HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2024-02-08 MinutesCity of Miami
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, February 8, 2024
9:00 AM
City Commission Meeting
City Hall
City Commission
Francis X. Suarez, Mayor
Christine King, Chair, District Five
Joe Carollo, Vice Chair, District Three
Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner, District One
Damian Pardo, Commissioner, District Two
Manolo Reyes, Commissioner, District Four
Arthur Noriega, V, City Manager
Victoria Mendez, City Attorney
Todd B. Hannon, City Clerk
City Commission
Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024
9:00 AM INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Present: Chairwoman King, Vice Chair Carollo, Commissioner Gabela, Commissioner
Pardo and Commissioner Reyes
On the 8th day of February, 2024, 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 Chairwoman King at 9:31 a.nz.,
recessed at 12:51 p.m., reconvened at 3:40 p.m., recessed at 3:43 p.m., reconvened at 6:03
p.m., and adjourned at 6:05 p.m.
Note for the Record: Commissioner Gabela entered the Commission chambers at 9:35 a.m.,
Commissioner Pardo entered the Commission chambers at 9:35 a.m., and Vice Chair
Carollo entered the Commission chambers at 10:05 a.m.
ALSO PRESENT:
Arthur Noriega, V, City Manager
Victoria Mendez, City Attorney
Todd B. Hannon, City Clerk
Chair King: And at this time, as I have done every commission meeting since I got elected, we
are going to start our meeting with prayer, and I am honored to have Reverend Doctor Jules
from the Haitian Emmanuel Baptist Church to lead us in prayer today.
Invocation delivered.
Chair King: Thank you. Commissioner Reyes, would you lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance,
please?
Pledge of Allegiance delivered.
Chair King: You may all be seated.
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Meeting Minutes
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PR - PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
PR.1
15547
PROTOCOL ITEM
Honoree
Presenter
Protocol Item
Miami Police Department's
Traffic Enforcement Unit/Motors
Specialized Operations Section
Mayor and Commissioners
Proclamation
Eduardo Garcia
City of Miami Fire Department
Life Saving Award
Pedro Saavedra
City of Miami Fire Department
Life Saving Award
Kristen Gurucharri
City of Miami Fire Department
Life Saving Award
RESULT:
PRESENTED
1) Mayor and Commissioners presented a Proclamation to the City of Miami's Traffic
Enforcement Unit/Motors Specialized Operations Section in recognition of the
numerous assignments they accomplished throughout 2023. These tasks included
various Traffic Enforcement Details, DUI Saturations, Gratis escorts, DUI
checkpoints, Presidential and Vice -Presidential escorts, dignitary escorts, school
demos, and parades to name a few. The Traffic Enforcement Unit's accomplishments
for 2023 are as follow: 25,046 Summons issued by Motors (Up 11 % from 2022), 243
DUI Arrests (Up 32% from 2022), 5 DUI Check Points, 12 DUI Saturations, 47
School Demos, 42 Gratis Escorts, 3 Presidential and Vice -Presidential Escorts, 43
Dignitary/Other Escorts, 9 Parades, 22 VMS Sign Details, 129 Special Details, 10
ARB Hearings and 2 Food Drives. Elected Officials paused in their deliberations to
recognize the outstanding accomplishments of the unit and celebrate them in earning
the distinguished Miami Police Department's March 2023 Unit Citation Award.
2) Mayor and Commissioners presented the 2024 Fire Department's Living Saving
Award to Firefighters Eduardo Garcia, Pedro Saavedra and Kristen Gurucharri for
saving the life of co-worker Jose Estrada. Elected Officials paused in their
deliberations to recognize these individuals for their acts of courage and outstanding
performance.
Chair King: -- meeting today is February 8th. It is our honor to be here to serve our
community. Happy Black History Month, for everyone that is here. We have some
proclamations, some recognitions that we would like to start the meeting with.
Welcome my colleague, Commissioner Manolo Reyes.
Commissioner Reyes: (INAUDIBLE).
Chair King: So happy for you to be here. My other colleagues will be joining me. I
know they hear myvoice and they're going to be corning out shortly. Mr. Mayor.
Presentations made.
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Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024
ORDER OF THE DAY
Chair King: I am joined today with my colleagues, Commissioner Miguel Gabela,
Commissioner Pardo, Commissioner Reyes, that I've already acknowledged. We are
going to begin this Commission meeting for February 8th. We will start with the
statement read into the record by our City Attorney.
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): Thank you, Madam Chair. Detailed information
about the process, order of business, rules of procedure, and scheduling,
rescheduling of City Commission meetings can be found in Chapter 2, Article 2 of
the City Code, a copy of which is available online at www.municode.com. 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 in 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 disclosures required
by the City Code in writing. A copy of the City Code section is available at the Office
of the City Clerk or online at 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 to the requested action pursuant to City Code Section 2-8. Any
documents offered to the City Commission 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 2-330 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 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 a.m.
and remain open until public comment is closed by the Chair. Members of public
wishing to address the body may do so by submitting written comments forms via the
online public comment form system. Please visit
www.miamigov.com/meetinginstructions for detailed instructions on how to provide
public comment using the online public comment form. The comments submitted
through the form have been and will be distributed to elected officials, their staff
and City Administration throughout the day so that the elected officials may 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, their staff and City Administration up until the Chair closes public
comment. Public comment may also be provided live at City Hall, located at 3500
Pan American Drive, Miami, Florida, subject to any and all City rules as may be
amended. If the proposition is being continued or rescheduled, the opportunity to be
heard may be at such a later date before the City Commission takes action on such
proposition. When addressing the City Commission, the member of the public must
first state their name, their 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 publics 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's Office on items on the agenda today. Anyone
wishing a verbatim record of an item considered at this meeting may request it at the
Office of Communications or view it online at www.miamigov.com. PZ (Planning
and Zoning) items shall proceed according to Section 7.1.4 of the Miami 21 Zoning
Ordinance. Parties for any PZ items, including any applicant, appellant, appellee,
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City staff, and any person recognized as a decision -making body as a qualified
intervenor, as well as the applicant's representatives, and any experts testifying on
behalf of the applicant, appellant, or appellee may be physically present at City Hall
to be sworn in by oath or affirmation by the City Clerk. The members of the City
Commission shall disclose any ex parte communications pursuant to Florida Statute
286.0115 and Section 7.1.4.5 of the Miami 21 Zoning Ordinance. The order of
presentation shall be as set forth in Miami 21 and the City Code. Staff will briefly
present each item to be heard. The applicant will present its application or request to
the City Commission. If the applicant agrees with the 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. For appeals, the appellant
will present its appeal to the City Commission followed by the appellee. Staff will be
allowed to make any recommendation they may have. Please silence all cell phones
and other noise -making devices at this time. This meeting can be viewed live on
Miami TV, the Citv's Facebook page, the City's Twitter page, the Citv's YouTube
channel, and Comcast Channel 77 for the City of Miami. The broadcast will also
have closed captioning. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you, Madam City Attorney. Mr. City Clerk, will you please read
your statement?
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Thank you, Chair. The procedures for individuals who
will be providing testimony to be sworn in for Planning and Zoning items and any
quasi-judicial items on today's City Commission agenda will be as follows: The
members of City staff or any other individuals required to be sworn in who are
currently present at City Hall will be sworn in by me, the City Clerk, immediately
after I finish explaining these procedures. Those individuals who are appearing
remotely may be sworn in now or at any time prior to the individual providing
testimony for Planning and Zoning items and/or quasi-judicial items.
Commissioners, are you comfortable with all the notice provisions set forth in these
uniform rules and procedures we have established for this meeting?
Chair King: Yes, thank you.
Mr. Hannon: Thank you, Chair. Chair, may I administer the oath for the Planning
and Zoning items?
Chair King: Please.
Mr. Hannon: Thank you. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, if you will be
speaking on any of today's Planning and Zoning items, the PZ items, 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: Thank you, Chair.
Chair King: Thank you, Todd, Mr. City Clerk.
Ms. Mendez: Madam Chair, we have a shade session today and I wanted to know if
you could give me an idea because we have our attorneys, outside counsel, present,
and we also have the court reporter that we need to have present. Do you have any
idea?
Chair King: Well, I'd like to get through a bit of our meeting. We have an Omni CRA
(Community Redevelopment Agency) meeting as well. I hope to do it before lunch,
but maybe it'll be after lunch. I hope to have it before lunch, though, but we'll see
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how -- I see a lot of people here that wish to be heard for our public comment period,
and I'd like to get through some of our agenda, at least, before we traverse into that
and have a reasonable lunchtime, because I don't need my, colleagues hangry while
we're trying to make decisions.
Ms. Mendez: So --
Chair King: I'm really speaking of myself. I'm blaming it on them.
Ms. Mendez: So, then in order just to -- could we do it right -- right after lunch,
then?
Chair King: If -- if it's not done before lunch, we will do it right after lunch, yes.
Commissioner Gabela: Madam -- Madam Chair, may I?
Chair King: Please.
Commissioner Gabela: So, regarding the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) RE.2 item, I --
there 's a lot of people here waiting for that item, but I'd like to defer that item.
Chair King: You'd like to -- oh, well I'm going to let the Manager -- I'm going to
have the Manager now give us an idea of what is going to be deferred. So, if you
could, Mr. Manager, let us know if there's any items that will be deferred or
withdrawn.
Arthur Noriega (City Manager): Good morning, Madam Chair, Commissioners,
Madam City Attorney, Mr. City Clerk. At this time, the Administration would like to
defer and/or withdraw the following items: PH.1 to be deferred to March 14th; RE.2
to be deferred to March 14th; PZ.3 to be deferred to March 14th; PZ.4 to be
indefinitely deferred; PZ.5 to be indefinitely deferred; PZ.7 to be deferred to March
14th; PZ.8 to be deferred to March 14th; PZ.9 to be deferred to February 22nd; and
PZ.10 to be deferred to February 22nd. That concludes the items.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning Vice Chair, how are you today? Do you
have any items that you would like to withdraw or defer?
Vice Chair Carollo: Not at this point in time.
Chair King: Okay. Commissioner Gabela, do you have --
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah.
Chair King: -- any other items?
Commissioner Gabela: Yes. I'd like to withdraw RE.3.
Chair King: Withdraw RE.3.
Ms. Mendez: Madam Chair, we also have the PZ.6, the City's medical marijuana
dispensary proposed ordinance.
Chair King: Yes.
Ms. Mendez: And do you have an idea whether you'll --
Chair King: We're going to get to that. Let me get through our deferrals and
withdrawals. Commissioner Pardo, do you have --
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Commissioner Pardo: Actually, 1'd like to defer that to February 22nd.
Chair King: PZ.6?
Commissioner Pardo: Yes.
Chair King: PZ.6, the --
Commissioner Pardo: Medical marijuana.
Chair King: -- medical marijuana. Okay, PZ.6 to be deferred. PZ.6. Until when?
Deferred until?
Commissioner Pardo: February 22nd.
Chair King: Okay. Is that it?
Commissioner Pardo: A little time to catch up.
Chair King: Okay. Commissioner Reyes, do you have any items that you would like
to --
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Chair King: Not at this time. May I have a motion to defer and/or withdraw the items
that were stated?
Commissioner Gabela: Motion.
Chair King: I have a motion and a second, all in favor -- Todd?
Commissioner Pardo: Aye.
Mr. Hannon: I just have a brief statement to read into the record regarding the
indefinite deferral of the PZ items. Pursuant to Section 62-22 of the City Code, an
indefinitely deferred action initiated by the City will cost the City mail noticing,
advertising, posting ofproperties as applicable. Thankyou, Chair.
Chair King: Thankyou.
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PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ALL ITEM(S)
15546 DISCUSSION ITEM
Office of the City
Clerk
PUBLIC COMMENTS SUBMITTED ONLINE BY MEMBERS OF THE
PUBLIC FOR THE FEBRUARY 8 , 2024, CITY COMMISSION
MEETING.
RESULT: PRESENTED
Chair King: And at this time, I will open the public comment period for those who
would like to speak on items that are before us. There was an item that was deferred,
and I think that affects many of you, RE.2. RE.2 was deferred for 3/14, so that item,
we won't be hearing that item today. It is not before us. So, there's no need to have
public -- if you're here for public comment, there's no need to speak on that item.
We'll see you again March 14th. Thank you for coming. Good morning, Elvis.
Elvis Cruz: Good morning, Commissioners. Commissioner Gabela.
Commissioner Gabela: Yes, sir.
Mr. Cruz: Please deny the upzoning on the Polish American Club property. The
Planning Department's report recommends --
Chair King: I'm sorry, Elvis. Elvis, could you identify the item so --
Mr. Cruz: Oh, I'm sorry --
Chair King: -- they don't have to look for it.
Mr. Cruz: -- PZ.1 and 2.
Chair King: PZ.1 and 2.
Mr. Cruz: The Planning Department's report recommends denial because it would
have "An adverse impact of intensity to the abutting single-family neighborhood, and
it could result in a traffic increase of approximately 10,400 daily trips and 1,500 p.m.
peak hour trips." If these developers want T6-8 land, there is plenty of other T6-8 land
in the city. This land abuts the single-family homes of Durham Park. Even the
existing T5, with a possible 81 feet of height, is already too tall. There is no
justification for this upzoning. Please, don't fall for whatever the latest political
camouflage maneuver is, be it affordable or workforce housing. Don't fall for a
Neville Chamberlain approach. If the City wants to induce developers to build low-
cost housing, give them a tax break. Don't do it at the expense of the character, and
scale, and quality of life of our neighborhoods. Remember, the City is already zoned
to allow eight times more housing units than were counted in the 2010 census. Please
do the right thing, the logical, legal, and common sense thing and deny this upzoning.
Also, Commissioner Pardo, thank you for your proposal to stop big digital billboards
in our parks. Billboards are visual pollution. I ask all of you to please stop those
billboards and protect our quality of life. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. One second for a comment. If we can have five persons at the
podium at a time. Fire Department has advised that we're blocking the exits. So, if
you can remain seated and allow only five persons per podium to be standing so that
we don't have a fire hazard. Thank you, thank you, thank you. My right side, that will
be my right side as well, can we have those persons over there clear the aisle, please?
Those who are not at the podium, would you please either exit the chambers or have a
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seat? I'm going to wait a second, because 1 want to be able to hear you when you
speak. Thank you. If you are in chambers, will you please have a seat? 1 think we're
almost ready. Good morning, ma'am, how are you today?
Nancy Lee: Good. My name is Nancy Lee and I would like 30 minutes of silence for
the Commissioners to make the right decision to -- that the people want on the
billboards, PZ.1, whatever. I'm going to start at 30 seconds, please, of silence. Okay. I
just want to say that those stupid museums don't belong in the park. The only reason
they're there is because we didn't want a baseball stadium and you were here,
Commissioner Carollo, when that was going on. So, we fought for the museums
because of the -- we didn't want another arena on the water. We gave them free land.
They already had free land. Well, that's not good. They already had free land
downtown, so this was not something they needed. So, we gave them free land. Why
do we care about giving them billboards so they can make more money? We do not
owe them. We gave them a windfall, and I think that I would like to see all of you
make the right decision, because we don't want to be another Las Vegas, another
Broadway, another Hong Kong, and you're opening the door.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Valerie Riles: Good morning, Madam Chairwoman, Commissioners, Valerie Riles.
17111 Northwest 16th Avenue, and I'd like to yield my time to Mr. Richard Milstein.
Chair King: Thank you.
Richard Milstein: Thank you, Ms. Riles.
Chair King: Good morning.
Mr. Milstein: Good morning, Madam Chair, Vice Chair, and Commissioners. I'm
Richard Milstein, I'm the chair of the trust board of directors of 42 community leaders
for the Arsht Center for Performing Arts, located at 1300 Biscayne Boulevard. Now
with me today are supports from the Arsht, if I could ask them, silently, to raise their
hands, they're used to applauding. We have a good number of people here supporting
our position today. Today, as the chair of the Arsht Center for the Performing Arts,
we're requesting a friendly amendment to the proposed ordinance, which is under 51-
15446, and then 52-15500, Ordinance Number 2-779. Which would amend and would
grandfather in the Arsht Center under the current ordinance and lift any moratorium
for the Arsht Center to complete the permitting process with the City as it relates to
signage. The presented draft of the ordinance indicates that three facilities, all of
which are in the city of Miami, as is the Arsht Center, are exempted. The Arsht Center
should be included in those exempt categories, as the Arsht Center is in an urban area,
not related to parks or to -- to relate to residential facilities. The closest residential
facility is 500 feet through the signature bridge. There are no other residential areas
where we're proposing. We are in the Art and Culture District of Miami, which has
been created and developed since the construction of the Arsht Center. The Arsht
Center has relied on the current existing ordinance by considering signage on its
campus, which would assist in educating and promoting cultural awareness, and
opening the doors of the Arsht Center to our community, to the fabulous world of the
performing arts. Iconic buildings like the Arsht Center can act as barriers, and the
messages on the signs would educate the public to the availability of the Arsht Center
to everyone. Our annual report -- if you haven't seen a copy, we'll get you another
one, can -- which we can furnish to you, demonstrates the impact that the Arsht
Center has now not only in Miami, but in South Florida, and worldwide
performances. Give you a quick example, we've had 287,090 people attend last year.
We've had 426 -- 4,261 artists perform, 45 percent of them are the citizens of Miami.
We've had donated hours of volunteer time of 23,842 and served 71,151 students in
2003 [sic]. The Arsht Center has, across the county, performed 108 performances.
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Additionally, the revenue of the -- of the Arsht Center -- the revenue from the Arsht
Center, we monetized and asked our CEO (Chief Executive Officer) who will be
speaking, to figure out how to monetize better. So, the signage helps monetize the
operations of the Arsht Center and permits us to continue the educational
programming to every public student in Miami -Dade County, during their tenure in --
in the school system and permit us to have our community engagement beyond our
walls and open up to the city of Miami. Today, I ask you for your vote to amend the
current pending ordinance to include the exception of the Arsht Center, and to exempt
the Arsht Center Campus from the moratorium on the permitting process and allow us
to proceed with our contract. The Arsht Center has submitted our preliminary
documentations for a permit, as has PAMM (Perez Art Museum Miami), which is
under construction. We need to proceed with the project through the cultural and
educational benefit of our community and the connectivity to our community. So, I
invite you, come and be our guest. Tour not only our campus, but behind the scenes,
in the innerworkings of the Arsht Center. Meet our staff of 120 people.
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Milstein: Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Aric Kurzman: Good morning, Madam Chairwoman. Good morning, Commissioners.
Aric Kurzman, 268 Northwest 45th Street, 33127, appearing on behalf of Adrienne
Arsht Center in connection with Item FR (First Reading) 15416, Ordinance 2779. 1
would like to yield the remainder of my time to the gentleman behind me, please.
Johann Zietsman: Thank you, Aric. Good morning, Madam Chair. Good morning,
Commissioners. My name is Johann Zietsman, I'm the president and CEO of the
Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Boulevard. We're just getting the -- good?
Thank you. Thank you for allowing the community an opportunity to provide
feedback regarding FR 15416, the repeal of Section 2779. I will be referring to some
renderings, which we have handed out to commissioners. I hope you have received
them. It will also be on the screen. As reflected in Rendering 1, if 1 refer you to
Rendering 1, the proposed Arsht Center digital sign faces 1-395, and the side of the
new signature bridge, which will also be illuminated. It does not shine into any nearby
residential buildings. In fact, the nearest residential building is more than 500 feet
away. The planned digital sign is located at the Arsht Center, is intentionally located
away from residential units and focused on the east/west traffic of I-95. As reflected
in the rendering, Rendering 1, our signs are on our campus and not in or adjacent to
any park. It is an urban setting. The Arsht has reviewed the Commission's light
studies, and we are satisfied that light from the Arsht signage will not disturb area
neighbors. Moving on to Rendering Number 2. This rendering shows our signs in
context, with the -- in context with the signature bridge and the Arsht. As you can see,
the bridge is brightly lit up, lighting from the bridge and traffic on 1-395, will far
exceed light emitted by our sign, which is small in comparison. Moving on to Image
3. As you can see in this image, we currently have a static vinyl sign stuck onto our
building that is not effective or economical. These signs only show one activity at the
time, sometimes for weeks, until they can be replaced. The quality of these signs does
not reflect the iconic nature of our world -class facility, where we do more than 450
different performances a year, and we can hardly do that one at a time. We proposed -
- moving on to the next image, Image 4. We proposed replacing this vinyl sign with
digital signs shown in this rendering. The signs were designed by the same
architectural firm that designed the Arsht Center, Pelli Clarke Pelli. They are both
functional and aesthetically pleasing, complementing the building's architecture. And
the final rendering shows the sensitive sculptural nature of the pedestal design,
complementing the Gary Moore design Pharoah's Dance art installation, and
providing a pleasant pedestrian experience. It's our understanding that the proposed
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Arsht signage is consistent with FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation)
regulations. Our permit application to the City has been submitted in good faith. We
ask that you not make the Arsht Center an unintended victim by repealing an
ordinance that has already been approved by the City Commission. Please grandfather
us in under the conditions of the existing ordinance, 2779, thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Beba Mann: Good morning, Madam Chair, and Commissioners. My name is Beba
Mann, I am a resident and homeowner of Silver Bluff and I'm here to speak on FR.1
and also DL.1 [sic]. Quickly on the FR.1, I'm not a fan of digital billboards, but at the
same time, I'm not here to speak against the item. I'm here to just say that it's a little
bit of -- of hypocrisy to read out there that Commissioner Eileen Higgins supports this
repeal because it's a City -- it's a County funded -- PAMM. And here I have a memo
from yesterday, where they're now going -- the County Commissioners are going now
to the second hearing because they already did the first, so the second hearing, there's
no public comments, where they're having an ordinance put in so that they can have
commercial advertisement along the Underline, and these signs are going to be as
large as 950 square feet. The current -- their current limit is 750, so they're increasing
their signs under the Underline by 200 feet -- square feet. I'm happy to give this to --
pass it on.
Commissioner Gabela: Pardo.
Ms. Mann: Oh, 1 got a beep. I'm sorry.
Chair King: You have 30 more seconds.
Ms. Mann: Okay --
Chair King: Todd, could you make a copy of this for all of us?
Ms. Mann: -- so I'm really concerned that this is happening in -- in parallel with
what's going on tonight, and this is something that Commissioner Higgins is
supporting. And I just want to say something right now, that 1 am so thankful for
Commissioner Carollo standing up to Commissioner Higgins at the -- for the Silver
Bluff homeowners benefit, because she told us that our traffic issues are based on us
procreating and also that --
Chair King: Thank you.
Ms. Mann: -- we have -- the traffic issue --
Chair King: Thank you.
Ms. Mann: -- okay.
Chair King: Good morning.
Monique McCartney: Good morning, Madam Chairwoman, Commissioners. My
name is Monique McCartney, 1300 Biscayne Boulevard, and I'm here regarding item
FR.1, 15416, and wish to yield my time to Ms. Evelyn Greer.
Chair King: Thank you.
Evelyn Greer: Good morning, Commissioners and colleagues, and on the other of this,
Evelyn Greer, 5900 Southwest 97th Street, Miami, Florida. It's my pleasure to be here
on behalf of the board, as a board member of the Arsht Performing Arts Center, to
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speak to you about the issue of our sign. The larger issue of these signs belongs in
your jurisdiction, and we respect the process that you're going to go through in
dealing with this problem, but as Obi -Wan Kenobi said, "These are not the droids you
are looking for." We don't shine in any neighbor, we don't offend any resident, we
were extremely careful in making sure not just that we don't shine into the
condominiums on Biscayne Boulevard, but we don't shine into the homeowners in
Overtown, which is our neighborhood. Whether you live in a two-story cinderblock or
you live in a million dollar condo, we are not going to be shining in your windows.
We'd like to under -- have the Commission deal with us as a unique entity. We rely
on these signs for our revenue stream. We served 300,000 people last year. The City
of Miami happens to be the second larger buyer of tickets at the Adrienne Arsht
Center, of all of Miami -Dade County, which is pretty interesting. So, we're serving
your residents, we serve the people of Miami -Dade County, but we are not the
problem that these good people have come down here to object to. We are not causing
a problem in a park. We are not taking public property. Our sign's on our property.
Our sign is carefully calibrated. You've got this giant bridge coming over, and you've
got our sign looking at that bridge. We want to talk to the tourists, the workers going
to Miami Beach, the residents going back and forth. We want somebody driving home
to say, "This weekend, Hispanic Heritage Festival, Jazz Roots, ballet, Broadway. Cool
I want to go." Our ticket sales go like this. They go long, they go long, they go long,
and whoop, Thursday and Friday, everybody buys tickets for the weekend. That's
Miami. We want to see what's going on and then we make our decisions. That sign
faces the hundreds of thousands of people that go back and forth on Interstate 395. It
does not offend good neighbors who are here with genuine concerns about signs.
You'll deal with that, we're happy for you to do so, but we are not that problem.
Please treat us in a nuanced way. Our sign has been submitted for permit, we've
signed a contract, we're on the road. We were super careful to make sure that we
would not be the object of this well-intentioned and reasonable problem. So, please,
we would ask you to be deliberate and exclude us from this process that you're going
to undertake, which is a very legitimate process. I was on the other side of the dais
from you. I understand neighborhood issues. I ask you to consider us uniquely and
different because we are not the problem you are addressing today, and we don't want
to get thrown out of our rights for no basic reason. If we were a problem, fine, but
we're ready to meet the standard that we don't shine into anyone's window, there's no
building around us for 500 feet. Thank you and good luck.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Jumaane N'namdi: Good -- good morning, my name is Jumaane N'namdi, I'm the
director of the N'namdi Contemporary Fine Art, there in Little Haiti, and I'm also on
the board of Adrienne Arsht, but I'm really here for personal reasons in terms of the
sign. I think we're missing the people that this sign really affects, and it's not the
neighbors, because we already know that doesn't shine in their face, it's really all the
kids. The kids in the areas around Miami, that the Adrienne Arsht loves to service,
and they really have had -- almost 100,000 people have come there free. Almost 100 -
- 70 -- 70 -- 75 people -- students have been serviced last year. So, this money is not
just so that we can do fancier things, this is so that we can service -- Miami is now an
art town, whether you like it or not, this is an art town. People need to know what's
going on in the arts. So, not only does it service them financially -- like, service the
Arsht Center financially so that the children can come to the museums, free, there's
also for those tourists, for me, driving down the streets, seeing what's going on,
because our name will be out there in lights as well. So, I think we need to not get so
tight on this is affecting something that it's really not affecting, and really go out and
say how many children can this help? How many communities can now come to the
Arsht for free because we have a revenue stream, that we're going to end up here
anyway, it may be 10 years from now just because technology is changing, things are
changing, not because we're going to pressure you, just because the world changes,
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and by then we would've missed out on $10 million or so. So, let's do it now, let's
make it happen. 1 think that was a buzz. Alright, cool.
Chair King: It was your 30-second buzz.
Mr. N'namdi: Oh.
Chair King: So, you get notice at 30 seconds --
Mr. N'namdi: 1 don't do this. See, that's why 1 said --
Chair King: But you're -- but you're --
Mr. N'namdi: -- I only come out here for this so.
Chair King: -- but you are very succinct --
Mr. N'namdi: Thank you.
Chair King: -- in your expression and your support for the Arsht Center.
Mr. N'namdi: Have a wonderful day. Thank you all.
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. N'namdi: Alright.
Chair King: Thank you for corning. Good morning.
Jay Solowsky: Good morning, Madam Chairwoman and Commissioners, my name is
Jay Solowsky. I reside at 2127 Brickell Avenue. I stand before you both individually
and also on behalf of the Brickell Homeowners Association. We oppose FR.1 and
FR.2. Brickell Homeowners consists of 40 condominium buildings, comprised of
7,569 apartments. The average apartment has approximately two or so adults. That's
over 15,000 people. We also have 38 businesses that are members. I have passed out a
letter that 1 would like to read into the record. I write this letter on behalf of the
Brickell Homeowners Association to communicate our support for the immediate
installations at Perez Art Museum and Adrienne Arsht Center. As passionate members
of downtown, we are eager for projects that enhance the neighborhood, amplify the
impact of public art, promote the programming within the art institutions, and
generate revenue to fund arts and culture. Further, the renderings that we received of
the projects were creative, aesthetically appealing, and fit well with the ethos of each
organization. We also appreciate that the proposed projects meet the illumination
requirements in the Code and will not create light impact on the neighborhood
buildings. Please allow this letter to serve as our request for you to oppose FR.1 and
FR.2. We are a great city. We are becoming a greater city. We need to support the
culture and the arts that are endemic to being a great city, and that is the PAMM and
that is the Arsht. Thank you very much.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Kristen Browde: Good morning, Kristen Browde, 888 Biscayne Boulevard, a member
of the parks commission -- committee of the Downtown Neighborhood Association.
We love our friends and neighbors at the Arsht, but we think their sign proposal, like
this proposal for the massive sign that is already being built in our neighborhood, are
immensely detrimental to our neighborhood. The people who live in this area, who are
not the people in Brickell, who are not the people farther away, are dead set opposed
to this. This will hurt our quality of life. We want a thriving downtown, we love our
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parks, we love what the people do downtown. Some of us even like Ultra. Not many,
but some. But we are very grateful to Commissioner Pardo and for those of you who
are seriously considering the way we live. Now the way we live is not like the people
who live in Times Square. It is not like the people who live in Las Vegas. I moved
here from New York. I know what Times Square is like. Very close and personal. I
worked down there. That's not what we want in our neighborhood. And you will hear
from a variety of people from the Downtown Neighborhood Association that there is a
coalition, including responsible sign companies. The responsible members of the
Outdoor Advertising Association are dead set opposed to this. Please do not create a
monster in our neighborhood. Please stop the construction that is already underway.
There are already massive panels going up that will shine directly into our windows.
Please stop it. We love the Arsht. We want to go to their shows, but they're doing fine
right now. They talked about it. They said 300,000 people come there. Do they really
need this'? I don't think so.
Chair King: Good morning.
Alexander Rubin: Good morning, my name is Alex Rubin. I live in Downtown Miami
at 100 Northwest 6th Street. I have a short and sweet statement for you. I am here to
speak in opposition of items FR.1 and FR.2, and to communicate my support for the
media installations at the Perez Art Museum Miami and the Adrienne Arsht Center.
As a resident of downtown, I am eager for projects that truly enhance the
neighborhood, amplify the impact of public art, promote the programming within the
Arsht Institution, and generate additional revenue to fund arts and culture. 1 also
appreciate that the proposed projects will not create light impact on the neighboring
buildings as they are far enough away. Please vote against FR.1 and FR.2. Thank you
very much for your time.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Jose Mejia: Good morning, Madam Chair. My name is Jose Mejia. I'm a process
server. Joe Carollo, I have a summons complaint for you to have you removed from
office for violating the City Chair [sic].
Chair King: Sir. Sir.
Mr. Mejia: You can accept service -- yes, ma'am?
Chair King: Please step away from the podium.
Mr. Mejia: Okay, I'm leaving the summons here.
Chair King: That is not on the agenda. If you are here to do a service --
Mr. Mejia: I'm leaving the summons here.
Chair King: -- process, please do that -- step to the side --
Mr. Mejia: Alright, it's here.
Chair King: -- thank you.
Mr. Mejia: Thank you. Thank you, Joe Carollo, good luck.
Chair King: Good morning.
Mark Rosenblum: Good morning, Mark Rosenblum, chief operating officer of Perez
Art Museum Miami, PAMM, 1103 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, Florida, 33132. I am
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here in opposition of FR.1 and FR.2. 1 want to start by thanking this Commission and
City for the past, present, and future support of Miami's flagship art museum. 1 stood
before you two weeks ago with my colleagues reminding you of PAMM's 40 year
history, our world -class reputation, our continued commitment towards art education,
our presentation of museum quality art inside the building, outside the building, and
digitally. Our greatest piece of art is our Herzog and de Meuron design facility, built
for our community and beyond. Now, 10 years old, it is critical we have the capital
dollars to keep it operating and looking like new. The digital sculpture designed by
Arquitectonica is the sole source of funding for these non -operating expenses. 100
percent of our capital budget is the revenue produced from this project. We have
relied on the approved City building permit to construct this sign. We have counted on
this new revenue stream. We have depended on the City to keep its word and support
the arts. We employ over 200 people in this community. We have done wonders for
the property values in our area. We are Miami's museum, so please amend the
proposed amendment to allow PAMM to finish its project. Please, eliminate the
moratorium to exclude PAMM from its restrictions. Thank you again for honoring
your word and allowing our flagship art museum to look and function at its very best.
Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Rick Madan: Good morning, Madam Chair, Commissioners, my name is Rick Madan,
1 am the president of the Biscayne Neighborhood Association. 1 represent thousands
of wonderful residents of Edgewater. On their behalf, I respectfully urge you to
support Commissioner Pardo's modifications to the City Code regarding outdoor
digital boards. We firmly believe that the current ordinance, specifically Agenda Item
FR.1, poses significant disadvantages to our community and should be significant --
amended or rescinded. You know, this ordinance was introduced in 2023 by Alex de
la Portilla [sic] when he was District 2 commissioner --
Chair King: Sir. Sir, hold on one second. The Fire Department has asked that we have
only five persons at the lectern at a time so that we do not create a fire hazard. Could
we please not block the aisles? Thank you. Go ahead, you didn't lose any time. Go
ahead.
Mr. Meda: Thank you, Madam Chair. So, again, this ordinance was introduced in
2023 by Alex de la Portilla [sic] when there was no District 2 commissioner at the
time to represent the interests of the residents and businesses in the impacted areas.
Alex de la Portilla [sic] received significant contributions from outdoor advertising
special interest to support legislation for these oversized and extra height structures.
Now, what are the concerns with the 2023 ordinance? Visual intrusion, property
values, especially by the Arsht Center. The proposed 1,800 square foot digital
billboard would create an undeniable visual intrusion and negatively impact the
aesthetics of our city. Studies have shown that structures can decrease property
values, a matter of crucial concern for many homeowners and businesses in the area.
Health and environmental impact. The light emitted by LED (Light Emitting Diode)
billboards can disrupt sleep patterns, negatively impact wildlife, and contribute to
light pollution. These factors can significantly decrease the quality of life for residents
and harm our environment. Potential legal and financial issues. We have concerns that
these billboards may violate existing State and Federal laws. Should future litigation
arise, the City could risk losing millions in federal transportation funding. Now --
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Meda: -- we commend Commissioner Pardo --
Chair King: Thank you. Thank you.
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Mr. Meda: I thought 1 --
Chair King: You didn't lose any time, your time is up now. Thank you.
Mr. Meda: The only thing I would like to add is the people who are in favor of this,
how many actually live in town?
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Meda: I'll bet you none.
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Meda: I live in the town. Please, support it. Thank you.
Chair King: Good morning.
Rose Ellen Greene: Good morning. My name is Rose Ellen Greene. I am a former
past president of the PAMM museum, which when I first joined was the Center for
the Fine Arts, and then the Miami Art Museum, and I'm also the chairwoman of the
Building and Grounds Committee of the Perez Art Museum Miami, at 1103 Biscayne
Boulevard. I am here today in opposition to FR.1, FR.2. I've been in Miami over 50
years. 1 mean, 1 guess that makes me a pioneer. We were considered a cultural
wasteland there and now look at us. We are, you know, leading in so many disciplines
around the world. And we are also proud to have a world -class museum, such as
PAMM, which is the crown jewel of our city, and admired around the world. For the
past 20 years, I have been to this Commission and the County Commission because
I've led the planning, design, and construction of PAMM, and I've devoted my efforts
to ensuring its financial disability. The PAMM digital sign that's being discussed
today took years of meticulous planning and execution to get to this point. So, it's
surprising to me and disappointing after all these years that we are again being
challenged so close to completion. I want to remind people that PAMM and OBM
(Orange Barrel Media) have always worked in good faith with the City of Miami,
following all the requirements of the City and the State. After public discussion,
which was, you know, notified to all the citizens of our community, the City
Commission passed an ordinance to clear a path for construction and completion of
the digital sign in January 2023. That was more than a year ago. The building permit
was issued in October '23, and tremendous efforts have been made to deliver this
digital structure that will accomplish the following: it will connect PAMM to its
communities --
Chair King: Thank you.
Ms. Greene: Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Brooke Sussman: Good morning, Chairwoman King, may I speak on an item that's
been deferred?
Chair King: No.
Ms. Sussman: Okay.
Chair King: Thank you. I'll see you on the 14th.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair, but if I can just get the speaker's name since
they did make comments. Can I just have your name for the record?
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Ms. Sussman: Oh, I'm sorry, I'm Brooke Sussman, and 1 live at 2705 Hilola Street.
Chair King: But I'll see you on the 14th.
Ms. Sussman: We'll be here.
Chair King: Thank you.
Ms. Sussman: Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Therese Vento: Good morning, my name is Therese Vento, general counsel of the
Perez Art Museum Miami, 1103 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, Florida, 33132. And
I've lived in Miami for more than 40 years, so I'm a supporter of the museum and
Arsht on this. I'm here in opposition to Agenda Items FR.1 and 2, and the issue of
digital signs is no doubt a passionate one. The residents in the condos on Biscayne
Boulevard, who overlook where the digital signs in Ferre and Bayfront parks would
directly face them have been passionately seeking to prevent those signs from even
starting to be built. But passionate opposition to other signs, like PAMM and Arsht,
that do not face the residents, and in PAMM's instance, has already been largely
completed, is misplaced passion. The job of this Commission is to make a decision in
a careful and thoughtful way that does not let misplaced passion lead it to a legally
perilous decision that will expose the City to significant liability. Please, do not throw
the baby out with the bathwater. The risk of violating the museum's vested interest
after reliance on the City's allowing the sign is real. And as you have heard, PAMM
and Arsht supporters are passionate too, and have come today to show their support.
We -- our need for the revenue to be generated by the digital signs to meet their
missions and maintain their premises as the shining, cultural jewels of the city is real.
It is important to have a true understanding of what the PAMM sign facing I-395 will
look like when complete. I will be showing, or you will have received, a copy of what
the sign looks like upon completion. It is actually quite sculptural and will likely
become iconic in time. So, PAMM passionately urges you to do the right thing legally
by exempting PAMM and Arsht from the ordinance now under consideration and
moratorium. Because preventing the PAMM sign from being completed and operating
will create immediate and consequential harm, and nobody --
Chair King: Thank you.
Ms. Vento: -- wants that. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Kearey Wan: Good morning, my name is Kearey Wan, address 3001 Southwest 4th
Avenue. I'm here in opposition to FR.1 and FR.2. I understand the composition of the
Commission has changed recently and there's a movement to change how business is
done in the city. 1 applaud that, but items FR.1 and FR.2 represent the same old
mistakes that can lead to failures in court that have citizens left to pay the bill. There's
a right way and a wrong way to do things, and FR.1 and FR.2 represent the -- the
wrong way, the old way. Make changes that might address real problems and not
these billboards that are facing highways. I encourage the Commission to make
positive changes, and that entails voting down FR.1 and FR.2. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Franklin Sirmans: Good morning. Good morning, Madam Chair, Commissioners,
thank you for all you do. It's incredible to be in here this morning looking at our first
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responders. 1 speak to you as the director of the Perez Art Museum Miami. 1 come to
support my friends and colleagues who have already spoken. We are in the heart of
something very special, downtown Miami, an arts and culture district, Heat Arena, the
Arsht, the Frost, it goes on. We are in the middle of something incredibly special that
is growing. Yes, we acknowledge we have a community that surrounds us and we
want to be here for them as well. We also are a museum, as my friend spoke to, that
seeks to reach all of Miami and beyond, and to bring people to the museum who are
not as fortunate to have those experiences. That takes time and it takes money. We
also are in a district with 100,000 students at MDC (Miami Dade College). It's an
incredibly vibrant place, with beautiful Maurice A. Ferre Park, with several sculptures
that have filled out the space between the arena and ourselves. We look to support
these gems. And as my colleague mentioned, all of the proceeds that PAMM receives
from this initiative go towards our non -operational expenses in order to keep our
campus and our building looking new. We want to be the shining beacon that the
residents across the street look forward to with absolute pride, and we're here to do
that with them, but we also believe, thoroughly, that we should be considered
differently from any other conversation about billboard signs in Downtown Miami.
We are, as has been mentioned, particularly positioning these signs for the east/west
traffic of the signature bridge. The signature bridge. You saw the large pink arch that
will go across that area. The light from our sign is much less. We have all of the light
studies that show it does not do anything near what the signature bridge will do. We
just want to be part of the crown jewel that we're all developing here in downtown
Miami. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Hannon: Chair, if I can just have the speaker's name. Sir, if I could just have your
name for the record? Sir?
Chair King: Can you give the name -- your name for the record?
Mr. Sirmans: Franklin Sirmans, director of the Perez Art Museum Miami.
Chair King: Good morning.
Jonathan Kornberg: Morning. My naive is Jonathan Kornberg. I live downtown at
1100 South Miami Ave. I'm here to speak in opposition to items FR.1 and FR.2.
There's a narrative that everyone who lives downtown is in opposition to the new
digital signs at PAMM and the Arsht. However, the people that have been
complaining are a small, but vocal minority. The proposed signs at PAMM and Arsht
contribute to the flourishing arts and culture scene in Downtown Miami, only adding
to its liveliness. As a resident of downtown, I am eager to see projects like this that
will enhance our city, amplify the impact of public art, contribute to commerce, and
generate programming within the art institutions. Further, the signs are far away from
residential buildings, and I'm not concerned about light impact on any of these
communities. Not to mention, the signature bridge which is being built adjacent to the
sign will be far bigger and brighter. Even then, it will only add to the beautiful
destination Miami is and contributes -- and continues to become. I'm confident that
the City of Miami will greatly benefit from this partnership between OBM, PAMM,
and Arsht, this sign being the first of many great large format accomplishments to
come. Please vote against FR.1 and FR.2. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good -- I think we have the problem again with the line and
the blocking of the aisles. Guys, can we --? The Fire Department is trying to clear the
aisle. Good morning, sir, how are you today?
Gene Stearns: Madam Chair, Commissioners, my name is Gene Stearns. My office is
150 West Flagler. I live on Key Biscayne and I'm proud to say that our Key Biscayne
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Fire Department's partnership with the greatest Fire Department in the western world
has allowed us to have the second best fire department in the western world because
of our relationship with the City of Miami. My grandfather started the City of Miami
Planning Department in 1927 and served as planning director until 1954. I have roots
in this city that go back longer than most and have enjoyed it my entire life. I must
say, I've never been to a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous, but they begin, I'm told,
or at least I saw it on television, with a prayer. Lord, give me the power to change
what I can and give me the strength to understand what I can't. And so, you're here
today with the power to change the future. What you can't do is change the past. A
good friend, Bill Sodowsky (phonetic), the late Bill Sodowsky told me -- we were
childhood friends -- when he was in public office that a bad idea from my best friend
is a bad idea. A good idea from my worst enemy is a good idea. it's often times in
today's politics, we forget the source of ideas and we confuse that with what the ideas
really are. In this case, you have two of the finest cultural institutions in Dade County
that want these signs. The architecture was approved by their architects. Their
aesthetic standards have been established. You are not the FDOT. FDOT makes its
rules. They can enforce their rules. But you understand that millions of dollars have
been invested in decisions you made that Commissioner Reyes, for example, you
opposed.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes, I did.
Mr. Stearns: But you can't change -- and you can't change the past, what you can
change is the future. And so, you have to recognize that exempting these two fine
cultural institutions must be occurring, and 1 will be happy to go back to my office
and close this file.
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Stearns: Thank you very much.
Chair King: Good morning.
Kenneth Gordon: Good morning, Madam Chair, Commissioners. My name is
Kenneth Gordon, I live on Venetian Drive, City of Miami, and have so for 40 years
now. I also represent the Venetian Way Neighborhood Alliance. In 1982, a film Blade
Runner was released, set in what was described as a derelict and neon -laced decayed
city, 30 years in the future. Now, 30 years later, we're beginning to see that prediction
come true, with the City Centre, and massive billboards, unabated advertising on our
buildings, water ways, roadways, and even in our parks. A pathway to urban -- decay,
or as Ridley Scott described it, a Hong Kong on a bad day. We're not Times Square,
we're not the Vegas Strip, or Hong Kong. I just thought of something, we have some
great art institutions in this city. We also have great art institutions in like the city of
New York. Metropolitan Museum. Lincoln Center. You don't see massive billboards
there; you see very simple advertisements. Metropolitan Museum puts up one banner
over its front door. Not electric, it is cloth, and it flows for the period, advertising one
particular item, the current new exhibition. I truly hope you see the light, or don't see
the lights, and support FR.1, FR.2.
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Gordon: Thank you.
Chair King: Good morning.
Melody Torrens: Good morning, Commissioners, thank you. My name is Melody
Torrens. I live at 2080 Northwest l3th Street, in the lovely Miami riverfront
neighborhood of Durham Park. I'm happy to be here today to speak to you about the
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potential upzoning for the Polish American Club. Polish American Club has been a
good neighbor to Durham Park for many years. They fell in disrepair. The building
was turned down -- torn down, and it's been sitting vacant for quite a few years now.
They are looking for an upzoning to T6-8, which is kind of big for our neighborhood
on 22nd Avenue, and I'd like to be able to say that I would be in favor of the project,
but there are four conditions that I think would be extremely important for this project
to move forward. I would like to see the project be restricted by covenant to no more
than eight stories. I would like it also that the Polish American Club Organization will
have space in the project at all times, whether an office space, or something, some sort
of presence, to protect the fact that it is the Polish American Club. A 20 percent set -
aside for workforce housing. And most importantly, that this project would not come
back before PZAB (Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board) or the Commission to ask
for an upzoning for a minimum of 36 months. Our concern in the neighborhood is that
the -- the project will receive a T6-8 zoning, and immediately go back on the market
and be requesting an upzoning 12 months to a larger project that would be so out of
scale. The big concern of us in the neighborhood is traffic. The 22nd Avenue bridge
was in -- was very overcrowded when the 17th Avenue bridge was broken for about 6
months. We were so backed up it would take a half hour to get from Northwest 7th
Street to my street, which is Northwest 13th Street. It was gridlock. And we know that
the 17th Avenue bridge is going to be out of service for several years while it's being
rebuilt. And then after that --
Chair King: Thank you.
Ms. Torrens: -- the 22nd Avenue bridge.
Chair King: Thank you.
Ms. Torrens: So, please consider this with restrictions. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Doug Roberts: Good morning, thank you, honorable members of the City Council.
My name is Dr. Doug Roberts, I'm the CEO (Chief Financial Officer) and president
of the Frost Museum of Science, at 1101 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami. I'm here in
support of FR.1, FR.2, and to let the -- you Commissioners know that we strongly
oppose the digital billboards in our -- in our area. T refer to an email more on the legal
issues that I submitted to City counsel and I will also leave it with the Clerk if I can
enter that into the record. But today, for my few moments, I'd like to just speak about
the historical context of these digital billboards when they came -- they came into the
ideas in Miami. In 2020, we were approached at Frost Science to be a location for one
of these digital billboards by Orange Barrel Media, and we reviewed this carefully,
looking at its -- its potential impact to our community, neighborhoods, and also the
spirit of exploration and content that we want to focus upon and interaction with our
museum. And our trustees, in our discussions, we decided against it. And so I'm
totally sympathetic with other museums, and we all are in the same boat of needing
more money to make and amplify our good services, and both Arsht and PAMM are
amazing cultural assets to the city, as is Frost Science, but there are kind of the right
way and the wrong way to go about trying to get funding for these sort of projects,
and being considerate and making sure they integrate in with the mission is just so
important in these -- in these categories, and so, in this -- in this manner, although I'm
sympathetic to the need for revenue to do great things, I -- I would ask that we -- we
not make this the way that revenue is generated. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Keith Biggins: Good morning. My name is Keith Biggins, I support FR.1 and FR.2, as
is. I oppose it, the digital billboards, and my reason is this: I'm going to give you food
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for thought; just think about all the casualties that you see in makeshift memorials
from people texting and driving. So now, if you add that big digital billboard, they're
going to text and drive, they're going to look up and get distracted. You're going to
have more casualties, more makeshift memorials, and I understand that the wealthy
only care about getting wealthier, but we talking about human lives at risk. So, my
food for thought is this, we don't realize, or face reality, until when our family or love
members, loved ones become that casualty, that we have to put that makeshift
memorial out just for a billboard, and just for wealth. So, with that said, thank you for
your time.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Evan Neustater: Good morning. My name is Evan Neustater, I live at 2150 North
Bayshore Drive, in the Edgewater neighborhood. I'm here to speak in opposition of
FR.1 and FR.2. I am a season ticket holder of the Arsht Center I think one of the best
parts about living in Edgewater is the Arsht Center. I support initiatives that help
increase the cultural institutions that we love so very much here in Miami, especially
in our neighborhood. Additionally, by repealing the laws that allow the Arsht Center
to get these permits, to get these authorizations to build, I fear that there may be a risk
of litigation that ultimately would be passed on to the cost of the taxpayers, and that
includes all of us in that room. So, I am here to speak in opposition of FR.1 and 2.
Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Cecilia Tavera: Good morning, Cecilia Tavera, 2 Grove Isle Drive, Apartment 1405,
Coconut Grove, Florida, 33133. I would like to yield my two minutes to Grant Stern,
who will speak for me as a city of Miami resident. Thank you.
Chair King: Good morning.
Grant Stern: Good morning. My name is Grant Stern, I reside at 425 Northeast 22nd
Street, and I wanted to speak in favor of FR.1 and FR.2 and thank Commissioner
Pardo for bringing these items on behalf of the previously unrepresented District 2.
I'd like to say that the City has a mechanism already to support the arts. It is called
appropriations, and this is the body, the proper body to do so. The City should not sell
our quality of life in order to support cultural institutions by degrading them with
commercial advertising. And moreover, today's less -- today is a lesson in why these
kind of projects are corrupting to our civic institutions. As the esteemed Mr. Stearns
said, the parties involved have invested millions. Now, I don't know about you, but a
charitable organization is not an investment organization, it is not a hedge fund, it is
not a commercial REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust), it is here to serve the public,
and to operate the cultural institutions that we, the people, have funded, and created,
and donors have also used the charitable spirit to establish and to continuously fund.
I'm here today as a neighbor, but I'm also a member of a charitable organization, a
501(c)(3) non-profit named the New World School of the Arts Alumni Foundation,
and our small group, for which I served as an executive board member for five years,
raises $40,000 a year for scholarships for New World School of the Arts students,
annually. There are 5,000 members of our group, but we don't go and sell off the very
thing, the cultural use, the quality of this -- our events, or anything. We don't sell
anything. We go looking for people interested in the charitable spirit. And speaking of
the charitable spirit, I looked through the speaker forms and I only saw one registered
lobbyist, and that was an attorney, but I saw many people speaking on behalf of
PAMM and Arsht who are high paid executives, who should be registered lobbyists
today. This is a problem in front of this board and it needs to be corrected. They are
not the only people here claiming to be here in the name of charity, yet they are
investing in a commercial project seeking to make profit, okay? A few weeks ago, on
an item that was deferred today, we saw the Centners here, without registering as
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lobbyists, despite having paid a quarter million dollars in bribes and hired a lobbyist
to get a --
Chair King: Sir --
Mr. Stern: I'm just talking about lobbying related to this --
Chair King: Okay, but that's --
Mr. Stern: -- how there are unregistered lobbyists.
Chair King: -- lobbying -- okay, stick to --
Mr. Stern: May I reclaim my time, please?
Chair King: -- FR.1. No. Stick to the subject at hand.
Mr. Stern: Thank you, Madam.
Chair King: Thank you so much.
Mr. Stern: So, what we have going on here is a series of unregistered lobbyists asking
to support a commercial --
Chair King: Sir, that is not --
Mr. Stern: I'm talking about the billboards.
Chair King: -- that is not on the item. Stick your --
Mr. Stern: We have unregistered lobbyists representing this item.
Chair King: That is not -- unregistered lobbyists --
Mr. Stern: On FR.2, they're opposing it.
Chair King: Sir, unregistered lobbyists/registered lobbyists is not before this
Commission at this time.
Mr. Stern: Thank you, ma'am.
Chair King: It is not our place, or your place, to talk about who's registered or not
registered. You will not get any more time back, continue your support or opposition
to the items that you're speaking about. Thank you.
Mr. Stern: Thank you. So, because all of the supporters of -- the opponents of FR.1
and 2 have come here and said that this is an investment, and that this is a commercial
investment, and that millions have been invested, they are here admitting that they are
not operating in the charitable spirit required by 501(c)(3), and I question many of
their reasons for being in the offices that they hold, since they do not know that a
501(c)(3) should be operated for charitable benefit purposes only. So, I urge this
Commission to pass FR.1 and FR.2, protect our quality of life. The -- the non -profits
will have to pay taxes on this money. It's a very inefficient way of funding the arts
when the Commission can elect simply to fund the arts through the tremendous
budget that we have here that funds all of your salaries, that funds the salaries of a
very extensive staff, police, fire, parks. We have the money in the City if we want to
support the arts the right way, and the right way is not by degrading our quality of life
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and turning our cultural institutions into RE1Ts and real estate investment companies.
Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Paul George: Good morning, Madam Chair, Commissioners. My name is Paul George
Jr. I was born and raised in Miami and currently, I live in the Roads, Brickell
neighborhood, of Miami, at 1200 Southwest 17th Terrace. I'm speaking today in
opposition of FR.1 and FR.2. I take 1-95 every day on my way to work and drive by
many billboards. Many, if not most of them, are eyesores. The digital signs in
question today will be quite the opposite. They provide significant cultural value to
the city, enhance the city's artistic profile, and will be essential to support funding the
Perez Art Museum and the Arsht Center to ensure that those institutions will be able
to operate for future generations to come. We need to encourage and protect
individuals and companies when they do the right thing, follow the proper protocols,
and go through the right steps. By repealing the existing ordinance, the City would
essentially be punishing these entities that have already expended significant
resources and have gone through the proper channels. And lastly, the case law is not
on the City's side. If the City moves forward with the proposed action, the taxpayers
will be on the hook for yet another long, drawn out litigation. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Gary Ressler: Good morning, Gary Ressler, 169 East Flagler Street.
(UNINTELLIGIBLE) concerned citizen, board member of the DDA (Downtown
Development Authority), chair of the Quality of Life Committee, and board member
of the Flagler Business Improvement District. Thank you for having me. I'm here in
support of item FR.1 and FR.2, asking that you repeal the LED billboard ordinance. In
May of 2022, Orange Barrel Media came before the DDA in an informational
capacity to present their concepts for large LED billboards and monument signage
throughout the downtown core. The DDA bill -- board expressed deep concern for the
size and scope of the proposed billboards and asked specifically that the Olympia be
removed from consideration. One board member compared the size of these to a large
two -bedroom, small three -bedroom apartment, in order to indicate scale. In that,
Orange Barrel's first and only presentation to the DDA, they acknowledged that they
were unable to obtain citizen support for their efforts to place sprawling LED screens
throughout the neighborhood. The Downtown Neighbors Alliance, the advocacy
organization for downtown residents continues to oppose this project. It's important to
note that PAMM's neighbor, the Frost Science Museum, is also opposed to the
construction of these billboards. While we know billboards have a detrimental effect
on birds and sea life, no effort has been made to study the effects of these lighted
signs and what they will do to the wildlife that call the museum home. I ask that you
support our city's residents and repeal the LED billboard ordinance. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Todd Schafer: Good morning, Madam Chair, Honorable Commissioners. My name's
Todd Schafer. I'm the senior vice-president of administration at the Phillip and
Patricia Frost Museum of Science, located at 1101 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami,
Florida, 33132, and I'm here in support of FR.1. The issue is a matter of grave
concern that threatens not only our institution, but the very essence of our
community's cultural heritage. In our capacity as a cultural anchor in Miami's District
2, we have long been committed to providing and enriching an immersive experience
for our guests. We remain deeply concerned about the proliferation of enormous light
emitting diode billboards in and around our museum campus. These illegal billboards
pose a direct threat to the guest experience we strive to cultivate. They detract from
the natural beauty of our surroundings, disrupt the ambience that is essential for
fostering exploration and discovery. Furthermore, they propose a significant risk to
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the culture, vitality, and educational opportunities that our esteemed cultural
organizations offer to the City of Miami residents. We refuse to allow third -party
advertisers to disrupt the harmony of our museum campus, which welcomes millions
of visitors annually to discover the arts and sciences. We also have additional
concerns regarding the impact of light pollution on our ability to offer evening
programs, such as nighttime stargazing via rooftop telescopes. The light pollution not
only interferes with our educational endeavors, but also has detrimental effect on the
wildlife, particularly our birds collection on top levels are habitats. As stewards of
both knowledge and nature, we cannot ignore the harmful consequences of artificial
lighting on the delicate balance of our ecosystem. Therefore, 1 urge the Miami City
Commission to revise the ordinance governing outdoor advertising signs on our
campuses and surrounding areas. Let us work together to safeguard the integrity of
our cultural heritage, ensuring the future generations may continue to explore,
discovery, inspire an environment free from distraction --
Chair King: Thank you.
Ms. Schafer: -- and harm. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Empress Gardner: Good morning, everyone. Happy Thursday. I am --
Chair King: Happy Thursday.
Ms. Gardner: -- here -- 1 am here in support of FR.1 and FR 2 1 think everyone here
can agree that Miami is the most beautiful and healthiest city in the word, and if we
go back to 2020, 2020 showed us how important health is, right? Without anything,
we need our health. So, when it comes to these signs, I think the core problem is not
necessarily the signs, it's the aesthetics of the signs, it's more so of the effects of the
signs. So, when it comes to the point of health being wealth, these signs have a
detrimental effect to our health when it comes to the radiation. I feel as though it is
our responsibility to look deeper into the effects of the radiation when it comes to our
health, and to my knowledge, and please do correct me if I'm wrong, I believe that
there is already a guideline on how big these signs can be. So, my only ask is to really
look deeper into the effects of the radiation frequencies when it comes to the size of
these signs, not necessarily just looking at the aesthetics. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Mr. Hannon: Chair, I'm sorry. Ma'am, can I just have your name for the record?
Ma'am? Sony, if I can just get your name for the record.
Ms. Gardner: Apologies, Empress Gardner.
Mr. Hannon: Thank you.
Ms. Gardner: Thank you.
Chair King: Good morning.
Courtney Whitney: Good morning, my name is Courtney Whitney, my address is 2
Alhambra Plaza, Coral Gables, 33134, and I'd like to yield my time to the gentleman
behind me.
Jose Felix Diaz: Good morning, Madam Chair.
Chair King: Good morning.
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Mr. Diaz: Jose Felix Diaz, 2 Alhambra Plaza, Coral Gables, Florida. Before 1 begin
my comments, 1 just wanted to show you a quick video of what these signs will
actually look like. I know it'll give context to both the people in the crowd and the
folks on the dais. These are renderings that include the signature bridge once
completed.
At this time, an audiovisual presentation was made.
Mr. Diaz: Thank you, Ana. 1 am here today on behalf of Orange Barrel Media,
regarding items FR.1 and FR.2. First and foremost, it is important to establish that
Orange Barrel Media has been communicating with the Florida Department of
Transportation about the legality of these signs at the PAMM and the Arsht Center
from the inception of this process. Last month, these items were deferred in order to
give the City staff time to meet with FDOT and to get further clarity. That meeting
took place on Friday, January 26th, and the State, once again reiterated in no uncertain
terms, that ensuring compliance with FDOT regulations and the Highway
Beautification Act is not within the City's purview and is exclusively the
responsibility of the Florida Department of Transportation. Nonetheless, OBM kept
the City apprised on how it was in compliance with these regulations. You should
have all received the correspondence from me, with a copy of an October 1 lth, 2022,
letter from FDOT. The document was written by the director of the State's Office of
Right -of -Way, which directly oversees these regulations. That document clearly states
how these signs comply with FDOT regulations. In fact, your own City Attorney
required this letter to be provided by FDOT before they -- before you allowed the City
Commission to proceed with an amendment to Section 2-779 of the City Code. In that
October 1 lth letter, FDOT clearly states that the Arsht Center structure and the
PAMM structure would not be subject to FDOT permitting because they qualified as
on premise signs. The letter also stated that no rental income from the displays can be
received by the entities that own the establishments that the Arsht Center and PAMM
occupy. And I'm here to confirm that neither non-profit owns the building or the land
it occupies. The owners are the County and the City, respectively. Further, neither
owner will ever receive any rental income. Orange Barrel has relied on the plain
language of Florida law, and the prior approvals of the City Commission, to make
significant investments on the time and money in furtherance of these two important
non -profits in the city of Miami. The process matters. These institutions have done
everything right. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
John Dolson: Hi, great start of the day, today, by the way, with those commendations.
Really happy to see that. My name is John Dolson, 4205 Lennox Drive, Coconut
Grove. Let's start with a little bit of humor, I hope. Over the last several years,
Commissioner Carollo and Commissioner Alex de la Portilla [sic] have repeatedly
referred to me as an activist man. Maybe not so friendly a tone, but I thought about
that. I thought that's pretty cool, so in the future, if you can't remember my name, I'm
happy to go by that. Now, starting out, I'm here to support Commissioner Pardo on
FR.1 and FR.2. You have a great opportunity today to begin to restore faith in our
local government, which is (UNINTELLIGIBLE) by multiple lawsuits and
accusations of corruption. Aside from just being concerned about these massive signs
going up, and I like the analogy of Hong Kong, I don't want to look like that in here
in Miarni, but I think they will create a snowball effect and lead to other things. That's
how Miarni works. Once you give an exception here, the next guy comes in and says
you did that there, I get the same thing for me. That's how it works. The public is
overwhelmingly opposed in many sectors to these signs. The thing that
(UNINTELLIGIBLE) me most about the past decisions is that Alex de la Portilla [sic]
pushed that through at a time when we had no representation in District 2. There was
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no commissioner there. We have a commissioner now, Mr. Pardo. Grant him the
opportunity to do what he needs to do to help District 2. One -- yeah.
Chair King: You have 30 seconds.
Mr. Dolson: On AC.1, restore the Grove, settle the redistricting, don't reward personal
gerrymandering, keep it intact. And after you've restored the Grove, go for seven or
nine new districts in this city so that we have more communities restored the same
way, and I've heard that before. We need communities restored. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Patrick Range: Good morning, Madan Chair, members of the Commission. My name
is Patrick Range, II, offices at 5720 Northwest 17th Avenue, in the city of Miami.
Good morning and happy Black History Month to all of you. Being a lifetime resident
of the city of Miami, it's a pleasure to be able to be here before you as a Black
American, born and raised in Liberty City celebrating Black History Month and I
hope that you all will join me in doing so. I'm here this morning to speak on items
FR.1 and FR.2, and I am in support of Commissioner Pardo's resolutions. Being a
lifetime resident of this city, I've watched and seen the growth and the change in the
city, and much of it has been for the better. Some of it not so much,. You have an
opportunity now to set a precedent for our city and controlling the enlargement of
signs. 1,800 square feet is too large for a sign. Why does it need to be that large'? You
can have a similar effect being a regular size sign. It doesn't make sense. We don't
want to see signs up and down Biscayne Boulevard, up and down our other major
thoroughfares in this city. We want to see greenspace, we want to enjoy the natural
beauty that's here in the city of Miami, and it's being taken away from us at every
turn. Whether it be to build us a soccer stadium, which may be great. We've lost a
golf course. We've lost other greenspace. Virginia Key Beach Park is laying fallow.
You all are the board members for Virginia Key Beach Park. We don't want to see a
sign, 1,800 square feet, Virginia Key Beach Park. We want to see a museum in
Virginia Key Beach Park dedicated to our Black history. What are you doing about
that, ladies and gentlemen?
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Range: Thank you.
Chair King: Good morning.
Debbie Dolson: Good morning, Debbie Dolson, 4205 Lennox Drive, Coconut Grove.
First of all, I want to say I am totally stressed out trying to get up to make a public
comment today, so please work on a better system so that we're not jumping up and
sitting down and jumping up and sitting down, trying to get in line. T really feel like
there's a better way to do this, I don't know what it is, but please, please think about
that. I just have a couple comments. One about FR.2 -- or FR.1, I'm sorry. My
understanding is that the Arsht Center and PAMM are in existence to connect with the
community for the arts. That's their mission, yet all I'm hearing is about money,
money, money, and more money. I understand that they need donors, but a giant
billboard overlooking a major thoroughfare in Miami, do we need more distractions
for the drivers? Is our traffic --? Our drivers are crazy enough, they don't need to be
distracted by giant lit billboards. Please support the residents who have stood at this
podium over and over again asking that the quality of their life not be degraded by
these oversized signs. As Commissioner Reyes has said in the past, that we don't want
Miami to turn into Las Vegas or Times Square, and we don't need these giant
billboards to make that part of our city. These signs are bad for the residents, they're
bad for the community, and bad for the city of Miami. I'd also like to comment on
AC.1, redistricting. Please end the lawsuits and arguments over district boundaries.
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It's time to do that. Reunite our neighborhoods by adding additional districts, and
please accept the map drawn by the plaintiffs, GRACE (Grove Rights and Community
Equity) and the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union). Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Adolfo Deulofeut: Good morning. My name is Adolfo Deulofeut. I live at 1060
Brickell Avenue, Miami, Florida, 33131. I am here to speak on behalf of
Arquitectonica, which is the architecture firm responsible for designing the digital
signage. As the architect responsible for designing the innovative and sculptural
structure for the digital signage project at the PAMM, I'd like to share my perspective
on the design of the project. Arquitectonica has been a proud partner of PAMM for
numerous years. Our firm takes pride in the distinctive sculptural design that the sign
currently being built at PAMM, which was inspired by bromeliad flower, a species
native to Miami and integral to PAMM's campus landscape. The project is carefully
placed adjacent to the unarticulated wall of a storage area specifically so it would not
block any architectural features of the building as it stands now. The digital sign
project makes a positive contribution through a sculptural and thoughtful design and
content that will highlight public art and the public programming of arts and culture in
Miami. Thank you. I yield my time.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
John Waluskiewicz: Good morning, Madam Chair and Commissioners. My name is
John Waluskiewicz. 1 live at 253 Northeast 2nd Street in Downtown Miami, and I'm
here in opposition of FR.1 and FR.2. For the billboards, I am pro, and the PAMM and
Adrienne Arsht Center. You may travel to almost any world destination and you will
see there are dynamic billboards within the city, and they bring a life -- they enhance
the spirits of that city. Living in Miami, I hope that we will see that the billboards are
going to bring a value, they're going to bring a livelihood, they're going to bring a
spirit that is just going to enhance and grow our city into what we can become and
what we're further growing into becoming. So, I hope that we oppose FR.1 and FR.2
so we can continue to grow as a world -class city and thank you so much for listening.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Hayleigh Sawyer: Good morning. My name is Hayleigh Sawyer and I live downtown
at 1161 Southwest 2nd Court. I'm here to speak in opposition to FR.1 and FR.2 and in
support of the digital art signs at the Perez Art Museum and the Adrienne Arsht
Center. The digital art signs are tastefully and artistically designed and will generate
substantial funds for organizations that do a lot for this community. The law allowing
these signs has already been passed and it is not a good use of residents' taxpayer
dollars for the City to spend litigating this issue. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Eva Simitch Warke: Good morning. My name is Eva Simitch Warke and I live
downtown at 244 Biscayne Boulevard. I'm here to speak in opposition to Items FR.1
and FR.2. There's a story that everyone who lives downtown is against the new digital
signs at PAMM and Arsht. However, this is not the case. The reason we live
downtown is because we are drawn to and like to live in its lively, dynamic
atmosphere, not a calm, quiet one. And the proposed signs at PAMM and Arsht
Center will further contribute to the flourishing arts and culture and architectural and
design scene in downtown Miami, adding to its vibrancy and life. So thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning. Sir, good morning.
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Leroy Lee: Good morning. Excuse me, good morning, Madam Chairwoman and
esteemed Councilmembers -- or Commissioners, actually. My name is Leroy Lee. 1
am a proud, lifelong resident of the City of Miami. I'm a graduate of Miami
Northwestern, College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, and after
graduating University of Florida College of Law, I look so forward to coming back to
Miami to live, work, and play. In this time, what I've noticed is that, number one, the
traffic has increased. Before I forget -- I am in support of Items FR.1 and FR.2.
Unofficially, I have noticed that traffic has increased substantially, along with the
distractions between cell phones, just lack of attention to the road. I think the signs
would be a public health -- public traffic safety problem. Number two, more
importantly when it comes to Miami, the skyline, the sun, the palm trees, the beaches,
the birds, and the coastline is what makes Miami, Miami. We have more than enough
eye nuisances in the last 15 years. I ask that we limit the signage. I support FR.1,
FR.2, and may you guys have a wonderful, blessed day. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Randy Marble: Good morning. My name is Randy Marble. I'm here to -- I'm a
resident of downtown. I live at 100 Northwest 6th Street.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Mr. Marble: And I'm here to speak in opposition of FR.1 and FR.2. The proposed
sign will add to the overall dynamic downtown vibrancy and to the future of Miami
that is being developed at this current time and aid it further to the PAMM's overall
dynamics. The sign is away from residential buildings and shouldn't have much
impact of light on it. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Helena Maria Lim: Good morning. Helena Maria Lim, downtown. I'm short. Helena
Maria Lim, a downtown resident. Can you hear me now? Like this? Oh, I haven't
been on a microphone for a long time. I'm retired.
Chair King: Welcome.
Ms. Lim: I have already signed the petition opposing the billboards. But 1 came here
today to personally add my voice to that of many concerned downtown residents who
oppose them. We must not allow our beautiful downtown skyline to be destroyed by
unsightly advertising billboards. Moreover, this is a Pandora box. By allowing one
billboard, soon they will multiply like mushrooms. That's the sad part of it. In
conclusion, having lived in Manhattan for 50 years, I agree with a previous speaker's
statement. There are no billboards on any of the museums there. The MoMA
(Museum of Modern Art), the Met, the American Museum of Natural History, the
Frick Gallery, none of them have billboards. Thank you so much.
Mr. Hannon: I'm sorry, Chair, if I can get the speaker's name? Ma'am? Ma'am?
Chair King: Ma'am? Ma'am?
Mr. Hannon: Ma'am, can I just get your name again for the record, I'm sorry.
Ms. Lim: Yeah, Helena Maria Lim.
Mr. Hannon: Thank you.
Chair King: Good morning.
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Paton Marion: Good morning. My name is Paton Marion. I live at 398 Northeast 5th
Street in Miami. I'm here to speak in opposition of Items FR.1 and FR.2. There's a
narrative that everyone who lives in downtown is against the digital signs, but I'm
here to say that this is not the case. Downtown residents are drawn to the bright,
energetic atmosphere, and the signs will only contribute to this. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Marlee Schatz: My name is Marlee Schatz, and I live downtown at 488 Northeast 18th
Street. I'm here to speak in opposition of FR.1 and FR.2. 1 moved downtown for the
vibrant city life and cultural institutions. I'm a patron of the arts and live near the
Arsht Center and PAMM for this reason. 1 think the signs would be great for all of us
and contribute to this already existing vibrant city. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Nancy Mendes: Hi, good morning.
Chair King: Good morning.
Ms. Mendes: My name is Nancy Mendes. I'm a resident of 888 Biscayne Boulevard. I
understand the potential benefits that these large billboard signs can bring to the
community. However, as an executive that travels extensively throughout the state of
Florida to raise awareness for educational issues in the community. 1 reside in my
neighborhood because of the close proximity of the airport, and 1 do believe that
placing signs that are going to pose significant challenges to the health and wellness
of the residents that live here, disturbing the rest, I'm already impacted by the strobe
lights for Bayfront Park, where Ultra Music Festival and installed blackout shades and
spent thousands of dollars to minimize that. But these are permanent. I think the
residents are concerned because of the light pollution is going to also take away from
the ambience of the area in which we live. That's that peacefulness that we receive
from the neighborhood and there's not much of that for respite in this large urban
cities. And I also do think we have already issues with concerns and distractions on
the roadways that are causing accidents. And when there are games, and 1 live right
across from the arena, you have a high police presence monitoring pedestrians to
make sure they're not getting hit by cars because of the existing distractions. This will
continue to pose a more significant risk to the residents and those that come into the
area to enjoy the community. So, again, I favor Commissioner Pardo's FR.1 and 2.
Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Branden Jones: Good morning, Madam Chair. Good morning to everyone who is
before us. Again, happy Black History Month, and T would too like to echo the
sentiments of so many that we start off by grabbing hold to those low -hanging fruits,
and let's do something about the line before we do something about larger signs.
Ogden Nash once said that "I think that I should never see a billboard as lovely as a
tree. Perhaps unless the billboard falls, I'll never see a tree at all." So, making these
LED billboard signs bigger, as many of you are aware, can have negative implications
for the environment and for our residents. By the way, thank you to all the residents
who carve out to speak on behalf, and I hope those who are serving their constituents
and the community are listening to the concerns in the hearts of the people. I want to
say, firstly, increasing the size of these signs means that we have to put out more
resources that are needed to manufacture them and install them. And this will lead to
an increase in consumption of raw materials, energy, water, and during this
production process, all of which can contribute to an environmental degradation and
pollution. Additionally, larger LED board signs require more electricity, more power,
more resources that I believe all of you know, even if you're not living in the heart of
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Miami, you all have experienced the blight that so many are experiencing that these
resources can be utilized for. Moreover, expanding these large signs, these large LED
boards will disrupt local ecosystems and wildlife and habitats. The installation --
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Jones: -- of these signs may require --
Chair King: Thank you. Thank you.
Mr. Jones: You're welcome.
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Jones: All in all, please, I hope you all listen to the community and be aware that -
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Jones: -- the community supports you, so support the community. Thank you.
Mr. Hannon: Chair, if I can get the speaker's name? Sir?
Chair King: Sir?
Mr. Jones: My name is Branden Jones. I'm a life resident of Miami, Florida, and I'll
use the address 5120 Northwest 24th Avenue. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Sonia Merchant: Hi, good morning. My name is Sonia Merchant, and I live in 900
Biscayne Bay. I am a long-term supporter of PAMM, and I'rn so disappointed that an
institution that uplifts visual art is so willing to create visual pollution for the
community at large. I wish they had taken the stance that their neighboring museum
Frost did. I would say you don't need a shining beacon to be a shining beacon. The
other thing I would consider you all -- I would ask you all to consider is those of us
who are residents and have come to speak about why we are opposed to having
billboards have all come at it from different points in our own words. And yet, I have
heard over and over again from the so-called residents who are supporting that we
maintain the billboards a very simple narrative which starts with, don't believe the
narrative that all residents, whatever, we live downtown for the vibrant, whatever, just
keep that in mind and consider what that means. So, thank you and thank you
Commissioner Pardo.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Mia Savino: Hi, good morning. My name is Mia Savino. I live at 900 Biscayne Bay.
I'm here to speak out in opposition of the billboards and the damage that they will do
to our downtown skyline and the quality of life of our residents and neighbors. The
origin of the signs can be traced back to January 2023, when then -City of Miami
Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla sponsored a legislation that more than doubled
the limit of the kind of billboard allowed in that part of Miami, from 750 square feet
to 1,800 square feet. In the 10 months that followed, Diaz de la Portilla's political
committee took in $225,000 from a different committee that received most of its
funding.
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Chair King: Ma'am, ma'am, please support, opposition. We don't need the rhetoric
that you're about to say. That's not why we're here. Support, why you support; deny,
why you deny.
Ms. Savino: Sure. What I'm trying to say is that these exceptional guidelines for
oversized on -premise signs were originally intended to be on -premise, which means
that they'll advertise the establishment's principal activity and don't generate revenue.
The PAMM and Arsht Center have already spoken on the record, saying that the signs
will generate revenue for their organizations and that this lack of revenue will harm
their annual budgets, directly violating the State's requirements. The size of the
monster signs, the invasiveness of the light intruding into people's homes, the tacky
nature of commercial advertising that will be changing every eight seconds is
unacceptable from a community stand -- from a community point of view. We're not
Times Square, Las Vegas, or Hong Kong Harbor. The city is growing up from the
party capital of the world to a financial powerhouse, which is why many of us have
chosen to move here from other cities. These signs will bring that growth backwards,
so I ask that you please consider listening to the residents of the community who
chose to live and invest in downtown Miami based on the beautiful community design
that is in place without this digital blight and endless amount of light pollution that
will damage the quality of our lives. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Terrell Fritz: Good morning, Madam Chair, Mr. Vice Chair, City Commissioners. My
name is Terrell Fritz. I live at 111 East Flagler Street and I'm executive director of the
Flagler District BID (Business Improvement District). On behalf of the Board of
Directors of the BID, we have forwarded to you a resolution supporting FR.1 and
requesting a specific amendment. So. I spoke two weeks ago about the importance of
the Historic Olympia Theater, not only as its individual status on the National
Register, but as its contribution to the downtown Miami Historic District that's on the
register. So, I'll be succinct and specific. Our resolution to remove the Olympia
Theater from possible sites will allow us the time to understand how outdoor signage
and advertising might become a future component of that restoration project. We look
forward to the redevelopment of the Historic Olympia Theater as a cultural asset and
would love to see this discussion take place in context of the future redevelopment.
Our resolution reflects previous Downtown Development Authority discussions and
Executive Director Christina Cuerva [sic] forwarded our resolution yesterday
reflecting both the urbanism and the Board of Directors and I understand that that
discussion is going to be had further at the Executive Committee. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Francois Illas: Good morning, Madam Chair, Commissioners. My name is Francois
Illas with WAM, offices at 333 Northeast 23rd Street, Miami, Florida. T'm here today
to discuss the proposed legislation FR.1 and FR.2 and its potential impact on law-
abiding operators like ourselves. We have digitally followed the legal procedure to
obtain City permits for our signage projects, ensuring compliance with local
regulations and thorough scrutiny by City authorities. Additionally, we've entered
into lawful agreements with Bayfront Park and worked with staff to place these signs
on the outskirts of the park. And furthermore, we have also obtained outdoor
advertising permits from the state of Florida. Our significant investment of over a
million dollars reflects our dedication to these projects and their value to the
community. Our signs measuring only 400 square feet and at pedestrian eye level are
modest compared to others in the area such as PAMM, which is 100 feet and spans
1,800 square feet. The City Code today for outdoor advertising is 750 square feet. The
State Statute 479 is 950 square feet. However, the proposed legislation intended to
address out -of -scale signs like those at PAMM and possibly at Arsht may
inadvertently penalize lawful operators like us. I urge the Commission to reconsider
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passing FR.1 and FR.2 as currently drafted considering the unintended consequences
that may arise. Let's work together to find solutions that uphold the law while
supporting business endeavors like ours. Keep advertising at 750 square feet, as it is
today, in City Code.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Javier Avirio: Good morning, Javier Avino with law offices at 1450 Brickell Avenue,
here also on FR.1 and FR.2, specifically addressing the signs that were previously
approved by license agreement in October of 2022 for Bayfront and Maurice Ferre
Park. As indicated by the prior speaker, those signs are of a very different size and
scale. They were, again, approved by license agreement for specific locations, specific
sizes, to ensure that they were of the right size and scale for the neighborhood, 400
square feet and freestanding at eye level. We urge this Commission -- it's always this
Commission's prerogative to enforce and apply policy and change policy. However, it
is important that vested rights and the principles and the doctrine of equitable estoppel
be acknowledged for those good faith actors and operators that applied the law. As the
prior speaker also mentioned, our signs went through a state approval process. We
have obtained state permits. Those state permits required the City also to authorize
and approve that process. So, we have a number of different mechanisms by which we
relied on the City and in good faith have moved forward. We are in various stages of
permitting process for those signs and we ask that, at the very least, if this
Commission were inclined to move forward with FR.1 and FR.2, that there be an
acknowledgement, a very clear acknowledgement of our signs based on our -- based
on the doctrine of equitable estoppel. 1 am going to put on the record a couple of
cases, which 1 know the City Attorney's Office is very well aware of, but just for
purposes of the record. Thank you very much.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Mike Llorente: Good morning, Madam Chair, Commissioners. Mike Llorente, 3800
Northeast 1st Avenue, and I represent Outfront Media. You know, when you've
managed to activate and enrage city commissioners, county commissioners,
neighborhood organizations, an entire industry, cultural anchors like the Frost, you
probably went a little bit overboard in whatever you were doing. And that's exactly
what happened with the proposed signs at the Frost -- I'm sorry, at the PAMM and at
the Arsht. These signs are massive. There's nothing like them anywhere in the state of
Florida and that's probably because they're prohibited under Florida law. In the case
of the PAMM, they have another issue because that sign is prohibited under the 2008
lease agreement between the City of Miami and the PAMM. When this Commission
approved the PAMM lease agreement on December 11th of 2008, then Commissioner
Sarnoff had the foresight to insist that there be a 90-foot height limit for anything built
on that site. The Commission agreed and it was incorporated into the lease. Ninety
feet. The proposed sign is 100 feet, clearly in violation of the lease. The proposed sign
also violates the use restrictions in Section 4.1 of the lease, the signage restrictions in
Section 19.1 of the lease. And by the way, I'd like to correct something that was
mentioned earlier. It was mentioned, well, you know, the PAMM doesn't own the
ground or the improvements. Not true. Under that lease agreement, the PAMM owns
the improvements. So, long story short, Commissioners, not only do both signs violate
state law, the PAMM sign violates the use, height, and signage restrictions of the lease
with the City of Miami. And you, as a contracting party, as the lessor, have the right
to enforce the lease and to bring that sign down. You also have the right to legislate,
to correct, amend, rescind bad legislation, and close the door on these supersized,
illegal --
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Llorente: -- ridiculous signs. We urge you to do both. Thank you.
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Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Jose Phillip Tavernier: Good morning. (FOREIGN LANGUAGE), Madam Chair,
Commission. We are in support of FR.1 and FR.2. However, the increase of the signs
from where they are regulated now to nearly doubling the size of it, being in this very
unique community called Miami -Dade County, home of the 2 Live Crew. I'm a
product of hip hop. And to see, right now, LED screens rolling around Miami -Dade
County, advertising stripper clubs and advertising all kind of lewd content that when
I'm in the car with my own child, it's hard to regulate these things. And I've seen
billboards on the side of the 826 advertising Brazilian butt lifts and all kinds of other
things that otherwise a few years ago it wouldn't be appropriate. I'm questioning, is
there going to be any regulation on the content that's going to be on these tremendous
screens'? These are some of the things that as parents we need to think about because
we know that the arts are traditionally compromised when they have to fund
themselves. So, who's to say one day that the art -- that PAMM is going to need some
money and Coca-Cola or Burger King or any kind of the junk foods or anything else
is going to want to advertise on these billboards and we got to ride down the street and
see half -naked women or half -naked men or any kind of other things on these big,
gigantic billboards. So, for a number of reasons, the pollution of course, the light, it
degrades the skyline and it degrades the landscape of Miami. However, we need to
consider the long run and what it could do when we permit one thing to open. You
open up a door for -- you know, you give some people an inch and they take a what,
you know the rest. So, consider those things. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Hannon: Chair, I'm sorry, sir, can I have your name for the record?
Mr. Tavernier: Jose Phillip Tavernier.
Chair King: Good morning.
Alexa Ledezma: Good morning. Alexa Ledezma from vice president of DNA
(Downtown Neighbors Alliance) and president of Met 1 Condo. DNA, as you know,
represents over 30,000 residents, and I'd like to thank our new Commissioner Pardo
for really standing up and protecting and serving our community and bringing FR.1
and FR.2 to the table. We are ready as residents of downtown that will be impacted
with these LED lights. And who knows, we talk about one and then it could be many
more. If we don't control it now and stop it now, it will continue. And as I stand
before you, I echo everything what these people, these residents have come, they've
taken time out of their day to present this to you because it's impacting us. So, we as
residents that live in that community that will impact us, we're saying, stop. Stop and
think. You know, is it worth the money to change our skyline and impact the
community that you are here to protect and serve for money? No. We are a
community. We are Miami. You know, we are -- have our own unique -- we don't
need to be a New York, Times Square, Las Vegas. We are Miami. So, please, I ask
that you, you know, food for thought, is put yourself in our space, in our place. Would
you like LED lights blaring into your -- if you had a condo unit -- into your unit? And
protecting not only our quality of life, our investment and our equity and value of our
properties. Thank you and thank you Commissioner Pardo.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Leroy Jones: So, good morning, Commissioners, good morning, Madam Chair. So, T
don't know if you witnessed last night but our Miami Heat that's in the City of Miami
celebrated black history last night.
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Chair King: They sure did and in a big way.
Mr. Jones: They had 162 men of color on the basketball court to represent the 162
people of color that made the City of Miami a city. And guess what?
Applause.
Mr. Jones: And then they took their voting rights back from them after they did it.
Think about it. They swore them in, let them vote to make the city a city, and then
they took their voting rights from them. The people who helped make the city -- it
wouldn't have been a city if it wasn't for people of color.
Chair King: Mr. Jones.
Mr. Jones: Okay.
Chair King: While I want you to say all of that --
Mr. Jones: Okay, I will, I will.
Chair King: I have to --
Mr. Jones: Okay, 1'll get you.
Chair King: -- be fair to everybody.
Mr. Jones: I get you, Commissioner.
Chair King: Okay.
Mr. Jones: I get you. I'm sorry, Madam Chairwoman. So, I want to say this. You
know I'm a people person, so I'm down for what the poor people think. I'm down for
what our community feel. So I support our community on this issue. And 1 want to
leave you with this. If I agree or disagree with an elected official, we still need a
representation for that seat. It was not a sitting commissioner when this item was
brought up. If I agree or disagree, we still need representation. Tt was not no
representation. T support item F.1 [sic] and F.2 [sic]. It did not have representation.
They did not have a sitting commissioner to voice their opinion or decision, and that's
why it needs to be supported. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Peter Ehrlich: Good morning, Madam Chair, Commissioners. Peter Ehrlich, 243
Northeast 59 Terrace, and I'm here representing Scenic Miami and also the Urban
Environment League. Obviously -- I'm speaking on FR.1, FR.2. Obviously, I post
billboards. You've heard excellent speeches this morning opposing billboards, and
many neighbors have spoken. LED billboards are the worst form of visual pollution.
They are created to distract residents and tourists. We hope there are five votes here
today to oppose the illegal billboards. We are told the proposed LED billboard at
PAMM is illegal under state law and illegal under county law, and we are told that the
sign violates the lease -- the 2008 lease between the City of Miami and PAMM.
Please vote to support the local residents who have spoken and there are many more
that could not be here this morning. And please vote to support a local commissioner,
Damian Pardo, and we hope to hear four or five votes this morning, or this afternoon,
supporting the legislation to oppose illegal billboards. Thank you very much.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
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James Torres: Good morning, Chairwoman. We have a video, and then 1 can start. On
the loop, right?
Unidentified Speaker: Yeah.
Mr. Torres: Great. Good morning. My name is James Torres, and I am the president
of the Downtown Neighbors Alliance. And I just kind of want to look around here
with all due respect. I've been hearing a lot of things today, but I can tell you the
PAMM has done zero outreach to the community. Let's be very clear about that. So,
today we find ourselves standing in a (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and change in the City of
Miami. Don't take my time away. 1 don't know what he's doing. Thank you. The
video will show how the impact of the community is. So, again, we're at the heart of a
pivotal moment that lies at our critical decision regarding the future of our skyline,
our downtown community, and the integrity of our government. As we look upon the
Perez Art Museum's Tower billboard and the soon -to -be -built its counterpart, the
Adrienne Arsht Center, we soon will be seeing several structures throughout the core
of the downtown neighborhood, which is not justifiable because part of these deals
were done in secrecy and backroom deals that stand a stark reminder of unchecked
influence of money and politics and a disagreeing of the will of the people. However,
there's also an opportunity here, an opportunity to make a right and clarify what has
happened. When newly elected Commissioners Pardo and Gabela, they ran on
transparency and accountability. I clearly ask you today here to support FR.1 and
FR.2. So, as president of the DNA, which we represent over 30,000 individuals that
live in the core, we have to make this very clear. What has been going on here for far
too long is incorrect. It's time for the people and this community and this body to
make the right decisions for us.
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Torres: Continue seeing the video. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Christi Tasker: Good morning, Commissioners. Thank you all for being here. My
name is Christi Tasker from 150 Southeast 25th Road and I am in opposition of the
billboards going up as a whole. Throughout the City of Miami, they have an entire
building that could be utilized as a billboard in terms of paint or any other way that
they could possibly wish. We do not need other structures going up at the same time
we already have the arches going up. We really need to finish one project before we
move along to another. Additionally, the PAMM in the past has had a homeless
encampment on it. They are not capable of maintaining their own property and they
have basically polluted our own land that we've given them in the past. So I don't see
how they could possibly be trusted with the sites and ads and things that would be
going on a billboard. So T ask you to politely decline this. Plus, all of the other
residents, they don't really want LED lights shining right in their windows. I mean, I
know at this very moment I have police lights shining in my windows all night
because of an Una Residences project. It's just not something that residents want,
need, and it's actually quite a distraction as a whole for our entire city, much less the
drivers that are going by. So I politely ask you to decline.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Brenda Betancourt: Good morning. Brenda Betancourt, 1436 Southwest 6th Street, in
favor of FR.1, FR.2. And just a reminder for when we drive by 8th Street and 27th
Avenue, the huge sign that is in the college. My college, but it's wrong, it's really
distracting, but you know, just keep that in mind. I have a concern in the DI.1 item
that you have for the magistrate for the Code Enforcement Board. The reason that we
fight for many years to be removed is because, let's be realistic, this is Miami. People
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Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024
pay a specific attorney, plan runner, representation, and the person who's been doing
the wrong thing in the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) -- in enforcement and doing violation in
the city, were getting a slap on the wrist, and nothing will happen. And that's the
reason that the magistrate was removed because the person were picked to go to the
magistrate and not pay any fees or do a different thing when they come that's a repeat
violation in the code. I understand that we have lack of quorum for a Code
Enforcement Board. Every single one of you, if we come, it's embarrassing the three
of us here, two, and we are seven members. It's not just disrespectful to the ones we
sacrifice our time to come here for hours, twice or sometimes three times in a month.
But it's very respectful [sic] for the people who come and sit in these chairs and try to
see what they're going to do with the code violation in the properties. People that
worry because they think they're going to lose their house. So, every single one of
you have a representation. Why do those people don't show up? If they don't show
up, then replace them. Because it's not necessary for people to come here every time.
Chair King: Thank you.
Ms. Betancourt: Three meetings --
Chair King: Thank you.
Ms. Betancourt: - we haven't had at quorum.
Chair King: Thank you.
Ms. Betancourt: Thank you.
Chair King: Good morning.
Maire Sevelo: Good morning. Maira Severo, senior director of Human Resources at --
for Perez Art Museum. I just wanted to say that a gentleman representing a media
company that was not selected by PAMM misstated the content of our lease with the
City. They amended the lease in 2009 to remove the height restriction he referenced.
The new height permits us to go over 110 feet. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Andrika Thomkins: Good morning, how are you today? My name is Andrika
Thompkins. My address is 5120 Northwest 24th Street -- sorry, 24th Avenue. I am
here today to support FR.1 and FR.2. As a resident of Miami -Dade County, better
known as the City, I've seen it deteriorate over many years. In addition to the
deterioration, we have been plagued by the tourists, the tourist attractions, the
oversized billboards, because some of those billboards are bigger than our apartments,
they're bigger than our houses. We have been taken over by gentrification, by the
tourists, by various things that I don't feel the oversized billboards will contribute to
something positive for us. As we transition into a larger hub as a city, we are also
transitioning into a digital world. We have the world at the palm of our hands. In our
phones, we have everything that we need. What is the purpose of the oversized
billboards? What are they advertising that we don't have on our phones that we can go
to at the swipe of a palm? In addition to the oversized billboards, the artificial light
emission, the pollution, the ecosystem disturbances, and our internal health is
something that Miami -Dade County is not addressing, and that's the mental health
crisis. The light emissions is going to contribute to a larger mental health crisis.
Although some of those laws have been passed, some of those policies are in place
does not mean that it's okay. Remember --
Chair King: Thank you.
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Ms. Thompkins: You're welcome. Remember, slavery --
Chair King: Thank you.
Ms. Thompkins: -- was once legal. That does not mean that it's okay.
Chair King: Thank you.
Ms. Thompkins: Have a great day.
Chair King: Is there anyone outside that would like to speak for public comment? I
know we had overflow. 1 don't want to miss anyone. Can you please check before I
close public comment? At this time, our public comment period is closed. Thank you
all for coming and speaking and sharing your concerns with us. We always appreciate
it.
AM - APPROVING THE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETINGS:
AM.1 City Commission - City Commission Meeting - Nov 16, 2023 9:00 AM
MOTION TO: Approve
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Chair King: At this time, may I have a motion to pass the City of Miami Commission
meetings for November 16th, 2023?
Commissioner Gabela: Motion.
Chair King: I have a motion. I have a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion passes unanimously.
MV - MAYORAL VETO(ES)
There were no mayoral vetoes associated with legislation that is subject to veto by the Mayor.
END OF MAYORAL VETO(ES)
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CA.1
15265
Department of Fire -
Rescue
CA - CONSENT AGENDA
The following item(s) was Adopted on the Consent Agenda
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
ESTABLISHING A NEW SPECIAL REVENUE PROJECT TITLED
"STATE HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM SUB -
RECIPIENT AGREEMENT FOR EXPENDITURE OF LOCAL
GOVERNMENT UNIT FUNDING FOR FLORIDA URBAN SEARCH
AND RESCUE TASK FORCES - FY 2023"; AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF
$35,560.00 FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY, FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
AGENCY, THROUGH THE STATE OF FLORIDA, DIVISION OF
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, AND APPROPRIATING SAID
GRANT FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUSTAINING FLORIDA URBAN
SEARCH AND RESCUE TASK FORCE 2 TEAM CAPABILITIES
THROUGH TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT RELATED
EXPENDITURES ("GRANT"); FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING AMENDMENTS,
RENEWALS, AND EXTENSIONS, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE
TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR THE ACCEPTANCE AND
COMPLIANCE WITH SAID GRANT; PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0050
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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CA.2 RESOLUTION
15311
Department of
Human Services
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE
ATTACHED FORM, BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") AND
CAMILLUS HOUSE, INC., A FLORIDA NOT FOR PROFIT
CORPORATION ("CAMILLUS HOUSE"), TO CONTINUE THE CITY
SHELTER PROGRAM AND THE PROVISION OF FIFTY ONE (51)
BEDS WITHIN THE CAMILLUS HOUSE NORWEGIAN CRUISE
LINE CAMPUS FOR EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR THE NIGHTLY
USE OF HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS, ALONG WITH OTHER
ASSOCIATED AND ACCOMPANYING HOMELESS SERVICES
AND CASE MANAGEMENT FOR A PERIOD OF ONE (1) YEAR,
SUBJECT TO SAID BEDS BEING EXCLUSIVELY DESIGNATED
FOR THE CITY'S HOMELESS AT AN ANNUAL COST NOT TO
EXCEED FIVE HUNDRED AND SIXTY THOUSAND DOLLARS
($560,000.00), WITH CONDITIONS AS STATED HEREIN AND IN
THE AGREEMENT, FOR THE CITY'S FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024;
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO PROCURE THE
REMAINDER OF AVAILABLE SHELTER PROGRAM BEDS FROM
CAMILLUS HOUSE BY ACCEPTING AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS FROM OTHER SOURCES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE
CITY SHELTER PROGRAM; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE AN ADDITIONAL
AGREEMENT, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, BETWEEN CAMILLUS HOUSE AND THE CITY FOR
THE PROVISION OF ENHANCED CAPACITY OF THE SHELTER
PROGRAM FOR NIGHTLY USAGE BY HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS
WITH ACCOMPANYING HOMELESS SERVICES AND CASE
MANAGEMENT, SUBJECT TO SAID SPACE BEING
EXCLUSIVELY DESIGNATED FOR THE CITY AND AVAILABILITY
OF FUNDING.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0051
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
15313
Department of
Resilience and
Public Works
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING TWO (2) RIGHT-OF-WAY DEEDS
OF DEDICATION ("DEED"), AS 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-24-0052
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number CA.3, please see "End
of Consent Agenda."
City of Mianii Page 38 Printed on 04/01/2024
City Commission
Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024
CA.4 RESOLUTION
15465
Department of
Code Compliance
CA.5
15497
Office of the City
Attorney
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING ("MOU"), IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE
CITY ATTORNEY, WITH THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK
WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("CRA"), FOR
THE USE OF APPROXIMATELY TWO THOUSAND TWO
HUNDRED EIGHTY-SIX (2,286) CONTIGUOUS SQUARE FEET OF
CRA-OWNED PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1490 NORTHWEST
THIRD AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, ALSO KNOWN AS THE
OVERTOWN SHOPPING CENTER, FOR THE EXCLUSIVE USE OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") TO OPERATE A CODE
COMPLIANCE OFFICE, COMMENCING FROM THE EFFECTIVE
DATE, AT NO COST TO THE CITY PURSUANT TO THE TERMS
OF THE QUITCLAIM DEED RECORDED AT BOOK 28222, PAGE
4315-4324 OF THE OFFICIAL RECORDS OF MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY, FLORIDA, WITH ADDITIONAL TERMS AND
CONDITIONS AS MORE PARTICULARLY SET FORTH IN SAID
MOU; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0053
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."
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO PAY
PLAINTIFFS LATOYLA YASHEEN COOPER -LEVY, PHILLIP
SYLVERIN, SHERMAN RIVERS, JOSEPH SIMMONS, AND THEIR
ATTORNEYS, WITHOUT ADMISSION OF LIABILITY, THE TOTAL
SUM OF $300,000.00 IN FULL AND COMPLETE SETTLEMENT OF
ANY AND ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS, INCLUDING ALL CLAIMS
FOR ATTORNEYS' FEES, AGAINST THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY")
AND ITS OFFICERS, AGENTS, AND EMPLOYEES IN THE CASE
STYLED LATOYLA YASHEEN COOPER -LEVY, PHILLIP
SYLVERIN, SHERMAN RIVERS, AND JOSEPH SIMMONS VS.
CITY OF MIAMI, PENDING IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT
COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA, CASE NO.
1:22-CV-21939-BB, UPON THE EXECUTION OF A GENERAL
RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS BROUGHT UNDER 42
U.S.C. § 1983 PENDING IN FEDERAL COURT AND A DISMISSAL
OF THE CITY AND ITS OFFICERS, AGENTS, AND EMPLOYEES
WITH PREJUDICE; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM ACCOUNT NO.
50001.301001.545010.0000.00000.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0054
This matter was ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S) 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 February 8, 2024
END OF CONSENT AGENDA
Chair King: We are on our consent agenda items. Are there any items from the
consent agenda that you, my colleagues, would like to pull from CA.1, 2, 3, 4, or 5?
Vice Chair Carollo: Move.
Commissioner Reyes: Second.
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): Madam Chair?
Chair King: Yes.
Ms. Mendez: On CA.5, we need to amend it with regard to the settlement language
and who will be receiving what. But that will be -- that's the only amendment.
Chair King: Okay. I would like to make one statement about CA.2, the Camillus
House Shelter Program. I understand that one of the entities that pledged money for
the beds hasn't paid for last year. Commissioner Reyes, are you aware of that?
Commissioner Reyes: No, (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Chair King: Okay, it's from your organization.
Commissioner Reyes: DDA (Downtown Development Authority)?
Chair King: Yes.
Commissioner Reyes: Oh, yes. And I know that we are not -- instead of giving it to
Camillus House, it was given to Hermanos de la Calle.
Chair King: Right, no, no, I'm not talking about what you're doing this year. The
funding --
Commissioner Reyes: Oh, no, this year --
Chair King: -- for it hasn 't been paid for last year.
Commissioner Reyes: From last year?
Chair King: Yes.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay, I'll -- I'll look into it, but I believe that was the reason
that we directed -- redirected it to Hermanos de la Calle, which are doing an
excellent job of getting people out of homelessness, housing them, training them, and
sometimes even relocating them to other areas in the (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Chair King: Okay, well, that's wonderful to hear. There's more than one entity that
can --
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Chair King: -- accomplish this very necessary work to house our --
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Chair King: -- homeless population and give them assistance. Mr. Manager, I'd like
to know how many -- we funded a hundred beds last year and I want to make sure that
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we continue to fund because the need is so great. So, if my colleagues don't have any -
-1 have a motion and a second.
Commissioner Gabela: Madam Chair.
Chair King: Commissioner Gabela.
Commissioner Gabela: I would like to discuss that, CA.2.
Chair King: Go ahead.
Commissioner Gabela: And the --1 want to ask some questions but one of the things
that by talking to the police department, my directors, and some of my fellow
commissioners, we have a problem, as we all do, with the homeless situation. It's not
an easy problem to fix. But I understand that we have a problem that other cities are
exporting them, if you will, to our city, and we're paying, you know, for the -- for
those costs, we're paying the consequences. And what I'd like to know is, how many --
do we have first choice for the City of Miami for beds in Camillus House?
Chair King: Yes --
Commissioner Gabela: Can anybody --?
Chair King: -- we do, but we -- that statement that you made, we have not yet been
able to prove that statement. And 1 would like to reiterate to my colleagues that our
approach to serving our houseless population has to always begin with compassion. 1
am not in favor of criminalizing our homeless population and irrespective of whether
they are transported until we can prove it -- until we can prove it because once we
can prove it, we can address it. But we have to continue the good fight. We have to
continue to find these programs so that we can continue to make a difference. And the
City of Miami is doing better than many, many, many cities in the U.S.
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Chair King: The homeless -- homeless issue is out of control, and we are managing it
properly as best we can. But what I love about what our team does here, our HEAT
(Homeless Empowerment Assistance Team) team, we manage this with compassion.
And so I would ask that if any of us have entities, organizations that can help and to
continue the funding, I would hope that we do that. I see Commissioner Reyes with his
hand up.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes. I want to inform you that I was just informed that one of
the reasons that last year was not paid because we never received an invoice from
Camillus House.
Chair King: You will get the invoice today.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay, well get the invoice today and maybe tomorrow you get -
- they will get the money.
Chair King: I appreciate that.
Commissioner Gabela: So ---
Vice Chair Carollo: What's the amount of what was owed?
Chair King: From Commissioner Reyes' organization, I believe it's $40, 000.
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Commissioner Reyes: $40, 000 a year.
Chair King: Yes. Pull your mic, pull your mic.
Vice Chair Carollo: If I can, Commissioner Gabela, thank you. Talking in what you
were saying, there's another problem that we have to go back to. It was brought up
some time ago and we haven't gotten a solution. And it begins affecting your district
and it starts there, then it spreads to some of ours. And the issue is the Miami -Dade
County jail that's in District 1. What happens is that many, of the people that are
arrested, that are brought to Miami -Dade County, unincorporated area right next to
Doral, when they're going to be let loose, they're not let loose over there. They bring
them over to the City of Miami, they let them loose in District 1, right across from
District 3. And many of those people are individuals that came from other states,
homeless, and they have nowhere to go at the time. So, what do they do? They hang
around District I, they hang around District 3, and then some expand their walk and
end up in downtown Miami. And we need to do a better effort, and I'm sure you will
take the lead on this, Commissioner Gabela, to, with the County, force them, not what
they're telling us, to -- that, oh, we 've got it. Speak to the police chief. See the reports
that we have. You force the County to let loose of people in the area that they're
jailed. Otherwise, the problem that we have is never going to end.
Commissioner Gabela: I agree.
Vice Chair Carollo: We're taking care of the homeless problem for the vast majority
of Miami -Dade County, and that is not right. Furthermore, 1 don 't mind putting as
much money as we need to, and this city is being compassionate. We're spending
between the City's general fund and all of our agencies millions of dollars every year
that goes towards the homeless program, but we need to be holding them accountable
as to how many beds are there. We need to get a report. How many of the people truly
are coming from here? And not the musical, that game that happens sometimes that
they want to say that some that are really not from the City of Miami are from the City
of Miami. For instance, Miami Beach, Miami Beach has been getting a free ride for a
long time. You know, they need to come into the table and they have a tremendous
amount of homeless problem over there. Lastly, while I will admit that we don't have,
thank God, the level of homelessness and the problem that many American cities have,
it's not acceptable to me to still have what we have. Go through downtown Miami and
see the mess that we have there. And I dare you to say that what we have in downtown
Miami is no different than what you see in pictures and videos in San Francisco, in
L.A., in many other parts of our country. And that needs to be resolved. You cannot
call yourself a major American city and have that kind of scenery that you see every
day in downtown Miami. Now, it spills into some of our other areas. I thank the police
department, the individuals that are in charge of our different programs for homeless,
that within our districts they try to clean up in the neighborhoods. We still have a
problem in certain areas. I will tell you that with all the help that you 've given, I'm
very appreciative to District 3. That area around Flagler, 12th Avenue, is still a non-
stop mess. While it's dropped, you still have a lot there. The area of Jose Marti Park
and that area around it, if we're not on top of that on a daily basis, it will go back to
what it used to he. So, each of us knows our districts better than no one, so we know
what areas we have problems with, and I suggest that, you know, you work with each
commissioner to try to resolve that. But we do -- and we shouldn't kid ourselves -- we
do have a very ugly situation out there. But yes, I agree with the Chair. We should
treat it with the utmost compassion, but we've got to treat it. We can't be trying to
hide it under the rug by saying, oh, we're -- you know, have lesser of a problem than
other major cities. We do, but we still have a heck of a problem.
Commissioner Reyes: Yeah, we have a problem.
Commissioner Gabela: Madam Chair?
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Commissioner Reyes: Madam Chair?
Chair King: I think Commissioner Gabela --
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Chair King: -- wanted to speak.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay. Okay, did you want to go ahead?
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, no, what I wanted to say, 1 agree with Commissioner
Carollo. This is a problem, it's an epidemic, it's not an easy fix. I am not for
criminalizing the homeless. It could happen to anybody tomorrow, and we would want
to be compassionate. But my problem is, as Commissioner Carollo stated, I've got the
worst problem in the City of Miami, District 1. I've got to protect my residents, and at
the same time, we need to protect these people from being on streets that they are not
protected, they're under the weather, in foul conditions, you know, in dirty conditions,
and I thank the Chief because I have spoken to the Chief about this, and he's been
proactive, he is proactive, he is doing what he can do and the HEAT and everybody
else. And you know, on 22nd Ave, under the overpass of 836, there was an
encampment we cleaned up, you cleaned up, you know, very thoroughly. They were
taken to Camillus House and they were taken care of But on 7th Ave, right in front of
Camillus House on the west side of 7th Avenue, you have an encampment going on for
a radius of about a block now, okay. The Claude Pepper building, the residents of
Claude Pepper, they were complaining that, you know, at night, you know, they come
over and start knocking on doors for food and other things, you know, and there's a
situation there. So, what I'm saying is that if we don't address this problem, like
Commissioner Carollo said and like other, you know, Commissioners, I'm sure we're
on the same page on this, we 're going to have a bigger problem. And that 's why I'm
asking the question, you know, look, I understand, you know, that the cities -- you
know, and we 've talked about Miami Beach, but we just can't tolerate that other
cities, you know, dump on us.
Chair King: We have to be -- we have to be able to prove it. Aside from --
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah.
Chair King: -- aside from people being released from jail, we have not been able to
prove as yet that, say, Miami Beach is dumping their homeless problems.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay.
Chair King: But I encourage you to go out with the HEAT team. I went out with them.
We were out until 11 o 'clock at night to see firsthand the work that they were doing.
Commissioner Gabela: Oh, no, no, no, no, I'm not questioning the work. I'm not
questioning the work --
Chair King: No, I understand.
Commissioner Gabela: -- and I know that they're out there.
Chair King: But you could see --
Commissioner Gabela: Right.
Chair King: -- the difficulties --
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Commissioner Gabela: I know, it's not an easy situation.
Chair King: -- that they have. And they will clean up an area, and four hours later,
they're hack.
Commissioner Gabela: Yes, they're back, they're hack.
Chair King: So, it's a constant, constant, constant.
Commissioner Gabela: But here's the question, here's the question that we're all --
that I'm asking, okay. If this is the case, why do we have 40 families or individuals
with tents, okay, on the sidewalk, on 7 -- on 16th Street and 17th Ave? So if we don't
have a building, then I guess we're going to have to get -- we're going to have to have
a meeting of the minds and maybe construct another Camillus House, okay, but at the
end of the day, we've got a problem. No matter -- no matter which way we put it, we
have a problem and this is going to be a bigger problem if we don 't address it and nip
it, you know, in the bud, you know, very soon. And all I'm saying is I'm asking the
questions to see how that goes along and to understand so I can understand how
many beds it is that, you know, that the City is buying how many are we using it and
what's going on there and why are these people out on the street? That's all.
Chair King: We have the --
Commissioner Reyes: Madam Chair?
Chair King: -- I see the executive director of the Camillus House here. She can
answer that question, Ms. Hilda --
Commissioner Reyes: Madam Chair?
Chair King: -- Fernandez. Hold on.
Commissioner Reyes: If I may add some --
Chair King: Let --
Hilda Fernandez: I guess, good afternoon. Hilda Fernandez, Camillus House, 1603
Northwest 7th Avenue in the City of Miami. Commissioner -- through the Chair,
Commissioner, this program, our beds that are funded by the City and exclusively for
placement by the City. A hundred percent of these beds are used for individuals that
are brought to us by the Miami Police Department through the HEAT team. They go
into short-term beds, eventually transition to the extended stay beds. The HEAT team,
just like the outreach teams, have access to other beds that are funded through other
sources, but this guarantees the City, and when they go out to deal with the sidewalk
in front of Mother Teresa's, that they have a resource of where to put the people.
Since this program was funded, we have placed -- your officers have placed 1,433
people into these beds. I'm not going to pretend that its 100 percent success. That is
impossible. That's just the reality of the population we work with. But I'm happy to
report that 43 percent of the people who came in, and believe it or not, that's
considered a very high number, have moved into housing. They have left the streets, a
very large percentage of them, 27 percent into permanent housing. Some have gone
into treatment. Some have gone back with family, with friends. We relocate people.
Yes, we do send them back. If they want to go back, we will get them a one-way ticket
back to where they were from if we can confirm they have a place to go there because
we hate to get dumped on, we don't want to be the dumpers either, so we are very
respectful of that. But the bottom line is this program was created specifically as a
resource for Miami police officers to be able to, when they go out to these locations,
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whether they're a sleeping area, an encampment, or they're just one person under the
bridge to that day have a place to take them because the system is strained. Beds are
frequently full. You know, we get referrals from, and we have placements, we get
referrals from Hermanos, from the City of Miami Outreach Team, you know, from our
own Lazarus Special Outreach Team, but you know, they're all vying for the same
beds. And when the City realized that that was a challenge for the police officers to go
out and do something, they started investing in beds to be able to have the right to
hold those beds for that purpose and you have a hundred percent occupancy
(INAUDIBLE).
Chair King: And if I may say, I'm very passionate about this. 1'rn a board member of
the Camillus House long before I became a public servant so I'm aware -- acutely
aware of all of the work that they are doing on behalf of our Miami --
Commissioner Gabela: And I don't doubt --
Chair King: -- homeless population.
Commissioner Gabela: -- and I don't doubt the work they're doing. That's not the
issue here. The issue here is, I've been told also, that down there on 72nd Avenue and
36th Street, the jail, it's a revolving door. They're picking them up and they come to
our place. Okay, what do we do about that? Do we just sit on our hands and see the
situation? Do we do something about it? And I'm just asking these questions to know,
to be informed, to see how we're going to attack this issue.
Commissioner Reyes: Madam Chair?
Commissioner Pardo: Madam Chair?
Commissioner Carollo: Chair?
Chair King: I'm going to let Commissioner Pardo speak because he has not spoken as
yet. And I see that he would like to.
Commissioner Pardo: Ms. Fernandez, I had a quick question. Does Miami Beach
participate in this program and do they fund beds --
Commissioner Reyes: No.
Commissioner Pardo: -- at Camillus House?
Ms. Fernandez: They fund, I believe, 12 beds.
Commissioner Pardo: Twelve?
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Ms. Fernandez: I think they were asking for 6 more, maybe up to 18. We're waiting
jrothat contract. So they do And beds, not only at Camillus, I believe they fund it at
other facilities, not just Camillus House. But frankly, we have prioritized beds for
partners within the community. And so the City of Miami has the largest chunk of the
beds that we have right now at our facility. We expanded capacity in response to the
request from the City to be able to accommodate more individuals as the system is, in
fact, you know, very busy and occupied. All the other beds are funded by the
Homeless Trust, by the County's Emergency Shelter Program. Those are available to
the outreach teams, but they are frequently occupied for -- very quickly.
Commissioner Pardo: Do they participate in the Homeless Trust?
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Ms. Fernandez: So the -- to back up, so the Miami -Dade County since 1994 has been
collecting a food and beverage tax in restaurants throughout the county with the
exception of in three municipalities that are exempt. That food and beverage tax is
used 85 percent for homelessness and 15 percent for domestic violence. At the time
that the tax was proposed to the state legislature, because the only way to levy that
tax, it's a tax, is to have enabling legislation approved by the state. Back in 1992,
when that was being proposed, there were three coastal communities that already
collected a food and beverage tax, and they argued that they shouldn 't have another
penny because they already paid the extra penny.
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Ms. Fernandez: And at that time, in an effort just to get legislation approved, the
concession was made in 1992 to exempt three communities from having restaurants in
their community levy the tax. And that's Surfside, Miami Beach, and Bal Harbour.
There have been attempts in the last two legislative sessions, attempts in the last two
legislative sessions, to have the state enabling act amended. They've not been able to
have -- and by the way, that is being pushed by the Homeless Trust. They are going to
the state and asking the state to amend the legislation to remove the exemption to
allow that food and beverage tax to be collected in restaurants in the City of Miami
Beach, Surfside, and Bal Harbour. So it's important. It's a restaurant tax. It's a user
tax. If I go and eat today at the Doral Ale House and 1 don't live in Doral, I'm paying
the tax. So, it's not a city tax. It's a user tax at restaurants. But the bottom line is that
attempt has failed two legislatures in a row. There's been very little enthusiasm, even
though there is an existing tax, to amend any legislation that would add more taxes to
anybody. So -- but there has been an attempt to do that. That effort has been led by
the Homeless Trust, but it's failed. I don't know if it's going to go back to the
legislature this session. It would generate millions of dollars more, because clearly
exempting restaurants in those three cities means a loss of revenue that can be
collected because people go eat on the beach and at Surfside and Bal Harbour. So,
that is definitely -- certainly everybody is very supportive of that being changed. The
City of Miami Beach did a straw ballot and the residents of Miami Beach who eat at,
you know, more frequently in their own restaurants, supported the legislation to
eliminate the exemption. So, they've -- you know, the Commission, City Commission,
has moved to try to, you know, be supportive, but it has not failed locally, it has failed
at the state. Until the state amends the enabling act, that cannot be collected in those
three municipalities.
Commissioner Pardo: Thank you.
Chair King: I believe Commissioner Reyes wanted to say something.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes. What I want to say is that although we don 't have no proof
that other municipalities are dumping their homeless in our city, I have been hearing
this before I got elected, you see. And talking to police officers and all of that, that
they just come from wherever they are and they dump them in our streets. But we have
a problem and the problem is not that easy to solve. And I want everybody to know
that the percentage of homeless that are -- the greater percentage of homeless are
either addicted --
Chair King: Mentally ill.
Commissioner Reyes: -- you see, they're addicts, or they have some psychological
problems.
Chair King: Mental illness.
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Commissioner Reyes: And most of them -- and 1 've gone in my district and 1 know that
Carollo, he even got -- made a tape of it, that you offer them shelters. You say, you
want -- now 1 can take you, 1 can call Camillus House or any other shelter, and they
don't want to go to the shelter. You see, I have problems in my district and I am
always on top of that. But what I have seen is that they are not only in downtown
Miami or in District 1, they are coming, they're going west to my district also, and to
Joe's district. You see, we have a big problem. And the problem is not that easy.
Chair King: No.
Commissioner Reyes: It's not a simple answer to it. You see, it is a combination of
factors. You see, we cannot, those persons that they are, they have any psychological
problem, and you can -- you know they have psychological problems the way that they
behave, you see. And we cannot get them into institutions. We cannot institutionalize
them because the Supreme Court said no, and that's when the homeless problem
really increased. But we have -- and I'm very hopeful with Judge Leifinan project.
You see, if you're not -- if you're not aware of it, or if you haven't visited the -- what
Judge Leifinan is doing, I strongly recommend that you go visit it. That's why I'm so -
- well, I am extremely in favor and always trying to get some funds for them, because I
think that it's not going to solve the problem completely, but I think that it will reduce
the problem because he is going to be housing them and he will have the ability to
even to get them -- and, I mean, he's going to have even a small court in-house, and
they can get them even institutionalized or whatever it is. But it is a great project that
all of us should be aware of. And believe me, believe me, we have a huge amount of
homeless that they are not economic homeless. They're not homeless because they
have problems with the economy. They are either addicts or they are -- they have
some psychological problem. To the -- from the addicts, I have talked to the chief, and
I said, we have to be more aggressive on the pushers, people that are selling the
drugs. We have to get them out of the street, more than on the homeless. Get the
people, get the dealers out of the street and you see that they will move wherever they
are. If they go to Fort Lauderdale, they will go to Fort Lauderdale. Okay, that's what
I wanted to say.
Chair King: And the program that he was mentioning will address homelessness with
the mentally, ill population. It's going to be a fantastic program. It 's going to bring --
Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
Chair King: -- over 200 beds, available beds, into the system and give much needed
support, I believe you were trying to --
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you.
Commissioner Reyes: They're going to Baker Act them.
Vice Chair Carollo: Let me say that the numbers that the numbers' that you have
presented in what you have accomplished, while to many, it might not seem high,
they're tremendously, high numbers. And I compliment Camillus House on the work
you're doing in reaching those numbers. The problem that we have, however; is one
that is a revolving door. It never ends. This is a national problem. It's not a Miami
problem. We've been able to handle it better than some areas. I have my theories why,
but it's a national problem. And as Commissioner Reyes said, you have a tremendous
amount of people that are out there homeless that it's not that they're homeless from
what we traditionally saw as being homeless. You fell into hard times, you didn't have
a job, you didn 't have financial means, you went out there. Many of these people are
homeless because they're drugged out, they've taken so many drugs. In some cases it
hasn't been that many before it knocks them off And then in some cases, it 's so much
already that they've lost their minds. They're not functioning, nor are they going to
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function any longer. And what has happened to all of us, and it's happening to
Camillus House, that it's a wave after wave that we're getting of people from other
states that are coming. If you remember, Commissioner Reyes, when we started to
clean up Maurice Ferre Park, we had over 100 homeless there. Before we
implemented the law, we took three days, a Friday, a Saturday, a Sunday, the police
chief went out there himself the DNA (Downtown Neighbors Alliance) president even
came out a few days, even though he'll probably deny it now. And we went to each of
the homeless, we made sure that the cameras the police officers had, we would film it,
giving them pamphlets, letting them know that Monday was D-Day, that by 10 p.m.
the park was closed on the City ordinance we had citywide. Some, 1 hate to say what
they were telling us, and where to go. But the bottom line that we kept asking each of
them, you know, if you need shelter, you need a place to go, we will help you. They
didn't want any. 1 think there was only one that said yes, and when we came, they
were gone. They really didn't want it. And we saw the problem that we had. The vast
majority of the people we had there, they were not from Miami. They came from other
parts. And whether we want to face the reality or not, we've been at a silent Cold War
with China for some years now. And how they're trying to kill us is not with the
missiles, it's not with biological, chemical weapons. They're trying to kill us by
burning as many of our minds of our citizens and residents that they can. First, it was
through the mail, until our government got on top of it, and a lot of that was curtailed.
Now, it's through open borders that the cartels are bringing in for the Chinese all
these new drugs that in many cases, after the first usage, the second usage --
Commissioner Reyes: They're hooked.
Commissioner Carollo: -- they're hooked. And this is why we have the problem in so
many of our major cities. And that goes along with other problems. Sex trafficking of
women, young kids, whether women, young girls, or boys. And as I said, it's a
national problem. And no matter how much money we're putting today, we're going
to have to put more tomorrow and tomorrow until there is a national effort to to; to
stop it. And the victims, the victims, you can read about them every week in our urban
cities. The little African American child that's been wounded or killed in Overtown or
Liberty City, the shootout in some of our urban areas and our Hispanic districts. And
usually because that's where it's happening, we find that it's acceptable. If it would
be happening in Coral Gables, Key Biscayne, other areas, I don't think it would be as
acceptable. But this is a reality of what's happening. We're being attacked in a silent
war that you're only seeing with the shootings, the dead or wounded, and of course,
through all the homeless individuals that you have, that many have major drug
problems. Some, it was too late already, they're burned out, they're clocked out.
Chair King: Right, correct.
Commissioner Carollo: And, you know, we as a city can only keep funding this as
much as we can.
Chair King: Exactly. So I have a motion and a second for CA.1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, CA.5
as amended. I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries unanimously.
City of' Miami
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Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024
PH - PUBLIC HEARING
PH.1 RESOLUTION
14703
Department of Real
Estate and Asset
Management
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A REVOCABLE
LICENSE AGREEMENT ("AGREEMENT"), IN A FORM
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, BETWEEN THE CITY OF
MIAMI ("CITY") AND SHAY BARAK CORP. ("LICENSEE"), FOR THE
USE OF CITY OF MIAMI PROPERTY LOCATED AT 174 & 176
EAST FLAGLER STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA ("PROPERTY"), FOR A
ONE-YEAR TERM AND PROVIDING FOR A MONTHLY USE FEE
("MONTHLY USE FEE") OF ONE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED
NINE DOLLARS AND NINETY-FIVE CENTS ($1,909.95), WITH TWO
(2) ONE YEAR OPTION TO RENEW WITH ADDITIONAL TERMS
AND CONDITIONS AS SPECIFIED ON THE TERM SHEET,
ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A," PROVIDED
LICENSEE IS CURRENT ON ALL PAYMENTS TO THE CITY;
FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE
AND EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING
AMENDMENTS TO SAID AGREEMENT, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE
TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
MOTION TO: Continue
RESULT: CONTINUED
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: Item PH.1 was continued to the March 14, 2024, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PH.1, please see
"Order of the Day."
END OF PUBLIC HEARING
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Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024
RE - RESOLUTIONS
RE.1 RESOLUTION
15473
Department of
Code Compliance
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
MITIGATING/NOT MITIGATING THE CODE ENFORCEMENT
LIENS RECORDED AGAINST PROPERTY ADDRESS 17 EAST
FLAGLER STREET, SUITE 1, MIAMI, FLORIDA, CASE NUMBER
CE2021024622, AFTER A HEARING, AS REQUIRED BY SECTION
2-817 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS
AMENDED; AUTHORIZING THE AMOUNT APPROVED AS FULL
AND FINAL SETTLEMENT OF THE AFOREMENTIONED LIEN;
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR DESIGNEE TO
EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY, ALL IN
FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR THE
PURPOSES STATED HEREIN.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0055
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
ABSENT: Carollo
Chair King: Next up is a mitigation item. Are the parties here ready to present for the
mitigation item?
Commissioner Reyes: Which one is that, Madam Chair?
Chair King: RE.1.
Commissioner Reyes: RE.1?
Vice Chair Carollo: That's in your district?
Chair King: It is.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Chair King: Madam City Attorney, is Code here?
Rachel Dooley (Assistant City Attorney, Supervisor): He's coining right now.
Chair King: Okay.
Ms. Dooley: You surprised us.
Chair King: Well, I want to get through as much as I can get through before we --
Good morning, Director Santos.
Robert Santos-Alborna: Good morning, Madam Chair. Good afternoon, members of
the Board. RE.1 -- I'm Robert Santos-Alborna, Code Compliance Director. RE.1 is a
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Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024
mitigation of a property located at 17 East Flagler Street, Suite 1. The following is a
synopsis. Respondent is 17 East Flagler Street, LLC (Limited Liability Company).
Notice of violation issued on November 28, 2021 for failure to maintain exterior of the
property and graffiti. Originally, the case was scheduled before Code Enforcement
Board on February 3rd, 2022. It was heard on April 7, 2022, adjudicated. The
violation ran for 523 days. It accrued a total of $130,750. The respondent, I haven 't
spoken with counsel, but Legal Division Chief Dooley has. The respondent is offering
$19,612.50, which is the equivalent of 15 percent. That's what I have. Ms. Dooley?
Ms. Dooley: Good afternoon, members of the Commission. Rachel Dooley, City
Attorney's Office. Yes, as the Director said, that's correct. It was a property that was
having a lot of issues with people coming onto the property to keep it clean. They
eventually did get it into compliance. They filed the suit. They are here for mitigation
and requesting it at 15 percent and I'll yield to counsel for any questions you may
have.
Chair King: Good morning -- good afternoon.
Nicholas Rodriguez: Good afternoon, Madam Chair, members of the Commission.
Nicholas Rodriguez on behalf of the property owner, 17 East Flagler Street. I'm
joined by the property manager and maintenance manager, Frank C. Palmer. This is
simply a case where a compliance inspection was just not called in time. The violation
was for graffiti and a maintenance issue with the canopy. The property maintenance
manager, Mr. Palmer, can attest that they have a grafti team coming out to the
property and multiple properties in downtown several times per week to cover the
graffiti. It always comes back, so it's a recurring issue. And then the issue with the
canopy required a building permit. That roofing building permit was issued in August
of 2022, only 132 days after the compliance date was reached, but unfortunately, they
failed to call for the compliance inspection and the fine accrued. So, we are offering
15 percent and respectfully requesting the approval. We just want to note that there
have not been any additional graffiti violations or property maintenance violations.
And we wanted to thank Mr. Commissioner Manolo Reyes because the Downtown
Development Authority Permit Assistance Program has really assisted this property
owner with obtaining permits and resolving those violations before they go to hearing
and before they become a longstanding lien. So, with this one, we're asking for 15
percent and, of course, ongoing good behavior and compliance. Thank you.
Chair King: I want to put on the record that I take offense to responsible business
owners being penalized for the acts of another. The graffiti that occurs in our
community where you have responsible businesses that are there. He said they have a
graffiti removal team. What about the businesses that cannot afford a graffiti removal
team? You eradicate the graffiti and within a week they're back. So, I would like for
our team to consider that issue. I am going to accept your 15 percent. I'm going to
round it even to $19,000, that is a little less than 15 percent --
Mr. Rodriguez: Thank you.
Chair King: -- just so we can have an even, easy number. May I have a motion?
Commissioner Gabela: Motion.
Commissioner Reyes: Move it.
Chair King: Second?
Commissioner Reyes: Second.
Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
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Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion passes. Thank you so much.
Mr. Rodriguez: Thank you very much. Have a great day.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): As amended.
Chair King: As amended.
Commissioner Reyes: Madam Chair --
Chair King: Yes.
Commissioner Reyes: -- if I -- I agree with you in reference to the graffiti, that some
merchants, they are penalized because some kid or somebody overnight that comes in
the middle of the night, they do graffiti on your wall. Next morning, you got a ticket.
We had, a long time ago, we had a team that went all over the city and it was a task
force, graffiti. They were like policing graffiti. And immediately, we did, and it was
very effective. Because if you -- they -- whoever does graffiti, they want people to see
it, and what that team at the time, what they did is they covered it until they stopped
doing it in that particular wall. And I believe that we have to --
Chair King: Reinstate that, reinstate. That initiative that he's speaking of --
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Chair King: -- that came to fruition because as a business owner, when I was the
president/CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of MLKEDC (Martin Luther King Economic
Development Corporation), I got together with the Mayor to look at that legislation
because our building was affected by graffiti. I had someone come and paint over
graffiti. He's walking me around the building, and by the time I got to the other side,
someone had tagged us again, and the paint was wet. And it was unfair. And for
businesses that cannot afford, and I would get violation after violation, threats from
the City, what they're going to do, how much these liens are accruing. We aren 't the
bad actors. We weren't the bad actors. So, I would like for the City to look into that
program again, the graffiti mitigation team, I think they were called --
Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
Chair King: -- to refund that, reinstate it if it is not, because it is unfair. Now, I am
excluding property -- vacant property owners, property owners that do not take care
of their property and they leave their property delinquent, vacant, and it's overgrown
and they're not taking -- I'm excluding them from what I am speaking of But it is not
fair to punish businesses for bad actors. That is -- grafti is a crime.
Mr. Santos-Alhorna: That are victimized.
Chair King: Tagging a business is a crime.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: Chairwoman?
Commissioner Reyes: Madam Chair, if I may say, let's work in that, I mean, going
back and have that legislation passed. I will co-sponsor it with you.
Chair King: Thank you.
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Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: So, Madam Chair, just as a point of reference, you and I have
spoken about businesses that are victimized. Commissioner Reyes, we do have in
place an ordinance that allows the City to obscure graffiti as long as it abuts public
right-ofway from the sidewalk. And we do have a very successful program right now
working with Solid Waste. We issue the notice of violation and Solid Waste comes and
obscures the graffiti. We don't paint it, we don't exact match it, but at least we
obscure it. So, that's something that we already have in place, successfully
implemented.
Commissioner Reyes: Do we have enough personnel because graffiti is all over the
City?
Mr. Santos-Alborna: Right.
Commissioner Reyes: You see.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: So, I would have to yield to Solid Waste, who is --
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: -- the department that is helping us do that.
Commissioner Reyes: Because what we have to do, and we have to make an effort,
that once the graffiti shows up, you see, then there is -- there are -- I mean, it's taken
care of
Mr. Santos-Alborna: I just want to make --
Commissioner Reyes: We can do it -- maybe we can do it through our district offices
if they give us the personnel and they give us the paint and all that. I mean, maybe we
can do it, you see.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: As long as the graffiti abuts the sidewalk or the public right -of
way, Solid Waste is obscuring after we issue the initial notice of violation.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Chair King: Okay.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: So I want to put that on the record.
Chair King: So, I'm going to move this along because --
Mr. Santos-Alborna: Thank you.
Commissioner Reyes: Yeah.
Chair King: -- we have quite a long day ahead of us. Maybe, maybe not.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay, let's move.
City of' Miami
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Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024
RE.2 RESOLUTION
15329
Commissioners
and Mayor
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, BY A FOUR -
FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, TERMINATING FOR
CONVENIENCE AND WITHOUT CAUSE THE REVOCABLE
LICENSE AGREEMENT ("RLA") WITH PERPETUAL LOVE L
TRUST, LLC. ("LICENSEE"), DATED NOVEMBER 10, 2022, FOR
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A RECREATIONAL FACILITY TO BE
CONSTRUCTED ON CITY OWNED PROPERTY LOCATED AT
BISCAYNE PARK (150 NORTHEAST 19TH STREET) AND THE
RELATED CONCESSION LICENSE.
MOTION TO: Continue
RESULT: CONTINUED
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: Item RE.2 was continued to the March 14, 2024, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number RE.2, please see
"Order of the Day."
RE.3 RESOLUTION
15492
Commissioners
and Mayor
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
SUPPORTING HOUSE BILL ("HB") 1081, SENATE BILL ("SB")
1072, AND ANY SIMILAR LEGISLATION THAT WILL ENHANCE
THE EFFECTIVE UTILIZATION OF TOURIST DEVELOPMENT TAX
REVENUE TO IMPROVE LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC
FACILITIES (COLLECTIVELY "LEGISLATION"); URGING
GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS AND THE MEMBERS OF THE
FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO ADOPT SAID LEGISLATION;
DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO INCLUDE SUPPORT FOR
THE LEGISLATION TO THE CITY OF MIAMI'S 2024 LEGISLATIVE
PRIORITIES; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A
CERTIFIED COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE OFFICIALS
NAMED HEREIN.
MOTION TO: Withdraw
RESULT: WITHDRAWN
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number RE.3, please see
"Order of the Day."
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Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024
RE.4 RESOLUTION
15461
Department of Real
Estate and Asset
Management
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENTS, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A LEASE AGREEMENT
("AGREEMENT"), BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") AND
CORAL WAY INVESTMENTS, INC. ("LESSOR"), FOR THE USE OF
APPROXIMATELY TWO THOUSAND SQUARE FEET ("2,000 SQ.
FT.") OF OFFICE SPACE LOCATED AT 2100 SW 22ND STREET,
SUITE 300, MIAMI, FL ("PROPERTY"), FOR THE OPERATION OF
THE DEPARTMENT OF FIRE -RESCUE URBAN SEARCH AND
RESCUE ("US&R"), COMMENCING ON THE COMMENCEMENT
DATE, FOR A MONTHLY RENTAL FEE IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO
EXCEED FOUR THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED THIRTY-THREE
DOLLARS AND THIRTY-THREE CENTS ($4,833.33), FOR A
PERIOD OF ONE (1) YEAR, AS MORE PARTICULARLY SET
FORTH IN THE ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT A,
ALL SET IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY;
FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE
AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING ANY
AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, EXTENSIONS, AND
MODIFICATIONS SUBJECT TO ALL ALLOCATIONS,
APPROPRIATIONS, PRIOR BUDGETARY APPROVALS,
COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THE
CITY CHARTER AND CITY CODE, IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO
THE CITY ATTORNEY, AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH ALL
APPLICABLE LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS, AS MAY BE
DEEM NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0056
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Chair King: And we omitted RE.4. May I have a motion for RE.4?
Vice Chair Carollo: Hold on. Let me see what RE.4 is.
Chair King: It's the lease agreement, Coral Way Investments, Inc. District 4's item.
Vice Chair Carollo: Move.
Commissioner Reyes: Second.
Commissioner Gabela: Second.
Chair King: I have a mover and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Item carries, moves unanimously. Thank you. Now, my colleagues, how
would you like to proceed? We have --
Vice Chair Carollo: Can we come back after lunch for everything else?
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Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024
Chair King: So would you like to come back and go directly to our meeting with
regard to redistricting or do you want to come back after lunch, take up the Omni
CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency), then break? It's up to you guys.
Commissioner Pardo: Come back after and do Omni CRA.
Chair King: Or if the Omni CRA isn't going to be lengthy, I'll do it right now.
Vice Chair Carollo: No, I'd rather --
Commissioner Pardo: You'd rather --? Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- come back.
Chair King: Come back?
Vice Chair Carol lo: Yeah.
Commissioner Pardo: Alright.
Chair King: So you want to do Omni CRA first and then take our other meeting?
Commissioner Pardo: Yeah.
Chair King: Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Chair King: So, for everyone that is here -- I see some heads shaking -- for everyone
that is here, we are going to break for lunch. It is now 1 o'clock. It's 1 o 'clock. And
we'll break for lunch until 3 o'clock.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Chair King: I always have a two-hour lunch break because we don't just have lunch.
We do other stuff in preparation for our afternoon meeting. You know, we have to
meet with our staff, we have to go over for those, but I can tell you if I go one more
minute without having something to eat, I'm unreasonable. So, we need -- we need --
we all need to eat. It's not just me, but I'll take it today. So, we're going to come back
at 3 o'clock. We'll have the Omni CRA meeting at 3 o 'clock, and then we will break
for the meeting that we have to have with respect to redistricting. So, I would think
you should not come back unless you're interested in the Omni CRA meeting for a
couple of hours. I don't know how long we're going to be in the redistricting meeting.
Okay? Thank you again for corning. Thank you for your advocacy. And we'll see you
back this afternoon. Meeting is in recess.
END OF RESOLUTIONS
City of Miami
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SR - SECOND READING ORDINANCE
SR.1 ORDINANCE Second Reading
14903
Commissioners
and Mayor
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 4 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA,
AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), TITLED "ALCOHOLIC
BEVERAGES," AND CHAPTER 36 OF THE CITY CODE, TITLED
"NOISE," TO PROVIDE FOR CITY COMMISSION AUTHORITY TO
WAIVE CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE
EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: 14256
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Chair King: May I have a motion for SR.1?
Commissioner Gabela: SR.1.
Commissioner Reyes: FR.1 ?
Chair King: SR.1.
Commissioner Reyes: SR. 1.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay, motion.
Chair King: I have a motion. Do I have a second?
Vice Chair Carollo: Second.
Chair King: Ms. -- Madam City Attorney, would you please read the title in for the
record?
Victoria Mender (City Attorney): For which item?
Chair King: SR.1.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries.
END OF SECOND READING ORDINANCE
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Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024
FR - FIRST READING ORDINANCES
FR.1 ORDINANCE First Reading
15416
Commissioners
and Mayor
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 2/ARTICLE IX/SECTION 2-779 OF THE CODE OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TITLED
"ADMINISTRATION/CITY-OWNED PROPERTY/OUTDOOR
ADVERTISING SIGNS AND ON -SITE SIGNAGE ON
GOVERNMENT -OWNED PROPERTY," TO AMEND ORDINANCE
14140 TO BRING IT MORE INTO CONFORMITY WITH PRIOR
ORDINANCE 13536 SO AS TO DISALLOW LED SIGNAGE AND
OTHER RECENT CHANGES; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Pardo, Reyes
ABSENT: Carollo, Gabela
Note for the Record: Item FR,1 was deferred to the February 22, 2024, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number FR.1, please
see "Public Comments for all Item(s). "
Chair King: I am going to resume the City of Miami Commission meeting for
February 8th, 2024. Thank you all for hanging around and hanging out with us. We
are going to conclude -- you know where my mind -- you know where my mind is. We
are going to continue -- we are going to continue our meeting. I have quorum. My
other colleagues are in the building. They may have just taken a quick break as we
literally just ended our attorney -client session. Let me see where we are. Mr. City
Clerk, what item are we on?
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair, we have items FR.1, FR.2, DI.1 and DI2.
Chair King: And let me ask my colleagues, because the hour is late, is there an
appetite to defer any of the items that are before us for our next meeting?
Commissioner Pardo: Yes, I vote to defer FR.1, FR.2.
Chair King: You vote to defer FR.1 and --?
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): We wore them down in the executive session.
Chair King: Do I have a motion? Do I have a motion?
Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
Commissioner Pardo: A second.
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Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024
Chair King: Do 1 have a second? 1 have a motion and a second to defer FR.1 and
FR.2. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries unanimously.
Commissioner Reyes: Madam Chair, I want to --
Mr. Hannon: And just for the record, that will be --
Commissioner Reyes: -- defer all the discussion items.
Mr. Hannon: -- to the February 22nd City Commission meeting.
Commissioner Pardo: Correct.
Chair King: Yes.
FR.2 ORDINANCE First Reading
15500
Commissioners
and Mayor
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
ESTABLISHING A TEMPORARY 270 DAY MORATORIUM ON THE
ACCEPTANCE OF APPLICATIONS FOR ANY BUILDING PERMITS
OR ZONING ENTITLEMENTS FOR SIGNAGE ON GOVERNMENT
OWNED PROPERTY AND OFF-STREET PARKING FACILITIES
PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 2/ARTICLE IX/SECTION 2-779 OF THE
CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TITLED
"ADMINISTRATION/CITY-OWNED PROPERTY/OUTDOOR
ADVERTISING SIGNS AND ON -SITE SIGNAGE ON
GOVERNMENT -OWNED PROPERTY;" PROVIDING FOR
EXTENSION OF SAID MORATORIUM BY RESOLUTION;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN
IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Pardo, Reyes
ABSENT: Carollo, Gabela
Note for the Record: Item FR.2 was deferred to the February 22, 2024, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number FR.2, please see
"Public Comments for allltem(s)" and Item Number FR.1.
END OF FIRST READING ORDINANCES
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Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024
AC.1
15491
Office of the City
Attorney
AC - ATTORNEY -CLIENT SESSION
ATTORNEY -CLIENT SESSION
UNDER THE PARAMETERS OF SECTION 286.011(8), FLORIDA
STATUTES, A PRIVATE ATTORNEY -CLIENT SESSION WILL BE
CONDUCTED AT THE FEBRUARY 8, 2024 MIAMI CITY
COMMISSION MEETING. THE PERSON CHAIRING THE CITY
COMMISSION MEETING WILL ANNOUNCE THE
COMMENCEMENT OF AN ATTORNEY -CLIENT SESSION,
CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC, FOR PURPOSES OF DISCUSSING
THE PENDING LITIGATION IN THE MATTERS OF GRACE, INC.;
ENGAGE MIAMI, INC; SOUTH DADE BRANCH OF THE NAACP;
MIAMI-DADE BRANCH OF THE NAACP; CLARICE COOPER;
JARED JOHNSON; YANELIS VALDES; AND ALEXANDRA
CONTRERAS VS. CITY OF MIAMI, CASE NO. 1:22-CV-24066-
KMM, PENDING IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA, CITY OF MIAMI V.
GRACE, INC.; ENGAGE MIAMI, INC; SOUTH DADE BRANCH OF
THE NAACP; MIAMI-DADE BRANCH OF THE NAACP; CLARICE
COOPER; JARED JOHNSON; YANELIS VALDES; AND
ALEXANDRA CONTRERAS, CASE NO. 23-12472, PENDING IN
THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE
ELEVENTH CIRCUIT, AND AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES, UNION
OF FLORIDA, INC. VS. CITY OF MIAMI, CASE NO. 2023-023038-
CA-01, CURRENTLY PENDING IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE
ELEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY, FLORIDA, TO WHICH THE CITY IS PRESENTLY A
PARTY. THE SUBJECT OF THE MEETING WILL BE CONFINED
TO SETTLEMENT NEGOTIATIONS OR STRATEGY SESSIONS
RELATED TO LITIGATION EXPENDITURES. THIS PRIVATE
MEETING WILL BEGIN AT APPROXIMATELY 10:00 A.M. (OR AS
SOON THEREAFTER AS THE COMMISSIONERS' SCHEDULES
PERMIT) AND CONCLUDE APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR LATER.
THE SESSION WILL BE ATTENDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE
CITY COMMISSION, WHICH INCLUDE CHAIR CHRISTINE KING,
VICE-CHAIRMAN JOE CAROLLO, COMMISSIONERS MIGUEL
ANGEL GABELA, MANOLO REYES, AND DAMIAN PARDO; THE
CITY MANAGER, ARTHUR NORIEGA, V; THE CITY ATTORNEY,
VICTORIA MENDEZ; CHIEF DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY JOHN
A.GRECO; DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEYS GEORGE K. WYSONG
ANDKEVIN R. JONES; OUTSIDE COUNSEL CHRISTOPHER N.
JOHNSON ANDGEORGE T. LEVESQUE. A CERTIFIED COURT
REPORTER WILL BEPRESENT TO ENSURE THAT THE SESSION
IS FULLY TRANSCRIBEDAND THE TRANSCRIPT WILL BE MADE
PUBLIC UPON THECONCLUSION OF THE ABOVE -CITED,
ONGOING LITIGATION. AT THECONCLUSION OF THE
ATTORNEY -CLIENT SESSION, THE REGULARCITY
COMMISSION MEETING WILL BE REOPENED AND THE
PERSONPRESIDING OVER THE CITY COMMISSION MEETING
WILL ANNOUNCETHE TERMINATION OF THE ATTORNEY -
CLIENT SESSION.
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Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024
RESULT: DISCUSSED
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number AC.1, please
see "Public Comments for allltem(s)."
Chair King: Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome back to the City of Miami
Commission meeting for February 8th, 2024. At this time, our City Attorney is going
to read a statement into the record. Madam City Attorney.
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): Thank you, Madam Chair. On January 25, 2024,
under the provisions of Section 286.0118 Florida Statutes, I requested that this City
Commission meet in private to discuss pending litigation in the case of GRACE
(Grove Rights and Community Equity), Inc., Engage Miami, Inc., South Dade Branch
of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), Miami -
Dade Branch of the NAACP, Clarice Cooper, Jared Johnson, Yanelis Valdes, and
Alexandra Contreras vs. City of Miami, Case No. 1:22-CV-24066-KMM, pending in
the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, City of Miami vs.
GRACE, Inc., Engage Miami, Inc., South Dade Branch of the NAACP, Miami -Dade
Branch of NAACP, Clarice Cooper, Jared Johnson, Yanelis Valdes, and Alexandra
Contreras, Case No. 23-12472, pending in the United States Court of Appeals for the
Ilth Circuit and American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, Inc. versus City of
Miami, Case No. 2023-023038-CA-01, currently pending in the Circuit Court of the
Eleventh Judicial Circuit in and for Miami -Dade County, Florida, to which the City is
presently a party. The City Commission approved my request and now, at
approximately 3.40 p.m., we'll commence a private attorney -client session under the
parameters of Section 286.0118 Florida Statutes. This private meeting will conclude
approximately one hour later. The session will be attended by members of the City
Commission, which include Chairwoman Christine King, Vice Chairman Joe Carollo,
Commissioners Miguel Angel Gabela, Manolo Reyes, and Damian Pardo, the City
Manager, Arthur Noriega, myself, the City Attorney, Victoria Mendez, Chief Deputy
City Attorney, John Greco, Deputy City Attorneys, George Wysong and Kevin Jones,
outside counsel, Christopher Johnson and George Levesque. A certified court
reporter will be present to ensure that the session is fully transcribed and the
transcript will be made public upon the conclusion of the above cited ongoing
litigation. At the conclusion of the attorney -client session, the regular Commission
meeting will be reopened and the Chairwoman will announce the termination of the
attorney -client session. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you, Madam City Attorney. At this time, I am recessing the City of
Miami Commission meeting for February 8th, 2024. We will resume directly after our
meeting. Thank you.
[Later...]
Chair King: Good afternoon, everyone. The attorney -client session has ended.
END OF ATTORNEY -CLIENT SESSION
City of Miami
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Office of the City
Clerk
BC - BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP LOAN
PROGRAM TASK FORCE FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela
Commissioner Damian Pardo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Christine King
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Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024
BC.2
14754
Office of the City
Clerk
BC.3
6672
Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT COUNCIL FOR
TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela
Commissioner Damian Pardo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Christine King
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 Miguel Angel Gabela
Commissioner Damian Pardo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Christine King
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Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024
BC.4
14454
Office of the City
Clerk
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:
Carlos Martell Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0057
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Chair King: Mr. City Clerk, do we have any board appointments? I think we can get
that out of the way before we break.
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, 1 got some board appointments.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Yes, ma'am. BC.4, Bayfront Park Management Trust.
Commissioner Gabela will be appointing Carlos Martell to his seat on the Bayfront
Park Management Trust.
Chair King.: Do I have a motion?
Commissioner Gabela: Motion.
Commissioner Reyes: Second.
Commissioner Pardo: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries.
City of Miami Page 64 Printed on 04/01/2024
City Commission
Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024
BC.5
13122
Office of the City
Clerk
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
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0058
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
ABSENT: Carollo
Note for the Record: A motion was made by Commissioner Gabela, seconded by
Commissioner Pardo, and was passed unanimously, with Vice Chair Carollo
absent, to confirm Gabriel Paez as a member of the Civilian Investigative Panel;
further waiving the employment prohibition contained in Section 2-884(e) of the
Code of the City of Miami, as amended, by a four/fifths (4/5ths) vote of the members
of the City Commission, as said requirement relates to the confirmation of Gabriel
Paez as a member of the Civilian Investigative PaneL
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): BC.5, Civilian Investigative Panel. Commissioner
Gabela is recommending confirmation of Mr. Gabriel Paez. Mr. Paez is an employee
of Miami -Dade County and requires a four -fifths employment waiver pursuant to
Section 2-884(e) of the City Code.
Chair King.: Do I have a motion?
Commissioner Gabela: Motion.
Commissioner Reyes: Second.
Commissioner Pardo: Second.
Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
City of Miami
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Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024
BC.6
15417
Office of the City
Clerk
BC.7
6958
Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE CLIMATE RESILIENCE COMMITTEE FOR
TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
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 Damian Pardo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commission -At -Large
NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela
Commissioner Damian Pardo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Christine King
City of Miami Page 66 Printed on 04/01/2024
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Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024
BC.8
14887
Office of the City
Clerk
BC.9
15122
Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A CERTAIN
INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD FOR A TERM AS
DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY:
John Cunill Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0059
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
ABSENT: Carollo
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): BC.8, Code Enforcement Board. Commissioner Gabela
will be appointing John Cunill to his seat on the board.
Chair King: Do I have a motion?
Commissioner Gabela: Motion.
Chair King: Second?
Commissioner Pardo: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
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:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
Commission -At -Large
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Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024
BC.10
14041
Office of the City
Clerk
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 Miguel Angel Gabela
Commissioner Damian Pardo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Christine King
Commission -At -Large
Commission -At -Large
City of Miami Page 68 Printed on 04/01/2024
City Commission
Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024
BC.11
15420
Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD FOR TERMS
AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Damian Pardo
Commissioner Damian Pardo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Christine King
City of Mianii Page 69 Printed on 04/01/2024
City Commission
Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024
BC.12
5976
Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ADVISORY BOARD
FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela
Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela
Commissioner Damian Pardo
Commissioner Damian Pardo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Christine King
Commissioner Christine King
IAFF
FOP
AFSCME 1907
AFSCME 871
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Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024
BC.13
15097
Office of the City
Clerk
BC.14
7963
Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR TERMS AS
DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela
Commissioner Damian Pardo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Christine King
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 Miguel Angel Gabela
Commissioner Damian Pardo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Christine King
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024
BC.15
14459
Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A CERTAIN
INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER,
QUEER ("LGBTQ") ADVISORY BOARD FOR A TERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY:
Erika Goitezolo Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0060
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
ABSENT: Carollo
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): BC.15, LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender
Queer) Advisory Board. Commissioner Gabela will be appointing Erika Goitezolo to
his seat on the LGBTQ board.
Chair King: Do I have a motion?
Commissioner Gabela: Motion.
Commissioner Pardo: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries.
Mr. Hannon: That concludes the boards and committees. Thank you, Chair.
Chair King: Thank you so much, Mr. City Clerk.
City of Miami Page 72 Printed on 04/01/2024
City Commission
Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024
BC.16
15421
Office of the City
Clerk
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 Damian Pardo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Christine King
Commission -At -Large
City of' Miami Page 73 Printed on 04/01/2024
City Commission
Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024
BC.17
8805
Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE MIAMI FOREVER BOND PROGRAM CITIZENS'
OVERSIGHT BOARD FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela
Commissioner Damian Pardo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Christine King
City of Miami Page 74 Printed on 04/01/2024
City Commission
Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024
BC.18
9270
Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE MIAMI TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL FOR TERMS
AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela
Commissioner Damian Pardo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Christine King
Commission -At -Large
Commission -At -Large
Commission -At -Large
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024
BC.19
15422
Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING, ZONING AND APPEALS BOARD
FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela
Commissioner Damian Pardo
Commissioner Damian Pardo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Christine King
Commissioner Christine King
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024
BC.20
3693
Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE STARS OF CALLE OCHO WALK OF FAME
COMMITTEE FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commission -At -Large
Commission -At -Large
Commission -At -Large
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Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024
BC.21
11273
Office of the City
Clerk
BC.22
13716
Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE URBAN DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD
(UDRB) FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela
Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela
Commissioner Damian Pardo
Commissioner Damian Pardo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Christine King
Commissioner Christine King
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE VIRGINIA KEY ADVISORY BOARD FOR TERMS
AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
END OF BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Damian Pardo
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Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024
DI - DISCUSSION ITEMS
DI.1 DISCUSSION ITEM
15499
Commissioners
and Mayor
A DISCUSSION ITEM REGARDING WHETHER THE CITY SHOULD
APPOINT A MAGISTRATE FOR THE CODE ENFORCEMENT
BOARD.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Pardo, Reyes
ABSENT: Carollo, Gabela
Note for the Record: Item DU was deferred to the February 22, 2024, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number DLI, please
see "Public Comments for allltem(s)."
Chair King: And Commissioner Reyes, you said -- what did you just say?
Commissioner Reyes: All the Dls (Discussion Items).
Chair King: I have a motion to defer the discussion items. Do I have a second?
Commissioner Pardo: Second.
Chair King: I have a second. I have a motion and a second to defer the discussion
items. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries unanimously. This shall conclude the City of Miami
Commission meeting for February 8th, 2024. I will see all of you in a couple of weeks.
Thank you so much.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Again, just for the record, Chair, DI.1 and DI.2 were
deferred to February 22nd.
Chair King: Yes.
Mr. Hannon: So we're all on the same page.
Chair King: Yes, thank you.
City of Miami
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Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024
DI.2 DISCUSSION ITEM
15503
Office of the City
Attorney, City
Manager's Office,
Office of the City
Clerk
A DISCUSSION REGARDING A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO
CHAPTER 16 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA,
AS AMENDED, RELATED TO FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES,
PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. 24-0023, ADOPTED JANUARY
11, 2024.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Pardo, Reyes
ABSENT: Carollo, Gabela
Note for the Record: Item DL2 was deferred to the February 22, 2024, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number DL2, please see Item
Number DL1.
END OF DISCUSSION ITEMS
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Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024
PART B: PZ - PLANNING AND ZONING ITEM(S)
PZ.1 ORDINANCE First Reading
13726 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 "MEDIUM DENSITY RESTRICTED
COMMERCIAL" TO "RESTRICTED COMMERCIAL" FOR THE
PROPERTY GENERALLY LOCATED AT 1250 NORTHWEST 22
AVENUE MIAMI, FLORIDA ("PROPERTY"), AS MORE
PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN COMPOSITE EXHIBIT "A"; MAKING
FINDINGS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading
RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number PZ.1, please
see "Public Comments for allltem(s)."
Chair King: That's --1'm going to come back to first reading items.
Vice Chair Carollo: Could --
Chair King: After the break, can --? We only have two PZ (Planning and Zoning)
items. PZ.1 and 2. Madam City Attorney, can you read those titles into the record for
us, please? PZ.1 and 2.
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): PZ.1.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Ms. Mendez: And PZ.2.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): I'm sorry, Chair. Who's the mover and seconder?
Commissioner Gabela: Hang on, discussion please.
Vice Chair Carollo: What items are we talking about?
Commissioner Gabela: On PZ.1 and PZ.2.
Chair King: I think Commissioner Gabela was the mover --
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
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Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024
Commissioner Gabela: Yes.
Chair King: -- and Commissioner Carollo was the second.
Vice Chair Carollo: PZ.1 -- yeah -- and PZ.2.
Chair King: PZ.1 and 2, and Commissioner Gabela would like to say something.
Commissioner Gabela: Yes, I just want to make sure that there's a covenant added of
no more than eight stories.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Commissioner Gabela: Yep. I just want to reiterate that that's on the record, that this
office space is going to be available to the Polish American Club. There 's going to be
20 percent affordability, housing on the site and there will not be any upzoning of 36
months on that. If that's the case, I'm ready to proceed forward.
Commissioner Reyes: Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner. I was going to bring that
up, too.
Chair King: Okay, so 1 believe we have a representative to comment on --
Javier Fernandez: Yes.
Chair King: Go ahead.
Mr. Fernandez: Madam Chair, good afternoon. For the record, Javier Fernandez
with offices at 201 Alhambra Circle, Suite 1205, on behalf of the Polish American
Club. Commissioners, thank you for hearing us today. Very briefly, we -- I just want
to be clear, we have met with the community, we understand, Commissioner Gabela,
that those are the additional requests they'd like us to incorporate in the covenant
that we had already proffered. I just want to be clear we would appreciate the
adoption of the item as it's presented today. I cannot represent to you at this moment
that with respect to the -- the height limitation, I don't have authority to say yes to it
right now because we're having a board meeting this Saturday to take up that item
since we met with them last Wednesday. But between now and second reading, I'm
happy to come back and hopefully affirm that that's something that we can agree to. I
just don't have the authority today since the board has not taken action on that item.
Commissioner Gabela: Okav, so Madam City Attorney, can we take that into account
then and --?
Victoria Mendez (City Attorney): So, I just want you to know if it's not in the
covenant, it doesn't exist so --
Chair King: But this is first reading --
Commissioner Pardo: It's first reading.
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, he wants to do it -- exactly.
Chair King: So, if it's not by second reading --
Mr. Fernandez: So I --
Ms. Mendez: Right.
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Mr. Fernandez: We understand that on second reading we'll proffer a modification,
hopefully with authorization to address the points that were raised.
Ms. Mendez: Okay.
Commissioner Gabela: What date can we set for the second reading?
Chair King: Well, the second reading is going to come automatically.
Ms. Mendez: Mr. Clerk, which -- second reading, do we have that set for --? Do we
know?
Chair King: For PZ.1 and --
Mr. Hannon: That's up to the Planning Director.
Vice Chair Carollo: Commissioner Gabela, as the maker of the motion, I'm the
seconder --
Commissioner Gabela: Thank you.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- could you be willing to change the original motion with a
subject to, that they come back and proffer --
Commissioner Gabela: Absolutely.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- what we're asking?
Commissioner Gabela: Absolutely.
Mr. Fernandez: Thank you.
Vice Chair Carollo: So, it should be subject to.
Chair King: Subject to.
Vice Chair Carollo: So it's clear that we're just not even voting on this in first
reading.
Commissioner Gabela: Alright, so be it.
Mr. Fernandez: We'll take that direction as we've heard it loud and clear. We'll take
that direction back. Hopefully we'll get the ratification on that change this weekend.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Mr. Fernandez: Thank you.
Commissioner Gabela: Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you.
Ms. Mendez: So --
Chair King: And the City Clerk needs to say -- needs to put something on the record.
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Mr. Hannon: Just briefly for the record, there is a supporting document for PZ.1 and
2 that needs to be substituted. It does not amend the legislation.
Chair King: Thank you.
Ms. Mendez: So, then just to be clear because I don 't think we have a date, is this
coming back first meeting in March then?
Mr. Fernandez: I think the first meeting in March will give us some time to make the
modification.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Chair King: Okay.
Mr. Hannon: And just for the record, there's only one meeting in March. That's
March 14.
Mr. Fernandez: No objections to that date. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. So we have a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries unanimously.
Mr. Fernandez: Thank you all for your time.
Ms. Mendez: As amended?
Chair King: As amend -- we already said that as amended to --
Mr. Hannon: No, no.
Chair King: Not as amended, but to include the --
Mr. Hannon: There's some supporting documents that need to be substituted. That's
it. It doesn 't amend the legislation.
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PZ.2 ORDINANCE First Reading
13728 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Department of ATTACHMENT(S), 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 "T5-L" URBAN CENTER
TRANSECT ZONE - LIMITED, TO "T6-8-L" URBAN CORE TRANSECT
ZONE -LIMITED, FOR THE PROPERTY GENERALLY LOCATED AT
1250 NORTHWEST 22ND AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA ("PROPERTY"),
AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN COMPOSITE EXHIBIT "A,"
ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED; 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: Pass on First Reading
RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.2, please see
"Public Comments for all Item(s)" and Item Number PZ.1.
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PZ.3
15113
Department of
Planning
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
GRANTING/DENYING THE APPEAL FILED BY ARTHUR NORIEGA, V,
CITY OF MIAMI CITY MANAGER AND MIGUEL FERRO, EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR OF BAYFRONT PARK ("APPELLANT"), OF THE
DECISION OF THE PLANNING, ZONING, AND APPEALS BOARD
THEREBY AFFIRMING/REVERSING THE CITY OF MIAMI PLANNING
DEPARTMENT'S ISSUANCE OF WARRANT NO. PZ-23-16544
ISSUED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 4, TABLE 12, AND ARTICLE 7,
SECTIONS 7.1.1.2 AND 7.1.2.4 OF ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE
ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS
AMENDED ("MIAMI 21 CODE"), TO ALLOW FOR THE
RECREATIONAL FACILITY USE ON A PARCEL ZONED "CS," CIVIC
SPACE TRANSECT ZONE, LOCATED AT 1095 BISCAYNE
BOULEVARD, MIAMI, FLORIDA; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
MOTION TO: Continue
RESULT: CONTINUED
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: Item PZ.3 was continued to the March 14, 2024, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.3, please see "Order
of the Day."
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PZ.4 ORDINANCE First Reading
13032 MAY BE DEFERRED
Department of AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Planning ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 10544, AS
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 "DUPLEX RESIDENTIAL" AND "MAJOR
INSTITUTIONAL, PUBLIC FACILITIES, TRANSPORTATION, AND
UTILITIES" TO "LOW DENSITY MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL" FOR
THE PROPERTY GENERALLY LOCATED AT 3825 CHARLES
TERRACE AND 3715 CHARLES TERRACE, MIAMI, FLORIDA,
(COLLECTIVELY, "PROPERTY") MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED
IN COMPOSITE EXHIBIT "A", ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED;
MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Indefinitely Defer
RESULT: INDEFINITELY DEFERRED
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.4, please see "Order
of the Day."
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PZ.5 ORDINANCE First Reading
13033 MAY BE DEFERRED
Department of
Planning
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING THE
ZONING ATLAS OF ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE ZONING
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED
("MIAMI 21 CODE"), BY CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION
FROM "T3-O" SUB -URBAN TRANSECT ZONE — OPEN AND "CI" CIVIC
INSTITUTION ZONE WITH A"VILLAGE WEST ISLAND DISTRICT AND
CHARLES AVENUE NCD-2" (NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION
DISTRICT) OVERLAY TO "T4-R" GENERAL URBAN TRANSECT
ZONE -RESTRICTED WITH A "VILLAGE WEST ISLAND DISTRICT AND
CHARLES AVENUE NCD-2" (NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION
DISTRICT) OVERLAY FOR THE PROPERTY GENERALLY LOCATED
AT 3825 CHARLES TERRACE AND 3715 CHARLES TERRACE,
MIAMI, FLORIDA, (COLLECTIVELY "THE PROPERTY") AS MORE
PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN COMPOSITE EXHIBIT "A",
ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING
A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
MOTION TO: Indefinitely Defer
RESULT: INDEFINITELY DEFERRED
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.5, please see "Order
of the Day."
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PZ.6 ORDINANCE First Reading
12645
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") TO
EXPRESSLY PERMIT MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES IN THE
CITY SUBJECT TO DISTANCE REQUIREMENTS BY AMENDING
ARTICLE 1, TITLED "DEFINITIONS," TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF
GENERAL COMMERCIAL TO INCLUDE MEDICAL MARIJUANA
DISPENSARIES AND PHARMACIES; BY CREATING A NEW
DEFINITION FOR MEDICAL CANNABIS, MEDICAL MARIJUANA
DISPENSARIES, AND PHARMACIES; AMENDING ARTICLE 6,
TITLED SUPPLEMENTAL REGULATIONS TO PROVIDE DISTANCE
REQUIREMENTS AND OTHER REGULATIONS FOR MEDICAL
MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES AND PHARMACIES; AND FURTHER
AMENDING ARTICLE 7, TITLED "PROCEDURES" TO ADD A
RESERVATIONS SYSTEM AND TO PROVIDE FOR SUBSEQUENT
ESTABLISHMENTS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: Item PZ.6 was deferred to the February 22, 2024, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.6, please see "Order
of the Day."
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PZ.7
15238
ORDINANCE
MAY BE DEFERRED
First Reading
Commissioners AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
and Mayor- PZ ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 10544, AS
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 "RESTRICTED COMMERCIAL" OF
APPROXIMATELY 2.54 ACRES DESCRIBED HEREIN OF REAL
PROPERTY AT 460 NORTHWEST 36 COURT (EAST PORTION), 427
NORTHWEST 37 AVENUE (EAST PORTION), 400 NORTHWEST 36
COURT, 408 NORTHWEST 36 COURT, 440 NORTHWEST 36 COURT,
146 NORTHWEST 36 COURT, 140 NORTHWEST 36 COURT, 114
NORTHWEST 36 COURT, 100 NORTHWEST 36 COURT, 102
NORTHWEST 36 COURT, 70 NORTHWEST 36 COURT, 64
NORTHWEST 36 COURT, 58 NORTHWEST 36 COURT, 3667
NORTHWEST FLAGLER TERRACE, AND 3695 WEST FLAGLER
STREET (NORTHWEST PORTION) MIAMI, FLORIDA ("ASSEMBLAGE
A"); AND BY CHANGING THE FUTURE LAND USE DESIGNATION
FROM "DUPLEX RESIDENTIAL" TO "RESTRICTED COMMERCIAL"
OF APPROXIMATELY 0.34 ACRES DESCRIBED HEREIN OF REAL
PROPERTY AT 697 NORTHWEST 37 AVENUE (SOUTHWEST
PORTION), 640 NORTHWEST 36 COURT (SOUTH PORTION), AND
3665 NORTHWEST 6 STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, ("ASSEMBLAGE B"),
(COLLECTIVELY THE "ASSEMBLAGE") MORE PARTICULARLY
DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED;
MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Continue
RESULT: CONTINUED
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: Item PZ.7 was continued to the March 14, 2024, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ. 7, please see "Order
of the Day."
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Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024
PZ.8
15239
ORDINANCE
MAY BE DEFERRED
First Reading
Commissioners AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
and Mayor- PZ ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING THE ZONING ATLAS OF ORDINANCE
NO. 13114, ("MIAMI 21 CODE") AS AMENDED, BY CHANGING THE
ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM "T6-8-O," URBAN CORE
TRANSECT ZONE — OPEN, TO "T6-8-O," URBAN CORE TRANSECT
ZONE — OPEN, FOR THE PROPERTY GENERALLY LOCATED AT 697
NORTHWEST 37 AVENUE (NORTH AND SOUTHWEST PORTION);
AND, BY CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM "T4-L,"
GENERAL URBAN TRANSECT ZONE — LIMITED, TO "T5-O," URBAN
CENTER TRANSECT ZONE — OPEN, FOR THE PROPERTIES
GENERALLY LOCATED AT 697 NORTHWEST 37 AVENUE
(SOUTHEAST PORTION), 640 NORTHWEST 36 COURT (SOUTH
PORTION), 3665 NORTHWEST 6 STREET, 460 NORTHWEST 36
COURT (EAST PORTION), 427 NORTHWEST 37 AVENUE (EAST
PORTION), 400 NORTHWEST 36 COURT, 408 NORTHWEST 36
COURT, 440 NORTHWEST 36 COURT, 146 NORTHWEST 36 COURT,
140 NORTHWEST 36 COURT, 114 NORTHWEST 36 COURT, 100
NORTHWEST 36 COURT, 102 NORTHWEST 36 COURT, 70
NORTHWEST 36 COURT, 64 NORTHWEST 36 COURT, 58
NORTHWEST 36 COURT, 3667 NORTHWEST FLAGLER TERRACE,
AND 3695 WEST FLAGLER STREET (NORTHEAST PORTION),
MIAMI, FLORIDA, MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT
"A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED; MAKING FINDINGS;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Continue
RESULT: CONTINUED
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: Item PZ.8 was continued to the March 14, 2024, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.8, please see "Order
of the Day."
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PZ.9 ORDINANCE Second Reading
14891 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 §163.3187,
FLORIDA STATUTES, BY CHANGING THE FUTURE LAND USE
DESIGNATION FROM "PUBLIC PARKS AND RECREATION" TO
"RESTRICTED COMMERCIAL" OF THE ACREAGE DESCRIBED
HEREIN OF REAL PROPERTY AT 20 SOUTHEAST 10 STREET AND
25 SOUTHEAST 10 STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS MORE
PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED; MAKING FINDINGS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: Item PZ.9 was deferred to the February 22, 2024, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.9, please see "Order
ofthe Day."
PZ.10 ORDINANCE Second Reading
14892 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Department of ATTACHMENT(S), 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 "CS," CIVIC SPACE TRANSECT
ZONE, TO "T6-48-B-O," URBAN CORE TRANSECT ZONE -OPEN, OF
THE PROPERTY GENERALLY LOCATED AT 20 SOUTHEAST 10
STREET AND 25 SOUTHEAST 10 STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, MORE
PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: Item PZ.10 was deferred to the February 22, 2024, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.10, please see
"Order of the Day."
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END OF PLANNING AND ZONING ITEM(S)
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ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 6: 05 p.m.
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