HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2024-10-15 MinutesCity of Miami
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
9:00 AM
Special 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
George K. Wysong III, City Attorney
Todd B. Hannon, City Clerk
City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
9:00 AM INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Present: Chairwoman King, Vice Chair Carollo, Commissioner Gabela, Commissioner
Pardo and Commissioner Reyes
On the 15th day of October, 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 special
session. The Special Commission Meeting was called to order by Chairwoman King at 9:50
a.m., recessed at 12:13 p.m., reconvened at 3:15 p.m., and adjourned at 4:49 p.m.
Note for the Record: Vice Chair Carollo entered the Commission chambers at 9:59 a.m.
Chair King: And at this time, we are going to open our meeting with prayer. We still -- we have
today Pastor Ulrich Hunter from the Historic Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, located
in historic Overtown, to give us the prayer for our meeting today, and he's one of my favorite
people also.
Ulrich Hunter: Let us pray.
Invocation delivered.
Chair King: Thank you. And at this time, we'll say the Pledge of Allegiance.
Pledge of Allegiance delivered.
Chair King: You all may be seated.
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PR - PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
PR.1 PROTOCOL ITEM
16812
Honoree
Presenter
Protocol Item
City of Miami Procurement
Department
Mayor and Commissioners
Certificate of Merit
Young Women's Preparatory
Academy
Mayor and Commissioners
Proclamation
RESULT:
PRESENTED
Chair King: (INAUDIBLE) the City of Miami Commission meeting this Tuesday,
October 15, 2024. I'm so happy to see all of you. Advocacy in action. At this time, we
are going to start the presentation part of our meeting. I'm joined with my
colleagues, Commissioner Miguel Gabela and Commissioner Pardo, Commissioner
Reyes. We are going to get this party started.
Presentations made.
[Later...]
Chair King: At this time, we are going to recognize our Congresswoman Frederica
Wilson. Good morning.
Frederica Wilson: Good morning. Good morning. Thank you so much. Good
morning, everyone.
Presentation made.
1) Mayor Suarez and Commissioners presented a Certificate of Merit to the City of
Miami Procurement Department in recognition for achieving national accreditation
from the NIGP Quality Public Procurement Department and for winning the
National Procurement Institute's Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award
for the eighth consecutive year. Elected Officials paused in their deliberations of
governance to acknowledge the City of Miami Procurement Department and to
appreciate their services improving the quality of life for the community of the City
of Miami.
2) Mayor Suarez and Commissioners presented a Proclamation to the Young Women's
Preparatory Academy (YWPA), which holds the distinction of being the first single -
gender, grades 6-12 school within Miami -Dade County Public Schools, opening its
doors in August 2006 to foster higher education and leadership opportunities for
young women. YWPA is committed to the intellectual, creative, social, and emotional
development of girls during their formative middle school years and beyond, aiming
to provide a strong academic foundation in a nurturing environment where girls are
empowered to face the challenges of adolescence. The pursuit of academic
excellence lies at the heart of YWPA's mission, and its rigorous curriculum is
specifically designed to prepare students for success in leadership roles and higher
education, offering Honors, Advanced Placement, and dual enrollment courses.
YWPA's efforts have had remarkable success, as evidenced by its 100% graduation
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Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
ORDER OF THE DAY
rate, with students going on to attend prestigious universities such as the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, Brown University,
University of Florida, Florida State University, and Miami -Dade Honors College,
among others. YWPA continues to receive national recognition for its achievements,
being ranked #102 out of 17,655 high schools in the United States by U.S. News &
World Report in 2023, further solidifying its reputation as a premier institution
dedicated to the empowerment and education of young women. Elected Officials
paused in their deliberations of governance to recognize the outstanding
contributions to the academic and personal development of young women in our
community.
Chair King: Mr. City Attorney, would you please read your statement?
George Wysong: Thank you, Madam Chair. George Wysong, City Attorney, City of
Miami. Pursuant to State of Florida Executive Order 24-214, as amended by
Executive Order 24-215, Florida Division of Emergency Management Order 24-011,
Miami -Dade County Declaration of a State of Local Emergency and the City of
Miami of the State of Local Emergency due to the potential impacts of Hurricane
Milton on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, the Miami City Commission meeting that was
scheduled for Thursday, October 10, 2024 was canceled, and the City issued a
public notice informing the public of said cancellation. In accordance with Miami
City Code Section 2-33-0, whenever a scheduled City Commission meeting is
canceled or is not held due to a lack of quorum or other emergency, a special City
Commission meeting will be automatically scheduled for the Tuesday immediately
following the canceled meeting. Therefore, this special meeting of the City
Commission was automatically scheduled for today, Tuesday, October 15 at 9:00
a.m. in the City Commission Chambers, located at Miami City Hall, 3500 Pan
American Drive, Miami, Florida, 33133. All the scheduled items from the October
10, 2024, canceled meeting were automatically scheduled as an agenda item at this
special City Commission meeting. The City Clerk has provided the required notice of
this special City Commission meeting as required by the City Code and all other
applicable laws. Detailed information about the processes, order of business, rules
of procedure, and scheduling or 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 (Municode). Any person who is a lobbyist pursuant to Chapter
2, Article 6 of the City Code must register with the City Clerk and comply with
related City requirements for lobbyists before appearing before the City
Commission. A person may not lobby a City official, board member, or staff member
until registering. A copy of the code section about lobbyists is available in the City
Clerk's Office or online at municode.com. Any person making a presentation, formal
request, or petition to the City Commission concerning real property must make the
disclosures required by the City Code in writing. A copy of the City Code section is
also available at the Office of the City Clerk or online at rnunicode.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 2-33(f) and (g) of the City Code, the agenda and the material for each item
on the agenda is available during business hours at the City Clerk's Office and
online 24 hours a day at www.miamigov.com. The meeting of the Miami City
Commission is a limited public forum. Any person may be heard by the City
Commission through the Chair for not more than two minutes on any proposition
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Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
before the City Commission unless modified by the Chair. Public comment will begin
at approximately 10:05 a.m. and remain open until public comment is closed by the
chairperson. Any person making offensive remarks or who has become unruly in the
Commission chambers will be barred from further attending City Commission
meetings and may be subject to arrest. No clapping, applauding, heckling, or verbal
outbursts in support or opposition to a speaker or his or her remarks shall be
permitted. No signs or placards shall be allowed in the Commission Chambers.
Persons exiting the Commission chambers shall do so quietly. Members of the public
wishing to address the body may do so by submitting written comments via the online
comment form. 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 comment form have been and will be
distributed to the 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 the elected officials, their staff and the City
administration up until the chairperson closes public comment. Public comment may
be also provided here at City Hall, located at 3500 Pan American Drive, Miami,
Florida, subject to any and all City rules as they may be amended. If the proposition
is being continued or rescheduled, the opportunity to be heard may be at such 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, notes the City Clerk.
The City has provided different public comment methods to indicate, among other
things, the public's support, opposition, or neutrality on the items and topics 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, City staff, and
any person recognized by the decision -making body as a quaked intervener, 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 to remove the presumption of prejudice
pursuant to Florida Statute Section 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 in
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
recommendations they may have. Please silence all cell phones and other noise -
making devices. This meeting can be viewed live on Miami TV, the City's Facehook
page, the City's Twitter page, the City's YouTube channel, and Comcast Channel 77.
The broadcast will also have closed captioning. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Chair King: Thank you, Mr. City Attorney. Mr. City Clerk, would you please read
your statement?
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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 of procedures we have established for this meeting?
Chair King: Yes.
Mr. Hannon: And Chair, may I administer the oath for the Planning and Zoning
items?
Chair King: Please.
Mr. Hannon: Thank you, Chair. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. If you will be
speaking on any of today's Planning and Zoning items, those are the PZ items, may I
please have you stand and raise your right hand?
The City Clerk administered oath required under City Code Section 62-1 to those
persons giving testimony on zoning items.
Mr. Hannon: Thank you, Chair.
Chair King: Thank you. Mr. City Manager, do you have any items that will be
withdrawn or deferred from this agenda?
Arthur Noriega (City Manager): Good morning, Madam Chair, Commissioners, Mr.
City Attorney, City Clerk. At this time, the Administration would like to defer and/or
withdraw the following items: RE.3, to be withdrawn; PH6, to be deferred to
October 24th; SR.3, to be deferred to October 24th; FR.2, to be deferred to October
24th; and FL.1, to be withdrawn. That concludes the items.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Mr. Noriega: FL.1.
Commissioner Gabela: I'm sorry, Art, can you repeat that again? I'm sorry.
Mr. Noriega: You want me to repeat all of them? Or the last one?
Commissioner Gabela: Yes, please, I'm sorry.
Mr. Noriega: Okay. RE.3, to be withdrawn; PH 6, to be deferred to October 24th;
SR.3, to be deferred to October 24th; FR.2, to be deferred to October 24th; and
FL. 1, to be withdrawn.
Chair King: At this time, I'm going to ask my, colleagues, Vice Chair, are there any
items that you would like to withdraw or defer from this agenda?
Vice Chair Carollo: I'd like to defer for the afternoon, and then we will go from
there on, SR.4. I'd like to defer RE.12. The last time that this body met as the Omni
CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency), I specifically requested publicly a variety
of financial items from the executive director. To this date, I have not received them,
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nor can they tell me when I'm going to receive them. So, it's clear that even though
I'm a member and supposed to be the vice chair of the Omni CRA, I really have no
say-so. I'm just supposed to be a rubberstamp with my vote because they do not want
to give me the financial items that I requested.
Commissioner Pardo: Madam Chair.
Chair King: Hold on one second. Okay, I'm going to go in order. Commissioner
Gabela, are there any items that you would like to have deferred or withdrawn?
Commissioner Gabela: So, I -- speaking of this item, I don't want to see it deferred
because I have an amendment to the RE.7. But I will say that I am in the same
position as Commissioner Carollo. I asked for a total expenditures and liabilities,
and I never got the answer up to now. Is this --? I think I'm correct in saying this. My
staff I asked yesterday. As of yesterday, we did not receive anything that we had
asked for from the director.
Chair King: Commissioner Pardo, only if there's an item that you want to withdraw
or defer. I'm going to hold out RE. 12 for a second.
Commissioner Gabela: I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Commissioner. Real quick, I was -- I
wanted to defer the SR.4.
Chair King: You want to defer?
Commissioner Gabela: SR.4. And I understand Commissioner Carollo wants to talk
about it in the afternoon.
Chair King: Okay, so I'm going to hold those two out so that I can -- Commissioner
Reyes?
Commissioner Reyes: (INAUDIBLE).
Chair King: No? Okay. So, for the purpose of discussion, I'm going to take RE.12
and SR.4 out of my request for a motion to move the agenda. Do I have a motion?
Vice Chair Carollo: Move.
Chair King: Second?
Commissioner Gabela: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries. The agenda has been set.
Commissioner Pardo: Madam Chair, just for clarification, we haven't deferred it.
We just pulled it out.
Chair King: Right. No, no, no. It's just been pulled. Those two weren't deferred. It's
just been pulled out. We'll have discussion when we get to those items and then we'll
-- because I want to be able to get to public comment and the like.
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PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ALL ITEM(S)
16806
Office of the City
Clerk
DISCUSSION ITEM
PUBLIC COMMENTS SUBMITTED ONLINE BY MEMBERS OF THE
PUBLIC FOR THE OCTOBER 15, 2024 SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION
MEETING.
RESULT: PRESENTED
Chair King: I'm open public comment in general for -- now that everything has
passed. So, if there's anyone here that would like to speak on behalf of any item that
is on the agenda, please step forward.
[Later...]
Chair King: Good morning.
Eduardo Navarro: Good morning. My name is Eduardo Navarro. Today 1 want to
draw your attention to the critical infrastructure needs of Allapattah and the
pressing necessity for the expansion of CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency)
into our neighborhood. Allapattah is a vibrant community with a rich culture
heritage, yet we are witnessing a troubling decline. Our neighborhood is in
disrepair, and the decay is affecting the quality of life for residents. The streets,
sidewalks, and public spaces that once served as vital connectors are now neglected
and crumbling. We cannot allow the decline to continue. The expansion of CRA into
Allapattah is not merely a request, it is an urgent necessity. This initiative will
provide the resources needed to revitalize our community, address critical structure
issues, and create opportunities for economic growth. By investing in Allapattah, we
can restore our neighborhood and unlock its full potential. We believe every
community deserves the support it needs to thrive and Allapattah is no exception. We
urge you to approve this vital initiative today. We cannot afford to miss this
opportunity to uplift Allapattah and invest in the future of our community. Members -
- members of the commission, we need your support today. Thank you.
Chair King: You still have 30 seconds, sir. That's the first buzz if you weren't
finished.
Mr. Navarro: I'm finished.
Chair King: You're finished? Okay. All right. Good morning. How are you today?
Mel Meinhardt: Good morning, Madam Chair. My name is Mel Meinhardt. I live at
3075 Virginia Street in Coconut Grove. I'm here to speak on the inspector general
motion, SR.2. Kudos to the Commission for being willing to put together this
aggressive program, Commissioner, for inspector general. I fully support it. If you're
doing forensic work, it sounds like it's terrific. You've got law enforcement officers
that are part of this program, fantastic. No objections with it, but I think it's what's
missing that we should also be paying attention to. And the big question is, how are
we doing as the City of Miami, with the absence of an internal audit function as a
management 'Unction, not a forensic function, not as a law enforcement function, but
I think we've taken our eye off the ball of just the nitty-gritty efficiency of our city. If
the City is doing well, if it's spending its money well, let's give it credit. But it turns
out, when you look at the websites of the City of Miami, we stopped reporting
externally the service metrics of the City back in the 2010s. We just stopped
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reporting. The Internal Audit Committee staff stopped that about eight years ago. 1
would say the call to action here is to use this opportunity for the inspector general,
which has the authority written in your language, if you properly fund it, you can
reinstate the auditing functions of internal performance that are typical of Omaha,
Minneapolis, Atlanta, and any other legitimate city in the country. That's the call to
action. Here is your chance. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you.
Commissioner Reyes: Thank you.
Chair King: Good morning.
Emily Aldana: Good morning. My name is Emily Aldana and today we stand united
before you to emphasize the urgent need for the expansion of the CRA into
Allapattah, RE.15. This is our second appearance before this Commission, and we
come with a renewed sense of determination filled by the deep-seated needs of our
community. Allapattah is a neighborhood rich in culture and potential, yet it faces
significant challenges and it hinders its growth and development. The expansion of
the CRA into this area is not just a request, it's a necessity. The expansion of the
CRA is not a request, it's a necessity. It is an opportunity to address pressing issues
such as affordable housing, economic development, homelessness, and improved
infrastructures that have long been neglected. We believe that the community
deserves the resources and support necessary to thrive and Allapattah is no
exception. We urge you to approve this vital initiative today. However, let it be clear,
if our request is not granted, we will not he discouraged. We will return again and
again advocating for the future of our neighborhood until our voices are heard and
action is taken. The time to act is now. Let us not miss the chance to uplift Allapattah
and invest in its potential. We hope for your support today, and if needed, we will be
back because our community deserves nothing less. Today, we emphasize the urgent
need of the CRA to expand into Allapattah. We have previously addressed this
Commission and our message remains clear. Our neighborhood is grappling with
homelessness, crisis that requires immediate attention. Thank you so much.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Rebecca Jauregui: Good morning. Thank you so much. My name is Rebecca
Jauregui, and I also stand for RE.15 before you today to advocate for the expansion
of the CRA into Allapattah. This issue can no longer be overlooked as our
community is in desperate need of affordable housing. While we appreciate the
commitment to address affordable housing in the city as a whole, it's important to
remember that we cannot handle this issue on our own. Every district, including
Allapattah, deserves equal attention and support. To solve this urgent issue, we need
to take a whole community approach that understands our neighborhoods'
connections and also exactly what they need. Today, many of us in attendance are
directly affected by this issue and know someone very close to us who also is passing
through this. Every day, families in Allapattah struggle to find a safe -- emphasis on
safe -- affordable place to live. And we cannot stand by our community as it
deteriorates. As we drive through our neighborhoods, we see beautiful new buildings
that are rising but for many of us it's impossible to even dream of living in these
places according to their high costs. As I mentioned earlier, I have zero doubt that
you care deeply about Allapattah and what solutions need to be made, but I
respectfully remind you today to have -- to take this opportunity to make the
difference in the expansion of the CRA. And I thank you so much for your time.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
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Crystal Ivory: Good morning. Good morning. My name is Crystal Ivory and I'm a
City of Miami resident and iPrep parent. I probably don't need to tell you that again
because I've been here several times making the same request. Like before, I am
here again today asking all the commissioners to put the needs of the residents first
and ratify the second amendment of the Omni CRA. Although at least one of you
thinks that an Omni CRA extension is not needed, that is not the case. There are
many parents, residents, educators, business owners, community leaders, and even
church members who live and work in these areas and have come up to this podium
over the last few months and made this point very clear. Based on what I've seen, the
main point of opposition to the extension has come from this commissioner. Both the
Omni area and Allapattah have real needs that should not be delayed or derailed. 1
ask that the commissioners work together to get the Omni CRA extended with a
commitment to provide Allapattah with funding so that both communities can thrive.
Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Paul Malavenda: Good morning, Commissioners, Chairperson. My name is Dr. Paul
Malavenda. I've been here before, and I speak in favor of the expansion of CRA into
Allapattah. I'm somebody who has experience with homelessness firsthand, not only
helping to feed them, to take care of them, but having been a homeless more than 30
years ago, it's something that I struggle with because I know how much everybody
struggles in a community that's poor, in a community that's held poor. Allapattah is
confronting an unprecedented challenge with rising numbers of individuals in need
of support. Yet while we see homeless individuals being sent into Allapattah, that
must mean that it's a great neighborhood because I don't see homeless in Key
Biscayne, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables. So, why are they putting them there? Why
do they keep moving them from communities that they're beginning to knock down to
build other communities when we have the necessary resources to help them, but
they're not being given. So, there's something that needs to be done. It's not just a
proposal. It's a vital lifeline. Its time to act. Because the message we're giving our
kids that are being educated in amazing schools in Allapattah, they're abandoned. 1
mean, it's short from using a bad word that it's kind of like, it's sad to see tennis
courts that are degraded, sad to see basketball courts, classrooms, when, you know,
they deserve better than that. So, I ask all of you, I implore for this expansion today.
It's a time to change now, time for all of you to be something that's great and say,
hey, you know what? We did it. We helped Allapattah. We helped our future
generation with a better education, better school, better message that you are worth
something. Instead of saying, you know what, this is what you're worth. We're going
to give you all the homeless, take care of them, but we're not going to help. Thank
you very much.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Cristina Alicot: Good morning, Commissioners. My name is Christina Alicot, and I
am the president of iPrep Academy's PTSA (Parent Teacher Student Association).
I'm here representing the parents and community of iPrep Academy, a Miami -Dade
County public school, and I want to emphasize that because I know there was a little
bit of confusion at some of our former meetings about whether it was a public school
or not. We are a public school. Our pink army made plans to be here on Thursday,
but Hurricane Milton, of course, had other plans for us. We want to make sure that
our voices are heard on item RE.12. First of all, I want to thank Commissioner
Gabela for his leadership and supporting our community back in March. I ask that
you all vote yes on item RE.12 to approve the extension of the life of the Omni CRA. I
urge the commissioners to work together. The Omni CRA extension and its projects
would greatly benefit our students, teachers, and the surrounding community. Thank
you very much.
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Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Bent Milagros: My name is Bent Milagros, and I'm here to support the expansion of
CRA into Allapattah, RE.15. Our community, is at a crucial point, and we urgently
need strong economy development to flourish. While we appreciate your efforts to
increase economic growth citywide, it's essential to focus on Allapattah as well. We
need a comprehensive approach that recognizes the unique needs of our
neighborhoods and the opportunities they can offer. To foster this growth, we must
convince current businesses that their leaders care about their success and attract
future businesses to invest in Allapattah with confidence, a community eager for job
creation and business development that can recreate a neighborhood. As we move
through our neighborhoods, we see tremendous potential all around us, but many
opportunities are yet to be realized. I know you care about Allapattah, and want to
make a positive impact. Today, you have a key opportunity to join in for this change
by voting to expand the CRA into our community. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Mileyka Burgos -Flores: Good morning, Mileyka Burgos -Flores, Allapattah
Collaborative CDC (Community Development Corporation). I want to thank
commissioner -- I'm speaking on PH.4. I want to thank Commissioner Gabela on
behalf of my board, the entire community, and the ten small businesses that will
immediately be saved in Allapattah. We are grateful to you for making it a priority
not to only save the little Santo Domingo commercial corridor, but also for realizing
the immediate impact that we can make together when we partner with the
community and local nonprofits to preserve historic neighborhoods. You have set an
example, and we hope that others will follow in the City. Thank you so much,
Commissioner Gabela.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Celina Che: Good morning and thank you for the opportunity. My name is Celina
Che and I'm here today to highlight the urgent need for the CRA's expansion into
Allapattah. This dynamic neighborhood full of potential is facing significant
challenges that impede its growth. Please understand that requests to extend the
CRA into Allapattah is essential Jroaddressing the many pressing issues that are
taking away the peace of many of us, like the case of affordable housing, economic
development, homelessness, and neglected infrastructures. Every community
deserves the support it needs to succeed, and Allapattah is no different. We ask you
to approve this important initiative. If our request is not granted, we will keep
fighting for our neighborhood until we are heard. Today we have an opportunity in
our hands to do something that sees this opportunity to uplift Allapattah and invest
in its future. We appreciate your support today and will remain committed to fighting
for our community. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Mark Burton: Good morning to the Commission. My name is Mark Burton. I'm here
to speak on PZ.1 and I guess conditionally PZ.2. I represent Steven Smith and the
other people involved in that matter. Just to reiterate from the previous meeting and
if we get into this this afternoon, I will expand. We believe there is no jurisdiction to
do this. Jurisdiction expired 30 days after the denial of the appeal from the PZAB
(Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board) back in May. There is no mechanism in
Miami 21 to reconsider a quasi-judicial determination after the end of that 30-day
expiration. There is case law, which we've cited to this Commission to that effect.
Mason's legislative manual is not applicable to quasi-judicial proceedings.
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Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
Additionally, appeals are de novo, so whatever may have happened afterwards is
legally, irrelevant, even if it was timely for a reconsideration, which it is not. Lastly,
what 1 will say, Mr. Smith, as the appellee, never received proper notice. He's also
not here today because he's on a trip to New York for work and would be here if not
for the fact that this had been a special rescheduled meeting. So, even if
reconsideration is granted, we would posit improperly, we would request a deferral
on the actual merits because he and also Mr. Kern are unable to be here on this
notice. So, thank you very much.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Raul Perez: Good morning, Madam Chair and Commissioners. My name is Raul
Perez. I'm the Chief Facilities Officer for the School District JroMiami-Dade
County Public Schools. And on behalf of the superintendent and myself, I'm here
speaking in support of the extension of life for the Omni CRA. As was acknowledged
here earlier this morning, Young Women's Prep was an initiative between the City of
Miami and Miami -Dade County Public Schools. As other initiatives that we've done,
our history goes back for many, many years. And again, I just want to reiterate the
support and speaking in favor that all of you support the extension of life for the
Omni CRA. And myself and Ms. Lisa Martinez will be here to answer any questions
when these items hit the floor. Thank you so much.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Nicole Desiderio: Good morning, Nicole Desiderio, 900 Biscayne Bay. I'm speaking
on item PZ.1. Over the course of a year, many, many people have come down here to
speak on this subject. Some people claim that it's only a handful of people, but that is
false. People simply cannot keep taking off work to come down here. I've heard from
this dais that it's a park, it should have a gym. I believe that's the wrong attitude to
have. It's an interesting opinion to me because the professional park planners who
actually have the expertise to know what they're doing did not put a gym in Ferre
Park in their plans. There are plenty of world-renowned parks that do not have
outdoor gym equipment in them. Not all parks are the same and not all parks should
have gym equipment. This is a passive park, not an active use park, as stated by
members of the PZAB board, and Sevanne Steiner, who is the assistant director at
the Planning Department, and of course, the professional park planners. An outdoor
gym is an active use and does not belong in Ferre Park. We have asked so many
times that the master plan by professional park planners be utilized for Ferre Park.
We have been ignored over and over again. Joe Carollo says that the trust meetings
are public and we should come down there to speak if we care so much. Well, I've
been down to the trust meetings and his board members literally laugh at you when
you're making a public comment. It's completely pointless going there. City's
outside counsel will continue to say that they have a closed permit, but it is the
wrong permit, as referenced by the senior building inspector in emails that I've
presented to you. Commissioner Reyes, you have stated that you don't want to set a
precedence that allows a commissioner to do what they want and then go and fix up
the permits later. Commissioner Gabela, you were adamant that the trust is putting
the cart before the horse and this should not be happening. If you created a
referendum question that said, should the City of Miami execute a master plan for
Ferre Park that was created by professional park planners and that has already been
paid for with your tax dollars, the people would all vote yes for that too.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Brenda Betancourt: Good morning. Brenda Betancourt, 1436 Southwest 6th Street. I
just want to say thank you guys for all the work that we saw during the hurricane
time, all the cleaning of the drainage, that it was done. We see it as a business. We
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Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
did not receive that much damage for the water, even though we didn't receive that
much water for the hurricane this time. But we see the cleaning up that you guys
were proactive, and I just want to commend you guys because you guys really did a
great job. And just keeping that is why don 't we clean it all the time? Try to keep it
up, because if we maintain our drainage clean, then we'll be able to save a lot of
problems. And the sandbags might not help much, but the cleaning of the drainage is
so important. I think that even in my District 3, I saw some places that we've been
complaining jbr a while that it's ahnost two feet of water. So, I saw the cleanup. I
think all of you guys did a great job. We hope that you guys keep up the good work
as saving us, the city of Miami residents, problems. That's what the one of the main
things that we expect from you guys, to be proactive for any issues coming up. And
just to keep on the same theme is, what are we doing with the homeless? And I'm
going to keep pushing homeless because businesses are complaining about the
homeless to set up camps in front of the stores. We pay leases, we pay taxes, we pay
licensing, all kind of fees that we -- revenue. The government, city, state, federal,
everybody charge us for something. And it's a new license every other day or any
new permit that we need to pull. So, how are we going to be able to do it humanely
without abusing them? But please, thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Is there anyone else that would like to speak on behalf of
any item on this agenda today? Seeing none, the public comment period is now
closed.
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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Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
PA - PERSONAL APPEARANCE
PA.1 PERSONAL APPEARANCE
16620 A PERSONAL APPEARANCE FOR A CHECK PRESENTATION BY
CONGRESSWOMAN MARIA ELVIRA SALAZAR FOR FLAGLER
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Christine King, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: Item PA.1 was deferred to the October 24, 2024, City
Commission Meeting.
Arthur Noriega (City Manager): Madam Chair, I have one more item that needs to be
deferred, which is the public appearance that's at the front of the agenda.
Chair King: Okay. Well, you don't -- we don't have to defer that, do we?
Mr. Noriega: Well, it's on the agenda so --
Chair King: Just to announce it, Todd?
Mr. Noriega: Yeah, just announce the deferral to October 24th.
Chair King: Do we have to --? Okay. We have to vote on that? Can I have a vote?
Commissioner Gabela: Motion.
Chair King: Second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Okay. Personal appearance has been deferred to October 24th. And I'd
also like to announce that we are having a blood drive today at City Hall between the
hours of 10 and 4. Please donate blood. Could save lives. The bloodmobile is just out
front.
END OF PERSONAL APPEARANCE
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Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
CA.1
16583
Department of
Police
CA - CONSENT AGENDA
The following item(s) was Adopted on the Consent Agenda
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO APPROVE THE AUDIT
AND RECLASSIFICATION OF A VACANT PAYROLL CLERK
POSITION TO A PAYROLL ASSISTANT WITH A FISCAL IMPACT
ESTIMATED IN THE RANGE OF $8,000.00 TO $39,000.00 FOR
FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025, OF THE CITY OF MIAMI'S ("CITY")
POLICE DEPARTMENT ("DEPARTMENT"); AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO MAKE ANY NECESSARY CHANGES TO
ADJUST, AMEND, AND APPROPRIATE THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-
2025 OPERATING BUDGET, FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN,
STRATEGIC PLAN, AND MULTI -YEAR CAPITAL PLAN
REGARDING CITY SERVICES AND RESOURCES AS
NECESSARY, LEGALLY ALLOWED, AND APPLICABLE IN ORDER
TO AUDIT AND CREATE SAID POSITIONS FOR THE
DEPARTMENT; RATIFYING, APPROVING, AND CONFIRMING
CERTAIN NECESSARY ACTIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER AND
DESIGNATED CITY DEPARTMENTS TO UPDATE THE
RELEVANT FINANCIAL CONTROLS, PROJECT CLOSE-OUTS,
ACCOUNTING ENTRIES, AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS;
PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0393
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
CA.2 RESOLUTION
16584
Department of
Resilience and
Public Works
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING SEVEN (7) RIGHT-OF-WAY
DEEDS AND ONE (1) QUIT CLAIM RIGHT-OF-WAY DEED OF
DEDICATION ("DEEDS"), AS DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A,"
ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, FOR RIGHT-OF-WAY
PURPOSES; APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE
RECORDATION OF THE DEED IN THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA; FURTHER DIRECTING THE
CITY CLERK TO RETAIN A COPY OF THE DEED.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0394
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
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Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
CA.3 RESOLUTION
16682
Department of
Resilience and
Public Works
CA.4
16552
Office of the City
Attorney
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
ACCEPT A PERPETUAL SIDEWALK EASEMENT, IN
SUBSTANTIALLY THE FORM ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED
AS EXHIBIT "B," FROM 222 NORTH MIAMI LLC, A FLORIDA
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, FOR THE PURPOSE OF PUBLIC
PEDESTRIAN ACCESS TO PORTIONS OF SIDEWALK
CONSTRUCTED ON NORTHEAST 2ND STREET, MIAMI,
FLORIDA.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0395
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO PAY GIRLYNE
PIERRE-THEOC, AND RODNET THEOC, AS N/B/F TO J.T. (A
MINOR), WITHOUT ADMISSION OF LIABILITY, THE TOTAL SUM
OF $100,000.00 IN FULL AND COMPLETE SETTLEMENT OF ANY
AND ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS, INCLUDING ALL CLAIMS FOR
ATTORNEYS' FEES, AGAINST THE CITY OF MIAMI AND ITS
OFFICERS, AGENTS, AND EMPLOYEES (COLLECTIVELY,
"CITY") IN THE CASE STYLED HELVIN ALEJANDRO DELGADO
VS. CITY OF MIAMI, PENDING IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE
ELEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY, FLORIDA, CASE NO.: 2024-7511-CA 01, UPON THE
EXECUTION OF A GENERAL RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS AND
DEMANDS BROUGHT FOR NEGLIGENCE PENDING IN STATE
COURT AND A DISMISSAL OF THE CITY WITH PREJUDICE;
ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM ACCOUNT NO.
50001.301001.545011.0000.00000.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0396
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
END OF CONSENT AGENDA
Chair King: Missing two of my colleagues. Mr. City Clerk, do you want to see --
before I start? No, no, no, not at all. Just checking to see. One more colleague before
I start. Okay. At this time, I'm going to ask my colleagues if they would like to pull
any of the consent agenda items for discussion, CA.1, 2, 3, or 4.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Chair King: Well, first I'm seeing if you want to -- if you want to pull anything for
discussion. So, do I have a motion for CA.1, 2, 3, and 4?
Commissioner Pardo: So moved.
Chair King: I have a motion; I have a second. All in favor?
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries unanimously.
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PH - PUBLIC HEARINGS
PH.1 RESOLUTION
16585
Department of
Housing and
Community
Development
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ALLOCATING PROGRAM INCOME FROM
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ("CDBG") FUNDS
GENERATED FROM MAY 1, 2024, TO JULY 31, 2024, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $26,261.61 FOR ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES, AS
SPECIFIED IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED;
FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE
AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS, IN A FORM
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, INCLUDING
AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, EXTENSIONS, AND
MODIFICATIONS, AS MAY BE NECESSARY, SUBJECT TO ALL
FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAWS THAT REGULATE THE USE
OF SUCH FUNDS, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0397
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Chair King: With the public hearings, gentlemen, is there any public hearing item
that you would like to pull for discussion? PH1, 2, 3, 4, 5 are in play. Any? No? No?
Commissioner Reyes?
Commissioner Reyes: (INAUDIBLE).
Chair King: No? Okay. Good? May I have a motion for PH.1, 2, 3, 4, which is a
four -fifths vote, 5, an additional four -fifths vote?
Commissioner Pardo: So moved.
Commissioner Gabela: Second.
Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Items carry unanimously.
Commissioner Gabela: That was 6 included, right?
Chair King: No, 6 was deferred --
Commissioner Gabela: Okay.
Chair King: -- until 10/24.
Commissioner Reyes: PH 6 was deferred.
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Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
PH.2 RESOLUTION
16676
Department of
Housing and
Community
Development
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), MODIFYING THE REQUIREMENTS AND
GUIDELINES OF THE INFILL FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER
EXPANDED PROGRAM, AS DESCRIBED IN RESOLUTION NO. R-
24-0260 ("EXPANDED PROGRAM"), BY REQUIRING APPLICANTS
TO SECURE A FIRST MORTGAGE IN AN AMOUNT THAT WOULD
RESULT IN A TOTAL PAYMENT, INCLUSIVE OF PRINCIPAL,
INTEREST, TAXES, AND INSURANCE, UP TO THIRTY PERCENT
(30%) OF THE APPLICANT'S TOTAL GROSS FAMILY INCOME AS
IDENTIFIED IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED;
EXCEPT FOR THE EXCEPTIONS STATED HEREIN; PROVIDING
FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0398
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PH.2, please see Item PH.1.
PH.3 RESOLUTION
16705
Department of
Resilience and
Public Works
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING THE PLAT TITLED "ALTO TOWER
SUBDIVISION," A REPLAT IN THE CITY OF MIAMI OF THE
PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN ATTACHMENT "1," SUBJECT TO
SATISFACTION OF ALL CONDITIONS REQUIRED BY THE PLAT
AND STREET COMMITTEE AS SET FORTH IN EXHIBIT "A,"
ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, AND THE PROVISIONS
CONTAINED IN SECTION 55-8 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED; ACCEPTING THE DEDICATIONS
SHOWN ON THE PLAT; AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE
CITY MANAGER AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE THE PLAT AND
CAUSE THE RECORDATION OF THE PLAT IN THE PUBLIC
RECORDS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0399
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PH.3, please see Item PH.1.
City of Miami
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
PH.4 RESOLUTION
16654
Commissioners
and Mayor
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), PURSUANT TO SECTION 18-85(A) OF
THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS
AMENDED, BY A FOUR -FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE
VOTE, AFTER AN ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING,
RATIFYING, APPROVING, AND CONFIRMING THE CITY
MANAGER'S FINDING(S), ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "B," THAT COMPETITIVE
NEGOTIATION METHODS AND PROCEDURES ARE NOT
PRACTICABLE OR ADVANTAGEOUS FOR THE CITY OF
MIAMI ("CITY") AND WAIVING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR
SAID PROCEDURES; ALLOCATING FUNDING IN FORM OF
A DEFERRED LOAN IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
ONE MILLION AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($1,000,000.00) FROM
THE DISTRICT 1 SHARE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI'S MIAMI
FOR EVERYONE ("MFE") PROGRAM ("GRANT"), TO THE
ALLAPATTAH COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, A FLORIDA NOT FOR
PROFIT CORPORATION ("DEVELOPER"), FOR THE
DEVELOPER TO ACQUIRE ONE (1) PARCEL AS
DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "C," ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED ("PROPERTY"), ON WHICH THE
DEVELOPER WILL REHABILITATE THE EXISTING
COMMERCIAL STRUCTURE CURRENTLY HOUSING TEN
(10) SMALL BUSINESSES CENTRAL TO THE LITTLE
SANTO DOMINGO HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD, AND TO
FURTHER DEVELOP THE PROPERTY FOR A MIXED USE
PURPOSE TO BE KNOWN AS 1700 NORTHWEST 36
STREET MIXED USE PROJECT ("PROJECT") THAT WILL
CONTAIN NO FEWER THAN FOURTEEN (14) CITY -
ASSISTED RESIDENTIAL RENTAL UNITS ON THE
SECOND FLOOR OF THE EXISTING STRUCTURE FOR
ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS AND REQUIRE A MIXED
COMPOSITION OF ANNUAL MEDIAN INCOME ("AMI")
BETWEEN FIFTY PERCENT (50%) AMI AND ONE
HUNDRED TWENTY PERCENT (120%) AMI, AS
PUBLISHED ANNUALLY BY THE UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT,
AS DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED, SUBJECT TO THE RECEIPT BY THE
CITY MANAGER OF THE APPROVAL OF THE PROJECT BY
THE CITY'S HOUSING AND COMMERCIAL LOAN
COMMITTEE ("HCLC APPROVAL") AND SUBJECT TO THE
TERMS, CONDITIONS, AND RESTRICTIONS CONTAINED
HEREIN AND IN THE HCLC APPROVAL; FURTHER
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND
EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS,
INCLUDING AMENDMENTS, EXTENSIONS, AND
MODIFICATIONS, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE
CITY ATTORNEY, SUBJECT TO COMPLIANCE WITH ALL
APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE OF FLORIDA, LOCAL, AND
CITY LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS FOR
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS AND MFE FUNDS
AND SUBJECT TO THE DEVELOPER FULFILLING ALL OF
THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN THE HCLC
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Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
APPROVAL, IN ORDER TO ALLOCATE THE CITY'S MFE
FUNDING TO THE PROJECT IN THE FORM OF A
DEFERRED LOAN; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0400
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PH.4, please see "Public
Comments for All Item(s)" and Item PH.1.
PH.5 RESOLUTION
16699
Commissioners
and Mayor
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), PURSUANT TO SECTION 18-85(A) OF THE
CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY
CODE"), BY A FOUR FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE,
AFTER AN ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING, RATIFYING,
APPROVING, AND CONFIRMING THE CITY MANAGER'S
FINDINGS, ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A,"
THAT COMPETITIVE NEGOTIATION METHODS AND
PROCEDURES ARE NOT PRACTICABLE OR ADVANTAGEOUS
FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") AND WAIVING THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR SAID PROCEDURES; AUTHORIZING THE
ALLOCATION OF GRANT FUNDS FROM THE DISTRICT 4
COMMISSIONER'S SHARE OF THE CITY'S ANTI -POVERTY
INITIATIVE IN A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED THREE
HUNDRED SEVENTY-THREE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED
FIFTY DOLLARS AND ZERO CENTS ($373,750.00) TO SUNSHINE
FOR ALL, INC., A FLORIDA NOT FOR PROFIT CORPORATION
("SUNSHINE FOR ALL"), IN SUPPORT OF THE SENIOR MEALS
PROGRAM; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS
NECESSARY, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0401
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PH.5, please see Item PH.1.
City of Miami Page 20 Printed on 12/3/2024
City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
PH.6 RESOLUTION
16638
Commissioners
and Mayor
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING A GRANT ALLOCATION FROM
THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS AND ADMINISTERED BY THE
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN
DEVELOPMENT ("HUD"), ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE
COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING ("EDI-CPF") FOR THE 2024
FISCAL YEAR ("FY 2024 ACT"), IN THE AMOUNT OF THREE
MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($3,500,000.00),
TO FUND THE FLAGLER AFFORDABLE SENIOR HOUSING
PROJECT ("PROJECT"), MANAGED BY THE CITY OF MIAMI
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT;
FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE
AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS
INCLUDING AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, EXTENSIONS, AND
MODIFICATIONS, ALL IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, AS MAY BE NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE,
SUBJECT TO ALL FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAWS THAT
REGULATE THE USE OF SUCH FUNDS.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: Item PH.6 was deferred to the October 24, 2024, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PH.6, please see "Order of the
Day."
END OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
RE - RESOLUTIONS
RE.1 RESOLUTION
16608
Department of
Code Compliance
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
MITIGATING/NOT MITIGATING THE CODE ENFORCEMENT
LIENS RECORDED AGAINST PROPERTY ADDRESS 2210
NORTHWEST 14 STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, CASE NUMBER
CE2021010653, 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-24-0405
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Chair King: Okay. Let's go back. We have for discussion the RE.12, Omni CRA
(Community, Redevelopment Agency) Second Amendment ILA (Interlocal
Agreement), RE.15, direct City Manager, work with Ornni CRA ED (Executive
Director) to expand boundaries of Omni CRA to include Allapattah, and RE.16, deny
extension of life, Omni CRA. I'm going to allow Commissioner Pardo.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair, my apologies, and there's also RE.7 that's still
in play.
Commissioner Gabela: They're all tied together.
Chair King: Oh, and RE.7, direct -- let me take the mitigations. We didn't do the
mitigations. So, RE.1, mitigation, 2210 Northeast 14th Street.
Robert Santos-Alborna: Good morning, Madam Chairwoman, Commissioners;
Robert Santos-Alborna, Code Compliance Director.
Chair King: Good morning.
Daniel Tamayo: Good morning, Daniel Tamayo for the property owner.
Chair King: Good morning.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: RE.1 is a resolution for mitigating or not mitigating property
located at 2210 Northwest 14th Street. The respondent is Conigsa Corp.
(Corporation). The violations, notice of violation was issued for operating without a
certificate of use, no business tax receipt, and working outside allowable scope,
adjudicated on September 8, 2021. The violation was complied on July 3rd, 2024. It
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
ran for 1,028 days, accruing a total of 514,000. The respondent is offering 17,825,
which is approximately 3.47 percent. And that's what 1 have.
Mr. Tamayo: Good morning. I want to be clear. We're offering that 17,825 because
my clients became aware of the liens on August 23rd, 2023. By then, there were
$356,500 in fines. We then, our office, we came and started working with them trying
to get this complied with. It took us from August 23 to July -- 2023 to July 3rd, 2024
to get compliance. It was two or three months of going back and forth to the City to
try to find out what was going on. We were told that we needed to do a public record
request to just obtain the documents that 1 believe we could have gotten in an email.
That took two months. So, that whole wait added a total of $157,000, and we want
that told. We would like to offer 5 percent of the amount that was when we found out
and when we started actively working on getting this resolved. And the reason we
are asking for 5 percent is because this is a CU (Certificate of Use) and LBTR
(License Business Tax Receipt) for a tenant that they received notice, they never told
our client about it. They did not obtain their proper licensing, but once our client
found out about it, again, they started working diligently to get it resolved. This took
a long time from August 23rd to July 3rd, 2024.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: Madam Chairwoman, I'm going to yield to Legal Division
Chief Dooley, who's going to talk about notice. And part of our due diligence
preparing for you is ensuring that all notices and summons are sent and posted. I
want to let Rachel elaborate.
Rachel Dooley: If you need (UNINTELLIGIBLE), good morning, Rachel Dooley,
Assistant City Attorney. Yes, we did review, as we do with all of them that come in, to
make sure notices were sent to the addresses as they were listed. This is a
corporation so it would have to go to the registered agent as well. It was at the time
that was done. The property itself was also posted. Whether or not their client
actually received it, looked at it, cared about it, I can't speak to that, but we did
follow both Florida Statute and the City Code as is required. I think what they're
asking for is when they realize something was wrong at the end. I don't think we've
ever done that. Obviously, that's up to you. But the total lien properly ran to
$514, 000.
Chair King: I am going to yield to the District 1 commissioner as it's in his district.
Commissioner Gabela.
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, so Robert, what were they in violation for again? I'm
cony.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: So, part of the discussion is the amount of 17 is 3.5 percent.
Commissioner Gabela: No, no, I know that, but for what?
Mr. Santos-Alborna: Oh, for operating without a certificate of use and the BTR and -
Commissioner Gabela: Doing what? What were they doing?
Mr. Santos-Alborna: Okay, this is an industrial property. They have multiple bays.
Those are rentals, right? So, they didn't have a CU-BTR.
Commissioner Gabela: These are the warehouses when you're going up --
Mr. Santos-Alborna: Yes, sir.
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Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
Commissioner Gabela: -- before the 22nd Avenue Bridge, they're on the left-hand
side, on the south side of the bridge, on the west side of 22nd Avenue.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: Correct.
Commissioner Gabela: Just trying to get my bearings straight, okay. And so, they
were operating without a license, and what were they doing? What were they selling,
what were they doing?
Mr. Santos-Alborna: So, they rent the bays, right? They rent them out to different
businesses.
Commissioner Gabela: By the way, is this the landlord or the business owner?
Mr. Santos-Alborna: It's the landlord. Yes, sir.
Commissioner Gabela: It's the landlord.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: Yes.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: And so --
Commissioner Gabela: What I mean is, the violations, were they done by the
business owner that rented from the landlord, or the landlord is the one that --
Mr. Santos-Alborna: So, what I have is that the property itself was operating without
a certificate of use and a business tax receipt, which is required.
Commissioner Gabela: By the corporation renting to the landlord.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). That's what I have.
Ms. Dooley: Right, so it's the businesses who are located on the property --
Commissioner Gabela: Right.
Ms. Dooley: -- are required to have certificates of use and BTRs to operate, which
should obviously be part of a lease. And that's supposed to, you know -- the City
Code and state statute cites the property owner is required to make sure that their
property is being used in compliance with building, zoning, and all of those things
within the law. In this particular case, the tenants were not using it as was required
by law because they did not obtain their certificates of use, which is more important
because that involves fire safety checks and things like that. BTR is your basic tax
that everybody pays in order to do business within the city. The tenants themselves
were not doing that in this particular case, and that's why they were cited.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay, so you're representing the landlord, and what you're
arguing is that you didn't know until August 23rd that these businesses were
conducting themselves without a --
Mr. Tamayo: Correct, yeah.
Commissioner Gabela: That's what you're arguing.
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Mr. Tamayo: Correct, yeah, I represent the landlord. The landlord does not live here
in the U.S. His lease does say that he needs to obtain certificate of use, a BTR, all the
licensing. He, again, did not become aware of these violations for whatever reason.
Commissioner Gabela: How long has this landlord owned this property?
Mr. Tamayo: I don't have that on top of my head, sorry. But I do know, so we
became aware of this on, again, October 23rd, (INAUDIBLE).
Commissioner Gabela: Is it recent or is it -- do you know?
Mr. Tamayo: I think he's had it for a while, it's not very recent.
Commissioner Gabela: He's had it for a while. Okay, listen, let's make it short.
Come up to what -- you're very low on the percentage that you're offering. You
know, come up to a figure that we can all work with. Usually, Robert, you also, you
always recommend what?
Mr. Santos-Alborna: So, Commissioner, based on -- and there's a pattern here -- a 5
percent, which is something that we are -- have developed as we now evolve in going
to Code Enforcement Board, and that's something that we'll be seeing. Five percent
brings it up to $25, 000, that is very, reasonable.
Commissioner Gabela: Sure.
Mr. Tamayo: We can accept that.
Coniniissioner Gabela: Okay. Done deal.
Chair King: I need a motion.
Commissioner Reyes: Move it.
Chair King: Second?
Commissioner Gabela: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: As amended.
Mr. Tamayo: Thank you.
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Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
RE.2 RESOLUTION
16588
Department of
Code Compliance
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
MITIGATING/NOT MITIGATING THE CODE ENFORCEMENT LIEN
RECORDED AGAINST PROPERTY ADDRESS 5 EAST FLAGLER
STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, CASE NUMBER CE2021024620,
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-24-0406
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Chair King: At this time, I'd like to ask my colleagues to take a break. There's a
special presentation from Congresswoman Frederica Wilson. She is presenting us
with a check for a youth program. So, if we could take a second to have
Congresswoman Frederica Wilson come to present. Okay, while we wait, let's take
another mitigation, RE.2.
Robert Santos-Alborna (Director, Code Compliance): Madam Chairwoman, RE.2 is
a resolution for mitigating or not mitigating a property located at 5 East Flagler
Street, respondent is Twin Properties, Nathan Rock. The violations are for failure to
adhere to illumination standards and graffiti. The NOV (Notice of Violation) was
issued on November 28, 2021, adjudicated on May 5th, 2022, complied on July 1st,
2024, the violation ran for 787 days, accruing a total of $393,500. I understand the
offer from the respondent is $12, 000, which is approximately 5 percent, and that is
adjusting for permits, electrical permits that were obtained and cross-referenced via
iBuild.
Chair King: Sir?
David Haber: David Haber of Haber Law, on behalf of the respondent, Twin
Properties of Miami LLC (Limited Liability Company), with me is Sergio Rock,
principal of the corporation which owns the property. This is the old Walgreens in
downtown Miami. They terminated the lease. My client, approximately one month
later, had a graffiti problem and a lighting violation. The graffiti problem was
resolved right away. They hired an electrician. They thought they fixed the lighting
problem. They ended up finding out that it was a timer, that the screws kept slipping
on the timer. And it was, according to our client, resolved in March. The City
Attorney has acknowledged that by the time we got the 40-year certification, it was
resolved, and therefore they agreed to reduce the amount by $156,500. We've agreed
to give 5 percent of the remaining amount. We believe that not all violations are
created equally. This does not involve a fire issue. This does not involve using the
property improperly. It does not involve any of those things. And it's unfortunate that
they didn't find out that it was the timer until much later and that's why we've asked
for the Commission to accept the $12,000.
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Chair King: I'm going to --
Rachel Dooley (Assistant City Attorney, Supervisor): 1 just want to clarify, it wasn't
an issue of when the recertification was done. That didn't have anything to do with
this issue. Rachel Dooley, on behalf of the City Attorneys' Office. It was when their
electrical permit was pulled for something else, when that was finalized, that's the
date, which brought it down to $237,000 from $393,000, and instead of 787 days, it
was 475 days. So, with Robert, we felt that that was, you know, fair and so their offer
was based upon that.
Chair King: I'm going to yield to the district attorney -- the district commissioner.
Commissioner Pardo: I agree. I've been following the mitigation. I'm fine with that.
Chair King: I have a motion.
Commissioner Gabela: Second.
Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries unanimously.
Mr. Haber: Always a pleasure to see you.
Chair King: Thank you so much.
Unidentified Speaker: Thank you.
Chair King: And at this time --
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): As amended.
Chair King: As amended.
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RE.3 RESOLUTION
16586
Department of
Code Compliance
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
MITIGATING/NOT MITIGATING THE CODE ENFORCEMENT LIEN
RECORDED AGAINST PROPERTY ADDRESS 4750 NORTHWEST
7 STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, CASE NUMBER CE2021021926,
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.
MOTION TO: Withdraw
RESULT: WITHDRAWN
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item RE.3, please see "Order of the
Day."
RE.4 RESOLUTION
16616
Department of
Code Compliance
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
MITIGATING/NOT MITIGATING THE CODE ENFORCEMENT LIEN
RECORDED AGAINST PROPERTY ADDRESS 137 NORTH MIAMI
AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, CASE NUMBER 00023534, 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-24-0407
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Chair King: Okay, we are going to now finish our mitigations, RE.4.
Robert Santos-Alborna: Good morning, Chairwoman, Commissioners; Robert
Santos-Alborna, Code Compliance Director. RE.4 is a mitigation of a property
located at 137 North Miami Avenue, respondent is Scanda Property 2, LLC (Limited
Liability Company). The NOVs, notice of violations, were issued on September 7,
2022 for a number of issues, failure to register vacant structure, failure to maintain,
failure to display address, and failure to adhere to illumination standards. The
violations were adjudicated on November 9th, 2022, complied on January 10th,
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
2024. The violation ran for 191 days, accruing a total of $95,500, The respondent is
offering $14,325, which is 15 percent.
Chair King: I'm going -- good morning, how are you?
Nicholas Rodriguez: Good morning, Chairwoman and Commissioners. Nicholas
Rodriguez on behalf of the property owner. This property is in Commissioner
Pardo's district. This is a historic building. The building was in active renovation
and is still in active renovation. However, one issue that caused the lag in time in
compliance was the illumination standards. Since it is under construction, it does not
have FPL (Florida Power & Light) power. The way we resolved it was actually by
implementing solar lighting and that's how we're complying with the illumination
standards today. But it took a while before we got to that point. So, we feel our offer
is fair and we're respectfully requesting that it be accepted today.
Chair King: I'm going to yield to the district commissioner, Commissioner Pardo.
Commissioner Pardo: I think it's fine. I accept it.
Chair King: Have a motion.
Commissioner Gabela: Second.
Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries as amended.
Mr. Rodriguez: Thank you very much.
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: Thank you, sir.
RE.5 RESOLUTION
16681
Department of
Code Compliance
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
MITIGATING/NOT MITIGATING THE CODE ENFORCEMENT
LIENS RECORDED AGAINST PROPERTY ADDRESS 60
NORTHWEST 76 STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, CASE NUMBER
CE2020002464, 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-24-0408
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MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Chair King: RE.5.
Robert Santos-Alborna (Director, Code Compliance): RE.5 is a mitigation of a
property located at 60 Northwest 76th Street, respondent is Hofstatter Realty, LLC
(Limited Liability Company). This is a five -story 19-unit condo. The violations are
for construction work without a permit, specifically a fence. The notice of violation
was issued on January 30th, 2020, adjudicated on November 17th, 2020. It complied
on July 19, 2024. The violation ran for 1,277 days, accruing a total of 319,250. I
understand the respondent is offering $10,000. And from the notes, it reflects that the
respondent worked on waivers. I had an exchange with one of the staff members
from one of the commissioners. The violation was for erecting a fence, but we didn't
see the waiver application. So, I don't know. Clearly, we need to take into
consideration the type of violation. They wanted to improve the property, but it
requires a permit. So, with that, I'm going to yield to the respondent.
Joshua Salmon: Good morning, Commissioners. Joshua Salmon here on behalf of
Hofstatter Reality -- I'm sorry, Hofstatter Realty. I also have Felipe Hofstatter here
with me. What he has said is accurate. My client had purchased some properties in
an affordable housing. There was an existing chain link fence that was dilapidated,
deteriorated, but was there to protect the property. Upon taking over the
management, the people who lived in the property wanted the fence to be repaired. It
was, again, an eyesore and not performing its function as well anymore. So, he
retained a contractor, had a fence that was more pleasing to the eye and provided
better security, put up in the exact same spot the chain link fence had been there, was
under the impression that it did not require a permit or that the contractor had taken
care of that. We later learned that was not accurate. Upon learning that, he sought
to get a waiver so that they could have the fence, because again, it provided
protection and there had been ((fence there. Went through five different contractors,
consultants, professionals, attempting to get a waiver for this fence because the
people who live there wanted the fence. Ultimately, it was determined they were not
going to he able to get a waiver. There were, I believe, two different waivers
submitted. I attached those to the initial complaint. Upon learning that there was no
way that they were going to get the waiver, the fence was taken down. A decent
portion of the time that elapsed occurred during COVID-19. There was issues with
funding, difficulty contacting contractors, getting the work done. However, we raised
no issues with notice. We understand that the City had done its job, and the fence has
now been taken down. All has been done. This is a first-time offender. There was no,
you know, danger to life, liberty, property, and as such, we offer $10,000 in full
mitigation of the fine.
Chair King: Attorney Dooley, do you have something?
Rachel Dooley (Assistant City Attorney, Supervisor): No, no, no. Yes, I saw they did
attempt waivers. They were trying to do something prior to the hearing. The hearing
happened. They didn't request an extension of time, and then we know what happens
when you don't request your extension of time. That lien gets recorded, and that sort
of ended them in the spot. But I agree with everything else that both the director and
counsel has said with regards to it. And it is with respect to a fence that just --
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Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
Chair King: So, here was a concern of mine that you hired a contractor. Contractors
are supposed to know that they have to get a permit, or they don't have to get a
permit. That's an issue for me. When you hire -- if you had said you went on your
own and you were trying to do the fence, that's one thing. But hire -- contractors are
professional, and they're supposed to know this. So, they either didn't know, or they
were trying to skirt the law. I would say the latter if I was a betting woman, but I'm
not. So, that's a problem because these mitigations come to us and our staff has to
do the work, and I am not trying to set a precedent so that people can just come to us
for mitigation and say, well, my contractor or -- somebody has to accept
responsibility for what has done -- what transpired to bring you here before us. 1
cannot accept, what is it, 2 percent?
Mr. Santos-Alborna: 3.13 percent.
Chair King: 3.13 percent. I cannot accept 3.13 percent. I will accept 10 percent, and
I usually take 15 percent or more, butl will accept 10 percent. Do I have a motion?
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Commissioner Gabela: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: As amended. Thank you.
RE.6 RESOLUTION
16686
Department of
Code Compliance
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
MITIGATING/NOT MITIGATING THE CODE ENFORCEMENT
LIENS RECORDED AGAINST PROPERTY ADDRESS 2505
NORTH MIAMI AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, CASE NUMBER
CE2019019533, 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-24-0409
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Robert Santos-Alborna (Director, Code Compliance): Madam Chairwoman, RE.8 is
a mitigation --
Chair King: What about RE. 6?
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Mr. Santos-Alborna: Oh, we're going to 6. Apologies. 1 have it in different -- yeah,
yeah. RE.6, a mitigation of a property located at 2505 North Miami Avenue,
respondent is Patbe Investments, LLC (Limited Liability Company). The violations
are for improper storage of vehicle, parking of vehicles, unimproved surfaces, and
failure to register the lot. NOV (Notice of Violation) was issued of the adjudication
date on 10/14/2020. A violation was complied after 616 days, accruing a total of
$154,000. In my notes, it says that the owner is elderly and they put on the record
that there was an earlier compliance date, but I have no way of corroborating that.
So, with that, I yield to counsel.
Chair King: Good morning.
Maria Gralia: Good morning, Maria Gralia, 150 West Flagler. I represent the
owner, Patbe Investments, and I submitted an affidavit. I don't know if any of you
received the affidavit I submitted from the owner. So, the owner is an elderly -- the
principal owner is an elderly gentleman. His son is here with me today who lives in
New York. When the owner was found out that the tenants were utilizing -- he has the
building next door and the vacant lot. The tenants -- he had an agreement with the
tenants, no cash exchanged hand, so it wasn't for a payment to park there, but he
had told the tenants if they could get a certificate of use to utilize the vacant lot for
parking, that they can utilize it. The tenant never did that, and as soon as he received
the notice of violation, he told the tenant to vacate. The tenant did vacate, that's lock
and load, they vacated immediately upon him telling them to leave. This happened in
2020, so that was the date of compliance. Afterwards, there was the property
adjacent to this property was a construction site. And I submitted in the affidavit
some aerials that you can see in 2020, no cars, and you see some cars in the
adjacent vacant lot that is now a construction site. These folks in that construction
site started moving their vehicles. Once they started constructing, moved their
vehicles to this vacant lot and started parking there. My client was not aware. He
lives in Weston. He was not there seeing what was happening on a daily basis. He
did not receive notice that those cars were parked there. As soon as he found out,
when he was trying to register the lot -- by the way, there's two issues here. One was
registering a vacant lot. He was trying to register it all through COVID, was having
a really difficult time, finally registered. That was taken care of That's when he
called in the inspector and that's when the violation got cured after the registration
took place in terms of getting the certificate of compliance. But before that, when he
found out that these construction workers were utilizing that vacant lot, he also told
them to vacate and then change the locks, sealed the property so that no one else can
utilize this. This client has -- my client has been on this property for over 20 years in
Wynwood. He has seen the changes that have occurred in Wynwood. He has been a
good property owner. He has always maintained his property in good condition all
throughout the years that Wynwood has been going up and down and now up again.
So, we're asking --1 know that we have requested a de minimis mitigation for this. I
leave it up to you, but based on everything that my client did try to do, knowing that
in his -- he was in his 80s trying to resolve this on his own, nothing -- no money was
paid by anyone. So, it's not like he was utilizing this vacant lot to park cars there and
get money. And he was just, I think, an elderly man being taken advantage by others
who see that he wasn't there looking at his property on a daily basis.
Chair King: Attorney Dooley.
Rachel Dooley (Assistant City Attorney, Supervisor): Good morning, Rachel, on
behalf of the Office of the City Attorney. In this particular case, obviously from the
City's position, the claim date of compliance, which would have, I believe they have
is in 2020, is not a date of compliance. While he may have requested that other
people not park on this empty lot next to the shooting range, the gun range in
Wynwood, people were continuing to park there, whether he was aware of it.
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Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
Obviously, his age may have had something to do with not keeping on top of the
property. I know his son's here and has been helping him out as well now, so things
are very, good. But the photographs show consistent use of that lot, which is why
from the City's perspective, we can't agree to this 2020 compliance date. It just, it
doesn 't work for us because it just -- what we know doesn 't add up. However, I think
that all of the issues that, you know, counsel's brought up are, you know, are
accurate. The total lien ran to $154, 000 for 616 days. So, I know that they've, under
their theory, you know, it was only $4,000, so they're offering a thousand. We can 't
agree with the 2020 date just because of what we see, but it's obviously up to you to
take into consideration all the factors, but it is very good now, and I know the son is
assisting the father with taking care of the lot.
Chair King: So, this is my district and I cannot accept a thousand dollars. While I
sympathize with you, sir, my father is 82 years old and I handle all of his business,
all of his business, but based on what the City Attorney just said, I cannot accept
again because -- and not living near the property, not being elderly, that's not an
excuse that we can accept. And I tell you, I understand. My father is 82 years old and
gets himself into trouble that I have to get him out of as an attorney. Not because he
intentionally gets himself into trouble, but just because he's older now. So, I
understand, but I'm also a property owner. I own property out of Miami. I own
property in Orlando. I am still responsible for that property no matter where I am.
So -- but because I understand, I will ask for 5 percent, which I rarely, if ever, do.
Ms. Gralia: We appreciate that. Thank you very, much.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: And we'll put it at $7,500.
Chair King: Do I have a motion?
Commissioner Gabela: Motion.
Chair King: And a second.
Ms. Gralia: Thank you.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: As amended. Thank you.
Ms. Gralia: Thank you.
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RE.7 RESOLUTION
16207
Commissioners
and Mayor
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S) DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO IDENTIFY
FUNDING TO HIRE ALL CONSULTANTS NECESSARY TO
PREPARE A FINDING OF NECESSITY ("STUDY"), PURSUANT TO
THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1969, FOR THE
CREATION OF A COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AREA WITHIN
THE BOUNDARIES OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD COMMONLY
REFERRED TO AS "ALLAPATTAH" IN THE CITY OF MIAMI
("CITY"), AS DEPICTED IN EXHIBIT "A" ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED HEREIN AND IDENTIFIED BY THE LEGAL
DESCRIPTION, ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED HEREIN AS
EXHIBIT "B", TO BE KNOWN AS THE ALLAPATTAH
REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY (ALLAPATTAH CRA); FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY
MANAGER TO HIRE ALL CONSULTANTS NECESSARY TO
PREPARE THE STUDY; AUTHORIZING THE EXPENDITURE OF
SAID FUNDS PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 18-73 AND 18-116 OF
THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED
("CITY CODE") FOR PREPARATION OF THE STUDY; DIRECTING
THE CITY MANAGER TO SEEK REIMBURSEMENT OF SAID
FUNDS UPON APPROVAL OF A COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
PLAN FOR THE ALLAPATTAH AREA AND ESTABLISHMENT OF
THE ALLAPATTAH CRA; AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, IN
FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR SAID
PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0415
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item RE.7, please see
"Public Comments for All Item(s)."
Chair King: Okay, so now, we have the item --
Vice Chair Carollo: Regardless, I would've.
Chair King: -- we have the items that are addressing the Omni CRA (Community
Redevelopment Agency). So, RE. 16 is to deny the extension of life of the Omni CRA.
RE.15 is to direct the city manager to work with Omni CRA executive director to
expand boundaries of Omni CRA to include Allapattah. RE.12 is to approve Omni
CRA second amendment ILA (Interlocal Agreement). And RE.7 is to direct the city
manager to hire consultants for FON (Finding of Necessity), Allapattah CRA.
Commissioner Gabela: Can I just --
Chair King: Commissioner Gabela?
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Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
Commissioner Gabela: Okay, so this is what we're attempting to do, and 1 think it's
going to be --1 think everybody's going to agree. So, what 1 intend -- what I'm asking
you, ladies and gentlemen, to do is to do 7, and we're going to do a global deal as it
was, and we're going to do -- approve 7, and this is to direct -- what it says, to look
at the possibility of doing an Allapattah CRA, already identifying where the funds
are going to come from. One of --
Commissioner Reyes: I move -- I move that.
Commissioner Gabela: One of --
Commissioner Pardo: I'll second it.
Commissioner Gabela: One of the ones that are in play is the Midtown CRA, okay,
and where we can draw that money and other monies. And then what we would do is
defer the RE.11, sorry, defer the --
Vice Chair Carollo: RE.12.
Commissioner Gabela: RE.12, yes. RE.12, defer 15, and withdraw 16, so all this gets
settled as one deal.
Commissioner Pardo: Yeah.
Commissioner Gabela: And then if -- when it comes back, everything's ready, and
we're all ready to vote. You get your extension.
Commissioner Pardo: Yeah.
Commissioner Gabela: We get our Allapattah CRA with the funding, and where,
what, why, and how, and all the terms. And --
Vice Chair Carollo: I'm all for that. I just want to put it on the table again, that
there's only one pot of money, unless three things happen. One, we find new monies
to replace the money that we would put into a new CRA if we extend the life of the
Omni CRA. Two, we make cuts. Or three, manna from heaven falls. So, --
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- my --1 stand so when we revisit this in the future, you're not
BS'd, you see the facts as they are, and what I have put on the table is no less than
$332 million that there's a small sliver of Overtown that was ignored for 24 years in
the Omni CRA. That should go to the Southeast Overtown CRA [sic], and we should
give a little of that money towards that also, in getting that accomplished. But well
deal with that when we come back. Now we have plenty of time to try to do this right.
Commissioner Gabela: Correct.
Vice Chair Carollo: And --
Commissioner Reyes: Please, could you please -- somebody --
Vice Chair Carollo: But I -- the last thing I'll say is --
Commissioner Pardo: That's not --
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Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
Vice Chair Carollo: -- this city is 70 percent, approximately, give or take, 68 percent
Hispanic background. I don't think anybody can deny that some of the most
oppressed areas of the city of Miami, along with Overtown and Liberty City, parts of
Little Haiti, are in Allapattah, are in Little Havana. Those are facts. But it's also a
fact that out of all the monies from CRAs or agencies or BIDs (Business
Improvement Districts), not one penny has been created or given to Hispanic areas
in the city of Miami. What's the problem? Hispanic commissioners have voted in the
past, at least those that don't think that they are descendants of George Washington
or Thomas Jefferson. I'm not. But Hispanics have voted from this dais time and time
again to help other communities that were in need. It's about time that this
commission sees the need in the Hispanic communities, and the one with the most
need is Allapattah. And I will tell you Little Havana still has the last needs, but
nowhere near like what Allapattah has. And this is why I will push to bring in those
dollars to Allapattah to make an impact. And you're not going to make an impact
with a few million dollars here or there. You need a big chunk of change to make a
real impact. But we'll discuss this at a later time.
Chair King: So, Commissioner Reyes had --
Commissioner Reyes: (INAUDIBLE). Commissioner Gabela --
Commissioner Gabela: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Reyes: (INAUDIBLE).
Chair King: Commissioner Reyes. You're mic. You're mic.
Commissioner Reyes: RE.7 --
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah.
Commissioner Reyes: -- and defer 12, 15, and 16.
Commissioner Gabela: RE.7, and defer -- let me get my bearings here -- 12, 15, and
withdraw 16.
Commissioner Reyes: I move it.
Commissioner Gabela: You move it.
Vice Chair Carollo: Second. Second.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): So, it's already been moved and seconded. RE.7 has
already been moved and seconded. We're focused on RE.7 right now at this time.
Chair King: I believe there needs to be some amendments stated for the record.
Commissioner Gabela: RE.7.
George Wysong (City Attorney): Yes --
Chair King: RE.7.
Mr. Wysong: -- Madam Chair. There was a distribution and Section 5 of the
resolution will be amended to say, the city manager is directed ident funding for
the initial priority projects for the Allapattah CRA, upon its creation. Such funding
shall be budgeted, appropriated, and approved by the City Commission. Section 6
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
will be added to say, the city manager is directed to seek reimbursement of all funds
identified in this resolution upon approval of a community redevelopment plan and
establishment of the Allapattah CRA.
Chair King: Commissioner Pardo, you have something?
Commissioner Pardo: No, I was just going to say 51 percent of Omni CRA is
Hispanic. So, a lot of times that goes unperceived. It was just a little fact I wanted to
throw in there. And I wanted to -- the greater point is to thank Commissioner
Gabela. I think this is a fantastic resolution. You can count on me to help you,
Allapattah, City ofMiami, any which way --
Commissioner Gabela: Thank you.
Commissioner Pardo: -- I'm there and thank you for your leadership on this. I think
it's outstanding.
Commissioner Gabela: Thank you very much. I appreciate your support. Thank you,
Commissioner Pardo.
Chair King: Okay. So right now, I have a motion and a second for RE.7. All in
favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries unanimously.
Mr. Hannon: As amended.
Chair King: As amended.
RE.8 RESOLUTION
16707
Department of
Code Compliance
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
MITIGATING/NOT MITIGATING THE CODE ENFORCEMENT
LIENS RECORDED AGAINST PROPERTY ADDRESS 601
SOUTHWEST 6 STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, CASE NUMBER
CE2020012472, AND PROPERTY ADDRESS 1111 NORTHWEST 6
STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, CASE NUMBER CE2019007735,
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-24-0410
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Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Pardo, Reyes
ABSENT: Gabela
Robert Santos-Alborna (Director, Code Compliance): Okay, now we go to RE.8.
Chair King: RE.8.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Chair King: RE.7 is something that we pulled out for discussion. RE.8 is the next
mitigation.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: Madam Chairwoman, Commissioners, Robert Santos-Alborna,
Code Compliance Director. So, RE.8 is the same respondent and it's two different
properties with two different sets of violations. This first property is 601 Southwest
6th Street. The respondent is VQ Everglades Development. This -- the case before
you is for a notice of violations for failure to maintain exterior property, failure to
clear, to maintain in clean, safe condition, and removal of required landscaping.
NOV (Notice of Violation) issued on July 8th, 2020. The case was adjudicated on
March 4th, 2021. It complied 1,187 days later, accruing a total of 623,500. And I
understand the respondent is offering 29,675, which is approximately 5 percent. Of
importance is on this specific property -- and then we'll talk about the other one,
which is a little bit more problematic. But this one has a history of issues, 14 cases in
a period of 10 years, which is something for your consideration. So, $29,675 makes
it right below 5 percent. Commissioner, do you want to discuss this one, or do you
want me to go into the next one since they're both --?
Vice Chair Carollo: I do. What is the total amount of liens here in this one?
Mr. Santos-Alborna: So, on the first one it's 623,500.
Vice Chair Carollo: 623,500.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: Okay. M. Dooley's giving me an earlier compliance date, hut
623 on one and 462 on the other one. I'm going to give you the total in a second. Tell
me --
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Mr. Santos-Alborna: Collectively, on both properties, the total accrued lien amount
is 1,055,750.
Vice Chair Carollo: How long did this go on for?
Mr. Santos-Alborna: So, this one took 1,187 days. The second one, which I have not
read into the record --
Vice Chair Carollo: One thousand?
Mr. Santos-Alborna: 1,187 days.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
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Mr. Santos-Alborna: So, yeah, let the commissioner --
Rachel Dooley (Assistant City Attorney, Supervisor): Rachel Dooley, on behalf of the
Office of the City Attorney. For each of these, they have a little bit of a difference in
their compliance dates because when we don 't get -- when the City doesn't get called
out, the day they get called out is the day that it gets complied. On the first case,
which is the 2020 case for the 601 property, the compliance date per the inspector
was actually June 4th of 2024, which would make it $593,500 or 1,187 days. The
second case in which they're found to be a repeat violator for the other property, the
City did a demolition on the property. We removed it. They've paid all of the
demolition liens and all of the tickets and everything associated with that. They
wouldn't be here today, but they have paid all of those costs. So, in that case, that
made a significant difference from complying the case in 2024 versus 2021 when the
City actually demolished the structure, put sod down and fenced it off. And so, for
that one and for that property, which is the 2019 case, the total would be 850 days or
$212,500. So, it comes out in a total for both properties to be -- it's 593.5 plus 212.5.
Just under a million. 800 and -- math is not my strong suit.
Sebastian Jaramillo: Just under 700, 000.
Ms. Dooley: 212,500.
Vice Chair Carollo: What's the total?
Ms. Dooley: 752, $752,000 for both.
Vice Chair Carollo: Why did it take them so long to comply?
Mr. Jaramillo: I can explain, Commissioner. Good morning, my name is Sebastian
Jaramillo. My address is 283 Catalonia Avenue, Coral Gables. As to the first case, it
had an unsafe structures case tied to it, so there were violations that needed to be
cured, permits to be pulled in order to cure a lot of the violations and the issues with
unsafe structures. That took a significant amount of time. Eventually those violations
were cured and they were able to get the CU (Certificate of Use) and the BTR
(Business Tax Receipt) to cure all the violations. As to the second one, the property
was in disrepair, in significant disrepair, so it was demolished, but all costs have
been paid and the property now sits as a vacant lot, but everything has been resolved
and settled with the City.
Vice Chair Carollo: How much are both properties worth, market value?
Mr. Jaramillo: Commissioner, as to the second one, it would be difficult because it's
a vacant lot that sits -- I have the address for you, but it's just a vacant lot that sits
there.
Vice Chair Carollo: How many square feet?
Mr. Santos-Alborna: I have that information for you in preparation.
Vice Chair Carollo: How many square feet is that lot?
Mr. Santos-Alborna: So -- I'm sorry.
Vice Chair Carollo: How many square feet is that lot?
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Mr. Santos-Alborna: Okay, I don't have that in front of me. I'm going to get it for
you, but the value --
Vice Chair Carollo: You could have that.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: -- according to the property appraiser -- he can give you that.
According to the property appraiser, the value is at 545, 545,000. And on the first
one, according to the property appraiser, the value is at 624,000. While counsel
gives you the square footage --
Mr. Jaramillo: I apologize, the vacant one is just under 10,000 square feet.
Vice Chair Carollo: How about the other one?
Mr. Jaramillo: And then the other one is -- 7,200 square feet.
Vice Chair Carollo: 17,000 approximately, give or take. And the properties are
market value, have to be at least double what you're paying taxes on. What say you
as to the recent --
Mr. Santos-Alborna: Well, Commissioner, what I wanted to say and put in the record
is that that second property at 1111 Northwest 6th Street is a repeat violation. And
you and I have had this discussion, repeat violators should be treated differently.
Because we issue the NOVs, we adjudicate, and then to and behold, it happens
again. And I think that should carry a different penalty, ill may. So, assuming the --
with the amendments made to the compliance date and the accrual of 752, a 15
percent, which is what I would recommend at the very least is 112,800. That's both
combined.
Vice Chair Carollo: 112,800.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: 800, yes, sir. And that's lowering the fine for the first one at
601, but that 1111, for the record, they have 14 cases in 10 years. That respondent,
I'm sorry, counsel, was not a good one.
Vice Chair Carollo: 14 cases in 10 years?
Mr. Santos-Alborna: Yes, sir. Yes, sir.
Vice Chair Carollo: On this property?
Mr. Santos-Alborna: I'm sorry? At this property, yes, sir.
Mr. Jaramillo: I understand there's no excuse, but as to that property, at least all
issues have been resolved because it was demolished. So, this isn't a property that's
going to -- no further issue will arise because it's a vacant lot. And just to be clear,
both of these properties are in a low-income housing area, so they're not a
significant value. The first one is just -- I believe it's under four units, and yeah, it's
at four living units. And the second one was also multifamily, but now it's just a
vacant lot.
Vice Chair Carollo: You'd be surprised what they're going for there, but I think you
do know. What additional information would you like to provide?
Mr. Santos-Alborna: No, sir, other than the 15 percent makes it $112,800 and that
would be, if you ask me a recommendation, that's what I would say at the very least.
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Vice Chair Carollo: Rachel, anything more you'd like to put into the record?
Ms. Dooley: No, sir.
Vice Chair Carollo: What would you like to offer, sir?
Mr. Jaramillo: Commissioner, we had originally offered 5 percent on both fines. In
light of the City's presentation, we'd like to increase our offer to 10 percent. 15
percent we believe is excessive given the value of these two lots. I understand what
you, Commissioner, mentioned, and 1 would be surprised, but this one specifically,
it's on 11 th Avenue and Northwest 6th Street. It's not a very commercial area when
it comes to that type of property. So, 1 realize that a lot of these multifamily might be
going for more now, but given its size, you'd be limited in what you could develop or
resell that property lot for.
Vice Chair Carollo: The property appraiser's value is approximately 1.2 million,
just a little below that. The actual market value has to be no less than 2 million in
that area. I -- if you were not someone that was a constant violator, even though the
property's been torn down, I might look at the 10 percent. I have to go with the staff
recommendation of 15 percent.
Mr. Jaramillo: I understand, Commissioner. Could we do 15 percent on the second
property, which was the repeat violation one? And the first one, it was a CU and a
BTR that just had issues, like I mentioned before, tied to an unsafe structures case.
Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Code Enforcement Director, the second property.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: The second property, the accruals -- (INAUDIBLE).
Ms. Dooley: So, for -- just for -- and Todd asked to make this clear. The first
property, which is the 601 property, the total adjusted based upon the actual
compliance date would be $593,500. And for the second property on this, which
would be the -- it's the 1111 property, would be $212,500 total. The second property
is the one that when it was .found in violation was found to be a repeat violator at
that time.
Vice Chair Carollo: Was found to? It was found --
Ms. Dooley: The board found it as a repeat violation on the second property for that
case was found as a repeat violation.
Vice Chair Carollo: So, the first was not a repeat violator?
Mr. Santos-Alborna: No, sir, it was not. It was the first time it was adjudicated.
Vice Chair Carollo: This is the 593?
Mr. Santos-Alborna: Yes, sir. So, I'm doing the math. If we do the 5 percent on the
593, we can round that up to 30,000. That's 29,675.
Vice Chair Carollo: 5 percent now.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: Yes, sir. But I will say that as we are ready to proceed with the
guardrails that you guys -- that the elected requested, repeat violations would go at
20 percent. And that's going to be part of the resolution. And that I would say that
we apply it here, and that 20 percent at 212,500 will make it 42,500.
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Vice Chair Carollo: And 10 percent on the other one would be how much?
Mr. Santos-Alborna: 59.
Ms. Dooley: 59,350. It will be 59,350. 10 percent would be 59,350.
Vice Chair Carollo: And the 20 percent on the other 200 plus?
Mr. Santos-Alborna: That would make it 101,850, which is a little bit lower than the
collective 15 percent.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah. What say you?
Mr. Jaramillo: Commissioner, 1 think -- I appreciate the City Attorney's position, but
they went from 15 to 20, and I understand that they want to make that change, but if
they want to penalise my client, I get it. And on the repeat violation, I would
maintain that we're fine with the 15 percent that they had initially proposed. As to
the first property, we would maintain that we should stay under the 5 percent, which
is what's typically given by this Commission.
Vice Chair Carollo: Not so.
Mr. Jaramillo: And I under --
Vice Chair Carollo: Not so.
Mr. Jaramillo: I -- that would -- I understand the position, but we would request that
we be giving this exemption and we be granted a 5 percent.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, I'm going to tell you what I'm going to do. If you
originally started with 15 across the hoard, that would have made it 112,800. With
20 percent on the smaller amount and 10 percent on the higher amount, it's 101,850.
You save almost $11, 000. So, I will go with a motion for the 101, 850.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: 850, yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: 20 percent.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: On the second one, and 5 -- right below 5 --
Vice Chair Carollo: And 10.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: Oh, 10? 10 on the other one. Yes, sir.
Vice Chair Carollo: There's a motion for $101,850. It's been second. Chair, we have
a motion and a second for 101, 850.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries.
Mr. Jaramillo: Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you, sir.
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RE.9
16557
Department of
Code Compliance
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): As amended.
Chair King: As amended.
Vice Chair Carollo: Chair, can we take up the other items that I had asked originally
for the afternoon?
Chair King: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: For the afternoon?
Chair King: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: It's 12:05.
Chair King: I intend to -- we have a Virginia Key Beach --
Mr. Santos-Alborna: We have one more.
Chair King: We have one mitigation left. Can we get through one mitigation --
Vice Chair Carollo: One more?
Chair King: And then the Virginia Key Beach Trust meeting?
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Chair King: That will be short.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
MITIGATING/NOT MITIGATING THE CODE ENFORCEMENT LIEN
RECORDED AGAINST PROPERTY ADDRESS 225 NORTHWEST
16 STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, CASE NUMBER CE2014013873,
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-24-0411
MOTION TO:
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
ABSENT:
Robert Santos
Commissioners,
we met.
Adopt with Modification(s)
ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
Joe Carollo, Commissioner
King, Carollo, Reyes
Gabela, Pardo
Alborna (Director, Code Compliance): Madam Chairwoman,
RE.9 is a deferral that came. from September --.from last time that
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Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
Chair King: I remember.
Mr. Santos Alborna: This is a mitigation of a property located at 225 Northwest 16th
Street. The respondent is 225 Group LLC (Limited Liability Company). This is an
eight -unit apartment building. For the record, I'll put the notice of violation was
issued for -- was issued for operating without a certificate of use and business tax
receipt, issued on September 14th, 2014; adjudicated on June 15, 2015. It ran for
3,263 days, accruing a total of $823,250. And the offer, as far as I see, is $30,000. I
want to yield to Rachel Dooley to elaborate.
Rachel Dooley (Assistant City Attorney, Supervisor): I guess it's barely good
afternoon. Rachel Dooley on behalf of the office of the City Attorney. Last mitigation
for today. This was the reset. Counsel and I, along with the director, went through
the compliance dates. There was a discrepancy in CityView. The actual amount of
days that the property was out of compliance was 3,289 days, which would make it a
total of $822,250. What we also did find that the TCU (Temporary Certificate of
Use) was issued 30 days prior to the compliance date. The email had been sent over
to the code inspector. They get a bunch of emails a day. They didn't comply it for 30
days, but the TCU was issued. So, less that 30 days brings the total amount to
$814.750 is the total amount of violation for 3,259 days. And I believe at the -- there
was discussion about other issues. We did meet with both counsel and the owner with
regards to making this affordable housing. The owner did not wish to file any
covenants on the land, and so therefore would not qualify in terms of what we know
affordable housing to be versus I guess what his belief was in terms of what he's
willing to offer on his own. So, that's where we are.
Chair King: Sir, good morning.
Ralf Rodriguez: Good morning, Commission, Madam Chair. Ralf Rodriguez of
Cozen O'Connor on behalf of 225 Group LLC, and I have Mr. Javier Salmon, who's
the president of the company, the landlord, and owner of the property. As you are
well aware, this item was deferred to explore the possibility of having the property
certified as low-income housing.
Chair King: No, I think -- I'm going to correct the record. The previous time you
were before us, it was stated that the property was for affordable housing. So, we
deferred it to go get some clarity on that. And what I understand is that through a
meeting, you said, no, this is not -- we will not designate this as affordable housing.
You would not enter into a covenant for affordable housing. Is that correct?
Mr. Rodriguez: That is correct, Your Honor.
Chair King: Okay.
Mr. Rodriguez: As I indicated, I was not here at the last hearing. My colleague, Mr.
Alvarez, was here. I had another hearing that I had to attend. My understanding --
and Mr. Salmon's here -- is that he offered to provide this property as certified for
low-income housing. I will tell the Commission that the rent rules on this property
are qualifying for below 80 percent of the AMI (Area Median Income). The rent roll
goes from a low of $1,000 per month to a high of $1,550 per month, which is well
below the average monthly rent for the city of Miami. So, although the property --
although the owner does not want to burden the property with a covenant that runs
for the land, as perhaps you might understand, it's a small apartment building.
There's a picture of it here. If I may show, it only has eight units. (INAUDIBLE). I
can come back here; has eight units, which has been completely renovated. And so,
from an economic perspective, it doesn't really make sense economically for the
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Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
owner to encumber the property with a covenant that runs with the land. So that
said, though, he has --
Chair King: Sir, you do know I'm an attorney, right?
Mr. Rodriguez: I heard you, yes.
Chair King: No, I didn't say to you that I'm an attorney.
Mr. Rodriguez: No, 1 heard you. You said you were an attorney when you
represented your elderly father. I was here.
Chair King: Oh, that's true.
Mr. Rodriguez: So, I caught that. Yes, ma'am.
Chair King: Okay. Okay.
Mr. Rodriguez: I did catch that.
Chair King: Okay, just wanted to remind you.
Mr. Rodriguez: I was -- I was listening.
Chair King: Okay, I just wanted to remind you that I'm an attorney. Okay.
Mr. Rodriguez: I was listening. And so, and then, anyways, Judge, the point being
here is that our client is doing -- I think he's being very fair in terms of the rent that
he's charging for these units. We would like to, you know, address the issue of the
violation. He didn't become aware of the violation until June of this year. I know that
the City posted it. I've talked to Ms. Dooley. I have a very good working relationship
with Ms. Dooley. He didn't find out about it. But the minute he found out about the
violation; he cleared it up within 30 days of the day he became aware of it. And all
we're asking is that you take these. factors into consideration. We want to continue to
hold the rent at the rates that we are. You know, obviously the amount of the -- the
fine that we have to pay will impact that at some point, and so we would ask that --
and we're going to offer 5 percent of the 814 amount, which I believe is close to
$40,000.
Chair King: Attorney Dooley?
Ms. Dooley: So, all I can say is I, you know, 1 don't know what their expectation of
certiing a property as affordable housing. 1 know that's why we took the -- we don't
do that. If he doesn't want to do the covenant, I -- I don't know about any of the --
I'm sure this is all correct. I don't know any of the --
Chair King: Right. We can't --
Ms. Dooley: I don't have an issue, butt --
Chair King: We can't certify that.
Ms. Dooley: But I don't -- we don't do what they're asking to do, and so maybe that --
you know, that's their misunderstanding. We've already addressed notice. I don't
have an issue with that. So, you know, it's up to, obviously, this panel. They initially
offered $30,000. I guess it's now -- they're to $40,000 so --
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Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
Chair King: Director?
Mr. Santos Alborna: That S percent would put it at $40, 700 and that's kind of within
the guidelines of the new process that we're with the guidelines that we have
developed. But other than that, I don't have any other recommendation. As a point of
reference, I don't know if counsel talked about the market value of the property. If
you want that, it is $327, 402 according to our property appraiser.
Chair King: Okay, so I'm going to ask for 10 percent. Do I have a motion?
Commissioner Reyes: Move it.
Chair King: Second?
Vice Chair Carollo: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries. Thank you, guys.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): As amended.
Mr. Santos Alborna: Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.
Chair King: As amended.
Mr. Santos Alborna: Thank you, Commissioners.
Mr. Rodriguez: There's one more request. We would like 30 days to render the
payment, and 1 think the rule would have 20 days --
Ms. Dooley: Yeah, it'll be from when it's rendered.
Mr. Rodriguez: -- but we have to put it on the record is we have 30 days.
Ms. Dooley: 30 days to pay from when it's rendered. That's what you're asking?
Mr. Rodriguez: Yes, ma'am.
Chair King: I don't have an issue with that.
Ms. Dooley: Okay.
Mr. Rodriguez: Thankyou.
Chair King: As amended.
Mr. Rodriguez: Thank you.
Unidentified Speaker: Thankyou.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Chair King: At this time, I'm going to recess our City Commission meeting, and we
will -- we're going to recess the City of Miami Commission meeting for October
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Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
RE.10
16710
Department of Fire -
Rescue
15th, 2024. We will resume two hours after the last meeting that we take. We have a
Virginia Key Beach Trust meeting. So, when that meeting concludes, we will resume
two hours after that. Thank you.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT GRANT
FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,536,884.00 FROM THE
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, FEDERAL
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY ("FEMA") FOR THE
PURPOSE OF PROVIDING ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROGRAM
MANAGEMENT, TRAINING, SUPPORT, EQUIPMENT CACHE
PROCUREMENT, MAINTENANCE, AND STORAGE FOR THE
SOUTH FLORIDA URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE ("USAR")
PROGRAM ("GRANT"); ESTABLISHING A NEW SPECIAL
REVENUE PROJECT TITLED "FISCAL YEAR 2024 —
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY FEMA - USAR
COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT"; APPROPRIATING THE GRANT
FUNDS TO THE CITY OF MIAMI DEPARTMENT OF FIRE -RESCUE
FOR THE FLORIDA TASK FORCE 2 USAR PROGRAM ("FL-TF2");
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, IN
ORDER TO IMPLEMENT THE ACCEPTANCE OF AND
COMPLIANCE WITH SAID GRANT.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0402
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Chair King: Now, I have from previous discussion pulled RE.12, RE.15, and RE.16.
Are there any other resolution items that you would like to pull for discussion, noting
that we have RE.1 through 6 as mitigation items?
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): And Chair, just for the record, RE.8 and RE.9 are also
mitigation items.
Chair King: Oh, I'm sorry. RE.8 and 9.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Chair King: 12, 15, and 16, yes.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Chair King: Are there any other items with the resolutions that you would like to
pull?
Commissioner Reyes: Nope.
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Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, same thing with RE.7.
Chair King: You would like to pull RE.7?
Commissioner Gabela: Yes, it's the whole combination that has to do with the
expansion.
Chair King: Okay, RE.7.
Vice Chair Carollo: RE.8 (INAUDIBLE) --
Chair King: Yes, RE.8 and 9 are mitigations, as well as 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6. Those are
all mitigation items. Okay. Seeing none other, I'm going to ask Jroa motion to
approve RE.10, 11, 13, 14, which is a four -fifths waiver. Do I have a motion?
Commissioner Gabela: Sony, 10, II?
Chair King: 10, 11, 13, and 14 --
Commissioner Reyes: 14.
Chair King: -- which is a 'bur -fifths.
Commissioner Reyes: I move it.
Chair King: I have a motion.
Commissioner Pardo: I'll second.
Chair King: And I have a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries unanimously.
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RE.11
16717
Department of Fire -
Rescue
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT GRANT
FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,743,490.90, WITH A
REQUIREMENT FOR CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") MATCHING FUNDS
OF $174,349.10 FOR A TOTAL OF $1,917,840.00, FROM THE
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, DEPARTMENT
OF HOMELAND SECURITY ("FEMA"), FOR THE PERIOD
BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 26, 2024, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 25,
2026, FOR THE PURPOSE OF DELIVERING HIGH RISE INCIDENT
MANAGEMENT TRAINING TO 802 MEMBERS OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF FIRE -RESCUE ("TRAINING"), TO PURCHASE
SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS ("SUPPLIES") AND BUILD PROPS
TO BE UTILIZED FOR SAID TRAINING; ESTABLISHING A NEW
SPECIAL REVENUE PROJECT TITLED "ASSISTANCE TO
FIREFIGHTERS GRANT PROGRAM FISCAL YEAR 2023"
("GRANT"); APPROPRIATING FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF
$1,917,840.00, CONSISTING OF $1,743,490.90 OF GRANT
FUNDING AND $174,349.10 OF CITY MATCHING FUNDS FROM
ACCOUNT NUMBERS 11000.184010.481000.0000.00000 /
00001.980000.891000.0000.00000; 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, IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT THE
ACCEPTANCE AND COMPLIANCE WITH SAID GRANT.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0403
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item RE.11, please see Item RE.10.
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Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
RE.12
16168
Commissioners
and Mayor
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE
RATIFICATION OF THE SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE 1996
INTERLOCAL AUTHORIZING COOPERATION AGREEMENT
("SECOND AMENDMENT ILA"), ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED HEREIN AS EXHIBIT "A" BETWEEN MIAMI-
DADE COUNTY ("COUNTY"), THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY"), AND
THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("OMNI CRA") IN ORDER TO
EXTEND THE LIFE OF THE OMNI CRA TO 2047; THE CITY
MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE THE SECOND
AMENDMENT ILA, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, AND TAKE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY ACTIONS
CONSISTENT WITH THIS RESOLUTION; FURTHER DIRECTING
THE CITY MANAGER TO WORK WITH THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR OF THE OMNI CRA TO ENSURE A COPY OF THE
SECOND AMENDMENT ILA IS TRANSMITTED TO THE COUNTY
FOR REVIEW, APPROVAL, AND ACCEPTANCE; PROVIDING FOR
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Indefinitely Defer
RESULT: INDEFINITELY DEFERRED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item RE.12, please see
"Order of the Day" and "Public Comments for All Item(s)."
Chair King: Now may I have a motion --
Commissioner Gabela: Motion.
Chair King: -- to defer RE.12 and RE.1 S?
Vice Chair Carollo: Move.
Commissioner Gabela: Motion.
Commissioner Reyes: Move it.
Chair King: I have a motion and a second, all in --
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): To -- to what date?
Chair King: To what date?
Commissioner Gabela: How long is the -- are we going to take approximately on the
-- on this (UNINTELLIGIBLE) that we have in (UNINTELLIGIBLE), Larry?
Vice Chair Carollo: I think you should bring it back in January.
Commissioner Reyes: January.
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Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
Commissioner Gabela: Okay. January sounds good to me.
Chair King: Well, how about we indefinitely defer it and that way we can bring it up
-- bring it back whenever we want to --
Commissioner Pardo: When we want.
Chair King: -- with the proper notice within six months.
Commissioner Gabela: I'm okay with that.
Commissioner Reyes: Indefinitely defer it.
Chair King: Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: Indefinitely defer.
Commissioner Pardo: I'm totally fine with that.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay.
Chair King: So, well indefinitely defer RE.12 and 15. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Mr. Hannon: Is there a motion? I'm sorry, I didn't catch the --
Chair King: There was a motion and a second.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, there was.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries unanimously.
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Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
RE.13
16716
Commissioners
and Mayor
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION ISSUING A
NOISE WAIVER UNTIL 4:00 A.M., PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 36-4
OF THE CITY CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS
AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), TITLED "OPERATION OF RADIOS,
PHONOGRAPHS, OR OTHER SOUND -MAKING DEVICES;
BANDS, ORCHESTRAS, AND MUSICIANS - GENERALLY;
EXEMPTION" AND 36-5 OF THE CITY CODE, TITLED "SAME -
HOURS OF OPERATION OF JUKEBOXES, RADIOS, ETC.;
EXEMPTION FOR EVENTS ON CITY -OWNED PROPERTY;
RELAXATION," AND AN EXTENSION OF ALCOHOL SALES
THROUGH 4:00 A.M. PURSUANT TO SECTION 4-3(B) OF THE
CITY CODE, TITLED "HOURS DURING WHICH SALES ALLOWED;
PERMITS AND PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED," FOR THE III
POINTS MUSIC FESTIVAL TO BE HELD AT MANA WYNWOOD,
2217 NORTHWEST 5 AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA (ALSO KNOWN
AS 318 NORTHWEST 23 STREET) FROM OCTOBER 18
THROUGH OCTOBER 19, 2024.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0392
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item RE.13, please see Item RE.10.
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Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
RE.14
16724
Commissioners
and Mayor
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, BY A FOUR -
FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE A PURCHASE AND SALE
AGREEMENT ("AGREEMENT'), IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO
THE CITY ATTORNEY, BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY")
AND SOFLO INVESTMENTS, LLC, A FLORIDA LIMITED LIABILITY
COMPANY ("SELLER"), FOR THE ACQUISITION OF REAL
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 50 SOUTHWEST 68 AVENUE, MIAMI,
FLORIDA, FOLIO NUMBER 01-4002-002-1000 ("PROPERTY"),
FOR A PURCHASE PRICE OF THREE HUNDRED FIFTY
THOUSAND DOLLARS ($350,000.00); FURTHER AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ALL
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING AMENDMENTS AND
MODIFICATIONS TO SAID AGREEMENT, IN A FORM
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, AS MAY BE
NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE SAID ACQUISITION;
ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM OFFICE OF CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENTS ("OCI") PROJECT NO. 40-B213414A, DISTRICT
4 AFFORDABLE HOUSING LAND ACQUISITION, IN AN AMOUNT
NOT TO EXCEED THREE HUNDRED EIGHTY-SEVEN THOUSAND
DOLLARS ($387,000.00), TO COVER THE COST OF SAID
ACQUISITION, INCLUSIVE OF THE COST OF SURVEYS,
ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTS, TITLE INSURANCE, DEMOLITION,
SECURING THE PROPERTY, PROJECT SIGNAGE AND ALL
RELATED CLOSING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID
ACQUISITION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS AND
CONDITIONS OF THE AGREEMENT.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0404
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item RE.14, please see Item RE.10.
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
RE.15
16725
Commissioners
and Mayor
RE.16
16726
Commissioners
and Mayor
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO WORK
WITH THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE OMNI
REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY ("OMNI CRA") TO TAKE ANY AND ALL STEPS
NECESSARY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH EXPANDING THE
BOUNDARIES OF THE OMNI CRA INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD
COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS "ALLAPATTAH" IN THE CITY OF
MIAMI ("CITY"), AS DEPICTED IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED HEREIN AND IDENTIFIED BY THE LEGAL
DESCRIPTION, ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED HEREIN AS
EXHIBIT "B"; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE
ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO
THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
MOTION TO: Indefinitely Defer
RESULT: INDEFINITELY DEFERRED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item RE.15, please see "Public
Comments for All Item(s)" and Item RE.12.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DENYING
THE EXTENSION OF LIFE OF THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT
DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("OMNI
CRA"); FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO NOT
MOVE FORWARD WITH ANY ADDITIONAL ITEMS RELATED TO
EXTENDING THE LIFE OF THE OMNI CRA BEYOND MARCH 31,
2030.
MOTION TO: Withdraw
RESULT: WITHDRAWN
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Chair King: And may I have a motion to withdraw RE.16?
Commissioner Pardo: So moved.
Commissioner Reyes: Move it.
Chair King: I have a motion --
Vice Chair Carollo: Second.
Chair King: -- and a second. All in favor?
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries unanimously. And ladies and gentlemen, that concludes
the City of Miami Commission for October 15th, 2024. Thank you, again. Thank you
for your advocacy.
END OF RESOLUTIONS
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
SR - SECOND READING ORDINANCES
SR.1 ORDINANCE Second Reading
16311
Commissioners
and Mayor
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 2/ARTICLE X/SECTION 2-817 OF THE CODE OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), TITLED
"ADMINISTRATION/CODE ENFORCEMENT/ADMINISTRATIVE
COSTS, FINES; LIENS," TO AMEND SECTION 2-817 OF THE CITY
CODE IN ORDER TO STREAMLINE THE MITIGATION PROCESS
AND PROVIDE A CLARIFYING CHART FOR THOSE WHO SEEK
MITIGATION; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE;
PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: 14319
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Chair King: Okay, I'm going to go moving along to the second reading ordinances.
Mr. City Attorney, would you please read the titles into the record?
George Wysong (City Attorney): Yes, Madam Chair. SR.1.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Mr. Wysong: SR.2.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Mr. Wysong: SR.3 was deferred. SR.4.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Mr. Wysong: That's it for the second reading.
Chair King: Thank you. I believe SR.4 was pulled for discussion, so may, I have a
motion for SR.1 and SR.2?
Commissioner Reyes: Move it.
Vice Chair Carollo: (INAUDIBLE).
Commissioner Gabela: I got a question on number 2.
Chair King: On SR.2?
Conanaissioner Gabela: Yeah.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
[Later...]
Chair King: Okay, so --
Commissioner Reyes: Here we go again.
Chair King: -- may I have a motion for SR.1 ?
Vice Chair Carollo: Move.
Commissioner Reyes: Second.
Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries unanimously.
SR.2 ORDINANCE Second Reading
15913
Commissioners
and Mayor
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 2/ARTICLE III OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), TITLED
"ADMINISTRATION/OFFICERS," BY CREATING NEW DIVISION
5/SECTION 2-160 TO CREATE THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR
GENERAL; PROVIDING MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS,
APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE; PROVIDING THE
FUNCTIONS, AUTHORITY AND POWERS; PROVIDING FOR
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF; PROVIDING A PROCEDURE FOR
FINALIZATION OF REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: 14320
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED BUT RECONSIDERED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
NAYS: Carollo
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
SR.2 ORDINANCE Second Reading
15913
Commissioners
and Mayor
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 2/ARTICLE III OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), TITLED
"ADMINISTRATION/OFFICERS," BY CREATING NEW DIVISION
5/SECTION 2-160 TO CREATE THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR
GENERAL; PROVIDING MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS,
APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE; PROVIDING THE
FUNCTIONS, AUTHORITY AND POWERS; PROVIDING FOR
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF; PROVIDING A PROCEDURE FOR
FINALIZATION OF REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: 14320
MOTION TO: Reconsider
RESULT: RECONSIDERED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
SR.2 ORDINANCE Second Reading
15913
Commissioners
and Mayor
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 2/ARTICLE III OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), TITLED
"ADMINISTRATION/OFFICERS," BY CREATING NEW DIVISION
5/SECTION 2-160 TO CREATE THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR
GENERAL; PROVIDING MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS,
APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE; PROVIDING THE
FUNCTIONS, AUTHORITY AND POWERS; PROVIDING FOR
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF; PROVIDING A PROCEDURE FOR
FINALIZATION OF REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: 14320
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
NAYS: Carollo
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item SR.2, please see
"Public Comments for All Item(s)" and Item SR.1.
Chair King: I'm going to come back to SR.2.
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Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
Vice Chair Carollo: The question that I had today on SR.2, I think one of the
previous questions that 1 had at the last meeting has been cured here, and that is that
if anybody wants to make a complaint, it has to be sworn, a sworn complaint, under
oath, not anonymous complaints. The other question that I have is on the powers of
the inspector general. How are we dealing with that if a certain radio station,
television station, newspaper, they want to defame, they want to come out and make
up stories on anybody, or bloggers that are paid in many cases. It's not to say that
you don't have people in the modern media that are not paid. How are we going to
deal with that in this ordinance? Is the inspector general going to be -- have the
right to, because somebody is saying something against us, to every day open up an
investigation on any one of us, or some of us, depending what friends we have in
certain media? Because if that's the case, then I want to know now so that certain
media that I have access to, I could open up investigations on people too, like is
going to happen to me.
Commissioner Reyes: Mr. City Attorney, I -- if you read the ordinance, I mean., it
clearly states that there is not -- I mean, you cannot anonymous, there cannot be no
anonymous request for any investigation. They have to be sworn in. Am I right, sir?
George Wysong (City Attorney): Yeah, let me read you the language. It says the
inspector general shall have the power to review and investigate any sworn, non -
anonymous complaints on a form acceptable to the inspector general regarding City
programs, agencies, contracts or transactions, officials or employees. Such sworn
complaint must be based upon personal knowledge or information other than
hearsay and signed under oath or affirmation by any person.
Commissioner Reyes: I do understand it's very specific on what you are referring to.
Vice Chair Carollo: That is specific if it reference to anonymous complaints, that
you can't have it.
Commissioner Reyes: No.
Vice Chair Carollo: You have to have an individual filing the complaint, but nay
question is different. Can the inspector general, because he was given copies of a
radio program, a copy of a blog or a newspaper, just because he's being pressured
to do something or wants to be popular with the media in town and the pillars of the
community, can he just open up an investigation based on that?
Commissioner Reyes: Can -- City Attorney, I don't believe that because of hearsay,
because that is hearsay.
Mr. Wysong: Right, the second sentence that 1 read is almost verbatim from the
recent amendment to the Commission on Ethics language, which prevented -- there
was a person who made multiple complaints against the governor and some people
in this room, and he would then send a news article to an organization and say,
investigate this. And that language was intended to prevent those types of
investigations.
Commissioner Reyes: Absolutely.
Mr. Wysong: But I just want to also add that it is an independent inspector general.
So, if they develop probable cause on their own, they can go ahead and investigate
things. I don't want to misinform you that it must be based on a non -anonymous
complaint. They have the ability to see what's going on based on actual evidence,
but they're not supposed to use -- they're supposed to use personal knowledge and
information other than hearsay.
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Commissioner Reyes: Through the Chair, ma'am?
Chair King: Commissioner Reyes.
Commissioner Reyes: You said it is -- if there is probable cause. Probable cause.
That's what is important. And as an inspector general, what we're trying to do, and
my intention was to have a watchdog over the city so that everybody that is doing
business with the City, or the decisions that we are making, that we think twice
before we do something that it is not proper, something that is not ethical or legal.
Chair King: Commissioner Pardo?
Commissioner Pardo: Yes, Madam Chair. The points I wanted to make here is that
the Office of the Inspector General has their established rules and procedures.
Miami -Dade County has an Office of the Inspector General.
Commissioner Reyes: Absolutely.
Commissioner Pardo: I don't think they would be acting outside of the norm for any
office of the inspector general. I think we're kind of putting the cart before the horse.
I'd like to see this item move and then if there are issues as they come up, we can
certainly address them.
Chair King: Commissioner Gabela?
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, can you enlighten us, City Attorney, on the process of
who gets to pick the gentleman, the inspector general? How does the process work?
Who gets to pick the attorney general?
Commissioner Reyes: It's on the ordinance.
Commissioner Gabela: Sorry, I said the attorney -- the inspector general.
Mr. Wysong: Right.
Commissioner Reyes: It's on the ordinance.
Mr. Wysong: Yeah, the ordinance provides that a selection committee will be
created.
Commissioner Gabela: By whom?
Mr. Wysong: By the ordinance. And the committee is the State Attorney, Katherine
Fernandez -Rundle or designee, public defender or designee, chairperson of the
Miami -Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust, or designee, president of the
Miami -Dade Police Chiefs Association, and the Special Agent in Charge of Miami
Field Office of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. So, those five
individuals will meet and provide you with a name. You can accept a name or reject
a name, and then the committee will submit new candidates.
Commissioner Gabela: Thank you.
Vice Chair Carollo: Madam Chair•, can we specify in the language that you read to
us that the inspector general is not to base the opening of any investigation on any
news media story, blogger story, unless he can independently establish probable
cause for any investigation that he wants to conduct?
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Chair King: I believe it says that the inspector general has to have personal
knowledge and probable cause, and he can't use an interview or an article to create
personal knowledge. That wouldn't he personal knowledge. So, I believe that he
covered exactly what you just said.
Vice Chair Carollo: I'm not quite sure if that's covered there as clearly as you're
stating, Chair.
Chair King: Mr. City Attorney?
Mr. Wysong: I think I see where the vice chairman is going. This section says such
sworn complaint must be based upon personal knowledge or information other than
hearsay and signed under oath or affirmation by any person. So, what that means is
that nobody could forward an article, a video recording, tape recording or whatever
and say, investigate this, Mr. Inspector General. But the inspector general does
retain the independent authority to investigate whatever the independent inspector
general thinks needs to be investigated. If you want to add language to limit the
power of the inspector general, we can add that, but this section is really to prevent
those type of mail -in complaints and --
Vice Chair Carollo: Sure.
Mr. Wysong: -- not based on personal knowledge.
Vice Chair Carollo: But then the next step would be the one that I just described.
And the list that individuals that have tried time and time again through either
elections, through illegal recalls, that have spent thousands of dollars trying to get
me out of office, for instance. And the times that they have gone to state attorney,
ethics, with one lie after another, that have been proven so, I could see what's going
to potentially happen here. They're going to he using then their sources, friends, or
paid guns in the media or bloggers to try to influence an inspector general. And this
is why I want to see, Mr. City Attorney, how we could try to clarify this so that even a
kindergarten student can understand it, that the inspector general will have to have
independent probable cause in his own, not arising from any media source or
bloggers.
Chair King: Commissioner Gabela.
Commissioner Gabela: Through the Chair, I'd like to ask, City Attorney, regarding,
let's say there's 10 investigations a year. Is this going to be, for example, that we
assign an allotted X amount of dollars, let's say $10 million, to the gentleman or to
the lady, whoever gets the position, and then he's got to limit whatever investigations
he does on that, for example, or is this that the more investigations he has, the more
money we've got to give him, and one year it could be, you know, I don't know, five
mil to say, a number, and the next year it could be 20 mil. Is this the case here?
Mr. Wysong: So, you as a Commission will be able to establish and approve the
budget for the independent inspector general, but there is language in here that
tracks the Miami -Dade County Inspector General's Office that says, the cost of
random audits, inspections, and reviews shall, except as provided or whatever, be
incorporated into the contract price of all contracts and shall be one quarter of one
percent of the contract price. So, you -- through this ordinance, you all have the
inspector general randomly, audit every contract, every procurement, stuff like that,
and one quarter of one percent of the contract price will go to fund the Office of the
Inspector General.
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Commissioner Gabela: No, no, 1 okay, so 1 understand that. But what I'm trying to
do is limit, okay, the amount of money, that this doesn't go crazy here, that we don't
go crazy, okay. And then this now has to do with what Commissioner Carollo was
just saying. What about, has anybody thought of making it that the person that's
doing the accusation has to have first-hand knowledge, like for example, what was
just the passed with the ethics? That that rule has now changed. What I'm trying to
do is, I think it's a good idea of the inspector general. I'm not against it, but what
I'm trying to do is limit the liability, that we don't go, you know, on a year that, you
know, from 10 mil this thing gets out of control and it becomes 30 mil because they
start hiring, you know, attorneys and private eyes, you know, from -- you know, in
forensic accounting from, you know, externally and we get into the 20 and 30 million
dollar range. That's why I want a precise answer on that.
Mr. Wysong: Yes, so the draft says, "the inspector general shall have, subject to
budgetary allocation" --
Commissioner Reyes: Absolutely.
Mr. Wysong: -- "by the City Commission, the power to appoint, employ, remove such
assistants, employees." So, it's contemplated that before they mushroom into a giant
organization, it will be subject to budgetary allocation by the City Commission.
Commissioner Gabela: So, if' one year, lets say we say, okay, we all agree your
budget is going to be $10 million this year, and the gentleman gets 20 in probable
cause investigations that merit an investigation.
Mr. Wysong: Right.
Coniniissioner Gabela: And then that there says that he's got to go over the allotted
budget. Can he do that, or will he have to come back, if that was the case, to the
Commission to ask for more money?
Mr. Wysong: Oh, he will always have -- you know, the financial integrity principles
will apply to this department like any other department. So, they'll have to work
within their budget and plan accordingly. And if they need more money, they can
come, like some departments do in the paid -year allocation for more money.
Commissioner Gabela: What's the staff? How many people here in-house?
Mr. Wysong: It'll be up to the independent inspector general to provide how much
staff they need and then submit that to you.
Commissioner Gabela: Have you set a budget? Has anybody set a budget, you know,
what they think it should be?
Mr. Wysong: I think -- I don't want to speak for the administration, but I believe
what has happened is there was money funded for the independent auditor general
and that money has been sort of set aside to help sort of start the department of the
independent --
Commissioner Gabela: If I recall, that was like $2 million, right?
Mr. Wysong: Approximately, yeah, that's my, recollection.
Commissioner Gabela: So, we're talking about $2 million.
Mr. Wysong: Approximately, yeah.
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Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay, so I'm okay with that, but if that changes, I'm not
going to be okay.
Mr. Wysong: They have to come to you for budgetary approval.
Commissioner Reves: Yes, I want to make clear ---
Chair King: Commissioner Reyes.
Commissioner Reyes: Through the Chair, I'm sorry. I want to make clear that this is
not an open-ended type of department that they will do whatever they please and
spend as much as they please. Like any other department, it has to follow -- it's limit
within the constraints of the budget. If they need more money, they have to come to
come to us. I mean, everybody has to come to us. And this is no different. This is no
different.
Commissioner Gabela: But did you think of that? By the same token, if they have to
come to us, and there's five other investigations they can't do because they're
limited and they go --
Commissioner Reyes: Well, it is --
Commissioner Gabela: Then in one way or another, we're kind of defeating the --
Commissioner Reyes: It is up to us to determine if it is worth it or not. And that's it.
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, but --
Chair King: So, 1 --
Commissioner Gabela: -- you don 't see the problem here?
Commissioner Reyes: No, I don 't.
Chair King: 1 don't --
Commissioner Reyes: I don't see no problem.
Chair King: I think we're chasing a path of horribles.
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Chair King: I do believe that it is smart legislation for us to have the inspector
general, particularly when we did away with the auditor.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes. And the people talk.
Commissioner Gabela: But if we control the budget, we control what he can
investigate --
Commissioner Reyes: No.
Commissioner Gabela: -- and how many people he can investigate.
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Commissioner Reyes: No, we don't.
Chair King: Not necessarily.
Commissioner Reyes: Not necessarily.
Chair King: And they're doing it in Miami -Dade County as well. They have it in
Miami -Dade County as well.
Commissioner Gabela: Wysong, explain that to me. Explain that to me. If you set,
let's say, a $2 million budget, okay, and the gentleman with that $2 million, to put a
number out there, can only -- with that he can only do five investigations out of ten
investigations. And then he comes to us and he says, I need more money to
investigate five other, you know, entities or people. And we say, no, we're not going
to give you more money. Basically, we're in control. So, my question is, what did we
achieve?
Mr. Wvsong: Well, at least you have those jive investigations.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay, all right, I'm done.
Chair King: Okay.
Commissioner Reyes: I move it.
Vice Chair Carollo: I'm just trying to accomplish -- tighten up the wording on the
areas that I described. I want to vote for this. I think we need to go forward with it,
butt want to make sure that this doesn't become a free-for-all.
Commissioner Reyes: No.
Vice Chair Carollo: And it could, depending on whom you have as the independent
inspector general. If you have someone that's going to be down the line, in the
middle, it will be fine. But if you have someone that is going to be more concerned of
what the media will say about him, or whom he pleases or not pleases, then it could
be a concern if we don 't have very clear guidelines?
Commissioner Gabela: I just want to say -- I'm sorry, Madam Chair.
Chair King: Hold on. Okay, I'm going to say --
Commissioner Gabela: Real quick.
Chair King: Because we're --
Commissioner Gabela: I'm going to vote for -- yes, I'm going to vote for it, you
know, but I'll tell you this, you know, if that's the case and we control the budget,
you know, this to me is, you know, you're really not achieving anything because
we're -- I just said it. I mean, you know, yes, there's a point, but there is no point if
you get into that, you know, situation. But anyway, I'm done. I'm ready.
Chair King: So, yes, again, I believe we're chasing --
Commissioner Reyes: Yeah.
Chair King: We're in a parade of horribles. The committee that's going to select the
person to present --
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Commissioner Reyes: Absolutely.
Chair King: -- we still have the opportunity to accept their recommendation or send
them back to the drawing board with respect to the budget. There needs to be a
budget. The control on that is that we have -- they have to come to us. So, I believe
that because we are truing to make ourselves more transparent for our community
that this is smart legislation.
Commissioner Reyes: That's the idea.
Chair King: I have a motion.
Commissioner Gabela: Second.
Commissioner Pardo: Second.
Chair King: And a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Vice Chair Carollo: No more discussion of what I was asking, just boom, boom.
Commissioner Pardo: And City Clerk?
Vice Chair Carollo: I was trying to see --
Chair King: I thought you finished.
Vice Chair Carollo: No, I was trying to see if the City Attorney could add at least
another line on the area that I was inquiring about.
Chair King: What was that line again?
Mr. Wvsong: So, Section D, `Function, Authority, and Power" says "the office shall
have the authority to make investigations of City affairs and the power to review
past, present, and proposed City programs, accounts, records, contracts,
transactions." We could add if the Commission so desires, based upon an
independent finding of probable cause.
Chair King: Do we want to do a reconsideration to add that language?
Commissioner Pardo: I wouldn't --1 wouldn't be in favor of adding that language.
Chair King: Okay, but I'm going to ask -- I'm asking the City Clerk, what action
would we have to take?
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): In an abundance of caution, I would reconsider the
vote that was taken.
Chair King: Okay, do I have a motion to reconsider the vote?
Vice Chair Carollo: It's a motion.
Commissioner Gabela: Motion.
Chair King: I got a motion and a second. All in favor?
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The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Commissioner Reyes: But it is only to add --
Chair King: Add that language.
Commissioner Reyes: -- that language to protect from any --
Chair King: Yes.
Commissioner Reyes: -- outside influence.
Chair King: So, could you read the sentence again, Mr. City Attorney?
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Mr. Wysong: Yes, so it would be adding to parentheses D, parentheses 1,
"Functions, Authority and Powers," the additional language of based upon an
independent finding of probable cause.
Commissioner Reyes: That's it.
Chair King: So, I have a motion -- Commissioner Pardo?
Commissioner Pardo: Yeah, so based on that language, that means that it's taking it
away from the inspector general.
Mr. Wysong: Well --
Commissioner Pardo: So, he has to have an independent finding to his -- to himself.
Mr. Wvsong: Well, what it does is it -- and it's sort of similar to the Miami -Dade
Commission on Ethics. They don 't proceed with a full-scale investigation until they
make a finding of probable cause. So, this would just say that the inspector general
shall make investigations based upon an independent finding of probable cause.
Commissioner Pardo: So, it wouldn't be up to the inspector general?
Mr. Wysong: Well, the inspector general will be the one determining whether there's
probable cause or not.
Commissioner Pardo: Right, but he first needs a finding of --
Mr. Wysong: Yes.
Commissioner Pardo: -- probable cause. And does that track?
Mr. Wvsong: They will need to make the finding.
Chair King: The inspector general has to have --
Commissioner Reyes: I mean, we --
Chair King: -- the inspector general has to have a finding ofprobable cause.
Commissioner Reyes: We are going over and over the same thing.
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Commissioner Pardo: Right, I just want to know, does that track the Miami -Dade
County ordinance?
Mr. Wysong: I don't believe they have that. This is new language. I just sort of came
up with it but --
Commissioner Pardo: Okay.
Commissioner Reyes: Through the Chair.
Chair King: I think Commissioner Pardo has the floor.
Commissioner Pardo: Yeah, my only point there is I really would like it to track the
Miami -Dade County ordinance because they haven't had these problems, right? So,
I would be in favor of just moving forward as is and we can tackle these. We're kind
of putting the cart before the horse. And let's not put -- it's an independent office,
why are we putting limits without knowing?
Commissioner Reyes: Yeah, that's it.
Chair King: I agree.
Vice Chair Carollo: There are no limits that we're putting on that.
Commissioner Reyes: Hold on a second.
Chair King: Hold on, hold on. Commissioner Reyes wanted to speak next.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes, thank you, ma'am. We have to be careful also, in my
opinion, because this was voted, this is a question that was voted, and it was taken to
the public the way that it is in the ordinance. And if we start changing now, does that
affect the will of the people? So, I will move that we vote in this item the way that
was presented to the people.
Vice Chair Carollo: This -- Chair, this minute change doesn't hamper whatsoever
the inspector general in moving forward. The addition is very, very clear. It, again,
goes to his independent finding of probable cause, his independent finding of
probable cause.
Commissioner Gabela: But what exactly does that mean?
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, not based upon any information that's been sent to him
from any source, that he's going to make up his mind on that. He would think that he
would need to take the independent steps to find probable cause.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay, ma'am?
Chair King: Any other further discussion? I have a motion and a second.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes. I move it.
Mr. Hannon: I'm sorry, Chair, who's the seconder? I have Commissioner Reyes as
the mover.
Commissioner Pardo: I'll second.
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Mr. Hannon: And that's as is.
Commissioner Reyes: As is.
Chair King: What's as is? To add the language.
Commissioner Pardo: No.
Mr. Hannon: No, no. As is, meaning how the item went to print on the agenda. No
amendment as of right now has been accepted by the mover or seconder.
Chair King: Okay.
Commissioner Reyes: As was voted on.
Chair King: Okay. I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Mr. Hannon: Unanimous.
Vice Chair Carollo: No.
Chair King: Thank you. No.
Mr. Hannon: You are no?
Vice Chair Carollo: This is for the way that it was before, not in what we asked the
City Attorney to place it.
Mr. Hannon: Correct. No amendments.
Vice Chair Carollo: Exactly.
Mr. Hannon: So, no. Understood, 4-1.
Vice Chair Carollo: And let it be very clear why I voted no.
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SR.3 ORDINANCE Second Reading
15353
Commissioners
and Mayor
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 23/ARTICLE I/SECTION 23-6 OF THE CODE OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, ("CITY CODE") TITLED
"HISTORIC PRESERVATION/HISTORIC
PRESERVATION/TRANSFER OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS AND
DENSITY FOR HISTORIC RESOURCES; PROVISION FOR A
DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY PROCESS, AND SPECIAL
PROVISIONS FOR RESOURCES WITHIN THE MIAMI MODERN
(MIMO)/BISCAYNE BOULEVARD HISTORIC DISTRICT;
PROHIBITING CERTAIN USES; AND ESTABLISHING A 35-FOOT
HEIGHT LIMIT," TO ALLOW HEIGHT INCREASE FOR PROJECTS
PROVIDING A PUBLIC BENEFIT BY A PUBLIC AGENCY, TO THE
MIAMI MODERN (MIMO)/BISCAYNE BOULEVARD HISTORIC
DISTRICT COMMUNITY; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: Item SR.3 was deferred to the October 24, 2024, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item SR.3, please see "Order of the
Day."
SR.4 ORDINANCE Second Reading
16177
Commissioners
and Mayor
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 40/ARTICLE IV/DIVISION 4 OF THE CODE OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TITLED
"PERSONNEL/PENSION AND RETIREMENT PLAN/CITY OF
MIAMI ELECTED OFFICERS RETIREMENT TRUST"; MORE
PARTICULARLY BY AMENDING SECTION 40-296, TITLED
"APPLICABLE BENEFITS"; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: 14321
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela
NAYS: Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item SR.4, please see "Order of the
Day" and Item SR.1.
Chair King: Next item up is SR.4. May I have a motion?
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Commissioner Gabela: What are we doing now?
Chair King: SR.4.
Commissioner Gabela: SR.4.
Chair King That's the next thing on our agenda.
Commissioner Gabela: SR.4. Okay, SR.4, that is the Elected Officers' Retirement
Trust. Discussion.
Chair King: Can I have a motion and a second --
Vice Chair Carollo: Move.
Chair King: -- for discussion?
Vice Chair Carollo: It's a motion.
Chair King: Second fbr discussion.
Commissioner Gabela: Discussion.
Chair King: Okay.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Who's the seconder? My apologies, Chair.
Chair King: Commissioner Gabela.
Mr. Hannon: Commissioner Gabela, you're the seconder.
Chair King: For discussion.
Mr. Hannon: Understood.
Commissioner Gabela: Discussion.
Chair King: Commissioner Gabela.
Commissioner Gabela: No, 1?Het vice chair go first.
Vice Chair Carollo: Look, this is very simple. We have gone through this numerous
times already. This is bringing back a benefit that was taken out, and it was taken out
by people that took it out for future elected officials but kept it for themselves,
ironically. I'm the only one here that is vested, vested, vested in that old pension.
Nobody here is. That can't take -- be taken away from me. So, it would be hypocritical
of me to say no to this. Now, I will say this for colleagues. Majority work hard. This is
not a 40-hour-a-week job. In fact, majority work even harder than anyone in the
administration or in the city. Commissioners are on call just like a doctor is. You get
calls at all days and hours from people in need. Every time there's a problem
somewhere in your district, you're expected to be there, and most of us are. At the
same time, with the amount the commissioners make in salary and benefits, and their
job responsibility and the hours that they put in, you compare it to what assistant
managers and others make, it's lopsided. On that side they're making two, three times
more. So, for commissioners to have a pension once they leave here, it's not bad
policy, on the contrary, it's probably good policy because you give individuals an
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additional incentive to work harder and, frankly, an additional incentive to do what's
right for the city. 1 think that the time has come that you either vote it up or down, it's
not going to affect me as far as a pension or not because I've been vested already, as I
stated. So, I make the motion. It's been second. We all know what it is. We don't need
to waste a lot of time on this one.
Chair King: Commissioner Gabela.
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, I got a lot to say on this. Basically, I'm for this, and let
me explain why. Number one, as Commissioner Carollo correctly pointed out, the
pension system was installed jbr commissioners a long time back, and I understand in
2010, 2011, or 2009, it was repealed by some commissioners, but they didn't do it to
themselves. They did it to everybody that came after. So that to me is morally
incorrect. Number two, you know, in my case, I'm 60 years old, okay? I'm serving my
first term. Let's pretend that I make it to my second term, okay? If I made it to my
second term, I'd be 68 years old should I choose to participate in the pension. If I did
choose to participate in the pension, I got elected for a second time, okay? And live
that long,I'm going to draw, I understand, $4,400 and something dollars, okay?
That's what it is, in my case. In my case. If -- let's pretend I last until I'm 80 years old,
if I'm lucky, okay? I don't know what that number is, you know? So, we're worried
about that, okay? But by the same token, there's other waste here now, okay, with
certain people having double -dipped, and I'm not going to say numbers, okay, but
we're not worried about that. I've got to get to a second election, I've got to get to 68
years old, I got to live at least 5 years or 6 years to -- you know, to get even with if I
left here at 68 and I received a lump sum. Because when I mentioned that we leave
here with a lump sum, nobody wanted to talk about that, okay? Nobody said a peep
about that. And I bet you today nobody will say a peep about that again, okay? But
the fact of the matter is, let's pretend I lived 5 years, and I equaled the lump sum, I
still got to last -- so, in my case, I got to get to 80 so I get more than what I would
have with the lump sum. That's number one. But we're worried about $4,400 a month
that I might get, or I might not get. If I don't get elected a second term, I won't get it,
and if I don't live that long, I'm not going to get it, okay. Then you have the other
problem, okay, you have the other problem where the reason I want to do it is so those
that come after us -- so I have my -- I have a little bit of real estate, my wife and I do,
and I have a business. So, the salary from -- that the -- that you, the taxpayer, paid
me, that's not my -- I don't depend on that, that's not my, -- now I'm lucky in that sense,
but what happens if after Carollo's gone or Chairwoman, or Reyes, or you
Commissioner Pardo, or myself, when we're gone, what happens if a guy, this is the
only job he's going to have. This is the only job he's going to have. So, you're going to
-- so you expect that guy to give him power and you expect him pay -- to pay him very
little and you don't want to give him a retirement and you think that guy is not going
to do anything else, okay, without all that power if you don't compensate him. Okay,
so then what you're saving on the one hand by not giving the retirement, we might
have to spend on a actual lawsuit because he might get himself in trouble, and then
Wysong and company will have to be defending him, okay, and then we'll spend
money that way, okay, that's another one. Okay, the -- I'm concerned about -- what I
want is all people of walks of life, different walks of life, can be a commissioner if they
have the right attitude and the right, you know, that they want to do good for the
community. Regardless if you're a business owner like myself or you're wealthy,
because let's face it, right now, I believe this is a 24-hour 7 job. It really is if you're
going to do a job, and all of us know it up here, I think, okay. You know, now if you
ask me to do a full-time job, okay, and I didn't have anything else, I have to be
compensated, ladies and gentlemen. This niyth that people are going to do this for
free and we're not going to pay them anything, and -- this is a fallacy, this is
something that, you know, and there's plenty of radio stations out there that have
criticized me for even mentioning this. But I have to mention this because this should
have been fixed a long time ago because this was repealed. We're not changing
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anything here. The only thing is that we're repealing what they repealed about 10 or
11, 12 years back. And then let's also be clear, I'm afraid that some in the middle will
get left out. There are three or four commissioners in the middle of us that are going
to get left out. I don't feel good about that, let me tell you, because I think they should
also be entitled to the same thing that we are. So, for me, I want more participation
when I'm gone that somebody -- that this is going to be their job. Okay, this is going
to be their job. They're not going to be like me, that I'm a business owner and that I --
I live off my real estate holdings, my wife and I do, okay? I want that, you know,
somebody simple that has -- you know, that's elected, that can be a person that can
run, okay, but doesn't have to be a business owner. He just has the -- he feels for
Allapattah, Flagami, Grapeland, in my case, District 1, and he can run, and this is the
only salary that he's going to get. And then for those guys, you've got to offer them a
package, so they're going to do the right thing up here. That's -- that's what I'm
saying. I know I'm going to be criticized for this. I know I'm going to be criticized for
this -- for doing this. But I think this is in the right. The only thing we're doing here,
we are not the ones, let me be clear, we are not the ones installing the pension system.
Other commissioners a long time ago, 30 years ago, installed the pension system. Like
Carollo, for example, he's already vested. He doesn't really care if this happens or not
because he's -- he gets his pension. He's going to get his pension once he's out of
office, okay? Now, so I want to reiterate this. All we are doing is that we're making it
right, in my opinion, that we are repealing what those commissioners did in 2009,
2010, okay, that they took out the pension, but they didn't do it for themselves. That's
very, important for you guys to know. They did not do that to themselves. Those
commissioners that repealed and said no more pension jroanybody after us, they
didn't do themselves. Until this day, they are still collecting money. You know? And
then furthermore, every employee in the city of Miami, fire, rescue, the general
employees, trash, everybody gets a pension. The only difference is that you can argue
is, well, we might get it in 8 years, and they might have to put it in 20. That's a
legitimate reason, I feel for them. But you know what? Let me tell you something.
Sometimes out there we're taking what I call a reputational hazard, okay, one way or
the other. Sometimes we get credit and other times we don't get credit. Sometimes we
deserve the credit, sometimes we deserve the criticism. You know, we're the United
States of America, and that's what it should be about. And I'm okay with that. I've
taken -- I've been in here for 10 months, and I've taken some criticism. I've taken some
credits, I think we all have, okay? But the. fact of the matter is, the fact of the matter is
-- the fact of the matter is, because I know tomorrow everybody's going to be talking,
look what they did over there in the City of Miami. And by the way, the reason this
has been deferred, okay, because 1 never wanted to do this at 12 o'clock at night when
nobody's looking, not having a fill discussion. We wanted to do this, I wanted to do
this out in the open, you know, so everybody knows exactly what is -- what is going
on. So, for me, it's also a matter of legacy, of legacy, that whoever comes after me,
after you, Commissioner Pardo, doesn't have to be wealthy, doesn't have to be a
business owner like myself or have real estate assets. But it could be a guy that this is
the only thing he's going to do, okay, and he is going to get paid for it, just like any
other job. That's what it should be about. When you're up here and you have 20
employees in my office like we do, we have 17 right now, you're basically the
executive leading that office. That's what you're doing. And you're leading the district.
That's a job. It's a 24-hour job. That's the truth of the matter. You know, people don't
know this. They look at the perks that we get, but they don't look at the time that's put
in. I work on the weekends, by the way. I work on the weekends, you know, and I
should, because I signed up for this. Nobody, put a gun to my head and said, you've
got to be commissioner, Gabela. No, no, no, I knew what I was getting into, you
know? When I got here, a little bit different, but I knew what I was getting into. So, I
have to, you know, admit responsibility, you know. So mainly, I want to be on the
record as voting for this for this reason. And, you know, some people will say up here,
oh, you know, I came to serve, you know, and I came to serve, too, but I want to do it
for the guys that come behind me, you know, and also when -- without again
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mentioning names because Pin not into that. I try to do things up here -- if1 don't have
to get into a squabble, 1 won't. Early on I did with you, Carollo, you know what I
mean, I think we're on pretty good terms now, you know, we're not going to be friends,
but we're on pretty good terms, okay.
Chair King: It is comedy.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay, but -- but we respect each other. We respect each other.
Vice Chair Carollo: Let me interrupt you for a minute.
Commissioner Gabela: Go ahead, you always do.
Vice Chair Carollo: We're not going to be kissing cousins.
Commissioner Gabela: No, we're not.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Commissioner Gabela: And it's been said that you and I have, you know, an alliance,
that Pardo and I have an alliance, and this and that. Look, I'm here for the people,
and I'm sure you are, and Commissioner Pardo, and everybody is at the end of the
day, that we're going to vote on the projects -- on the independent projects as they
come, and the merit on the project. And not basically that I'm going to vote against it
because you're voting for it or you're voting for it. Bottom line. But what I don't want
to hear tonight is people tell me, oh, Gabela, because, you know, you're getting a
pension. Yeah, I'm getting $4,400 that ifI make it that far. I've got to serve two terms.
I got to get elected one more term. I've got to do my job right because if not, people
are not going to elect me. Then I got to live that long, and I've got to live at least five
years after that to equal the equal sum that I'm going to take out of here as is right
now. So, when people say to me, pension this and that, I say wait a minute, there's
some people here that have had a double job, okay, and yearly, they've been
collecting close to $100,000 besides their regular job, you know, how much is that in
8 years? How much, you know, I -- there's a lot of waste, you know, in government,
you know, but nobody talks about that. We're -- they'll talk about the pension and go
against the pension because they know out there, people will spin it to the -- to the --
some of the voters, and some of the voters, I imagine, will believe it. And others will
give you credit where it's at, okay. But my point is, you know, when people tell me
that I'm saying to people, man, do you want people really -- do you want people that
you're paying them, you've got an executive job, and you don't want to pay them and
then you give them all this power? Okay, and then, you know, you're putting that
temptation in front of them because they need to earn a living, because they need to
live just like everybody else. They need to eat, they need to pay rent, they need the
money, okay? And so, for me, I'm going to end it with that. It's been a very long
speech for me. My -- mines are usually five, six minutes --
Chair King: And I did not interrupt you.
Commissioner Gabela: -- or seven minutes. And again, I say, I wish -- by the way, the
only, thing I don't like about this is, okay, that we're leaving some people out,
commissioners, we are leaving some people out in between that 2010 and 2011 and
now. And that's the only thing I don't like about it. Thank you.
Chair King: I agree. Any further discussion? I have a motion and a second.
Mr. Hannon: Chair, the motion and the second was for discussion.
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Chair King: For discussion. Can I have a motion?
Vice Chair Carollo: Motion.
Chair King: I have a motion.
Commissioner Gabela: Second.
Chair King: A second. Commissioner Reyes.
Commissioner Reyes: (INAUDIBLE) 1 stated it all along. My position was -- when 1
was accused during my campaign that I was coming here to get a pension. And I said,
no, I will never get a pension. And I'm a man of my word. I respect every person's
decision, but I want you to respect mine, okay? I'm not here to criticize anybody. It's
the way I feel. I promise it, and I'm going to keep it. Either you like it or not, that's the
way I am, okay. And I'm going to vote no, alright?
Chair King: Great.
Commissioner Pardo: Madam Chair.
Chair King: Commissioner Pardo?
Commissioner Pardo: I just wanted to make it clear also. I understand the reasoning
and all of it, and in fact, if it passes, I will take the pension. So, I've never said that I
would not take the pension. The biggest difference for me is I think this case should be
made to the voters, and it should go to a vote. And that's -- otherwise for me, I see it
as self -dealing. That's what I've said from the beginning, and I'm just repeating it,
reiterating it now. Like Commissioner Reyes, I respect every single thing everyone
has said. That wouldn't change. But 1 wanted to make sure that was clear.
Commissioner Gabela: By the way, 1 wouldn't have a problem taking it to the -- I
always said I never had a problem taking it as a referendum. I'm on the record saying
that.
Commissioner Pardo: That's what 1 would prefer.
Vice Chair Carollo: Alright.
Chair King: Pm not in favor of that. I'm definitely not in favor of that. And let me tell
you why I'm not in favor of it, because people are M&Ms, mean and miserable. I
received an email criticizing Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Mayor Francis for
declaring a state of emergency for Hurricane Milton. This constituent -- and we all
received that email. Did you see the email? Just unbelievable, because we were
preparing for a storm. And, you know, the weather, we can't predict with any
certainty, but thank God, there were criticized giving out sandbags. We gave out
thousands of sandbags in each of our districts. And then, my point to M&Ms, mean
and miserable, that individual came back to have a second email to say what?
Criticized the hat I was wearing. Criticized the hat I was wearing. I would not leave
my livelihood up to voters like that.
Unidentified Speaker: No.
Chair King: Thank you, Ms. Betancourt. Thank you, Ms. Betancourt.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
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Chair King: So, 1 have a motion and a second. All in --
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, just -- less than one minute.
Commissioner Reyes: Really?
Vice Chair Carollo: I dare say that there is no corporation that has $1.2 billion a
year, like the City of Miami, and if you include all our agencies, it's a heck of a lot
more than $1.2 billion, that its board of directors will have as little as we will have in
a pension. None. Go ahead.
Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
Commissioner Gabela: Aye.
Vice Chair Carollo: Aye.
Chair King: Aye.
Commissioner Reyes: No.
Commissioner Pardo: No.
Chair King: Motion carries 3-2.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well --
Chair King: Look at that. And that's how my constituency feels.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, surprise, .surprise. I'm glad that my colleague,
Commissioner Pardo, was so transparent. You're truly a pillar of transparency, sir.
Commissioner Pardo: From day one.
Vice Chair Carollo: That he votes against it, but he says if it passes, I'm going to
collect. Boy --
Commissioner Pardo: I work as hard as everybody, else.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- that's courage. That's courage.
Commissioner Pardo: I work as hard as everybody else and I'm certainly not going to
accept less. So, yeah, from day one, by the way.
Vice Chair Carollo: I'll bring the mariachis next meeting.
Commissioner Pardo: And by the way, you get an increase in your pension.
END OF SECOND READING ORDINANCES
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FR - FIRST READING ORDINANCES
FR.1 ORDINANCE First Reading
16661 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, AMENDING
City Manager's CHAPTER 40/ARTICLE IV/DIVISION 3 OF THE CODE OF THE
Office CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), TITLED
"PERSONNEL/PENSION AND RETIREMENT PLAN/CITY OF MIAMI
GENERAL EMPLOYEES' AND SANITATION EMPLOYEES'
RETIREMENT TRUST," MORE PARTICULARLY BY AMENDING
SECTION 40-241 OF THE CITY CODE, TITLED "DEFINITIONS," TO
DEFINE THE RULE OF 80 AND CLARIFY THE APPLICABILITY OF
CERTAIN PROVISIONS, AND SECTION 40-255 OF THE CITY
CODE, TITLED "BENEFITS," PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. R-
24-0147 ADOPTED APRIL 25, 2024, TO INCLUDE A TWO -AND -A -
HALF -PERCENT AND THREE -PERCENT MULTIPLIER FOR
THOSE HIRED ON OR AFTER OCTOBER 1, 2010, BASED ON THE
MIAMI GENERAL EMPLOYEES AMERICAN FEDERATION OF
STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, LOCAL 1907
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT FOR OCTOBER 1,2023,
THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2026, AND TO UPDATE THE CITY
CODE TO COMPLY WITH EARLIER RATIFICATIONS OF
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS AND CITY CODE
AMENDMENTS, SPECIFICALLY RESOLUTION NO. R-11-0364,
ADOPTED ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2011, RESOLUTION NO. R-24-
0013, ADOPTED JANUARY 22, 2024; ORDINANCE NO. 13203,
ADOPTED SEPTEMBER 27, 2010; RESOLUTION NO. R-22-0340,
ADOPTED SEPTEMBER 13, 2022, AND RESOLUTION NO. R-22-
0423, ADOPTED OCTOBER 27, 2022; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE
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
Chair King: Mr. City Attorney, would you please read the title for our FR.1 item?
George Wysong (City Attorney): FR.1.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Chair King: Does anyone have any discussion for this item? Would anyone like to
discuss this item? May 1 have a motion for FR.1?
Commissioner Gabela: Motion.
Chair King: May I have a second?
Vice Chair Carollo: Second.
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Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
Chair King: Second. 1 have a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: For FR.1 ?
Commissioner Pardo: No.
Commissioner Reyes: (INAUDIBLE) FR.1 ?
Chair King: Yes. This -- no, not the electeds' pension. This is the --
Commissioner Gabela: This is the employees.
Chair King: This is the employees.
Commissioner Pardo: Yes.
Chair King: Okay.
Commissioner Pardo: Apologize.
Chair King: Okay.
Commissioner Gabela: I kind of thought you were --
Commissioner Pardo: Yeah, I --
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): So, that's unanimous, 5-0?
Chair King: Okay, yes. It's unanimous.
Mr. Hannon: Unanimous, 5-0.
Chair King: Yes, okay.
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FR.2 ORDINANCE First Reading
16718
Commissioners
and Mayor
AN ORDINANCE BY THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 36/SECTION 36-4 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TITLED "NOISE/OPERATION OF
RADIOS, PHONOGRAPHS, OR OTHER SOUND -MAKING
DEVICES; BANDS, ORCHESTRAS, AND MUSICIANS —
GENERALLY," AND CHAPTER 36/SECTION 36-5 OF THE CITY
CODE, TITLED "NOISE/SAME — HOURS OF OPERATION OF
JUKEBOXES, RADIOS, ETC.; EXEMPTION FOR EVENTS ON
CITY -OWNED PROPERTY; RELAXATION," TO CREATE A PILOT
PROGRAM FOR THE NRD-1 WYNWOOD BID REMOVING
DECIBEL READINGS FOR NOISE VIOLATIONS AND CREATING
ALTERNATE HOURS FOR RESTRICTIVE TIMES AND
ALTERNATE DISTANCES FOR SOUND; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: Item FR.2 was deferred to the October 24, 2024, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item FR.2, please see "Order of the
Day."
END OF FIRST READING ORDINANCES
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Page 78 Printed on 12/3/2024
City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
BC.1
16510
Office of the City
Clerk
BC.2
14754
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
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A CERTAIN
INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT COUNCIL FOR A
TERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY:
Wills J. Felin Commissioner Christine King
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0412
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 you have any hoard or committee appointments?
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Yes, thank you, Chair. BC2, Arts and Entertainment
Council, Chair King will be reappointing Willis [sic] Felin.
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Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
BC.3
16702
Office of the City
Clerk
Chair King: Wills.
Mr. Hannon: Oh, Wills, I'm sorry.
Chair King: Do I have a motion?
Commissioner Gabela: Motion.
Commissioner Pardo: Second.
Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries unanimously.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A CERTAIN
INDIVIDUAL AS CHAIRPERSON OF THE ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT COUNCIL.
APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY:
Wills J. Felin Mayor Francis Suarez
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0413
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): BC.3, Arts and Entertainment Council, Mayor Suarez
will be appointing Wills Felin as the council's chairperson.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Chair King: I have a motion.
Vice Chair Carollo: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries.
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
BC.4
6672
Office of the City
Clerk
BC.5
15894
Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE AUDIT ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR TERMS
AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner 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 BAYFRONT PARK MANAGEMENT TRUST FOR
TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Christine King
Commission -At -Large
Commission -At -Large
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
City of Miami Page 81 Printed on 12/3/2024
City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
BC.6
15417
Office of the City
Clerk
BC.7
16284
Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE CLIMATE RESILIENCE COMMITTEE FOR
TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Damian Pardo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Christine King
Commission -At -Large
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD FOR TERMS
AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
RESULT:
APPOINTEES:
(Alternate At -Large Member)
(Alternate At -Large Member)
NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Damian Pardo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commission -At -Large
Commission -At -Large
City of Miami Page 82 Printed on 12/3/2024
City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
BC.8
15122
Office of the City
Clerk
BC.9
16511
Office of the City
Clerk
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
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
Commission -At -Large
Commission -At -Large
City of Miami Page 83 Printed on 12/3/2024
City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
BC.10
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 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
City of Miami Page 84 Printed on 12/3/2024
City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
BC.11
16052
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
City of Miami Page 85 Printed on 12/3/2024
City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
BC.12
15097
Office of the City
Clerk
BC.13
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
City of Miami Page 86 Printed on 12/3/2024
City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
BC.14
16285
Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE HISTORIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL
PRESERVATION BOARD FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES/CATEGORIES: NOMINATED BY:
(Architect/Architectural Historian —
Category 4)
(Real Estate Broker — Category 5)
(Citizen — Category 7)
(Historian/Architectural Historian —
Category3)
(Business and Finance or Law — Category
6)
(Architect — Category 1)
(Alternate in Business and Finance or Law
Category 8)
(Landscape Architect— Category 2)
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
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
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
BC.15
16055
Office of the City
Clerk
BC.16
16651
Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER,
QUEER ("LGBTQ") ADVISORY BOARD FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Christine King
Commission -At -Large
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION CONFIRMING A CERTAIN
INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE LITTLE HAITI REVITALIZATION TRUST FOR A
TERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE:
Roody Meme
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0414
NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Christine King
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): BC.16, Little Haiti Revitalization Trust, Chair King
will be reappointing Roody Meme.
Vice Chair Carollo: Move.
Commissioner Reyes: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
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Office of the City
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Mr. Hannon: That concludes the boards and committees. Thank you, Chair.
Chair King: Thank you.
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
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Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
BC.18
16648
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
City of Miami
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Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
BC.19
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
City of Miami
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
BC.20
16652
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 Christine King
Commissioner Christine King
City of Miami
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Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
BC.21
3693
Office of the City
Clerk
BC.22
16286
Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE STARS OF CALLE OCHO WALK OF FAME
COMMITTEE FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commission -At -Large
Commission -At -Large
Commission -At -Large
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE URBAN DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD
(UDRB) FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
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 Christine King
City of Miami
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Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
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16056
Office of the City
Clerk
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A CERTAIN
INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE VIRGINIA KEY ADVISORY BOARD FOR A TERM
AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
END OF BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
Mayor Francis Suarez
City of Miami
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Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024
DI - DISCUSSION ITEM
DI.1 DISCUSSION ITEM
16731
Commissioners
and Mayor
A DISCUSSION ITEM REGARDING THE BAYFRONT PARK
MANAGEMENT TRUST.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
Chair King: The next item we have on our agenda is -- and Pm going backwards, so
I'm going to get all the way to the front. Discussion item on Bayfront Park
Management Trust. Whose item is this?
Commissioner Pardo: That's my item.
Chair King: Do you want to keep it, or do you want to defer it?
Commissioner Pardo: I want to keep it.
Chair King: Come on.
Commissioner Pardo: Did you want to do it later?
Chair King: No, no, no, no, no. I'm going to --
Commissioner Pardo: Okay.
Chair King: Let's go.
Commissioner Reyes: We've got to get out of here for the --
Chair King: No, I'm going to go backwards.
Commissioner Pardo: Okay. I think we just have some quick slides to show.
Vice Chair Carollo: We got other (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Chair King: Yes. Yes. But this is an item on. So, this is the next thing. And then I'll
just keep moving forward. There's a discussion for Bayjront Park Management Trust
that Commissioner Pardo put on. Commissioner Pardo?
Commissioner Pardo: Yeah, 1 have just a handout on the information and some
slides, which 1 think Chris is probably somewhere. He'll set up in a second. But
anyway, 1 wanted to start out by saying Bayfront Park Management Trust is listed as
a component unit of the City of Miami. Now 1 would ask the City Attorney if you
could explain a component unit or how that's different from anything else.
George Wysong (City Attorney): Yeah, so I --
Commissioner Pardo: Like the CRAs (Community Redevelopment Agency) or the
DDA (Downtown Development Authority) or anything.
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Mr. Wysong: Quite honestly, I'm not -- I guess this is -- I don't know who prepared
this document, but a component --
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Mr. Wysong: Oh, the auditors did? A component unit of the City of Miami is not
really terminology that we use. I will say that by its definition, Bayfront Park Trust is
an agency of the City, however it doesn't have -- like typically when you look at our
code, you'll see like the more powerful boards, using that term loosely, they're
granted corporate power to sue and be sued in the courts of the state and with power
to adopt and use a corporate seal, that's out of the DDA legislation. Miami Parking
Authority has the power to sue and be sued and enter into contracts and stuff like
that. Bayfront Park's authority is overseen by the city commission, so it doesn't use
the term limited agency, but it's an agency. So, I'm not exactly sure what component
unit of the City of Miami is.
Commissioner Pardo: That's fine, but my --
Arthur Noriega (City Manager): But wait, let me clarify.
Mr. Wysong: Okay, please.
Mr. Noriega: Having been a component unit of the city at one point in my
professional life, it is an accounting reference.
Mr. Wysong: Okay.
Mr. Noriega: So, when they reference it as a component unit, that's an accountant's
reference.
Commissioner Pardo: But I think the main -- the main point that I was trying to say
is how it's different than DDA and the CRAs in that the commission is responsible
ultimately. Correct?
Mr. Wysong: Correct, yes.
Commissioner Pardo: Okay. So, in the last two audits for Bayfront Park
Management Trust, there were significant deficiencies listed which are important
and I want to say -- where's the chief financial officer, where's Larry? Chief
Financial Officer, when we've been discussing, there's an upcoming forensic audit
on Bayfront Park Management Trust, correct?
Larry Spring (Chief Financial Officer/Assistant City Manager): Yes, at the direction
of the commission.
Commissioner Pardo: Okay. So, I just wanted to make sure that in that forensic
audit, these are addressed, these kind of deficiency findings.
Mr. Spring: Yeah. We already provided the audit firm that is assigned to do that
audit the close out audit, and we used the management letter comments as a starting
point.
Commissioner Pardo: I saw the scope of work --
Mr. Spring: Yeah.
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Commissioner Pardo: -- but it didn't mention procedures. So, what I'm -- what I'm
trying to list here are the considerations that have come through our office, the
issues that have come to our office. The issue about journal entries. When you read
the effect, it says, without proper review of journal transactions, the Trust could be
exposed to material misstatements due to the improper recording in addition to
possible fraud or misuse of funds. There haven't, according to this, been bank
reconciliations. The eject says, without proper review of bank reconciliations, the
Trust would not know if the cash position at a point in time is accurate and whether
or not there were errors, fraud, or misuse of funds. In addition, unreconciled
transactions could cause accounts to be over or understated. If you go to the next
slide, Chris. Sorry, to -- that's basically what I just read in those areas. And go to the
next one. The next one. It'll be fast, I don't want to -- you'll see the, like, these are the
things that concern me, but also that I would want the auditors to kind of look at. We
had more or less a cash balance of 9 and a half million, but the interest earned was
$7,228. It doesn't jive in my mind. So that, along with the deficiencies, is what I
would like them -- procedures written, to kind of address. If you go to the next slide,
you'll see it's better, $286,000. But by then, the balance was 14 million and a half,
right? If you go to the next one, you'll see that even in the forecast now, when we
look to 2023-24, you see 792 added to the 264. Now we're at a million, but we were
forecasting zero. So, there's just stuff here between the budget and what's reported in
the statements that I want the forensic auditors to look at.
Mr. Spring: Okay.
Commissioner Pardo: The pending projects which now with the balance that
Bayfront Park Management Trust has, basically all of it is getting used for the list of
projects, if you go to the next slide, including the fountain reconstruction, the rock
garden, the promenade, the flower clock, a new fountain for Maurice Ferre Park,
and I want to know because this is what the residents have been corning to our office
about. How does this fit with procurement? Is it following procurement? Are there
conflict of interests? Is this in line with the master plan? These are the issues that
they keep coming to us with.
Mr. Spring: Okay.
Commissioner Pardo: The issue about the former interim executive director and
transfers going from Bayfront Park Trust to District 3, or Bayfront Park Trust to
Tower or District 3, those have all been mentioned to us as areas where we would
like to see some kind of procedure that helps identify it. Permitting a procurement
during that same time period and then petty cash transfers for VIP (Very Important
Person) parking and whatever happened with the MPA (Miami Parking Authority)
agreement.
Mr. Spring: Okay.
Commissioner Pardo: In addition to that, just the community support line item seems
to be outside the mission of what Biscayne -- of Bayfront Park Management Trust
was, the outside support to Little Haiti, little -- all the other communities. What is
that line item? Is there any procedure to make sure that the money, you know, is
being used and should it be used given that the mission of this -- of Bayfront Park
Trust -- Management Trust is to manage the park, not community support in this
way, which the city does. Those were all the concerns.
Mr. Spring: Okay, I will get a copy of this and share it with the lead from Markham.
I'll do that tomorrow.
Commissioner Pardo: Thankyou very, much.
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Chair King: The lead who?
Mr. Spring: The lead -- the lead auditor from the audit firm that's assigned.
Chair King: Okay.
Mr. Spring: The firm is Markham LLC.
Chair King: Okay. Would it -- does anyone else have anything?
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes. I really don't know what the heck champ here is bringing
out, but we certainly have the financial people from the Trust that can go over this
and will be more than happy to answer any questions. Interesting he met with them
after he had asked for the financials to be given to him. From what I was told, he
really had no problems, he never came back to ask any questions of the financial
people that went to see him, or from the executive director. Unlike from eight, nine
days ago, when right at this podium I asked the executive director from his Omni
CRA to provide me, line item, expenditures and salaries for employees. To this day I
have not gotten it and they cannot tell me when I will receive them. For the record,
I'm making to you, Mr. Pardo, and to the executive director, a public records
request, by Florida law, which verbal is as good as in writing, for all the information
that I asked in the last meeting that we had with the Omni CRA. This, it's obvious, a
big balloon that he's trying to come up with on trying to see if he could create the
doubt that something is wrong. There's problems with monies in Bayfront Park. He's
complaining about procurement, but as I pointed out today and in numerous other
commission meetings, he constantly votes up here for items that are four -fifths, no
procurement. I guess the only place he's got a problem if we do a four -fifth vote
without procurement is in Bayfront Park Trust. That he would have the audacity to
complain that the trust gave $50,000 to a Liberty City arts group for young kids in
Liberty City to be taught art by native artists from Liberty City. It's outrageous. That
he will complain that we gave $50,000 to a little Haiti group so that young Haitian
girls that are here, basically they were abandoned, could be taken care of and have a
place to live and food to eat, it's outrageous. Could audit that all you want and send
all the people that you want. And yes, we are going to have a new fountain,
hopefully, before December 31st, actually it's a refurbishing of the original Noguchi
Fountain at Bayfront Park. And yes, the board approved, in a public meeting, to put
in front of the Jorge Perez Museum, in the circle that's there, a new type of modern
fountain. And that process is in the way in doing it. But, of course, we can't do
anything here unless Mr. Pardo's proxies, those five or six people, decide what needs
to be approved in Ferre Park and now I'm seeing in Bayfront Park also. Listen, the
executive director of Bayfront Park is here, I asked him to be here, Mr. Suarez,
please look at this piece of garbage. And I want an answer; get whoever you have in
your office, whoever else you need to, so it could be answered. This is just a smoke
screen by this guy because he's afraid, he's having a meltdown, and I'm not going to
allow him to tarnish the image of a good board of directors that we have in that
park, to tarnish the image of what has been accomplished there in the last seven
years. When I went there as chairman for the first year, we had under $3 million of
revenue. Now we're up to around $13 million in revenue. This guy's going to
complain. And of course, there's never a thank you for all the work that we do there,
all that we've accomplished there. It's only complain, defame, attack, nonstop. So,
Mr. Pardo, you can do with this whatever you like. I'm not an accountant, so I don't
do the numbers'. We have people that can do that. They can explain that, and they
will explain it, but there's nothing here that I see that's got any validity to it or that
cannot be explained. And you know well that if you wanted these answers, all you
had to do was ask Mr. Suarez. You could have had the Trust -- and like the way you
treat even a vice chairman of the Omni CRA, that I can't get any information. I didn't
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stop the executive director and our staff from giving you anything you wanted,
including when in violation of our charter, you wanted to speak to the individual that
had put up the outdoor gym equipment because you wanted him to take it down right
away. And you were intimidating the man. And you were allowed, we didn't even
stop you on that, to go ahead and speak to him on your own. All the information was
given to you. Listen, champ, do better than that. You know, you're in the major
leagues now, and you're a minor league player.
Chair King: Commissioner Pardo?
Commissioner Pardo: I don't view myself as a very intimidating figure, but that said,
I'll first address the Omni piece of information that's been said a couple of times.
That request was made a few days ago.
Vice Chair Carollo: No. It was made --
Commissioner Pardo: And --
Vice Chair Carollo: -- at a meeting here --
Commissioner Pardo: I'm speaking.
Chair King: Hold on. Hold on.
Commissioner Pardo: I'm speaking.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- last, not this Monday --
Chair King: Hold on.
Commissioner Pardo: I'm speaking.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- the Monday before that.
Chair King: Vice Chair.
Commissioner Pardo: I'm speaking.
Vice Chair Carollo: Not a few days ago.
Chair King: He didn't interrupt you. Let him -- let him speak.
Commissioner Pardo: It was made a few days ago. 1 don't know the exact number, 6,
5, 7, something like that. In between a hurricane, in between -- the request was ,for
24 years of financial information and perspective. They also had a mediation the
very next day that took the entire day. We don't need a request or -- of course we are
going to satisfy the request. We will give you all that information; that's been our
intention from day one. So that's -- I just wanted to make that very clear. As far as
the Bayfront staff goes, the Bayfront Park staff, they've been great. I've had a great
working relationship with Jose. I did meet with them, and I did bring up the interest
income issue, but I had not seen the two sets of financials at the time. So, I'm going
to wait for the forensic audit and for the explanations. I'm not making any
accusations. I'm simply saying these are areas that, as commissioners, we should get
answers to. And procurement. I am in favor of following procurement and getting
bids unless there's a good reason. Like, for example, it's two companies that do horse
rides. Or, you know, so as long as it's explained, I'm good with it. You know, it's
otherwise, though, let's try to follow our procurement procedure. And, of course, I
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support donations going in Liberty City or any other place that needs money and has
community outreach programs. It's just that line item, community support, was never
foreseen as part of that mission and might be better off in the City not at Bayfront
Park Trust. That's it.
Chair King: Any others want to? Okay. So, we've addressed discussion item on
Bayfront Park.
END OF DISCUSSION ITEM
City of Miami
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PZ. 1
16562
Department of
Planning
PART B: PZ - PLANNING AND ZONING ITEM(S)
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION TO
RECONSIDER RESOLUTION NO. R-24-0212, WHICH DENIED THE
APPEAL FILED BY ARTHUR NORIEGA V, CITY OF MIAMI CITY
MANAGER, AND MIGUEL FERRO, THE THEN EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR OF BAYFRONT PARK, ("APPELLANT") OF THE
DECISION OF THE PLANNING, ZONING, AND APPEALS BOARD
THEREBY 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: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: Item PZ.1 was deferred to the October 24, 2024, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PZ.1, please see "Public
Comments for All Item(s)."
Vice Chair Carollo: And then I will make a motion on PZ.1.
Chair King: Motion for PZ.1.
Commissioner Pardo: Is there any discussion?
Chair King: Oh, absolutely.
Commissioner Pardo: Oh.
Chair King: I don't think that we can get away with not having discussion on this
item. I see attorneys lining up. Come on up.
Amanda Quirke Hand: Good afternoon, Amanda Quirke Hand, office at 1395 Brickell
Avenue, outside counsel for the City, of Miami on this matter. This matter has been
discussed at many different meetings. It's our position that the reconsideration is
appropriate and it's also in accordance with the referendum that was approved by 80
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percent majority. So, we would encourage this commission to vote and grant the
appeal.
Chair King: Sir?
Marc Burton: Good afternoon, Madam Chairwoman, Mr. Vice Chairman,
Commissioners. This body may not proceed with reconsideration of the final decision
of May 23rd to deny the appeal from the PZAB (Planning, Zoning and Appeals
Board). It would be an abrogation of jurisdiction to do so. So, whatever may be a
good idea or not a good idea, or good policy or not good policy, or the voters or not
the voters, this body lacks jurisdiction to entertain the question altogether. How do we
know this? We know this --
Ms. Quirke Hand: Madam Chairwoman, are we starting over with the presentations
or are we just --?
Chair King: I really don't want to. You spoke this morning at public comment. I
understood, but if my colleagues need to hear what you have to say again, I am not
going to stop you because you are here for the PZ (Planning and Zoning) item and
interested parties are allowed to speak during our PZ items. It's separate from public
comment, but I get it. And I just, for the record, as well, I agree with Commissioner
Gabela. This should be put to rest. The voters voted. We should reconsider it. And in
your statement, you said we don't have the authority, but you forgot to say in your
opinion, because a court would have to decide if we don't have jurisdiction to
reconsider this. But from what I've been told by our city attorney, by our city clerk,
this is well within our jurisdiction. And again, 80 percent of our electorate, even in
District 2, there was not one precinct that did not vote in favor of the gym equipment.
So, on this issue, I think it's a foregone conclusion. And if my colleagues want to hear
your presentation again or Ms. Quirke's presentation again, I want to allow you to do
so because I don't want to have any problems later that I didn't let anybody speak, et
cetera, et cetera. But that's where I am on this.
Mr. Burton: Understood. I'm sorry.
Commissioner Pardo: Madam Chair, one clarification I'd like to make. Obviously, the
residents don't agree with that. They think that question was misleading, and that's
currently in a court of law being contested, I do want to hear what is the case law that
makes you say that we do not have jurisdiction, and then if that is the case, are we
opening ourselves up to yet another lawsuit based on our -- on what we decide to do?
Chair King: You know, either way it goes, we're opening ourselves up to a lawsuit
because if we disenfranchise 80 percent of our electorate, we open ourselves up to a
lawsuit. If we -- you know, either way, because we live in a litigious society, and just
because someone brings a lawsuit and you can find case law to support any side that
you're on, and every attorney knows that. There are pros and cons. There's case law
for this. There's case law for that. So, that doesn't move me if he has case law. It
doesn't move me if she has case law. Ultimately, a judge will decide having all the
facts. But we, we as a commission, we need to put this issue to rest. And just like I just
said, you know, you have residents that are saying the referendum language was
misleading. Okay, a judge will decide that. I don't think it was misleading, but that's
just my opinion. And again, my argument in favor of it not being misleading is that at
least the voters in District 2 would have voted against it because there was such a big
campaign against the gym equipment, but it passed 80 percent. I don't know how we
disenfranchise 80 percent of voters in the city of Miami. So, I would like to put this to
rest. Commissioner Pardo.
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Commissioner Pardo: The campaign was only done two weeks leading up to it
because it wasn't understood that it was a binding referendum. Most people thought it
was a simple straw poll. That aside though, I know the plaintiff wasn't able to make it.
And I know you had asked in public comment for this to be deferred until the plaintiff
could be here to, you know, to represent the residents. I don't know that that is
something that we would need --
Chair King: I -- I don't -- typically, if you're represented by counsel, it doesn't matter
if the person is here specifically, because this person represents -- I mean, he's going
to say the same thing that his attorney says. So, I don't think we're disenfranchising
the plaintiff by listening to his counsel. But again, it's the will of my commissioners.
I'm ready to move this forward. Pin ready to vote for reconsideration. Will of my
commissioners, do I have a motion?
Vice Chair Carollo: There's a motion.
Chair King: I have a second?
Mr. Burton: May I respond?
Chair King: Wait, hold on a second.
Commissioner Reyes: Ma'am, I have --
Chair King: I'm not -- when I get the motion and the second, then I'll have more
discussion. I'm not -- I'm not going to forget about you.
Commissioner Reyes: Ma'am, the only thing that I'm saying, and I have repeated it,
and I don't know why, sometimes the Law Department, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) -- I
mean, it muddied the water in a way that it makes it more difficult. No, really. Really.
The people spoke. People spoke 80 percent, 87 percent. It's just like the Inspector
General, 80-something say yes. Now, people speak. That is the democratic way. And
that the -- if it was not a campaign against it, it is not the people's fault, you see? It is
not our fault; that I am in .favor or against is irrelevant. It's irrelevant. And now, my
only concern about PZ.1, it is if we reconsider and then we vote against it, we opening
up a Pandora's box that any time that something happens, well, I would like to
reconsider now if I have to vote the deal with Melreese, you see? And that is the only
reason that 1 will vote against it. But 1 will vote that -- to do what the people -- that --
what people voted for. And let's place this to rest. That's the only reason that I will not
vote fbr PZ.1. But let's put this to rest. If there is now, there is -- if there is -- now we
have a lawsuit against the referendum, let the judge decide. And if the judge decides
that it is not valid, well, then you take the, 1 would say, infamous, because they are not
even famous, I mean, they have created so much problem. You take the infamous
exercise equipment out of it because the judge would say so, and that's it. I mean, I
don't know why you guys --
Commissioner Pardo: I agree.
Commissioner Reyes: -- why you guys try to make it so difficult. You see, it is very
simple. People speak, you see. Okay, now leave it like the way it is, okay? There's no
need for the reconsideration, that's what it is.
Commissioner Pardo: There isn't.
Commissioner Reyes: And if you -- and if we vote for reconsideration, regardless if I
like it or not, if I want it there or not, you know that I voted against it. What we are
doing is we are opening up a Pandora's box. Now, a year from now, or at any time,
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anyone of us will say, well, I want to reconsider the vote that we had. And if you have
the three votes, then you reconsider. Do you understand where I'm going?
Chair King: Yes, but that's exactly what we did with the billboards. We didn't like it,
and it was reconsidered. So that --
Commissioner Reyes: That's right, but --
Chair King: Those are actions that this commission takes and --
Commissioner Reyes: I didn't like that route either.
Chair King: -- can -- yeah, I didn't like that either.
Commissioner Pardo: But it was done -- but it was done within 30 days.
Commissioner Reyes: Within 30 days, you see.
Commissioner Pardo: That's the rule.
Commissioner Reyes: I mean, but this is a long time.
Chair King: So, again, again, here we are. We have PZ --
Commissioner Reyes: (INAUDIBLE) simple vote to leave it there (INAUDIBLE).
Chair King: No, because then you're doing exactly what you said you didn't want to
do, disenfranchise 80 percent of the electorate.
Commissioner Reyes: No, no, no, not me. The voters (INAUDIBLE). I mean, open it
up, leave it there, and if there is a lawsuit --
Chair King: Well, that's what PZ --
Commissioner Reyes: (INAUDIBLE).
Chair King: -- that's what PZ.1 begins to do. I think Commissioner Carollo wants to
say something and Commissioner Pardo would like to speak again and Commissioner
Gabela, you're okay?
Commissioner Gabela: No, no, I'm listening, I'm listening.
Chair King: Okay.
Commissioner Gabela: I'm keeping my thoughts until the end.
Chair King: Okay.
Commissioner Reyes: (INAUDIBLE).
Vice Chair Carollo: Chairwoman. First of all, let me say this for the record, that
counsel for the plaints spoke all he wanted to when this came up the last time before
this body. The plaintiff himself spoke, and is on the record; the main plaintiff and
several of the others. Now, you know, maybe the world is turned upside down, I don't
know, but when I'm being told that the residents are not getting the rights, you're
talking about six people that were recruited by Mr. Pardo to file the lawsuit. And
when they asked the question, where was the money going to come to pay for the
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lawsuit, he told them where it was going to come from. He was putting a PAC
(Political Action Committee), a PAC was going to pay for it. And where did the money
from the PAC come from? From individuals that want the Omni CRA to be passed
because they're going to cash in on all that money. From the wife of one of the people
in the billboard company, who sits in our parks. From bar owners on 8th Street that
are suing the city, their corporations, and others. So, for this game, this charade to be
played, it's outrageous. When you have one person responsible for all this here, the
champ, 80 percent of the residents of Miami voted for the exercise park equipment.
Two weeks? They had weeks that they were campaigning. They had the local tabloid
that came out with editorials. They spent tens of thousands of dollars in an election
campaign. So, anything else that they want to tell you, it's just fake news, totally, on
this. Having said that, what they'd like to do is to keep this in limbo, that the vast
majority of residents of Miami that voted for this and others, can't use outdoor gym
equipment that has been installed and paid for. That's not right. There's no city in the
free world that would do something like this. The PZ1 and PZ2, that's a way to move
forward. And anybody that wants to bring something else up in the future, you can
make quite a difference between this that was approved by a referendum and anything
else. I don't think we're going to get anything before this commission that had been
approved by a referendum. So, that's the big difference here. PZ.3 will also handle
this, and that's on first reading. So, we could go through PZ.3 also on first reading
and bring it back. But we should move forward in PZ.1. If that passes, then go with
PZ.2, because if we're going to be saying that we're going to listen to the people, and
80 percent voted, and we're going to listen to the 80 percent, then we're going to be
making a mockery of those statements if we don't act upon it already.
Chair King: Ms. Quirke.
Ms. Quirke Hand: I think that the point -- your point has been well taken, which is this
appeal process has been going on for a year while the equipment has had a rope
around it, and at some point it has to end. So, the appeal process needs to end. You
have -- the administration has heard the voters, has heard the Commission, and they
have provided two avenues for you to address this issue. You can either address it
through PZ.1 and PZ.2 for just this specific issue or you can address it through PZ.3
because it is your professional planning department's opinion that the City of Miami
should not be spending resources to apply for warrants for exercise equipment in
public parks. So, there's two avenues, they're both before you and they are
recommended by your professional planning staff So, I would encourage you to
conclude -- conclude the issue so that we can move forward.
Chair King: Sir?
Mr. Burton: Thank you. As 1 was stating, this body does not have jurisdiction. So,
whether it is a good idea, a bad idea, or otherwise, PZ.1 is the question of should we
reconsider the question, and PZ.2 is the actual reconsideration of it. So, to
Commissioner Pardo's' question, if this proceeds to PZ.2, we would request a deferral
because Mr. Smith and Mr. Kern are not here, and they were going to make the
presentation. They're both on work trips that were scheduled in advance of the special
meeting. But I can talk about PZ.1 right now. PZ.1, this body lost jurisdiction when
the time to appeal expired. I understand at the previous meeting Ms. Quirke explained
correctly that the City of Miami cannot appeal certain decisions of the commission
because it's the City appealing itself. That may in fact be true, but it's irrelevant to the
legal analysis. And to say that the City holds jurisdiction of a quasi-judicial
proceeding forever because it cannot appeal affords the City a greater right than
anyone else in the city would have. So, the case law to the question that was asked,
the seminal case is Mills against Lapis Paint & Company, 125 So. 2d 745, Florida
Supreme Court from 1960. And what that court said was it has frequently been held
that administrative agencies have inherent or implied power comparable to that
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possessed by courts to rehear or reopen a cause and reconsider its action or
determination therein, where the proceeding is in essence a judicial one. It's also
generally, recognized that the power to rehear or reconsider must be exercised before
an appeal from the original order of the administrative body has been lodged or
before such order has become final by lapse of time without a timely appeal. In the
case of Smull, S-M-U-L-L, against the Town of Jupiter, the Fourth District Court of
Appeal in 2003 applied this exact situation from Mills against Laris, holding that
quasi-judicial determinations made by local governing bodies are subject to those
rules. We also cite Reich against the Department of Health, a First District case from
2004, holding that a request to vacate a quasi-judicial determination is untimely if it
is filed after the time for a timely notice of appeal has expired. So, the explanation
that has been given by the city attorney is that Mason's Legislative Manual would
permit reconsideration. It's not true because that applies to legislative enactment, not
quasi-judicial determinations where this body is acting as a court subject to possible
appeal to the circuit court. And in fact, even if we were applying Mason's, which we
are not, Mason's Manual states at Section 461, Subsection 5, when an appeal has
been decided and the subject matter of the appeal disposed of it's too late to move to
reconsider the vote on the appeal. When there is no appeal taken, this clearly applies.
So, to Commissioner Reyes's point, whatever this body, whatever the City may end up
doing with the gym equipment by virtue of other mechanism of law or not, one thing
that it cannot do because it would set a very dangerous precedent would be to go back
and reopen something that is judicially closed, because there is no principled reason
why any other quasi-judicial decision could not similarly, be reopened months later or
years later. And that would be a very damaging thing for this city to do and would
also undermine public faith in governance. So, whatever the City thinks is
appropriate, it cannot reopen. Last point, if it were to reopen, if it were to assume
jurisdiction that this body does not have, or alternatively, were this timely, which it is
not, the Miami 21 Code, the Rules of Evidence that are set forth in this city's code are
expressly clear that new evidence may not be considered. What can be considered? A
de novo review of what was considered by the PZAB, and to the extent that this body
already held a quasi-judicial hearing hack in January, which was eventually deferred
several times and decided in May, this hody may not consider new evidence that was
not considered by the time the matter became final, which it is. So, the election, which
was subsequent, is necessarily excluded. Now, there are reasons, if we go into PZ.2,
why the PZAB ruling should be reaffirmed if the -- if this body were to assume
jurisdiction, we think illegally. But I'm trying to separate PZ.1 and PZ.2 because they
are discrete legal issues. And if this proceeds in PZ.2, we can have that discussion,
but for PZ.1 we would request that reconsideration be denied. And if it proceeds to
PZ.2, we would request a deferral so that the appellees could be present.
Chair King: I'm going to allow Ms. Quirke to speak now.
Ms. Quirke Hand: A couple of things to correct for the record quickly. One is an
allegation that Mr. Smith did not receive notice. That notice is provided in the backup
to the -- that is in the online package, and it shows that he did receive notice by
certified mail. That's one thing. So, the fact that he's not here, he is represented by
counsel, and therefore, the notice issue is ineffective. The second thing is, as you said,
you can always find case law. Every lawyer can find good case law. We would not
suggest -- the City would never suggest that you should have a blanket policy of
reconsidering quasi-judicial items. However, in exceptionally, exceptionally limited
circumstances, the reconsideration may be appropriate if -- if this commission deems
so. And in this case, and I think it was noted by Commissioner Carollo, I don't know
of any other circumstance where an item has been approved by 80 percent
referendum after -- after the quasi-judicial item. So, the quasi-judicial item was
considered at a time when this commission was informed that maybe there was a
concern by the residents; that turned out to not be the case. In fact, 80 percent of the
residents were in favor of the gym equipment and getting the gym equipment open. So,
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in these exceptionally limited circumstances, Mann versus Department of
Professional Regulation, 585 So. 2d 1059, Johnson versus Terty Hunt Construction
Company. There are many cases that support the proposition that in exceptionally
limited circumstances, this board may reconsider the item. So, I would encourage you
to avail yourself of one of the avenues to move forward with the exercise equipment
that has been roped off for an entire year.
Chair King: I'd like to hear from our city attorney as well, because I believe in my
briefing this was our city attorney's path forward to put this item to rest or not. Is that
correct, Mr. City Attorney?
George Wysong (City Attorney): Yes, and I think Ms. Hand gave a great presentation
which is you have two options really. The Robert Frost poem, you walked upon two
paths in the forest, and you could choose to choose one path or the road less traveled.
PZ.1 and 2 are reconsideration of the item, and as we've said, we believe it's within
the jurisdiction and the authority under Mason's and the rules of this procedure -- or
the rules of the city commission to move forward with that. However, if you don't want
to create a precedent or you're concerned about going so far back with a
reconsideration, PZ.3 offers you the opportunity to eliminate the need for PZ.1 and 2,
because if you adopt PZ.3, thereby eliminating the requirement for a warrant, then
you wouldn't need to reconsider the item. So that -- that is another path, probably the
easier path. And to explain why -- and I know Commissioner Reyes, lawyers ruin
everything, right? Why are we complicating this issue? We are complicating this issue
because the appellee's' counsel has pled in court in the action that is currently
pending that the City cannot grant a warrant via the results of the referendum. He has
argued to the court that that would be in violation of Florida Statutes which says, an
initiative or referendum process in regard to any development order is prohibited. So,
while the question was very clear as far as shall the gym equipment remain in the
park, there remains a question of this city commission denied the request for a
warrant. So, we have that pending issue there. We've got the gym equipment in the
park. It can't be removed per 80 percent of the people of Miami's decision. But how do
we open it? How do we let people utilize this equipment? How do we remove the fence
and let people use it, right? So, those are the two options that we presented. You could
either reconsider the item. You don't really need a record because it's just basically, if
you reconsider the item, the record travels with this case. You had like three hearings
on this, I believe, before you ultimately decided the question on the appeal. So, there's
no need for a new hearing. It's not a de novo hearing. It's just basically the city
commission reconsidering, not rehearing or it's not a new appeal. It's a
reconsideration of the existing appeal with the record that traveled with it from day
one. So, your options one and two are to reconsider; option three is to change the
Code to no longer require a warrant for gym equipment in a park, and that would
obviate the need for one and two, arguably. So, those are your choices.
Vice Chair Carollo: Madam --
Chair King: Commissioner Gabela.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay, so the way I see this is, look, one and two gets you
there, PZ.3 gets you there also.
Mr. Wysong: Right.
Commissioner Gabela: One and two, you're going through the warrant system. Three,
we eliminate it. I think we should do PZ.3 if we're going to do it. That eliminates all
the lawsuits.
Mr. Wysong: Right.
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Commissioner Gabela: You know, and do it that way. If we're going to do it -- my
humble opinion, you know. And Commissioner Pardo, you put on a brave fight, you
know. But at some point, I agree with the Chairwoman that we've got to put this to
rest. That's all I'm saying. And I voted for you the first time, by the way. You know, I
heard what you had to say, but you know -- you know, and Carollo, you might have
outwitted you people, you know, but that's a fact of life, and that's what happened.
You know, and the people spoke, so, you know -- and, you know, I agree, we can't go -
- so I'm -- to be honest, I'm ready to vote on PZ.3.
Mr. Burton: May I?
Chair King: Commissioner -- hold. Commissioner Pardo.
Commissioner Pardo: Thank you, Madam Chair. I am in a very unique and difficult
position. I am really, really not a pig-headed person. But my office is dealing with
these issues constantly. At forums, emails, people come and visit, and they bring stuff
like this petition with 764 people after we took out anybody that didn't live in Miami,
of people who do not agree with what's happening at that park. The question that
went on the ballot did not include the residents' perspective, so the residents sued.
That lawsuit is still working its way through the court. The most logical thing to do
and respecting the residents in the process is to defer these until that settles. I'm the
first to say whatever the court rules, I'm with it. I'm done. I agree. We did what we
could. But I think it's fair to have a judge review a question that never even talked
about the residents, never even considered the struggle, because remember, the
residents have been doing this for a year and a half Forget how many people showed
up to PZAB. It was tens of people that showed up to PZAB. We've had chambers at
times filled with this issue, and it's all because all of this is happening in District 2,
but I can't do anything for them other than argue here, you know, make their case.
That's the only reason I'm going through all this.
Chair King: I hear you, and I agree with Commissioner Gabela that we probably
should go with PZ.3. Just -- hold on a second, sir. We should go with PZ.3 because
again, and my position has always been, it's not been a secret, I do not consider this
park a district park. I consider it a regional park. I consider it a park for the entirety
of the city of Miami, as does -- as has prior my colleagues before me. They've all
considered this park a regional park. So, I'm ready to move forward. I've heard
enough. I'm going to take my advice from the city attorney. Do I need to have any
more comments from the attorney?
Mr. Burton: May I respond?
Chair King: Hold on a second.
Mr. Wysong: He's had an opportunity. I'm always nervous about foreclosing someone
the opportunity to speak in a forum like this.
Chair King: Right. That's why I'm asking for your --
Mr. Wysong: Give him a two -minute summary and then we'll be done.
Chair King: Okay. Two -minute summary, sir.
Mr. Burton: Okay. Officially, we're talking about PZ.1, but there's been discussion
about PZ.3. I'll admit I'm learning about PZ.3 as I'm standing here, but if I'm correct
in my understanding from listening that PZ.3 would eliminate altogether the
requirement for a warrant for a recreational facility in a civic space, that is incredibly
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short-sighted and bad policy, and it would violate the 2008 master plan, the 2023
parks plan. It would violate the comprehensive plan. It would violate all of those
things. And one thing that I would like to say, the 2023 plan, which does not
specifically address Maurice Ferre Park, it addresses most parks but not Maurice
Ferre Park, because Maurice Ferre Park is a special -use park under the 2023 plan.
But there's other designations of parks in the 2023 plan, including a mini park, a
neighborhood park, a community park, a linear park, and a school park, which all
contemplate exercise equipment. Theres additional types of parks, special -use I
mentioned, which are dependent on what the reasons are, why they are special.
There's also undeveloped parks and green spots, which do not contemplate exercise
equipment. If the commission passes PZ.3 as an end -around to PZ.1 and PZ.2, it will
open a worse Pandora's box than even the reconsideration because now there's no
reason why any green space can't have a basketball court or can't have any
recreational facility that you can think of So, I would strongly discourage.
Chair King: Ms. Quirke? And I'd like to hear from the Parks director, because I did
ask that question, and I was told, and I'd like to have it for the record, that gym
equipment is part of the parks master plan. But let's hear it from the Parks director.
Ms. Quirke, you can rebut what he just said.
Mr. Quirke Hand: I think that the position is the same, and I defer to your
professional planning staff on what is appropriate in parks. You know, you have a
Parks director, you have professional planning staff who have made a professional
recommendation that it is appropriate to have exercise equipment and recreational
facilities in public parks.
Chair King: Director?
Chris Evans: Hello, good afternoon. Chris Evans, Parks and Recreation director. Yes,
in the master plan it is contemplated to have exercise equipment as part of features to
parks and recreation to enhance outdoor recreation as well. We have four fitness
centers throughout the city. Indoor, hut it does recommend having outdoor facilities
as well.
Chair King: Which is what I received. So, outdoor equipment in parks does not run
afoul of our parks master plan.
Mr. Burton: Respectfully --
Chair King: But I -- I heard what you said. I don't want to keep going back and forth.
I'm going to allow my colleagues one more flush and if 1 can have a motion for PZ.3.
Vice Chair Carollo: Before you get the motion, I have to withdraw the motion that I
made that wasn't second. So, let me withdraw that motion.
[Later...]
George Wysong (City Attorney): And then I recommend a deferral of PZ.1 and 2 to
October 24th.
Commissioner Gabela: Motion to defer.
Vice Chair Carollo: A motion for deferral.
Chair King: So, I've got a motion, second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
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Chair King: Everyone lives to fight another day.
Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. City Attorney?
Mr. Wysong: Yes, sir?
Vice Chair Carollo: Who has been representing us in the lawsuit that's been filed?
Mr. Wysong: By the opponents of the gym equipment in the park?
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes.
Mr. Wysong: The -- Amanda has been -- Ms. Hand has been representing the City's
issues in that litigation.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Mr. Wysong: Well, that's partially true. Ms. Hand is special counsel for the -- the
appeal of the gym equipment. In our office, we have internally been handling the
litigation and Eric Eves, I believe is on --
Vice Chair Carollo: My direct question is, she's an outside counsel, correct?
Mr. Wysong: She is outside counsel for the gym equipment only.
Vice Chair Carollo: Right, but --
Amanda Quirke Hand: Only as to the public matter.
Vice Chair Carollo: Right.
Mr. Quirke Hand: This. Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: But to the lawsuit part, no.
Mr. Wysong: That's being handled my office and my attorneys.
Vice Chair Carollo: Alright. Then you are going to have to reconsider if this lawsuit,
they want to go forward more with the money from the PAC (Political Action
Committee) and by the way, Mr. Manager, put a little discussion item so that 1 could
enlighten people to show how the money runs and who does what and how things
have been done for those that claim that they came here to fight corruption and have
full transparency. But we have a little problem. Maybe you all didn't hear me loud
enough, so let me speak a little louder so I can be heard. Mr. Pardo was the one that
pushed the idea of the lawsuit. Mr. Pardo was the one that stated that he would have a
PAC and raise some money. Mr. Pardo was the one that raised the money for the
PAC. Therefore, Mr. Pardo needs to be deposed along with some of his other proxies,
and the City will have a conflict of interest if you're going to depose Mr. Pardo. So, if
this is going to go forward anymore, you need to come to this commission so we can
have a discussion. And I want to show what we have to show the games that are being
played. And my God, even till today, he's still saying, the residents, the residents. You
have one resident that showed up today. In the other meetings, you had five, maybe
six. The 80 percent that voted for this, they don't count. They're nobodies. They're not
residents. This is so outrageous. But having said that, if the City Manager could put a
discussion item for me next week on the agenda, if it's not too late. If not, I will have
to put it on the one following that. And if the City Attorney's Office could keep this
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PZ.2
15113
Department of
Planning
commission apprised on what Mr. Pardo's attorney -- I'm sorry, the resident's
attorney is going to do next, because Mr. Pardo needs to be deposed. And that smirk
on his face, it ain't going to be there when he's deposed and the truth has to come out.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION 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 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: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: Item PZ.2 was deferred to the October 24, 2024, Citj
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PZ.2, please see "Public
Comments for All Item(s)" and Item PZ.1.
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PZ.3 ORDINANCE First Reading
16687
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"),
SPECIFICALLY BY AMENDING ARTICLE 4, TABLE 3 OF THE MIAMI
21 CODE, TITLED "STANDARDS AND TABLES/BUILDING
FUNCTION: USES," TO PERMIT RECREATIONAL FACILITY USES
AND COMMUNITY FACILITY USES IN "CS" CIVIC SPACE TRANSECT
ZONES BY RIGHT AND TO AMEND ARTICLE 10, SPECIFICALLY
SECTION 10.1.4, TITLED "GENERAL REQUIREMENTS," AND TABLE
15, TITLED "SPECIFIC SIGN DESIGN STANDARDS (C)," TO ALLOW
FOR CERTAIN ILLUMINATED SIGNS IN "CS" CIVIC SPACE
TRANSECT ZONE BY RIGHT; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading
RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Chair King: Okay, I have all of my colleagues here. I'm going to reopen the City of
Miami Commission meeting for October 15th, 2024. Welcome back, everybody. We
left off with our Planning and Zoning items. Mr. City Attorney, would you read into
the record the title?
George Wysong (City Attorney): PZ.3, right?
Chair King: Yes, that's the only one that requires you to read the title.
Mr. Wysong: PZ.3.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Chair King: Thank you. I'm going to entertain -- are there any items that we'd like to
pull to discuss? And I know we have to take this one by one. We can't group these
items.
Commissioner Reyes; Sure. IfI may, I --
Chair King: Commissioner Reyes.
Commissioner Reyes: We -- we talked about specifying the signs. Remember, Mr.
City Attorney, we specified the signs and there were a couple of exceptions.
Mr. Wysong: Right, so --
Commissioner Reyes: I didn't hear you say anything about that.
Mr. Wysong: So, we're talking about PZ.3, and during our briefing, you expressed
concern about a portion relating to signs. And so --
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Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Mr. Wysong: -- the Planning Department provided some alternative language.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
Mr. Wysong: Now, I just want to give the Commission the choice, and you,
Commissioner, the choice. The signs that are referenced in the ordinance are --
they're already in Miami 21 Code. The warrant requirement was just to allow the
signs to be illuminated, to have a light on the sign.
Commissioner Reyes: But what I said was --
Mr. Wysong: But if --
Commissioner Reyes: -- from the ground up.
Mr. Wysong: From the ground up, right.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay, that size was specifically from the ground up, you see.
And I don't know ifI asked you and you said that you were going to include it.
Mr. Wysong: Right, so --
Commissioner Reyes: If the other -- the other commissioners or the --
Mr. Wysong: So, what we did was we -- or the Planning staff distributed a version
that removes all of the sign language if you want --
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Mr. Wysong: -- and then that way the administration can come hack and robustly
look at all the signs for parks and stuff like that.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Mr. Wysong: So, the choice is to include it knowing that its just a warrant to
illuminate the sign or to take it out if it causes too much confusion. It's totally up to
you.
Commissioner Reyes: And how about the exception of museums and libraries?
Mr. Wysong: Yes, so I'll let the Planning director.
David Snow (Director, Planning): Through the Chair. So, David Snow with the
Planning Department. So, we have updated that language so there's now
supplemental requirements for if you're doing a museum
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Mr. Snow: -- or a library, that that will still be a warrant process.
Conmaissioner Reyes: Absolutely, they have to come through a warrant. Not by right.
That's what I'm saying. Okay, okay. Okay, fine.
Chair King: So --
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Commissioner Gabela: Can 1 --
Chair King: So, hold on. You have a question? Because 1 wanted to go in order,
PZ.1, PZ.2, PZ.3. Which, Commissioner Gabela, which one -- you had a question on
PZ.3?
Commissioner Gabela: No, no, no. I got a question on PZ.3.
Chair King: While we were speaking about it, go ahead, because we already started
on PZ.3.
Commissioner Gabela: May I proceed?
Chair King: Please.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay. So, to be clear, is this only about the sign or -- I
wasn 't -- I didn't attend the --
Mr. Wysong: Right, the briefing.
Commissioner Gabela: -- briefing as you guys know, but you know -- so this doesn't
have to do with the gym equipment, does it?
Mr. Wysong: So, this has to do with recreational equipment --
Commissioner Gabela: Oh, so the gym equipment.
Mr. Wysong: -- so this makes recreational equipment --
Commissioner Gabela: Okay, so how did that wind up here, the -- the sign stuff?
Mr. Wysong: So, when we were looking at a way to change the code, the idea was
there were different things because the issue was presented to the administration is
why does the City need to request warrants. for things that slows up the creation of
parks and stuff like that. So, the administration looked at the CS (Civic Space) Chart,
Article 3, Table 4, and looked at what those items are that require a warrant versus
by right. Those items were recreational facilities as well as community facilities. And
then in other conversations with your colleagues, there was a notion that it's too
difficult to light a sign in a city park as well so could we remove that warrant
requirement. So, those were the three things that were focused on and that's how that
ordinance -- it was intended to be more comprehensive as an ordinance.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay, thank you. Okay, I'm done with my questions.
Commissioner Pardo: Madam Chair?
Chair King: Commissioner Pardo.
Commissioner Pardo: In our briefing, we didn't talk about recreational facilities and
community facilities, so I'm not sure how that factors in with the master plan and if
it's something that would not have allowed the residents to move forward with the
gym equipment. I wouldn't be supporting it, but I don't know enough. So, I -- if we
can defer this item and I could have a little more time to vet it, I would be
appreciative.
Chair King: I'm sorry, Todd was speaking. What did you just say?
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Commissioner Pardo: 1 was asking if we could possibly defer this just because 1
really haven't had time to kind of vet it or look at the master plan.
Chair King: PZ.3?
Commissioner Pardo: PZ.3.
Vice Chair Carollo: We all had the opportunity to be briefed at it by the
administration. That's where the questions should have come in. But from what I'm
seeing, we're ready to move on this.
Commissioner Pardo: Madam Chair, I would just clarify since you didn't hear the
whole thing. In our briefing, we didn't talk about recreational facilities and
community facilities. And if this is something that would impact something like the
gvm warrant that had come up, where residents didn't have any other way to
express, you know, that opinion, then I would want to take a closer look. And just
didn't -- in our briefing, it didn't come up.
Chair King: Okay. So, can we take PZ.1 and then we work our way down?
Mr. Wysong: I would recommend that you do PZ.3 first because PZ.3 could
determine whether and when PZ.1 and 2 are --
Vice Chair Carollo: I'll put the motion for PZ.3.
Chair King: Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Okay, there's a request to defer PZ.3.
Vice Chair Carollo: There's a motion --
Chair King: Okay. A motion --
Vice Chair Carollo: -- on PZ.3.
Chair King: -- to defer PZ.3.
Vice Chair Carollo: No.
Chair King: No? What's the motion?
Vice Chair Carollo: To move forward. The motion is to approve the ordinance on
first reading on PZ.3.
Chair King: Do 1 have a second?
Commissioner Gabela: So, let me -- from my standpoint, let me be clear. Okay, I was
not in the briefing. I did not -- it's the only briefing that I have not attended since I
was in -- since I was put into office in December 2nd, because I did not attend and
we were having one of those Zoom things, which I personally don't like anyway, but
I couldn't attend, and then --
Mr. Wysong: Plus, it was on the eve of a hurricane, right?
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, exactly. You know, I've made my comments where on
the gym equipment fiasco here that you gentlemen, you know, let's come out and say
it, have a problem with both. I have already said that in the beginning I was on your
side, that, you know, it should be -- and then it was put to a referendum, I think the
people spoke, I think we got to honor what the people said, you know so, I'm -- but
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however, if Commissioner Pardo says he's got to look at it again, you know what 1
mean, 1 will give you the benefit of the doubt, at least on that side, but 1 will, on this,
I will be voting yes to finish with the gym equipment and let's have it installed
because it was put to a referendum and the people spoke. That's my two cents. So,
that's where I'm at, but I'm willing to, you know, defer it to give you --
Commissioner Pardo: This wouldn't defer it, this vote.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. So, I will take my motion out.
[Later...)
Vice Chair Carollo: And now I'll make a new motion for
Chair King: Do I have a second?
Commissioner Gabela: Let's put an end to this. Second.
Chair King: So, I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
Commissioner Gabela: Aye.
Vice Chair Carollo: Aye.
Chair King: Aye.
Commissioner Pardo: No.
Chair King: That's 4 to 1.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): With Commissioner Pardo voting no.
George Wvsong (City Attorney): And then may, --?
Commissioner Reyes: (INAUDIBLE).
Chair King: This is first reading.
Mr. Wysong: First reading.
Mr. Hannon: As is.
Chair King: As is.
Commissioner Pardo: Oh, you know what, I'll change my vote on that. I'll support it
because it gives me time before second.
Chair King: Okay. So that's unanimous.
Mr. Hannon: Unanimous. 5-0.
Chair King: Unanimous.
Mr. Hannon: As is.
Chair King: 5-0 as is.
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END OF PLANNING AND ZONING ITEM(S)
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FL - FUTURE LEGISLATION
FL.1 ORDINANCE
16683
Department of
Human Services
FL.2
16550
City Manager's
Office
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DELETING
REFERENCES TO THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD FROM
CHAPTER 2/ARTICLE XI/DIVISION 2/SECTION 2-892 OF THE
CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY
CODE"), TITLED "ADMINISTRATION/BOARDS, COMMITTEES,
COMMISSIONS/STANDARDS FOR CREATION AND REVIEW OF
BOARDS GENERALLY/"SUNSET" REVIEW OF BOARDS";
FURTHER REPEALING, IN ITS ENTIRETY, CHAPTER 2/ARTICLE
XI/DIVISION 12 OF THE CITY CODE, TITLED
"ADMINISTRATION/BOARDS, COMMITTEES,
COMMISSIONS/COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD," THEREBY
SUNSETTING THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD AND
DELETING ALL REFERENCES THERETO; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
MOTION TO: Withdraw
RESULT: WITHDRAWN
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item FL.1, please see "Order of the
Day."
ORDINANCE
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 2/ARTICLE IV OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), TITLED
"ADMINISTRATION/DEPARTMENTS" TO BE CONSISTENT WITH
CURRENT PRACTICES AND DEPARTMENTAL UPDATES BY
AMENDING DIVISION 9, TITLED "COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT," TO BE TITLED "HOUSING AND
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT"; FURTHER AMENDING DIVISION
13, TITLED "RESERVED," TO ADD SECTIONS 2-526 TO 2-528,
THEREBY ESTABLISHING "THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC
INNOVATION AND DEVELOPMENT"; FURTHER AMENDING
DIVISION 14, TITLED "PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
DEPARTMENT," TO BE TITLED "HUMAN RESOURCES";
FURTHER AMENDING DIVISION 16, TITLED "MIAMI OFFICE OF
SUSTAINABLE INITIATIVES" TO BE TITLED "RESILIENCE AND
SUSTAINABILITY"; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
Chair King: The next item I'm going to bring to the attention is future legislation,
FL.2, Chapter 2, Administration and Departments.
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Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Oh, Chair, that's, just there for notification.
Chair King: 1 know, but I just wanted to say it out loud. It's there for notification,
butt wanted to say it out loud. Then we --
Commissioner Gabela: That's the last one?
Chair King: No. Then we have now discussion Bayfront Park Management Trust.
Do we --
Commissioner Gabela: I'm sorry. I'm sorry to interrupt, but the FL.2.
Chair King: Yeah, that was just a notice, announcement.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay. Alright.
Vice Chair Carollo: Excuse me?
Chair King: The future legislation, too. It's just an announcement that may be
coming in the future.
Vice Chair Carollo: I don't understand.
Commissioner Reyes: (INAUDIBLE).
Chair King: No, no, no, it doesn't -- I just announced it.
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, that's what I meant. We don't have to vote.
Chair King: No, no, no, no. It doesn't require a vote. It's just -- it's just notice to the
public that this may come at some point in the future.
Commissioner Gabela: Thank you.
END OF FUTURE LEGISLATION
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NA.1
16795
City Commission
NA - NON -AGENDA ITEM(S)
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION URGING THE
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS TO
DESIGNATE THE WEST FLAGLER BRANCH LIBRARY LOCATED
AT 5050 WEST FLAGLER STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA AS AN
EARLY VOTING SITE FOR THE NOVEMBER 5, 2024 GENERAL
ELECTION; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY
OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE OFFICIALS STATED HEREIN.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0391
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Chair King: Do we have any pocket items?
Commissioner Reyes: Yes, ma'am.
Chair King: Commissioner Reyes.
Commissioner Reyes: Do you have it? (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Thank you, sir.
(UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Chair King: Commissioner Reyes, if you could explain this pocket item.
George Wysong (City Attorney): You want me to read the --?
Chair King: Oh, okay, hold on. The City Attorney will read it for us.
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Mr. Wysong: I'll just go ahead and read the title. Pocket item.
The Resolution was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Commissioner Gabela: Second. Motion.
Chair King: I have a motion and a second.
Commissioner Reyes: Thanks. I want to explain, ill may. That library has always
been an early voting. And you know that most of the people from Flagami, they go
vote there. And I don't know why they got it out.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, you know why.
Commissioner Reyes: Well, I know, I know why, because they don't want the people
of Miami to be voting. But that is -- it is --1 think it's an injustice, and that's why this
resolution, I presented this resolution. Thank you.
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ADJOURNED
Chair King: Okay.
Commissioner Reyes: Thank you for your support.
Chair King: For -- I read the resolution. My only concern is because we are so close
to early voting already, I don't know if this is -- I think the time sensitivity of it --
Commissioner Reyes: Yes, I understand that.
Chair King: -- may not be -- okay, but well vote on it.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
Chair King: So, it's open for public comment.
Commissioner Reyes: But at least we have -- we want to let them know that we are
not going to be --
Chair King: Yes.
Commissioner Reyes: -- taking it sit down.
Chair King: Okay, so it's open for public comment. All right. And at this time, I'm
going to open --
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair, so you opened it up for public comment. This is
just for NA.1. You're going to close your public comment for just NA.1. And I have
Commissioner Reyes and Commissioner Gabela as the seconder, and we just need a
vote.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
The meeting adjourned at 4:49 p.m.
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