HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2021-12-09 MinutesCity of Miami
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
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Its
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, December 09, 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
Christine King, Commissioner, District Five
Arthur Noriega, V, City Manager
Victoria Mendez, City Attorney
Todd B. Hannon, City Clerk
City Commission
Meeting Minutes December 9, 2021
9:00 AM INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Present: Chair King, Vice Chair Carollo, Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla, Commissioner
Russell and Commissioner Reyes
On the 9th day of December 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 Carollo at 9:58 a.m.,
recessed at 12:50 p.m., reconvened at 3:38 p.m., recessed at 5:56 p.m., reconvened at 6:15
p.m., and adjourned at 6:38 p.m.
Note for the Record: Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla entered the Commission chambers at
11:05 a.m.
ALSO PRESENT:
Arthur Noriega, V, City Manager
Victoria Mendez, City Attorney
Todd B. Hannon, City Clerk
Vice Chair Carollo: -- so that we can start shortly. Good morning, everyone. Welcome to this —
the December 9, 2021, City of Miami Commission Meeting. The procedures for public
comment will be explained by the City Attorney shortly. Procedures for the swearing in of
parties for the Planning and Zoning or quasi-judicial items will be explained by the City Clerk.
The members of the City Commission appearing in this meeting today is Chairwoman
Christine King, myself Joe Carollo, Commissioner Ken Russell, Commissioner Manolo Reyes,
and Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla will be joining us a little later this morning. If the --
also with us today is the City Manager, Art Noriega, City Attorney Victoria Mendez, and City
Clerk Todd Hannon. If we could all stand up for a prayer, then keep standing for the Pledge of
Allegiance. I would ask Commissioner King if she could lead us in prayer.
Invocation delivered.
Vice Chair Carollo: Amen. Now Commissioner Russell will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Pledge of Allegiance delivered.
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PART A - NON -PLANNING AND ZONING ITEM(S)
PR - PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
PR.1
11022
PROTOCOL ITEM
Honoree
Presenter
Protocol Item
Florida International University (FIU)
Dr. Mark B. Rosenberg
Mayor Suarez and
Commissioners
Proclamation
ORDER OF THE DAY
RESULT:
PRESENTED
1) Mayor Suarez and Commissioners paid tribute and honored Dr. Mark B. Rosenberg,
President of Florida International University (FIU) and presented a Proclamation
honoring his dedication, commitment, and service to higher education. Dr.
Rosenberg's leadership contribution to FIU has been essential in the creation of a
positive atmosphere for students to excel in their studies. FIU has been helping
students with their higher education since 1965 and is ranked as a top prestigious
school in the City of Miami. The contributions from Dr. Rosenberg's' leadership are
commendable, therefore, Elected Officials paused in their deliberations to proclaim
December 9, 2021, as "Mark B. Rosenberg Day" in the City of Miami.
Vice Chair Carollo: Madam City Attorney, could you please state the procedures to be
followed during this meeting.
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): Thank you. 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 the 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 registering. A copy of the Code section about lobbyists is available at the City
Clerk's Office or online at www.municode.com. Any person making a presentation,
formal request, or petition to the City Commission concerning real property must
make the appropriate disclosures required by the City Code in writing. A copy of this
Code section is available at the Office of the City Clerk or online at
www municode.com. The City of Miami requires that anyone requesting action by the
City Commission must disclose before the hearing any consideration provided or
committed to anyone for agreement to support or withhold objection pursuant to
Section 2-8. 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. In accordance with
Section 2-33(f) and (g) of the City Code, the agenda and the material for each item on
the agenda is available during business hours at the City Clerk's Office and online at
24 hours a day at www.miamigov.com. Any person may be heard by the City
Commission through the Chair for not more than two minutes on any proposition
before the City Commission unless modified by the Chair Public comment will begin
at approximately 9:00 a.m. or soon thereafter and remain open until public comment
is closed by the Chair Members of the public wishing to address the body may do so
by submitting written comments via the online comment form. Please visit
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Meeting Minutes December 9, 2021
www.miamigov.com/meetinginstructions for detailed instructions on how to provide
public comment using the online public comment form. The comments submitted
through the comment form have been and will be distributed to elected officials and
City Administration throughout the day so 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 Chair closes public comment. Public comment may also be given live at
City Hall located at 3500 Pan American Drive, subject to any and all City rules, as
may be amended. If a proposition is being continued or rescheduled, the opportunity
to be heard may be at such 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 support, opposition, or neutrality
on items and topics to be discussed at the City Commission meeting in compliance
with Section 286.0114(4)(c), 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 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
www.miamigov.com. For PZ (Planning and Zoning) items, it shall proceed according
to Section 7.1.4 of the Miami 21 Zoning Ordinance as temporarily modified pursuant
to Emergency Ordinance Numbers 13903 and 13914. Pursuant to Emergency
Ordinance 13903 and 13914, parties for any PZ items, including any applicants,
appellant, appellee, City staff and any person recognized by the decision making
body as a qualified intervener, as well as the applicant's representatives and any
experts testifying on behalf of the applicant, appellant, or appellee 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 their 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
communications pursuant to Florida Statute Section 286.0115 and Section 7.1.4.5 of
the Miami 21 Zoning Ordinance. Staff will briefly present each item to be heard. For
applications requiring further approvals, the applicant will present its application or
request to the City Commission. If the applicant agrees with staff 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 ofpresentation
shall be as set forth in Miami 21 and the City Code, providing the appellant shall
present first. For appeals the appellant will present its appeal to the City Commission,
followed by 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 on Miami TV, miamigovcom, the City's Facebookpage, the City's Twitter
page, the City's YouTube channel, and Comcast Channel 77. The broadcast will also
have closed captioning. Thank you.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair, I will now state in -- state the swearing in
procedures to be followed during this meeting. 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: 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 finish
explaining these procedures. Those individuals who are appearing remotely may be
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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're 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 shall be included in the record
Jrothe relevant item for which you'll be providing --. Commissioners, are you
comfortable with all the notice provisions set forth in these uniform rules of
procedures we have established for this meeting?
Commissioner Russell: Yes.
Mr Hannon: Thank you, Chair
Vice Chair Carollo: (INAUDIBLE).
Mr Hannon: No, sir that is the only protocol item for today.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD).
Arthur Noriega (City Manager): Yes sir Good morning, Mr. Chair Commissioners,
Madam City Attorney Mr. City Clerk. At this time the Administration would like to
defer and/or withdraw the following items: DI.1 to be deferred to the January 13th
agenda; DL2 to be withdrawn; PZ.1 to be deferred to the January 27th agenda.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD).
Mr Noriega: One. PZ.2 to be deferred to the January 13th agenda; PZ.3 to be
indefinitely deferred; PZ.8 -- sorry, PZ.7 to be deferred to the February 24th meeting;
PZ.8 also to be deferred to the February 24th meeting; PZ.10 to be deferred to the
January 27th meeting; and PZ.11 to be deferred to the March 24th meeting. Also,
there's been a request for a slight change to RE.6 which is a time certain item for
11: 00 a.m. to be moved to 11:30, if possible.
Vice Chair Carollo: (INAUDIBLE).
Mr Noriega: That's the proclamation for President Mark Rosenberg.
Commissioner Reyes: It's going to be moved from 11:00?
Mr Noriega: From 11: 00 to 11:30.
Commissioner Reyes: 11..30.
Vice Chair Carollo: And PZ.8 for February 24th. (INAUDIBLE).
Mr Noriega: Sure.
Vice Chair Carollo: DI.1 is deferred, DI2 is withdrawn, PZ.1 is deferred to January
13th.
Mr Noriega: PZ.1 to January 27th.
Vice Chair Carollo: January 27th.
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Mr. Noriega: Mh-hm.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. PZ.2, January --
Mr Noriega: 13th.
Vice Chair Carollo:-- 13th, okay, deferred. PZ.3, indefinite defer PZ.7 and PZ.8,
deferred to February 24th.
Mr Noriega: Correct.
Vice Chair Carollo: PZ.10, defer to the January 27th meeting.
Mr Noriega: Yes, sir
Vice Chair Carollo: And PZ.11, deferred to the March 24th meeting.
Mr Noriega: Yes, sir
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Any other items that the Administration has?
Mr Noriega: We do have a pocket item.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Mr Noriega: It should have been distributed already. It's related to the Miami Police
Department. And --
Pee Chair Carollo: Okay. So, I will make that Pocket Item 1, P1 [sic].
Mr Noriega: Yeah.
Vice Chair Carollo: P11. Okay, reference police.
Mr Noriega: Yeah.
Vice Chair Carollo: All right, Madam City Attorney, is there anything that you might
have?
Ms. Mendez: I believe Chair King also has a pocket and the Mayor is working on a
pocket as well.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, so let me go to the next step, and that's asking the
Commissioners if they have any items that they would like to continue, defer,
withdraw, or indefinitely defer
Commissioner Reyes: Yes, Chair:
Commissioner Russell: Good morning, Mr Chair
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, Commissioner Russell --
Commissioner Reyes: Oh, sorry.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- and then I'll go right to you.
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Commissioner Russell: Thank you. I would actually like to hear PZ.8 if we can, which
is -- I'm sorry, not PZ.8 -- PZ.3, the Administration requested indefinite deferral. This
is the appeal on the medical marijuana dispensary application. I believe we should
hear it and either it's there or it's not, but that would set --
Vice Chair Carollo: If I may ask my colleagues this today, if it's possible, this is our
last meeting in December we all want to try to leave here as quickly as we can and I
personally would like to ask everyone that anything that could be a little
controversial, if we could leave it for January so that we could keep in the spirit of
Christmas and the holidays of being happy and joyous. So, you know, I'll follow the
will of this body, but you know, if you really, really want to get into that today, but if
you could hold off until January I would greatly appreciate it.
Commissioner Russell: 1 hear you, Commissioner, I'll withdraw it.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay. Thank you very much --
Commissioner Russell: Chairman.
Commissioner Reyes: -- because I was going to add to a couple of things of the
Chair's comments. So, it would be better off this way.
Vice Chair Carollo: All right. Do you have anything else that you'd like to defer?
Commissioner Reyes: Yes, yes, yes, you see -- RE.9.
Vice Chair Carollo: RE.9?
Commissioner Reyes: Yes, I want to -- I want to defer it. After really thinking about
the need, different needs of the different districts, particularly the districts that are
coastal districts, I think that we have to really think and have a little conversation
with the Mayor about this item, I mean these funds, that they are going to be used for
the sea level rising and flood mitigation. I think it has to be divided in -- according to
need more than anything else.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, so this RE.9 is the one out of your two RE (Resolutions)
items that has to do with sea level rise and the monies for it?
Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: All right, so RE.9.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes, sir.
Vice Chair Carollo: For what meeting would you like to defer it to?
Commissioner Reyes: Let's -- let's tentatively do it on the first meeting in February.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. What meeting is that, Mr Clerk?
Mr Hannon: The first meeting in January is January 13th.
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Commissioner Reyes: No, no, February.
Vice Chair Carollo: February. February.
Mr Hannon: Oh, February, I'm sorry. The first meeting in February is February 10th.
Commissioner Reyes: February IOth.
Vice Chair Carollo: February 10th, defer.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, now the other one that you have, Commissioner; RE.8. Do
you want to defer that one also or not?
Commissioner Reyes: No, no, I think -- I think that the Administration agrees with it. I
don't know if everybody agrees with it, but I would like to at least, if anybody has any
- - any, I mean doesn't want to do it I could -- I could askfor it. But the way that this
have to be -- that we're asking it to be divided is according to CDBG (Community
Development Block Grant) you see, to CDBG standards. And I want to add that I am -
- 1 am going to be the lowest -- the lowest beneficiary, you see. But by dividing it by
CDBG those -- those --
Vice Chair Carollo: If anything, you'll be the second lowest. Because D2 (District 2) -
Commissioner Reyes: Oh, D2, you and I are the ones that -- but I think it is fair -- it is
fair to use it according the way the community development blockgrantfunds are
divided and let's keep the same format.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, I don't think this is going to be terribly controversial so
that's fine.
Commissioner Reyes: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) listen, listen.
Commissioner Russell: Mr Chairman, Commissioner Reyes, and Ilike the spirit of
passing the peace pipe on these various items so that we're all working together, if
we're going to distribute housing funding by need, I do hope we would distribute
plumbing funding by need as well.
Commissioner Reyes: That's what we're doing.
Commissioner Russell: Yeah, ves, so I look forward to it.
Commissioner Reyes: That's what we're doing.
Commissioner Russell: Thank you.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: That's what he mentioned on RE.9 and that has a lot of merit.
Because you, while having the richest district, also have the most water So those
funds are going to be needed the most --
Commissioner Reyes: You too.
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Vice Chair Carollo: -- I would say in your district because you have so much water.
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Vice Chair Carollo: Then after that, I have a lot of Miami River --
Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
Pee Chair Carollo: -- Commissioner King has another big chunk of water, and some
of the river too, on the other side of my district, and Commissioner Reyes has some
river also. So, we've got to figure on that, but keep in mind also that not necessarily
that money has to be earmarked where we have the water facing us, we have many
areas in Miami that are very low. And because of sea level rise, we're having more
problems. For instance, I remember back when I was a kid commissioner and
Maurice Ferre was here as Mayor, that he pointed out one time that the lowest point
in the whole city that was actually below sea level was in your district.
Commissioner Reyes: That's right. Flagami.
Nee Chair Carollo: Yeah, so that area, while it's not a huge area, as I remember if fit
hasn't been looked at in the past years it certainly needs to be looked at with this
money now.
Commissioner Reyes: Well, I have to add that while you were Mayor and before that,
there was a great effort placed on trying to -- I mean decrease the effect of it.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah.
Commissioner Reyes: Having you -- the memory von have, you remember those
projects, those (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Nee Chair Carollo: Well, Commissioner I've done a lot of good in the past, but my
hard drive is pretty consumed these days, so a lot of stuff just gets thrown out. So, my
memory in some issues are not as good as I think yours would be. I only keep in the
hard drive the absolute necessity of the most important things.
Commissioner Reyes: You know, if you may allow me to buy you a couple of pills in
order to help you.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, I did take my smart pill today, so hopefully I'll get us
through the meeting.
Commissioner Reyes: Just wait until you get to be my age.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah.
Chair King: Commissioner Carollo?
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes, ma'am?
Chair King: I have a pocket item --
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah.
Chair King: that I would like to --
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Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Anything else before we get in to the pocket items, on the
regular agenda? Did anybody --
Chair King: Yes, I have one for the regular agenda. I would like to defer CA.6.
Vice Chair Carollo: Which is that?
Chair King: I'd like to defer CA.6.
Vice Chair Carollo: CA.6. Okay, defer until when?
Chair King: Until February 24th meeting.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, February 24th. Okay. Anything else?
Chair King: Not from me, no.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Commissioner Russell? Anything?
Commissioner Russell: Yes, just a request to table two items to the afternoon as both
the Admin and applicants are preparing. That would be CA.3 which is just a right -of
way deeds issue. We're trying to get an addition in there if the Attorney's Office is
ready by then. And PH.6 which is the easement --
Vice Chair Carollo: Can you go over that? These are for this afternoon that you want
them?
Commissioner Russell: I'm sorry?
Vice Chair Carollo: These are items for the afternoon that you want, correct?
Commissioner Russell: Yes, I just want -- as we're setting the order of the day, just
requesting two items to be heard --
Vice Chair Carollo: Can you go over them again, please? I'm sorry.
Commissioner Russell: Yes, CA.3 and PH 6.
Vice Chair Carollo: CA.3 and PH --
Commissioner Russell: CA. 3 and PH 6.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- 6. Until the afternoon. Okay. All right, and I would like to defer,
until January, our first meeting in January is the 13th and the second is the 27th?
Mr Hannon: Yes, sir
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. if I could defer D1.4 to the January 27th meeting so that we
could keep in the spirit of like we have done in the last couple ofyears of making
appointments in January. Otherwise, we will be cutting short, maybe, someone's
appointment if we vote today. So that's DI S.
Mr. Hannon: DI.4, Chair
Vice Chair Carollo: DL4, excuse me, until January 27th, deferred. Okay.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
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Vice Chair Carollo: Before we get into the pocket items, anything else? Okay. So,
pocket items. Now, 1 have one from Commissioner King.
Chair King: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: Any others that you have?
Chair King: No, just this one.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. So, this one will be PI.2 in pocket items. And this is the
resolution of the Miami City Commission with attachments approving and adopting
the annual budget of the Liberty City Community Revitalization Trust. So, this is PL2.
Commissioners, do either one of you have any pocket items?
Commissioner Reyes: No, I don't have any,.
Vice Chair Carollo: Commissioner Russell?
Commissioner Russell: No, sir
Vice Chair Carollo: You had mentioned, City Attorney, that the Mayor had one?
Ms. Mendez: Yes, the Mayor may have one having to do with building funds,1 believe.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Well, make that, just in case he does bring one in, P13,
building finds.
Ms. Mendez: Or homeless, actually, I'm sorry
Nee Chair Carollo: Excuse me?
Ms. Mendez: It has to do with homeless -- homeless and building issues.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, well, let me just put homeless issues.
Ms. Mendez: Okay; thank you.
Vice Chair Carollo: Because we -- we -- I think are going to go through that a little
bit. And I'm going to put PL4 as a pocket item for discussion so that the Manager can
give us an update on the instructions to the Commission had given him through
ordinances on the homelessness. We have had two more serious incidents in the last
couple of weeks.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: One was a very grave incident where a homeless individual from
Miami, and I say that in quotations, "from Miami" because the man came from
Georgia, that's where he was from, moved to Seminole County for a while where he
had police records there, and then he was here for I'm not sure how long, and
somehow he went to Palm Beach County and in the short time he was there he killed a
young boy, 14 years of age. Then he was found back here in Miami. And that
happened, I think, several weeks ago that he killed that young man. He was recently
apprehended here in Miami through the DNA evidence that he had left at the scene.
Day before yesterday we had one of our residents from downtown that was walking
through Bayfront Park, going through the bridge in the Port of Miami and another
homeless individual tried to assault her, sexually assault her Thank God that she was
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able to fight him off and take a picture of him. He was also arrested yesterday. He is
from New York. Apparently on his way to Miami, spent a little bit of time in
Tallahassee where there was an arrest warrant for him there also. So, this again
reinforces what I've been saying here, that a huge amount, and probably the majority
of the homeless population that we have here in Miami, is not from Miami. It's coming
from other parts of the country, other parts of the state, and it's our residents that are
having to suffer the consequences. So, we had approved some very strong measures
and Ijust want to get some feedback from the Manager as to what steps the
Administration has taken to follow our instructions. So, this would be PI.4 that we will
include.
Commissioner Reyes: Mr Chair?
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes, sir
Commissioner Reyes: If I may add to what you were saying. I want to commend the
Miami Police Department for the fast action that that gentleman that attacked that
lady, and then tried to molest her was in prison in less than a day. He was found and
imprisoned. And I totally agree with you that most of the people that we have on the
streets, roaming the streets as homeless, they are not from this area. They are -- they
come here because of the weather or for whatever reason, but we have to do whatever
is possible not to make their stay here pleasant. I mean they should go someplace else.
Vice Chair Carollo: 1 agree with the statements that you've made on our police
department, Commissioner Reyes. And one of my great concerns with the
homelessness situation that we have, as I stated here before, the homeless situation
that we have is not one that's driven by economic reasons. It's one that's being driven
by addiction. That addiction has made many of the homeless that we have, it has
created mental problems for many of them. So, what we are in need of the most are
services, mental health services, and addiction services. And I have, you know, spoken
on this for quite some time in other meetings and when this item comes up and the
Manager explains to us what he's done, we'll certainly follow up with it. Is there a
motion for all the items that have been brought to be continued, deferred, withdrawn
or indefinitely deferred?
Commissioner Reyes: Move it.
Commissioner Russell: Second.
Vice Chair Carollo: Moved by Commissioner Reyes.
Chair King: Second.
Vice Chair Carollo: Second by Commissioner King. All in favor signify by saying
'aye.'
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Vice Chair Carollo: It's approved unanimously.
Mr. Hannon: And, Chair, just for the record, --
Vice Chair Carollo: Go ahead, please.
Mr Hannon: -- I'm going to read a statement regarding the indefinite deferral of PZ.3.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes.
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Mr. Hannon: 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. Thankyou, Chair
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you, Mr Clerk.
[Later...]
Vice Chair Carollo: Before we move to the public hearing and the rest of the meeting,
Mr Clerk, would you like to swear anybody in that's here for some of the PZ
(Planning and Zoning) items --
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Yes, sir.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- or some of the other items in the afternoon that people have to
get sworn in if they're going to speak.
Mr Hannon: Yes, sir. If anyone is here to speak on today's Planning and Zoning items,
only on the Planning and Zoning items, may I please have you stand and raise your
right hand.
The City Clerk administered the oath required under City Code Section 62-1 to those
persons giving testimony on zoning items.
Mr Hannon: Thankyou, Chair
Pee Chair Carollo: Okay, thank you, Mr Clerk.
PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ALL ITEM(S)
11225 DISCUSSION ITEM
Office of the City PUBLIC COMMENTS SUBMITTED ONLINE BY MEMBERS OF THE
Clerk PUBLIC FOR THE DECEMBER 9, 2021 CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
RESULT: PRESENTED
Vice Chair Carollo: All right, ma'am, gentlemen, you can begin. And then we'll rotate
back and forth.
Greg Frank: Good morning, Commissioners. My name is Greg Frank from zip code
33137. I am here in support of PH2, 10934. I am also a couple months overdue, but I
am here to officially say thank you to the Commissioners for passing the $5 million
extension during the budget hearings of the emergency rental assistance program,
specifically designed for victims of mass eviction. I also want to congratulate you,
Chairwoman King; very nice to see you up there. I'm also here to let you know about
the local law form -- law firm Weiss Serota, the National Real Estate Investment Trust
AIR Communities, and their building management company Aimco, which trades on
the stock market separately while operating out of the same location. These
companies -- these companies collectively, don't give a <expletive> about this
community. They don't --
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Vice Chair Carollo: Sir sir, the only thing that 1 ask --
Mr Frank: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- is no swearing, please.
Mr Frank: Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: You know, you can use another kind of word to describe it --
Mr Frank: K.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- but, please.
Mr Frank: K.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you.
Mr Frank: These companies collectively do not care about this community.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you.
Mr Frank: These companies collectively do not care about the instructions that the
Commissioners gave them. They forced out over 150 families out of this city and out
of your district with nothing but lies, deceit, intimidation, and retaliation. Of the 150
families less than 10 received adequate assistance upon being forced out of their
homes. When a contract is signed, if one party breaches the contract and causes
damages to the other party, the party that breached and caused damages must be
accountable for the damages that they caused. Commissioners specifically stated that
these companies would have problems if they did not do right by our community. As
the year ends, I can affirmatively confirm to you each that they did not do right by our
community They did not do right by the citizens of Hamilton on the Bay. A group of
20 of us have been forced to file a lawsuit to pursue adequate help. One disabled
resident who still lives on the 26thfloor --
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Mr Frank: -- one disabled resident who still lives on the 26thfloor has had the
elevator shut off on him without notice over ten times in the last month.
Vice Chair Carollo: Sir your time is expired. I'm going to give you an additional 15
seconds.
Mr Frank: Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: Because I know that this is very important to you. Okay?
Mr Frank: Thank you. As we left, they didn't care about us, the one who's staying,
they do not care about him. They're not providing him with adequate living conditions,
and again, this is the law farm Weiss and Serota, the company AIR Communities, and
their building management company Aimco. And they do not care about the citizens of
this city.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you, sir.
Beba Mann: Good morning, Madam Chairwoman, congratulations.
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Chair King: Thank you.
Ms. Mann: Commissioners, 1'rn here not on any specific item on the agenda. 1 am here
as a tree hugger who is completely -- I say tree hugger in the light sense of the word
because I love vegetation and trees, and I'm not speaking against the Underline, I
think it's a beautiful, beautiful concept, I think it's a wonderful thing for Miami.
However, I have a very, very big issue with all of the mature olive trees that they have
been cutting on US-1 which has been the canopy of everybody that's ever driven off of
US-1--I--95 onto US-1, to know, hey, you're in the City of Miami, you're in a
residential area. This is beautiful. There's a canopy. This canopy is being destroyed to
be replaced by palm trees and some other native trees or something. Why is it if these
trees don't -- they're not even in the way of the Underline. These trees are literally
next to US-1. And not only are they right next to US-1, but they work as a barrier for
the safety of the people that are using the Underline. The section of 17th Avenue has
completely, been depleted of trees, and so has between 17th Avenue and 19th Avenue.
That is the most dangerous intersection in US-1.
Vice Chair Carollo: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Ms. Mann: Everybody that has had an accident there has either been killed,
paralyzed, maimed, or something. So, I don't know what the City can do. This is
FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) and this is the County, but this
massacre needs to stop, 1 do --
Vice Chair Carollo: There is a pattern to the craziness, by the way. And 1 believe that
the reason might be that the County is looking to put billboards next to the Metrorail
path, therefore, all those trees and canopy is going to bother the billboard companies
in putting billboards that would be seen. And they're using the Underline as the excuse
in getting rid of them.
Ms. Mann: This is horrible.
Vice Chair Carollo: I'm sure that the next they'll come with is, well, this is going to
give the Underline funding. So, Madam City Attorney, what can we do as a city, to
make them stop? I mean --
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): So, I need to --
Vice Chair Carollo: -- the canopy that we have there is beautiful. We've lost some of it
forever now. We still have more. I mean the --
Ms. Mann: A few because they keep hacking as they --
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah.
Ms. Mann: The more I scream about it, the more they process the tree line.
Vice Chair Carollo: Before you answer, Commissioner Russell I think wants to say
something.
Commissioner Russell: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you for coming. The
Underline does have a beautiful plan of over 1,000 trees to be planted in their design.
It is a shame that the existing ones weren't at least relocated --
Ms. Mann: No.
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Commissioner Russell: -- which would have been good. And I've looked into this. And
this is an issue we have with jurisdiction. Because this is within the City of Miami
limits where the City's tree ordinance should apply, but the City has an interpretation
that in their rights of way, they have full jurisdiction. So, we don't have any method of
appeal, we don't get payments into the Tree Trust Fund, we don't have any decision
making ability to force them or request of them what trees should be planted or
relocated. However, a piece of the Underline in this current section is on City right-of-
way, it's about a handful of trees that are involved, and so they are having to follow
the City process. They are filing a formal permit request and Quatisha at
Environmental is working with them on what can be relocated versus removed. And
the Tree Trust Fund will be paid for anything that is removed.
Ms. Mann: Commissioner Russell, these are 20-year-old trees.
Commissioner Russell: More.
Ms. Mann: Or older.
Commissioner Russell: And many Cuban Mahoganies.
Ms. Mann: And we have -- we have sea level rise that everybody keeps talking about
that we need -- you know, palm trees have a very, very small rooting system. They're
not going to help us with a sea level rise. Why couldn't they have incorporated their
plan with the existing vegetation that we already have?
Commissioner Russell: Yes, and, Commissioners, the same thing happens with RTZ
(Rapid Transit Zone). When the County decides to RTZ a property within the City of
Miami limits, we lose all of our ability within our Code to manage the tree mitigation
and the Tree Trust Fund. We lose all that money as well. So, this is some jurisdictional
issues that we need to.
Nee Chair Carollo: Madam City Attorney, this is becoming more and more that the
County wants to play the 800 pound gorilla with cities. Could you do additional
research in this particular matter to see what we could do? And what our maximum
legal rights would be. Plus, where's the Manager at? Is he around? Is there an
Assistant Manager around?
Ms. Mendez.: So, Commissioner, you have an ordinance that should be coming up with
regards to the RTZ and the City bringing in its home rule powers with regard to
hopefully the environmental issues, which is not zoning, because our tree is under the
environmental. We can make an argument with regard to that. And also, to retain
control in these locations with regard to our trees and all that. So, we're working with
the County to by and --
Vice Chair Carollo: Can -- would it be appropriate at this time for a resolution to be
placed instructing the Manager --
Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
Pee Chair Carollo: -- to put all stop on any permits that the City is being asked to
give to either cut trees or transplant trees out of that area?
Ms. Mendez: Well, I think one of the things that you can do is that remember that you
have the monies that you're giving with regard to the Underline, so if some of these
are associated with the Underline then maybe no disbursements on that until there's
compliance with of our laws.
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Vice Chair Carollo: That's the second one that we would come up with, but right now
what I'm trying to do is make sure that we don't sign off any of our rights and that a
bureaucrat, one person in the city, decides whether to give them a permit or not in
getting rid of trees that have been there for decades. At least if as Commissioner
Russell says, approximately half of the trees are in an area that we definitely have
some say-so, I want to be able to stop that until we get a better picture and someone
can come here, make a presentation, and any of our residents can speak on it.
Ms. Mendez: So, PZ.2 which we reset for January, that's the ordinance that allows you
to retain control for everything. So that is one way to definitely --
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, but what I'm asking is would it be appropriate, I want with
your guidance so that you don't have a heart attack later and tell me that, you know,
we should have done something and given the Manager directions? So, I won't use
another word. Can -- is it appropriate for us to put a resolution instructing the
Manager to hold off on giving any kind of permits on doing anything, on any requests,
on any trees that is in City controlled area, next to the Underline, the Metro Mover?
Ms. Mendez: So that would be considered a moratorium, which has a little bit of -- we
have to do certain things in order to pass that type of ordinance with regard to not
issuing permits.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, no, not a moratorium if we're asking him to stop this until
the end of January so that we can get our hands on it.
Nzeribe Ihekwaba (Deputy City Manager): Good morning.
Vice Chair Carollo: I don't consider that a moratorium.
Mr Ihekwaba: Good morning, Commissioner and Vice Chair Nzeribe Ihekwaba,
Deputy City Manager. The majority of the trees that are being removed are not within
the property of the City of Miami. I will actually align myself with the
recommendation for the Administration to withhold for that disbursement of the
monies that the City Commission had approved for the Underline project. That's the
only, way you can bring them to the table. Because the majority of the trees are within
the FDOT rights of way, and we do not have permitting jurisdiction over that area.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, but there are trees that are within, even if it's not a
majority, you know, there's got to be at least one tree.
Mr Ihekwaba: Yeah, I think there are a couple of trees that are within the City
jurisdiction.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, okay, so --
Commissioner Russell: There's a dozen.
Mr Ihekwaba: But those ones have permits, though.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah.
Commissioner Russell: IfI could, Chairman?
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes.
Commissioner Russell: I'm not trying to slow down the Underline and --
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Vice Chair Carollo: Nobody is.
Commissioner Russell: -- I do believe they have a good plan for reforestation there.
And what's done is done. They have -- what they're going to remove they've already
removed, so there's nothing to stop them, but there are about a dozen left that are in
the City jurisdiction and they are going through the permitting process. We do have
jurisdictional ability and they are doing all the right things with us on that.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, but Commissioner, someone, a bureaucrat, in our city, is
going to be making that decision without none of us knowing the decision that she's
making. And what want to see is that we make that final determination in an open
meeting that's transparent so that any of our residents can come and speak to it. And
that's the point that I'm making. Now on the money part,l will address that in a
minute. So, Madam City Attorney, why can't we do a resolution requesting the
Manager to put all stop on this until it's brought before our Commission at the last
meeting in January and that every one of us is informed as to what is happening?
Ms. Mendez: So, as I -- as I described, to put a stop on permits in a particular -- you
know, a particular type of permit, all tree permits, it's considered a moratorium and
we have to do it, either a Code change, we have to do an ordinance, we have to do
one of those types of scenarios.
Vice Chair Carollo: I'm not -- 1'm not saying that we're going to stop,l'm saying that
we're requesting of the Manager --
Ms. Mendez: Right, it's for three weeks. We're stopping, it would be a month, the next
meeting -- so, we would put a stop on permits for a month. It's considered a --
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, you know what I'm tired of? I'm tired of
(UNINTELLIGIBLE) bureaucrats that have more power than elected officials here.
And we have no idea what they do, what actions they take, why they take them. And
we have one person there that they act as if they're gods, the tree god. They decide,
you know, what people can do, what they can't do, and it all depends on who it is.
Ms. Mendez: If these are --
Vice Chair Carollo: They bend backwards for the former City Manager when he had
his little tree ha-ha, pardon my --
Ms. Mendez:: So, if these are on the right-of-way -- if these are on the right-of-way,
there are certain emergency measures that Public Works can take stopping permits on
the right-of-way, from issuing those. If they're considered -- like Ms. Mann brought up,
that there's sea level implications and some emergency issues with that, that is the
way I think on the right-of-way that we could stop some of these permits for a month.
Because we've had these emergency -- we've taken these emergency powers on
excavations and things of that nature. That can be done. On private property is where
I run on the --
Vice Chair Carollo: But private property is private property.
Ms. Mendez: Okay. So, we can work with Public Works with regard to a right-of-way
stoppage for a month, I believe.
Commissioner Reyes: Mr Chair if may?
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes, sir go ahead.
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Commissioner Reyes: And I do agree that we have to, at least we have to challenge
the County because they cannot do, like all those apartment buildings that they want
to build, and they are affecting our neighborhoods. But I'm a little concerned about
placing -- I mean stopping all -- on permits because I don't want this to spill into
private properties or other areas that are within the City of Miami, that there are trees
on right-of-ways that they have to be removed in order to improve the area. And I had
that problem in Coral (UNINTELLIGIBLE) that we had to remove about three to five
trees or four trees that they were in the way, you see. They're going to be replaced. But
what I want to make sure that any -- any trees that have to be removed in other areas,
you see, because there -- it is a project that is going to -- that is being done for the --
Jrothe benefit of the area in order to improve the area, could fall into this and it could
be delayed. I mean what I'm trying to say, Madam City Attorney, is if we are going to
pass any type of resolution, it has to be very specific of where it's going to apply
because, for example, on 5th Street Northwest and 30th Avenue, we had a -- we have
to remove some trees and I don't want this, if we have this resolution that will affect
any other because we have a lot of public works on the streets that we are trying to
start that -- and some trees have to be moved because they are in the way or they --
and I don't want those projects to be delayed.
Ms. Mendez: Understanding that Commissioner Carollo's requesting some sort of
stop with regard to this project and this area.
Commissioner Reyes: Absolutely, that's it.
Ms. Mendez: However, Dr. Ihekwaba --
Vice Chair Carollo: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) US -I.
Commissioner Reyes: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) US -I.
Ms. Mendez: Dr Ihekwaba has explained that some of these permits we're not
involved in, so obviously it's the ones we're involved in that we can assist.
Commissioner Reyes: Well, make it US-1 only.
[Later...]
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, we're back to speakers for the rest of the agenda. Sir?
Daniel Maland: Fantastic. Thank you. Madam Chairwoman, Mr. Presiding
Chairman, Commissioners, my name is Daniel Maland, I am a resident of 33137. I am
a third generation Miamian and a proud father and also a worker in this community.
And I'm here to talk about another opportunity to preserve and improve a really vital
natural resource of the city. And it's something that looking around the room is
something that I think you're going to hear a little bit more about, so I'll keep it brief
in honor of the spirit of the meeting.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you.
Mr. Maland: Talking about Morningside Park, and the need to maintain that park for
not only my children but their children. And most importantly, to make sure that my
children are able to use it and enjoy the facilities like, Mt: Chairman, the tennis
facility, which is beautiful in the park that proudly bears your name on its plaque. It's
almost inaccessible after a rainy day.
Vice Chair Carollo: Whose name is there?
Mr Maland: Yours.
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Vice Chair Carollo: Really?
Mr Maland: Yes, sir:
Vice Chair Carollo: I didn't know that.
Mr Maland: And I'm telling you, my son wants to he a scientist, so getting him to go
to the tennis courts is tough, but we're proud to see your name on that plaque.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you.
Mr Maland: But unfortunately, to get to that plaque, he has to wade through about
ankle-deep water after every rainstorm. And this is an issue that I'm proud to say
Madam Chairwoman and Commissioner Russell have heard from the community,
have come out and spoken with us, and have presented really impressive plans that
require the commitment of this board, these chairpeople, these Commissioners. And
we believe that the buck starts here. To start investment in this community park, to
start an investment in a gem that should be there for future generations. Starting with
a stormwater master plan and continuing through a shoreline plan and making sure
the neighborhood itself is no longer flooded and the park itself is preserved for future
generations. Thank you.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you. Ma'am, you're next. We rotate back and forth.
Elaine Black: Good morning. First of all, Chairwoman Christine King, 1 am so proud
of you, my district Commissioner My name is Elaine Black, Liberty City Trust, 4800
Northwest 12th Avenue. I have, with me, Mr Jose Figueroa who is from Dynamic
CDC (Community Development Corporation) and the Puerto Rican Chamber of
Commerce. The Liberty City Trust anticipated spending all of its dollars from award
Number 22 -- 2522 which was for redevelopment of housing in the Wynwood area.
The project has gone very well, and we anticipate that the -- that the project will be
completed by January 2022. We still have monies available in the budget,
approximately $454,000, and we would like to have that added to our budget that
ended September 30th, 2021, to carry on those activities. So, we would like to have
our budget revised to include those dollars plus some other dollars that are available
to the Liberty City Trust for our 2022 budget. Thank you.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Chair King: Thank you, Elaine.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you.
Rachel Furst: Good morning Madam Chairwoman and Commissioners. My name is
Rachel Furst, I'm a resident of 33137 and I'm here --
Vice Chair Carollo: Hold on for a minute. Can -- can someone keep that door closed
so that we don't get all the noise coming in here and they're not interrupted as they
speak?
Ms. Furst: Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner. I'm a resident of 33137 and I'm here
today in my capacity as President of the Morningside Civic Association. We represent
200 members in a community in Morningside. And I want to speak in support of PA.2,
it's the personal appearance of Neil Robertson, who's going to be about Morningside
Park later today. And just relay to this -- to this body that the Morningside Civic
Association passed a resolution yesterday, which I have -- which we have provided via
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email to the Commissioners, in support of the City'.s plan to improve and enhance
Morningside Park. And in particular, to fund the City staffs recommendation as to a
stormwater master plan, to drain the water out of the park, and to drain the water out
of the surrounding streets. To fund the City's shoreline plan. To fix the crumbling
seawall that exists there today and to keep the hay water out. And to build a new pool,
but to do it in a sustainable and resilient way. Morningside Park is a beautiful city
asset. It's 40 acres right on the bay and it needs investment. We have watched while
other parks throughout the city, and in District 2, have been improved and renovated,
and new parks built, and it's time for Morningside Park to get some attention before,
really, it's under water. So, thank you for your time and attention and, please, make a
sustainable investment in this beautiful city asset.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you. Sir?
Samuel Latimore: Good morning, Commissioners, and congratulations to the new
Chairwoman. You make us exceptionally proud as we have tried to say that. My name
is Samuel Latimore, and I was one of the graduates in 1971 from FIU, earning a
Bachelor's in Social Work and Criminal Justice. And so, I'm one of those people who
utilized that opportunity to move on and do some things. I am here in support of the
last pocket item and the extension of the budget that the Liberty City Trust is
proposing. They are doing some outstanding work with the people in this community,
and I support that.l also want to commend Commissioner Carollo for identifying
what major issues there are in terms of the homeless -- the homelessness. Drug
addiction and mental health are major contributors. We have been working with the
City of Miami on that. And 1 represent the Charles Hadley Neighborhood Association,
1 am the President. 1 want to commend you for that because that is at the issue. As a
retired former Police Major Corrections Superintendent, and I had an opportunity to
deal with those people on the street, I was the one that was sent to handle them as a
police offr,cer. And you're absolutely correct, addiction leads to mental health issues,
and we need to address that. Lastly, I want to remind you that January 9th is Police
Appreciation Day. Every year nationally, police are recognized throughout the
country on that day, on January 9th. Unfortunately, and fortunately, it comes on a
Sunday. I want to encourage the Commission and all of you who have an opportunity
to recognize your police officers on that day. Police officers are being ambushed,
they're committing suicide, they're resigning, and I think that the absence of police --
communities showing them their appreciation. So, January 9th, Police Appreciation
Day. I would strongly suggest that you encourage everybody in the City of Miami to
recognize their police department. Thank you.
Vice Chair Carollo: Absolutely. Thank you so much for reminding us of that. Ma'am?
Spring McManus: Hello, good morning, Vice Chairman and Madam Chairwoman and
Commissioners. My name is Spring McManus and I'm a resident of 33137. And I'm
here today to speak regarding PA.2. I live across the street from Morningside Park on
7th Avenue and Northeast 52nd Terrace. We use the park on a daily basis, except
when it is under water I'm here today to speak regarding -- and to request that the
City allocates funding and improvements to Morningside Park. The park is one of the
great treasures of Miami, but after heavy rains and king tides the park becomes a
marshland, and our streets turn into rivers. The park becomes unusable for days and
sometimes weeks. And we have to put on fly fishing gear just to walk our dog. Kids
and adults that use the fields for soccer and football are not able to use the fields for
days, as they are mucky marshlands. When the king tides happen, the walking path
along the shoreline is completely under water And the Nature Conservancy has
presented resolutions for this, and I ask that we please listen to their scientific
research and, follow their lead. They are expert -- they are the experts. So, I request
again that funds please be allocated to specifically install drainage systems and
seawalls so that the park can be used by all on a more regular basis. As much as I
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care about the design, we do not have enough time to debate this, and if we don't do
something about the drainage, the park will be under water. So again, please, 1 am
here requesting that funds be allocated to the improvement of our park. Also, the
swimming pool which is, you know, not been able to be used for over five years. It's an
eyesore, it blocks views of the bay, and most importantly it's -- it, you know, the City
needs to provide places for children to learn how to swim and access to public pools.
So, you know, it's my understanding that to keep the pool in the location where it
currently is would require significantly more tax dollars. So, to move the pool I think
is -- is -- I hope that will be taken into consideration. It's, you know, it breaks my heart
when I'm confronted with children that can't, you know, that live in Miami, grew up in
Miami, and never have access to being able to go swimming and to learn how to
swim. So, you know, that is another point that 1 hope will be resolved. So, I appreciate
all of your attention to this matter and thank you very much.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you. Ma'am, good morning.
Carolvne Donaldson: Good morning and Happy Holidays and congratulations. My,
name is Carolyne Donaldson, I am the Vice Chair for Grove Rights and Community
Equity, Inc., GRACE. And I'm here to express our support far PZ.9, which amends
Ordinance 13114, changing the responsibility for reviewing and making
recommendations from the Urban Design Review Board to the Historic Environmental
Preservation Board. We certainly have a strong interest in what happens to Charles
Avenue and other areas within the historic Coconut Grove. And we feel that that
would be most appropriately placed. Good morning and thank you.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you. Sir?
Rene Contreras: Good morning, Madam Chairwoman and Commissioners. My name
is Rene Contreras. I am a resident and hoard member at large for Morningside Miami
Neighborhood and I'm here in support of PA.2 as well, to support the Miami
Morningside Master Plan, I hope we are able to get some funding for the park. We've
had it under water whenever it rains for far too long along with the streets. And I
hope we are able to get funding for the park. Thank you.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you. Sir?
Reynold Martin: Good morning. Reynold Martin, Village West Homeowners and
Tenants Association. Congratulations, Madam, and to the rest of the Commission. I'm
here to support two items. The first one is PZ.9, 10772. The Village West Homeowners
and Tenants Association have long supported the NCD.2 (Neighborhood Conservation
District). We think that it's appropriate to protect Bahamian and the island influenced
architectural styles and character of structures in the Coconut Grove Village West and
particularly historically designated Charles Avenue. We feel that approving this item
would certainly stem the encroachment of unsightly and out -of -character residences
and structures that contribute to the destruction of the neighborhood's ambiance. The
second item that we would like to support is PH.2, 10934. Approval of this item would
make it possible to continue the department to approve projects that have been stalled
for an unusually long period of time due to rising surveying and construction costs
and other pandemic related factors. Additionally, affected families have been faced
with an undue financial burden as a result of the delays and this will be providing a
sense of relief. I want to thank you for your attention to these items.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you, sir. Go ahead.
Jonathan Rae: Madam Chairwoman, congratulations. Commissioners, Mr.
Manager I'm here to speak, as many of my neighbors, on support jar the Morningside
Park Master Plan improvements. Our park is under water We're losing the park.
Citizens, residents, go there every day and many days of the year on any normal
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Miami rain, large parts of the park aren't usable. We're in desperate need of a
drainage plan, we're in desperate need of revitalizing the shoreline. It's being eroded,
it's being eaten away. Children, many residents, people playing soccer people going
for picnics, all different uses of the park. We have an amazing 40-acre park asset for
the City of Miami and we're losing the park. I know we have a No -Net Loss Park
Ordinance and we're losing the park not to development or construction, but to nature
and to water So, I really ask the City Commission to support the funding needed for
the park. We have money hopefully available, and this is desperately needed. I'd also
like if the Commission can direct the Administration to work directly with the
community, not just the Morningside neighborhood, but the entire community, to look
at what we can do to the park to make sure that small items within the park that
neighbors may disagree on don't hold back the overall larger master drainage plan
and shoreline restoration plan. Thank you very much.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair if I could get the speaker's name? Sir? Sir if I
could get your name?
Mr Raiffe: Jonathan Ramie, 499 Northeast 55th Terrace.
Mr Hannon: Thank you, sir
Mr Raiffe: Thank you.
Rudy Shango Theophin: Good morning. Congratulations, Commissioner King. So, I'm
here in reference to item PA.2 as well, Morningside Park. It's a beautiful park as we
all know. At the end of the day, you know, we may look at it as a situation where
there's a park, where the flooding issue impacts five homes. Maybe impacting five
homes today, tomorrow we don't know, right? So, we've got to -- we're saying the
same thing, we've got to really invest in the infrastructure. I mean all these other
parks in the City of Miami, they're getting the proper needs and concern, and we as
well should invest in that park. The park is something that's dear to me. My brother
moved back to Morningside. Before we went to New York 1 used to go to Morningside
Elementary and we used to go to that park. The most beautiful park that I know,
personally. What's the point of having a pool that we can't use, okay? So, it's like
looking at a car that doesn't work. I mean at the end of the day, I definitely call for the
Commissioners to invest in this park. And at the end of the day, we need this park,
right, so let's invest in it. Enjoy the balance ofyour day.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, thank you, sir
Mr Hannon: Chair, I'm sore, can I get the speaker's name?
Mr Shango Theophin: It's long. You want my name? It's Rudy Shango Theophin.
Mr. Hannon: Thank you.
Beau Cassidy: Good morning Commissioners, Madam Chairwoman. I, too, am here
in support of PA.2, the Morningside Park Master Plan Resolution. I moved -- I bought
the house in May. It's my first house. I've worked really hard to buy my first home.
And what I didn't know is that in a month, my garage would be underwater, and my
stuff would be destroyed, that I was storing in my garage. The water level, as you will
see in the presentation video, it gets so bad that I feel like I'm staring at a river out my
front door, and it's scary because I don't know how far that's going to go. So, please
support this because I'm scared of losing part of my home. Thank you.
Mr Hannon: I'm sorry. The speaker's name?
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Mr. Cassidy: Oh. My name is Beau Cassidy.
Mr. Hannon: Thank you, sir.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you. Sir?
Sonny Jean Baptiste: Good morning. Congratulations on the election and everything
else. Also, congratulations on getting reelected. I'm also here speaking upon the park
situation. Which I've been in this community, which is 33137, for the past what, 39
years? And that's definitely a jewel for our community and I definitely need our
Commissioners to actually move upon this because now my son is being affected by
that park also. And we love to play football there. We love to play basketball there,
and he rides his go-kart there. So instead of letting him come speak, I came to speak
for him and just definitely would like for this to get resolved as quick as possible
before we get under water Thank you very much. You guys have a great day.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you.
Mr Hannon: And Chair ifI could get the speakers name?
Mr Baptiste: My name is Sonny Jean Baptiste.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Your name, sir?
Eli Stiers: Good morning. My name is Eli Stiers. 1 live at 509 Northeast 57th Street in
Morningside with my wife and three children. 1 am also a business owner in the City
of Miami cis well. Congratulations, Madam Chairwoman, distinguished members of
the City Commission. You've heard compelling testimony, I think, from several of my
neighbors. I am also here to speak on item PA.2, in support of my -- one of my
neighbors, Neil Robertson, who you'll hear a public comment on later. My request is
very simple. Save Morningside Park. It's that simple. The park is in crisis. We go there
nearly every day with my children. We have to save it from the sea and the rising flood
waters. We have to save it from those who stand in the way of efforts to preserve and
improve the park in the name of historic preservation. We have to save it for those
who wish to enjoy the park in the future. We have to save it for the homeowners, like
my friend who just spoke, who live near the park and who depend on its drainage
system to provide that -- that release of the water so that it doesn't inundate their
homes and their yards. We have to save it for children like my son. You'll see a photo
in the slide presentation later, of my son kicking a soccer ball on the paved walking
paths because the soccer fields are so inundated with water We have to save the pool.
Probably move it from the waterfront and rebuild it in a better location so that
children can learn how to swim in our community. We have heard the City's plan. We
feel that it presents a reasonable, well -conceived strategy for addressing water and
cartilage and drainage. And most importantly, it maintains the character of the park
while also renewing it for the needs of the 21st century, which is -- we all know this
park was built in the 1950's. The needs of the 1950's Miami are not the same needs we
have today. So, we support the Citys plan. We appreciate the City's professionals that
have worked on this. We trust the science. We urge the City to act now before we truly
lose this beautiful public asset for good. The MCA (Morningside Civic Association),
as you heard before, represents 420 homes. It counts 250 member residents. And, we
were elected by the residents of the community to represent them and speak for the
community. We have twice endorsed the City's -- the Park Department's plans for this
park through resolutions in 2019, and just recently, on the most recent general plan.
So, there is broad consensus within the community that this park needs investment and
attention from the City. There are certainly disagreements over certain elements.
People will always find things to quibble about over amenities in the park, the
location of certain amenities, and things like that. But one thing we all agree on is the
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park needs investment. This is a city park. It must serve the needs of the City's interest
above all else. Because there will he no pool, there will be no soccer fields, there will
be no picnic areas, et cetera, if we do not act now to save the park from the rising
waters. The City's professionals have presented compelling evidence that the park
needs millions of dollars invested to save the park, which is a lot of money, admittedly.
But the value of this park -- it's 40 acres in the upper eastside, is priceless. These
repairs have been a long time coming --
Vice Chair Carollo: Your two minutes have expired; you've got ten seconds more.
Mr Steers: Ten seconds. Thank you, Mr Vice Chair I've got ten seconds left. These
repairs have been a long time coming. The longer we wait to fix the park, the more
expensive it gets. The longer we filibuster and hear from -- you'll hear from another
one of my neighbors, Mr Cruz. Let's not filibuster anymore. The city should follow the
advice of its professionals, save all further damage of this park, and please, save
Morningside Park. Thankyou.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you, sir. Sir, your name?
Keith Movarick: Hello. Good morning, Commissioners. My name is Keith Movarick.
I'm Chief Technology Officer of Swiftmile. Swiftmile is a provider of third party
parking systems for e-kick scooters and bicycles. We also have the ability to track and
aggregate data on usage and occupancy of these charging stations and parking
stations. We look fonvard to Miami's program growing and being there to help
support it. l f you have any further questions about parking for e-scooters, please
contact us. Thankyou very much.
Vice Chair Carollo: I do have a slight -- not a question, a request.
Mr Movarick: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: I know that there are more companies than yours, but if you could
at least help us for the New Year Celebration that we're having in Bayfront Park, at
least for that day and those days around the holidays, if we could keep the scooters off
of Biscayne Boulevard in front of our parks Bayfront and Ferre, so it doesn't look like
a used car lot for scooters, we'd be greatly grateful because we have a lot of visitors
and tourists that will be coming and attending the New Years Eve Celebrations there.
Thank you.
Mr Movarick: I appreciate that request. Unfortunately, we are not the scooter
operators. We provide the cleanup solution for the mess they provide. So --
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, well --
Mr Movarick: Thank you very much.
Vice Chair Carollo: I appreciate it. Sir?
Ed Prelaz: Good morning, Madam Chairman -- woman -- and Commissioners. My
name is Ed Prelaz and I'm speaking in support of PA.2 regarding the storm water
planning in Morningside Park. I'm a 30 year resident on 55th Street, which is directly
affected by the repetitive flooding and has caused property damage, inability to access
or depart from family homes, and I've watched families relocate their neighbor -- I've
watched neighbors relocate their families in direct response to these conditions. The
events were worsened after a recent expansion of the tennis court, which eliminated
important swale which carried the flood waters to a discharge location. Over the past
three years, City staff has put an incredible amount of time and attention on this issue
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and we're very grateful. Working with Morningside Civic Association, the staff has
identified the issues, the resolutions, and a strategic plan to correct these conditions.
Please assist us in obtaining the funds for this project which is tied to the entire
Morningside plan. Thank you very much.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you. Ma'am, if you could state your name, please.
Jena Saul: Hi, good morning. Jena Saul. Congratulations, Madam Chairwoman. I'm
speaking in support about the review of Village Island -- Village West Island District
and Charles Avenue, new construction additions from the UDRB (Urban Development
Review Board) to the Historic and Environmental Preservation Board. Having an
enforceable design or style vernacular in historically designated street is defining as it
preserves the culture and the history of an area and its importance in time. Florida is
home to many amazing historic districts with design guidelines. Hollywood, Ocala,
Mount Dora, and Boca Grande, near Fort Myers. Design guidelines actually
strengthen the identity of an area, solidifying legacy, pride, property values, and
fulfilling continued commerce, continuously seen in areas like Coral Gables, Weston,
and Coral Springs. You seem to know once you've crossed a threshold into these
areas, as the architecture style shifts, and they 're all the more special because of it, as
it's clear that people continue to choose to live, work, shop, and dine in these areas.
Enforcing West Grove style vernacular could champion these same principles into our
own neighborhood. Interpretations of a style vernacular are always welcome, and
interpretations are in the spirit of the entire Coconut Grove Community. But, allowing
or granting permits for buildings to go up that blatantly disregard an established style
vernacular should not be allowed. Thank you.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you. Sir your name, please.
Michael March: Good morning. My name is Michael March. I live at 3586 Charles
Avenue in a shotgun shack built in 1935. I'm here tonight -- today, this morning, to
speak against PZ (Planning and Zoning) Item 9. It was wrong of the Commission to
allow the commercial upzoning on Charles Avenue for the Grove Inn, on my street of
Charles Avenue. It should not have mattered that this project was sponsored by the
West Grove Legacy Family of the Stirrups. And since this up zoning passed, it has
begun a domino effect of commercial intrusion into the West Grove, an area which is
supposedly so special it got its own NCD, or Neighborhood Conservation District.
After allowing this commercial intrusion, it is hypocritical of the Commission to heap
higher regulations on those of us homeowners who will be left between all of this new
commercialization. Bear in mind, I am still grateful to the four out offive
Commissioners, including Commissioners Carollo and Reyes, who helped grant my
appeal against the individual historic designation of my home several years ago. Back
then, I was joined by over a dozen of my neighbors as fellow appellants, including
members of the same legacy Stirrup family who more recently asked you for a
commercial upzoning on Charles Avenue. This is already a historically designated
corridor, where homes older than fifty years, like mine, cannot be demolished without
approval from the Historic Preservation Officer In summary, such increased
regulations will only serve to depreciate the property values for the old-timers on my
street, as well as the newer residents that look like me. Sadly, it will also serve to
deprive many of the legacy Black families that remain on my street, of their hard won
generational wealth. Please vote against PZ Item 9. Thank you for listening.
Gilber Hernandez: Good morning. My name is Gilber Hernandez, 3418 Charles. I'm
here because I'm against PZ.9. I don't like the double standard we are being subjected
to, allowing wealthy well-known families to do whatever they want with their
properties, like building hotels, but not allowing hardworking people like me do the
same. I was able to purchase my home three years ago, and even though I don't have
plans to build anything because I have a mortgage to pay, I don't want anyone to
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dictate what 1 have to do with my property rights, while allowing others to do as they
please. Lastly, I think the focus should he put on Charles to fix the potholes and
perhaps fill -- put in more trees and fixing Mariah House Brown -- Mariah Brown's
House so -- because honestly, I think it an embarrassment for the City. That building
is like with bushes everywhere. Every time I walk by, I expect anybody to jump out of
there and you know, jump or kill me, you know? So, thank you.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you, sir Sir, your name?
JB Diedrich: Good morning. My name is JB Diedrich, 3475 Hibiscus Street. I'm here
to speak against PZ.9. And, first of all, Commissioner Reyes, Commissioner Carollo,
how are you guys? How are you, Commissioner Russell?
Commissioner Russell: Good to see you.
Mr Diedrich: Congratulations. I'm here --
Vice Chair Carollo: Hold on, hold on --
Mr Diedrich: I'm sorry.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- hold on. See, this is why in America, no matter if it's Miami or
what part of America, we still have the concept that there is no substitution for
winning number one. See, she was named Chairman, 1 was named Vice Chairman, but
everybody just congratulates her. They didn't congratulate number two. So, keep that
in mind. You know --
Mr Diedrich: She's a lot better looking than you are, Commissioner I'm sorry.
Vice Chair Carollo: There's no substitution. Well, I agree with that too. But there's no
substitution for one. That's why you always have to -- that's why people strive to be
number one wherever they're at.
Mr Diedrich: There you go. She's still better looking, sorry. Well, anyway I want to
thank you guys again for the support you gave us back when we were fighting historic
designations under the thematic designation. The reason I'm here is in support of my -
- my friends on Charles Avenue because as you guys know, I'm more of a
preservationist, and I'm rebuilding rather than knocking down and starting again. So,
I really believe in restoring what we have. Except that I find the HEP (Historic &
Environmental Preservation) Board to be dysfunctional. As far as I'm concerned, I
cannot see how they -- I have not yet seen them perform in any manner that would be
positive in our neighborhood. You guys have how many, historically -- new historic
resources in the neighborhood? Like 20 of them that are now 3 years old and there's
very little change that's come to them. I really think that to leave what is not a historic
district and try to slide this historic thing continuously, continuously, it's exhausting.
So, I would ask you guys to please leave the things the way they are. Leave it to the
UDRP [sic]. Support our friends on Charles, and let's try to do things right. In the
meantime, I'm still restoring mine. Thank you. Have a great day. Good to see you
guys.
Vice Chair Carollo: Likewise, thank you. Si,, your name.
Anthony Vinciguerra: Hi, good morning. My name is Anthony Vinciguerra, from 3325
Charles Avenue. And congratulations again, Chairman King. Thank you for joining
the Commission. I'm here representing not only myself as -- looks like we've got some
problems with the TV there. Okay, sorry. Oh, it's not?
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD).
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Mr. Vinciguerra: So sorry, technical difficulties. So, I'm so sorry, I'm representing not
only myself today but a community coalition in the West Coconut Grove called
Preserve the West Grove. We represent over 40 families in the West Grove and want to
join our friends and colleagues from the Homeowners and Tenants Association of
Coconut Grove, the largest, most historic organization representing residents of West
Coconut Grove and GRACE, the amazing affordable housing group, to please
encourage you to support PZ.9. I just wanted to show a quick visual as to say why is
this so important? Why is PZ.9 so important? We all know that West Coconut Grove is
one of the most historic areas. Not only in the City of Miami, but of the State of
Florida, due to the historic Bahamian and African American settlers who helped build
Miami, who were able to own property there. This is why Charles Avenue is
designated historic as historic thoroughfare and why the Neighborhood Conservation
District was created. And think we know that the intent of NCD.2 is very clear, it's to
recognize the special and substantial public interest of Village West and Charles
Avenue, and the incomparable legacy of African American communities and
Bahamian communities that helped build it. That's why in NCD.2, it talks about
architectural guidelines that will respect that history, that will produce visual
compatibility among the buildings in Charles and throughout the district, building
traditions representing the Caribbean and early African American settlers. And some
people say these design guidelines are general. They're not. They're really specific. It
talks about the unique visual -- vernacular character of these buildings, representing,
again, the Caribbean, African American early settlers. They're defined by the City
very clearly. And we've seen this in historic Stirrup House, there's actually my home
at 3325 Charles Avenue which 1 restored. And we see the same type of architecture
throughout the Florida Keys. Again, representing this historic community.
Unfortunately, however, in the last 15 years we've seen these houses being lost. And
instead, they are being replaced by buildings like this, that clearly do not represent the
historic character -- vernacular character of the Caribbean or early African
American settlers. This is despite the fact -- and there's more and more being built
every day. This is again, despite the fact that the NCD.2 Law, the current law is very
clear that buildings, new construction, should represent vernacular building
traditions of the Caribbean and early African American settlers. And unfortunately,
UDRB is simply not the right group to enforce this. They haven't been.
Vice Chair Carollo: Sir, your time is expired. I'll give you another ten seconds to wrap
it up.
Mr Vinciguerra: Great. Thanks so much. So, our question is why hasn't this been
happening and we do believe that UDRB is simply not the right group to be doing
this. That the HEP Board would be the group that's capable and has the proficiency to
enforce what is currently law and what has not been enforced. So, we ask you to
please vote yes on PZ.9 and to work with us to help preserve this important
community in the West Grove. Thankyou.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thankyou. Thankyou. Morning.
Kathy Parks Suarez: Good morning. Welcome, Ms. King. Nice to see a lady on --font
and center. I am here to speak against the Changing of the Guard for PZ.9. We've
upzoned 41,532 square feet of single family residential properties in order to build a
hotel on historic Charles Avenue. Makes no sense to me. If you divide that number by
5,000 square foot lots, which is the small -- which is the smallest conforming size lots
for West Grove, that's 8.2 houses. If you divide that number by 3,950, which is a non-
conforming lot, which is -- there's many of in Village West, that's 10.4 single-family
homes we're eliminating. It just doesn't make any sense. There's 18 plus vacant lots on
-- on Charles Avenue, on both sides of the street. It's unfair to the legacy families that
have been holding onto those lots for over a hundred years, but they not be able to
make what they should make. The Mariah Brown House that they City owns, or
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whoever, is sitting. It's just a stage and it's a blighted property. Several of the people
have had to fight the designation where the HEP Board literally does like a drive -by
shooting. 3603 Charles has a modern addition. It was designated without the owner's
knowledge, and to sell it, they had to fight the designation. Many of the boards are
compromised by some of the people that are on them, and it's just really unfair Pr
those people who have moved into the neighborhood, are paying the higher taxes, and
truing to keep the neighborhood a little bit better. Only thing that's being shown up
here is modern boxes, the sugar cubes. In 1985 Miami -Dade County Housing put
homes on Charles Avenue. They are just regular stucco Florida homes. There's many
other regular Florida stucco homes on Charles Avenue. So, to change this to the HEP
Board, really just doesn't make any sense. And I'd appreciate you all to vote no to
changing this, PZ.9. Thank you.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you. Ma'am?
Renita Holmes: Yes, Sir Good morning, Commissioners. Congratulations Madam
Commissioner King, my Commissioner. It is nice to see a lady up there. It's been a
long time since Athalie Range and Michelle Spence -Jones. And although these are
gentlemen, it's just nothing like ladv's touch. So, having that insight, I am here to
speak to you briefly. And I want to say thank you for listening to me the other week.
I'm having a problem breathing. I'm one of those persons who believe no matter how
you build a home or how you maintain a home, that air quality, indoor quality is
important. And as we begin to rehab or put them back out there for usage, whether it
be housing economic development, it important to know that elderly persons who
own this, who are still carrying their family legacies, don't quite understand zoning. I
also mentioned to you and asked the question about do African Americans, poor
people, or do Hispanic persons participate in land use and zoning and we need to
look at that disparity. About how we participate in the changing rules and laws of
development or land use. Because as we hear CLEO (Climate Leadership
Engagement Opportunities) talk about, and a lot of institutions we know with climate
and resiliency'. One of the biggest disparity for those of us like myself who have a
problem breathing because some homes are old, you either tear them down or you
demolish them, but there are weatherization programs and we can talk about
renovating the bay, but do we talk about some of the weatherization problems we have
as a result of the climate change and the flooding in our district, Madam. And I'm
thankful also for the City of Miami for using that Brownsfield grant money, or at least
half of it, to teach most of us. Some of us, graduated, are clerks in your office, as a
matter of fact. So, it was so important then, it's so important now, to know that on
every side of building there's a despaired group. And with that, I wanted to speak to
you in regards to PH.4, very shortly, and tell you that that money that you're moving
around is great. That is the biggest gap I'm having. You would think that someone
who engages and does outreach, and our homes be the same property service would
be able to reach it, but our rules are not necessarily parallel or in line with the
regulations the HUD (Housing and Urban Development) allows us when we talk
about providing support services to those that are transitioning. Camillus House has
no transition, 12 years we do it. So, I'm going to leave that right there. And, lastly --
Vice Chair Carollo: If I can -- I hate to interrupt you --
Ms. Holmes: Yes, sir?
Vice Chair Carollo: I hate to interrupt you. Your timers up. I'll give you another ten
seconds to wrap up.
Ms. Holmes: Thank you, Commissioner. So, in closing, I'm questioning who we have
on -- put on these boards for like the Resilience Committee that are African -American,
or that are dealing with the inner city problems of climate. I want you to please take a
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big look at that. Again, that's very short -- being able to relate and identify is
important when you're providing services. We can he staffed on housing, but that does
not make sure that we are staffed and certified on quality housing. Take an even
greater look because for some of us it could be deadly. Thank you so much.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you.
Linda Williams: Good afternoon. Congratulations, Chair King, Commissioners. I'm
Linda Williams. My property address is 3523 Charles Avenue. I'm temporarily
residing at 3517 Hibiscus Street. I'm here today to express my appreciation and
support for the Single Family Home Replacement Program as well as the Single
Family Rehab Program. Just briefly 1'd like to share why. In 2017, Hurricane Irma
delivered us a blow. My family, we -- we sustained structural damage. And while we
were out as search members trying to help other families, we didn't realize that we
were in trouble. This program will help other families like mine because I wasn't even
aware of it. But 1 was guided to the website, the City's website, and found the Home
Replacement Program. Very little advocacy has gone out, especially to the Village
West community. There's no cookie cutter for the homes in Village West, but when I
joined this program, I was given a list of contractors. In other parts of the City of
Miami there were many homes being built under this program. So, I'm grateful today
that our community is now aware. I'm grateful that 1'in aware and here to say I truly
support. I attended many budget meetings over the last three years. 1 remember 1 got
this contract in 2017 and each budget meeting, open to the public, I advocated that
this line item not be deleted, and that additional funding be applied. So, 1'in grateful
to hear grateful to know, and hope that you will vote and sustain the Home
Replacement Program and also the Single Family Repairs -- Home Repairs Program.
I'm also in support today of the PZ -- PZ.9. Thank you.
Commissioner Russell: Mr Chairman?
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you.
Commissioner Russell: Mr Chairman?
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes?
Commissioner Russell: I'd like to be listed as a sponsor on PH.2. It doesn't currently
have sponsorship and I'd like to.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. PH.2?
Ms. Williams: Thankyou.
Commissioner Russell: That is the Single Family Home Replacement subsidy monies.
Ms. Williams: Yes.
Chair King: Me too.
Vice Chair Carollo: You can put me and Chairman King, in fact all of us as sponsors.
Commissioner Reyes: All of us.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you, ma'am.
Ms. Williams: Thank you.
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Vice Chair Carollo: Your name, please.
James Torres: James Torres, President of the DNA (Downtown Neighbors Alliance).
Congratulations. I'm going to come and shake your hand.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you. Well, I'm glad someone has acknowledged me.
Mr Torres: Congratulations to you too. Well deserved. So, we would like to talk about
the carousel, the circus show, of the scooters, FR.1, 11135. We took some pictures the
last couple days. They are on your screens. They are unaltered, unedited, not
photoshopped, and the program is just not working the way it is. And what we're
asking is if this is going to go into a permanent status, that it does not, at this point
until these corrals that were talked about are in place, which they're not. That's not a
docking station. That's not marked. That's in the middle of the sidewalk. That's over
utilities. This was taken this morning, right next to Freedom Tower. Count them.
Again, not photoshopped, not dropped. This is reality, folks. That's here in front of the
building this morning when I parked. One helmet, nothing else. And I want to be very
clear for the record like I have been from the beginning of time, the DNA, the BNA
(Biscayne Neighborhoods Association) also support this. We believe in micro mobility
but the way it's structured, it is not working. This is a disaster for what it is in District
2. Like I said earlier in the weeks, whoever voted yes, take a third of the third and put
them in your district as well, please, because this is not working. There are -- there's
several pictures that ifI sat here, 1 think we would be here until tomorrow night, or
maybe Christmas. So, what we're asking, if this program is still going to move
forward, allow Swiftmile, I think he made a presentation, fast track them to get the
corrals. And I'll almost be certain that half of this problem would not be happening in
the district. Again, we've been championing this message, it has not changed. But
represent 20 to 30,000 in downtown, and this is reality. So that's what want to talk
about. Helmets are not being done. That was something that was talked about too.
Yes, we've seen improvement because the numbers have gone down, but it's not being
done folks. So, we do need your help on this FR.1. I'm going to close out on that
because there's another non -agenda item that I'd like to touch on ifI may, Vice Chair?
If you give me eight seconds?
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Mr. Torres: Resolution 21-0372, the homeless. We were here on that on 9/1/2021. We
haven't seen anything. The ordinance, you spoke about it earlier today. Where is -- Mr.
Noriega, where are we at on this? Because there's nothing -- nothing's being done and
the problems are getting out of control because of the holidays. This is like a scooter
program.
Vice Chair Carollo: We have a pocket item where we're going to ask the Manager to
give us an update.
Mr Torres: Okay. So, if we can get that, that would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
so much for the time. Happy Holidays.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes, thank you.
Mr. Torres: Hopefully we'll see you on the 19th. I don't want to be a grinch on this
program, but we got to figure this out. Please do not approve the permanent status of
the program. Thank you.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you for your time. Okay. Is there anybody else that would
like to address this Commission on any item on the agenda today? Hearing none, then
the public hearing portion of this meeting is now closed.
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Meeting Minutes December 9, 2021
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 Carollo: Mr Clerk, are there any mayoral vetoes?
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair there are no mayoral vetoes.
END OF MAYORAL VETO(ES)
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Meeting Minutes December 9, 2021
PA - PERSONAL APPEARANCE
PA.1 PERSONAL APPEARANCE
11092 A PERSONAL APPEARANCE BY ELVIS CRUZ REGARDING
WATERFRONT STANDARDS AND MORNINGSIDE PARK.
RESULT: PRESENTED
Note for the Record: For directive referencing Item PA.1, please see Item NA.6
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number PZ.I, please
see "Public Comments for all Item(s)."
Vice Chair Carollo: We have two personal appearances that have been scheduled,
PA.1, Mr Elvis Cruz, is he here? Okay. Of course, you're here.
Elvis Cruz: Thank you, Commissioner I also have a PowerPoint, surprise, surprise,
and while I'm setting that up let me mention that --
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Elvis, let me say this.
Mr Cruz: Yeah.
Vice Chair Carollo: Normally we give five minutes. How much time are you going to
need for your presentation?
Mr Cruz: I think it would be about eight. But it will be worth it.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Can we give you six -and -a -half? Can you make it six -and -
a -half? We've got a long agenda today.
Mr Cruz: I'll do what I can with what you'll allow me, but it's well worth watching.
Vice Chair Carollo: I'm sure that everybody feels the same way, but if you could try to
cut it before the eight minutes, I'd appreciate it please. Go ahead.
Mr Cruz: Thank you. I kind of lost some people here.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well --
Mr Cruz: Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: You got two. I think the others will be hearing from their offices.
Mr. Cruz: Yeah. Well good morning, Commissioners. Congratulations to the two
Chairs. I'm here regarding the City baywalk standards, this is a supporter, and how
they would affect Morningside Park in a proposed shoreline project. So, the baywalk
standard calls for a 15 foot wide walkway, which is excellent for high density areas
like Edgewater, Downtown, and Brickell. Here you see Morningside's six foot wide
baywalk, the neighborhood park, like Morningside, has single family homes on three
sides, a 15 foot walkway is simply too much hardscape and would displace too much
grass. By comparison, a standard sidewalk on a residential street is only five feet
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Meeting Minutes December 9, 2021
wide. Morningside has had a six foot baywalk since it was built in 1953 and it works
fine. I've never heard anybody complain it was too narrow. I've been there since `77.
We have far less pedestrian traffic than a high rise district. Two people can easily
walk side -by -side on a six foot walkway. The minimum width of a wheelchair ramp is
three feet, so even two wheelchairs could pass each other on a six foot baywalk.
Morningside's waterfront is a treasure the public has enjoyed for 68 years. We have
picnic tables right next to the bay. It's a wonderful thing. The public loves the
waterfront. Families take their family portraits there, couples get married there, and
people picnic there. But the park does need to be protected from sea level rise, as my
neighbors mentioned. For the past few years, the City showed us these pictures of
living shoreline projects that start with the seawall at the water edge and go outward
into the water: Notice the living shorelines do not intrude into the park, they preserve
the park land. A seawall with a living shoreline was just installed at Wainwright Park.
Sarasota has a living seawall, excuse me a living shoreline on a seawall. I drove there
to photograph it. The public can enjoy the use of the waterfront right up to the waters
edge. Then, ten days ago, the public saw the plan for Morningside had drastically
changed. The living shoreline would start at the water's edge and go inward, into the
park, turning our precious bayfront into a swamp. No one asked for an intruding
swamp. Our waterfront recreational open green space is threatened because of a
proposal by an outside group named The Nature Conservancy. They offered the City a
$400, 000 completion grant. Here's how far back the swamp would extend, from 23 to
77 feet. This is the north end, this is behind the pool, southward to the boat ramp,
from the boat ramp to the south wall. To create the swamp, they would dig a
downward slope to the water edge. The yellow line is the existing ground level. The
plan would also remove 10 trees, some of them 70 years old because of the 15 foot
wide baywalk. The family portraits, the picnics, the wedding, all took place on land
that would become a swamp. From the Morningside survey, do you think the
waterfront should be modified to improve the view and access? The response was 63
percent yes, but this plan would do the opposite. This would harm our access and
eventually, block our views when mangroves invade the swamp and grow tall. And
who's going to maintain it? The City doesn't, pick weeds. This goes beyond trying to fix
something that isn't broken. This would deliberately ruin something wonderful. I'm
sure The Nature Conservancy believes in what it's doing, but they are not the
recreation conservancy. So, here's an alternative, positive energy that protects the sea
level rise and storm surge, but also preserves our precious waterfront green space.
This concept puts a three foot wide seawall at the shoreline and raises the ground
behind it with a berm with room for picnic tables, a six foot walkway, benches, and it
saves the ten trees. This would save the waterfront for people to enjoy, instead of a
swamp. Putting the seawall at the shoreline the way the City has done at other
bayfront parks is common practice and common sense. Here's Wainwright Park's new
seawall now finished. But look at the 15 foot wide baywalk. No room for grass.
Seawalls protect the shoreline much better than a swamp and they're only 2 to 3 feet
wide, not the 23 to 77 feet of waterfront width we would lose to the swamp. The
problem with Biscayne Bay is pollution mostly from Little River. It's not a shoreline
problem. A swamp won't fix the pollution. Morningside Park already has more than its
fair share of nature areas. Here's a picture of the park when it first opened in 1953.
Notice the open waterfront and unobstructed view. Here's that sane shoreline today,
lined with mangroves. Now notice the tidal basin with an island at upper right. Here's
the tidal basin in 1953. Here it is now, invaded by mangroves. We have 2.5 acres of
mangrove swamp natural habitat already, with much wildlife. We already have more
living shoreline along the banks of the canal, the tidal basin, and the island, and the
linear footage along Morningside Parks entire bayfront. And there are other
waterfronts nearby for living shorelines. There's a mile at 79th Street causeway, 2.8
miles at Julia Tuttle and several islands in the bay. Please, let Morningside Park keep
it's six foot wide baywalk, which would save a lot of grass. Please put a three foot
wide seawall at the shoreline, like other parks have, and please keep our waterfront
land. for people to enjoy. Don't let an outside group turn our precious, priceless
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waterfront into a swamp. The Morningside Board passed a resolution mostly
supporting the latest plans, even though there has been no neighborhood meeting to
discuss all the details. The resolution does ask for prioritizing open space and
increased access and views of the bay, which is exactly what I have presented today.
I'm not sure if it asks to remove the Loop Road, but Commissioner Russell, you took a
straw ballot at the meeting and it was strongly inn favor of keeping the Loop Road,
which is exactly what the 2,100 signature petition and the Morningside survey asked.
The Morningside general plan is supposed to be driven by public input. The City's
presentation showed a new pool being built in the same location, but there was a
misunderstanding at the meeting as some got the impression from a city staffer that a
new pool could not or should not be built in the same location because it would be in
a flood zone and 31 feet tall. To clam that, I met with OCI (Office of Capital
Improvement) staff Director Angel Carrasquillo, Hector Badia, Jorge Mora and
Keith Ng and three experienced engineers and an architect two days ago. They
confirmed that a new pool can certainly be permitted there, and the top of the
structure would be 25 feet 6 inches above ground level, which is lower than the
building envelope for a single family home. That's also four feet lower than the
Morningside Park community building. The 31 feet mentioned was an elevation above
sea level, not ground level. Meanwhile, the City staffer who gave that presentation 10
days ago, is no longer with the City. The pool will be further protected when the
seawall is built, which could lower the flood one. It would be very harmful to
Morningside Park if the pool were to be moved because that would cause a chain
reaction that would harm other existing facilities. This Commission did the right thing
when it voted unanimously last year to keep Morningside pool in the same place,
whether it gets fixed or rebuilt. Please resist any efforts to change that. The City has
estimated the same cost for a new pool in either location. In closing, please let
Morningside Park keep its beloved bayfront for people, with a three foot wide seawall
at the shoreline, a six foot bay walk, and no swamp. It would be wonderful if one of
you could move for a resolution to that effect. Thank you.
Nee Chair Carollo: Thank you.
PA.2 PERSONAL APPEARANCE
11144 A PERSONAL APPEARANCE BY NEIL ROBERTSON REGARDING
STORMWATER PLANNING AND MORNINGSIDE PARK.
RESULT: PRESENTED
Note for the Record: For directive referencing Item PA.2, please see Item NA.6
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number PA.2, please
see "Public Comments for allItem(s)."
Vice Chair Carollo: We have a second personal appearance with Mr Neil Robertson.
Neil Robertson: Thank you, Your Honor. Sorry, too many appearances in court. My
name is Neil Robertson. I live at 5991 Northeast 6th Court. I certainly -- certainly --
currently serve on the MCA (Morningside Civic Association) Board. I've been -- as I
told Chairman Carollo today, I have been appearing down here since the 1980s when
he was, first on this dais and it's a pleasure to return. It a pleasure to welcome Ms.
King to the Board. And Commissioners, if I may? I'm appearing on behalf of PA.2, the
park, the MCA Board, as you heard earlier, has voted, it represents 225 homes -- dues
paying homes. It's not a mandatory organization. Dues paying voluntary group that
has voted resolution in support of the funding to cure the drainage issues that are
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Meeting Minutes December 9, 2021
rendered the park unusable. One City Commissioner told me -- one City official told
me that the entails, as of yesterday, were running unanimously in favor of this
program to help with the drainage. We, all of the people in the upper east side, want
the money allocated now This work cannot be done overnight, and we need to start.
The situation, as we all know, is going to get worse with time. Ladies and gentlemen,
this is a park in crisis. And I'm going to try to show you, if they connect my -- there
you are. Some -- some of the examples of what's going on here. This is the erosion
along the waterfront. We've got the park under water for extended periods of time.
This is the pahnetum that where -- where there is a palm with my wife's -- deceased
wife's name on it. We want to preserve that area. But those palms are dying now where
they are. And this is a drainage line that has been installed. And it seems my system
jumps ahead of me. But that's just not a safe situation to have. And it's been there for
two years now We need to resolve that issue. Here is your Loop Road, which has been
a topic of debate, but it's under water. Here's another shot of the plant -- palmetarium
[sic] and you can see people have to wade through the water to get out to those items.
The Loop Road and the palmetum, again. This is the picnic area. You can see the park
bench is in the water. This is a walkway. I walk the park on a fairly regular basis,
usually at least three times a week. There are days when I have to pick my way
through, around soggy ground, areas like this that cannot be traversed whatsoever.
You can 't have a family picnic in a pond. You just can't do that. This is the young man
that one of your earlier speakers was talking about who has to play soccer up on the
walkway because there's no way to do it on the ground. More shots of water. This is
not the day of but days after Again, areas where you can't fimction with what's
intended. The street flooding that's related to this. This area, 55th Street, gets it the
worst, but there's a lots of others areas in Morningside that also have it. This car is up
well over its tire line. You can see a gentleman here walking through the water He
had to push his mother -in-laws car out that had stalled out in the water area because
it was so deep. Mr Pelaz also addressed this issue of people, there's a for sale sign.
This is the garage that was flooded by one of the neighbors. That's happened at least
twice to them. They spent almost $2, 000 in pumping out water from their garage. We
need you to authorize the Capital Improvements Department to move on the designs
for the shoreline restoration and drainage improvement. Grants for the shoreline are
ready to move, the neighborhood drainage plans are ready to go. The shoreline with
the new design provides a defense to wave action, it protects the park, and it provides
not just view access from the walkway and the berm, but from four access points
directly to the water, plus the boat launch area. Tidal erosion is destroying the current
shoreline. Wash out of soil around trees has caused them to fall over onto the current
walkway. Propping them up, as has been done, with two by fours is simply not a long
term solution to this problem. While there are existing mangroves, no more will be
planted, and the plannings that are, are to benefit the bay, cleanse it, provide a
natural habitat, and a break wave action. This design will help the body of water that
is currently dying. The fact that these are -- there are additional causes does not mean
that we should not take action in this location. Drainage. Behind the new shoreline
we're going to need drainage. This is universally accepted throughout the
neighborhood. Even Mr Cruz and I agree on that aspect. It permeates the park and
many, other streets around the park. Picnic tables, soccer fields, baseball fields are all
unusable. Even walks as I indicated that I try to take, sometimes cannot be
accomplished in the park. Outside parked cars -- cars outside the park are stalling out
in the water that accumulates and as I mentioned, it's intruding into people's homes.
The staff has presented a three step program to address this issue. We ask that you
direct the staff to move on this critical need immediately and to move through each
step as quickly as possible. I'd also like to address the pool/aquatic center When this
Vice Chair Carollo: Can I hold you there for a second?
Mr Robertson: Yes, sir
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Vice Chair Carollo: Can you stop the clock? You've gone six minutes already.
Mr Robertson: Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: How much more time are you going to need?
Mr Robertson: I'm going to address the aquatic center and I'm done.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Very good. Thank you.
Mr Robertson: Okay. When this Commission decided to keep the current location of
the pool, we did not know how bad a condition the current pool was in or of the new
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) flooding evaluation. The current
pool has been closed for five years. It cannot be repaired, and it most certainly cannot
be raised the 11 feet required by the FEMA VE flood zone requirements. Putting the
aquatic center in the current location would waste City money as it would be more
expensive to add the needed height and more expensive to maintain. Mr Cruz is
concerned with views, but he wants to put a tall structure to obscure the extended
section of the shoreline. It would be -- and 1 was basing this on what we were told at
the meeting before, the tallest structure off the boulevard in Morningside. Placing it
outside the VE zone would reduce that structure from 11 to 18 feet.l say that because
I've heard both those numbers. At a minimum, you must remove the current pool
structure. It's a public hazard, it's a mosquito breeding ground, it's a waste of at least
an acre of unused land, and it blocks current views while providing no use,
whatsoever, to anyone. Most importantly, however, is you must move forward with the
plans to reduce flooding by creating a protective, usable shoreline and end the
flooding in the park by drainage as outlined by your City staff. Theodore Roosevelt
said the worst decision is one that's never made. We have lived without a decision for
over five years. We cannot wait any longer. We all know water is coming. We need to
start addressing it now. Thank you.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you, sir. Okay. Commissioner?
Commissioner Russell: Thank you.
Mr Robertson: Oh, can I put two things into the record? One is the slides and the
resolution of the Morningside Civic Association.
Vice Chair Carollo: Very good.
Mr Robertson: Thank you.
END OF PERSONAL APPEARANCE
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Meeting Minutes December 9, 2021
CA.1
10856
Department of Fire -
Rescue
CA - CONSENT AGENDA
The following item(s) was Adopted on the Consent Agenda
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
AYES: Carollo, Russell, Reyes
ABSENT: King, Diaz de la Portilla
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION ACCEPTING
SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $47,918.00
FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, FEDERAL
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY ("FEMA") FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR 2020 READINESS COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
FOR THE FLORIDA URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE TASK
FORCE 2, THEREBY INCREASING THE SPECIAL REVENUE
PROJECT "FY 2020 — DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY,
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY ('FEMA'),
URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE ('USAR') COOPERATIVE
AGREEMENT" FROM $1,222,631.00, PREVIOUSLY ACCEPTED
BY RESOLUTION NO. R-20-0346, TO $1,270,549.00 TO BE USED
BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FIRE -RESCUE FOR THE
CONTINUATION OF EQUIPMENT RECAPITALIZATION;
APPROPRIATING FUNDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
$47,918.00 CONSISTING OF A GRANT FROM FEMA FOR THE
STATED PURPOSE; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY
DOCUMENTS, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, FOR THE ACCEPTANCE, ADMINISTRATION OF,
AND COMPLIANCE WITH SAID GRANT.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0488
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number CA.1, please see "End
of Consent Agenda."
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Meeting Minutes December 9, 2021
CA.2
10945
Department of Fire -
Rescue
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
AUTHORIZING AN INCREASE IN CONTRACT CAPACITY
BEYOND THE CITY MANAGER'S APPROVED THRESHOLD OF
FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($50,000.00) TO THE PASCO
COUNTY, FLORIDA ("PASCO COUNTY") REQUEST FOR
PROPOSALS CONTRACT NO. SS-19-125 FOR FIRE -RESCUE
UNIFORMS, ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS, FOR THE CITY OF
MIAMI'S FIRE -RESCUE DEPARTMENT ("FIRE -RESCUE")
PURSUANT TO SECTION 18-111 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), WITH
DESIGNLAB, INC., A FOREIGN PROFIT CORPORATION, WHICH
WAS COMPETITIVELY SOLICITED FOR A TERM OF FIVE (5)
YEARS WITH AN EXPIRATION DATE OF MARCH 10, 2025,
SUBJECT TO ANY EXTENSIONS AND/OR REPLACEMENT
CONTRACTS BY PASCO COUNTY; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM
FIRE -RESCUE GENERAL ACCOUNT NO.
00001.184010.552200.0000.0000 AND SUCH OTHER SOURCES
OF FUNDS, SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS AND
BUDGETARY APPROVAL AT THE TIME OF NEED; 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-21-0489
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number CA.2, please see "End
of Consent Agenda."
CA.3 RESOLUTION
11006
Department of
Resilience and
Public Works
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING THREE (3) RIGHT-OF-WAY
DEEDS OF DEDICATION ("DEEDS"), AS MORE PARTICULARLY
DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A", ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED,
FOR RIGHT-OF-WAY PURPOSES; APPROVING AND
AUTHORIZING THE RECORDATION OF THE DEEDS IN THE
PUBLIC RECORDS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA;
FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO RETAIN A COPY OF
THE DEEDS.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0490
This matter was ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S) on the Consent
Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number CA.3, please see
"Order of the Day" and "End of Consent Agenda."
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Meeting Minutes December 9, 2021
CA.4 RESOLUTION
11111
Department of Real
Estate and Asset
Management
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO CONVERT THE LAND
LOCATED AT 3351 PAN AMERICAN DRIVE, MIAMI, FL 33133,
COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS THE "REGATTA HARBOUR
GARAGE" ("PROPERTY"), TO A CONDOMINIUM FORM OF
OWNERSHIP FOR PURPOSES OF AD VALOREM TAXATION;
FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO CREATE AND
EXECUTE, IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, A
DECLARATION OF CONDOMINIUM, ARTICLES OF
INCORPORATION, BY-LAWS, AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS
NECESSARY FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CONDOMINIUM
ON THE PROPERTY.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0491
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number CA.4, please see "End
of Consent Agenda."
CA.5 RESOLUTION
11125
Bayfront Park
Management Trust
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPROVING
THE BAYFRONT PARK MANAGEMENT TRUST'S ("TRUST")
APPOINTMENT OF MARK BURNS AS THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR OF THE TRUST WITH TERMS AND CONDITIONS AS
SET FORTH HEREIN.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0487
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number CA.5, please see "End
of Consent Agenda."
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Meeting Minutes December 9, 2021
CA.6
11012
City Manager's
Office
RESOLUTION - Item Pulled from Consen'
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPROVING
AND AUTHORIZING THE WAIVER OF INDEMNIFICATION WITH
KING & SPALDING, LLP, A FOREIGN LIMITED LIABILITY
PARTNERSHIP AUTHORIZED TO CONDUCT BUSINESS IN THE
STATE OF FLORIDA ("K&S"), FOR THE PROVISION OF FEDERAL
LOBBYING SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") AS
APPROVED BY RESOLUTION NO. R-21-0191 ADOPTED ON MAY
13, 2021; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE
AND EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE CITY AND K&S, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO
THE CITY ATTORNEY; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL
OTHER DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS,
RENEWALS, AND EXTENSIONS, SUBJECT TO ALL
ALLOCATIONS, APPROPRIATIONS, PRIOR BUDGETARY
APPROVALS, COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE
PROVISIONS OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA,
AS AMENDED ("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.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Christine King, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Russell, Reyes
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: Item CA.6 was deferred to the February 24, 2022, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number CA.6, please see
"Order of the Day."
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Meeting Minutes December 9, 2021
CA.7
11036
Office of the City
Attorney
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO PAY OSCAR
JULIEN-RIOU, WITHOUT ADMISSION OF LIABILITY, THE TOTAL
SUM OF FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($50,000.00) IN FULL AND
COMPLETE SETTLEMENT OF ANY AND ALL CLAIMS AND
DEMANDS, INCLUDING ALL CLAIMS FOR ATTORNEYS' FEES,
AGAINST THE CITY OF MIAMI AND IOANNYS LLANES IN THE
CASE OF OSCAR JULIEN-RIOU VS. CITY OF MIAMI AND
IOANNYS LLANES, PENDING IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT
COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA, CASE NO.
21-CV-22034-JAL, UPON THE EXECUTION OF A GENERAL
RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AND A DISMISSAL OF
THE DEFENDANTS WITH PREJUDICE; ALLOCATING FUNDS
FROM ACCOUNT NO. 50001.301001.545010.0000.00000.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0492
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number CA.7, please see "End
of Consent Agenda."
END OF CONSENT AGENDA
Vice Chair Carollo: -- the afternoon session of the Miami City Commission and we're
going to begin with the CA (Consent Agenda) agenda. Commissioner Russell, you
wanted CA.3 to have been deferred to the afternoon. Do you still want it deferred?
Commissioner Russell: (INAUDIBLE) sorry, that one is ready to go according to the
Administration and Attorney's Office.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. So, with the exception of CA.6 that had been deferred at the
request of Commissioner King, is there a motion for the rest of the CA agenda?
Commissioner Reyes: Moved.
Commissioner Russell: Mr Chair?
Vice Chair Carollo: Moved by Commissioner Reyes.
Commissioner Russell: Second.
Vice Chair Carollo: Second by Commissioner Russell. Mr. City Attorney?
Barnaby Min (Deputy City Attorney): Yeah, CA.3, the one that Commissioner Russell
was talking about does have an amendment. There is a fourth right-of-way deed that
will be included, so we will be amending it to add the additional deed.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Anything else you need to do with it?
Mr. Min: No, sir
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. So, with that amendment, accepted by the maker and
seconder of the motion, all in favor signify by saying "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
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Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. It's passed unanimously by those here.
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PH - PUBLIC HEARINGS
PH.1 RESOLUTION
10927
Department of
Housing and
Community
Development
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPROVING
THE CITY OF MIAMI'S DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING
INCENTIVE STRATEGIES AS RECOMMENDED BY THE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND AS
REQUIRED BY SECTION 420.9076, FLORIDA STATUTES;
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND
EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, ALL IN
FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, TO IMPLEMENT
SAID STRATEGIES.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0493
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
AYES: Carollo, Russell, Reyes
ABSENT: King, Diaz de la Portilla
Vice Chair Carollo: PH.1, I don't believe there are any deferments in the PH (Public
Hearing) agenda. Is what you had asked, Commissioner, PH.6. for the afternoon?
Commissioner Russell: We're ready for that one as well.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Is there a motion?
Commissioner Reyes: Move it.
Commissioner Russell: Yes, so moved.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Moved by Commissioner Reyes, seconded by
Commissioner Russell.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair?
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes.
Mr Hannon: My apologies, PH.3 involves appointing an elected official to a
particular committee, and so a name is going --
Vice Chair Carollo: That's right, that's right. Let me take PH.3 out. Thank you for
pointing that out. Let's vote on the rest of it minus PH.3. All in favor signer by saying
"aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Vice Chair Carollo: It passes unanimously.
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PH.2 RESOLUTION
10934
Department of
Housing and
Community
Development
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING THE CITY OF MIAMI'S
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENTS
PROGRAM POLICIES INCREASING THE MAXIMUM SUBSIDY FOR
THE SINGLE FAMILY REPLACEMENT HOME PROGRAM AND
FOR THE SINGLE FAMILY REHABILITATION PROGRAM FROM
$150,000.00 TO $250,000.00 AND $50,000.00 TO $70,000.00,
RESPECTIVELY, AS INDICATED 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-21-0494
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
AYES: Carollo, Russell, Reyes
ABSENT: King, Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PH.2, please see
"Public Comments for allltem(s)" and Item Number PH.1.
PH.3 RESOLUTION
11101
Department of
Housing and
Community
Development
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING
A MEMBER OF THE CITY COMMISSION AS A BOARD MEMBER
OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE
("AHAC") AS REQUIRED BY SECTION 420.9076, FLORIDA
STATUTES, FOR A TERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0495
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Russell, Reyes
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number PH.3, please
see "Public Comments for all Item(s) " and Item Number PH.1.
Vice Chair Carollo: So, we have PH.3 that we've taken out. Can we defer PH.3 for
the next meeting?
Barnaby Min (Deputy City Attorney): I defer to the Administration, but I do not
believe there are any issues with the deferral of PH.3.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Well, is there a motion to defer?
Commissioner Reyes: I'll move it.
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Vice Chair Carollo: Motion to defer moved by Commissioner Reyes. Second by
Commissioner King. We're deferring PH.3. Yep —
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Chair King: You 're deferring PH 3?
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, it's an elected position that I thought you might want to --
appointed position by us, that I thought you might want to look at. So --
Chair King: 1 would actually like to make a motion to appoint myself.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- well, in that case, then the motion would be made by
Commissioner Reyes to appoint Commissioner King and second by Commissioner
Russell. All in favor signify by saying "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Vice Chair Carollo: It passes unanimously.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): As amended?
Commissioner Reyes: As amended.
Vice Chair Carollo: As amended. Now we approved all the PH's, correct?
Commissioner Reyes: Absolutely.
PH.4 RESOLUTION
11060
Department of
Housing and
Community
Development
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), TRANSFERRING EMERGENCY SOLUTION
GRANT ("ESG-CV2") FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $660,000.00
FROM CAMILLUS HOUSE, INC., A FLORIDA NOT FOR PROFIT
CORPORATION, TO THE CITY OF MIAMI'S DEPARTMENT OF
HUMAN SERVICES AS SPECIFIED IN THE 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, SUBJECT TO ALL
FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAWS THAT REGULATE THE USE
OF SUCH FUNDS.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0496
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
AYES: Carollo, Russell, Reyes
ABSENT: King, Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PH.4, please see
"Public Comments for allltem(s)" and Item Number PH.1.
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PH.5 RESOLUTION
10955
Department of
Resilience and
Public Works
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING THE PLAT TITLED "MOSAICO", A
REPLAT IN THE CITY OF MIAMI OF THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED
IN ATTACHMENT "1", SUBJECT TO SATISFACTION OF ALL
CONDITIONS REQUIRED BY THE PLAT AND STREET
COMMITTEE AS SET FORTH IN EXHIBIT "A", ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED, AND THE PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN
SECTION 55-8 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA,
AS AMENDED; ACCEPTING THE DEDICATIONS SHOWN ON THE
PLAT; AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER AND
CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE THE PLAT AND CAUSE THE
RECORDATION OF THE PLAT IN THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0497
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
AYES: Carollo, Russell, Reyes
ABSENT: King, Diaz de la Portilla
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PH.6 RESOLUTION
11109
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, TO MIAMI-DADE WATER
AND SEWER DEPARTMENT, A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THE
STATE OF FLORIDA ("WASD"), FOR A PERPETUAL, NON-
EXCLUSIVE EASEMENT WITH A TOTAL COMBINED SIZE OF
APPROXIMATELY SIXTEEN THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED
SEVENTEEN (16,917) SQUARE FEET LOCATED GENERALLY AT
THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") OWNED PROPERTIES IDENTIFIED
AS FOLIO NUMBER 01-4122-002-0040 AND FOLIO NUMBER 01-
4122-002-0011, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN
EXHIBIT "A", FOR WASD TO CONSTRUCT, RECONSTRUCT, LAY,
INSTALL, OPERATE, MAINTAIN, RELOCATE, REPAIR, REPLACE,
IMPROVE, REMOVE AND INSPECT WATER TRANSMISSION AND
DISTRIBUTION FACILITIES AND ALL APPURTENANCES
THERETO, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, FIRE HYDRANTS,
AND/OR SEWAGE TRANSMISSION AND COLLECTION
FACILITIES AND ALL APPURTENANT EQUIPMENT, WHICH
RIGHT, PRIVILEGE AND EASEMENT SHALL INCLUDE THE RIGHT
TO REMOVE OR DEMOLISH, AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO
CARRY OUT ANY RIGHT GRANTED HEREIN, WITH THE FULL
RIGHT OF INGRESS THERETO AND EGRESS THEREFROM, IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE
EASEMENT, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, A REVERTER
PROVISION IF THE EASEMENT IS ABANDONED OR
DISCONTINUED; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER
TO EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING
AMENDMENTS AND MODIFICATIONS TO SAID EASEMENT, ALL
IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, AS MAY BE
NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE SAID EASEMENT.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0498
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
AYES: Carollo, Russell, Reyes
ABSENT: King, Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number PH.6, please
see "Order of the Day."
Vice Chair Carollo: Mr Clerk, for the future, for the Chairwoman, when she chairs
the meeting, if you can make sure the PZ (Planning and Zoning) items that are
ordinance that you put in the top ordinance so that it could be easily seen. When we
get late into the night, if we don't read it, that it's an ordinance, we might forget, we
get tired. So, it'd be easier if you include that in the title, that it's an ordinance.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): On the agenda plasma, if you look over to your left,
you're see an FR/SR (First Reading/Second Reading) designation. That's to denote
either a first reading or second reading ordinance.
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Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Mr Hannon: Yes, sir. But 1 can go over that with the Chair once we get ready for --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: You need to put like an OR on it so people know it's
an ordinance. You can be like an ORD on it so we know
Mr Hannon: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay?
Mr Hannon: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah. Yeah.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Chair King: In the yellow line?
Vice Chair Carollo: In the yellow line.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: The little yellow line there, ORD.
Mr Hannon: Not every Planning and Zoning item is an ordinance, so 1 wouldn't put it
in the yellow title. 1 guess we can maybe do something here for the actual item.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah, that works.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, put it in the actual item then, so that --
Mr Hannon: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I have a feeling that our new Chairwoman is going
to be a really, really quick learner but just, you know, the first couple steps, the baby
steps, are important. But after that I think she'll be -- she'll do quite well. I have no
doubt about that.
Commissioner Reyes: She's acting like a veteran.
Vice Chair Carollo: You -- you better show him. He's talking about baby steps, you
better show him your size 12 shoes, okay?
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Vice Chair Carollo: All right, we have two more here, future legislation.
Mr Hannon: Those --
Vice Chair Carollo: FL.1 --
Mr. Hannon: Only for public notice, so we don't have to --
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, so we don't have to deal with it now We're done but I've
been advised of something, and it's up to this Commission if it wants to deal with it or
not. I'm only the Chair for the day, and that has to do with PH 6, that we have voted
upon it, but I'm just trying to save us headaches into the future, and I'd rather give
someone, five minutes to talk and then you could take any actions on it or not take any
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action. I have no idea what it's about. This is PH. 6, Execute WASD (Water and Sewer
Department) Easement Grove Bay. We had approved this already. I thought it was all
fine, and I'm told no. But the only part, which 1 why I'm bringing it back, for your
consideration, if you want, is that I was told that in the portion in the morning for
public hearing, they were in negotiations, or you describe it, with the City at that time.
So, it's obvious they couldn't have been here to have addressed us on it. So, what's the
will of this Commission?
Commissioner Russell: Chairman, I'm certainly open to hearing Mr Pathman and his
client's public comment portion, and then the body will make a decision on whether or
not to reopen the item. From what I understand is they're going to make a case for
why they believe we've either ruled incorrectly or the staff has advised us incorrectly.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. All right, so how much time do you need, Mr Pathman?
Commissioner Russell: Public comments.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Commissioner Russell: Public comment.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: It's two minutes.
Vice Chair Carollo: How about --
Wayne Pathman: Thank you, Madam Chairperson.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, how about Commissioner Russell, since you're in the
district here, I'm going to give you two and I'm going to be gracious today for the
holidays and give you an extra one.
Mr Pathman: I love that yuletide spirit.
Vice Chair Carollo: So, you have three minutes.
Mr Pathman: I'm glad it's carrying over from the morning to the evening. Mr. Chair,
Madam Chair Commissioners, my name is Wayne Pathman with the law offices of
Pathman Lewis. I'm here on behalf of Grove Harbor As has been, unfortunately, the
situation between Grove Harbor and the City, we have not ever received notice and/or
consent fOr the things that are being done on the leasehold that we have with the City.
The City is the lessor for both parcels, but somehow, we don't get notice of the issues
that are happening, where there's either ground improvements or parking lots being
built on the leasehold that we have and that we're paving rent on to the City. So that's
the first issue. The second issue may be a housekeeping one, but the legal description
on the survey that you're relying upon, that you approved, is incorrect. And we pointed
that out to the City this morning. We had yesterday a Zoom call with Suzanne
Hollander and other representatives of different staff the City Attorney's office, I think
the Manager's Office. We did that again todavfor over an hour and we expressed to
them the concerns that we have, that we don't have any information, we do not have
as built plans, we do not have a proper survey and we did not have a utility survey as
well, showing where all the utilities are. We believe we came up with a resolution. If
the Clerk could pass out what I gave you earlier, I'd appreciate it, the little packet. So
just moving quickly because I have very little time, as we did with the FP&L (Florida
Power and Light) easement, I asked for a little bit of time, I asked if I could have, you
know, 2 weeks, 30 days, to try to find a solution. We did. I think I have a similar
solution for this situation. There is proposed, if you look at this area here, this one
diagram that has the black dots, this is where the easement is currently running. If we
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just slightly, move it to the south, which will still be on Grove Harbor property, not
Grove Bay, you get to accomplish the same thing that you're trying to accomplish now
with having a larger conduit for water and sewer. So, it's just basically moving it from
this line to this line. This is the property line, so it's still within the Grove Harbor
property. The other thing I'd like to make the City aware of, which the City has
nothing to do with right now, but you know there's pending litigation between the
parties, it's on appeal, if the appellate court comes back and finds that the tri-party
agreement has been violated, which the City is a party to, then you would have to tear
this all up anyhow. So, my solution is don't tear anything up, let's put the easement in
a place that works for everybody, it's still on Grove Harbor property, and I think we
can resolve this over the next couple of weeks dealing with staff. If Suzanne Hollander
is here? We spent a lot of time with her on the phone, 1 think we had very good
dialogue, we provided a lot of information to the City, and we received, you know,
some of the information back. There still is no utility plan that would really help us to
finally determine exactly where this easement can go, but our surveyor; based upon
the information we have, believes that this new location would work. And again, it
doesn't impact Grove Bay, if that's your concern, it's still on Grove Harbor property.
But it doesn't impact us in a way where we can't do anything with our property. But
one other thing that 1 really want to emphasize is, the City, as the landlord, has
obligations under the lease, and this is the third time now where some action has been
taken by a City department that has impacted the leasehold of your tenant. There's
another item that 1 need to talk to the Manager about at some point in the future, but
the surface parking lot for the building that's been built here to the north, a portion of
that, about fifteen -plus spaces is on the Grove Harbor leasehold property, without
notice to us. So, I'm coming in as someone who doesn't want to be adversarial. I have
a good relationship with Jeff Bass, I think he's still here, who's the attorney for the
other side. I'm trying to find solutions, work together so this entire mess can get
cleaned up. And I'm -- if I'm given just a couple weeks and we can finalize this with
Public Works, I think that we have a solution, and everybody wins.
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): I have a question.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes.
Ms. Mendez: Is the parking spaces that you're complaining about are built out. The
easement that you're complaining about supposedly is already built in. I mean are you
guys paying attention to the things that happen on your property? This is really -- this
is very difficult that every time you're objecting, every time this comes up, you know
that there's a pending lawsuit that allowed for your partners to go forward with the
building. And we have an indemnification and hold harmless from them with this
regard. You guns can battle it out in court, honestly, the Commission can decide what
they want to do.
Mr Pathman: IfI could address that, that's incorrect. First of all, under the lease, the
City has an obligation for notice and consent. I've requested through, public
information otherwise, do you have a consent agreement, no, the City does not. The
City issued a permit to a contractor to build the parking spots, we objected, they still
went ahead and built it, and a lawsuit was filed, unfortunately. We did object. Two,
your indemnity that you believe you have, I do not believe covers you if the City is in
breach. We won't be suing them; we would be suing the City for breach of contract.
Vice Chair Carollo: All right, we've given --
Mr Pathman: Sir, I'm trying to find solutions, not be adversarial.
Vice Chair Carollo: We've given you even more time --
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Mr. Pathman: I appreciate that.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- than 1 said that 1 would. But what bothers me is that I'm not
hearing about this until now That really bothers me. And as much as the City
Administration should have informed us, you, if you're representing someone, should
have informed us also. So, I'm putting some blame there on you also, so that we could
have been alerted. Now this was approved. We would have to bring it back.
Commissioner Russell, you're the Commissioner of the district. What say you?
Commissioner Russell: 1 wish -- thank you, Chairman. I wish these neighbors could
get along, --
Mr Pathman: I'm trying.
Commissioner Russell: -- they're going to be neighbors for a long time. And we, as
their landlords, you know, can't be a parent here. We really want to see success for
everybody who is our tenant for the best service to our residents, and I think they both
offer amazing amenities to our residents.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, they do; that's not a question.
Commissioner Russell: I understand. 1 agree with you. 1 do believe that they should
have -- they say they've been negotiating with the City for a couple days, they should
have let us know. If they needed more time, they were here, they could have been here
for public comment. And when the item came up, 1 signaled to everyone, both sides,
would you like to speak, and nobody did. So, with that in mind, I'm okay with the item
as it went through. I do hear what you're saying, but our City Administration that
briefed each one of us, and if they said to you what they said to me, they are fully
comfortable with this in the way it was noticed, the legalities of it, and that the City is
being completely fair to your side. I hear you, you've made the case that we're not, but
Mr Pathman: I think if you spoke to Suzanne, you might hear otherwise. We worked
really diligently in a very short period of time just given information this morning to
resolve this. And that's why I wasn't here this morning.
Vice Chair Carollo: Let's cut to the chase. Suzanne, could you come up? If the City
Manager; or the Assistant Manager would allow you to do so. Can you shed some
light into this whole thing?
Suzanne Hollander (Director, Department of Real Estate & Asset Management): Yes,
sir.
Vice Chair Carollo: Because this just has hit me by total surprise. I thought
everything had been resolved, everybody was getting along together
Ms. Hollander: I understand that impression because the last -- the last issue we were
able to do a pow -wow and everyone hashed it out. On November 17th, when Ifbund
out about this, I asked our DREAM (Department of Real Estate & Asset Management)
staff to reach out to Otto, who is with the Grove Bay, and I asked for them to get
consent from Grove Harbor so that we wouldn't be at -- it was in an email -- so that
Tye wouldn't be at this dais now, working to try to get consent. I don't know if they
reached out to get the consent or not, but that's what happened. I wasn't involved in
the briefings this time, I didn't have an invitation to them, so that's why you didn't
hear anything from me during the briefing.
Commissioner Russell: Mr Chairman?
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Vice Chair Carollo: Yes, Commissioner.
Commissioner Russell: Do we need legal consent from the tenant on both sides to do
this?
Ms. Hollander: No, I just thought that practically, if we had consent or if they were
aware since it's going on a small portion of their property, that it would avoid this. It
would -- it would avoid what we're doing right now.
Commissioner Russell: They're making the case that we legally must get consent.
Ms. Hollander: Well, 1 was -- I was asking that they work it out together and that they
get consent amongst themselves so that they could move forward. But that is true, in
the lease, we are supposed to notify them of this.
Ms. Mendez: So, if we can -- I believe Mr Bass wants to say something for the record.
The way that we understand the notice and consent on this issue, it's basically granted
in the lawsuit where the court issued an order that said that they were allowed to
continue building. So that is that part. In order to give additional coverage for the
City I asked --
Vice Chair Carollo: But Madam City Attorney, I'm sorry.
Ms. Hollander: And as to the -- oh, sorry.
Vice Chair Carollo: One thing is for the court to say that they're allowed to continue
building, but --
Ms. Mendez: I'm sorry?
Vice Chair Carollo: One thing is for the court to say that they were allowed to
continue building, but did the court say that utilities, what have you, can go through
the other property instead of their own, to continue building?
Ms. Mendez: Well, that was part of the lawsuit itself. And I'll let Mr. Bass discuss that
further. But with --
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, but -- I'll give Jeffrey a couple of minutes to speak too, but
you know you're my City Attorney.
Ms. Mendez: My understanding -- yes, so that's why I'm saying, our understanding
when we were looking at the lawsuit and what the court order said, they were allowed
to continue building. Continuing to build means the utilities, the moving of the -- of
the, you know, doing everything.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, yeah, yeah, but you know, you could believe that when a
court says, they're going to be maybe under the impression that all that is going to be
going through the land that you lease, not someone else's land that was leased from
the City. So that's my only concern here.
Ms. Mendez: I'll let Mr. Bass discuss that.
Vice Chair Carollo: Mr Bass?
Geoffrey Bass: If I may. I will do my level best to keep the holiday cheer --
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Vice Chair Carollo: 171 give you three minutes, just like 1 gave the other attorney.
Mr Bass: Madan Chair, it's wonderful to see you and see you all, and happy holidays
to you. Let me be very brief Let me start with the dates because date matters. We gave
them notice of this water plan on November 19, 2019. 2019 we sent them a letter, we
sent them the plans in 2019. They didn't do anything, so we had to file a lawsuit. We
filed a lawsuit; we attached these plans to the lawsuit. We attached the utility plan, the
water plan, the Florida Power & Light plan. We defined those utility that we needed
to do on their property as the work, the approved work, that we needed to do to build
this project. And the court granted our Motion for Summary Judgment, entered a
judgment against them, gave us the right, explicitly, to build the utility work which we
defined as the approved work on their leasehold. End of story. But let me keep going
with the dates. We gave them notice on October 4th of this year We came before you
on the Florida Power & Light issue. They asked for a utility plan. We gave them the
utility plan. It was a colored drawing. And guess what we showed on the utility plan?
The water easement. And it's in exactly the same place. So, they've known since
November of 2019, we reminded them again on October 4th, when we were here
before you working out the Florida Power & Light thing. As Ms. Hollander suggested,
they asked me to reach out, I reached out to my good friend Wayne Pathman, I sent
him these drawings on November 22nd. We had a conversation on November 22nd. I
asked for any feedback, I didn't hear anything back. I sent them again on December 1,
sent him the drawings again, asked for his feedback, didn't hear anything back. 1 was
as polite as one could be while also being diligent and not a pest. And the first that
we're hearing about these objections are now. So, to say we didn't have notice, well
they had enough notice to be here, they've had notice for over two years, they had
notice in the lawsuit, they had notice in October We're done on all that. And to a
certainty, the court's order; the Final Judgment, which by the way, they sought to stay,
stay was denied, the Final Judgment says we can build the utility work within their
leasehold as shown on the plans that they've had since November 19, 2019.
Vice Chair Carollo: And you said within their leasehold.
Mr Bass: Within their leasehold. Since 2019 they've had those plans. That's what the
lawsuit was about. We wouldn't have needed them to build them, not on their
leasehold, but these were part of the plans, the overall plans.
Vice Chair Carollo: Can you send that to my office so I could read it tornorrow? A
copy of that portion.
Mr Bass: I'd be most pleased to do so.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay? Because I'm going to, you know, at least, from my point of
view, I'm going to go along with that. III find that that's not what it says, I might want
to bring it back for reconsideration.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Mr Bass: May I send it to your City Attorney to distribute to all of you however you
deem appropriate?
Vice Chair Carollo: That's appropriate, that's fine.
Mr. Bass: That way I'll let your City Attorney interface with all of you.
Vice Chair Carollo: Sure.
Mr Bass: Thank you for the time. Have a wonderful holiday.
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Meeting Minutes December 9, 2021
Mr. Pathman: Thirty seconds?
Vice Chair Carollo: Thirty seconds, that's it, and we're closing.
Mr Pathman: I just want to answer your question about consent. From and after the
lease date, this is from the lease, lessor shall take no action, the City, which would
impair or otherwise effect title to any portion of the subject property, Grove Harbor,
and shall record no documents in the public records which would affect title to the
subject property without the prior written consent of lessee. 1 don't want to dispute
what Jeff's saying, but we got -- Jeff sent me an email, 1 sent him an email back saying
I've got to get a hold of my client. It was Thanksgiving. When they returned, I
immediately jumped on this. I contacted the City, I sent a letter to the City on the 24th.
We worked as diligently, as fast as we could.
Vice Chair Carollo: Can you send that also to the --
Mr Pathman: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- attorney so she can distribute it to us?
Mr Pathman: Okay, and by the way, I'm here not to be adversarial. Jeff and I, like he
said, are good friends. 1 want to try to resolve globally, all the issues, out of court,
that's my goal. Just like I said 1 would do with the FP&L. 1 think 1 can do the same
with this.
Commissioner Reyes: With all due respect, I don't think that this controversy that's
going on, you can solve all the problems. It's going to be also some -- you know what I
mean.
Mr Pathman: I know.
Commissioner Reyes: And -- and I -- I love both parties, I love (UNINTELLIGIBLE)
and all of that. And also, I want to know for sure that something, the information that
I receive, the pipes, Mr City Manager, that everything has been installed and it was
installed during the day, in working hours?
Arthur Noriega (City Manager): I can't speak to when the installation occurred --
Commissioner Reyes: No, no, no, I mean I want to know because if it was installed at
night, --
Mr. Noriega: No.
Commissioner Reyes: -- you see, they might not have seen it. But it was installed
during the days, and it took days to install, why didn't they protest it?
Mr Noriega: Yeah. I'm sure there are appropriate photos of that as well.
Commissioner Reyes: I mean I -- okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: Anyway, is there anything else this Commission would like to do?
Commissioner Reyes: Adjourn.
Vice Chair Carollo: This meeting is adjourned. Happy Holidays to everyone.
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END OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
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RE.1
10911
Department of
Police
RE - RESOLUTIONS
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, ACCEPTING
THE BID RECEIVED ON JULY 8, 2021, PURSUANT TO
INVITATION FOR BIDS ("IFB") NO. 1164387, FROM THE
APPARENT LOWEST RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE BIDDER,
WATERFIELD FLORIDA STAFFING, LLC, A FLORIDA LIMITED
LIABILITY COMPANY ("WATERFIELD"), FOR THE PROVISION OF
SCHOOL CROSSING GUARD SERVICES, ON AN AS NEEDED
BASIS, FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") POLICE DEPARTMENT
("POLICE"), FOR AN INITIAL TERM OF TWO (2) YEARS, WITH
THE OPTION TO RENEW FOR THREE (3) ADDITIONAL ONE (1)
YEAR PERIODS; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM POLICE GENERAL
ACCOUNT NO. 00001.190501.534000.0000.00000 AND SUCH
OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDS, SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY
OF FUNDS AND BUDGETARY APPROVAL AT THE TIME OF
NEED; 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 CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA,
AS AMENDED ("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-21-0499
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Russell, Reyes
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. So, we are now going into the RE (Resolution) agenda, and
we have RE.9 that's been deferred. Let me see if there's anything else in the REs that's
been deferred. Not that I see. So, on the rest of the RE agenda is there a motion?
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): And, Chair, just for the record, RE.6 and RE.7 passed
earlier today.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, those were done earlier today, correct.
Mr Hannon: Yes, sir.
Pee Chair Carollo: Those were a street code designation. So, there's a motion by --
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Chair King: Chair?
Commissioner Russell: So moved.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes?
Chair King: I have some questions about RE.3.
Pee Chair Carollo: Okay. So, let's pull out RE.3 out and there's a motion by
Commissioner Russell on the rest of the RE agenda, minus the two we did before and
RE.3 that's been taken out for now. Second by Commissioner Reyes. All in favor
signify by saying "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
RE.2 RESOLUTION
10939
Department of
Resilience and
Public Works
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION ACCEPTING
THE BID RECEIVED ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 PURSUANT TO
INVITATION FOR BID NO. 1413386 FROM THE SOLE
RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE BIDDER, WASTE
MANAGEMENT INC. OF FLORIDA, A FLORIDA PROFIT
CORPORATION, FOR THE PROVISION OF VACTOR TRUCK
DEBRIS HAULING SERVICES, ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS, FOR
THE CITY OF MIAMI'S DEPARTMENT OF RESILIENCE AND
PUBLIC WORKS ("RPW") FOR AN INITIAL TERM OF THREE (3)
YEARS WITH THE OPTION TO RENEW FOR ONE (1)
ADDITIONAL TWO (2) YEAR PERIOD; ALLOCATING FUNDS
FROM RPW GENERAL FUND ACCOUNT NO.
00001.208000.534000.0000.00000 AND SUCH OTHER SOURCES
OF FUNDS, SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS AND
BUDGETARY APPROVAL AT THE TIME OF NEED; 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
CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("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-21-0500
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Russell, Reyes
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
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RE.2 RESOLUTION
10939
Department of
Resilience and
Public Works
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION ACCEPTING
THE BID RECEIVED ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 PURSUANT TO
INVITATION FOR BID NO. 1413386 FROM THE SOLE
RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE BIDDER, WASTE
MANAGEMENT INC. OF FLORIDA, A FLORIDA PROFIT
CORPORATION, FOR THE PROVISION OF VACTOR TRUCK
DEBRIS HAULING SERVICES, ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS, FOR
THE CITY OF MIAMI'S DEPARTMENT OF RESILIENCE AND
PUBLIC WORKS ("RPW") FOR AN INITIAL TERM OF THREE (3)
YEARS WITH THE OPTION TO RENEW FOR ONE (1)
ADDITIONAL TWO (2) YEAR PERIOD; ALLOCATING FUNDS
FROM RPW GENERAL FUND ACCOUNT NO.
00001.208000.534000.0000.00000 AND SUCH OTHER SOURCES
OF FUNDS, SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS AND
BUDGETARY APPROVAL AT THE TIME OF NEED; 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
CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("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-21-0500
MOTION TO: Reconsider
RESULT: RECONSIDERED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Reyes
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RE.2 RESOLUTION
10939
Department of
Resilience and
Public Works
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION ACCEPTING
THE BID RECEIVED ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 PURSUANT TO
INVITATION FOR BID NO. 1413386 FROM THE SOLE
RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE BIDDER, WASTE
MANAGEMENT INC. OF FLORIDA, A FLORIDA PROFIT
CORPORATION, FOR THE PROVISION OF VACTOR TRUCK
DEBRIS HAULING SERVICES, ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS, FOR
THE CITY OF MIAMI'S DEPARTMENT OF RESILIENCE AND
PUBLIC WORKS ("RPW") FOR AN INITIAL TERM OF THREE (3)
YEARS WITH THE OPTION TO RENEW FOR ONE (1)
ADDITIONAL TWO (2) YEAR PERIOD; ALLOCATING FUNDS
FROM RPW GENERAL FUND ACCOUNT NO.
00001.208000.534000.0000.00000 AND SUCH OTHER SOURCES
OF FUNDS, SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS AND
BUDGETARY APPROVAL AT THE TIME OF NEED; 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
CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("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-21-0500
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: Carollo, Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Reyes
ABSTAIN: King
Note for the Record: Chair Christine King abstained from voting on item RE.2 and
submitted a Form 8B Memorandum of Voting Conflict for County, Municipal, and
other Local Public Officers with the City Clerk in compliance with Section
112.3143, Florida Statutes.
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number RE.2, please
see Item Number RE.1.
Vice Chair Carollo: We have one last clean-up item that we need to do. If
Commissioner Russell would ask for RE.2 to be reheard and Commissioner Reyes
would ask for RE.2 to be reheard.
Commissioner Russell: RE.2?
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: It's my item.
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Vice Chair Carollo: Yes. Yes, we have a clean-up item.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah, the RE.2, I think is a carve -out that -- that
Commissioner --
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): No, no, I'm sorry. So, for RE.2 we need to rehear
that item. We need to reconsider it so that one of our elected --
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes, it a clean-up item.
Ms. Mendez: Right.
Vice Chair Carollo: There was some mistake that was made.
Commissioner Russell: The (UNINTELLIGIBLE) truck?
Ms. Mendez: Yeah.
Vice Chair Carollo: So there's a motion. There's a second.
Commissioner Reyes: There's a motion.
Vice Chair Carollo: All in favor signift by saying "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Vice Chair Carollo: There's four that asked for it to be reheard. And now
Commissioner King needs to present something on this item before we bring it up
again and vote on it.
Chair King: I need to advise the body that I have a conflict with this item. Waste
Management is a client of mine, so I cannot vote on this item.
Vice Chair Carollo: Understood. Okay, that's fine.
Commissioner Reyes: That's fine.
Vice Chair Carollo: So, let me just wait for her to step out and then we'll take it back
again. Who made the motion the second time?
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: But come right back, Commissioner.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): It was a block vote moved by Commissioner Russell,
seconded by Commissioner Reyes.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Is that fine if you --? Okay, so it's been moved again by
Commissioner Russell, second by Commissioner Reyes. All in favor signer by saying
"aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Vice Chair Carollo: All four of us here voted unanimously for it.
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RE.3 RESOLUTION
11127
Commissioners
and Mayor
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DIRECTING
THE CITY MANAGER TO TAKE ANY AND ALL ACTIONS TO
INCREASE THE PAY OF CITY OF MIAMI TROLLEY DRIVERS.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0505
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Christine King, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Russell, Reyes
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Vice Chair Carollo: I'm going to leave RE.3 until the end, if okay? We have --
Chair King: Oh actually, I'm okay with RE.3.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. So --
Commissioner Russell: I'll move RE.3 in.
Vice Chair Carollo: Commissioner King makes a motion for RE.3.
Commissioner Russell: Yes, please.
Vice Chair Carollo: Commissioner Russell seconds it. All in favor signify by saying
"aye."
Commissioner Russell: Just a moment. I'd like the Commission -- the Management to
bring back the final ordinance January 27th ifpossible.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Commissioner Russell: So, RE.3 is with regard to the wage of the trolley drivers.
Arthur Noriega (City Manager): Yeah.
Commissioner Russell: Can you bring it back, whatever action needs to be taken,
second meeting in January?
Mr Noriega: Sure.
Commissioner Russell: Sure.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well. All right, so all in favor signifY by saying "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Vice Chair Carollo: It passed unanimously.
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RE.4 RESOLUTION
11138
Commissioners
and Mayor
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, BY A FOUR -
FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A PURCHASE AND
SALE AGREEMENT ("AGREEMENT'), IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE
TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI
("CITY") AND 1142 SW 4 ST LLC, A FLORIDA LIMITED LIABILITY
COMPANY ("SELLER"), FOR THE ACQUISITION OF REAL
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1510 SOUTHWEST 7 STREET, MIAMI,
FLORIDA ("PROPERTY"), FOR A PURCHASE PRICE OF ONE
MILLION DOLLARS ($1,000,000.00); FURTHER AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ALL
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING AMENDMENTS AND
MODIFICATIONS TO SAID AGREEMENT, ALL IN FORMS
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, AS MAY BE
NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE SAID ACQUISITION;
ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM A SOURCE TO BE DETERMINED, IN
AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED ONE MILLION SIXTY THOUSAND
DOLLARS ($1,060,000.00), TO COVER THE COST OF SAID
ACQUISITION, INCLUSIVE OF THE COST OF SURVEY,
ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTS, TITLE INSURANCE, DEMOLITION,
SECURING THE PROPERTY, PROJECT SIGNAGE AND RELATED
CLOSING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID ACQUISITION, IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE
AGREEMENT.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0501
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Russell, Reyes
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number RE.4 please see Item
Number RE.1.
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RE.5 RESOLUTION
11145
Commissioners
and Mayor
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION PURSUANT
TO SECTION 18-112 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), ALLOCATING
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021 ("ARPA") FUNDS, IN AN
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED ONE MILLION DOLLARS
($1,000,000.00) TO THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY ("DDA"), SO THAT THE DDA CAN PARTIALLY FUND
THE ARPA-ELIGIBLE PORTIONS OF ITS FLAGLER RECOVERY
GRANT PROGRAM, AS DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A", ATTACHED
AND INCORPORATED, AND INCENTIVE FUND PROGRAM, AS
DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "B", ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED,
PROVIDED THAT THIS ALLOCATION IS APPROVED IN WRITING
BY THE CITY'S ARPA CONSULTANT ("CONSULTANT
APPROVAL"), WHO IS TO BE RETAINED BY THE CITY
PURSUANT TO REQUEST FOR QUOTATION NO. 1431386, AND
FURTHER PROVIDED THAT THE DDA ACCEPTS SAID FUNDS
BY RESOLUTION ("DDA RESOLUTION"); SUBJECT TO THE
RECEIPT BY THE CITY MANAGER OF THE CONSULTANT
APPROVAL AND DDA RESOLUTION, AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING MEMORANDA OF
UNDERSTANDING, 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 SAID PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0502
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Russell, Reyes
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number RE.5, please see Item
Number RE.1.
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RE.6 RESOLUTION
11013
Commissioners
and Mayor
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
RECOGNIZING NOVEMBER 18, 2021 AS DR. MARK B.
ROSENBERG DAY; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT
A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE OFFICIALS LISTED.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0482
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Reyes
Commissioner Reyes: Point of -- Mr. Chair?
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes.
Commissioner Reyes: A point of privilege.
Vice Chair Carollo: Don't take this (UNINTELLIGIBLE) you're liking it too much.
Commissioner Reyes: We have -- we have --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: She won't let it go.
Commissioner Reyes: We have the president, the FIU (Florida International
University) President, Mr Rosenberg, and he is --
Vice Chair Carollo: Is he here?
Commissioner Reyes: Yes, he is here, he's outside.
Vice Chair Carollo: Great.
Commissioner Reyes: And I want to invite him and so we have (INAUDIBLE) I want
to pass this to you so you can present it, okay?
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you.
Commissioner Reyes: So, let's ask him in.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: If I may, Madam Chair? I want to tell our city
photographer, please --
Chair King: I'm not the Chair today.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Oh, I'm sorry. Mr. Chair. I'm sorry. Mr. Chair If I
may, can you tell our City photographer I have burst blood vessel in my left eye, so
when he takes the picture he whites it out?
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, all you've got to do is put your right side.
(MULTIPLE PARTIES SPEAKING IN UNISON)
Nye Chair Carollo: Tell him to take your right side.
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Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: But 1 wanted to make sure that it was okay I was
going to wear an eyepatch, but it would be too, you know, it wouldn't look good. I'm
sure the media would have a field day with that one, right? So, I wanted to make sure.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, I'm glad you didn't do that. Some people might have
thought you were a pirate.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I know. And then I would have to say 1varrrr'and
argue with you all day, so I'm not going to do that.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, as we're -- no, here's the President.
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Vice Chair Carollo: Can you come up, please?
Commissioner Reyes: Well, we can also take now, before we do that, RE.6, a
resolution -- there's a resolution recognizing 7/9 as Doctor Mark B. Rosenberg and
FIUDay.
Vice Chair Carollo: I second that.
Commissioner Reyes: Move it. Second.
Vice Chair Carollo: And is there anyone that would like to speak to that? Hearing
none, all that would approve signer by saying 'aye.'
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Nicole Ewan (Assistant City Clerk): And, Chair Chair there is a substitution on this
item just changing the date to today, December 9th.
Commissioner Reyes: December 9th.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. As corrected.
Commissioner Reyes: As corrected, yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: Very good. It passes unanimously. Dr Rosenberg, it's great to
have you here.
Mark Rosenberg: Thank you, sir.
Vice Chair Carollo: I don't know if there are any other FlUgraduates here in our
commission, but if not -- well, I'm saying in our commission, but if not, I got two
degrees from there, so, you know, let one of our colleagues borrow one for the day.
But it's great to have you here --
Mr Rosenberg: Thank you, sir.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- and we're -- we're very proud of the wonderful job you've been
doing at --
Mr Rosenberg: Thank you.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- one of our --
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Mr. Rosenberg: Thank you.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- country's, not just state's --
Mr Rosenberg: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- best universities.
Mr Rosenberg: Thank you, sir I -- I did want to say, I want to thank the Commission
for the recognition. And I checked, since I became president, which was a few years
ago, we've graduated over 13,000 residents of the city of Miami. And our university,
on an annual basis, invests about $45 million in financial aid, annually, for residents
of the city of Miami, to get their education and to achieve their version of the
American dream. We have nearly 20,000 residents of the city of Miami who are either
currently enrolled at the -- at FIU, or who are graduates. 20,000. So, I'm very proud
of that, and as I look at the Commission, you're all friends, you're all supporters of
our great university, and I'm privileged and blessed to be with you today. Thank you.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, thank you very much. If you could give us the honor of
coming up here and joining us so that we could read what we have here.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, I was going to be reading this, President Rosenberg, but I
just heard from Commission King that her father was in the first graduating class. I
can't say that. So, Commissioner King, if you could read it for us (INAUDIBLE).
The Resolution was read by title into the public record by Chair King.
Applause.
Mr Rosenberg: (INAUDIBLE) an honor to be here with you. We value your public
service and your leadership, and on behalf of the entire university community, I accept
this recognition. It's very humbling. Thank you all very much.
Applause.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
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RE.7 RESOLUTION
11107
Commissioners
and Mayor
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION CO -
DESIGNATING SOUTHWEST 25TH STREET FROM SOUTHWEST
24TH AVENUE TO SOUTHWEST 27TH AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA
AS "LAS MUCHACHITAS DE VILLA MARIA STREET" 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-21-0471
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Christine King, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Russell, Reyes
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Then let's move to the public comment period. The public
comment period will now be open, for all items and non -agenda items, if any; to be
heard at this City Commission meeting. Everyone will have two minutes to speak.
Whoever would like to speak, if you could please line up using both mics so we can go
quicker. Within your two minutes you could address any topic in today's agenda, or
several of them at the same time within your two minutes. However, let me be very
clear individuals are not to come here to attack anybody or defame anybody and are
to stick to the subjects on today's agenda.
Commissioner Reyes: Mr Chair?
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes.
Commissioner Reyes: If I may -- if I may ask that we hear from -- first from this group
of ladies that you see every single one of them with a yellow rose. They are
(Comments made in Spanish not translated) and we are presenting a proclamation -- I
mean we are naming and presenting a proclamation to them. And I would like --
Vice Chair Carollo: Is that today?
Commissioner Reyes: Yes. And we have -- we have a resolution --
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, then --
Commissioner Reyes: -- we are designating.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, then why don't we do this --
Commissioner Reyes: Because I don't want them to be --
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, why don't we do this then --
Commissioner Reyes: Let's take this --
Nye Chair Carollo: -- why don't we take this resolution --
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Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- ahead of everything else and any one of them could address it.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: But if he could read the resolution so that if anybody would like to
address this resolution, they could do it before we vote on it.
Commissioner Reyes: Thankyou, sir Thankyou very much. Madam City Attorney,
could you please read the reso?
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): Yes, Commissioner: One moment.
The Resolution was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: Moved by Commissioner Reyes, second by Commissioner King.
All in favor signify by saying `aye. '
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair were you going to have your public comment?
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, we have to have a public comment before. I'm sorry, I'm
going too quick. Before we vote on it, if there's anyone that would like to speak on this
particular item only.
Rosa Sueiro: Thankyou. Thankyou so much. Good morning. We're very honored and
very grateful to the Commission and to Commissioner Manola Reyes for his help in
obtaining this for us. We are a group of 40 girls who left Cuba through the Pedro Pan
Operation [sic] in the beginning of 1962. And we were sent to San Antonio, Texas,
which became our real first home in the United States. Through those years that we
spent in Villa Maria, which is the home where we stayed, it was in like a nursing --
like a place where young women stayed, we developed a deep and profound
friendship. We become -- we consider ourselves sisters at this time and we are, you
know, this is why we wear this yellow rose which is the symbol of the State of Texas.
So, thank you to the Commissioner, thank you to you, Mr Reyes, and we will be there,
you know, when you dedicate this street. Thank you so much. We have a big group
which is not here, in other places, New York, et cetera, who are following this very
closely. So, it's a big --
Vice Chair Carollo: Great. Please.
Commissioner Reyes: Please. Maria?
Vice Chair Carollo: Does anybody else would like to speak?
Commissioner Reyes: Maria, do you want to say anything?
Ms. Sueiro: No.
Commissioner Reyes: The first time that 1 see you quiet.
Vice Chair Carollo: It is indeed an honor --
Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
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Vice Chair Carollo: -- to have so many of you here today. So many Peter Pan
(Comments made in Spanish not translated). I was one of your (Comments made in
Spanish not translated) also --
Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- when I came at the age of six; through Peter Pan, also. So, I
certainly understand your feelings. Now looking back, the sacrifices that our parents
made, those were decisions that were the hardest decisions that any one of our parents
ever made in their whole lives. To have sent us alone, never knowing if they would see
us again, but they were willing to maybe never see us again but to give us the
opportunity to live in freedom. And only people like us that went through that could
understand that. But 1 will say this to you, that out of the slightly over 14,000 young
women and men that came, which was the largest group of young people that were
lied from a country for freedom in the course of history, that's what made so many of
us successful. Because from a very early age we had to learn to be fighters, we had to
learn not to give up, we had to learn to succeed. So, to all of you, it's quite an honor
to see so many of you here at City Hall today. And in particularly that beautiful yellow
rose of Texas, since lately we haven't had the best experience with Texas, this is a
great experience with Texas. Thank you.
Applause.
Commissioner Reyes: Thank you.
Vice Chair Carollo: Why don't you all come up here so we can present the resolution.
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Commissioner Russell: But first --
Commissioner Reyes: Have we voted yet?
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, we're going to vote.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: Anybody else who would like to speak?
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, so --
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Vice Chair Carollo: All right, so for this part of the public hearing, only on this item, I
will close it, on this item. And, yes, you all can start corning.
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Vice Chair Carollo: There was a motion by Commissioner Reyes, seconded by
Commissioner King. All in favor signift by saying "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Vice Chair Carollo: It passed unanimously.
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(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
RE.8 RESOLUTION
11059
Commissioners
and Mayor
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), APPORTIONING THE REMAINING MIAMI
FOREVER BOND LIMITED AD VALOREM FUNDING ALLOCATED
TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED OF
AMOUNT OF $66,248,042, TO EACH COMMISSION DISTRICT
PURSUANT TO THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK
GRANT METHODOLOGY, AS INDICATED IN EXHIBIT "A,"
ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, FOR THE COMMISSIONER
OF EACH DISTRICT TO ALLOCATE AND APPROPRIATE BY
FUTURE RESOLUTION(S) TO ELIGIBLE PROJECTS, SUBJECT
TO THE CITY TAKING ANY AND ALL NECESSARY ACTIONS TO
AMEND THE MULTI -YEAR CAPITAL PLAN AND TO COMPLY
WITH ALL APPLICABLE LAWS, RULES, REGULATIONS, AND
AUTHORIZATIONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, FEDERAL
LAWS, STATE LAWS, THE CITY CHARTER, THE CITY CODE,
AND THE MIAMI FOREVER BOND VALIDATION ORDER.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0503
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Russell, Reyes
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number RE.8, please see
"Order of the Day" and Item Number RE.1.
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RE.9 RESOLUTION
11140
Commissioners
and Mayor
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), APPORTIONING THE REMAINING MIAMI
FOREVER BOND LIMITED AD VALOREM FUNDS ALLOCATED TO
SEA LEVEL RISE AND FLOOD MITIGATION IN THE TOTAL NOT
TO EXCEED OF AMOUNT OF $177,865,072 TO EACH
COMMISSION DISTRICT, AS INDICATED IN EXHIBIT "A,"
ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, FOR THE COMMISSIONER
OF EACH DISTRICT TO ALLOCATE AND APPROPRIATE BY
FUTURE RESOLUTION(S) TO ELIGIBLE PROJECTS, SUBJECT
TO THE CITY TAKING ANY AND ALL NECESSARY ACTIONS TO
AMEND THE MULTI -YEAR CAPITAL PLAN AND TO COMPLY
WITH ALL APPLICABLE LAWS, RULES, REGULATIONS, AND
AUTHORIZATIONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, FEDERAL
LAWS, STATE LAWS, THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, AS
AMENDED, AND THE MIAMI FOREVER BOND VALIDATION
ORDER.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Christine King, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Russell, Reyes
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: Item RE.9 was deferred to the February 10, 2022, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number RE.9, please see
"Order of the Day."
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RE.10
11137
Commissioners
and Mayor
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), DECLARING THE OFFICIAL INTENT OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") TO ISSUE BOTH TAXABLE AND TAX-
EXEMPT GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS PAYABLE FROM AD
VALOREM TAXES PROVIDED THAT THE CAPITAL PROJECTS
DEBT MILLAGE NOT EXCEED THE RATE OF 0.5935 MILLS IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE NOVEMBER 7, 2017 BOND
REFERENDUM APPROVED BY THE VOTERS, INITIALLY IN AN
EXPECTED NOT TO EXCEED TOTAL MAXIMUM PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT OF TWENTY-FIVE MILLION DOLLARS ($25,000,000.00)
IN ORDER TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, REIMBURSE THE CITY
FOR FUNDS ADVANCED BY THE CITY FOR CERTAIN
EXPENSES INCURRED WITH RESPECT TO CAPITAL PROJECTS
TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE CITY TO REDUCE FLOODING
RISKS, ALL AS INDICATED IN THE ATTACHED PROJECT LIST IN
EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED (COLLECTIVELY,
"TRANCHE 2 FLOOD MITIGATION PROJECTS"); ESTABLISHING
CERTAIN RELATED DEFINITIONS OF TERMS; AUTHORIZING
CERTAIN FURTHER AND INCIDENTAL ACTIONS BY THE CITY
MANAGER IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY,
BOND COUNSEL, DISCLOSURE COUNSEL, FINANCIAL
ADVISOR, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, FINANCE DIRECTOR,
BUDGET DIRECTOR, AND SUCH OTHER APPROPRIATE
OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS OF THE CITY AS THE
CITY MANAGER DEEMS NECESSARY, ALL AS REQUIRED FOR
PURPOSES OF SECTIONS 103 AND 141-150 OF THE U.S.
INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED, AND FOR
COMPLIANCE THEREWITH; FURTHER AUTHORIZING RELATED
AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY'S MULTI -YEAR CAPITAL PLAN AS
NECESSARY.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0504
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Russell, Reyes
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number RE.10, please see Item
Number RE.1.
END OF RESOLUTIONS
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SR.1
9329
Department of
Resilience and
Public Works
SR - SECOND READING ORDINANCES
ORDINANCE Second Reading
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 22.5/ARTICLE IV OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TITLED "GREEN
INITIATIVES/WATER CONSERVATION," TO UPDATE THE CITY
OF MIAMI'S WATER CONSERVATION ORDINANCE TO
CONFORM WITH THE REVISED SOUTH FLORIDA WATER
MANAGEMENT DISTRICT'S MANDATORY YEAR-ROUND
LANDSCAPE IRRIGATION CONSERVATION MEASURES,
THEREBY UPDATING DEFINITIONS, PROVIDING FOR WATER
SHORTAGE EMERGENCIES AND YEAR-ROUND WATER
CONSERVATION, PROVIDING FOR VARIANCES, AND
PROVIDING ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: 14038
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Russell, Reyes
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Nee Chair Carollo: So, we're done with the totality of the RE agenda. Second reading
ordinance if you could read the second reading ordinance for SR.], SR.2, and SR.3,
Mr. City Attorney?
Barnaby Min (Deputy City Attorney): Yes, sir. SR.1.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Mr Min: SR.2.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Mr Min: SR.3.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Commissioner Reyes: Move it.
Vice Chair Carollo: There's a motion to move all three of them by Commissioner
Reyes.
Commissioner Russell: Second.
Vice Chair Carollo: Second by Commissioner Russell. All in -- yes?
Chair King: I'd like to co-sponsor SR.1.
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SR.2
10622
Department of
Building
Vice Chair Carollo: Commissioner King is co -sponsoring FR.1 [sicJ separately from
the SR.1.
Chair King: No, the SR.1.
Vice Chair Carollo: Oh, SR.1.
Chair King: SR.1.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. She'd like to co-sponsor SR.1. Okay. All in favor signify by
saying "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
V ce Chair Carollo: Pass on second reading, all three, unanimously.
ORDINANCE Second Reading
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 20 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA,
AS AMENDED, TITLED "FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION", TO
UPDATE THE LANGUAGE TO MATCH THE CURRENT
REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL, STATE OF FLORIDA, AND
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY LAWS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: 14039
MOTION TO:
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
ABSENT:
Note for the Record:
Number SR.1.
Adopt
ADOPTED
Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
Ken Russell, Commissioner
King, Carollo, Russell, Reyes
Diaz de la Portilla
For minutes referencing Item Number SR.2, please see Item
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SR.3 ORDINANCE Second Reading
11037
Commissioners
and Mayor
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 54/ARTICLE II/SECTION 54-56 OF THE CODE OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TITLED "STREETS
AND SIDEWALKS/CONSTRUCTION, EXCAVATION, AND
REPAIR/CONSTRUCTION, RECONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR OF
STREET IMPROVEMENTS REQUIRED WHEN ADJACENT
PROPERTY IS IMPROVED BY CONSTRUCTION OF $100,000.00
OR MORE IN VALUE OR EXCEEDING 1,000 SQUARE FEET IN
FLOOR AREA; RESTRICTION," TO CREDIT CERTAIN RIGHT-OF-
WAY IMPROVEMENTS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE;
AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: 14040
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Russell, Reyes
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number SR.3, please see Item
Number SR.1.
END OF SECOND READING ORDINANCES
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FR - FIRST READING ORDINANCES
FR.1 ORDINANCE First Reading
11135
Commissioners
and Mayor
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 8 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA,
AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), TITLED "BICYCLES,
SKATEBOARDS, SCOOTERS, AND OTHER SIMILAR DEVICES,"
MODIFYING AND PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL SAFETY
MEASURES AND OTHER REGULATIONS; AND ADDING DIVISION
2 TO PROVIDE FOR THE PERMANENT MOTORIZED SCOOTER
PROGRAM; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Continue
RESULT: CONTINUED
MOVER: Alex Diaz de Ia Portilla, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Russell, Diaz de Ia Portilla, Reyes
Note for the Record: Item FR.1 was continued to the January 13, 2022, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number FR.1, please
see "Public Comments for allltem(s)."
Vice Chair Carollo: On first reading ordinance, you have FR.1, FR.2, and FR.3. What
is the will of the Commission? Do you want to wait to --
Commissioner Russell: I'll move it.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- have a full board here or not?
Commissioner Russell: Yeah, probably. We'll wait for Commissioner Diaz de la
Portilla.
Commissioner Reyes: (INAUDIBLE).
Vice Chair Carollo: Go ahead.
Commissioner Reyes: I heard that FR.1 and FR.2 could be deferred. That's what --
Vice Chair Carollo: The Administration wanted to defer them? No? Do you want to
defer them Commissioner Russell?
Commissioner Russell: No, and I believe we need the exception amendment.
Commissioner Reyes: You don 't need exception amendment.
Commissioner Russell: From a timeliness perspective.
Commissioner Reyes: No, you don't need the exception amendment. You see, the -- the
pilot program was the full year -- full two years. And this project -- I mean, this
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program was interrupted by COVID, you see. I mean, two or three months. In two
months or three months from now we are not going -- we are already -- I mean, you
don't -- you don't need to have an exception. What 1 don't want to start, you see, is
that every time we have a pilot program, then we start, let's have an exception. But in
this case, in this case you don't need it. And ask the City Attorney because this
program was not in effect the two years, timewise. It wasn't. It wasn't because it was
interrupted by COVID, you see, about three months.
Commissioner Russell: My understanding is even factoring in the COVID interruption
we've hit the limit and so we would need to extend. I agree with you, we don't want to
extend pilot programs in perpetuity, but in cases where we do hope or intend to get to
a permanent version that we extend --
Commissioner Reyes: If --
Commissioner Russell: -- so it's as seamless as possible if the will of the body is here.
Commissioner Reyes: If -- if -- let me propose this. If we don't have the -- because
from what I know, the RFP (Request for Proposal) is being analyzed and they are
picking the -- the companies. If at that time, you see, it's going to be extended for the
time that was closed for COVID, which is three months, okay, if -- if fby January,
February, March, they haven't decided, then we extend it. Then we talk about
extending it. But 1 don't want to start --1 mean, every time that we have a pilot
program and we have this --1 mean, it's no danger whatsoever just to use the time
that the program was in -- I mean, was not a --1 mean, it was not running, you see.
Use that time as an extension.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, can we leave this for the last items if we can?
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: I think we're almost done with the morning agenda.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: What I would like, Mr. Chair, is to sort of defer
FR.1, and take up FR.2 later on, whenever you decide it's an appropriate time to take
it up. The carve out, I want to talk about the carve out. I want to vote on that.
Vice Chair Carollo: On which is it?
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: The carve, which is FR.2.
Vice Chair Carollo: Huh?
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: The carve out.
Vice Chair Carollo: Oh, okay. FR.2.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: But defer FR.1 for now.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: We can bring it up on the 13th.
Vice Chair Carollo: All right. Is there a motion to for FR.1?
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So moved. So moved.
Vice Chair Carollo: There's a motion by Diaz de la Portilla.
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Commissioner Reyes: Second.
Vice Chair Carollo: Second by Commissioner Reyes. All in favor signify by saying
"aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. FR.1 is deferred until the first meeting in January?
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yes, sir
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. That's what 1 thought 1'd heard.
FR.2 ORDINANCE First Reading
11136
Commissioners
and Mayor
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 2/ARTICLE II OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "ADMINISTRATION/MAYOR
AND CITY COMMISSION," MORE PARTICULARLY BY AMENDING
SECTION 2-33 TO EXEMPT THE MOTORIZED SCOOTER PILOT
PROGRAM FROM THE DURATION REQUIREMENTS
PERTAINING TO PILOT PROGRAMS; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading
RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING
MOVER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
SECONDER: Alex Diaz de Ia Portilla, Commissioner
AYES: King, Russell, Diaz de Ia Portilla
NAYS: Carollo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number FR.2, please
see "Public Comments for all Item(s)."
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, so we will go back to -- as I see it and correct me ifI'm
wrong, Mr Clerk, the last item in the morning agenda which is the --
Nicole Ewan (Assistant City Clerk): It's FR.2.
Vice Chair Carollo: FR.2, the Amended Exception for Motorized Scooters Program.
Ms. Ewan: That's correct, Chair.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. That the last one that's left Jrothe morning agenda. This
is a first reading ordinance. Does anybody --
Commissioner Russell: I'll move it.
Vice Chair Carollo: It's moved by Commissioner Russell.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I'll second it.
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Vice Chair Carollo: Second by Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla. Is there any
discussion?
Commissioner Reyes: Can I -- this is --
Vice Chair Carollo: It's an ordinance.
Commissioner Reyes: An ordinance.
Vice Chair Carollo: You understand. Yeah, yeah.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Read it.
Commissioner Reyes: This is -- this is the extension, right? We're going to extend this
project from the pilot requirement of the one year pilot program, that's what it is?
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yes, sir
Commissioner Reyes: And it is because it is about to -- okay. I personally --
personally, believe that you don't need that exemption now because the pilot program
has, I think, the term, which is a full year -- two, full years has -- I mean, have not
ended. Because this project -- this program was -- was stopped, totally stopped during
COVID, and -- and you cannot count those three months that it stopped as part of the
time that was allocated to this program. So, what I don't want to start, Commissioner,
it is -- this ordinance that limits the pilot program, start the habit of having
exemptions for any other project. If -- if push comes to shove within the next three
months, the -- if the decision has not been made from the Administration regarding the
-- the assignment of selection of the companies or whatever, then we will deal with it
and try to extend it. But every time that we have an -- we have certain -- I mean, we
have laws, and we have processes, and all of that, you see, we have the habit of
bending them and tailor them to what we see fit and I -- I'm trying to avoid that in
this. There is no need. It's not going -- it's not going to sunset within the next three
months. It's not. Because once you start counting you count the days that it was -- that
it was stopped due to COVID, is about three months, you see.
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): So, my understanding is that the calculations were
done by Public Works and the Manager's Office along with my office and when you
took into account even the suspension period of the program we get to January 5th.
Commissioner Reyes: Well, I mean, I'm sorry, I cannot -- I cannot be in favor of this
because I don't want to start every time that we need something, you see, I -- instead
of exempting, I would be more inclined in voting extending it two or three months.
Vice Chair Carollo: I have come to my limitations on the scooters.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: So, I will be voting against this like I did the last time that I was
here. But in fairness, we're missing a member of the Commission. So, ifboth of you
could withdraw your first -- your --
Commissioner Russell: Take away?
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, if we could do it until Commissioner King gets back.
Commissioner Russell: Sure. I'll withdraw. Motion withdrawn.
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[Later...]
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay,1 don't believe we have anything else in the regular agenda
left?
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): FR.2
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: FR.2, the --
Vice Chair Carollo: Oh, sorry, guys. Sorry, guys.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: We have to wait for Commissioner -- Madam
Chair to come back.
Vice Chair Carollo: I almost forgot.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: And Commissioner, ifI may. Madam Chair, if I
may, I think at 6:00 we have a Christmas tree lighting. We can probably get rid of this
in about five minutes flat.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, well it's set for two, so who made the motion?
Commissioner Russell: I'll move it.
Vice Chair Carollo: Russell made it, you second it?
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yes, sir
Vice Chair Carollo: I don't think we need any further discussion; I think we know how
we all stand.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yes, sir
Vice Chair Carollo: All in favor --
Mr Hannon: Chair?
Vice Chair Carollo: -- signer by saying "aye."
Mr Hannon: Chair?
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Aye.
Mr Hannon: It is an ordinance.
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): An ordinance of the City Commission amending --
Vice Chair Carollo: Didn't you read it before when we lumped everything together?
Ms. Mendez: No, supposedly --
Vice Chair Carollo: I'm sorry I thought it was read before.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. All in favor signify by saying "aye."
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Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Aye.
Commissioner Russell: Aye.
Chair King: Aye.
Vice Chair Carollo: All against?
Commissioner Reyes: No.
Vice Chair Carollo: No. It passes 3-2.
Ms. Mendez: Second reading, if it could be set for 1/13?
V ce Chair Carollo: Okay, that would be fine.
Ms. Mendez: And then I just wanted to confirm for the pocket items, the Liberty City
Trust item, was that already heard?
Chair King: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes.
Ms. Mendez: Okay, thank you so much.
FR.3 ORDINANCE First Reading
11141
Commissioners
and Mayor
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 55 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA,
AS AMENDED, TITLED "SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS," BY
AMENDING SECTION 55-10, TITLED "BUILDING PERMITS;
ISSUANCE; RESTRICTIONS; EXCEPTIONS," TO INCLUDE AN
EXCEPTION TO ALLOW A PERMIT TO BE ISSUED FOR
UNDIVIDED LAND IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; 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: Alex Diaz de Ia Portilla, Commissioner
SECONDER: Christine King, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Russell, Diaz de Ia Portilla, Reyes
Vice Chair Carollo: FR.3, amend Code Chapter 55, undivided land. Is this a
controversial item in any way?
Commissioner Reyes: Not jbr me.
Chair King: I have a friendly amendment.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes.
Chair King: Can we add that the program with sunset after one year to avoid
unintended consequences. I don't know what else I'm supposed to say, Todd. Do you
want me to just lean in right here like that? They cant hear me. You've got to get a
mic that comes over here. I can't lean like this.
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UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: So, 1 believe --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Todd, Todd --
Commissioner Reyes: Commissioner, you need an extension.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: -- give her the handheld mic.
Commissioner Reyes: That's it.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: That's what the future chairwoman needs.
Chair King: For sure it's going to be comedy for me. 1 have a wonderful sense of
humor you guys.
Commissioner Reyes: God bless her.
Chair King: So, if the body is okay with that, I'd like to add that friendly amendment
that it sunsets --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So moved.
Chair King: -- after one year to --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So moved.
Chair King: -- avoid unintended consequences.
Commissioner Reyes: Second.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So moved.
Commissioner Reyes: Second.
Vice Chair Carollo: It's moved, second. All in favor signify --
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair? Chair? It's a first reading ordinance. We need to
read the title.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Ave.
Vice Chair Carollo: That's right. Yeah, he needs to -- correct. If you could incorporate
that into the -- thank you, the first reading ordinance --
Barnaby Min (Deputy City Attorney): Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- on FR.3.
Mr Min: FR.3
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Mr. Min: And we will include the amendment proposed by Commissioner King. I
believe the sponsor, Commissioner Reyes, also had a proposed amendment to limit it
to unplatted parcels of 10 contiguous acres in size.
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
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Mr. Min: So, assuming that amendment is also accepted by the body, then it will
incorporate both those amendments.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: And the -- is there any further questions in this? If not --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I have -- I have one.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Mr. Chair, can you read the last part again,
slower?
Mr. Min: The proposed amendment?
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yes, the last part of the proposed amendment.
Mr Min: The proposed amendment by Commissioner Reyes, I believe, is to clam
that this language shall only apply to unplatted parcels of 10 contiguous acres or
more in size.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: And what's the reason for that, Commissioner
Reyes?
Commissioner Reyes: Well, the -- the only places that 1 -- that I think it could happen
it is on land that is -- those parcels of land that they are large parts of land, and they
want to build, let's say for example, a basketball court or whatever you see, that they
don't have to go into -- into a plat. Okay? And if that happens, well, if they're going to
do anything else or they have smaller plat, they should go through the process. That's
all. Okay?
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay.
Commissioner Reyes: All right?
Vice Chair Carollo: Any further questions or concerns? Hearing none, with the
amendments included, all in favor signify by saying "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Ave.
Vice Chair Carollo: Passed unanimously.
END OF FIRST READING ORDINANCES
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DI - DISCUSSION ITEMS
DI.1 DISCUSSION ITEM
11128
Department of
Solid Waste
A DISCUSSION REGARDING THE BULKY TRASH COLLECTION
COST STUDY REPORT.
MOTION TO:
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
ABSENT:
Continue
CONTINUED
Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
Christine King, Commissioner
King, Carollo, Russell, Reyes
Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: Item DLI was continued to the January 13, 2022, City
Commission Meeting.
Note, for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number DLI, please see "Order
of the Day."
DI.2 DISCUSSION ITEM
8961
City Manager's
Office &
Department of
Code Compliance
DI.3
11081
City Manager's
Office
A DISCUSSION REGARDING THE PROPERTY AT 6789 BISCAYNE
BLVD, DBA LA PLACITA.
MOTION TO:
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
ABSENT:
Withdraw
WITHDRAWN
Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
Christine King, Commissioner
King, Carollo, Russell, Reyes
Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number DL2, please see "Order
of the Day."
DISCUSSION ITEM
A DISCUSSION REGARDING THE REDISTRICTING UPDATE.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
Vice Chair Corolla: We have FR.2 that we're going to carry and then in the D.1
(District 1) discussion items, the only one that we have that hasn't been deferred or
withdrawn is DI.3, redistricting.
Miguel De Grandy: Madam Chair? Let me first recap where we are. Last meeting
there was a consensus on the following: one, the chief substantial equality as opposed
to mathematical equality, maintain the core of existing districts wherever feasible,
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look at voter cohesion and preserve traditional neighborhoods and conmaunities of
interest together, also when feasible. There's other criteria that has not been
discussed. I assume that you want to include contiguity. You don't want districts
broken up by another district, so that's a factor to consider and, for you to direct me to
enforce. There's the issue of compactness. Compactness, quite frankly in this plan,
would be extremely difficult to achieve. And then there's also another traditional
redistricting criteria, which is the use of manmade or natural boundaries. Now in
terms of timing, I think it was Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla that inquired, you
know, if we go past March what are the consequences. I had the opportunity to have a
discussion with the supervisor of elections. If the plan is approved by March, then they
could do the re-precincting together with the County at no cost to the City. If the re-
precincting occurs -- if the plan is not ready in time and the re-precincting has to
occur after they have re-precincted the entire county, the approximate cost in staff
time, and she said that's very ball park, it could be more or less, is $20, 000, and the
approximate cost of production of new voter cards, mailing costs, et cetera, would be
approximately $115, 000 for a total of $135, 000. That's basically, you know, the
information that I have now The purpose of this meeting, as I understand it, was for
you all to consider additional criteria and direct me accordingly. So, I'm at your
disposal.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Mr Chairman?
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: What's the total cost?
Vice Chair Carollo: 135.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: 135.
Mr De Grandy: 135.
Vice Chair Carollo: If may, Commissioners? While the cost, that's real money, it's, at
the same time, not something that is going to break --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Break the bank.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- the City if we need to go over. However, I want to be very clear,
I would like to see if we could make every effort to finalize this by March. The reason
is that I think it's important that in districts that are going to gain additional areas
that you get to know those areas better that Commissioners can work with the new
areas more. For instance, in your case Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla, you need to
acquire, I don't know, 7, 8,000 more people. The only logical way that you could get
more is by going towards Wynwood, I believe. That's mainly a Hispanic area, because
if you go some of the other ways, you start getting districts that get broken up. You've
got some other areas along the river on the other side -- well on your side of the river
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- across from mine, that I think are also areas that you could go
and are attractive, and those are non -African American areas. Mainly Hispanic or
Anglos, basically that are in District 5. District 5 is going to have to acquire some
additional areas also, so what I suggest strongly is that you meet with Mr. De Grandy
so you can go over with him, you know, what are some of your preference.
Commissioner King also. Even though she got newly elected, you know, she will be
running again, I am sure, in the future and reelected. She's going to do a good job. So,
these, you know, are the areas that we need to get accomplished so that he could come
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back to us hopefully in January sometime and we can look at a plan that most of us
have given serious input and then we can finesse whatever else we have to then and
then have one major public hearing.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right.
Vice Chair Carollo: But, you know, it's just 20 percent up here giving an opinion.
That all that it is.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Mr. De Grandy, while 1 happen to be in a place
and I happen to be in the middle, right? I'm in the middle of the city, right? So, I'm in
the middle.
Mr De Grandy: Kind of yes.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right. So, there's an artificial boundary which is I-
95, right? And you would countl-95 or US-1 for that matter, as artificial boundaries,
right?
Mr De Grandy: Well, those are manmade --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Manmade boundaries.
Mr De Grandy: Manmade.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Manmade. Artificial.
Mr De Grandy: Yeah, manmade.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: There are either natural boundaries or artificial
boundaries or manmade.
Mr De Grandy: That includes highways, section line roads --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Highways, right, so 1-95 and then US-1 goes to --
Mr De Grandy: The river.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: River that's natural. Artificial would be I-95, US-
1, right?
Mr De Grandy: US-1.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: 836.
Mr De Grandy: Section line roads.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right.
Mr De Grandy: Major roads, as opposed to a street --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Railways, right. Right.
Mr. De Grandy: -- you know, in a neighborhood.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So because I happen to be in the middle, talking
now about District 1, but my district happens to be in the middle, I really can't go
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north, right, because the northern district is a -- it's a protected category, right, it's an
African -American area?
Mr De Grandy: Yes.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right?
Mr De Grandy: The -- I'd have to look at what the numbers are in terms of racial
composition in the boundary, but generally, yes, you're correct.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right.
Vice Chair Carollo: The only area --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Well, but -- bet me finish --
Vice Chair Carollo: But ifI could just say this and you keep it in mind.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah.
Vice Chair Carollo: The only area that I don't know if it's mainly Hispanic or if it's
more African -American that you possibly might go up and it's just going to be like a
hair is up towards that part of 36th --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Correct.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- 36th Street.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Or maybe up to 40th Street, 40th or something like
that.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, yeah. So that you could even your district up.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right.
Vice Chair Carollo: But that's minute.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right.
Vice Chair Carollo: And that's the only area north that maybe you could go up, maybe
not.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right. In some parts of the district, I go up to 38th,
112th, right? So, in some parts that only go up to 36th, maybe I can go up to 38th. If
I get into the minutia on the details, but in essence, we go beyond 112, north of 112,
we're entering into African -American neighborhoods.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: And we can't touch that area.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, you can't because then you 're going to be taking away from
the purpose of why we did the districts to begin with.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right. Correct.
Mr De Grandy: We cannot dilute the voting strength of that community.
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Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Cannot dilute the voting strength. So, the logical
thing, and then follow me and tell me if1'm wrong, is that 1 would go south, right?
Because I can't go west because Miami ends where 1 am, right? So, 1 would have to
go south. I being District 1, not me, it could be anybody else, but District 1 would
have to go somewhat south.
Mr De Grandy: Possibly, yes.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right. And that means District 4 and 3 would have
to go -- would have to kind offigure it out between 3 and 4 how they split that up, but
they still have to -- need to add people. But they have places like Douglas Park, 577,
and those places that will be added, right, to kind of make it --1 don't know if it's
enough people to make it up, but to maintain the integrity of each district, we sort of
can figure out how these three districts, right, 1, 3, and 4 could be kept whole for lack
of a better term without going into District 2 and other areas like that. We're going to
have to go into District 2, but we really want to go peripheral -- you know, a little bit
into District 2, think only 28,000 plus that he has that he's representing, right?
Vice Chair Carollo: District 2 is going to change considerably.
Commissioner Reyes: It's the one that's losing the most.
Vice Chair Carollo: Any way you want to look at it.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: You got to take because it goes around.
Vice Chair Carollo: It's going to be totally different.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right. So, to avoid any of the petty fights about
which avenue and which street at the end of the day, in my -- in the District 1 case
we're kind of in the middle. We have to protect District 5 and then 3 and 4 we have to
make sure that we keep the structural integrity and the ethnic integrity, for lack of a
better term again, in those two districts. But we can add people from District 2 to kind
of get there. Is there a problem with -- is there a problem with splitting Coconut Grove
up?
Commissioner Russell: Oh, yes.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: No, no, no, no.
Commissioner Russell: Let me get the microphone.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: No, no, no.
Commissioner Russell: Yes.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Well maybe to you, but you're 20 percent like Vice
Chair Carollo is 20 percent.
Commissioner Reyes: And I'm 20 --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Like I am.
Commissioner Reyes: I'm 20 percent too.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: We're all 20 percent. We're all 20 percent.
Commissioner Reyes: We are 20 percenters.
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Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: We're all 20 percent. We're the 20 percenters here.
Vice Chair Carollo: And this one is not 50 plus one, sixty then you have to get --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: We're all 20 percenters. The question -- the legal
question to you is there a problem with -- because Coconut Grove is also like Coral
Gables is, you know, a different city, but there's an ethnic diversity in Coconut Grove
too. Is there a problem with splitting Coconut Grove, as an entity, based on where the
Hispanic voters live, let's say Bay Heights, areas like that, versus other areas? Is there
an issue with that?
Mr De Grandy: Let me rephrase your question instead of problem if question is is
there a --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Legal problem.
Mr De Grandy: -- legal impediment --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: That's what I meant.
Mr De Grandy: There's no legal impediment to breaking up any community of
interest. Its up to you to provide that policy direction.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right. The communities of interest are something
that -- that no longer applies, right. So there is no problem that we decide that this
Commission as a body, let's say three of the 20 percenters get to 60 percent and
they're able to decide that hey, it's okay to take some of those precincts and move them
into some other districts and take away the 28 -- the 28 -- Take away some of the 28K
plus that you have in additional voters, residents that you shouldn't have. Is that
okay? And then is that okay to also split up other communities to the east of all these
districts? Because remember Commissioner Russell of District 2 circles all of these,
right? It kind of goes like this.
Mr De Grandy: Yeah.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Is it okay to go --
Mr De Grandy: Yeah. There is no legal impediment to breaking up any community, of
interest.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay.
Mr De Grandy: I could break up Little Havana if you direct me to, not that you will.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: But Little Havana is --
Mr De Grandy: But there is no legal impediment.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: The problem that we have -- that's really my
question. It's really legal impediments. The problem that we have is there's no reason
to do that because we're all kind of in the middle, right? I'm here, or District 1 is
here, District 4 is here, District 3 is here, and District 5 is here, and then District 2
runs all the way around.
Mr De Grandy: Right.
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Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: And the only one that has an abundance of
citizens, of voting age population, is this one. Not you, this one, but District 2. So,
what happens is that you have to take away from him no matter what.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yep.
Commissioner Reyes: Yeah.
Mr De Grandy: Yeah.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: No matter what. And we're kind of in the middle.
So, our debate could be about whether it's 3rd Street or 2nd Street or 4th Street or 1st
Street. Who cares, right? Those are all common communities.
Mr De Grandy: Yeah. Functionally -- functionally, Commissioner, I have a wall
between District 5 and District 2. Now I can play around the edges there.
Commissioner Reyes: The edge.
Mr De Grandy: You know, without diluting that minority community, but I can't get
28,000. So functionally I have to get a big chunk of the overpopulation in District 2
from the southern part of that district.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right. That's my question. But -- almost done.
Commissioner Russell: Not necessarily true.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Well -- well, let me finish and then -- Mr Chair, if I
may?
Nee Chair Carollo: Sure.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So, in essence you're going to get as much as you
confront the east, right, functionally, that wall. You're going to move it as far east as
you can.
Mr. De Grandy: Yes.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Without impacting the minority district, District 5?
Mr De Grandy: Correct.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: The African -American district, right?
Mr De Grandy: Without diluting it.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: You're going to get as much as you can get without
impacting -- without diluting District 5. And then when you -- let's say you get 8,000,
10,000, 12,000 people, whatever you get out of that, ifyou can get that much, I don't
know
Mr. De Grandy: I doubt it.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I doubt it too. But let's say it's 7,000, 5,000,
whatever, and then you've got to go to the south, right? So, you've got to go across
US-1 going south.
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Mr. De Grandy: Yes.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: How do you not dilute, then, District 3 and District
4? Can you survive -- can you keep -- again, I'll call it --1'll call it the ethnic
integrity, let's call it that for lack of a better legal term. I'm not talking legalities,
because you're the lawyer, that why you do what you do. The ethnic integrity of
District 3 and 4, how far south can you go and are there enough precincts around, or
contiguous to District 3 and 4 that allows you to add to them, because they don't need
that many people, add to them without compromising the ethnic integrity of those
districts.
Mr De Grandy: District --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: 3 and 4.
Mr De Grandy: District 3, Commissioner, is approximately 88 percent Hispanic and
District 4 is approximately 90 percent Hispanic. So, taking population that may not be
that high percentage of Hispanic, that may be on the other side of US -I, would not
compromise the integrity of those districts at the numbers that 1 have to make. Now if
I had to put, you know, all 28,000 into one district, that may create an issue. I don't
think with these high numbers it would, but -- but 1 don't think that District 3 or
District 4 will be compromised in terms of that minority community's ability to elect
candidates of choice.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Mr Chair, ifI may? If 1 may?
Vice Chair Carollo: You have the floor
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: In terms -- in terms of voting age population, how
about what we discussed at the last Commission meeting in terms of electoral
performance have you looked at that?
Mr De Grandy: That is what we look at as we're crafting a plan. I mean, right now --
let me take a step back. Right now, we haven't crafted any plan because we don't have
your direction. Once -- if you give me all my marching orders today that's when I start
drafting the plan. So --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Well, we asked you -- we asked you for it -- for you
to get data -- electoral data -- electoral data. You were going to buy something. You
said it was going to be expensive. We're not going to pay that much.
Mr De Grandy: Yeah.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: We're going to figure that out. But that's a different
conversation.
Mr De Grandy: If I understand what you all wanted, the -- there's two things. If
you're going to load all this data into a plan, it is time intensive and costly. If you're
going to do the analysis as you 're crafting a district, you don't need to load the data.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Correct.
Mr. De Grandy: Because you could look at what you were talking about --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Election results.
Mr De Grandy: -- of saving, hey, I could get election information by precinct very
cheaply. Of course you can. And we could look at that and say, okay, you know, here's
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how we would be drawing the district. Now let's look at the precincts in there, how
they performed in terms of voter cohesion, in terms of turnout, et cetera, we will not
need to load that data.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay. In simple terms then, Chair?
Vice Chair Carollo: You have the floor When you're done, you let me know, well go
to Commissioner Russell.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Thank you, sir
Vice Chair Carollo: And then we can go on to each other member of the Commission.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Thank you. In simple terms, if we identifY three
precincts and we look at how many people voted, that's electoral performance in the
last three elections.
Mr De Grandy: Uh-huh.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Whatever municipal or county elections. We know
how many people voted. And then we also know how many people are registered,
right? But we also know how many 18 plus voting age population people we have,
right?
Mr De Grandy: Correct.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So, we could do all that and let's say
Commissioner Reyes or Commissioner Carollo or District 3 -- let's not use names.
District 3 or District 4 needs 7,800 or 85 -- 9,500 we know that we can add that
immediately, right? That's not that difficult to get to, right?
Mr De Grandy: Right.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So, if we can do it that way, we have a better idea
of how we -- how much of Coconut Grove we need to go into. By the way,
Commissioner Russell, I don't know about the rest of my colleagues, but I have no
interest in representing Coconut Grove, to be honest with you, but I'm not sure if you
guys do either
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, I don't think you'll be able to make it from your district all
the way down --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah, exactly. So, I know I'm never going to get
there, but I know there's a potential --
Mr De Grandy: You will not --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: There's a potential for two of them together and
I'm not sure that they really --
Vice Chair Carollo: Unless you want --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: -- are really hot about doing that anyway right?
Vice Chair Carollo: Unless you want to give up all of Flagami, and I don't think
you're going to do that.
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Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Well, that's not going to happen either That's not
going to happen, so we know that.
Commissioner Reyes: You going to give up -- I mean, he's part of Flagami. My part of
Flagami because then I will have to move.
Mr De Grandy: There is Commissioner, one way you can get to the Grove is if you
vote not to have contiguity. If you vote not to have contiguity, I could give you a piece
of the Grove. I wouldn't recommend it, but you could do it.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I have no interest. To be honest with you, I love the
Grove, great restaurants, but I have no interest in getting any part of the Grove. To be
honest with you.
V ce Chair Carollo: But --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: But they have good restaurants and great pizza
place too there by the way.
Nee Chair Carollo: But did you change your interest that we heard from the last
meeting on Wynwood.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: That's okay. Commissioner -- Mr Chairman, I'm
only looking out for your interest. You don't have another reelection. So, in essence,
look, the reality here is that we're not really doing anything to benefit any particular
one of us. It kind of how we -- how the elected officials here represent -- how we
have categorical representation. How we have people that represent the people that
are like them and think like them, right? And that's important. I think that's important.
So, people -- that's what we have with a representative form of government and we
have to have people that think like us and, you know, we represent those people. So, if
we go into the Grove, what's wrong with just getting a little bit of that to make sure
that we don 't -- we don't jeopardize the ethnic integrity of our districts, of these
districts in particular there two southern districts. And of course, without touching the
racial integrity of District 5. The only place to go to is District 2. No matter where we
go. Whether we go east or whether we go south. So that's kind of what my thinking
and I'll leave it at this. My thinking is you sort of work with that way of thinking of
how we're going to get there. We have to go -- we have to take away from District 2
no matter what. Figure out a way to just give everybody a little bit without -- if we
can, because they're not a protected category by the way. District 2 is not White,
Anglos are not protected. So, if the district happens to go Hispanic, it goes Hispanic.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right?
Vice Chair Carollo: Let me say this.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: And that's it. So that's kind of my thinking and I'll
leave it at that.
Pee Chair Carollo: The purest of the Hispanic districts is District 4. Much more than
yours or mine. And I say that because while -- we have to go by law in making
districts based on how many people live in them, once we break down on how many of
those people are voters, that makes a big difference.
Commissioner Reyes: Absolutely.
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Vice Chair Carollo: A tremendous difference. So, they're not then as pure in the
percentage of Hi,spanics that vote in these three districts. And particularly in my
district and then secondary in Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla's district. You know,
we have to also look at that because otherwise the concept that I championed, and
that I brought up for the change of districts, so that we could keep a balance and
harmony in the City is going to be changed and where the biggest danger lies in it
being changed is not in keeping an Anglo seat or a Black seat would be in changing
one or two of the Hispanic seats.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Sure.
Vice Chair Carollo: I -- look, what you stated that we have to go into District 2, you
know, that's a given. I don't see how we're not going to have to be able to go into the
Grove, and that the Grove is going to have to be split in either two or three parts. And
if you really think about it, the Grove has got different points of views if you want to
call it that. The southern part is very different from the center Grove, to the north part
of Coconut Grove. And I'm not even including the Bahamian Grove.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right.
Vice Chair Carollo: So that's really a fourth area if we go into it. So, the Grove, I have
to look at it, that it will be broken up into at least two areas. It could be in three
depending on how the numbers that you have break down. And then you're going to
have to go somewhere east also, instead of west.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I can't go west.
Commissioner Reyes: Wait.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well --
Commissioner Russell: Annexation.
Vice Chair Carollo: Not unless the County gives us some of that land where they
should have.
Commissioner Russell: Blue Lagoon, Brownsville.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Well -- we would have to annex -- for me to go
west we would have to annex the Pink Pussycat, and we're not going to annex the
Pink Pussycat, so we're good to go.
Commissioner Reyes: Mr Chair?
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: That's a reality.
Commissioner Reyes: Mr. Chair I think that --
Mr De Grandy: I don't think there's population there, Commissioner.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Well, I've never been there, so I don't know
Commissioner Reyes: I -- I -- ou know, listening to everything that you have said, you
see, all of this is kind of speculating. You know, we are -- but unless you sit down and
start moving lines --
Vice Chair Carollo: That's really --
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Commissioner Reyes: -- and then bringing those suggestions to us, 1 don't think that
we are going anywhere, you see. You know very well that we want to maintain, as
much as possible, the integrity of the districts.
Mr De Grandy: Correct.
Commissioner Reyes: And also, Commissioner Carollo and Commissioner Diaz de la
Portilla they have -- I mean, good point on it because the amount of voters that they
have now, they are not necessarily represented of the population they have because
they are -- those two districts are the two districts that 1 could bet that they have the
least amount of -- I mean, the biggest amount of non-voter residents because they are
not -- they are not American citizens, you see. 1 don't know if you agree with me,
Commissioner Carollo and Diaz de la Portilla. And that is another thing when you
are adding to those districts, you see, you might be adding a voting block that could
dwarf the population and the voting capability of -- of the existing population. And
that is something that don't envy your job, I don't want it because any way you do it,
you 're going to get the wrath of all of us, you see.
Mr De Grandy: That's true.
Commissioner Reyes: Because every one of us, you see, we want to protect our
district, you see.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well --
Commissioner Reyes: But unless you bring something, my dear colleagues, I mean,
we don't know what's going on. And, Commissioner Russell, you see, you are the one
that -- that's going to lose the most voters or the most people simply because you are
overpopulated and that overpopulation has to be distributed in order to have some
sort of equity in the numbers of -- I mean, and that's it. Where are they going to come
from? I don 't know. It might have -- it is logical because if you want to add to my
district, I cannot go -- talking the same way that we were talking north, south, and
east, I won't be able to go north because I will be taking from Diaz de la Portilla, that
needs more voters. I cannot go west because I'm going to be hitting on Carollo, and
the only way that I can go is south, you see. I paean, and this guy has to be -- become
a magician and at least I think that we should allow him the opportunity to come --
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes.
Commissioner Reyes: -- and try to draw the lines based on what we have -- you have
heard here and come to every single one of our offices and say, like you did a few days
back, that you went by my office, you went by every single Commissioner's office, this
is a way that it could be. But you are just -- I mean, you were showing us as
probability. This is probable, this is what we're going to do. Now we want to be more -
- I would want you to be more specific and say, your district might look like this if we
do it like -- and then I will give you my opinion, Commissioner Carollo will give you
an opinion, and Commissioner King, and so on, Diaz de la Portilla, then we will have
our objections or our approvals and then you will have to redraw
Mr. De Grandy: That's correct. In terms ofprocess, again, today I'd like to leave with
finalizing what your criteria is. There's still two or three things that we need to talk
about. Once I have that, I can proceed to start looking at lines, looking at, you know,
voter turnout, looking at all those issues and --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Mr Chair?
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Mr. De Grandy: -- crafting a draft plan. When I do that, I present the plan to you, and
it's presented in a public hearing. You all can tell me, I don't like this, move this line,
move that line, wherever there's three votes that's what 1 do. And then 1 come back in a
subsequent public hearing and present to you a final plan. But right now, what I need
most is to finalize what are my marching orders, what's my criteria? And then we'll go
from there.
Commissioner Reyes: You have it.
Mr De Grandy: Well, we still have --
Vice Chair Carollo: No, no, no, no, no, no.
Mr De Grandy: -- three things left. One, I assume you do want contiguity?
Commissioner Russell: Yes.
Mr De Grandy: And if that --
Commissioner Reyes: Yeah.
Mr De Grandy: --1 see a consensus there.
Vice Chair Carollo: As much as we can.
Commissioner Reyes: That's what we said before.
Mr De Grandy: Compactness. Again, I don't think compactness is a feasible
alternative in light of your wanting to maintain the core of existing districts, et cetera.
So, is there a consensus on that, one way or another?
Vice Chair Carollo: I wouldn't have any problems taking it out because it's going to
have some --
Commissioner Russell: Compactness is not crucial.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- minor changes.
Mr De Grandy: No, no. I have two nos on compactness.
Commissioner Russell: I mean, look at my district. It's the least compact as a district
could be.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: That s 40 -- that's 40 percent. With compactness
the problem is -- well, Mr Chair?
Mr De Grandy: For compactness I have to draw a new plan. I mean, look at the
districts the way they're drawn. They're not compact.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Well -- Well --
Commissioner Reyes: Only yours, Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla, is compact.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: No, not really. So is yours and so is Commissioner
Commissioner Reyes: No, because I go like this.
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Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah, yeah. The question -- but the one that's least
compact is Commissioner Russell district, District 2, right?
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: It the one that goes all the way like that, right?
Mr De Grandy: Right.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So, 1 have no problem with getting rid of
compactness at the end of the day. You said two or three things that you have to have
direction on.
Mr De Grandy: Right.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: What are those two or three things?
Mr De Grandy: Contiguity, compactness --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Contiguity.
Mr De Grandy: 1 see three votes. And then the last one is use of manmade or natural
boundaries, yay or nay.
Vice Chair Carollo: That would be --
Commissioner Russell: As much as possible, yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah. Well --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Well, no. Well --
Commissioner Reyes: That's doesn't --
(MULTIPLE PARTIES SPEAKING IN UNISON)
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Let me tell you why.
Vice Chair Carollo: You can't --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: You have to cross US-1.
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, you have to.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: That's a manmade issue, right?
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So, you have to cross US-1.
Chair King: Mr Chair?
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Unless -- the real question -- hold on, Mr. Chair. If
I may? The real question is we haven't done the math yet on whether we can get it on
the east side or enough on the south side, without crossing US-1 or without crossing
95 in certain parts. Can we get there? And without impacting District 5?
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Mr. De Grandy: 1 don't think --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Do we have to cross US-1? Let me ask -- let me --
Mr De Grandy: I think that's very probable.
Vice Chair Carollo: You absolutely must.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: For instance.
Mr De Grandy: 1 think that's very probable.
V ce Chair Carollo: Let me give you one simple one. District 2 has a big chunk or a
very large part, Douglas, that's across US-1. Very Hispanic area.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right.
Nee Chair Carollo: That should have always been part of District 4, but it wasn't.
Commissioner Russell: On the north side of US-1.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, on the north side.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right, right. I'm saying you have to cross US-1.
Pee Chair Carollo: Yeah. Yeah, but you're going to cross it both ways is what I'm
saying.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Oh, yeah. You're crossing it coming from south to
north. But my question is that part in District 4 that we're talking about was Douglas
Park and all that area is there -- are there seven -- how many votes is it in District 4
that he's short?
Mr De Grandy: Let me see.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: If you take his district -- if you take District 4 all
the way without crossing US-1 going south --
Commissioner Reyes: (INAUDIBLE).
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Can you get --
Mr De Grandy: Yeah, seventy -some thousand.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: 7,500?
Vice Chair Carollo: But you can't go by the votes, you've got to go by population.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: How many?
Mr. De Grandy: Approximately -- approximately 78,000.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: That's why I'm asking. That's why I'm asking. You
have to go -- it's voting age population, right? It's VAP, right?
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Mr. De Grandy: No, no. You do the plan based on total population.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: On the whole population? Not voting age
population?
Vice Chair Carollo: No.
Mr De Grandy: Correct.
Vice Chair Carollo: Total of --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: That's even better. So, is it possible for District 4,
hypothetically, without crossing US-1 going south, to make up whatever he needs,
whatever District 4 needs, with just those precincts not crossing that artificial
boundary, US-1?
Mr De Grandy: Yeah, it may be possible. And again --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Well, those are the numbers that we need.
Mr De Grandy: Based on the criteria --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Those are the numbers that we need.
Mr De Grandy: For example, you've already told me substantial equality is okay. So,
1 can start looking at, okay, do I maybe under populate all four districts by 5 percent
and overpopulate District 2 by 5 percent.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right.
Mr De Grandy: That means I have to move less than 28,000.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So how many? So, you're talking about 24, 25.
Mr De Grandy: It depends.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right.
Mr De Grandy: It depends on ultimately what your criteria is and then how I can
maneuver that.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So, what -- so what I would like is to know what
those numbers are before any public hearing, right? By our January --
Mr De Grandy: I'll meet with you. I --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: No, no, no. Not I, don't mean, I I mean, the
Commission.
Mr. De Grandy: Okay.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I want you to tell all of us, not rue personally, all of
us, how you can get there with the numbers. If it's all population, how can we keep the
structural integrity of these districts without crossing US -I. If we have to cross -- if
you're sure that we have to cross US-1, how far south do we go when we cross.
Mr De Grandy: I think the best way is to actually draft a plan and show it to you.
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Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Well, weren't you going to do that?
Mr De Grandy: Yes.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Didn 't we talk about that? That you were going to
give us three maps --
Mr De Grandy: A draft plan.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: -- three maps and we talked about all that last
Commission meeting?
Mr De Grandy: Well, it depends on how many maps you want.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Well, I think Commissioner Carollo talked about
three -- two or three maps.
Vice Chair Carollo: No. At that meeting I mentioned two maps.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right.
Vice Chair Carollo: From what I'm seeing is if we're going to be on target and less
complicated, I think we need to establish a process to go forward, how quickly he can
meet with every one of us.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: And then he's going to have to come back and meet with us so he
could be ready in January to publicly present a plan that obviously that's the plan that
we could then, you know, give him our input until three of us come to a conclusion,
how we want it. There's two of us here that are not affected anymore, that can't run
again, that's Commissioner Russell and myself we're term limited out. He's got two
more years unless he resigns to run, I've got four But we both have an interest in our
districts. I think his is similar in some ways to mine, but different in other ways. My
main interest in my district, and your district Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla, and
Mr Reyes' district, is that I'm sure that we're going to keep the balance of the
Hispanic population where we're going to be getting Hispanics elected there.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Of course.
Vice Chair Carollo: In my district, for instance, and secondary is to yours, and a little
bit in Little Haiti in Commissioner Kings, we have tremendous undercounts in
population. Why? Because it's a working class neighborhood. They're hard to count
because they're constantly moving. Two, you have a certain percentage of the
population that, you know is not here legally. So, you know, they don't want to be
counted by the Census no matter what. So, we have a tremendous -- and I have the
most, undercounted district of them all. Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla's second by
a lot. A lot more than the others. And that's where we also get hurt. Because then
we're having to go into other areas because we're not counting the real population of
the district. And then on top of that, we have the handicap, that that population, voting
wise, is smaller than other areas you might go into where if you go too much one way
or another, it could affect, substantially, a district in our three. In Commissioner
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Russell's district no matter how you cut it, you're going to have an Anglo elected to
that district. 1 mean --
Commissioner Russell: Or even a Japanese American.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well even a Japanese Anglo American. You might not get another
one that can do the yoyo so good, but --
Commissioner Russell: Never
Vice Chair Carollo: I agree of that. In Commissioner King's District, there's no way
that 1 could see that any time soon you're not going to have an African American
elected there. The problem lies in the others. In my district in particularly, with all the
new buildings that 1 see that are going up, the demographics are going to change
tremendously. Where are those people going to come from? Tremendous amount from
other parts of the county, south Florida, the state, a lot from up north, New York,
Chicago, out west, so it's changing the demographics tremendously. This is what 'feel
that I have an obligation to protect. Not just this district, District 4, and District 1.
The other districts, like I said, no matter how we carve them, they're going to have the
representation that we intended those districts to have for some time to come.
Commissioner Reyes: Mr Chair?
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes. Go ahead.
Commissioner Reyes: I'm going to make a suggestion. I'm going to ask, Mr De
Grandy?
Mr De Grandy: Yes, sir
Commissioner Reyes: I heard you say that you can increase by 5 percent each
district's population and by 2 percent -- decrease by 2 percent District 2.
Mr De Grandy: I could potentially find a way to under populate the four districts by
roughly 4 to 5 percent, keep District 2 overpopulated by 4 to 5 percent. As long as I
don't have an overall more than 10, I'm in pretty much a safe harbor.
Commissioner Reyes: That's it that you don't have to equalize all of them?
Mr De Grandy: No. Based on the criteria you passed --
Commissioner Reyes: No --
Mr De Grandy: -- you asked for substantial equality.
Commissioner Reyes: There could be some difference -- I mean, a variation of 3 or 4
percent within each district?
Mr De Grandy: Yes, sir
Commissioner Reyes: Okay. I would like -- I mean, out of curiosity, when you're going
to bring us your proposal for how the lines are going to be drawn, take that into
consideration and see how it looks.
Mr De Grandy: Okay.
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Commissioner Reyes: Because if that is legal, that could he also an option that we can
-- we can also try to research --
Mr De Grandy: That would create -- that would create less disruption.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
Mr De Grandy: Because what I'm hearing from you is when you talk about
maintaining the integrity of districts, the core of districts, is minimize disruption.
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Mr De Grandy: I'm still going to have to ripple up.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes, yes, yes. I know
Mr De Grandy: Because I have to get to Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla's District
as I ripple up, so there will be changes in every district, but what I'm hearing is
minimize the disruption as much as you can.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
Mr De Grandy: And I'll try to do that.
Commissioner Reyes: I would like to see that -- that proposal. If -- included in any
other proposal that you're going to do, just changing, trying to equalize. But a
proposal in which you are not totally equalizing, there is difference between the
districts and population within the districts, that that difference is within the law.
Okay?
Mr De Grandy: Yes, sir
Commissioner Reyes: Okay. Thank you.
Commissioner Russell: Mr Chairman?
Vice Chair Carollo: Go ahead.
Commissioner Russell: Thank you. Yeah, Mr. De Grandy, I think you and I probably
need to have the longest meeting because if it's District 2 that's getting broken up the
most, I've walked every corner of this district twice now. Well more than twice, but
two elections. So, I know the demographic breakup of my district. I know their
interests. I know the geographic breakup as well, and what would be cohesive and
what would be disruptive. Breaking up the Grove would be very disruptive in any
sense. Even west Coconut Grove is a part of the Grove and there's enough of a stark
contrast when you hit McDonald right now that we're not trying to add to that. So,
we're trying to bring inclusion there, not exclusion. US-1 is a pretty hard boundary.
Especially in Bay Heights, you've got a large concrete wall even. But there's plenty of
opportunity in District 2 to equalize the districts without crossing US-1 into Coconut
Grove. The biggest population boom is Downtown, not Coconut Grove. So, between
Downtown and Brickell, Brickell's already broken up, what you would call West
Brickell, as it veers into District 3. And Downtown, even Midtown. Midtown is a very
clear barrier that would -- you've already got Biscayne Boulevard north of Midtown
as the barrier; and then it breaks west there. Coconut Grove ends with US -I. North of
there, the Douglas Road area, even the industrial area between Bird Road and US-1,
you know where I'm talking about?
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Mr. De Grandy: Yes.
Commissioner Russell: Right next to Coral Gables, is now becoming highly
populated. It's got more and more residential towers and more to come. The
industrial's shifting. But that's not part of Coconut Grove and it is north of US-1. So,
there are plenty of places where District 2 can equalize without breaking up Coconut
Grove. And Coconut Grove also has its own elected body, being the Coconut Grove
Village Council, which is the only neighborhood in the City that has -- that has that
distinction. And at one point, you all will remember Coconut Grove was looking to
secede. So, I'm saying you've got a pretty cohesive unit of a part of a district that 1
wouldn't mess with. But north of that, we do have some options. I'm still a believer in
the seven district concept as a model to look at. Even just to study for the exercise. But
1 understand the will is not here on this Commission at this point. But I'd like to have
a long meeting with you so we can go through the modeling --
Mr De Grandy: Sure.
Commissioner Russell: -- so we can come up with some various options that we can
present in a -- in a concrete manner. Right now, we're thinking very, you know,
hypothetically without the numbers. And so, I'd like to work with you on that between
now and the next meeting.
Mr De Grandy: Absolutely, and I met, as you know, with your chief of staff, when I
called to meet with you. But I'm happy to meet with you any time you want.
Commissioner Russell: We'll do it.
Mr De Grandy: And you too.
Vice Chair Carollo: What 1 want to --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I know You texted me.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- state again --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: And I apologize.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- very firmly on the record that what I would not be in favor of is
increasing the Commission to any further size.
Mr De Grandy.: Nor do I have the ability to do that, so --
Commissioner Reyes: Me either.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, I just want to put it on the record that I want to be very
clear on it. Commissioner King?
Chair King: Mr De Grandy, the last time you were here, I think we were clear about
the direction that we wanted you to proceed in. Could you repeat what was my
directives, just to make sure that I'm clear with the directive that 1 gave you?
Mr. De Grandy: I mean, I didn't take it by Commissioners, I took it based on
consensus.
Chair King: Okay.
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Mr. De Grandy: The directives 1 have so far is achieve substantial equality as opposed
to mathematical, maintain the core of existing districts wherever feasible, which I
believe you were very strongly in favor of look at the issues relative to voter cohesion,
preserve traditional neighborhoods and communities of interest together when
feasible. That was the motion.
Chair King: Okay. So that didn't change, did it?
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: No.
Mr De Grandy: And that has not changed.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, the --
Mr De Grandy: The only additional things that we've looked at is contiguity, you're
in agreement with, compactness. I think there's a consensus not to emphasize
compactness, but you all need to vote on that --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Well, well, hold on.
Mr De Grandy: And then use of manmade or natural boundaries.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Mr Chair?
Vice Chair Carollo: Go ahead.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Thank you. It is not possible to emphasize
compactness and draw realistic districts, right?
Mr De Grandy: I mean --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: If you want to have an African American district
and you want to have an Anglo district.
Mr De Grandy: I mean, right --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: It's almost impossible to emphasize compactness.
So, it's kind of like a foregone conclusion, right?
Mr De Grandy: Right now, the only compact district is District 3. Okay?
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right.
Mr De Grandy: And so, your plan is not really a plan of compact districts.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Correct.
Mr De Grandy: So, if you said I want compactness as my first priority, I kind of have
to redraw your plan, okay? Now the other thing --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: But wait. But 1 think you sort of got our consensus
you counted -- I think you counted the three, right?
Mr De Grandy: For no compactness.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: For no compactness, right?
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Mr. De Grandy: Right.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Three out of five. 1 think that was pretty clear.
Vice Chair Carollo: I'm in agreement with that.
Chair King: Right.
Mr De Grandy: Right.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah. So, I think it was three Commissioners that --
1 don't know if Commissioner -- Madam Chair thinks, but we were the three of the five
did not agree with compactness. That's not a big deal for us.
Mr De Grandy: Right.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: But in terms of breaking up -- Commissioner
Russell made a point, which I want to get your legal opinion on this, does it matter we
break up Coconut Grove and does it really matter if Coconut Grove has a village
council, they want to secede from the union? At the end of the day does that really
matter to us?
Mr De Grandy: Again --
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, they would still have a village council even if they're in
separate districts.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yeah, well what I mean is does it matter, legally;
that Coconut Grove wants, I say secede from the union in a sarcastic way, I mean
secede from the City.
Mr De Grandy: Yes.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Does it really matter that Coconut Grove doesn't
want to be part of the City of Miami if we break them up then?
Mr. De Grandy: Matter as a political issue. Legally --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Well matter --
Mr De Grandy: -- there is no legal impediment.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: As I said -- yeah, that's why I said -- that's why I
said legal. I was very clear.
Mr De Grandy: Right. Whether it matters to you or not is a political question.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I'm using matters -- give me your legal opinion. Is
there a legal impediment to us --
Vice Chair Carollo: None.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: -- dividing Coconut Grove in half?
Vice Chair Carollo: None.
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Mr. De Grandy: No, there is no legal impediment for you to break up any traditional
community.
Vice Chair Carollo: By the way, we --
Commissioner Russell: I disagree, and I'd like to ask a question to that point.
Mr De Grandy: Sure.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Hold on. Wait a minute.
Commissioner Russell: Village of West Grove --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Well West Grove is very different from the rest of
the Grove.
Commissioner Russell: It is -- but it's part of the Grove.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: But it's very different.
Commissioner Russell: And it can easily be disenfranchised as well.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Well --
Commissioner Russell: If it is cut up or split up you are affecting a --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: But I'm trying to avoid --
Commissioner Russell: -- an at risk population.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I -- do I have the floor, Mr Chair?
Commissioner Russell: Am I right?
Mr De Grandy. Let me --
Vice Chair Carollo: You have the floor.
Mr De Grandy: If I can --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Thank you, sir. So, my --
Mr De Grandy: If I can, Commissioner before you retake the floor give you an
example of --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I never thought I lost it, but that's okay.
Mr De Grandy: If I can interrupt you then.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay.
Mr. De Grandy: Just to give you an example of matters versus legal significance.
When I was in the legislature and we drew a plan, my district only had one city, which
was Sweetwater And Sweetwater had two precincts.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right.
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Mr. De Grandy: Sweetwater asked me to break up Sweetwater into two districts and
actually gave me a proclamation and named Miguel De Grandy Day because now
they had two representatives.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I remember that.
Mr De Grandy: So, it a political question whether you want to break up an area or
not. There's one train of thought that says now you have --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: And that train of thought --
Mr De Grandy: -- two representatives --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: And, Mr Chair? And that train of thought is that a
particular area has two representatives, or two Commissioners, they may do -- they
may do better, right, than if they only have one, right?
Mr De Grandy: That was the consensus of Sweetwater
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: And if one is more effective than the other one,
even better, right? So, ifyou have two Commissioners or two representatives in an
area that may be better for a particular area. The legal impediment is whether it
really matters that we split up Coconut Grove.
Mr De Grandy: There's no legal impediment.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: There's no -- there is no legal impediment.
Mr De Grandy: It's a policy issue.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: It's a policy issue. Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: Furthermore --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Thank you.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- that question was crossed already back in 1996, I believe it
was, when I think it was Mt: Stearns, the attorney, somehow got signatures and in the
middle of our financial crisis, the worst that the City ever had, we had to have a
referendum on whether the City of Miami was going to still exist or was it going to be
broken up into pieces, that neighborhoods could go anywhere they wanted to or create
their own city. And the City of Miami residents voted overwhelmingly --
Commissioner Reyes: Yeah.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- that we were going to stay as the City of Miami.
Commissioner Reyes: Who brought that up as a group?
Vice Chair Carollo: It was Gene Stearns, an attorney.
Commissioner Reyes: That's right. (INAUDIBLE).
Vice Chair Carollo: I'm hope he's still not mad at me.
Commissioner Reyes: No longer with us.
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Vice Chair Carollo: Well, 1 think he's representing some guy from Texas these days or
a guy that came from Texas. He's in California right now, 1 think.
Commissioner Reyes: Yeah.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Los Angeles, right?
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, that's what 1 hear, butt could be wrong.
Commissioner Reyes: Mr Chair?
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I think 1 read something about that.
Commissioner Reyes: Mr Chair?
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes, go ahead.
Commissioner Reyes: May I? Mr. De Grandy, you got your directions. This is what
you wanted?
Mr De Grandy: Yes, sir I do.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay. Place it in the GPS (Global Positioning System) and now
go forth.
Mr De Grandy: All right.
Vice Chair Carollo: And bring one, but quite precise, plan back so we can work from
there.
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Mr De Grandy: Will do.
Vice Chair Carollo: Now what I'd like is a process that you make sure that you meet
right away with each member of the Commission.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: And it is up to us to give him the time. So, I would really plead
with each of you to give him time. And then from that initial meeting, you meet with
Commissioners as often as they need to meet with you.
Mr De Grandy: Sure.
Vice Chair Carollo: And I think that each of us would at least would want to meet with
him twice if not more.
Commissioner Reyes: Can I?
Vice Chair Carollo: Then -- hold on. And then you're going to come back. Do you
think you'll be ready for the first meeting in January?
Mr De Grandy: Probably the second meeting in January.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. So, you'll come back in the second meeting in January and
give us a full presentation. There's where we're going to iron out where at least three
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of us, that's what it takes, are going to he at on the plan and then the next step, if we
approve a plan that day, the plan is to then in February have a full blown out public
hearing on the --
Mr De Grandy: Final.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- new districts approved by this Commission.
Commissioner Reyes: If I may add, sir?
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes, go ahead.
Commissioner Reyes: I -- you said bring a plan. But I would love to see the -- what 1
requested before, that you bring a plan without equalizing all the districts, you see.
Mr De Grandy: That --
Commissioner Reyes: Where you can have differences --
Mr De Grandy: That's where I'm heading right now.
Commissioner Reyes: -- the percentage differences and you can bring a plan that they
are -- that you equalize it, but another one that within the parameters of the law you
can have difference within districts that way, my opinion its going to be less
disruptive.
Mr De Grandy: Got it. Anything else?
Pee Chair Carollo: I don't believe so. Anything else anybody would like to add to Mr:
De Grandy? Madam King?
Chair King: No.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. That's it, so.
Mr De Grandy: Tomorrow I'll be calling or e-mailing every one of your districts. If
you could get back to me sooner than later, I would appreciate it.
Vice Chair Carollo: Certainly.
Mr De Grandy • And we'll meet with each one of you as we're starting to look at the
data and proceed from there.
Vice Chair Carollo: Very good.
Commissioner Reyes: Very, good.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you, Mr De Grandy.
Mr. De Grandy: Thank you.
Vice Chair Carollo: Truly.
Commissioner Reyes: Thank you.
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Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Now we're done with the -- the items as we wait for Mr.
Diaz de la Portilla to get back. 1 know that the men that are here, the scooter one,
he'll come right back.
DISCUSSION ITEM
A DISCUSSION REGARDING THE ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE
TERMS OF ELECTED OFFICIALS AS MEMBERS OF VARIOUS
TRUSTS, AUTHORITIES, BOARDS, COMMITTEES, AND
AGENCIES PURSUANT TO CITY OF MIAMI CODE SECTION 2-35.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Christine King, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Russell, Reyes
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: Item DL4 was deferred to the January 27, 2022, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number DL 4, please see "Order
of the Day."
END OF DISCUSSION ITEMS
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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
Commissioner Christine King
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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 Christine King
City of Miami
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BC.4
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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 Christine King
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A CERTAIN
INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE BAYFRONT PARK MANAGEMENT TRUST FOR
A TERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
Commissioner Christine King
City of Miami
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BC.6
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RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION CONFIRMING THE
APPOINTMENT OF A CERTAIN INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE CIVILIAN
INVESTIGATIVE PANEL FOR A TERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY:
Gabriel Paez Civilian Investigative Panel
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
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
Commissioner Christine King
Commission -At -Large
City of Miami
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BC.8
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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:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Christine King
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
Commissioner Christine King
Commission -At -Large
City of Miami
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Office of the City
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RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A CERTAIN
INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE COMMERCIAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR A TERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY:
Alex Diaz de la Portilla Commission -At -Large
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0506
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Christine King, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Russell, Reyes
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Vice Chair Carollo: If we could go through the boards and committees to see if
anyone has to make appointments.
Commissioner Reyes: Not me.
Vice Chair Carollo: And if we're ready to make them.
Nicole Ewan (Assistant City Clerk): Yes, good evening, Chair and Commission. BC.9
the Commercial Solid Waste Management Advisory Committee. Commissioner Diaz
de la Portilla currently sits on the committee and is requested to be reappointed to the
committee.
Vice Chair Carollo: So moved.
Commissioner Reyes: Second.
Ms. Ewan: Chair, you're the Chair We just need a motion by someone else.
Commissioner Reyes: I move it.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, he moves it and --
Chair King: Second.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- Commissioner King seconds it. I was going to give the gavel
up, hut I'm afraid I'm not going to get back the way that this is going.
Commissioner Reyes: Yeah.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. I'm teasing. Okay. What else do we have? That's approved.
Commissioner Reyes: We have to vote on it.
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Ms. Ewan: Motion passes?
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, it's unanimous, correct?
Commissioner Reyes: Unanimous.
Ms. Ewan: Thank you.
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
Commissioner Christine King
Commission -At -Large
Commission -At -Large
City of Miami
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Office of the City
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RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A CERTAIN
INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD FOR A TERM
AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY:
Lovette McGill Mayor Francis Suarez
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0507
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
SECONDER: Christine King, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Russell, Reyes
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Vice Chair Carollo: BC.11 Community Relations Board, Mayor Suarez would like to
reappoint Lovette McGill.
Commissioner Russell: So moved.
Commissioner Reyes: Second.
Vice Chair Carollo: Moved by Commissioner Russell, second by Commissioner King.
Commissioner Russell: Don't mess with that one.
Ms. Ewan: Motion passes. BC.13 --
Vice Chair Carollo: Hold on, anybody objects?
Commissioner Russell: No way.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. All right. So, it passes unanimously.
Ms. Ewan: Thank you.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
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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 Christine King
Commissioner Christine King
IAFF
FOP
AFSCME 1907
AFSCME 871
City of Miami
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Office of the City
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RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A CERTAIN
INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR A TERM AS
DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE:
Elsa Pelaez-Lopez
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0508
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Russell, Reyes
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Nicole Ewan (Assistant City Clerk): BC.13, Finance Committee. Commissioner Reyes
would like to reappoint Elsa Pelael-Lope.
Vice Chair Carollo: He makes a motion.
Commissioner Reyes: Move it.
Vice Chair Carollo: Russell seconds it.
Commissioner Reyes: Yep.
Vice Chair Carollo: All in favor signer by saying "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Vice Chair Carollo: It passes.
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BC.15
8267
Office of the City
Clerk
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 Christine King
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
Commissioner Christine King
Commission -At -Large
City of Miami
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RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE MAYOR'S COUNCIL ON GLOBAL
COMPETITIVENESS 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
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla
Commissioner Ken Russell
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Christine King
Commission -At -Large
Commission -At -Large
City of Miami
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Office of the City
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RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING MAYOR FRANCIS
SUAREZ AS A MEMBER OF THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION
PLANNING ORGANIZATION FORA TERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE:
Mayor Francis Suarez
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0509
MOTION TO:
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
ABSENT:
Adopt
ADOPTED
Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
Christine King, Commissioner
King, Carollo, Russell, Reyes
Diaz de la Portilla
NOMINATED BY:
Commission -At -Large
Nicole Ewan (Assistant City Clerk): BC.17, Miami -Dade County Transportation
Planning Organization, Mayor Suarez currently sits on the board and would like to be
reappointed.
Commissioner Reyes: Move it.
Commissioner Russell: Second.
Chair King: Second.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. It's been moved and it's been second by Commissioner
King, moved by Commissioner Reyes. All in favor signify by saying "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Vice Chair Carollo: Approved unanimously.
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BC.19
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Office of the City
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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
Commissioner Christine King
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 of Miami
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BC.21
9557
Office of the City
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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 Christine King
Commission -At -Large
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A CERTAIN
INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE PLANNING, ZONING AND APPEALS BOARD
FOR A TERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY:
Hector Luis Silva, Jr. Commissioner Ken Russell
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0510
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Reyes
Nicole Ewan (Assistant City Clerk): BC.21, Planning Zoning and Appeals Board.
Commissioner Russell will be appointing Hector Luis Silva, Jr.
Pee Chair Carollo: Commissioner Russell moves it. Commissioner Reyes seconds it.
All in favor signify by saying "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Vice Chair Carollo: It's approved unanimously.
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BC.23
5453
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
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A CERTAIN
INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE URBAN DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD
(UDRB) FOR A TERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE:
Gia Zapattini
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0511
NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Ken Russell
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Reyes
Nicole Ewan (Assistant City Clerk): And BC.23, Urban Development Review Board.
Commissioner Russell will be appointing Gia Zapattini.
Vice Chair Carollo: He made the motion.
Commissioner Russell: So moved.
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Vice Chair Carollo: Commissioner Reyes seconds it. All in favor signi by saying
"aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Ms. Ewan: Thank you, Chair.
Nee Chair Carollo: That's unanimous.
Ms. Ewan: That concludes the boards and committees. Thank you.
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:
Commissioner Ken Russell
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
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
Commissioner Christine King
City of Miami
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PART B: PZ - PLANNING AND ZONING ITEM(S)
PZ.1 ORDINANCE
8166 MAY BE DEFERRED
First Reading
Commissioners AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
and Mayor- PZ ARTICLE 1, SECTION 1.1 OF ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE ZONING
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED
("MIAMI 21 CODE"), TITLED "DEFINITIONS/DEFINITIONS OF
BUILDING FUNCTION: USES," AND SECTION 1.2 OF THE MIAMI 21
CODE, TITLED "DEFINITIONS//DEFINITIONS OF TERMS"; ARTICLE
3, SECTION 3.4 OF THE MIAMI 21 CODE, TITLED "GENERAL TO
ZONES/DENSITY AND INTENSITY CALCULATIONS"; ARTICLE 4,
TABLE 3 OF THE MIAMI 21 CODE, TITLED "STANDARDS AND
TABLES/BUILDING FUNCTION: USES," AND TABLE 4, TITLED
"STANDARD AND TABLES/DENSITY, INTENSITY AND PARKING";
ARTICLE 6, TABLE 13 OF THE MIAMI 21 CODE, TITLED
"SUPPLEMENTAL REGULATIONS"; AND ARTICLE 7, SECTION 7.2,
TITLED "PROCEDURES AND
NONCONFORMITIES/NONCONFORMITIES: STRUCTURES; USES;
LOTS; SITE IMPROVEMENTS; AND SIGNS", TO ALLOW AND
ESTABLISH DEFINITIONS AND REGULATIONS FOR CO -LIVING
RESIDENTIAL USES AND TO MODIFY THE REGULATIONS FOR
MICRO DWELLING UNITS; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Christine King, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Russell, Reyes
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: Item PZ.1 was deferred to the January 27, 2022, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.1, please see "Order
of the Day."
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PZ.2
9385
ORDINANCE
MAY BE DEFERRED
First Reading
Commissioners AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
and Mayor - PZ ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("MIAMI 21 CODE"); MORE
SPECIFICALLY BY AMENDING ARTICLE 2, SECTION 2.2.1.3 AND
SECTION 2.2.2 TO CLARIFY THAT THE MIAMI 21 CODE PROVIDES
A HIGHER STANDARD OF ZONING FOR THOSE PROPERTIES
LOCATED IN THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM
DEVELOPMENT ZONE AND PROVIDING THAT ALL SUCH
PROPERTIES SHALL REMAIN SUBJECT TO ALL OF THE
PROVISIONS OF THE MIAMI 21 CODE; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE
EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Continue
RESULT: CONTINUED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Christine King, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Russell, Reyes
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: Item PZ.2 was continued to the January 13, 2022, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.2, please see "Order
of the Day."
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PZ.3 RESOLUTION
8718 MAY BE DEFERRED
Office of Zoning A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
GRANTING/DENYING THE APPEAL FILED BY THE CITY OF MIAMI'S
ZONING DEPARTMENT AFFIRMING/REVERSING THE PLANNING
ZONING AND APPEALS BOARD'S DECISION AS SET FORTH IN
RESOLUTION NO. PZAB-R-21-009 REVERSING THE ZONING
ADMINISTRATOR'S DENIAL OF A CERTIFICATE OF USE
PURSUANT TO SECTION 2-211 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TITLED "DENIAL OR REVOCATION
OF CERTIFICATE OF USE", AND SECTION 7.1.2.1 OF ORDINANCE
NO. 13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TITLED "PERMITTED USES", FOR THE
PROPERTY LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 90 NORTHEAST 11
STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA ("PROPERTY"), AND
AFFIRMING/REVERSING THE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR'S DENIAL
OF THE CERTIFICATE OF USE FOR A CANNABIS DISPENSARY
AND/OR CLINIC FOR THE PROPERTY; MAKING FINDINGS;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Indefinitely Defer
RESULT: INDEFINITELY DEFERRED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Christine King, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Russell, Reyes
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.3, please see "Order
of the Day."
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PZ.4 ORDINANCE Second 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.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: 14041
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Alex Diaz de Ia Portilla, Commissioner
SECONDER: Christine King, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Russell, Diaz de Ia Portilla, Reyes
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. So that's it for the morning session, correct?
Commissioner Reyes: Yep.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, so we're going to step out for the Christmas tree lighting
and then when we come back in a few minutes, we will do the --
Chair King: PZs (Planning and Zoning).
Vice Chair Carollo: -- PZ agenda together with -- the PZ agenda and FL (Future
Legislation) agenda.
Commissioner Russell: Or we can just make a motion to pass the PZ agenda right
now
Vice Chair Carollo: Well.
Commissioner Russell: I don't know how controversial any of these items' are for you,
but --
Vice Chair Carollo: I don't know either
Commissioner Russell: -- but I'm happy to move it and I'm comfortable.
Vice Chair Carollo: There's only PZ.5 that's left?
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I will second that, Chair
Vice Chair Carollo: PZ.6, a Midtown overlay?
Commissioner Russell: That one as well.
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Vice Chair Carollo: PZ.4.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Mr. Chair 1 think Todd Hannon is going crazy over
there in the corner
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes, yes.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): If you don't mind, sir. I know you're reading the last but
if you don't mind I'll read it, if that's -- with your permission.
Vice Chair Carollo: Certainly. If you want to make sure 1 don't miss anything.
Mr Hannon: Thank you, sir: So, the only items remaining on the agenda are PZ.4,
PZ.5, PZ.6, and PZ.9.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So moved.
Commissioner Russell: I already moved them.
Commissioner Reyes: Hold on a second.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: You moved it, so 171 second it.
Commissioner Reyes: I have a problem with PZ.9.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, so --
Commissioner Reyes: On PZ.9, I have some comments, and I heard some of --
residents come and -- and, I mean, oppose it. Because I -- I -- one thing that -- that
this legislation makes me question why are we giving the Historic and Environmental
Preservation Board, HEP, so much authority, you see? I believe in -- I'm a clear
believer in property rights, butt don't think the Historic and Environmental
Preservation Board should have any say -- I mean such an authority. I mean when
they declare something historic, it has to be based and we're given a carte blanche
and I don't want that. That's my problem.
Commissioner Russell: Mr Chair?
Commissioner Reyes: You see? So, I cannot support this. I will vote on the other ones
but this one if you want to take a different vote --
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Vice Chair Carollo: Can we take a five minute recess so we can do the tree?
Commissioner Russell: Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: Otherwise, you know, we're going to be missing it and we're
asked to step out, okay? Thank you.
[Later...]
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, if I could get a resolution for PZ.4, 5, and 6.
Commissioner Russell: So moved.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So, moved.
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Vice Chair Carollo: It's moved by --
Commissioner Reyes: Hold on, hold on, hold on.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- Commissioner Reyes.
Commissioner Russell: No, no, no.
Vice Chair Carollo: Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla, second by Commissioner
Russell.
Commissioner Reyes: 1 had clarification from --
Nee Chair Carollo: I'm not talking about the one you were discussing before.
Commissioner Reyes: No, no, no, I said you can include it.
Nee Chair Carollo: Okay.
Commissioner Russell: Mr. Chair, I'd like to keep the same original motion with all of
them together if it's possible.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, so --
Commissioner Reyes: That's right. You can include it because I got clarification. The
only thing that the HEP Board is going to be -- I thought that they had the right to say
-- to declare, historic or not, which to me it is stupidity to the max.
Vice Chair Carollo: All right.
Commissioner Reyes: But they -- it's already historic, the only thing that they're going
to do is make sure that the guidelines are according to what Cesar said.
Vice Chair Carollo: All right, PZ.4, PZ.5, PZ.6, and PZ.9.
Commissioner Russell: So moved.
Vice Chair Carollo: It's been moved by Commissioner Russell, second by
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla. All in favor signify --
Mr. Hannon: Chair.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- by saying "aye."
Commissioner Russell: I have one amendment, Mr. Chairman.
Vice Chair Carollo: Excuse me?
Commissioner Russell: One amendment.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Commissioner Russell: On PZ.6, before we read everything -- before Barnaby reads
everything into the record, on PZ.6, the Midtown overlay, what they're looking is to
change their ability to unlock height. And my ask is that if they do enact that height
bonus, that the bonus go toward the parks. And and specifically toward their
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connection to the baywalk as well as the baywalk itself Is that all right with
everybody?
Vice Chair Carollo: But they're not even in the -- near the water.
Commissioner Russell: They're three blocks away --
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah.
Commissioner Russell: -- and there's no -- no active spaces in that area. And so, there
are very specific points of the baywalk that are missing right up there, and I've
already spoken with the applicant and they are open to it, proffering a covenant to
that effect.
Vice Chair Carollo: Does the seconder of the motion accept that?
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: No, I'm not okay with that amendment.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, well, you could always bring that back.
[Later...]
Vice Chair Carollo: Then we will go back to PZ.4, 5, and 9.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I'll move it.
Commissioner Russell: So moved.
Vice Chair Carollo: Moved by Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla.
Chair King: Second.
Vice Chair Carollo: Second by Commissioner King. All in favor --
Mr Hannon: Chair.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- signify by saying "aye."
Mr Hannon: Each one of those items is an ordinance.
Vice Chair Carollo: Excuse me?
Barnaby Min (Deputy City Attorney): Each one of those items is an ordinance.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: It has to be read. It has to be read.
Mr Hannon: Yes, sir Yes, sir.
Mr Min: PZ.4.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Mr. Min: PZ.5.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Mr Min: And PZ.9.
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The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. All in favor signify by saying "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Vice Chair Carollo: Passed unanimously.
PZ.5 ORDINANCE First Reading
10761 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
ORDINANCE NO. 10544, AS AMENDED, THE MIAMI
Department of
Planning COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, PURSUANT TO THE EXPEDITED STATE REVIEW
PROCESS SUBJECT TO SECTION 163.3184, FLORIDA STATUTES,
BY ADDING A PROPERTY RIGHTS ELEMENT AS REQUIRED BY
SECTION 163.3177(6)(i)1, FLORIDA STATUTES; MAKING FINDINGS;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading
RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING
MOVER: Alex Diaz de Ia Portilla, Commissioner
SECONDER: Christine King, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Russell, Diaz de Ia Portilla, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.5, please see Item
Number PZ.4.
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PZ.6
10770
Commissioners
and Mayor - PZ
ORDINANCE First Reading
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE
ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS
AMENDED, TO AMEND APPENDIX C — MIDTOWN OVERLAY
DISTRICT, SECTION 627.1.6, TITLED "BUILDING PLACEMENT AND
BUILDABLE AREA", AND SECTION 627.1.7, TITLED "MAXIMUM
HEIGHT, BUILD -TO, MINIMUM SETBACK AND USE
REQUIREMENTS"; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE
EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Continue
RESULT: CONTINUED
MOVER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
SECONDER: Alex Diaz de Ia Portilla, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Russell, Diaz de Ia Portilla, Reyes
Note for the Record: Item PZ.6 was continued to the January 13, 2022, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number PZ.6, please
see Item Number PZ.4.
Commissioner Russell: No, I -- I can't vote for this without this in there.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Then vote against it.
Vice Chair Carollo: All right, then this is a new one for me that this is parks money
that we can use in many other areas --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Of course.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- and we're putting it specifically into that one area that I'm a
little concerned about.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Nice Chair Carollo: That's why I'd rather that we bring that back and look at it.
Otherwise, we could defer that whole item.
Commissioner Russell: We could defer the item because the --
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, so let's defer PZ.6. It's a motion by Russell, second by Diaz
de la Portilla to defer on PZ.6.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Yes, sir.
Vice Chair Carollo: All in favor sign by saying "aye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Mr Hannon: And is that to the January 13, 2022, City Commission meeting?
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Commissioner Russell: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes.
PZ.7 ORDINANCE First Reading
10957 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Department of ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 10544, AS
Planning AMENDED, THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP OF THE MIAMI
COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN, PURSUANT TO SMALL
SCALE AMENDMENT PROCEDURES SUBJECT TO SECTION
163.3187, FLORIDA STATUTES, BY CHANGING THE FUTURE LAND
USE DESIGNATION FROM "LOW DENSITY RESTRICTED
COMMERCIAL" TO "MEDIUM DENSITY RESTRICTED COMMERCIAL"
OF THE APPROXIMATELY 1.75 ACRES DESCRIBED HEREIN OF
REAL PROPERTIES LOCATED AT 600 NORTHWEST 42 AVENUE,
4251, 4253, AND 4255 NORTHWEST 6 STREET, AND 601
NORTHWEST 43 AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, ALL AS MORE
PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A"; MAKING FINDINGS;
AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Christine King, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Russell, Reyes
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: Item PZ.7 was deferred to the February 24, 2022, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.7, please see "Order
of the Day."
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PZ.8 ORDINANCE First Reading
10958 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Department of ATTACHMENTS, AMENDING THE ZONING ATLAS OF ORDINANCE
Planning NO. 13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("MIAMI 21 CODE"), BY CHANGING THE
ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM "T4- L," GENERAL URBAN
TRANSECT ZONE — LIMITED, TO "T5-L," URBAN CENTER
TRANSECT ZONE —LIMITED, OF THE PROPERTIES GENERALLY
LOCATED AT 600 NORTHWEST 42 AVENUE, 4251, 4253 AND 4255
NORTHWEST 6 STREET, AND 601 NORTHWEST 43 AVENUE,
MIAMI, FLORIDA, ALL AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN
EXHIBIT "A"; FURTHER ACCEPTING THE VOLUNTARILY
PROFFERED COVENANT, ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS
EXHIBIT "B"; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Christine King, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Russell, Reyes
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: Item PZ.8 was deferred to the February 24, 2022, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.8, please see "Order
of the Day."
PZ.9 ORDINANCE First Reading
10772
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 CODE"); MORE
SPECIFICALLY BY AMENDING APPENDIX A, SECTION A.2., TITLED
"VILLAGE WEST ISLAND DISTRICT AND CHARLES AVENUE (NCD-
2)", TO CHANGE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR REVIEWING AND
MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE PLANNING DIRECTOR
FROM THE URBAN DESIGN REVIEW BOARD TO THE HISTORIC
AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION BOARD; MAKING
FINDINGS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading
RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING
MOVER: Alex Diaz de Ia Portilla, Commissioner
SECONDER: Christine King, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Russell, Diaz de Ia Portilla, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.9, please see
"Public Comments for allltem(s)" and Item Number PZ.4.
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PZ.10 ORDINANCE First Reading
10811
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 CODE"); MORE
SPECIFICALLY BY AMENDING ARTICLE 1, TITLED "DEFINITIONS,"
AND ARTICLE 3, SECTION 3.15, TITLED "AFFORDABLE AND
ATTAINABLE MIXED -INCOME HOUSING SPECIAL BENEFIT
PROGRAM SUPPLEMENTAL REGULATIONS," TO AMEND THE
DEFINITION OF THE TERM "PARKING, TANDEM" AND TO CREATE
REGULATIONS FOR CITY OF MIAMI OWNED LOTS LOCATED
WHOLLY WITHIN A T5, "URBAN CENTER TRANSECT ZONE,"
AND/OR T6, URBAN CORE TRANSECT ZONE," WITH A QUALIFIED
DEVELOPMENT; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Christine King, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Russell, Reyes
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: Item PZ.10 was deferred to the January 27, 2022, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.10, please see
"Order of the Day."
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PZ.11
10905
Department of
Planning
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
GRANTING/DENYING THE APPEAL FILED BY BERCOW RADELL
FERNANDEZ LARKIN & TAPANES, PLLC ON BEHALF OF THE
PROPERTY OWNER, MINOR STREET LP #1, ("APPELLANT") AND
REVERSING/AFFIRMING/MODIFYING THE DECISION OF THE MIAMI
HISTORIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION BOARD'S
DENIAL, PURSUANT TO SECTION 23-6.2(B)(4) OF THE CODE OF
ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, OF
THE APPELLANT'S APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL CERTIFICATE OF
APPROPRIATENESS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TWO (2)
VACANT LOTS, WITH THE FOLLOWING: SUBDIVISION INTO FIVE
(5) LOTS, RECONSTRUCTION OF THE PRESCOTT MANSION WITH
NEW REAR ADDITION, NEW CONSTRUCTION OF FOUR (4)
SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES, AND SITE
IMPROVEMENTS, LOCATED APPROXIMATELY AT 7101
NORTHEAST 10 AVENUE AND 1000 NORTHEAST 72 STREET,
MIAMI, FLORIDA, WITHIN THE BAYSIDE HISTORIC DISTRICT WITH
FOLIO NUMBERS 01-3207-032-1030 AND 01-3207-032-0630.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Christine King, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Russell, Reyes
ABSENT: Diaz de la Portilla
Note for the Record: Item PZ.11 was deferred to the March 24, 2022, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.11, please see
"Order of the Day."
END OF PLANNING AND ZONING ITEM(S)
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FL - FUTURE LEGISLATION
FL.1 ORDINANCE
11016
Department of
Housing and
Community
Development
FL.2
11120
Office of the City
Attorney
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 2/ARTICLE XI OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TITLED "ADMINISTRATION/BOARDS,
COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS," BY REMOVING THE
REFERENCE TO THE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR
PERSONS WITH AIDS ("HOPWA") ADVISORY BOARD ("HAB");
CONFIRMING THE ABOLISHMENT OF THE HAB; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE
EFFECTIVE DATE.
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
ORDINANCE
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION MODIFYING
THE NUMBER OF ATTORNEYS IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY
ATTORNEY ("OCA") WITH FUNDING, WHEN NEEDED FOR
ADDITIONAL ATTORNEYS, AS ALLOWED, SHALL BE BY
BUDGET RESOLUTION; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE;
AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
END OF FUTURE LEGISLATION
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NA.1
11209
City Commission
NA - NON -AGENDA ITEM(S)
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO TAKE ANY AND ALL
NECESSARY ACTIONS IN ORDER TO ADD AND FUND THREE
MAJOR POSITIONS TO THE CITY OF MIAMI'S POLICE
DEPARTMENT.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0512
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Ken Russell, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Reyes
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number NA.1, please
see "Order of the Day."
Vice Chair Carollo: I'll then go to the pocket items that we have.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yes sir Thank you, Commissioner
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah. So that we could deal with them as quickly as we can.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I think she only went to the restroom for a few
minutes.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, but it's fine. I mean, I know that she wants to vote in this, so
I'm holding it.
Commissioner Russell: Yeah.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Thank you, Mr. Chair
Vice Chair Carollo: So, the first pocket item was a housekeeping pocket item for
police. If it could be read into the record.
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): It's a budget item, Ms: Manager for police.
Vice Chair Carollo: This is based upon when we did the budget that I knew that we
were not being given a full, straight up budget, and I asked that any changes they
would come before us so we could approve it. And from what I'm seeing, every
Commission meeting that we're going to have, we're going to have some items like
this.
Ms. Mendez: Commissioner, this is authorizing the City Manager to take any and all
steps in order to add and fund three major positions to the City of Miami's Police
Department.
Commissioner Russell: Refund the police. I'll move it.
Commissioner Reyes: Yeah, I second.
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Vice Chair Carollo: You said defund?
Commissioner Russell: Refund.
Vice Chair Carollo: Oh, okay.
Commissioner Reyes: No, not defend, refund.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: It's not really a refund.
Commissioner Reyes: Commissioner, through the Chair As I understand, this was
movement that the previous Chief of Police made when he was eliminating positions
to bring these people in.
V ce Chair Carollo: Yeah. Movements that have cost us a lot of tremendous problems.
Commissioner Reyes: That's right. So, I second.
Vice Chair Carollo: Now my question is, have we identified where this money is
coming from? Because this is not part of the budget that we approved. So, this would
be, in essence, a budget amendment.
Arthur Noriega (City Manager): Yeah, Budget did a review. It will have no material
impact on the budget. Because just of current vacancies, especially at the very top,
and as well as some other positions that have not been filled, they did an analysis, it
will have no budgetary impact.
Commissioner Reyes: Mr. Chair I have a question.
Nee Chair Carollo: Go ahead.
Commissioner Reyes: When you said other vacancies, does those vacancies -- are
those positions that -- in patrols that we were going to hire additional patrols, they're
going to solve that?
Mr Noriega: Let me get Budget to answer the specifics.
Commissioner Reyes: Because if that's the case I vote (INAUDIBLE) --
Vice Chair Carollo: What I'd like, so that we could have clear readings and that we
keep our budget integrity intact is that this resolution would include that the same
amount that these positions are going to cost, that we have the savings from positions
that will not be filled in time during this budget year. This way, the Chief knows that if
by some miracle we have 100 new cops from great departments that just had it in
those cities, and they want to be hired by us and we've got people that we could hire,
we're not going to be able to hire the full 100. We might be able to get 96 or 95 so we
can fill these positions for major: Are we clear? So, I'm -- I'm including this
amendment to this resolution?
Mr. Noriega: We're clear That's fine.
Vice Chair Carollo: It would not have any impact from what l understood from you.
Commissioner Reyes: But my question hasn't been answered.
Vice Chair Carollo: What is your question?
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Commissioner Reyes: My question is does this have any effect on patrols that were
going to be -- were scheduled to he hired?
Vice Chair Carollo: Not this resolution, no.
Commissioner Reyes: No, no, no, not the resolution. The hire -- according to what the
City Manager stated, it comes from some savings and positions that are not going to
be filled. Are those positions that are not going to be filled uniformed personnel or are
those positions civilians?
Manny Morales (Chief of Police): (INAUDIBLE).
Commissioner Reyes: Good. That's all 1 wanted to hear
Vice Chair Carollo: Plus, on the record, it was going to be impossible for them to
have hired all of the additional positions that we allocated in the new budget.
Commissioner Reyes: Yeah.
Vice Chair Carollo: Combined with the existing vacancies that they already had in
this fiscal year budget. We won't be able to, so.
Mr Morales: It's going to be tough to fill all the vacant police officer positions just
because of the amount of personnel that we have, at one time, assigned to the
Academy. So, it takes a long time for -- we just closed the register we got the register,
we're at about 738 applicants for the position ofpolice officer We'11 start with the
City, employees, go on to veterans, and then we'll prioritize the certified officers that
are all ready, but it takes awhile. So, by the time that we hire you and you come out to
the street it's roughly 14, 13 or 14 months.
Commissioner Reyes: And we have a budget --
Vice Chair Carollo: Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla?
Mr Morales: But we'll do our best to fill every police officer position because we
desperately need them on the streets.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Thank you, Mr Chair What's the status of the Luis
Camacho case?
Mr Morales: Sir the Luis Camacho investigation was closed in late October and it's -
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: When in October?
Mr Morales: October either 26th or 28th, sir. I don't recall the exact date. It pending
the disciplinary determination of what the punishment will be.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Who makes that determination?
Mr. Morales: The recommendation is made by the investigator now. I'm in the process
of changing that process to have a disciplinary recommendation board that will
ensure that discipline that's issued out to any departmental member is fair and
equitable and transparent through a board. However, this particular recommendation
is made by the investigator.
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Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Have you given any recommendation to your City
Manager?
Mr Morales: Yes, I have.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: And what's that recommendation you've given?
Mr Morales: A reprimand and 40 hours for improper procedure?
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: And reinstatement?
Mr Morales: Say again?
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: And a reinstatement?
Mr Morales: And a written statement?
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: A reinstatement.
Commissioner Reyes: A reinstatement.
Mr Morales: Correct.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: As a Sergeant?
Mr Morales: Yes, my recommendation is that he be brought back to his former
position.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So, what are you waiting for?
Mr Morales: I'm waiting on the prior -- the final approval from my boss.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Your boss being the City Manager?
Mr Morales: Absolutely.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: What's' your position City Manager?
Mr Noriega: My position is the decision will get made within the next two weeks.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: The next two weeks.
Commissioner Reyes: Why?
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Well, why? Because I remember your predecessor -
- I'll get to you in a minute. Your predecessor, Chief Acevedo, said it was 30 or 45
days about five months ago. So, what's -- you've reinstated a number of other people,
right? We could talk about a whole bunch of cases, but I won't because some of them
have -- are in legal --
Mr. Morales: Litigation, yeah.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Are in litigation, legal boundaries. But whether
Officer Simmons, or Fernandez appears, you kind of all -- you concluded all the
decisions. What's the delay in the Luis Camacho case? Because before I authorize or
vote -- and I don't know if I'll be the only vote here Ibr any additional funding,.fbr any
additional positions in the Miami Police Department, I want to make sure the people
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that have been wronged, that that wrong has been righted. And the next two weeks is
not an acceptable answer. That was his answer. I'll get to him in a minute. What's
your answer? Right now, you said that you were going to send it to somebody else, but
you've already recommended an action.
Mr Morales: Correct. So --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So why are you sending it to anybody else? What's
the ping pong going on here with Luis Camacho?
Mr Morales: So, the recommendation that was made, it goes through, the officer signs
it, he has ten days per contract in civil service --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: But -- but --
Mr Morales: -- to request a disciplinary review board, which he's entitled, and then
he can go through the civil service. But once he signs, he can be brought back. My
recommendation is for him to be brought back --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So why --
Mr Morales: -- while that proceeding goes on.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay. If you're recommending that he be brought
back. Why are you sending it back -- ifI may, Mr. Chair, why are you sending it back
to anybody else?
Vice Chair Carollo: You have the floor
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Why are you passing the buck? I mean, the buck
stops with you and then with him, with the City Manager, right? So, what's the
problem here?
Mr Morales: Well first --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Do you have sort of a -- give me a straight answer.
Mr Morales: So, for personnel actions the final word comes from the City Manager
For strategic and police matters come from me.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: That's not what you said. That's not what you said.
What you said was you're sending it back to somebody else, you'll come back with
somebody else within your department. You already -- you already recommended
something.
Mr Morales: Correct.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So, you didn't have to send that back to anybody in
the police department, is that correct?
Mr. Morales: Well, what's missing is for the employee to exercise his civil service
rights. So, he has a right to challenge that discipline that has been recommended --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Well, my understanding is that he hasn't. That he
simply wants to be reinstated -- reinstated.
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Mr. Morales: He has not -- he has not because he hasn't been presented with it. So, he
hasn't had the opportunity to accept --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: You have not presented -- you have not presented
Sergeant Camacho with what you're recommending?
Mr Morales: I have not.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: You have not. And why is it, Mr. Manager, why is it
two weeks? If the case is closed since October 26th, we're December 9th. Okay.
Mr Morales: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: When was he suspended?
Mr Morales: August 22nd. He was relieved of duty, I believe.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: No, I think it was earlier than that.
Mr Morales: I can -- I can check my notes, but I believe it was August 22nd.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: When was he suspended? You don't remember?
Does anybody remember? Does anybody know? Does anybody on your staff know
when he was suspended?
Mr Morales: I can get the answer I don't have the file, but 1 can get the answer.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I want the answer.
Mr Morales: Okay. Let me get it real quick.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Mr. Chair if you'l1 allow me just one minute?
Vice Chair Carollo: You have the floor I haven 't said a word.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I know.
Vice Chair Carollo: Now if I --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Which is very impressive, by the way. By the way,
you're a great chair
Vice Chair Carollo: From here on, so you don't have to worry about me, ifI want you
to stop talking, you'll hear from me. If not, you're go ahead and talk.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I kind of sensed that. I kind of sensed that.
Commissioner Reyes: And I want the floor later.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, sure. I only have one quick question ifI may?
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: As Chief Sergeant of Arms Lamprou approved all this or not?
Chief,' has Mr. Lamprou approved all this?
Mr Morales: Sir, they work in separate details that do not co -mingle each other
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Vice Chair Carollo: Oh, I'm sorry --
Mr Morales: So Senior Sergeant -at -Arms Lamprou doesn't have (UNINTELLIGIBLE)
Vice Chair Carollo: I'm sorry. I thought he was the one that had to approve it all.
Commissioner Russell: Mr. Chair, was there a second to my earlier motion on PH. I
just didn't catch it.
Vice Chair Carollo: Excuse me?
Commissioner Russell: Was there a second to my motion on P1.1.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair, yes, sir It was second by Commissioner --
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes, yes, yes. There was a second.
Commissioner Russell: I'm sorry. I didn't hear it. Thank you.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- to your motion. 1 believe it was Ms. King and the police.
Mr Hannon: Chair it was Commissioner Reyes at 4: 56p.m.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. All right. So, there's a legitimate motion and second. Now if
any of you feel that we're taking too much time on any item, you could always ask me
and I'm going to let it go, then we could have a vote between ourselves to see if you
want to bring it to a close on that. I'm very democratic.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: You're sort of in a yule tide mood, right?
Vice Chair Carollo: Huh?
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: You're in a yule tide mood.
Vice Chair Carollo: This is December. You know, we only --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: It's Christmas.
Vice Chair Carollo: We only do one thing in December that could be, you know --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: But we already deferred that so we can wait until
January for that.
Commissioner Reyes: While the -- while the Chief is looking for the date, you know
I'm very straight on rnv question. Mr City Manager, why haven't you reinstated and
jollowed with the Chief's recommendation? Why haven't you? Is there anyfurther
investigation? Or ask me, yes or no, are you -- there's any pressure over you not to do
it?
Mr. Noriega: No, no, there's no pressure. I have a pending meeting with his legal
counsel, with Camacho's legal counsel. We're working on that now That's why I don
want to make a decision until have that meeting.
Commissioner Reyes: Because what -- you know --
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Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: That's --
Commissioner Reyes: Perception -- perception is -- is everything. The perception is
that you have been pressured not to do that and there's an opposition. I mean, other
people, and to go above what the Chief has concluded, given the investigation and all
of that, and I want to hear from you if there is any pressure. Or if not, why have you
not gone through, I mean, and folloived through on the Chief's decision that he said to
you. It -- it is your call, you're the one that has to call it, right?
Mr Noriega: No, no, it is my call and I absolutely want to meet with the attorney for
Mr Camacho as well as Camacho directly.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: No, 1 have a feeling -- Mr: Chair, I'm sorry. I'm
sorry. Mr. Camacho will waive that. What we want is to reinstate him. And we want --
Mr Noriega: I --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Hold on a second, hold on a second, hold on.
Mr Noriega: Wait. You asked me a question.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: No, no, it's not a question actually. I'm making a
statement. I'll ask you a question in a minute.
Vice Chair Carollo: Excuse me?
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: You 've been recommended -- hold on.
Pee Chair Carollo: Commissioner the only the thing that I -- I have no problem you
doing what you were elected to do. You certainly, like every one of us here, has the
right, in fact many times a duty to ask questions. The only thing that would just like
to suggest that there are others that don't have the same warm and fuzzy feeling about
us up here and the City of Miami, and I don't want anyone trying to say that you were
trying to say or do something other than all that you're trying to do in getting
information.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Correct.
Vice Chair Carollo: So --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: And I --
Vice Chair Carollo: I'll leave it at that. You're on your own.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Thank you. Thank you, Mi. Chair. And I agree with
that. What I'm saving is that if the Chief recommended -- I'm just trying to follow the
train of thought here. The Chief recommended that he be reinstated with some minor
punishment.
Ms. Mendez: You're inquiring as to process.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: That's what I'm -- what Fin saying is that if the
Chief has recommended that he be reinstated and that the decision is now either yours
or the City Manager's, why does he need two more weeks? What's the process that
we're undergoing right now and what's the reason why you haven't done it? You've
stated you're waiting for legal counsel. I happen to know that that's not completely
factual. Because Camacho -- well I happen to know that that's not, factual because I
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know that Camacho 's not -- that Luis Camacho has not undergone any legal process
yet. I'm aware of some legal -- some e-mails that was saying -- the City Manager --
the City Attorney shared with me, that a lawyer is involved now because he's waited
too long. He's looking for his protection. And I understand that. The question is, if the
Chief has already recommended something, and you're the guy that makes the
decision, not a question of going back to anybody, else or checking with anybody else,
you 're the -- the buck stops with you. What's the problem?
Me Noriega: I want to meet with Camacho and his legal representation because he is
represented by counsel --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: For what purpose?
Mr Noriega: Because I have questions. I have questions thatl want to ask Camacho.
I want to look him square in the face and there's things I want to talk to him about and
then I'll make a decision. That's all.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay.
Mr Noriega: I want -- he's been accused of things, right? There's been an
investigation.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: But your police chief --
Mr Noriega: It's a personnel matter --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: No, no, it's a --
Mr Noriega: I want to have a conversation with Camacho as well.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: You 're -- Mr. Chair? Your police chief has already
recommended a course of action. You have your department heads. The department
heads recommend something. So, it's very simple. So, you don't trust -- you don't trust
what the Police Chief recommends, obviously. Because otherwise you would have
taken his advice, right, his recommendation. You're not doing that. It's fine. You want
to meet with him. So what I want to know is when are you going to meet with him? I'm
talking about process now, right. When are you going to meet with Camacho so you
can iron out your -- figure out what you want to go through since you're not taking
your Police Chief's recommendation.
Mr Noriega: First of all, don't assume that don't trust his recommendation, right?
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: That's what you said.
Mr Noriega: No, that's not what I said, by the way.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay. When are you going to meet --
Mr Noriega: What I said was I want to meet --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: When?
Mr. Noriega: I want to meet with Camacho directly.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: When? When? When? When?
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Mr. Noriega: 1 just told you it will he resolved within the next two weeks. I, just said it.
I plan on meeting with him hopefully within the next week. I've already reached out to
his legal counsel. I've done it already. So --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So, if his legal counsel wants to meet with you
tomorrow are you available to meet with him tomorrow?
Mr Noriega: I will make myself available. I don't know I'm -- if he asks me that the
only time he has available is when I have a meeting already scheduled, no, but --
Vice Chair Carollo: Commissioner --
Mr Noriega: It will happen within the next week.
Vice Chair Carollo: If I may? I'm trying to be as respec ful as I can be to you and the
rest of the Commission. We all want to leave here early. The PZ (Planning and
Zoning) agenda could still get a little long and before you came in today, I respectfully
had asked all our colleagues, since it December and, you know, we want to get in the
spirit of Christmas, the holidays, and try not to get involved in anything that's
unpleasant or --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right. 1 just want to make sure that Luis Camacho
can also enjoy his holiday as well.
Vice Chair Carollo: I understand.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: That's all I care about.
Vice Chair Carollo: I understand.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Because everybody has a right to have a nice
holiday, too.
Vice Chair Carollo: I -- I've heard exactly the same thing you did. The only question
in my mind is if the investigation had been closed --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: It is.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- around the end of October, we're now in November --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: December the 9th.
Mr. Morales: December 9th.
Vice Chair Carollo: Excuse me, December 9th. We're about 40 days after that. But the
Manager said that he wants to take more time. I heard him also, and I think that, you
know, we need to move on with the other stuff that we have. If that will be okay if we
can vote on the P1.1 item --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Absolutely. The only thing I wanted, Mr. Chair; is
to make it very clear that now we have a timeline and the City Manager's willing to
meet with Luis Camacho and figure it out, sooner rather than later, so that he also can
have a good holiday like the rest of us. That's the only thing I care about, and we're
done with that.
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Vice Chair Carollo: It's the Manager's decision. The only thing we could do is ask
questions like you're asking and at least by us making this motion now, there are some
families and individuals that were wrongly dealt with that will also have --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Correct.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- a better Christmas, I think.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yes, sir
Ms. Mendez: I just wanted to state for the record that I advised Commissioner Diaz de
la Portilla that he could ask about this because it was it was a closed investigation.
Vice Chair Carollo: Sure. 1 understand that.
Ms. Mendez: So, I just wanted to place that on the record.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, I understand that. The only area of danger that he's running
into is that, you know, what's that guys name, Sneakers, I don't know, that he might be
getting ticked off at you, but --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Is he around?
Vice Chair Carollo: 1 might have to go --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I think he's after you.
Vice Chair Carollo: I might have to go with your original idea that 1 said no, and put
more Sergeant of Arms.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Of course.
Vice Chair Carollo: For us down here so that, you know
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I think we're pretty safe, Commissioner
Vice Chair Carollo: Anyway.
Mr Morales: Mr Chair
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Thank you, Mr Chairman for your indulgence.
Mr. Morales: If I?
Vice Chair Carollo: Chief can we let it go at that?
Mr Morales: June 22nd. Just to finish off the question. That's when he was relieved.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. That --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: We're good. We're fine.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you. All right. Is there a -- well there's a motion, there's a
second, Russell made it, Reyes second it.
Commissioner Reyes: I forgot.
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Vice Chair Carollo: The one for PI.1, the police resolution pocket item.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay. That right.
Vice Chair Carollo: All in favor signify by saying "aye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Vice Chair Carollo: It passes unanimously.
Mr Hannon: And Chair that will include your amendment that you requested.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes, yes, that was included.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE
SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET OF THE LIBERTY CITY COMMUNITY
REVITALIZATION TRUST, ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS
EXHIBIT "B", IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $769,169.00, FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2021 AND ENDING
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0513
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Christine King, Commissioner
SECONDER: Alex Diaz de Ia Portilla, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Russell, Diaz de Ia Portilla, Reyes
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number NA.2, please
see "Order of the Day" and "Public Comments for all Item(s)."
Vice Chair Carollo: PL 2 is the pocket item for Commissioner King. Would you like to
make a motion in that.
Chair King: Make a motion to pass.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So moved.
Vice Chair Carollo: Moved by Commissioner King.
Commissioner Reyes: Second.
Vice Chair Carollo: Moved by Commissioner King. Second by Commissioner Diaz de
la Portilla. All in favor signify by saying "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Vice Chair Corolla: It passed unanimously.
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RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION ALLOCATING
AND APPROPRIATING BY MEANS OF A BUDGET AMENDMENT
AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED ONE HUNDRED FIFTY
THOUSAND DOLLARS ($150,000.00) ("FUNDS") FROM THE
MAYOR'S ANTI -POVERTY INITIATIVE FUND ACCOUNT TO THE
SPECIAL REVENUE PROJECT FUND TITLED "EMERGENCY
HOTEL/MOTEL PLACEMENT PROGRAM" TO ASSIST ON A ONE-
TIME BASIS WITH TEMPORARY EMERGENCY HOTEL/MOTEL
ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THE FAMILIES WHICH HAVE BEEN
DISPLACED FROM THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 5050
NORTHWEST 7TH STREET MIAMI FLORIDA ("PURPOSE"),
CONDITIONED UPON THE AVAILABILITY OF THE CITY
RESOURCES THAT MAY BE REQUIRED TO ENSURE THE
ALLOCATION AND APPROPRIATION OF THE FUNDS FOR SAID
PURPOSE; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY
DOCUMENTS, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, IN FURTHERANCE OF SAID PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0514
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Alex Diaz de Ia Portilla, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Russell, Diaz de Ia Portilla, Reyes
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number NA.3, please
see "Order of the Day."
Vice Chair Carollo: PI.3 was a potential pocket item from the Mayor Did we ever get
any from him? Madam City Attorney, Mr. Clerk? Is there a pocket item from the
Mayor?
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): Yes, there's a pocket item for homeless assistance for
the building -- there's a building at 5050 Northwest 7th Street.
Vice Chair Carollo: Right.
Ms. Mendez: That had structural integrity issues.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, let's hear it. Because this is Commissioner Diaz de la
Portilla District and he would want to make the motion on it.
Ms. Mendez: And it API (Anti -Poverty Initiative) monies in order to assist these
individuals who have been left homeless.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, and what is the amount that's --
Ms. Mendez: So, it's an amount -- appropriating by means of a budget amount, an
amount not to exceed $150, 000 from the Mayor's Anti -Poverty Initiative Fund. It's a
special revenue project fund titled Emergency Hotel and Motel Placement Program to
assist, on a one time basis, with temporary emergency hotel, motel accommodations
for the families that have been displaced from this property.
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Vice Chair Carollo: Very good. 1 think it's very appropriate. Commissioner Diaz
makes the motion --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: That correct.
Commissioner Reyes: I second it.
Vice Chair Carollo: Commissioner Reyes seconds it.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes, and although it is in Mr. Diaz de la Portilla's District,
that's my neighborhood --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I know.
Commissioner Reyes: All that separates is a couple of blocks and I know most of those
people --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: You live around the block, yes.
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Vice Chair Carollo: All in favor signift buy saying "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, passed unanimously.
DISCUSSION ITEM
DISCUSSION - UPDATE ON HOMELESSNESS.
rRESULT: DISCUSSED
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number NA.4, please
see "Order of the Day."
Vice Chair Carollo: The last item that we have in pocket items is PI4. There was a
discussion, questioned pocket item, of the Manager that has to do with homelessness
also. So, he could brief us as to what has happened with all the ordinance that we had
approved in the last meetings. What have they done with cleanups in particularly and
other matters. And by the way, Mr. Clerk, has anyone come to you as I had requested
to, especially all those nice, fine people that were here, wanting us to provide tens of
millions of dollars for new condominiums. Did any of those fine people ever come and
fill out anything or bring a homeless so they could inscribe them as being adopted?
Mr Hannon: No, sir
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Thank you. All right, sir.
William Porro: Good afternoon, Commissioners, and welcome Commissioner King, to
the dais, Ma'am. I wanted to just bring you up to date, Commissioners. My goal today
in presenting this is walk away with some more -- more input from the Commission,
from you all, in terms of I'll provide the options that I've seen that are available that
I've researched and then hopefully get some more input on you on a particular
direction. Maybe stay away from one or --
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Vice Chair Carollo: 1 thought we had given pretty clear direction on the areas that
this Commission wanted the Administration to attack immediately, such as cleaning
three times a week in areas where we have a lot of homelessness. For their protection
from, for our residents protection, both.
Mr Porro: That, Commissioner, specifically has been done. Matter offact they work
five days a week and I'll -- I can let the Chief --
Vice Chair Carollo: Here's what I'd like --
Mr Porro: Yes, sir
Vice Chair Carollo: If the Administration can send me when the program started, and
what areas you have gone to clean up, and how many times a week those areas you
have gone to clean up. And then, beginning next week, each week, you provide to us
by Monday morning how many areas have you gone to and how many times a week to
clean up, so that we know you 're keeping on top of it. I will be frank with you --
Mr Porro: Mm-hm.
Vice Chair Carollo: I've seen areas by the MRC (Miami Riverside Center). I've seen a
couple areas in my own district that it doesn't seem to me that anyone has gone to do
any cleanup whatsoever
Mr Porro: 1 can provide some details to you now, Commissioner so --
Vice Chair Carollo: Well --
Mr Porro: If you'd like, or however you deem fit.
Pee Chair Carollo: I'd prefer for the sake of time if it would be sent to us --
Mr Porro: I can do that.
Vice Chair Carollo: In writing --
Mr. Porro: Yes, sir
Vice Chair Carollo: -- and somebody signs it in blood.
Mr Porro: I'll sign it myself, sir.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: In blood.
Vice Chair Carollo: In other words, what I'm trying to say is that someone is going to
be held responsible for the truthfulness of what we're getting. If it's being done or not.
Mr. Porro: Yes, sir I clearly understand.
Vice Chair Carollo: Sir, go ahead.
Mr Porro: Oh, okay. I just wanted to present, very quickly. Okay, I don't know why it's
doing that. Anyway, I wanted to keep with you all the main thing which is the main
thing we want to concentrate on. And that's -- and you alluded to it, Commissioner,
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which is really trying our best to encourage, support, assist as many. -- yes -- as many
individuals to accept shelter. That is the ultimate goal of everything that we're doing.
Natasha Colebrook -Williams (Assistant City Manager): Commissioner? Chairman? If
I understood your request --
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes.
Ms. Colebrook -Williams: We could bypass the presentation if we provide a report
every Monday. Keep you --
Vice Chair Carollo: I'm sorry?
Ms. Colebrook -Williams: If] understood you correctly, you're okay with us bypassing
with the presentation this evening as long as we provide you an update on a weekly
basis.
Vice Chair Carollo: I have no problem if we bypass it. But what I'd like is that you
provide us with an update of when you begun the cleanups since the Commission gave
you instructions from that time on, The addresses of the areas you 've gone to, and
how many times have you gone to those areas.
Ms. Colebrook -Williams: Yes, sir we'll have that to you by --
Vice Chair Carollo: In other words, I want to be sure that what we instructed the
Administration to do, that it's being done. And then, the other area that I'd like an
update on, one of our requests was that we would -- if there's no sufficient shelters, no
housing, what areas has the Administration found and identified that we can bring
people to potential shelters. Whether outdoors or indoors.
Ms. Colebrook -Williams: Yes, sir Acknowledge you'll have a report on Monday. To
you and the Commission.
Vice Chair Carollo: And look, there's nothing that forces us to have to give five-star
treatment to anyone. But this Commission up here has a total responsibility to all of
our residents to provide for their health, safety, and welfare. And when I'm hearing
what I've heard in the last couple of weeks, that in the case of two more homelessness,
homeless people rather that one went to Palm Beach County before he came back,
and he killed a 14 year old boy. And it was someone that was not from here. He was
from Georgia originally. Then he was living in Seminole County, and I don't know,
maybe we're a Mecca for some of these people. They want to come here. But he wasn't
from here and we're suffering the consequences. A 14 year old boy has been killed
because this guy was out here. And then just yesterday we had a lady that lives in one
of the residential buildings in Biscayne, that went for her usual walk with her dog,
and she gets sexually assaulted by another homeless person. Thank God that she was
a scrappy lady and, you know, she stood up to him and took his picture and he ran off.
And thank God the Police Department found him. This guy not only, again, was not
from here, he was from New York, but somehow had stopped on his way to Miami, in
Tallahassee, where there was an outstanding warrant out for him. So, I'm seeing
again and again what I showed you, the Administration. When I went out interviewing
all the homeless people that we had around our parks and downtown -- and downtown
on Biscayne, that the majority are not from Miami. They are corning, or being sent,
from some other areas and the majority, are individuals that are out in the streets not
because of financial problem, but because they're burnt out, mentally burnt out, with
drugs. They need mental help. Mental counseling. Some, frankly, need medication and
they also need drug counseling. And this is why they don't want to go anywhere
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because anywhere means they can't use drugs; they can't buy drugs. In the streets,
they can do both.
Ms. Colebrook -Williams: Monday you will receive a report on what has been done
since the conception of the HEAT (Homeless Empowerment Assistance Team), and
therefore --
Vice Chair Carollo: And look, I am more than willing, if we've got to take a stand and
anybody wants to sue us so that they can keep trying to make our city into what we see
with all these tents and so on, if we have to go all the way to the Supreme Court of the
Nation, so be it. But our residents need to be protected too. And we have certainly
been more than compassionate to people out in the streets. But, you know, rights is a
two way street. You can 't just give a small, minute population alive -for -all for rights
that are going to effect the 99 plus percent of the rest of your population. Sir?
Mr Porro: Commissioner, ifI may, would you -- on the part of what I've been able to
research and look at so far, is there a way that I can sit with either of your staffs and
just go through it a little bit more, would be --
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, look, I don't want to embarrass any of you or put you on the
spot because I know that you didn't know that I was going to ask for this today --
Mr Porro: Mm-hm.
Vice Chair Carollo: That's not my intention at all. And its December Christmas is
coming, the holidays are coming. But I don't want to be seeing people out in the
streets that are hurting our residents.
Mr Porro: Understood.
Vice Chair Carollo: And believe you me, there's a great potential for that. We have
some very unstable people, mentally unstable, because of the drugs they're taking and
keep taking. And if we don't gain a hold of this, we're going to be seeing more and
more of these cases. Not that we haven't had them in the past, we have certainly --
Porro: Mm-hm.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- but they've been kept more quietly. And I'm going to tell you
guys, I'm going to bring each and every one of them up until we gain a hold of this
situation and do what we need to do to protect people that are homeless, and our
residents.
Mr. Porro: Yes, sir.
Vice Chair Carollo: Commissioner?
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Thank you. Can you put the last slide up?
Mr Porro: It's not the last slide but I can put it up. Yes, sir.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Well, the one that was in font of me right now It's
lost.
Mr Porro: Absolutely, sir
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: This is with all due respect --
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Mr. Porro: Please.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: -- because Commissioner Carollo is correct. And
he's been talking about this for a number of Commission meetings now. So, you can
get rid of that so I can read it. So, the first bullet point you have, a stable and safe
space. You put safe space in quote marks. Where the unsheltered homeless can reside
temporarily and transform their lives. That sounds like a whole bunch of crock to me.
There's no solution there. There's no proposal there. It's just bureaucratic speak. How
are you going to do that, right? So, I think what Commissioner Carollo is looking for,
and we're all looking for; are real solutions. It's a complex problem. We all know that.
It's not a simple solution. When you write things like that, things like visually
eliminating the blight associated with unsheltered homelessness. When you write a
stable and safe space. What the heck is a safe space, right? Those are things that
sound nice and look nice on a PowerPoint presentation. That's not a real solution. You
know a lot of these people cannot be sheltered, are shelter resistant. So, what's a real
solution? Now expect from my government, and the people that work for this
government, to get real solutions. Not bureaucratic speak, and things like this, and
PowerPoints where we all walk away feeling that we're doing something when we're
not doing anything. So, with all due respect, please come back to me with something
with more substance. Not this. Moving forward. Thank you.
Vice Chair Carollo: Look, a few weeks ago, before 1 give the floor to Commissioner
Reyes, there were some big articles that we had a whole group that was going to be
doing cleanups. And then all of a sudden, I don't know what happened, everybody
went away. I'm going to tell you now that some people that are out there pretending
that they care so much about the homeless population, giving tents out, they're not
doing the homeless people out there, or our residents, any good. First of all, there's
been tens of thousands of dollars spent on all these tents. Where did this money come
from? I got a pretty good idea and it's been sent to Miami to a certain organization
and to buy tents and put them all out in the streets like this. So, I'm looking for a real
solution. What Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla said, I feel that and much more. But
I'm trying to keep with the spirit of Christmas and the holidays, and I backed off, he
can be the Grinch this December.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: But the bottom line is you guys better come with something
concrete like we've asked. And the Administration better go out and do the cleanups
that we requested. Because January, the holidays are over and I'm going to be a little
different. And I don't want to be reading more cases like the two that described here,
from the last couple of weeks, between now and our next meeting in January. Because
frankly, the finger is going to be on you guys, the Administration.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Right, but beyond that if I may, Commissioner And
I won i belabor the point I know it's late and we want to go home but we passed a
resolution earlier that allocated $150, 000 to 5050 Northwest 7th Street so we can
house beyond December 15th, these families that have been displaced. These are
homeless people --
Vice Chair Carollo: But the difference with those homeless --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: No, no, I know, but I'm getting to the point --
Vice Chair Carollo: When we're talking -- these are --
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Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I know, I know I'm getting to the point that that's
150k. That's the responsibility to the Homeless Trust. The house, everybody. And they
have a 60 million plus surplus, right? In their budget. And why is it that with all this
money they have, why is it that they don't give us any answers? Okay, fine, they're not
completely, accountable to us. Then why is it that our own people that should be
accountable to us, not to us, but to us as representatives of the people of Miami, why
is it that we get all this bull? Why not real solutions? If there are no solutions,
because the people are shelter resistant, then say it. Well, you know, of the 600
something in City of Miami, you know, 200 are shelter resistant. At least we know
what we're dealing with. What bothers me is the constant PowerPoints and
presentations and the go -around and run-around and run-around and we never
anywhere. And we never get anywhere. There's never a solution. We're going to do it
this way, we're going to invest this here, we're going to do this -- never a specific plan
of action to solve the problem. It's not bathrooms, it's not, you know, $380, 000
bathrooms in the middle of -- not to criticize you, you are trying to do the right thing.
And it's not an easy issue, but it bothers me that there's not a comprehensive plan. from
this Administration since I've been here, and I've seen it from before I got here, that
says this is the way we address this issue. So, why can you guys, any of you guys get
together and kind of come up with a plan to come to us. We're not the experts. You
guys are the ones that are paid a lot of money to come up with these ideas. Come to
us, have experts tell us hey, this is how you solve it. So, I agree with Commissioner
Carollo and Commission Reyes has also expressed it in the past, that we are kind of
getting fed up with this. And now it's Christmas so we'll let it go, but they're not going
to have a great Christmas. And we're not going to have a great Christmas. And our
residents aren't going to have a great Christmas when people are defecating and
urinating around them and they feel threatened. And the people that are homeless,
unfortunately, through mental illness or drug addiction or what it is, you know, we're
not addressing that issue either So, we have to find that balance. But give us a way to
find that balance. Is that too much to ask from our professionals that work in our city?
That's what 1 want. I think that's what we all want.
Nee Chair Carollo: Commissioner Reyes had asked before and then I'll go to you,
Commissioner.
Commissioner Reyes: I -- let me see where I start. When we passed that resolution
that we passed --
Vice Chair Carollo: The ordinance or resolution?
Commissioner Reyes: The ordinance for the homeless, I mean where we are trying to
clean downtown from camping and all of that. It was included that -- in that
ordinance, that the Administration was going to find -- was going to look and find,
and habilitate places, I mean, areas that in which they could -- the homeless could go
out and camp there or they could be moved there. Commissioner Carollo just asked a
question a little while ago, and says, well, where are those areas? Have they been
identified? Have they been habilitated? Have they done anything? Because the other
thing that I've heard is we're looking into it. We're looking into it. And enough is
enough. It's enough looking. You see, we need to find areas that our police can move
them and tell them you can -- you have to get out of here, but you can go some other
place, you see? It's not what we are doing now, we are moving them from one street to
the other, you see, which is not what -- the intention of that ordinance. Another thing
that I -- I brought to the Chief and also to the Downtown Commander, is that a lot of
I would say drug dealings, take place amongst the homeless. I personally have
witnessed some and I have to commend the Police Department because they are
taking action on it, but I don't think it's enough. I think that, Mr Chief Mr Morales,
you see, everybody knows that as has been stated, that a majority of the homeless,
they are not -- they are not economically effected. There are some, I'm not going to
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say that all, there's some, but the majority are -- they have psychological problems or
drug addiction. If we attack the drug addiction the only way -- I mean by eliminating
or curtailing the supply, they got two things that they can do. Either they recognize
that they have a problem and go into rehab or they're going to move .from this area
where they can get their hands on the drugs. And therefore, I am asking you that -- to
have details, undercover details, amongst the homeless so you can go after those
dealers that they supply the drugs. Be it pills or be it weed, or will be whatever it is,
you see, that they supply to. And, please, I mean once and for all try to find those -- it
is true what Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla (INAUDIBLE) we want action, we
want a real plan -- it has a set of actions enumerated, we're going to do this, we're
going to that and we're doing this, you see. But a plan that has an end goal. And an
end goal is to diminish and if not, which is very difficult, eliminate the number of
homeless in the City of Miami, which is going to be very difficult, because there are
people that they want to be homeless. That's a fact. That's a fact. But those homeless
that are addicted, or those homeless that have psychological problems, they should be
identified, and we, for those addicted, which you should go to the source of drugs so
we can curtail the supply. So, they can move out or they can go into rehab. And
please, bring an answer at least where are you looking at? Where are you looking at?
Where do you want to place those encampments that we talked about that they could
be moved there? And, I will -- Chief, another thing that we have talked about here and
we were talking befbre, it is the legality of the homeless urinating or defecating on the
street. And I have asked this question many times. IfI do it, I'll be arrested. But why
then don't --1 mean something has to happen, anybody that goes and -- that's the only
thing that -- that I know it's not the only thing they do on the streets. I have seen them
doing other things, okay? So, if a common person, a person that -- that I mean, there
is a violation of the law because of that behavior, you see, why a person -- we allow
somebody to abuse from it, you see. Because that's a big problem. It is a big problem.
And drugs is a big problem. I think it is a major factor, major contributing factor.
Well, if it is the major contributing factor; let's go after the supply. Let's go after the
supply. And then you, that you are the -- the one that are going to deal with the
homeless. Well, if they don't have the supply and they are in withdrawal, well try to
convince them to go into rehab. Get your people to talk to them and get them into
rehab. But it is, in my opinion, it is of the upmost importance that we have details, of
undercover officers, amongst the homeless population and we go after the suppliers of
drugs, okay? Okay, Chief?
Vice Chair Carollo: Commissioner King?
Chair King: Hi, I have -- I've been a board member of the Camillus House for several
years and I just want to say that I don 't envy your job. I would like to echo what my
colleagues are saying, that you should put Ihrth a more realistic plan. They may not
like it, but it's better to tell the truth because solving the homeless issue is not an
overnight fix. It's not going to happen overnight. We cannot gloss over the fact that the
homeless population has many issues. You're not going to, Commissioner Reyes, talk
to someone that is homeless, who has a drug addiction, and convince them to go into
rehab. They're just not going to do that. We have to serve our homeless population
with compassion. We have to balance the needs of our residents. Keep them safe, as
well as be compassionate to our homeless population. I would encourage you to
partner with the Camillus House and the Homeless Trust. They're doing amazing
things to help get people off of the street. But again, not everybody is going to go
willingly --
Commissioner Reyes: I know that.
Chair King: -- and there are some -- there are some bad characters as there are in any
population, there are bad characters. But we can put a plan together that is more
substantive than what I saw here. I know the homeless -- the Camillus House, they
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have a team that goes out and helps medicate people who they've identified as having
mental illness. But again, this isn't a one day fix. It a constant going out,
communicating with them, getting them to trust you, getting them on medication, and
then getting them to get into the homeless shelter. So, I, you know, I want to just say
I'm with you. I support you. If you need any assistance from me, I am here --
Porro: Thank you.
Chair King: -- but that please tell my colleagues the truth so that they -- you don't
have discussions like they just had with you. And, hey, what's going on, we're not
getting anything done. Because again, this isn't an overnight fix, and we have to be
compassionate fbr this population as well.
Mr Porro: Yes, Ma'am.
Chair King: Thank you.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes, Commissioner Reyes, go ahead.
Commissioner Reyes: Ms. King, I do understand that this is a very complex problem
and I know that they are not going to -- I mean you cannot convince them -- I said you
try. You try by gaining their -- their trust and try to convince them, and try to convince
them that it behooves them, you see, and there is hope. 1 have been, for example, we
can -- we can --1'm also -- I'm very, I don't know if you've heard of Hermanos de la
Calle. Hermanos de la Calle is a program, I just went to one of their houses, and the
homes that they have and those -- everybody that was -- that they had and they have
about four or five houses with eight people that they -- in each, that they have gotten
out of the street, it is because they have gained their trust and they have become clean
and they had help to become clean. But what I'm saying is that we need to have those
places, or encampment, or however you want to call it, where they can go there and
where you are referring to provide the services at that place. Yes, we need to do that.
But at the same time, we have to go after the supply of drugs. And that's what I want --
that's what I was saying. And then, you -- if -- and I hope that you have qualified
personnel like -- that will act like this group, that is Hermanos de la Calle, qualified
personnel they are psychologists, they are social workers, they can work with them
trying to get them out of that horrible addiction, see?
Mr Porro: Mm-hrn.
Commissioner Reyes: And that's what was trying to say. And I don't think this can go
overnight, but what we have to do is a comprehensive plan -- a comprehensive plan
where we are going to attack this problem every other way. Of course, we have to be
humane. We have to treat them humanely. But -- but they have rights. But also, the
residents have rights too, you see. And the business owners, they have rights too. So, I
think that is -- is a very -- is a very touchy problem. Its a very difficult problem. But
unless we start a comprehensive plan, we are not going to go nowhere. Because, yes,
the Homeless Trust they get $65 million. And every day -- every year is the same
thing, you see. I have done work with Camillus House. I have been working with them
since -- I would say since the early 80s, when we worked forming the Overtown/Park
West Redevelopment Project. I was in charge of -- of trying to relocate Camillus
House when it was before, you see. I know there is a big problem. And they work, it is
a good program, but they need our help, you see. This is not only one institution's
problem. I really hope that pretty soon Judge Leifman can open up his center, which is
going to be great help. And I encourage every one of you, of my fellow
Commissioners, to go and visit at the facilities that Judge Leifman is building, which
is -- I think is -- it's going to be a game changer and is going to be an example for the
whole nation. So, nothing against you, my friend. It is that -- as much as the residents
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are frustrated, we are also frustrated because we want to see actions and we want to
see some results. And that's it.
Mr Porro: Thank you very much.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, let's move on then because we have a PZ (Planning and
Zoning) agenda. And, gentlemen, because I've been kind today, don't think that that
means that I am blind, because I didn't want to use that word. I know that I have not
been told the truth on the clean-ups. I know in my district, what I see, I see the same
people every day with the sofas, the everything else they have, that hasn't been moved.
And that shelter, tent city that we have by the MRC, I see that nothing has happened
there. No clean-ups, no anything. Because the tents are in the same way, in the same
place, with the sofas and everything else. And, Commissioner; you had talked about
drugs, all that it takes is one trained dog to just pass by, and 1 guarantee you that dog
is going to be sniffing out a lot of stuff that's out there. And -- but, you know; this
would be for January. I just want to be told the truth. But 1 hope what I've ask for, for
each of us, to be sent on Monday, we get an update since the Commission gave you
instructions, as to how many clean-ups you've done, where, how many times a week,
and then on a weekly basis, you're informing each Commissioner what you have done
in clean-ups in their district and citywide. So, anyway, there's' no vote to be taken on
this.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DIRECTING
THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO WITHHOLD THE
DISBURSEMENT OF ANY CITY FUNDS AWARDED TO THE
UNDERLINE PROJECT ("UNDERLINE") UNTIL THE
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNDERLINE PRESENT TO THE
CITY ADMINISTRATION THE PLANS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION
AND OPERATION OF THE UNDERLINE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
LIMITED TO, THE REMOVAL AND/OR REPLACEMENT OF ANY
TREES, AND TO THEREAFTER PRESENT SAID PLANS TO THE
CITY COMMISSION; DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO PLACE
A DISCUSSION ITEM ON THE JANUARY 13, 2022 CITY
COMMISSION AGENDA FOR THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
UNDERLINE TO PRESENT TO THE CITY COMMISSION THE
PLANS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF THE
UNDERLINE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE REMOVAL
AND/OR REPLACEMENT OF ANY TREES, AT THE JANUARY 13,
2022 REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING AND TO PROVIDE
SAID PLANS AND INFORMATION TO THE CITY COMMISSION
PRIOR TO SAID CITY COMMISSION MEETING BUT NO LATER
THAN JANUARY 4, 2022.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-21-0515
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Russell, Diaz de la Portilla, Reyes
Vice Chair Carollo: Mr Manager, I don't want your assistant to be the fall guy in this.
I'm looking after you. You've heard from us here, so we don't need to say anything
more. I think you understand how we feel. So, you've got the baton. The other motion
that I'd like to make is the following, let me pass the gavel on to Commissioner King,
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is the motion on freezing any City monies from going to the Underline until we have a
meeting with then. And 1 mean a meeting with the Administration, with the
Commission, and then we bring them before, in an open meeting for the public, to
discuss everything they're doing in that Underline. I am very concerned of why we are
cutting down trees that really have -- you can't put a value on them because they're
decades old. And these are not intrusive trees that are foreign to Miami or Florida,
these are native trees that are beautiful and give great canopy all through US-1. So,
my motion is that we put a freeze on all dollars until we meet with them and we have
an understanding as to what is happening.
Chair King: Do 1 have a motion?
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes.
Chair King: Do I have a -- a second?
Commissioner Reyes: I'm thinking about it.
Commissioner Russell: Commissioner I really want to see the Underline come to
fruition. I understand your concerns go beyond the trees because you brought up
advertising, which I had never heard of before, and so I'm curious about that as well,
if that's actually --
Vice Chair Carollo: I'm sorry, you're curious?
Commissioner Russell: I'm sorry?
Vice Chair Carollo: You're curious about what now?
Commissioner Russell: You had mentioned there was a potential for advertising
within the Underline on US-1.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, this is what I read in yesterday's media, that --
Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- they're looking to --
Ms. Mann: County Commission Meeting.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- advertise in the County --
Commissioner Russell: Right-of-way.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- right-of-ways next to the Metrorail. Billboards.
Commissioner Russell: Yeah, and I do share the concern on the trees, but for the trees
that are in the City Miami right-of-way, we do have an appeals process. So even
though a City Administration official may give a recommendation on what can and
cannot be removed, that can be appealed to our Commission. So, there is a process
where we do play a role if -- if -- but it's only a handful of trees is my understanding
on those. And it's not the ones that you're talking about.
Ms. Mann: No, it's entire -- they're -- when I started saying why are you hacking the
trees, they stopped. And now they killed two trees completely --
Commissioner Russell: Yes, no, it's for removal. They're not trimming, it's removal.
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Ms. Mann: Well for removal, and now they've hacked another one where as the third
full removal, there's like three removals between 16th Avenue and 17th Avenue. All the
ones between 17th and 19th were removed. And these were planted by FDOT --
Commissioner Russell: Yeah.
Ms. Mann: -- not too long ago. So, you know, I'm just concerned that we're going to
get loss of our vegetation which is turning out to be beautiful and all of a sudden
we've got these palm trees. And I'm concerned because US-1 is known for drag
racing. Coming down US-1 --1 mean, 1-95 onto US-1 to not get the light, and every
time there's an accident the accident happens on 17th Avenue or on 16th Avenue. And
there's always somebody dying there, okay? These palm trees when they get hit,
they're going to come down and they're going to fall on a car because they don't have
a proper rooting system. So, I think that the whole concept of the palm tree lining US-
1 was not really thought of -- of what US-1 is about. And now if you told me that they
were doing this after 25th Avenue, around where the warehouses are, around the
Metrorail of Douglas and all that, okay, fine. You don't see that amount of accidents.
But they should get really --
Chair King: Ma'am.
Ms. Mann: -- a police report so they can see --
Chair King: Ma'am.
Ms. Mann: -- the history of this intersection.
Chair King: Thank you. There's a motion on the floor --
Commissioner Reyes: Yes, may I --
Ms. Mann: Thank you so much anyways.
Chair King: Yes. Thank you.
Ms. Mann: Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay, I understand what you're trying to do, Commissioner, and
you want to bring them to the table.
Vice Chair Carollo: That's all.
Commissioner Reyes: That's right. I know what you want to do, and I know that there
are a lot of questions that should be answered and -- that have been raised about the
Underline and what effect it has. But I would support your -- your motion if we set a
time, you see --
Vice Chair Carollo: I did.
Commissioner Reyes: -- within the next 15 days, within the next month.
Vice Chair Carollo: I -- I stated in the resolution that it would be brought to the City
Commission in the last meeting in January.
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Commissioner Reyes: One thing that I don't want is to hold the funds for the
Underline and -- and, you see, delay the construction. I mean can we do it in the first
meeting?
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, I don't know if we have --
Commissioner Reyes: The first meeting in January.
Pee Chair Carollo: I don't know if we're going to have time the first meeting. That's
what I was saying.
Commissioner Reyes: Well, it behooves them, it behooves them to expedite this
meeting. Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: You want to make it the first meeting, January?
Commissioner Reyes: The first meeting, yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: So be it, but I want them to meet with the Administration
Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- beforehand, give us all the information beforehand --
Commissioner Reyes: Absolutely.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- and then we have a public transparent meeting.
Commissioner Reyes: They will have a whole month to come with it.
Nee Chair Carollo: And I will tell you this, that hearing, if that's the case, that if what
they're looking for is to take decades old native trees out so they can put palm trees;
during hurricanes, palm trees don't have the root system to hold on as strong as
mahoganies or some of the other trees where they're old.
Commissioner Reyes: Olives.
Chair King: Okay. Well, we have a motion and a second.
Commissioner Dial, de la Portilla: Yes, I will second it
Commissioner Reyes: I will second it.
Chair King: Any more discussion?
Commissioner Russell: You need public comment.
Chair King: Public comment?
Pee Chair Carollo: Yeah, we have to still wait on this.
Chair King: We have to wait for everybody.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, once we're done with the public comment, we'll bring it
back, so, Commissioner; welcome.
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Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Thank you, sir. 1 was watching you from afar;
you're chairing today. You're doing a great job, by the way.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, thank you. Let me, you know, for the public that's here, the
Mayor, following his right through the Charter named our newest Commissioner
Christine King, Chairman, and he named me Vice Chairman. Commissioner King
decided that she wanted to see how I did it today so that I wouldn't be taking the gavel
away from her the rest of the year So that's why I'm chairing today, at her request. But
let me say this, since we're on that, when the Mayor named Commissioner King, he
created a trifecta. First time that we have a woman as Chair first time that we have
an African -American woman as Chair, that's number two, and the third is the first
time that we have a Guyanese descent individual as Chair So, she's the first in all
three.
Applause.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: And the reason why I brought it up is because I
want to also congratulate our new Chair I'm very, very proud of what you're doing,
and I look forward to working with you and having, you know a lot good things for
the City of Miami come before us. And I know that you're going to do a great job. And
I'm very excited for you to be here. I think you're going to bring a lot of as you said
during your campaign, a lot of civility to this Commission. And I'm very, very proud of
you, Commissioner.
Chair King: Thank you.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Madam Chair I'm sorry. Madam Chair.
Chair King: Thank you. Thank you all for your confidence. Let's move the meeting
along.
Vice Chair Carollo: Let's do that. Who was next?
Paul Mann: If I may just very, very, briefly? I'll be super fast.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): So, Chair, just for the record, the public hearing's been
open for this non -agenda item only.
Commissioner Reyes: This item.
Mr. Hannon: Understood.
Vice Chair Carollo: If anyone would like to address this particular item that we have
a resolution on? Okay. Go ahead, sir.
Mr Mann: Paul Mann, 1665 Southwest 23rd Street, Miami. What brought me down
here was -- originally what I thought was taxpayer wasted money cutting down
perfectly good trees that -- that I thought had done a world of good for the -- the
atmosphere of southern Miami just south of the city, you leave the south part of the
city. When I arrived here in '99, when you got to US-1, all you saw was the overhead
railway. It was barren. And taxpayer money was spent to line it with trees that have
matured beautifully; giving you a beautiful canopy. And it's just amazing that you
could be what used to be five minutes south of the city and have that beautiful canopy.
And now all that money is being thrown out the window to put up palm trees that give
absolutely no shade and drop palm fronds, large palm fronds, onto a major roadway
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which is dangerous. It, just did not make sense. But what really brought me down here
was to find out that at the County, they're planning on lining that road with billboards.
Billboards, in my view are dangerous. They distract motorists. I've been in a couple of
rear -enders and little -- and short brake accidents and it's all because you get
distracted. And billboards do nothing but distract motorists. I think they're a horrible
idea, besides being a blight, visually, on the city. So, I just want to thank this
Commission for the attention that they have given this subject. And hopefully we can
prevail on this. Thank you very much.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you.
Vice Chair Carollo: Anyone else that would like to address the Commissioner only in
this particular resolution? Sun?, go ahead.
Eric Zichella: Thank you, Mi: Chair, Mr Vice Chair I should say, and congratulations
Madam Chair Proud to see you up there and proud of you,for your accomplishments.
Eric Zichella, 2100 Coral Way, representing the Underline. Obviously, this item
wasn't noticed. I know that you set the agenda already and this item came up as a
result of some of the public comment, not related to the items that were on the agenda.
I'm not sure what the order is of the vote, but what 1 would ask that you maybe
consider is an opportunity to meet with the Underline before taking any action that
would delay the project, et cetera, et cetera. I will just mention to you, and I think it's
prudent for the Underline to come here and make a presentation to you, make a
presentation to your staff so that you're dealing in actual facts rather than dealing in
conjecture from people in the public. We all know that members of the public from
time to time don't have all the facts correct. I would tell you that the Underline, as a
matter of course, is in the process of undergrounding certain Florida Power & Light
lines associated with -- that run along the corridor. And so, there is certain tree
movement that's associated with the underlining of -- the undergrounding of those
lines. And when the project is completed, there will be a net increase of a thousand
native trees in the corridor. I don't have all of the pertinent facts in front of me to
answer every question you may have today, but I would just -- I would ask you to
please consider deferring a vote on this and maybe adding an agenda item to your
next meeting to discuss it. Ask for a presentation from Meg Daly, or their
environmental experts, or anyone else that you'd like to hear from prior to taking any
action related to the funding. As you know there's a federal grant associated with this
project for $25 million that's tied to the completion timeline of the project. And one of
the reasons that the City contributed money on the tiieline that it did was that was
necessary as a match to that federal grant. I would caution you not to do anything
that would potentially jeopardize the receipt of that federal grant. Not because I have
any right to caution you, I just ask you to take caution with that if you could.
Chair King: Thank you. Thank you.
Mr Zichella: Thank you.
Vice Chair Carollo: Eric, let me say this to you. You're not coming to an elementary,
school to talk to kids, cautioning us, putting the scare tactics. There's nothing in this
resolution that would put in harm's way any grant that you have. There's nothing in
this resolution that is going to delay for one second anything that you have moving
forward. The bottom line is that, like I've seen here for decades, we create in this
County, pillars of the community that are holier than thou, that no one can question
and they can do whatever they please, and our residents have every darn right to
question why trees that have been there for decades, native trees, giving a beautiful
canopy, why they're going down. And so do we. Now the. fact that you might be
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planting additional trees, that's great, but we all know that whatever tree you put in
there is going to take another, at least a decade, to get it to be sizable in size. So, this
is why they're concerned. And what we're asking is transparency. We're asking on the
first meeting in January for you all to come before us, explain to us and to our
residents what is it that you're doing, what is going on. Some trees had to be taken out
because ofFP&L (Florida Power & Light) lines or what have you, then you can
explain it to us. I think you know we're reasonable people.
Mr Zichella: I know you to be very reasonable. IfI may, just 15 seconds to reply, Mr
Chair.
Vice Chair Carollo: Sure. Go ahead.
Mr Zichella: First and foremost, didn't mean any disrespect in the way I said any of
that to you. I don't know what's in the resolution because I haven't seen any
resolution, but --
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, then you should have held back in trying to, you know,
throw the signs up that the world's coming to an end --
Zichella: No, no, no.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- by this resolution.
Mr Zichella: No, I just don't know what's in the resolution because I haven't seen it.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, it's very simple, that until you come back before us and we
air this out in the public, and in between we expect for you to meet with the
Administration and give us some information, that the funding that we had is not
taken away, it's just frozen. And nothing's going to get in harm's way between now and
the first meeting in January.
Mr Zichella: Again --
Commissioner Reyes: And if I may add, Commissioner, I think that would behoove,
also, the Underline and the directive of the Underline to meet with all the
Commissioners.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah --
Commissioner Reyes: You see.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- that's what I'm saying.
Commissioner Reyes: Just have a meeting with all the Commissioners because we
have a new member that you have not been, I mean, informed or briefed of what's
going on. And before you make a decision, you have to be briefed. I don't know if
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla has been also briefed on it.
Vice Chair Carollo: Have you been briefed on everything they're doing there?
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: No, but I've seen it. But I've seen it. I drive by it
every day --
Commissioner Reyes: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I drive by it every day --
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Commissioner Reyes: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) that is --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: -- and 1 see the tree removal.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: My parents live four blocks from there, so Igo
there every day.
Commissioner Reyes: And that's why I'm bringing this up. That besides meeting with
the -- ifl may, besides meeting with the Administration, meet with each one of us.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yes, sir
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Mr Zichella: I want to be careful not to misspeak also. In the context of a construction
project that's ongoing, it's possible that some of the trees that you've seen that you
think are being removed and being destroyed could be being relocated, maybe
replanted in other locations.
Vice Chair Carollo: That's correct. That is correct and we --
Mr Zichella: And that's important to have those facts.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: That may be the case, of course, that may be the
case. But 1 agree with him, I mean -- Madam Chair, ifI may?
Chair King: Yes.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: But 1'm with Commissioner Carollo, the world will
not end. The world will not end if we pass this resolution today.
Commissioner Reyes: Yeah.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: All he's asking is -- that Commissioner Carollo is
asking for is that it be frozen until we have a better understanding of what you're
doing with those trees. So, I drive by there every day. I understand the Underline is a
priority but I have -- that may be your priority, your client's priority, but it may not be
mine or this Commission's priority. So, we have to be careful how we do these things.
All we want to do is be informed. If they're being relocated, tell us. You should know,
no, where they're being relocated to, right? You don't?
Mr Zichella: Again --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Mr Zichella: -- that item wasn't before us, or I would have come prepared.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: I understand, I understand. But if you're saying
they're being relocated --
Zichella: I don't know that. I said I want to be careful not to misspeak.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: So why would you say it? Why would you say it
then?
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City Commission
Mr. Zichella: I'm saying it's possible.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: It's possible. Everything is possible.
Chair King: Is there anyone else here who --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Hold on, Madam Chair, ifI may. I think we call the
question, we vote this out.
Chair King: But there may, be somebody else --
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: After After public speaking, we call the question
and move on to the important stuff.
Chair King: Yes, that's what I'm trying to do.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Okay.
Chair King: Is there anyone else here who would like to speak on this issue? Anyone
else here who would like to speak on this issue? Seeing none, we have a motion and a
second.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla: Yes. Call the question.
Chair King: Any discussion? Call the question. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Any opposed? Motion carries.
DIRECTIVE
DIRECTION BY COMMISSIONER RUSSELL TO THE CITY
MANAGER TO BRING BACK, AT THE JANUARY 27, 2022 CITY
COMMISSION MEETING, A PRESENTATION REGARDING
MORNINGSIDE PARK AND A RESOLUTION RESCINDING R-20-
0009.
RESULT: DIRECTED
Commissioner Russell: Thank you, Chairman. Before we break for lunch, I just
wanted to address the two speakers and the many residents who have been here on
Morningside. The call -- the call is here for us to move forward with this plan. And the
City Administration's hands are tied to actually present a plan that they would
recommend, because of the location of the pool. We voted unanimously to hold the
pool in its place, almost two years ago, January 2020, it was a resolution that we
passed. But the science, the engineers, the building department, the pool -- the Parks
Department, as well as OCI (Office of Capital Improvements) are -- have a
recommendation counter to that, but they cannot present it until we rescind that
resolution. So, my request would be to pass a resolution rescinding that resolution, R-
20-0009, and direct the management to bring forward a plan that we can And and
allocate. I've been putting the funding together for years through the American
Rescue Plan, through the Miami Forever Bond, and I think the call is clear that we
need to move forward and that's where our job is to make the tough decisions. It won't
make everybody happy, but we'll do the right thing for the park.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you. What time is the will of the Commission to come back,
3:00?
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Commissioner Russell: What time is it now? It's 12:30 now. 3 o'clock?
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. So, it is, we'll be --
Commissioner Russell: Could we move this resolution while we're here? Is this
something we can do? Because otherwise the staff can't come back.
Vice Chair Carollo: If you 'd like to bring it up, I'll entertain it.
Commissioner Russell: Thank you. So, moved. To rescind resolution as mentioned
earlier 20- -- I'm sorry, 1 don't have it in front of me. Regarding location of the pool.
Chair King: I didn't --
Commissioner Russell: R-20-0009.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Is there a motion?
Commissioner Russell: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: Is there a second?
Commissioner Reyes: Well, let me -- before I -- we act on this, this is just to provide
the alternative places?
Commissioner Russell: Yes, directing the management to bring back the final plan
that they recommend. We make the end decision because we apply the fording and we
set the project in motion through its "B" number
Commissioner Reyes: When we --
Commissioner Russell: But they can't do that, they can't even show us that plan
because it has the pool in another location. Not far, pretty close, it's not far.
Commissioner Reyes: I don't see why -- why the rescinding of the resolution have to
come first because the only thing that they're going to do, they're going to bring the
plan and that plan is not a decision. A decision have to be made if -- if we make a
decision of accepting the plan and the plan entails to move the pool, then we will have
to rescind it. But I think that we are placing the cart before the horse.
Commissioner Russell: On one hand I agree with you that the acceptance of a new
plan we could then rescind --
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Commissioner Russell: But the Administration, the bureaucratic side, will not start
working on another plan and show us another plan --
Commissioner Reyes: That's because they don't want because of their --
Commissioner Russell: But our resolution forces them to leave it in one place.
Commissioner Reyes: No, no.
Commissioner Russell: They've already worked on it. But I don't think they're going
to bring it forward until --
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Commissioner Reyes: Madam City Attorney, does the resolution preclude them from
working on a plan?
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): Unfortunately I have to defer to Dr Ihekwaba
because I don't -- I'm sure they can work on it, but presenting, I don't know the --
Commissioner Reyes: Well, but who -- presented as an alternative. But what 1 don't
like to be is played, you see. I mean, if -- if we are going to move the pool -- I mean, I
am not all for leaving the pool there and I want -- I want whatever is going to be
done, got to be done fast and I have met with -- with residents from that area and 1
have told them precisely that the only ones that are suffering are the children of that
area. When this all bickering that you did going back and forth back and forth and I
don't know if it is because people like to see the pool in the area or it is more --
mean, it is much better and more possible to move it, but whatever the reason is, I
think that you should sit together -- sit, and -- I mean, get their act together because
we have about l0 years without a pool and every time that a solution is being
presented there are some people that are against and some people that are in favor.
That happens all the time. That happens all the time. And that affects not only your
constituents, but also Ms. King constituents also. That they don't have a pool where
to go. And as a matter of fact, I did suggest it, that if they're going to build a pool, the
pool should be a size pool that you can compete, or train and teach the children, or
have a swimming team there, you see. Butt want to see it built. Now, I want to know
why -- why it can't be built in the same place and all of that, you see. Because we all
agree on having the pool now, where it is, and to be repaired. And that's what it said.
It was to be repaired. Now if repairing it -- it is not feasible then I will go -- I will vote
to -- go to -- I mean --
Commissioner Russell: To rescind.
Commissioner Reyes: To rescind.
Commissioner Russell: Uh-huh.
Nzeribe Ihekwaba (Deputy City Manager): So, Commission, this is Zerry Ihekwaba.
We did hire a consultant to evaluate the pool and the rule of thumb, with respect to
Florida Building Code, is for you to repair a structure if the cost is more than 51
percent of the value of the structure, you are required to build a brand new structure
or bring it up to Code. The cost of bringing it up to Code is way almost the same as
building a brand new pool. And not only that, the present location of the pool is in the
VE zone. So, for -- and it requires a much higher structure in place, which also tallies
with your complaint that they don't want to obstruct view to the water So, for us to
relocate the pool outside the present footprints will enable us to reduce the height of
the structure, build a brand new pool, and we solve the impact of sea level rise.
Having said all of that, the Administration will be ready to present you with a plan
perhaps in the January 7th meeting with the cost -- proposed cost estimate and we
already done this in terms ofpublic outreach. On November 29th, the Administration
met with the community and presented all the master plan for the entire Morningside
pool, that will address all the concerns that were presented to you today. So, we are
ready, we stand ready for us to do the presentation to the City Commission, and seek
your input in terms of the direction to go. The concern that Commissioner Russell had
raised is a valid concern. Your January 2020 resolution mandated the Administration
to leave the pool in place, repair it, that structurally couldn 't do that, and also that
will tantamount for us building a pool that is much higher and also obstructing view
to the water
Commissioner Reyes: Well, I want to hear what my fellow Commissioners think about
it. But one thing that I'm -- I'm pretty sure is that you don't need to rescind this before
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you develop a plan, and you bring it, and you talk to all of us. And you have all the
reasons placed in that plan for moving it or for not repairing or repairing it and not
moving it. And that's what 1 want to know. But the one thing that 1 'in totally in favor is
to present whatever plan you have, whatever plan you have, just go right ahead man,
because all this bickering is going nowhere and we can spend 10 more years going
back and forth because whenever you're going to do a project, whatever it is, there
are people that favor it, people that are against it, you see. And what we have to look
at is what's the benefitjbr the whole community, you see.
Vice Chair Carollo: Commissioner King, do you have any input that you'd like to give
at this point in time?
Chair King: I know this is a sensitive issue for the community. I am not clear that I
want to have to rescind a resolution that was already proffered, and 1 know here, our
body wants to do what is in the best interest of our community. I love Morningside
Park. I have said to everyone that Morningside Park is a place where I visited when I
was a child. The pool, and all of that, but 1 understand that there are challenges.
There are challenges to renovating the park and I would like to have input from staff
on what can and cannot be done, what is reasonable, viable. So, however we can
effectuate that without overturning what the community or what we have already
decided as a body, which I wasn't here for, I'm in favor of
Commissioner Russell: Thank you. I hear the will of this Commission, so 1 will
withdraw my motion for rescission and maintain direction to the Administration to
bring back a full presentation along with the resolution to rescind, sponsored by me,
and if the will of the body is there at the time, we'll be able to vote it forward. But I
can tell you right now if we don't rescind -- the experts have told us, the pool can't
stay there and we're just not going to have anything.
Commissioner Reyes: Listen, sit, through the Chair, I'm -- I'm not totally opposed on
rescinding. I am not sold on any of the different, I will say, arguments that have been
presented. The only thing that 1 want and the only thing that 1 really ask the
Administration is to come with a plan, and that plan, whatever it is, I want
professional opinions and I want backing, you see. I want that decision, whatever
decision it is -- whatever decision it is, to be based on facts, you see, convincing facts.
And then we'll rescind, and we vote, or we don't rescind.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay?
Vice Chair Carollo: All right.
Commissioner Russell: Second meeting in January, please.
Commissioner Reyes: Second meeting in January. Okay?
Vice Chair Carollo: Gentlemen --
Commissioner Reyes: So go to work, Administration.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- and lady we now have gone to 12, almost 48, so we will
reconvene at 3:15 so that we could hopefully finish, quickly, the rest of the agenda.
Well reconvene at 3:15.
Geoffrey Bash: May I speak for two minutes?
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Commissioner Reyes: I want to remind everybody that there is a pig waiting outside.
Vice Chair Carollo: What?
Commissioner Reyes: There is luncheon for everybody.
Vice Chair Carollo: I'rn sorry, what --
Commissioner Reyes: Right outside of here.
Vice Chair Carollo: What are you requesting?
Mr Bash: May I speak for two minutes, please, on this park matter?
Vice Chair Carollo: Well --
Mr Bash: Give a perspective, a point of view, being one --
Vice Chair Carollo: I'm sorry. We had public hearing before and we lost that. If you
like --
Commissioner Russell: Commissioner --
Mr Bash: I'm sorry. 1 can't hear you.
Commissioner Russell: Mr. Chair?
Vice Chair Carollo: We had public hearing before.
Commissioner Russell: Chair, this is a resident of mine. I know he's hard of hearing.
He may have missed that we closed public comment and that there were two special
appearances. I would like to ask if he could just have his two minutes?
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Two minutes only, sir. Okay. Quickly.
Mr Bash: Yes, thank you.
Vice Chair Carollo: Out of courtesy to --
Mr Bash: My name is Jeffrey Bash. I live at 448 Northeast 39th Street. I live just steps
to the next park south of Morningside Park. It was recently reopened after three --
nearly three years of being closed and no park at all. Years of planning the restoration
of this park. I want to share a thought with you. I beg to differ with President
Roosevelt because the worst decision is the wrong one.
Vice Chair Carollo: Which Roosevelt? Teddy or --
Mr Bash: The gentleman quoted President Roosevelt saying that the worst decision is
one that's never made.
Vice Chair Carollo: Oh, okay.
Mr. Bash: Okay? So the worst decision -- so thank you to this Commission for your
due diligence, the hard work that you do and the difficult decisions I know that you're
pressed with, but I'm begging you to continue on that path, as Commissioner Reyes
has explained here, so that you make the right decision. So many wrong decisions
were made in the small three acre park called -- it's been changed to Jose Milton Park
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ADJOURNMENT
for some reason. But our flooding is worse. The rain isn't going to stop, and pooling is
not going to stop, regardless of what changes you make to this park. So those photos
showing pooling, that's going to happen. We asked the Parks Department to put the
new sidewalks higher than the grade of the park so that when we do have pooling at
least we can continue through the pathways of the park, okay, but it so much of the
time it's what we cannot do. And we cannot apparently raise sidewalks higher than the
elevation. So, when it is pooled, you still can't walk through the park. I ask you to look
into changes like that. The devil always in the details. And so, please, some -- this
park, 42 acres, is a very significant resource to the people of Miami. And so, the
decisions we -- in our park, all this planning and all this they put a wetlands area in
the park. It's supposed to have the water, but it doesn't work. The playground is what's
under water. So, these --
Vice Chair Carollo: Sir --
Mr Bash: -- major changes --
Vice Chair Carollo: -- if you could wind it up, your two minutes are up.
Mr Bash: Okay. The point is that these major changes like this, I view them as an
experiment. Forty-two acres, I beg you, is not the place to experiment with certain
new aspects and perhaps you could try them in other areas first before you go and do
some of these other things besides drainage and seawall, and experiment with them in
other areas, and perhaps that such a drastic change would be something that you take
a super majority vote on of the residents within 500 feet. Thank you for your time and
special permission to speak. Thank you.
Vice Chair Carollo: We'll reconvene at 3:15. Thank you.
The meeting adjourned at 6.•38 p.m.
City of Miami
Page 176 Printed on 07/05/2024