item PZ.3, which has to do with
your waterfront standards. I'm asking for a couple amendments to that that I hope
you'll consider. First of all, 1 want to point out that it's currently requiring a 15 foot
wide paved walkway along the bayfront. And that sort of one -size -fits -all mandate
would harm the public enjoyment in some areas, specifically in some of our
waterfront parks. Example, the picture of Morningside Park. It has a six-foot wide
walkway. It's been there since 1953. It's plenty wide. By reference, the sidewalk in
front of your homes is only five feet wide. So, this is six feet wide. You can see I've
measured it. It's six feet wide. But if that were to be increased with pavement to 15
feet wide, the image shows we'd lose an enormous amount of square footage, very
valuable square footage of green space right along our waterfronts. I've never heard
anybody -- and I've been in the neighborhood since '77 -- I've never heard anybody
say that that walkway is too narrow. So, please, amend that standard to allow lbr six -
Pot wide walkways in our parks. The other item is that -- oh, here you go, here's the
15 foot wide drawing in your ordinance. And you can see that a couple walking
doesn't need --
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Vice Chair Russell: You have 30 seconds, Elvis.
Mr. Cruz: -- doesn't need all of that space. Next the seawalls, you're requiring
seawalls to be a maximum of 24 inches wide. But most seawalls are 36 inches wide.
And 36 is much better for the public's recreation. It's also safer. People sometimes
walk on seawalls and a wider seawall is safer. And more importantly, for one of your
goals in your seawall ordinance, you're proposing that seawalls be extendable and
the wider seawall would be, from an engineering standpoint, stronger and allow you
to do that more easily. Lastly --
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments.
Mr. Cruz: -- yeah, lastly, regarding PH.9, the idea that the people would not be
allowed to vote. Wow, that's anti -democratic. That's a big mistake. That's the sort of
thing that happens in the island to the south. Please, don't take away the people's
ability to vote.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments.
Mr. Cruz: Thank you.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Mr. Cruz: PH.9.
Vice Chair Russell: I was trying not to bring attention to it, Commissioner Carollo,
but this is now the third speaker that's likening putting in a speed hump to
communism.
Mr. Cruz: No, it's not --
Vice Chair Russell: It's not appropriate.
Mr. Cruz: -- a speed hump. It's voting. Voting on whether the people will want to have
speed humps. You're doing away with a process that's been in place for decades
where the neighborhood votes on whether or not -- because let's face it, those are
beneficial, but they're also a nuisance and the people should be allowed to vote. And
so to take away their right to vote, that's not right.
Vice Chair Russell: We may just simply disagree on this. And when it takes me more
than six years to put in traffic calming that can save lives, some things are about
popularity and what everybody wants, and some things about what are needed to save
lives. And the vote happens at the election. And if I can 't get a speed hump or a traffic
circle or a stop sign or a speed limit sign put in over a six -year period, the vote is
failed when I was put into office. So, I am not going to ballot every single person on
an entire street to see whether one speed hump should be put in. We have a
mechanism which allows this forum right here for every member of that street or
public to come and protest that speed hump, but the balloting process is not working.
Commissioner Reyes has done it in his district.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
Vice Chair Russell: There were no dissent, and there are lives going to be saved by
traffic calming devices. So, I just simply disagree with that process.
Commissioner Reyes: May I interject? Please stop comparing -- and this is the same
thing that somebody that is going to be, we're going to discuss later on at
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(UNINTELLIGIBLE) that we're acting like communist Cuba. It seems to me that none
of you know what a communist system is, although you are all, most of you, some of
you are advocating for socialism and things like that. You know, let's go back to the
homeless' issue. There are no homeless in Cuba. They're all in encampment. They are
in a concentration camp, you see. And when you start comparing it, be -- I mean,
educate yourself what that system really is, you see, because there's some people here
that they say that they talk about communism and they want to equate anything that
we do in order to make their arguments stronger. You are lying. I mean you don't
know what you're talking about. You don 't know what you're talking about. To start
with, you cannot express yourself like you're expressing here if we were acting like in
Cuba, okay? You cannot. There's no dissent.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Vice Chair Russell: Please do not respond.
Commissioner Reyes: So, what I'm saying, what I'm saying is, I mean, use the right
good examples, but don't bring it like that because there's too many -- too much
suffering, too many people have died, and too many people in jail, okay?
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you, Commissioner.
Commissioner Reyes: And we don't have that here. I mean, I'm just bringing that
because it hurts that just like this, this is just like Cuba, no.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you, Commissioner.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Vice Chair Russell: Next speaker, please.
Abegail Ape: Yes. Good morning, Commissioners. My name is Abegail Ape. I'm a
resident of District 2 at 200 Biscayne Boulevard. I'm here in support of FR.5 to
increase penalties and prosecutions to violators. We are requesting the same
considerations and amendments for it to apply to Brickell. Establishments continually
break the code, and while code compliance has been issuing tickets, residents do not
feel heard. Thank you. This past weekend, the establishment Riverside SLS and the
concert at the Miami Marlins Stadium affected thousands of residents. And while
some violations were issued to SLS and Riverside, the music was not turned down and
the residents continued not being able to speak. Commissioner Russell, earlier today
you were concerned with Goya Beach and we request the same consideration for the
residents of Brickell all along our area. To all the Commissioners, please add more
teeth to the City Code. Thank you.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments.
Commissioner Carollo: Excuse me, before you go, ma'am, Madam City Attorney, I'd
like to place an item in the next City Commission agenda having to do with these
places that she's mentioned. They deserve our City Code Enforcement, our City
government, to enforce the laws there. And this is what I've been talking about since I
got here, that nightclubs, liquor establishments, they own this city. There are two
laws, one for them and one for the rest of us. And this is a problem that's across all of
our districts. You, ma'am, and the residents there deserve to have peace and
tranquility so you could sleep at night, so you could have a quality of life. And I am
sorry --
Ms. Ape: Thank you.
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Commissioner Carollo: -- and this was brought much more to my attention yesterday,
I am sorry, that all of you are not getting the proper response from the City of Miami
government. I don 't know what's going on there, hut I want to air it in public, and I
want our City Administration to come down on those people if they are violating our
laws, like I'm hearing and like you're expressing here to us.
Ms. Ape: There's plenty of videos, so thank you for that, Commissioner.
Commissioner Carollo: Invite the owners of those establishments, too, you know, so
that they don't say that they've been targeted.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Next speaker, please.
Sara Herald: Sara Herald, Bilzen Sumberg, 1450 Brickell Avenue, 23rd floor. I'm
here as pro bono counsel for Casa Valentina, Item Number 8 on your agenda. I just
encourage you as a foster -- former foster parent for 14 years, this is an opportunity
to try to prevent homelessness. Casa Valentina was a community -based effort to
provide housing and assistance and supportive services for children aging out of
foster care. This is an opportunity for them to increase the number of units that
they've got with the City's help, which is a real opportunity to not just prevent
homelessness but give these kids an opportunity to actualize their potential. There are
a very large number of people in the homeless population that were formerly foster
care children. And Casa Valentina is the program in town that helps these students
and children. And so this is a big community -wide effort, and with the City of Miami's
help, well be able to change the course of these children's lives. Thank you.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Commissioner Reyes --
Commissioner Carollo: Madam City --
Vice Chair Russell: -- you're recognized.
Commissioner Carollo: Madam City Attorney.
Commissioner Reyes: Hold on a second.
Vice Chair Russell: Just a moment. Commissioner Reyes was recognized.
Commissioner Reyes: I -- excuse me. I agree with you. I visited your facilities and I
was quite impressed with the residents there. I'm quite impressed with the job you're
doing and the, facilities and how they are kept and I think that you deserve all the help
that we can give you.
Ms. Herald: Well, thank you. And I'm joined with two others that will speak. Thank
you very much for your support. We appreciate it.
Vice Chair Russell.: Thank you.
Commissioner Carollo: Thank you. Madam City Attorney, could you put for us an
ordinance for next meeting also? Unless -- I think an ordinance would be the
appropriate and best way of doing it, but you might decide a resolution would be
sufficient, that just like the Department of Children and Family have a program to put
kids in foster homes, that we establish a program in the City of Miami to adopt a
homeless, where we would provide a stipend amount that will be decided by this
Commission, whether it be 500 a month or it might be more, to help those that want to
adopt a homeless and bring them into their home so they could have some additional
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dollars to feed them and for additional electricity and water that they might use. And
I'm hoping that from so many fine people that were here advocating for the homeless
in the City of Miami, that we will have many of them that will be willing to adopt a
homeless and bring them into their home.
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): Thank you, Commissioner.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. You're recognized.
Eduardo Martinez: Good morning, Commissioners. Thank you for your time. My
name is Eduardo Martinez, and I'm a resident of Brickell. I've come here to talk to
two items. I believe FR.5, which is the noise. I can give you personal experience of
where I live two blocks away from SLS. And in the weekends, SLS is basically running
their pool area as a nightclub. This goes on from 12 o'clock in the afternoon to almost
7 o'clock at night every single weekend. The long weekends, it runs Friday and
Saturday -- and Thursday. I have called the City. I don't know, honestly, if they've
given them citations or not, but it's unbearable for all the residents that live within -- I
mean, the sound carries out, so it reverberates all throughout the building. So, this is
something that we really need to look at because it is destroying the way of -- you
know, the quality of life that we have in Brickell. The second item is the repeal of the
scooters. As a personal experience living in Brickell, this has become a major issue.
It's basically a nuisance. I have seen scooters thrown around the sides of the streets,
not parked where they're supposed to park. I have seen handicaps navigating the
sidewalks because the scooters are in their way. At the end of the day, the scooter
program becomes litter. It litters our streets. The people who use that, I believe that
the initial thinking of this was jor people to transport themselves to work or something
like that. This is not what's happening now. It's become joy rides. They cut in front of
you, they go into the sidewalks, they going full speed, they go into the streets. This is
something that the City really has to look at because it's destroying that, again, the
way of life, the quality of life in Brickell. And the third issue that I wanted to talk
about, because everybody's talking about the homeless, I welcome my tax dollars to
be used to help the homeless, but the situation in Brickell, as far as the homeless are
concerned, it's dire.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you.
Mr. Martinez: It is dire. Time's up?
Vice Chair Russell: Yes. Thank you, though.
Mr. Martinez: Thank you.
Vice Chair Russell: Message received.
Mr. Martinez: Thank you very much.
Marianne Lukacs: Good morning. I think it's still morning.
Vice Chair Russell.: It is.
Ms. Lukacs: Yes, thank you, by a few more minutes. My name is Marianne Lukacs and
I am on the board of directors of Casa Valentina and I support PH.8. And I thank you
for your support as well, Commissioner Reyes and Commissioner Russell, on this and
all the other Commissioners who do. Two minutes is not enough to tell you everything
that we do because we do so much. But just -- we've been in existence since 2006. We
purchased some properties in the City on Mundy Street. We have served over 200
youth in our in-house residential programs and over a thousand in our outreach
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programs in schools and communities. We strive to redirect youth from poverty and
homelessness to a life of fulfillment and self-sufficiency. We provide them not only
with affordable housing but with education assistance, with employment skills, job
placement help, financial literacy, and various other life skills. This is a very
important program, and we look for your support so that we are able to expand that
program to help serve more of the community in Miami. And this is our opportunity to
create this as a model for other communities. So, I thank you for your support and
let's pass it. Thank you.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments. Good morning.
June Savage: Hi, guys. My name is June Savage. I'm going to speak a little bit rapid
because I'm going to speak on both issues. So, let's start with the noise in Brickell.
I'm a real estate agent for 18 years. I'm with One Sotheby's and I will tell you that if
Miami Beach passes the 2 a.m. ban, those people are going to get in their cars and
their Ubers and they're going to come over to the City of Miami. So, you need to
either raise the bar on the fees of the noise at these places and hit them where it
counts with the dollar or you will have problems going forward. Dan Gelber's been
trying to pass this every time he gets reelected or reappointed and this time it really
might just pass because Miami Beach is out of control. Regarding the homeless, we
have an angel in the room, Constance Collins, who I have worked with before with the
Lotus House Women's Shelter, who now there is a Lotus House Men's Shelter. So, I'm
here to tell you that the people that are buying the new homes here, their taxes are
going to be incredibly high compared to the people that sold who've been holding on
for many years. You guys are going to have more money from the taxes from those
sales. I would like to see some of that go into a program to increase her Lotus House
Women's Shelter and Men's Shelter because it works. I've taken people out of Section
8. I've also worked with Hardemon and I spoke to him about the eight little children
that are there in Wynwood listening to the noise all night long. If the developers want
a piece of Miami there needs to be a homeless impact fee on the property purchase
that they are getting.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you, Ms. Savage.
Ms. Savage: I don't know if my two minutes are up.
Vice Chair Russell: Well, we're not addressing the homeless issue right now.
Ms. Savage: Okay.
Vice Chair Russell: We've tabled SR.2 completely.
Ms. Savage: Alright.
Vice Chair Russell: It's deferred for another meeting.
Ms. Savage: And I also sent you something to contact me about the water because I'd
rather see Marine Patrol giving tickets out there on the little islands how they're
trashing our city as opposed to somebody who needs food or something else because
they're homeless.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you.
Ms. Savage: Thank you, Constance. We love you.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Is there anyone here to speak on remaining items on
the agenda other than SR.2 at this point? You are.
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Janice Graham: Yes, I am. Can you hear me?
Vice Chair Russell: Yes.
Ms. Graham: Good morning. Thank you for this opportunity and I'm here to speak on
behalf of Casa Valentina. My name is Janice Graham and I'm the executive director.
Casa Valentina is everything that you've heard from Marianne and Sara earlier.
What I'd like to share is just a quick story. David. David came to Casa Valentina lost.
David had nowhere to go. David was misguided. He had no one to wrap their arms
around him. Casa Valentina did exactly that. With our life skills program, David was
able to graduate from Miami Dade and his dream was to become a nurse. He was
having difficulty in some of the very basic classes. Casa Valentina paid for tutoring,
mentoring, and whatever he needed. David graduated. As a family does, we were at
his graduation. We hugged him. We told him how proud of him we were. David said
to me, Mrs. Graham, thank you. Thank you for everything that you do for us at Casa
Valentina. We couldn't do it without you. David got into nursing school. We helped
him to pass his boards. David passed his boards and now David is working in the ER
(Emergency Room) at North Shore Medical Hospital as a nurse. That's what we do at
Casa Valentina. One other real quick piece that I want to share. I'm proud to say that
last week was able to offer a position as program coordinator at Casa Valentina to
one of our former youth. That is what we do at Casa Valentina. We need your support.
We need your help. Thank you.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Is there anyone else here to speak on any of the
remaining items on the agenda? So, what I'm going to do is close public comment for
right now. I'm going to take up these items. And if there's time before we break, I will
reopen public comment for SR.2 so that those who have come and been here today --
but that is the public comment for that item which will come back next month -- or
later in the month.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. So, I'm closing public comment on the regular agenda
at this point.
[Later...]
Vice Chair Russell: I'd like to reopen public comment on SR.2 if there's anyone here
who hasn't been able to speak on SR.2 before we break and adjourn actually. This is
the time to do it at this point if anybody -- I'm sorry, I can't hear you, sir.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Vice Chair Russell: Okay, okay, but if you 're here --
Unidentified Speaker: I'm here.
Vice Chair Russell.: -- you're very welcome.
Katrina Ciraldo: Hi, my name is Katrina Ciraldo. I'm a primary care doctor and an
addiction specialist. And I am speaking in opposition to the anti -camping ordinance. I
know that our discussion is that we're going to be talking about solutions. And I have
a letter that's been signed by 86 healthcare workers and medical students to say that -
Vice Chair Russell: I apologize.
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Ms. Ciraldo: -- yeah, we oppose this. Criminalizing homelessness is effectively what
this ordinance does so when you vote on it next time you should vote no or withdraw
and replace it with a solution. Unfortunately, it's also a racist act to criminalize
homelessness in Miami where disproportionately black people, they represent 57
percent of the county's homeless population, despite making up only 18 percent of the
population. So, giving opportunities for them to be arrested will only worsen the
problems of racism that we have in our society and police violence. So, I thank you
guys for being open to discussing solutions. And I think as an addiction doctor, and
I've taken care of a lot of homeless patients, and getting to hear their stories, there's
a lot that is not always obvious to a stranger and that people don't have an obligation
to share with us as just humans. They have privacy and so just respecting that people
have a lot of trauma and using even if you have addiction and you're living on the
street like everybody needs to have opportunities to be engaged with social services
and not the police. So, I hope that this ordinance can be voted against or withdrawn.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you.
Ms. Ciraldo: Thanks.
Vice Chair Russell: I'll close public comment.
AM - APPROVING THE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETING:
MV - MAYORAL VETO(ES)
NO MAYORAL VETOES
There were no mayoral vetoes associated with legislation that is subject to veto by the Mayor.
Vice Chair Russell: Just a moment, Mr. -- Commissioner Carollo, just let me get through
the -- Do we have any mayoral vetoes?
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair, there are no mayoral vetoes.
Vice Chair Russell: And no minutes for approval?
Mr. Hannon: No, sir.
Vice Chair Russell: All right. Thank you.
END OF MAYORAL VETO(ES)
CA - CONSENT AGENDA
The following item(s) was Adopted on the Consent Agenda
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MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Russell, Carollo, Reyes, Watson
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
CA.1 RESOLUTION
9559
Department of Real
Estate and Asset
Management
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), BY A FOUR -FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE
VOTE, RATIFYING, CONFIRMING, AND APPROVING THE CITY
MANAGER'S EMERGENCY FINDING, ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A", THAT IT IS MOST
ADVANTAGEOUS OR PRACTICABLE FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI
("CITY") TO WAIVE THE COMPETITIVE SEALED BIDDING
REQUIREMENTS PURSUANT TO SECTION 18-90 OF THE CODE
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"),
AND RETROACTIVELY APPROVING THE SELECTION OF
BROUSS ELEVATORS INC., A FLORIDA PROFIT CORPORATION,
FOR THE PROVISION OF EMERGENCY RENOVATION OF THE
ELEVATORS HOUSED AT THE CITY'S OLYMPIA THEATER
RESIDENTIAL TOWER FOR THE CITY'S DEPARTMENT OF REAL
ESTATE AND ASSET MANAGEMENT FOR AN ESTIMATED
EXPENDITURE AMOUNT OF SIX HUNDRED NINETY EIGHT
THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS ($698,700.00);
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND
EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING ANY
AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, AND EXTENSIONS, SUBJECT TO
ALL ALLOCATIONS, APPROPRIATIONS, PRIOR BUDGETARY
APPROVALS, COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE
PROVISIONS OF THE CITY CODE, INCLUDING THE CITY'S
PROCUREMENT ORDINANCE, ANTI -DEFICIENCY ACT, AND
FINANCIAL INTEGRITY PRINCIPLES, ALL AS SET FORTH IN
CHAPTER 18 OF THE CITY CODE, IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO
THE CITY ATTORNEY, AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH ALL
APPLICABLE LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS, AS MAY BE
DEEMED NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0410
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
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Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
CA.2
9498
Department of Fire -
Rescue
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
ACCEPT A THIRD INSTALLMENT OF FUNDING PURSUANT TO
THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES' PUBLIC
HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES EMERGENCY FUND IN AN
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $101,318.86 INTENDED TO ASSIST
HOSPITALS AND OTHER HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS FIGHTING
THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS ("COVID-19") PANDEMIC THAT
SHALL BE UTILIZED TO PREVENT, PREPARE FOR, AND
RESPOND TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC THROUGH
REIMBURSEMENT OF HEALTHCARE RELATED EXPENSES OR
LOST REVENUES ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY
DOCUMENTS, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, FOR THE ACCEPTANCE AND ADMINISTRATION OF
SAID FUNDS AND COMPLIANCE WITH SAID TERMS AND
CONDITIONS.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0411
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
CA.3 RESOLUTION
10581
Department of
Resilience and
Public Works
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING ONE (1) RIGHT-OF-WAY DEED
OF DEDICATION, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN
EXHIBIT "A", ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED ("DEED"), FOR
RIGHT-OF-WAY PURPOSES; APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING
THE RECORDATION OF THE DEED IN THE PUBLIC RECORDS
OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA; FURTHER DIRECTING THE
CITY CLERK TO RETAIN A COPY OF THE DEED.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0412
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
City of Miami Page 53 Printed on 05/30/2024
City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
CA.4
10589
Department of
Police
CA.5
10590
Department of
Police
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
ENTER INTO AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT, IN
SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, BETWEEN THE CITY
OF MIAMI AND MIAMI-DADE COUNTY FOR THE PROVISION OF
POLICE ROVING PATROL SERVICES WITHIN THE
MORNINGSIDE SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT ("DISTRICT") AND
APPROPRIATING RESOURCES TO THE SPECIAL REVENUE
FUND TITLED, "MORNINGSIDE ROVING SECURITY GUARD
SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT"; FURTHER APPROPRIATING SAID
FUNDS FOR POLICE SERVICES AND EXPENDITURES WITHIN
THE DISTRICT; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER
TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE
TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, ANY AND ALL SUPPLEMENTS AND
AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT AS MAY BE
NECESSARY.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0413
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
ENTER INTO AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT, IN
SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, BETWEEN THE CITY
OF MIAMI AND MIAMI-DADE COUNTY FOR THE PROVISION OF
POLICE ROVING PATROL SERVICES WITHIN THE FAIRHAVEN
SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT ("DISTRICT") AND APPROPRIATING
RESOURCES TO THE SPECIAL REVENUE FUND TITLED,
"FAIRHAVEN ROVING SECURITY GUARD SPECIAL TAXING
DISTRICT"; FURTHER APPROPRIATING SAID FUNDS FOR
POLICE SERVICES AND EXPENDITURES WITHIN THE
DISTRICT; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO
THE CITY ATTORNEY, ANY AND ALL SUPPLEMENTS AND
AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0414
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
City of Miami Page 54 Printed on 05/30/2024
City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
CA.6
10592
Department of
Police
CA.7
10591
Department of
Police
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
ENTER INTO AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT, IN
SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, BETWEEN THE CITY
OF MIAMI AND MIAMI-DADE COUNTY FOR THE PROVISION OF
POLICE ROVING PATROL SERVICES WITHIN THE BRICKELL
FLAGLER SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT ("DISTRICT") AND
APPROPRIATING RESOURCES TO THE SPECIAL REVENUE
FUND TITLED, "BRICKELL FLAGLER ROVING SECURITY GUARD
SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT"; FURTHER APPROPRIATING SAID
FUNDS FOR POLICE SERVICES AND EXPENDITURES WITHIN
THE DISTRICT; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER
TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE
TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, ANY AND ALL SUPPLEMENTS AND
AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0416
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
ENTER INTO AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT, IN
SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, BETWEEN THE CITY
OF MIAMI AND MIAMI-DADE COUNTY FOR THE PROVISION OF
POLICE ROVING PATROL SERVICES WITHIN THE BAY HEIGHTS
SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT ("DISTRICT") AND APPROPRIATING
RESOURCES TO THE SPECIAL REVENUE FUND TITLED, "BAY
HEIGHTS ROVING SECURITY GUARD SPECIAL TAXING
DISTRICT"; FURTHER APPROPRIATING SAID FUNDS FOR
POLICE SERVICES AND EXPENDITURES WITHIN THE
DISTRICT; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO
THE CITY ATTORNEY, ANY AND ALL SUPPLEMENTS AND
AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0415
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
City of Miami Page 55 Printed on 05/30/2024
City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
CA.8
10593
Department of
Police
CA.9
10659
Department of
Police
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
ENTER INTO AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT, IN
SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, BETWEEN THE CITY
OF MIAMI AND MIAMI-DADE COUNTY FOR THE PROVISION OF
POLICE ROVING PATROL SERVICES WITHIN THE NATOMA
MANORS SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT ("TAXING DISTRICT') AND
APPROPRIATING RESOURCES TO THE SPECIAL REVENUE
FUND TITLED, "NATOMA MANORS ROVING SECURITY SPECIAL
TAXING DISTRICT"; FURTHER APPROPRIATING SAID FUNDS
FOR POLICE SERVICES WITHIN THE TAXING DISTRICT;
FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE
AND EXECUTE, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, ANY AND ALL SUPPLEMENTS AND AMENDMENTS
TO THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT AS MAY BE NECESSARY.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0417
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ESTABLISHING A NEW SPECIAL REVENUE
PROJECT TITLED "COMMUNICATION AND HIGH VISIBILITY
ENFORCEMENT"; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE THE LETTER OF AGREEMENT AND CONTRACT, IN
SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, BETWEEN THE CITY
OF MIAMI AND THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA TRAINING
AND SERVICES INSTITUTE, INC., D/B/A INSTITUTE OF POLICE
TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT, FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF
OVERTIME EXPENSES, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
$92,686.57 FOR THE MIAMI POLICE DEPARTMENT OFFICERS
PARTICIPATION IN TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT DETAILS AND
COMMUNITY EDUCATION INITIATIVES PERTAINING TO
PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE SAFETY ENFORCEMENT;
FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO DESIGNATE
THE CHIEF OF POLICE TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL OTHER
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO
THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR ACCEPTANCE OF SAID
REIMBURSEMENT FUNDS, WITH NO MATCHING FUNDS
REQUIRED FROM THE CITY.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0418
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
City of Miami Page 56 Printed on 05/30/2024
City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
CA.10
10660
Department of
Police
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING, IN
SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, BETWEEN THE CITY
OF MIAMI AND THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR IN THE KINGDOM
OF BAHRAIN TO COLLABORATE FOR THE ENHANCEMENT OF
COMMUNITY POLICING, COMBATING TRANSNATIONAL CRIME,
AND APPROVING THE CITY OF MIAMI'S POLICE
DEPARTMENT'S PARTICIPATION IN PROVIDING MUTUAL
ASSISTANCE IN PREVENTING AND COMBATING CRIMES, TO
INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ILLICIT DRUG TRAFFICKING,
TERRORISM, ARMS SMUGGLING, HUMAN TRAFFICKING,
MARITIME FRAUD, COMMERCIAL CRIME, BANK OFFENSES
AND CREDIT CARD FRAUD, CYBER-CRIME, MONEY
LAUNDERING, AND FRAUDULENT TRAVEL DOCUMENTS.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0419
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
CA.11 RESOLUTION
10661
Office of Grants
Administration
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO
EXCEED TWO HUNDRED TWO THOUSAND THIRTY-TWO
DOLLARS ($202,032.00) IN THE FORM OF A REIMBURSEMENT
GRANT ("GRANT") FROM THE CHILDREN'S TRUST ("TRUST") TO
THE CITY OF MIAMI'S ("CITY'S") DEPARTMENT OF GRANTS
ADMINISTRATION'S ("DEPARTMENT") EDUCATION INITIATIVES
FOR THE FAMILIES FIRST PARENTING PROGRAM
("PROGRAM") AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY'S IN -KIND
SERVICES MATCH IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
TEN THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED NINETY-FIVE DOLLARS
($10,795.00) TO FUND THE PROGRAM ADMINISTERED BY THE
DEPARTMENT AT VARIOUS CHILD CARE CENTERS WITHIN
THE CITY; ESTABLISHING A NEW SPECIAL REVENUE
PROJECT TITLED "THE CHILDREN'S TRUST GRANT FOR
EDUCATION INITIATIVES 2021-2022 FAMILIES FIRST
PARENTING PROGRAM" TO ACCEPT THE GRANT;
APPROPRIATING THE GRANT WITH IN -KIND SERVICES;
FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE
AND EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE TRUST AND TO
NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL OTHER NECESSARY
AMENDMENTS, EXTENSIONS, AND MODIFICATIONS, ALL IN
FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, TO
IMPLEMENT THE ACCEPTANCE OF AND COMPLIANCE WITH
THE GRANT FOR SAID PURPOSES FOR THE PERIOD
COMMENCING AUGUST 1, 2021 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30,
2022, WITH THE OPTIONS TO RENEW FOR UP TO ONE (1)
ADDITIONAL SIMILAR PERIOD AT THE SAME NOT -TO -EXCEED
AMOUNTS UNDER THE SAME TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR
THE PROGRAM, SUBJECT TO BUDGETARY APPROVAL AT TIME
OF NEED.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0420
City of Miami Page 57 Printed on 05/30/2024
City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
END OF CONSENT AGENDA
Vice Chair Russell: Commissioners, if 1 could get a motion for the remainder of the CA
(Consent Agenda), PH (Public Hearing), and RE (Resolution) agenda, please? That is
CAs 1 through 11 --
Commissioner Reyes: Move it.
Vice Chair Russell: Moved by Commissioner Reyes.
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
Vice Chair Russell: Seconded by Commissioner Carollo. Is there any father
discussion?
Commissioner Reyes: No.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Just a friendly reminder that PH.2 is to be amended.
Vice Chair Russell: Do you need the -- an amendment read into the record or --
Mr. Hannon: No, no, sir.
Vice Chair Russell: -- it's just a substitution?
Mr. Hannon: Just recorded as amended.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. Alt in favor of the item, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Vice Chair Russell: Any opposed? Motion passes. Thank you very much.
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): And PH.2 --
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Ms. Mendez: -- there was a substitution that we dealt with as well. I just --
Vice Chair Russell: Yes, we have that.
Ms. Mendez: Okay, thank you.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you.
City of Miami Page 58 Printed on 05/30/2024
City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
PH - PUBLIC HEARINGS
PH.1 RESOLUTION
9499
Department of
Housing and
Community
Development
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENTS, ALLOCATING EMERGENCY RENTAL
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 2 ("ERA2") FUNDS IN AN AMOUNT OF
$22,779,317.10 FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
THE TREASURY AS SET FORTH IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED, AND APPROVING THE PROGRAM SUMMARY
FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI'S EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM AND ERA2 TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
AND HOUSING STABILITY TO ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS AS
DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "B," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED;
FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE
AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, ALL IN
FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, SUBJECT TO
ALL FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAWS THAT REGULATE THE
USE OF SUCH FUNDS, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
AYES: Russell, Carollo, Reyes, Watson
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: Item PH.1 was deferred to the October 28, 2021, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PH.1, please see "Order of the
Day."
City of Miami Page 59 Printed on 05/30/2024
City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
PH.2 RESOLUTION
10584
Department of Real
Estate and Asset
Management
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), PURSUANT TO SECTION 29-B(C) OF THE
CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED,
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND
EXECUTE A GRANT OF EASEMENT ("EASEMENT"), IN A FORM
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, SUBJECT TO RELEASE
OF THE 2017 EASEMENT RECORDED IN OFFICIAL RECORDS
BOOK 30542 AT PAGE 2780 IN THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF MIAMI-
DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, TO THE FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT
COMPANY, A FLORIDA PROFIT CORPORATION, FOR A
PERPETUAL, NON-EXCLUSIVE EASEMENT OF APPROXIMATELY
FIVE THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED FIVE (5,105) SQUARE FEET OF
CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") OWNED PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3385
PAN AMERICAN DRIVE (FOLIO NO. 01-4122-002-0040) AND 2640
SOUTH BAYSHORE DRIVE (FOLIO NO. 01-4122-002-0011) MIAMI,
FLORIDA (COLLECTIVELY, "PROPERTY"), AS MORE
PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A", ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED ("EASEMENT AREA"), FOR THE PURPOSE OF
CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION, AND MAINTENANCE OF
UNDERGROUND ELECTRIC UTILITY FACILITIES, INCLUDING
CABLES, CONDUITS, APPURTENANT EQUIPMENT, AND
APPURTENANT ABOVE GROUND EQUIPMENT, IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE EASEMENT, WITH
THE RIGHT TO RECONSTRUCT, IMPROVE, AND REMOVE ALL
OR ANY OF THE FACILITIES WITHIN SAID EASEMENT AREA
LOCATED AT THE PROPERTY; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL
OTHER DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING AMENDMENTS AND
MODIFICATIONS TO SAID EASEMENT, ALL IN FORMS
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, AS MAY BE
NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THE MATTERS SET FORTH
HEREIN.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0434
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Russell, Carollo, Reyes, Watson
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PH.2, please see "Public
Comments for All Item(s)" and "End of Consent Agenda."
City ofMiami
Page 60 Printed on 05/30/2024
City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
PH.3 RESOLUTION
10783
Department of
Housing and
Community
Development
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), REALLOCATING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
BLOCK GRANT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $524,999.30 FROM
THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT TO THE AGENCIES AND/OR DEPARTMENTS
SPECIFIED IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED,
FOR PUBLIC SERVICE ACTIVITIES FOR PROGRAM YEAR 2021-
2022; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY
DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING AGREEMENTS, AMENDMENTS,
RENEWALS, EXTENSIONS, AND MODIFICATIONS, ALL IN FORMS
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, SUBJECT TO ALL
FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAWS THAT REGULATE THE USE
OF SUCH FUNDS, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0422
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Russell, Carollo, Reyes, Watson
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PH.3, please see "Public
Comments for All Item(s)" and "End of Consent Agenda."
PH.4 RESOLUTION
10785
Department of
Housing and
Community
Development
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ALLOCATING PROGRAM INCOME FROM
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS
GENERATED FROM FEBRUARY 1, 2021 TO AUGUST 31, 2021 IN
THE AMOUNT OF $182,617.11 FOR ELIGIBLE HOUSING AND
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES SPECIFIED IN EXHIBIT
"A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED; FURTHER AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND
ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO
THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0423
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Russell, Carollo, Reyes, Watson
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PH.4, please see "End of
Consent Agenda."
City ofMiami
Page 61 Printed on 05/30/2024
City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
PH.5 RESOLUTION
10786
Department of
Housing and
Community
Development
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), REALLOCATING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
BLOCK GRANT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,070,707.99 FROM
THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT TO THE AGENCIES AND/OR DEPARTMENTS
SPECIFIED IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED,
FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES FOR PROGRAM
YEAR 2021-2022; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER
TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY
DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING AMENDMENTS, EXTENSIONS, AND
MODIFICATIONS, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, SUBJECT TO ALL FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL
LAWS THAT REGULATE THE USE OF SUCH FUNDS, FOR SAID
PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0424
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Russell, Carollo, Reyes, Watson
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PH.5, please see "End of
Consent Agenda."
City ofMiami
Page 62 Printed on 05/30/2024
City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
PH.6 RESOLUTION
10662
Office of Grants
Administration
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), BY A FOUR -FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE
VOTE, AFTER AN ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING, RATIFYING,
APPROVING, AND CONFIRMING THE CITY MANAGER'S
RECOMMENDATIONS AND FINDINGS, ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A", THAT COMPETITIVE
NEGOTIATION METHODS AND PROCEDURES ARE NOT
PRACTICABLE OR ADVANTAGEOUS PURSUANT TO SECTION
18-85(A) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA AS
AMENDED; WAIVING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR SAID
PROCEDURES; APPROVING THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND
FINDINGS OF THE CITY OF MIAMI'S ("CITY'S") DEPARTMENT OF
GRANTS ADMINISTRATION'S EDUCATION INITIATIVES THAT
EXCEPTIONAL CONSULTING EDUCATIONAL LEADERS, INC., A
FLORIDA FOR -PROFIT CORPORATION ("SERVICE PROVIDER"),
IS THE MOST QUALIFIED ORGANIZATION TO PROVIDE
INSTRUCTION, FAMILY ACTIVITIES, MENTORING, COMMUNITY
WORKSHOPS, AND OTHER SUCH ACTIVITIES IN CONJUNCTION
WITH PARENTING SERVICES AT VARIOUS CHILDCARE
CENTERS WITHIN THE CITY FOR THE FAMILIES FIRST
PARENTING PROGRAM ("PROGRAM"); AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT
IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED EIGHTY THOUSAND DOLLARS
($80,000.00) WITH THE SERVICE PROVIDER, INCLUDING ANY
AND ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, AMENDMENTS,
RENEWALS, EXTENSIONS AND MODIFICATIONS IN
COMPLIANCE WITH THE RELATED CHILDREN'S TRUST
CONTRACT, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, FOR A PERIOD COMMENCING AUGUST 1, 2021 AND
ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2022, WITH THE OPTION TO RENEW
FOR UP TO ONE (1) ADDITIONAL SIMILAR PERIOD AT THE SAME
NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT, UNDER THE SAME TERMS AND
CONDITIONS FOR COMPLIANCE, WITH THE PROGRAM
SUBJECT TO BUDGETARY APPROVAL AT THE TIME OF NEED.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0425
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Russell, Carollo, Reyes, Watson
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PH.6, please see "End of
Consent Agenda."
City ofMiami
Page 63 Printed on 05/30/2024
City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
PH.7 RESOLUTION
10801
Commissioners
and Mayor
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), PURSUANT TO SECTION 18-85(A) OF THE
CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, BY A
FOUR FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, AFTER AN
ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING, RATIFYING, APPROVING, AND
CONFIRMING THE CITY MANAGER'S FINDINGS, ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A," THAT COMPETITIVE
NEGOTIATION METHODS AND PROCEDURES ARE NOT
PRACTICABLE OR ADVANTAGEOUS FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI
("CITY") AND WAIVING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR SAID
PROCEDURES; AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF GRANT
FUNDS FROM THE DISTRICT 4 COMMISSIONER'S SHARE OF
THE CITY'S ANTI -POVERTY INITIATIVE IN A TOTAL AMOUNT
NOT TO EXCEED THREE HUNDRED SEVENTY THREE
THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS ($373,750.00) TO
SUNSHINE FOR ALL, INC., A FLORIDA NOT FOR PROFIT
CORPORATION ("SUNSHINE FOR ALL"), IN SUPPORT OF
SUNSHINE FOR ALL'S SENIOR MEALS PROGRAM; FURTHER
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND
EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY, ALL IN
FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR SAID
PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0426
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Russell, Carollo, Reyes, Watson
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PH.7, please see "End of
Consent Agenda."
City ofMiami
Page 64 Printed on 05/30/2024
City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
PH.8 RESOLUTION
10701
Commissioners
and Mayor
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENTS, BY A FOUR -FIFTHS (4/5THS)
AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, AFTER AN ADVERTISED PUBLIC
HEARING, RATIFYING, APPROVING, AND CONFIRMING
THE CITY MANAGER'S FINDING, ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A," THAT COMPETITIVE
NEGOTIATION METHODS AND PROCEDURES ARE NOT
PRACTICABLE OR ADVANTAGEOUS FOR THE CITY OF
MIAMI ("CITY") PURSUANT TO SECTION 18-85(A) OF THE
CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED;
WAIVING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR SAID
PROCEDURES; ALLOCATING FUNDING IN THE FORM OF
A FORGIVABLE LOAN IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
TWO MILLION DOLLARS ($2,000,000.00) IN AMERICAN
RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021 ("ARPA") FUNDS TO CASA
VALENTINA, INC., A FLORIDA NOT FOR PROFIT
CORPORATION ("DEVELOPER"), FOR THE DEVELOPER
TO ACQUIRE ONE (1) OR MORE OF THE PARCELS
DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "B," ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED, ON WHICH THE DEVELOPER WILL
CAUSE TO BE CONSTRUCTED A NEW AFFORDABLE
HOUSING DEVELOPMENT THAT WILL CONTAIN NO LESS
THAN FIFTY (50) CITY -ASSISTED RESIDENTIAL RENTAL
UNITS FOR ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS WHOSE ANNUAL
INCOME IS EQUAL TO OR LESS THAN EIGHTY PERCENT
(80%) OF AREA MEDIAN INCOME AS PUBLISHED
ANNUALLY BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT TO BE KNOWN
AS CASA VALENTINA ("PROJECT"), SUBJECT TO THE
RECEIPT BY THE CITY MANAGER OF THE APPROVAL OF
THE PROJECT BY THE CITY'S HOUSING AND
COMMERCIAL LOAN COMMITTEE ("HCLC APPROVAL")
AND SUBJECT TO THE TERMS, CONDITIONS, AND
RESTRICTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN AND IN THE HCLC
APPROVAL; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING AMENDMENTS,
EXTENSIONS, AND MODIFICATIONS, ALL IN FORMS
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, SUBJECT TO
COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE
OF FLORIDA, LOCAL, AND CITY LAWS, RULES, AND
REGULATIONS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS
AND ARPA FUNDS AND SUBJECT TO THE DEVELOPER
FULFILLING ALL OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET
FORTH IN THE HCLC APPROVAL, IN ORDER TO
ALLOCATE THE CITY'S ARPA FUNDING TO THE
PROJECT IN THE FORM OF A FORGIVABLE LOAN;
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0427
City ofMiami
Page 65 Printed on 05/30/2024
City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Russell, Carollo, Reyes, Watson
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
City, of Miami
Page 66 Printed on 05/30/2024
City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
PH.8 RESOLUTION
10701
Commissioners
and Mayor
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENTS, BY A FOUR -FIFTHS (4/5THS)
AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, AFTER AN ADVERTISED PUBLIC
HEARING, RATIFYING, APPROVING, AND CONFIRMING
THE CITY MANAGER'S FINDING, ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A," THAT COMPETITIVE
NEGOTIATION METHODS AND PROCEDURES ARE NOT
PRACTICABLE OR ADVANTAGEOUS FOR THE CITY OF
MIAMI ("CITY") PURSUANT TO SECTION 18-85(A) OF THE
CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED;
WAIVING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR SAID
PROCEDURES; ALLOCATING FUNDING IN THE FORM OF
A FORGIVABLE LOAN IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
TWO MILLION DOLLARS ($2,000,000.00) IN AMERICAN
RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021 ("ARPA") FUNDS TO CASA
VALENTINA, INC., A FLORIDA NOT FOR PROFIT
CORPORATION ("DEVELOPER"), FOR THE DEVELOPER
TO ACQUIRE ONE (1) OR MORE OF THE PARCELS
DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "B," ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED, ON WHICH THE DEVELOPER WILL
CAUSE TO BE CONSTRUCTED A NEW AFFORDABLE
HOUSING DEVELOPMENT THAT WILL CONTAIN NO LESS
THAN FIFTY (50) CITY -ASSISTED RESIDENTIAL RENTAL
UNITS FOR ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS WHOSE ANNUAL
INCOME IS EQUAL TO OR LESS THAN EIGHTY PERCENT
(80%) OF AREA MEDIAN INCOME AS PUBLISHED
ANNUALLY BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT TO BE KNOWN
AS CASA VALENTINA ("PROJECT"), SUBJECT TO THE
RECEIPT BY THE CITY MANAGER OF THE APPROVAL OF
THE PROJECT BY THE CITY'S HOUSING AND
COMMERCIAL LOAN COMMITTEE ("HCLC APPROVAL")
AND SUBJECT TO THE TERMS, CONDITIONS, AND
RESTRICTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN AND IN THE HCLC
APPROVAL; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING AMENDMENTS,
EXTENSIONS, AND MODIFICATIONS, ALL IN FORMS
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, SUBJECT TO
COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE
OF FLORIDA, LOCAL, AND CITY LAWS, RULES, AND
REGULATIONS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS
AND ARPA FUNDS AND SUBJECT TO THE DEVELOPER
FULFILLING ALL OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET
FORTH IN THE HCLC APPROVAL, IN ORDER TO
ALLOCATE THE CITY'S ARPA FUNDING TO THE
PROJECT IN THE FORM OF A FORGIVABLE LOAN;
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0427
City ofMiami
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Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
MOTION TO: Reconsider
RESULT: RECONSIDERED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
AYES: Russell, Carollo, Reyes, Watson
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
City, of Miami
Page 68 Printed on 05/30/2024
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Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
PH.8 RESOLUTION
10701
Commissioners
and Mayor
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENTS, BY A FOUR -FIFTHS (4/5THS)
AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, AFTER AN ADVERTISED PUBLIC
HEARING, RATIFYING, APPROVING, AND CONFIRMING
THE CITY MANAGER'S FINDING, ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A," THAT COMPETITIVE
NEGOTIATION METHODS AND PROCEDURES ARE NOT
PRACTICABLE OR ADVANTAGEOUS FOR THE CITY OF
MIAMI ("CITY") PURSUANT TO SECTION 18-85(A) OF THE
CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED;
WAIVING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR SAID
PROCEDURES; ALLOCATING FUNDING IN THE FORM OF
A FORGIVABLE LOAN IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
TWO MILLION DOLLARS ($2,000,000.00) IN AMERICAN
RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021 ("ARPA") FUNDS TO CASA
VALENTINA, INC., A FLORIDA NOT FOR PROFIT
CORPORATION ("DEVELOPER"), FOR THE DEVELOPER
TO ACQUIRE ONE (1) OR MORE OF THE PARCELS
DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "B," ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED, ON WHICH THE DEVELOPER WILL
CAUSE TO BE CONSTRUCTED A NEW AFFORDABLE
HOUSING DEVELOPMENT THAT WILL CONTAIN NO LESS
THAN FIFTY (50) CITY -ASSISTED RESIDENTIAL RENTAL
UNITS FOR ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS WHOSE ANNUAL
INCOME IS EQUAL TO OR LESS THAN EIGHTY PERCENT
(80%) OF AREA MEDIAN INCOME AS PUBLISHED
ANNUALLY BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT TO BE KNOWN
AS CASA VALENTINA ("PROJECT"), SUBJECT TO THE
RECEIPT BY THE CITY MANAGER OF THE APPROVAL OF
THE PROJECT BY THE CITY'S HOUSING AND
COMMERCIAL LOAN COMMITTEE ("HCLC APPROVAL")
AND SUBJECT TO THE TERMS, CONDITIONS, AND
RESTRICTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN AND IN THE HCLC
APPROVAL; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING AMENDMENTS,
EXTENSIONS, AND MODIFICATIONS, ALL IN FORMS
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, SUBJECT TO
COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE
OF FLORIDA, LOCAL, AND CITY LAWS, RULES, AND
REGULATIONS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS
AND ARPA FUNDS AND SUBJECT TO THE DEVELOPER
FULFILLING ALL OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET
FORTH IN THE HCLC APPROVAL, IN ORDER TO
ALLOCATE THE CITY'S ARPA FUNDING TO THE
PROJECT IN THE FORM OF A FORGIVABLE LOAN;
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0427
City ofMiami
Page 69 Printed on 05/30/2024
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Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Russell, Carollo, Reyes, Watson
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item PH.8, please see
"Public Comments for All Item(s)" and "End of Consent Agenda."
Vice Chair Russell: Before we get a motion on that, I needed -- I was just made
aware that there was an amendment needed on PH.8 in the language of the item for
Casa Valentina that it needs to be listed as a forgivable loan rather than the type of
grant it is. Do you need everything reconsidered, or if the mover and seconder is
amenable to that amendment, can we add that in?
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): You can just reconsider PH.8.
Vice Chair Russell: Can I get a motion to reconsider PH.8?
Commissioner Reyes: Move it.
Vice Chair Russell: Moved by Commissioner Reyes --
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
Vice Chair Russell: -- seconded by the Chair. All in favor, say aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Vice Chair Russell: Is there a motion on PH.8, please?
Commissioner Carollo: Move.
Commissioner Reyes: Move -- second.
Vice Chair Russell: Moved by Commissioner Reyes, seconded by Commissioner
Carollo. We have an amendment to add the language forgivable loan.
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Vice Chair Russell: Is that amenable to the mover and seconder?
Commissioner Carollo: Can we put the amount on the record, please?
Vice Chair Russell: Yes. It is -- the item is up to two million dollars, I believe, for the
purchase of land for affordable housing --
Commissioner Reyes: Yeah.
Vice Chair Russell: -- for former foster youth. Thank you. All in favor of the item, say
aye.
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Vice Chair Russell: Any opposed? Motion passes, as amended. Congratulations.
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Commissioner Carollo: Okay.
Vice Chair Russell: SR.1 and SR.3, is there a motion?
Commissioner Watson: Just for --
Commissioner Carollo: SR.1 --
Commissioner Watson: How many units is that supposed to --?
Vice Chair Russell: The goal there, it's pending zoning as well, but the goal there is
over 60 units of affordable housing.
PH.9 RESOLUTION
10810
Office of Capital
Improvements
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENTS, AFTER A PUBLIC HEARING, AUTHORIZING AND
DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO TAKE ANY AND ALL
ACTIONS NECESSARY TO EXPEDITIOUSLY REQUEST THE
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS
DEPARTMENT ("DTPW') TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSED
TRAFFIC FLOW MODIFICATIONS REGARDING THE CITY OF
MIAMI OFFICE OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS' PROJECT NO. 40-
B213601, WAIVE THE REQUIRED RESIDENT/PROPERTY OWNER
CONCURRENCE, AND EXEMPT THE BALLOTING PROCESS IN
ORDER TO EXPEDITIOUSLY PROCEED WITH THE DESIGN AND
CONSTRUCTION OF TRAFFIC CALMING DEVICES AT FIFTY (50)
LOCATIONS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREIN IN THE
SOUTH COCONUT GROVE RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD OF
DISTRICT 2; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO SEND A
CERTIFIED COPY OF THE THIS RESOLUTION TO THE DTPW
DIRECTOR.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0428
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Russell, Carollo, Reyes, Watson
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PH.9, please see "Public
Comments for All Item(s)."
City ofMiami
Page 71 Printed on 05/30/2024
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Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
PH.10
10812
Commissioners
and Mayor
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), PURSUANT TO SECTION 18-85(A) OF THE
CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY
CODE"), BY A FOUR FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE,
AFTER AN ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING, RATIFYING,
APPROVING, AND CONFIRMING THE CITY MANAGER'S
FINDINGS, ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A,"
THAT COMPETITIVE NEGOTIATION METHODS AND
PROCEDURES ARE NOT PRACTICABLE OR ADVANTAGEOUS
FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") AND WAIVING THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR SAID PROCEDURES; AUTHORIZING THE
ALLOCATION OF GRANT FUNDS FROM THE DISTRICT 3
COMMISSIONER'S SHARE OF THE CITY'S ANTI -POVERTY
INITIATIVE ("API") IN A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED ONE
HUNDRED NINETY-NINE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($199,000.00) TO
CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MIAMI, INC., A
FLORIDA NOT FOR PROFIT CORPORATION ("CATHOLIC
CHARITIES"), IN SUPPORT OF CATHOLIC CHARITIES' SERVICES
FOR THE ELDERLY PROGRAM; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL
DOCUMENTS NECESSARY, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO
THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0429
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Russell, Carollo, Reyes, Watson
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
END OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
City ofMiami
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Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
RE - RESOLUTIONS
RE.1 RESOLUTION
10799
Commissioners
and Mayor
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION URGING THE
PRESIDENT JOSEPH R. BIDEN AND HIS ADMINISTRATION,
INCLUDING UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF STATE ANTONY
BLINKEN, TO DESIGNATE THE FRENTE SANDINISTA DE
LIBERACION NACIONAL AS A FOREIGN TERRORIST
ORGANIZATION; EXPRESSING ITS CONTINUED SUPPORT OF
THE FEDERAL BILL KNOWN AS THE "RENACER ACT" WHICH
PROPOSES NEW INITIATIVES TO MONITOR, REPORT ON, AND
ADDRESS CORRUPTION AND HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES BY
NICARAGUAN PRESIDENT DANIEL ORTEGA AND HIS FAMILY
AND THE NICARAGUAN SECURITY FORCES; DIRECTING THE
CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO
THE OFFICIALS STATED HEREIN.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0430
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Russell, Carollo, Reyes, Watson
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item RE.1, please see "End of
Consent Agenda."
RE.2 RESOLUTION
10815
Commissioners
and Mayor
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION CO -
DESIGNATING NORTHEAST 59TH STREET FROM NORTH MIAMI
AVENUE TO NORTHEAST 4TH COURT, MIAMI, FLORIDA AS
"VITER AND MARIA JUSTE WAY" PURSUANT TO SECTION 54-
137 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS
AMENDED; FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO
TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE HEREIN
DESIGNATED OFFICIALS.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0431
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Russell, Carollo, Reyes, Watson
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item RE.2, please see "Public
Comments for All Item(s)" and "End of Consent Agenda."
City ofMiami
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Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
END OF RESOLUTIONS
City, of Miami
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Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
SR - SECOND READING ORDINANCES
SR.1 ORDINANCE Second Reading
10731
Commissioners
and Mayor
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION NAMING THE
ASSEMBLAGE OF LAND CONSISTING OF APPROXIMATELY
THREE (3) TO FIVE (5) ACRES LOCATED AT 1680 NORTHWEST
5 STREET, 1610 NORTHWEST 6 STREET, 1651 NORTHWEST 5
STREET, 1649 NORTHWEST 5 STREET, AND 1641 NORTHWEST
5 STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA AS "RUBEN DARIO PARK";
AMENDING CHAPTER 38/ARTICLE I OF THE CODE OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TITLED "PARKS AND
RECREATION/IN GENERAL", BY CREATING SECTION 38-29,
TITLED "NAMING OF RUBEN DARIO PARK"; FURTHER
DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO TAKE ANY AND ALL
ACTIONS NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THE NAMING OF THE
PARK; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING
FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: 14028
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Jeffrey Watson, Commissioner
AYES: Russell, Carollo, Reyes, Watson
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Vice Chair Russell: Could you please read the ordinances into the record, SR.1
SR.3? And then why not FR.1 ?
Commissioner Carollo: Hold on a minute.
Vice Chair Russell: Sorry.
Ms. Mendez: Can we go with the SRs (Second Reading) first?
Vice Chair Russell: Okay.
Ms. Mendez: I won't --
Vice Chair Russell: Yes, Madam City Attorney.
Ms. Mendez: Okay, so --
Vice Chair Russell: SR.1 and 3, if you could read into the record, please.
Ms. Mendez: SR.1 and 3?
Vice Chair Russell: Yes.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Ms. Mendez: And SR.3.
City ofMiami
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The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you.
[Later...]
Commissioner Carollo: Move SR.1 and SR.3.
Vice Chair Russell: There's been a motion for SR. 1 and SR.3. Is there a second?
Commissioner Watson: Second.
Vice Chair Russell: Seconded by Commissioner Watson. Any further discussion? All
in favor of the item, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Vice Chair Russell: Any opposed? Motion passes on SR.1 and SR.3.
SR.2 ORDINANCE Second Reading
10623
Commissioners
and Mayor
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 37 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA,
AS AMENDED, TITLED "OFFENSES -MISCELLANEOUS;" MORE
PARTICULARLY BY ADDING A NEW SECTION TO PROHIBIT
ENCAMPMENTS ON PUBLIC PROPERTY; PROVIDING FOR
DEFINITIONS AND PENALTIES; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
AYES: Russell, Carollo, Reyes, Watson
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: Item SR.2 was deferred to the October 28, 2021, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item SR.2, please see "Order of the
Day" and "Public Comments for All Itefn(s). "
City ofMiami
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Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
SR.3 ORDINANCE Second Reading
9454
Commissioners
and Mayor
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 54/ARTICLE V/SECTION 54-190 OF THE CODE OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TITLED "STREETS
AND SIDEWALKS/BASE BUILDING LINES/NONSTANDARD
STREET WIDTHS," BY MODIFYING THE WIDTH OF SOUTHWEST
23RD AVENUE FROM SOUTHWEST 17TH ALLEY TO
SOUTHWEST 18TH STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA AND SOUTHWEST
17TH TERRACE FROM SOUTHWEST 22ND AVENUE TO
SOUTHWEST 23RD AVENUE; RENUMBERING CERTAIN
SUBSECTIONS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: 14031
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Jeffrey Watson, Commissioner
AYES: Russell, Carollo, Reyes, Watson
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item SR.3, please see Item SR.1.
END OF SECOND READING ORDINANCES
City ofMiami
Page 77 Printed on 05/30/2024
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Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
FR - FIRST READING ORDINANCES
FR.1 ORDINANCE First Reading
9521
Commissioners
and Mayor
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 54 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA,
AS AMENDED, TITLED "STREETS AND SIDEWALKS",
SPECIFICALLY BY AMENDING ARTICLE 1, TITLED "IN GENERAL"
TO ALLOW ADVERTISEMENTS ON NEWSRACKS AND BY
AMENDING ARTICLE VII, TITLED "NEWSRACKS ON PUBLIC
RIGHTS -OF -WAY", TO ALLOW ELECTRONIC NEWSRACKS AND
ESTABLISH REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRONIC NEWSRACKS;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading
RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: Russell, Carollo, Reyes, Watson
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Vice Chair Russell: Is there a motion on FR.1, FR.4, and FR.5?
Commissioner Carollo: Move.
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): I need to read those into the record.
Vice Chair Russell: I know.
Ms. Mendez: Okay.
Vice Chair Russell: Moved by Commissioner Carollo, seconded by Commissioner
Reyes. Please read into the record, Madam City Attorney, FR.1, 4, and 5.
Ms. Mendez: FR.1.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Ms. Mendez: And FR.4, Chair?
Vice Chair Russell: Yes, please, and 5.
Ms. Mendez: FR.4.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Ms. Mendez: FR.5.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. There's been a motion, there's been a second. Is
there any further discussion on FR.1, 4 and 5?
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Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
Commissioner Reyes: Move it.
Vice Chair Russell: All in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Vice Chair Russell: Any opposed? Motion passes on FR.1, 4 and 5. I'd like to move
to the --
Ms. Mendez: And Mr. Clerk, you noted that FR.5 was by a four fifths, correct?
Thank you.
Vice Chair Russell: It was unanimous.
FR.2 ORDINANCE First Reading
10602
Commissioners
and Mayor
AN ORDINANCE BY THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 36/SECTION 4 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), TITLED
"NOISE/OPERATION OF RADIOS, PHONOGRAPHS, OR OTHER
SOUND -MAKING DEVICES; BANDS, ORCHESTRAS, AND
MUSICIANS — GENERALLY," AND CHAPTER 36/SECTION 5 OF
THE CITY CODE, TITLED "NOISE/SAME — HOURS OF
OPERATION OF JUKEBOXES, RADIOS, ETC.; EXEMPTION FOR
EVENTS ON CITY -OWNED PROPERTY; RELAXATION," TO
REMOVE THE EXEMPTION TO ADHERE TO THE NOISE
ORDINANCE FOR TENANTS ON CITY OF MIAMI OWNED
PROPERTIES OR FACILITIES; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Withdraw
RESULT: WITHDRAWN
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
AYES: Russell, Carollo, Reyes, Watson
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item FR.2, please see "Order of the
Day" and "Public Comments for All Item(s)."
City ofMiami
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
FR.3 ORDINANCE First Reading
10797
Commissioners
and Mayor
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 8 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA,
AS AMENDED, TITLED "BICYCLES, SKATEBOARDS, SCOOTERS,
AND OTHER SIMILAR DEVICES", TO REPEAL THE PILOT
PROGRAM FOR MOTORIZED SCOOTERS; MORE
PARTICULARLY BY AMENDING ARTICLE 1, SECTION 8-5,
TITLED "GENERALLY/PARENTS AND GUARDIANS NOT TO
PERMIT VIOLATIONS OF CHAPTER; SAFE DRIVING", TO
ELIMINATE REFERENCE TO MOTORIZED SCOOTERS; AND
ELIMINATING ARTICLE II, TITLED "MOTORIZED SCOOTERS", IN
IT ENTIRETY; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE;
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
AYES: Russell, Reyes, Watson
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo
Note for the Record: Item FR.3 was deferred to the October 28, 2021, City
Commission Meeting.
Vice Chair Russell: Is there a motion to continue FR.3?
Commissioner Reyes: Move it.
Vice Chair Russell: Moved by Commissioner Reyes, seconded by the Chair. All in
favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Vice Chair Russell: Any opposed? Motion passes. That is our regular agenda. I'd like
to reopen public comment.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair, I'm sorry.
Vice Chair Russell: Yes, what did I forget?
Mr. Hannon: For FR.3, so we're continuing to November or to the next meeting in
October?
Vice Chair Russell: October.
Mr. Hannon: October, so we're going to defer to October 28.
Vice Chair Russell: Should we just eliminate the continuance language in our
practice?
Mr. Hannon: No, no, no, no. The continuance will be fine too. That would just be to
the meeting in November.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you.
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FR.4 ORDINANCE First Reading
10739
Commissioners
and Mayor
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION NAMING THE
PARCEL OF LAND CONSISTING OF APPROXIMATELY 8,219
SQUARE FEET OF LAND LOCATED AT 1 SOUTHWEST SOUTH
RIVER DRIVE, MIAMI, FLORIDA AS "SIMON BOLIVAR PARK";
AMENDING CHAPTER 38/ARTICLE I OF THE CODE OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), TITLED
"PARKS AND RECREATION/IN GENERAL", BY CREATING
SECTION 38-30 OF THE CITY CODE, TITLED "NAMING OF SIMON
BOLIVAR PARK"; FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO
TAKE ANY AND ALL ACTIONS NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE
THE NAMING OF THE PARK; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE
DATE.
MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading
RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: Russell, Carollo, Reyes, Watson
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item FR.4, please see Item FR.1.
FR.5 ORDINANCE First Reading
10798
Commissioners
and Mayor
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, BY A FOUR -
FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, AMENDING CHAPTER 36,
SECTIONS 36-4 AND 36-5 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TITLED "OPERATION OF RADIOS,
PHONOGRAPHS, OR OTHER SOUND -MAKING DEVICES;
BANDS, ORCHESTRAS, AND MUSICIANS — GENERALLY;
EXEMPTION" AND "SAME — HOURS OF OPERATION OF
JUKEBOXES, RADIOS, ETC.; EXEMPTION FOR EVENTS ON
CITY -OWNED PROPERTY; RELAXATION", TO PROVIDE FOR
INCREASED PENALTIES AND PROSECUTION OPTIONS FOR
THE WYNWOOD NRD-1 NOISE PILOT PROGRAM; CONTAINING
A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading
RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: Russell, Carollo, Reyes, Watson
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item FR.5, please see "Public
Comments for All Item(s)" and Item FR.1.
END OF FIRST READING ORDINANCES
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
BC.1
8938
Office of the City
Clerk
BC - BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP LOAN
PROGRAM TASK FORCE FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
City of Miami Page 82 Printed on 05/30/2024
City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
BC.2
8152
Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT COUNCIL FOR
TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Jeffrey Watson
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Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
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Office of the City
Clerk
BC.4
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Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE AUDIT ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR TERMS
AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Jeffrey Watson
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION CONFIRMING THE
APPOINTMENT OF CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE CIVILIAN
INVESTIGATIVE PANEL FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY:
Gabriel Paez Civilian Investigative Panel
Joseph John Rinaldi Civilian Investigative Panel
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
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Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
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Office of the City
Clerk
BC.6
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Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE CLIMATE RESILIENCE COMMITTEE FOR
TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commission -At -Large
City Manager Arthur Noriega, V
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE CODE COMPLIANCE TASK FORCE FOR
TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Jeffrey Watson
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Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
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BC.8
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Office of the City
Clerk
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD FOR TERMS
AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
(Alternate Member)
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commission -At -Large
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN
AND QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commission -At -Large
Commission -At -Large
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
BC.9
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Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD FOR TERMS
AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Jeffrey Watson
City of Miami Page 87 Printed on 05/30/2024
City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
BC.10
5976
Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ADVISORY BOARD
FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Jeffrey Watson
Commissioner Jeffrey Watson
IAFF
FOP
AFSCME 1907
AFSCME 871
City ofilliami Page 88 Printed on 05/30/2024
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Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
BC.11
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Office of the City
Clerk
BC.12
7963
Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR TERMS AS
DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Jeffrey Watson
City Manager Arthur Noriega, V
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE HEALTH FACILITIES AUTHORITY BOARD FOR
TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Jeffrey Watson
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
BC.13
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Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER,
QUEER ("LGBTQ") ADVISORY BOARD FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commission -At -Large
City ofMiami
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Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
BC.14
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Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE
COMPETITIVENESS FOR TERMS AS
APPOINTEES:
COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
MAYOR'S COUNCIL ON GLOBAL
DESIGNATED HEREIN.
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Jeffrey Watson
Commission -At -Large
Commission -At -Large
City ofMiami
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
BC.15
8805
Office of the City
Clerk
BC.16
7261
Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE MIAMI FOREVER BOND PROGRAM CITIZENS'
OVERSIGHT BOARD FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commissioner Joe Carollo
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A CERTAIN
INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE MIAMI RIVER COMMISSION FOR A TERM AS
DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
Commission -At -Large
City ofMiami
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Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
BC.17
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Office of the City
Clerk
BC.18
10565
Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE MIAMI TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL FOR TERMS
AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Jeffrey Watson
Commission -At -Large
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION CONFIRMING THE
APPOINTMENT OF A CERTAIN INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE OFF-STREET
PARKING BOARD FOR A TERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY:
Jami Reyes Off -Street Parking Board
(At -Large Appointment)
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0433
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
AYES: Russell, Reyes, Watson
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo
Commissioner Watson: You got me, Todd?
Vice Chair Russell: Boards and Committees. We have one board and committee and
then we're going to look to continue FR.3 as well.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Thank you, Chair. BC (Boards and Committees) --
Commissioner Watson: Todd, I'm sorry, you got me on that last one, right?
Vice Chair Russell: You were a yes vote?
City of Miami
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Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
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Office of the City
Clerk
Commissioner Watson: Yeah.
Mr. Hannon: Yes.
Commissioner Watson: Alright.
Mr. Hannon: Thank you, Chair. BC.18, Off -Street Parking Board.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
Mr. Hannon: The Off Street Parking Board has nominated Jami Reyes to be
confirmed by the City Commission.
Commissioner Reyes: Move it.
Vice Chair Russell: Moved by Commissioner Reyes, seconded by the Chair. All in
favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Vice Chair Russell: Motion passes.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING, ZONING AND APPEALS BOARD
FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Jeffrey Watson
Commissioner Jeffrey Watson
City ofMiami
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
BC.20
3693
Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE STARS OF CALLE OCHO WALK OF FAME
COMMITTEE FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commission -At -Large
Commission -At -Large
Commission -At -Large
City ofMiami
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Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
BC.21
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Office of the City
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BC.22
9549
Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE URBAN DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD
(UDRB) FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Jeffrey Watson
Commissioner Jeffrey Watson
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A CERTAIN
INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE VIRGINIA KEY ADVISORY BOARD FOR A TERM
AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
Commissioner Ken Russell
City ofMiami
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Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
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Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE VIRGINIA KEY BEACH PARK TRUST FOR
TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
END OF BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
City ofMiami
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
PART B: PZ - PLANNING AND ZONING ITEM(S)
PZ.1 RESOLUTION
8849
Department of
Planning
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING AN EXCEPTION, WITH
CONDITIONS, PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 7, SECTION 7.1.2.6 OF
ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, AND SECTION 2-212(C) OF THE
CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TITLED
"NONCONFORMING USE PILOT PROGRAM," TO ALLOW THE RE -
ISSUANCE OF A CERTIFICATE OF USE FOR NONCONFORMING
USES THAT HAVE LAPSED FOR A PERIOD OF MORE THAN
EIGHTEEN (18) MONTHS AND LESS THAN FIVE (5) YEARS FOR
THE PROPERTIES LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 116
NORTHWEST 52 STREET AND 123 NORTHWEST 51 STREET,
MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN
EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED; MAKING FINDINGS;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
AYES: Russell, Carollo, Reyes, Watson
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: Item PZ.1 was deferred to the January 27, 2022, Citj
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PZ.1, please see "Order of the
Day."
City ofMiami
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Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
PZ.2 ORDINANCE First Reading
5310
Commissioners
and Mayor - PZ
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("MIAMI 21"); MORE
SPECIFICALLY, BY AMENDING ARTICLE 1, SECTION 1.2, TITLED
"DEFINITIONS OF TERMS," TO MODIFY THE DEFINITIONS OF
ATTAINABLE MIXED -INCOME HOUSING AND WORKFORCE
HOUSING; BY AMENDING ARTICLE 3, SECTION 3.15, TITLED
"AFFORDABLE AND ATTAINABLE MIXED -INCOME HOUSING
SPECIAL BENEFIT PROGRAM SUPPLEMENTAL REGULATIONS," TO
ADD NEW INCENTIVES INCLUDING A FLOOR LOT RATIO BONUS
AND NEW MINIMUM UNIT SIZES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF
PROJECTS PROVIDING HOUSING FOR MIXED -INCOME
POPULATIONS, AND TO PERMIT AFFORDABLE AND ATTAINABLE
MIXED -INCOME DEVELOPMENTS ABUTTING A T3, "SUB -URBAN
ZONE," TRANSECT ZONE BY PROCESS OF EXCEPTION WITH CITY
COMMISSION APPROVAL; CLARIFYING LANGUAGE WITHIN MIAMI
21; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE;
AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Indefinitely Defer
RESULT: INDEFINITELY DEFERRED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
AYES: Russell, Carollo, Reyes, Watson
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PZ.2, please see "Order of the
Day."
City ofMiami
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Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
PZ.3 ORDINANCE First Reading
10773
Commissioners
and Mayor - PZ
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED; MORE SPECIFICALLY
AMENDING ARTICLE 3, SECTION 3.3.3, TITLED "WATERFRONT
STANDARDS", ARTICLE 3, SECTION 3.11, TITLED "WATERFRONT
STANDARDS", ARTICLE 5, SECTION 5.5, TITLED "URBAN CENTER
TRANSECT ZONES (T5)", AND ARTICLE 5, SECTION 5.6, TITLED
"URBAN CORE TRANSECT ZONES (T6)", TO GRANT FLEXIBILITY
REGARDING WATERFRONT BUILDING SETBACK REQUIREMENTS
IN CONJUNCTION WITH RECENT AMENDMENTS TO APPENDIX B,
TITLED "WATERFRONT DESIGN GUIDELINES"; MAKING FINDINGS;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading with Modification(s)
RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
AYES: Russell, Reyes, Watson
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item PZ.3, please see
"Public Comments for All Itefn(s). "
Vice Chair Russell: PZ.3, is there a motion on PZ.3?
Commissioner Reyes: Move it.
Vice Chair Russell: Moved by Commissioner Reyes, seconded by the Chair.
Cesar Garcia -Pons (Director, Planning): Mr. Chair?
Vice Chair Russell: Yes.
Mr. Garcia -Pons: We need to make one amendment. There is -- we want to change
the word "water body" in 311A to "body of water."
Vice Chair Russell: Okay.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Mr. Garcia -Pons: We'll do that for the next meeting.
Vice Chair Russell: Does the mover and seconder agree?
Commissioner Watson: Does that --?
Commissioner Reyes: Does the order of the (UNINTELLIGIBLE)?
Vice Chair Russell: It must mean something.
Commissioner Watson: The question -- just is it --
City ofMiami
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Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
Commissioner Reyes: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Vice Chair Russell: Commissioner Watson.
Commissioner Watson: I guess I'm trying to -- is that the question of moving six feet
to 15 feet?
Vice Chair Russell: No.
Mr. Garcia -Pons: 1 didn't hear the question, sir.
Commissioner Watson: No, the water setbacks, is that different than --?
Mr. Garcia -Pons: No, it's actually a clarification of -- we passed Appendix B at the
last couple of meetings. This is to clarify in Miami 21 referring to Appendix B. It
does not change the distance of any of the setbacks.
Commissioner Watson: Okay. I guess we keep nitpicking without the total review.
And so the question I have is when is this review supposed -- I thought it was
supposed to come back in October, this review of 21 in its entirety?
Mr. Garcia -Pons: Miami 21 Task Force?
Commissioner Watson: Yes.
Mr. Garcia -Pons: That comes at the next meeting. This is a cleanup of the language
since we passed Appendix B. We just noticed that there was -- we wanted to clarify in
Miami 21 referring to Appendix B. This is just a reference, it's not a change.
Vice Chair Russell: You good? We have a motion and we have a second on PZ.3.
Commissioner Reyes: Body of water, right?
Vice Chair Russell: Can we read it into the record, please?
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): PZ.3.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Vice Chair Russell: Thank you. All in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Vice Chair Russell: Any opposed? Motion passes on PZ.3.
City ofMiami
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Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
PZ.4 ORDINANCE First Reading
9429
Commissioners
and Mayor - PZ
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, BY FURTHER AMENDING
ARTICLE 1, TITLED "DEFINITIONS," AND ARTICLE 6, TITLED
"SUPPLEMENTAL REGULATIONS," TO PROHIBIT GAMBLING
FACILITIES; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: Russell, Carollo, Reyes, Watson
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: Item PZ.4 was deferred to the October 28, 2021, City
Commission Meeting.
Vice Chair Russell: Before we address FR.3, I'd like to finish the PZ (Planning and
Zoning) agenda, please. We have PZs 3 and 4. The others have been deferred. Is there
a motion on PZs 3 and 4?
Commissioner Carollo: Hold on for a second, if I may, please.
Vice Chair Russell: Yep.
Commissioner Reyes: I have a -- Mr. Chair?
Vice Chair Russell: Would you like to take them separately?
Commissioner Carollo: Well --
Commissioner Reyes: Yes, because I'm not voting for PZ.4. As I stated before, I don't
want to tie the hands of the City. And I don't think that it's an ordinance that --
there's a need for an ordinance that prohibits gambling in the City of Miami. If you
don't -- I mean, every time that any of those -- I'm against gambling, I'm going to
make sure that I don't agree with it, but I don't want to tie the hands of the City of
Miami. I don't want anybody to direct us to do whatever we have to do. And that's it.
Vice Chair Russell: Understood. We'll take them separately.
Commissioner Carollo: We --
Vice Chair Russell: Oh, Commissioner Carollo, I almost had you before noon. It's
12: 01 now. We've got two items left.
Commissioner Carollo: 1 have to go. I really do.
Vice Chair Russell: Okay, understood.
Commissioner Carollo: And one of these items, I think we should have a full
Commission before we vote on it.
City ofMiami
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Vice Chair Russell: So, is there a motion to continue or --?
Commissioner Reyes: 1 motion to continue PZ.4.
Vice Chair Russell: Yes, sorry.
Commissioner Reyes: Motion to continue PZ.4 so everybody be here when the --
Vice Chair Russell: Motion to continue PZ.4 to the next like meeting.
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Vice Chair Russell: Is there a second by Commissioner Carollo, I assume?
Commissioner Watson: Second.
Commissioner Carollo: Second.
Vice Chair Russell: All in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Vice Chair Russell: Any opposed? PZ4 is continued.
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): Chairman, you said to the next like meeting, but we
don't have that provision anymore, so what date actually did you --?
Vice Chair Russell: The next meeting.
Commissioner Reyes: Well --
Ms. Mendez: The next meeting.
Commissioner Reyes: The next meeting.
Ms. Mendez: Thank you.
Vice Chair Russell: Continuance is the next meeting.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
END OF PLANNING AND ZONING ITEM(S)
City ofMiami
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Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
FL - FUTURE LEGISLATION
FL.1
10838
City Manager's
Office
ORDINANCE
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 40/ARTICLE IV/DIVISION 3 OF THE CODE OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"),
ENTITLED "PERSONNEL/PENSION AND RETIREMENT
PLAN/CITY OF MIAMI GENERAL EMPLOYEES' SANITATION
EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT TRUST," MORE PARTICULARLY BY
AMENDING SECTIONS 40-241, 40-254 AND 40-255, TITLED
"DEFINITIONS," "PAYBACKS FOR MEMBERSHIP CREDIT," AND
"BENEFITS," RESPECTIVELY, TO AMEND THE SERVICE
RETIREMENT BENEFITS, PROVIDE FOR PURCHASE OF CREDIT
FOR CERTAIN NONMEMBERSHIP SERVICE, AND AMENDING
THE DEFINITIONS OF AVERAGE FINAL COMPENSATION AND
NORMAL RETIREMENT AGE; FURTHER AMENDING CHAPTER
40/ARTICLE IV/DIVISION 6 OF THE CITY CODE, TITLED
"PERSONNEL/PENSION AND RETIREMENT PLAN/TRUST FUND
FOR APPOINTED OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES IN EXECUTIVE
SERVICE," MORE PARTICULARLY BY AMENDING SECTION 40-
351 OF THE CITY CODE, TITLED "TRUST FUND FOR
APPOINTED OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES IN EXECUTIVE
SERVICE," TO ALLOW CERTAIN EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND
EMPLOYEES TO ELECT TO PARTICIPATE IN EITHER THE
TRUST FUND FOR APPOINTED OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES IN
EXECUTIVE SERVICE OR THE CITY OF MIAMI GENERAL
EMPLOYEES' SANITATION EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT TRUST,
AND PROVIDING FOR THE PURCHASE OF PRIOR SERVICE;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR
AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE.
rRESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
END OF FUTURE LEGISLATION
City ofMiami
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Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
NA.1
10925
City Commission
NA - NON -AGENDA ITEM(S)
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION ISSUING A
NOISE WAIVER PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 36-5(A) AND (C) OF
THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED,
TITLED "SAME - HOURS OF OPERATION OF JUKEBOXES,
RADIOS, ETC.; EXEMPTION FOR EVENTS ON CITY -OWNED
PROPERTY; RELAXATION," FOR THE III POINTS MUSIC
FESTIVAL TO BE HELD AT MANA WYNWOOD, 2217
NORTHWEST 5 AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, FROM OCTOBER 22
THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2021.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0432
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Jeffrey Watson, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
AYES: Russell, Reyes, Watson
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla, Carollo
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item NA.1, please see
"Order of the Day."
Vice Chair Russell: There was a pocket item. 1 apologize, Commissioner Watson,
that you had proposed D5 (District 5). Is there a motion on D5?
Commissioner Watson: So move.
Vice Chair Russell: Seconded by the Chair. Is there any further discussion? All in
favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Vice Chair Russell: Any opposed? Motion passes. Fastest City Commission meeting
in history.
Commissioner Reyes: You know, you 're getting --
Vice Chair Russell: I'm working on it.
Commissioner Reyes: You're getting betterr, you know.
Vice Chair Russell: I'm trying but I'd like to thank you. I'd like to thank my fellow
Commissioners and the public. I know these things are very important to you but
recognize the wins today. The item you care about was deferred. Another item
providing new housing for the potentially homeless was approved. Two million
dollars jbr new land acquisition for affordable housing from the American Rescue
Plan funds. This was a good morning. Thank you all for your advocacy.
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): Chair, can you not adjourn for 30 seconds because
there 's just a question we need ask Cesar. Just one -- 30 seconds.
Commissioner Reyes: It's a legal?
City ofMiami
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 14, 2021
ADJOURNMENT
Ms. Mendez: It's a legal question.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Vice Chair Russell: You got me on the pocket. I thought I -- we hope that the rest of
the day goes just as smoothly.
Commissioner Reyes: Hmm?
Vice Chair Russell: We hope that the rest of the day goes just as smoothly.
Commissioner Watson: I doubt it.
Vice Chair Russell: You're on the record.
Ms. Mendez.' We're good.
Vice Chair Russell: And we're adjourned. Thank you. See you at 3 o'clock for the
hearing special hearing.
The meeting adjourned at 12:09 p.m.
City ofMiami
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