HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2024-11-21 MinutesCity of Miami
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, November 21, 2024
9:00 AM
City Commission Meeting
City Hall
City Commission
Francis X. Suarez, Mayor
Christine King, Chair, District Five
Joe Carollo, Vice Chair, District Three
Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner, District One
Damian Pardo, Commissioner, District Two
Manolo Reyes, Commissioner, District Four
Arthur Noriega, V, City Manager
George K. Wysong III, City Attorney
Todd B. Hannon, City Clerk
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
9:00 AM INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Present: Chairwoman King, Vice Chair Carollo, Commissioner Gabela, Commissioner Pardo
and Commissioner Reyes
On the 21st day of November, 2024, the City Commission of the City of Miami, Florida, met
at its regular meeting place in City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive, Miami, Florida, in
regular session. The Commission Meeting was called to order by Chairwoman King at 9:44
a.m., recessed at 12: 02 p.m., reconvened at 3:14 p.m., and adjourned at 7:12 p.m.
Note for the Record: Commissioner Reyes entered the Commission chambers at 10:12 a.m.
and Commissioner Carollo entered the Commission chambers at 10:25 a.m.
ALSO PRESENT:
Arthur Noriega, V, City Manager
George K. Wysong III, City Attorney
Todd B. Hannon, City Clerk
Chair King: And at this time, we are going to open our meeting in prayer. And we have today,
Pastor Adams, who will be blessing us with prayer today.
Pastor Adams: Let's bow our heads for prayer.
Invocation delivered.
Chair King: Thank you, Pastor. And Pledge of Allegiance.
Pledge of Allegiance delivered.
City of Miami
Page 1 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes
November 21, 2024
PR - PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
PR.1 PROTOCOL ITEM
17002
Honoree
Presenter
Protocol Item
Melo Group
Mayor and Commissioners
Key to the City
Albanian Independence Day
Mayor and Commissioners
Proclamation
Orlando Mendez "The Cuban
Cowboy"
Mayor and Commissioners
Proclamation
Cuban Freedom March
Mayor and Commissioners
Proclamation
Fire Chief Robert Hevia
Mayor and Commissioners
Salute
Rebuilding Together Miami -Dade
Mayor and Commissioners
Proclamation
RESULT:
PRESENTED
1) Mayor Suarez and Commissioners presented a Key to the City to the Melo Group.
The Melo Groups' diligence sets their properties apart from the competition,
creating more value and stronger financial performance over time. They specialize
in uplifting neighborhoods and urban spaces, take pride in launching Edgewater's
first high rise in 2001 and revitalizing the Arts & Entertainment District and upper
Biscayne corridor. Elected Officials paused in their deliberations of governance to
recognize their outstanding contributions in the City of Miami.
2) Mayor Suarez and Commissioners presented a Proclamation to recognize Albanian
Independence Day. On November 28, 1912, the Albanian National Assembly, led by
the visionary Ismail Qemali, proclaimed the independence of Albania, marking the
beginning of a new era for the Albanian people, and forever shaping the course of
our history as a sovereign nation. The Albanian -American community in Miami and
Florida stands proudly as an integral part of the diverse fabric of the United States,
contributing to the rich cultural mosaic of our state, while honoring the values of
liberty, freedom, and justice that their ancestors .fought for. The Albanians who
emigrated to the United States, including many who call Florida their home, have
built thriving communities that play a vital role in enhancing the social, cultural, and
economic life of our great state, while maintaining a deep connection to the cultural
heritage and traditions of Albania. This year, we celebrate the 112th anniversary of
Albanian independence and reaffirm their shared commitment to preserving cultural
heritage, promoting unity and solidarity among Albanians in the United States.
Elected Officials paused in their deliberations of governance to recognize their
outstanding contributions and therefore proclaimed November 28, 2024, as
"Albanian Independence Day" in the City of Miami.
City of Miami Page 2 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
3) Mayor Suarez and Commissioners presented a Proclamation to Orlando Mendez,
"The Cuban Cowboy.- "The Cuban Cowboy, " has become a shining example of the
power of cultural fusion, blending his Cuban heritage with contemporary country
music to create a unique and authentic sound that resonates deeply with diverse
audiences. He grew up in South Florida part of a Cuban American family. Mendez
grew from a childhood dreamer to a celebrated artist in the country music genre
which exemplifies his determination and deep passion for storytelling through music.
Mendez's background in acting and his standout performance on Season 22 of "The
Voice, " have honed his ability to command the stage and connect profoundly, with his
listeners. Mendez's unique career journey reflects his identity and heritage, weaving
personal narratives with pride in his Latin roots and proves that music of any genre
can originate from the unlikeliest of places if it is authentic. Mr. Mendez has
positively represented Latinos in country music, breaking barriers within the genre
and showing that country music can emerge from unexpected places like Miami.
Elected Officials paused in their deliberations of governance to recognize Orlando
Mendez "The Cuban Cowboy" fir his positive representation of Latino culture in the
country music genre, as well as his contributions to the cultural tapestry of the City
of Miami.
4) Mayor Suarez and Commissioners presented a Proclamation to honor the Cuban
Freedom March. The Cuban Freedom March is a movement dedicated to promoting
.freedom, human rights, and democracy for the Cuban people, amplifying the voices
of Cuban citizens who yearn for a future free from oppression, censorship, and
economic hardship. The Cuban Freedom March has steadfastly committed to
standing in solidarity with the Cuban people, organizing events, educational
campaigns, and mobilizing the community to raise awareness about the plight of
Cubans and advocating for meaningful change and empowerment. On November 21,
2024, the City of Miami recognized the importance of the Cuban Freedom March in
fostering hope, resilience, and unity within the Cuban American community here in
Miami and beyond, symbolizing a beacon of hope for those still living under
restrictive and oppressive conditions. Elected Officials paused in their deliberations
of governance to recognize their enduring spirit of freedom and justice and
supporting efforts to advocate for the rights and welfare of the Cuban people in the
City of Miami.
5) Elected Officials paused in their deliberations of governance to wish a happy
birthday to City of Miami Fire Chief Robert Hevia.
6) Mayor Suarez and Commissioners presented a Proclamation to Rebuilding Together
Miami -Dade (RTMD) who has worked for over 30 years preserving homeownership
and revitalizing communities by providing free repair services for vulnerable
homeowners. RTMD was established in 1992 in the wake of Hurricane Andrew and
has become a vital resource for our community, rehabilitating over 1,300 homes and
contributing more than $20 million in market value work to the community.
Rebuilding Together Miami has demonstrated unparalleled expertise and
unwavering commitment to securing safe, healthy, and affordable housing for all
residents, has mobilized thousands of volunteers, community partners, and local
businesses, revitalized neighborhoods demonstrating the power of collaboration and
fostering a sense of belonging within communities. Rebuilding Together Miami -Dade
has not only repaired homes but has also fostered a sense of community and
belonging among residents. Elected Officials paused in their deliberations of
governance to recognize and celebrate this extraordinary organization and its
ongoing mission to create safe homes and communities in the City of Miami.
Chair King: November 21, 2024. We are going to begin our presentation ceremony.
Mayor Francis Suarez is joining me along with my two colleagues, Commissioner
Gabela and Commissioner Damian Pardo. And I have a quorum now, which is what
City of Miami Page 3 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
ORDER OF THE DAY
I was waiting for. Thank you for your patience. Good morning, Mr. Mayor. How are
you today?
Mayor Suarez: (INAUDIBLE).
Chair King: I understand we have some special recognitions today.
Mayor Suarez: Thank you, Madam Chair.
Presentations made.
Chair King: Mr. City Attorney, when you're ready, your statement for the record.
George Wysong (City Attorney): Good morning, Madam Chair, and thank you.
George Wysong, Assistant -- I'm sorry, George Wysong, City Attorney. Detailed
information about the processes, order of business, rules of procedure, and
scheduling or rescheduling of City Commission meetings can be 'blind in Chapter 2,
Article 2 of the City Code, a copy of which is available online at
www.municode.com. Any person who is a lobbyist pursuant to Chapter 2, Article 6 of
the City Code must register with the City Clerk and comply with related City
requirements for lobbyists before appearing before the City Commission. A person
may not lobby a City official, board member, or staff member until registering. A
copy of the code section about lobbyists is available in the City Clerk's Office or
online at www.municode.com. Any person making a presentation, formal request or
petition to the City Commission concerning real property must make the disclosures
required by the City Code in writing. A copy of this City Code section is available at
the office of the City Clerk or online at www.municode.com. The City of Miami
requires that anyone requesting action by the City Commission must disclose, before
the hearing, any consideration provided or committed to anyone for agreement to
support or withhold objection to the requested action pursuant to City Code Section
2-8. Any documents offered to the City Commission that have not been provided
seven days before the meeting as part of the agenda materials will be entered into
the record at the City Commission's discretion. In accordance with Section 2-33(f)
and (g) of the City Code, the agenda and the materials 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.rniamigov.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 before the City Commission unless
modified by the Chair. Public comment will begin at approximately 10:30 a.m. and
remain open until public comment is closed by the chairperson. Any person making
offensive remarks or who becomes 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
Coniniission 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 also be provided live at
City of Miami Page 4 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
City Hall, located at 3500 Pan American Drive, 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 members of
the public must first state their name, their address, and what item will be spoken
about. Any person with a disability requiring assistance, auxiliary aids, and services
for this meeting may notify the City Clerk. The City has provided different public
comment methods to indicate, among other things, that public support, opposition,
or neutrality on the items and topics to he discussed at the City Commission meeting
in compliance with Section 286.0114(4)(c), Florida Statutes. The public has been
given an 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 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. Planning and Zoning items shall proceed according to Section
7.1.4 the Miami 21 Zoning Ordinance. Parties for any PZ (Planning and Zoning)
items, including any applicant, appellant, appellee, City staff and any person
recognized by the decision -making body as a qualified intervener, as well as the
applicant's representatives and any experts testifying on behalf of the applicant,
appellant, or appellee may 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 and request to the City Commission. If the applicant agrees with the
staff recommendation, the City Commission may proceed to its deliberation and
decision. The applicant may also waive the right to an evidentiary hearing on the
record. For appeals, the appellant will present its appeal to the City Commission
followed by the appellee. Staff will be allowed to make any recommendation they
may have. Please silence all cellphones and other noisemaking devices. This meeting
can be viewed live on MiamiTV, MiamiGov.com, the City's Facebookpage, the City's
Twitter page, and 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 Clerk.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Thank you, Chair. Procedures for individuals who will
be providing testimony be sworn in for planning and zoning items and any quasi-
judicial items on today's City Commission agenda will be as follows: the members of
City staff or any other individuals required to be sworn in who are currently present
at City Hall will be sworn in by me, the City Clerk, immediately after I finish
explaining these procedures. Those individuals who are appearing remotely may be
sworn in now or at any time prior to the individual providing testimony for planning
and zoning items and/or quasi-judicial items. Commissioners, are you comfortable
with all the notice provisions set forth in these uniform rules and procedures we have
established for this meeting?
Chair King: Yes.
Mr. Hannon: Chair, may I administer the oath?
Chair King: Please.
City of Miami Page 5 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Mr. Hannon: Thank you, Chair. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. If you will be
speaking in any of today's planning and zoning items, the PZ items, may 1 please
have you stand and raise your right hand?
The City Clerk administered the oath required under City Code Section 62-1 to those
persons giving testimony on zoning items.
Mr. Hannon: Thank you, Chair.
Chair King: Thank you. Mr. City Manager, do you have any items on this agenda
that will be withdrawn or deferred?
Arthur Noriega (City Manager): Good morning, Madam Chairwoman, Mr. City
Attorney, Commissioners, Mr. City Clerk. Following items are to be deferred and/or
withdrawn: PZ. I, to be indefinitely deferred; PZ.2, to be indefinitely deferred; PZ.3,
to be deferred to February 27th; PZ.8, to be deferred to December 12th; PZ.16, to be
deferred to February 27th; and PZ.17, to be deferred to February 27th. That
concludes the items.
Chair King: Thank you, Mr. City Manager. I will now ask my colleagues if they have
any items before us that they would like to withdraw or defer.
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, hn going to defer the RE.15.
Commissioner Reyes: Which one?
Chair King: RE.15.
Commissioner Gabela: RE.15.
Chair King: Until when?
Commissioner Gabela: Next meeting.
Chair King: The very next meeting which will be December.
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, December. Well revisit it again.
Chair King: Todd, December?
Mr. Hannon: My apologies, Chair, December 12th.
Chair King: December 12.
Vice Chair Carollo: (INAUDIBLE).
Chair King: Yes, December 12.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Chair King: RE.15. Commissioner Reyes, do you have any items?
Commissioner Reyes: (INAUDIBLE).
Chair King: Vice Chair, do you have any items you would like to withdraw or defer?
City of Miami
Page 6 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Vice Chair Carollo: Not at this point. I might defer one or ask to defer one later, but
not at this point in time.
Chair King: Okay. Seeing --
Mr. Hannon: And my apologies, Chair, just for the record, Commissioner Reyes will
be co -sponsoring RE.19, and I need a brief statement for the record for PZ.1 and 2.
Pursuant to Section 62-22 of the City Code, an indefinitely deferred action initiated
by the City will cost the City mail, noticing, advertising, and posting properties as
applicable. Thank you, Chair.
Chair King: Thank you. May I have a motion to set the agenda?
Commissioner Gabela: Motion.
Chair King: I have a motion.
Commissioner Reyes: Second.
Chair King: And a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: The agenda has been set.
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ALL ITEM(S)
17001
Office of the City
Clerk
DISCUSSION ITEM
PUBLIC COMMENTS SUBMITTED ONLINE BY MEMBERS OF THE
PUBLIC FOR THE NOVEMBER 21, 2024 CITY COMMISSION
MEETING.
rRESULT: PRESENTED
Chair King: And at this time, I will open the floor for public comment. Anyone who
wishes to speak on behalf of items that are before us on this agenda, please step
forward. Good morning.
Rick Madan: Good morning, Madam Chair and Commissioners. My name is Rick
Madan. I live at 2900 Northeast 7th Avenue in Miami. I am the president of the
Biscayne Neighborhoods Association, and we represent over 15,000 residents in
Edgewater. I'm here today to sound the alarm on a dangerous precedence that
Ordinance PZ.4 sets. This ordinance rushed through the approval process threatens
to undermine the City's commitment to open, democratic governance, and the
preservation of our precious green spaces. Here are just a few of the alarming
consequences of PZ.4. PZ.4 was intentionally rushed through the approval process,
aiming for quick passage without proper scrutiny. PZAB (Planning, Zoning and
Appeals Board) unanimously rejected PZ.4, 11-0, highlighting its flaws and the
potential for abuse. PZ.4 grants excessive power to the commissioners, allowing you
to make significant changes to parks without public input or warrant. The removal of
the warrant requirements opens the door to corruption and potential misuse of public
spaces. The people should have a say in decisions affecting their parks, and the
warrant process should remain in place to ensure accountability and transparency.
City of Miami
Page 7 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
This seems to be legislation that is searching for a problem. Please reconsider it. And
then quickly on PZ.19, 1 would suggest if you can defer that item so we can study it
further, I would appreciate it. Thank you so much, Commissioners.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Brett Bibeau: Good morning, Honorable City Commission. Brett Bibeau, Managing
Director of the Miami River Commission, with offices located at 1407 Northwest 7th
Street, on PZ.14 and 15. At a public Miami River Commission meeting, Ines Marrero-
Priegues, Holland and Knight presented the subject land use and zoning amendments
Jro1990 Northwest 27th Avenue. The Miami River Commission recommends
approval. Happy Thanksgiving.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Jeffrey Dorfman: Good morning. My name is Dr. Jeffrey Dorfman. I live at
Paramount Bay. I am treasurer and on the board of directors of Biscayne
Neighborhoods Association. We represent 15,000 residents in Edgewater and
Midtown. BNA (Biscayne Neighborhoods Association) opposes PZs 4, 5, 6, and 19. I
would like to ask specifically Mr. Carollo and Ms. King to explain here and now why
you support PZ.4, that gives you rights above residents to make local decisions about
our parks. In addition, 1 would like Mr. Carollo and Ms. King to explain here and
now why a federal forensic investigation should not be initiated into the City of Miami
finances.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Carl Roberts: Good morning, Commissioners. My name is Carl Roberts. I reside at
3629 Grand Avenue. And I'd like to start off by thanking Commissioner Pardo for his
commitment to keeping the West Village vibrant and speak to the approval of the
funding for the depth of the Virrick Pool. He's been a champion for us all along to
keep the pool at its original depth. Now it is not the residents who requested this
shallowness, but it was something that was decided by the City. And it is important
that the children of the West Village be afforded the same opportunity to learn how to
dive and swim and race in a pool that's deep enough to do that. And the original pool
was 11 feet, and they reduced it to 5 feet, taking away not only the diving board, but
the racing blocks. And we should not have to send our children to other schools and
other parks to learn these valuable lessons in terms of the sports that is afforded them.
So, I request that you approve the funding to deepen the pool at this time. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Cecilia Stewart: Good morning.
Chair King: Good morning.
Ms. Stewart: Cecilia Stewart, 1899 Northwest 1st Court. I've given some photographs
for your viewing pleasure. This is a time of thankfulness and gratitude. On behalf of
the Overtown Neighborhood for Environmental Health and Safety, thank you to all
commissioners and the City administration for your expeditious trimming of the
overgrown trees on North Miami Avenue. Special thanks to Parks Operations
Coordinator, Mr. Andrew Holmes, for reporting and voicing our initial request.
Commendation to the City of Miami Parks Operations for a superb job. The appendix
highlights pictures allowing the craftsmanship of the workers to be seen. I pray God's
richest blessings upon each of them. Now, on behalf of the Overtown Neighbors for
Environmental Health and Safety, thank you to the Honorable Commissioner Manolo
Reyes for sponsoring a welcome turkey giveaway in our community. Thanks to all the
City of Miami Page 8 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
City of Miami Commissioners and the Omni CRA (Community Redevelopment
Agency) for supporting this event. Special thanks to the Honorable Commissioner
Christine King for her on -site presence and leadership. Thanks to the Greater Israel
Primitive Baptist Church for being good neighbors and providing a place to hold the
event. It was a huge success. The turkey giveaway helped the Overtown community by
supporting us and contributing to our health and welfare. It is good for the community
to know that people care about our well-being during these crucial times. May God
bless each of you.
Chair King: Thank you, Ms. Stewart. Good morning.
Jihad Rashid: Good morning, Commissioner. Good morning, Madam Chair and
Commission and my Commissioner, Damian Pardo. I'm here to urge you to bring
forth the funding for Virrick Park. 1 am so pleased after so many years and so many
times here that we have a commissioner to hear us and heard us. We thank you for
that effort, that yeoman's effort to get what we want. I feel well representative [sic] by
your leadership, and I want the Commission to follow through and make it happen.
Thank you all.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
June Savage: Happy holidays to all of you. We can say that now. I wanted to just
bring to everyone's attention, regarding the gym equipment at the park that everybody
is fighting over and wasting time here today. 1 think making a healthy commitment to
the residents, which will improve property value, we should go ahead and put the gym
equipment there. Going forward, what I'd like to see the entire Commission do is have
more town hall meetings. Because Xavier Suarez would have town hall meetings and
that would prevent people from coming here and complaining. So, I would like all of
you to reach out. Ms. King did a fabulous job at town halls when she first became
commissioner. I would like all of you to reach out and do those town halls together
with your constituents, okay? Secondly, the property that has the graffiti, I think the
politicking in the news is ridiculous. I think it falls on the job of the City Attorney and
the City Manager to create fines that are so huge for developers that they will not
dump in our waterways, that they will not do that graffiti because they know it's going
to hit them in the pocket. You hit them in the pocket, it will not happen. That graffiti
does not increase property values, and I am asking the City Attorney to get with this
commission and create fines so high that they will never think about this. And happy
holidays to you all and thank you for your service.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Vanessa Conde: Good morning, everyone. My name is Vanessa Conde. I'm a resident
and president of the board of directors of the Gallery Arts at 333 Northeast 24th
Street in Edgewater. As a long-time resident of Edgewater, I've had the privilege of
watching our neighborhood grow and evolve over the years. But with this growth
comes the steady loss of green spaces and the increased strain on our community's
infrastructure. These changes directly impact the quality of life for everyone who calls
Edgewater home and I'm here today to express my concern about Resolution PZ.4.
Parks and recreational spaces are more than just patches of land. They are the heart
of a neighborhood. They provide places for children to play, spaces for
neighborhoods to connect, and a refuge for all in the midst of an ever-expanding
urban landscape. Green spaces cool our streets, reduce flooding, and improve the
mental and physical health of our community. Losing them would leave Edgewater
less resilient. Yet, if this resolution passes, it will remove one of the most vital
elements of responsible urban planning, and that is public input. As residents, we are
the ones who experience the daily realities of living in Edgewater. We know the
challenges of overcrowding failing infrastructure, and the growing need for balance
City of Miami Page 9 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
between development and community well-being. Our voices must be part of the
decision -making process when it comes to the future of our parks, public spaces, and
cultural venues. Decisions about public spaces should never be made without the
people who rely on them. This resolution would set a dangerous precedent, allowing
decisions to be made without accountability or transparency. If parks are repurposed,
expanded into, or altered without community insight, the very soul of our
neighborhood will be at risk. We need safeguards that prioritize the voices of the
people who live here and ensure that our parks and green spaces are protected for
generations to come. I urge all of you to stand with residents of Edgewater voting
against Resolution PZ.4. Protecting our parks means protecting the future of our
neighborhood. We deserve a seat at the table and a meaningful role in shaping the
community we love. Thank you. And I want to thank Commissioner Pardo for all of
the wonderful things you have done so far. Please help us with this. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
John Dolson: Hi. John Dolson, 4205 Lennox Drive, Coconut Grove. You guys have
one thing that's pretty easy to do today, and I think we have to thank Commissioner
Pardo, and that's approve the funding for Virrick Park. It's long overdue. They're
going to get the pool that they want. I've been to the town halls on that. It's a -- it
should be an easy yes, it really should be. On PZ.4, 5, and 6, 1 oppose those.
Sometimes 1 think Miami sees a chunk of green and thinks it would look a lot better if
it had a bunch of concrete on it. But I think we need to have public input into our
parks. It's a big part of our lives. So, I went to the Planning and Zoning meeting. It
was unanimous to oppose those. Let's not do that so let's not approve those items.
Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Andy Parrish: Good morning, Commissioners. Andy Parrish, 3940 Main Highway.
I'm a member of -- I'm the vice chair of the Planning and Zoning Board, but I'm only
speaking for myself. I can't speak for them without authorization. I feel like it's
Groundhog Day sometimes though. PZ.4, the parks thing has come before the PZAB
twice, each time we spent well over an hour, maybe two hours. By the way, each of
you has members, appointed members as you know, on that PZAB board. So, it's not
just the Grove, it's not just Downtown, it's every one of your districts. Each time it's
been unanimous and not because of just the gym equipment, it's because the parks
belong to the people. And that's on the record, many -- the parks belong to the people,
and they should at least have a say in what goes into them. So, like I say, it keeps
coming hack and coming back and coming back. The other thing is the pool in Virrick
Park. Twenty-two years ago, there was a week-long charrette in Virrick Park where
the community was at. It was hosted by the University of Miami. What do you want to
see in your community? And they produced a booklet, I mean, a major booklet
through UM (University of Miami) that showed what they wanted in their community
Almost none of that has been implemented by the City. It's been -- sometimes they call
it the land that time forgot. The pool is just one part of that. The pool has been empty
for a long time. Before, it was for a community pool. They had a diving board, even.
They could do -- it had deep water, and now it's been proposed, after all this time, to
reduce the depth so they can't do competitive -- even competitive swimming. So, I'm
just asking you, for once, Commission, let this city do what's right by the West Grove,
which is now your Little Bahamas. They deserve it. They've waited a long time. That
was a week-long charrette. A lot of the people in this room were at the charrette.
Nothing happened, according to -- very little, anyway, according to that charrette.
Thank you very much.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
City of Miami
Page 10 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Debbie Dotson: Good morning. Debbie Dotson, 4205 Lennox Drive, Coconut Grove.
Excuse me. 1 -- I also would like you to approve the funding for the pool at Virrick
Park. Kids are growing up without the ability to have swimming lessons, to learn how
to swim, to enjoy that. Old people like me would love to have that open so we can do
water aerobics there and everybody in between. So, please, please fund the Virrick
Park pool. PZ.4, 5, and 6, I'd like to -- there's -- there's current litigation involved in
there, and I feel like the court should be deciding that, and this whole thing should be
deferred until -- indefinitely, until that's resolved. If not, I really would like to again
remind you that PZAB unanimously recommended denial on these issues, and you as
our commissioners, we vote for you and we elect you because you're our voice. You
should be listening to us, not silencing us by the conditions of warrants. Appeals are
slowly being made impossible. They're -- they're now so expensive that it's difficult for
any resident to make any kind of appeal, and this just serves to completely remove it,
the ability to appeal. So, please don't allow that. And 1 am very opposed to PZ.4, 5,
and 6. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Rick Holton: Good morning. I'm Dr. Rick Holton. I reside at 3350 Hibiscus Street.
Good morning, distinguished Commissioners, Damian Pardo, City Attorney, and to
all those that can hear my voice. I'm here to speak on behalf of the preservation, on
behalf of the Virrick Park Pool Project that's being spearheaded by Commissioner
Pardo. Let me just give you a brief historical factor, which is very important. I just
gave you my address, 3350 Hibiscus, which is only a half a block away from Virrick
Pool. I've been in Coconut Grove for 72 years at that same location. A bit of history.
My uncle, his name was Shorty Holton, he ran Grand Avenue Park back in the `60s,
and at that time we had two things that I vividly remember. One was a baseball team,
and the other one was a swimming team. And that swimming team worked out at
Virrick Park pool. I say today that I can remember the Willborns, Jerry Gardner, I
can remember Cookie Man, who was five years of age when we would bring him out
at competitions at that pool. And we as a community felt like we had something.
Cookie Man would get up on the high diving board and do monkey flips, but now
you're talking about four or five feet, and I don't think the peacocks will enjoy that.
So, I ask, I ask, since this is the Magic City, we have a way of f nding money when we
need it. Let's find some money and let's support this commissioner on this project.
Thank you. Thank you.
Applause.
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Holton: Thank von.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Nathan Kurland: Good morning. After that, I wanted to yell hallelujah.
Chair King: Amen.
Mr. Kurland: Nathan Kurland, 3132 Day Avenue, Coconut Grove. PZ.4 is a bad idea.
Let me repeat that for the people in the audience, most of whom I believe agree with
me. PZ.4 is a bad idea. If you agree with that, shake your hands. PZ.4 is another
attempt to disenfranchise the residents of the city of Miami. As a member of Scenic
Miami, a board member of Scenic Florida, and a member of Scenic America, I've
absolutely been talking about saving trees and against billboards, visual pollution. It
just gets worse, but at least we've had a little say, that we can get up in front of PZAB
and make our wishes known. Now you want to take that ability away from us. You
City of Miami
Page 11 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
want to make us absolutely mute when you want to do things in parks that are just
inappropriate. There should absolutely be no LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) in the
City of Miami properties, especially in our parks. It's the area where we can go and
just enjoy nature. So, if you are, like myself, against PZ.4, raise your hand and let our
commissioners know. Thank. you.
Renita Samuels -Dixon: Good morning.
Chair King: Good morning.
Ms. Samuels -Dixon: Renita Samuels -Dixon, previous village council representative
and community advocate. I'm here in reference to Virrick Park. 1 grew up learning to
swim over at Virrick Park. And it was a park that provided a wholesome environment
for our families. When 1 go over to Hadley Park, I see a beautiful Olympic -sized
swimming pool, which allows everyone to have access. So, I'm asking that you
approve the funds that are necessary to provide the sustainability of Virrick Pools
[sic] Park so that we all can utilize it at the depths that we are accustomed to.
Secondly, is in reference to Armbrister Park. I am so glad that the funding has been
provided for the community service building there. The park is one aspect of it, the
building is another. And we had Mrs. Price -- Mrs. Pace, who was the first assistant
supervisor in the City of Miami for parks. And 1 am suggesting that that building be
named after her. Her picture is actually inside of the building. The park should be
named after Ms. Armbrister, and the building should be named in reference to Ms.
Pace. And lastly, PZ.4, I'm not for blank signs all over the place. Parks are places
where we should go and be able to relax. So, I'm asking that you either defer it or
drop it to the ground, just let it go away. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Evanfelos Skevofilaz: Good morning. Evanfelos Skevofilaz, 3400 Pan American
Drive. I'm here to speak specifically about PZ.4. The parks belong to the people and
specifically to our children and their children. Concentrated decision -making power
in the hands of one or two people ensures that eventually parks are going to be up for
grabs. Without the firewall of a proper review including warrant and public comment,
parks will slowly disappear, and I encourage you, Commissioners, consider sending
PZ.4 back to the first reading as dictated by Code and then kill it. You have the
opportunity to go on record as guaranteeing that our parks will never be for sale.
Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Elvis Cruz: Good morning, Commissioners. Elvis Cruz, 631 Northeast 57th Street.
For PZ.10 and 11, the MiMo (Miami Modern) Bay upzoning, please note the
application is legally deficient because it does not explain how the existing zoning is
inappropriate, probably because the existing zoning is appropriate. Also, this
property is more than three times larger than the legal maximum lot size. I ask you do
not allow any waivers nor allow 64th Terrace to be given to the developer. Item PZ.9,
the upzoning of the Chalks area on Watson Island, please know your settlement
agreement does not require you to approve this upzoning. I urge you to vote it down.
It makes no sense to allow the building of a 20-stoty hotel when they only have 20
years left on their lease. Virrick Pool, yes. The old pool should have been maintained.
Please maintain the new one. Lastly, PZ.4, please vote down the proposal to eliminate
warrants for park facilities. Warrants were purposely included in Miami 21 to serve
as checks and balances, to give the public a measure of oversight and recourse. And
at this time, I'd ask -- I'd like to ask everyone here who is opposed to this item to
please raise your hand and be recognized. And Mr. City Clerk, could you kindly count
the number of raised hands.for the public record?
City of Miami
Page 12 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): 1 will just say there are a number of people who raised
their hands.
Mr. Cruz: And may I also ask anybody who is here in favor of eliminating the
warrants to raise your hand. For the record, not a single hand has been raised in
favor ofPZ.4. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Melissa Patrylo: Good morning. Good morning. Thank you for allowing me to come
and speak in front of you. My name is Melissa Morgan Patrylo, and 1 reside at 888
Biscayne Boulevard. That is directly across the street from Maurice Ferre Park,
Museum Park. I'm here to speak against the movement Jrothe parks. At this
particular point, I think that parks, as all of the others have said, are for our families.
In specific instances, I would like to speak as a sidebar on Maurice Ferre Park. At
this point, I do not believe that the gym, which is very costly, is necessary. All of the
buildings within at least a quarter mile to a half mile all have their own gyms where
people use those gyms. It is good to be able to walk around the park, but not
necessarily to have a very expensive gym placed there. However in place of the gym,
I would support the addition of a children's playground. There are many, many young
families moving into Downtown Miami in all of the new buildings being constructed.
Currently, there are no parks available for children, children :s playthings like you see
at Legion Park. There's nothing south of Adrienne Arsht Center until you get to
Biscayne Park down near Flagler Street, and that's quite far for families to go to. So,
1 would say please eliminate the gym but put in a very nice children's park. Thank you
very much.
Chair King: Thank you.
Ms. Patrylo: And I would also like to say, I'm a retired senior high school principal
with the Miami -Dade County Public Schools and a professor in a graduate school at
the university, and I've actually had this discussion with my graduate students, all of
whom believe that this is the right way to go. That is to remove and put something for
the children. Thank you very much.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Sara Berliner: Good morning. Sarah Berliner, 2951 Catalina Street in Coconut
Grove. I'm here only speaking on behalf of myself, but I'm the founder of the Vote Like
A Mother Campaign, which is a nationwide campaign asking parents to use politics --
to use parenthood as a lens for politics. The families in Coconut Grove really deserve,
at this point long overdue, a pool that meets their needs. And I think a deeper pool, it
just couldn't be clearer. I'm, I guess, not surprised but dismayed that it's taken this
long. But Commissioner Pardo, I want to recognize your leadership. I can tell that
you actually listen to your constituents. Even just in this meeting it's clear that you're
engaged and you're hearing what people are saying and that's very refreshing in the
city of Miami. So, I just want to encourage all of you to do the same, listen to what the
people need, and give these children the opportunity to learn skills that otherwise they
either wouldn't learn or would have to travel a very, long way to learn. And I mean,
this is Miami. We're all about the water. Kids need to learn to swim. They need to
learn how to use that skill in productive ways in their future years. So, I think it's
incredibly important to vote yes on 20 and 21. And while I'm here, I do want to also
express that I would ask you to vote no on 4. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
City of Miami
Page 13 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Julie Rickles: Good morning. I'm speaking about FR.5, the noise ordinance of
Wynwood being brought up. My name is Julie Rickles. I'm the beverage director and
bar manager of Gramps and Wynwood. First, 1 wanted to thank the City of Miami and
Chairwoman Christine King for protecting the food and beverage industry for so
long. We are, as it stands, Wvnwood's oldest bar, and we are one of Miami's last
remaining venues that supports live music and local artists. When over the pandemic
we were first mandated to use sound -decibel readers, we installed them right away.
All of our managers on duty have them on them to this day with their watches to
ensure that we stay within the legal limits. I know that there is sometimes a stigma
with nightlife that we don't care as much about our profession or we are in it just for
the party, but that is not true. I have around 80 employees. Most of us and my team
have worked Jrothe company upwards of five to ten years. We're very passionate
about our jobs to the point that Gramps is more than just that. It's part of our identity.
Our hope is to continue providing not only a unique destination for tourists and the
new residents, but to keep Miami's artistic, beautiful heart thriving for those of us who
have loved to remain in this city, always.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Lucas Hernandez: Good morning. Thank you for the opportunity, Chairwoman King
and Commissioners. My name is Lucas Hernandez, a homeowner at 1944 Southwest
21st Avenue. 1 love being a resident of District 3. We in the Shenandoah
Neighborhood Association have counted on the support of Commissioner Reyes and
now Commissioner Carollo. And I'm specifically talking about RE.11 and support of
RE.11. The Underline is a beautiful asset that myself, and my family enjoy. We get to
walk through sort of the neighborhood of Shenandoah on a daily basis, seeing the
beautiful Shenandoah Park that Commissioner Reyes and you all supported, but also
the Underline now, where we have over half of the five miles available. Every day I
walk and see people across from the city of Miami enjoying, mixing, which makes our
city more resilient, more connected, and stronger. Walking from Shenandoah and
District 3 all the way through to the different districts shows me the beauty of our city,
especially during this holiday season. You just start to see the activity and the beauty
of our community coming together with the weather. And walking longer distances
makes ourselves more healthy, but also our community healthier, which I think allows
us to continue to be a world -class city. So, I just wanted to speak in support of RE.11
and thank you all for your continued support of the Underline. So, thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Benjamin Gordon: Good morning, esteemed Commissioners and community
members. My name is Benjamin Gordon and Pm a resident of Edgewater,
homeowner, and local business owner. Today. I'm here to voice my strong opposition
to PZ.4. PZ.4 represents a direct attack on our rights as citizens to have oversight on
the use of our public lands. Commissioners do a difficult and often frustrating public
service, and I can understand the temptation to reduce obstacles standing in the way
of progress. However, this is not the way to do it. The nature of your office requires
individuals with vision and fortitude it takes to convince and guide communities like
ours fbrward, even under opposition. Bringing together opinions, synthesizing
compromise, that's part of the job. Last year in Edgewater, we received a master plan
update to Margaret Pace Park, and the community was not pleased with many of the
designs. The plan seemed to be written by people who really didn't understand our
needs, and we spoke out. I organized a petition that reached almost a thousand
signatures, and the feedback was heard through the proper channels. Last night,
Commissioner Pardo and Director Chris Evans hosted a wonderful community
workshop, revealing a newly revised plan incorporating our feedback. The process
represents a victory. Not for one opinion or the other, but for the simple fact that our
community voice was heard, and the City is working with us on the right path. forward
City of Miami
Page 14 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
now. At that meeting, 1 learned about this hearing on PZ.4, and 1 was outraged by the
implications of this proposal. Since we learned about PZ.4 last night and shared their
petition with our petition, we've had over 100 new signatures since 10:00 p.m. last
night to 8:00 a.m. this morning. It's almost at a thousand. Should PZ.4 be allowed to
pass, this process of commentary, feedback, and compromise will be removed from
our civic powers. This is disenfranchising our rights to have a say in our government.
Chair King: Thank you. Thank you.
Mr. Gordon: The people in this room are voters, we are watching, and we will hold
you accountable to your decisions.
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Gordon: Thank you.
Chair King: Good morning.
Claudia Roussel: Good morning. Claudia Roussel, 10 Museum Park, Downtown. I'm
here to speak -- I'm here to speak against PZ.4. The last time I checked, the U.S.,
Florida, and even Miami were not a dictatorship. In our country, we value checks and
balances. I understand life for the ruling class would be so much easier without those
checks and balances. After all, voters are pesky M&Ms (Mean & Miserable), as you
made clear to us. 1 understand the temptation to rule by decree. Haven't met a
dictator on the planet who gave it up voluntarily. I am a member on a condo board,
and boy, at times 1 wish alone I could decide. Furthermore, the timing for PZ.8 [sic]
is interesting. My community is wondering if it has to do with the unlawful installation
of a gym at Ferre Park; and Commissioner Carollo is looking for a way out of the
mess he himself created, known to PZ.4. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Davey Frankel: Good morning. I'm Davey Frankel, a resident of Coconut Grove at
3615 Palmetto Avenue. I'm also a newly appointed member of the Village Council.
There seems to be a bunch of items regarding community voice and being heard on
the agenda today, and I'd like to speak to a few of them. First, I would like to
commend Commissioner Pardo for his amazing outreach to our community and
putting a priority on hearing community voices. I first would like to support RE.20
and the funding of Virrick Pool. I would like to point out that the original plan for the
pool did not take into account the community wishes, and therefore, the revisions and
the additional funding is the result of that inability to listen to the residents, not some
change of heart that went into revising the plan. So, I urge you to please respect the
community wishes and support the additional funding. I am also here to speak against
PZ.4. It is a direct usurpation of the rights of the people and their voices to be heard,
and I was at the PZAB meeting where it was unanimously rejected. And I was
interested when Vice Chair Andy Parrish asked the City representative who on the
Commission actually wrote the words for the new order, and the City representative
could not say who actually put forth the wording. So, I thought I'd take a moment
now. I'm sorry that Commissioner Gabela just left, because I was going to ask for a
show of hands for those people that were involved in the writing of the legislation. So,
nobody, but perhaps Commissioner Gabela. Anyway, I'd like to --
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Frankel: -- point out that public parks are public.
Chair King: Thank you.
City of Miami
Page 15 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Mr. Frankel: They're for the people, of the people, and --
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Frankel: -- this legislation would go forward towards renaming them
Commissioner Parks.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Reynold Martin: Good morning. My name is Reynold Martin. I live at 6201 Southwest
61 Street. I am formerly of Coconut Grove and I'm now second vice president of the
Homeowners and Tenants Association in Coconut Grove and I also chair GRACE,
which is Grove Rights and Community Equity in Coconut Grove. I'm here to support
the funding of Virrick Park Pool. It's a pool that I learned to swim. I trained as a
firefighter at that pool. I've trained and taught people how to swim at that pool. And I
think that that pool was great. It served us for 60 years. I think it would be abhorrent
to put a pool there that we can't use for another 60 years. I support what
Commissioner Pardo has led us to believe is a pool that will be very serving of our
community, and I think it ought to be funded. I also oppose the -- the -- what was it,
PZ.4 that takes power from the people? Power to the people, we need to consult
people in making these kind of decisions. Thank you.
Applause.
Chair King: Thank you. Please, no clapping. Good morning.
Kelly Feeney: Good morning. Hi, my name is Kelly Feeney. I live at 23 Biscayne in
Edgewater. I'm here to speak to PZ.4. Last night, I attended a productive, community -
driven meeting regarding Margaret Pace Park. This meeting was in response to a
petition and public feedback given on the previous park planning under a previous
commissioner. Our feedback was heard, and there are now multiple meetings and
surveys in place to gather input from the public. This is how these matters should be
handled. Today I'm here to ask the commissioners to do the right thing and say no to
PZ.4. I find it ridiculous that we need to fight for this, and that some of our
commissioners would put forward an initiative that takes away the voice of the public,
the very people they represent and are in service to. This not only removes the voice
of the people but removes accountability and checks and balances in the current
process. As residents, taxpayers, and those who elect our commissioners, our families
and us use these parks daily. It only makes sense that we have a say in what goes into
our public parks. The City Commissioners should not be able to make these decisions
by right, without any requirement to consult with the public. Thank you. Please vote
no on PZ.4.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Linda Williams: Good morning. I'm Linda Williams. I reside at 3523 Charles Avenue
here in Coconut Grove, 33133. I'm a native, born and reared, 71 years. I'm a
community advocate, first vice chair, homeowners and tenants -- Coconut Grove
Village West Homeowners and Tenants Association, and I'm chair of the Community
Advisory Committee. I'm here to respond to RE.21 [sic], the Virrick Park Pool. You
heard Mr. Holton reference a swim team some years ago. I swam on that swim team.
Can't do it now but look forward that others may. The cost of the pool has been an
issue. We, the community, didn't have anything to do with that cost. When you delay
projects through bureaucracy, changes that are made in the dark of the night, and
don't communicate with the community that advocated what it wanted, this will
happen. So, a year later doesn't bother us. We've waited 10 years for this
City of Miami
Page 16 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
construction. Commissioner Pardo, it didn't begin on your watch, but we are hopeful,
prayerful that it will end on your watch. Please support the commissioner and vote.
We are watching, we are listening, and we are very hopeful. Thankyou.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Nancy Lee: Nancy Lee, 2901 South Bayshore Drive. I really believe, Commissioner
Reyes, I wanted to especially talk to you. I was very happy with your vote against
putting that stupid amendment or proposition on the ballot that was so poorly worded.
And Commissioner Gabela should have deferred it. Someone should have deferred it.
It was ridiculous because it was an end run around Commissioner Pardo, who I'm
mad at. I'm especially mad at Joe Carollo for infecting all of you with these stupid
things to our parks. We don't want all this junk in our parks. You have bad taste, and
someone should tell you that. We don't want all these, like plastic things in our parks.
We want some green. We need green. You're putting up all this stuff in Coconut
Grove, on Grand Avenue, and I just don't know what's going on with Christina [sic]
King, because she used to be good, but she's being infected by you. You must have
some kind of virus. And I just really hate what's going on here, and that you get me
out of bed, all cranky, to come here. And here I am. I don't want this floor. I don't
want junk in the park. I like the pool because the people want the pool. People will tell
you what they want. Don't do stuff for us. We don't want you doing it. And I'm mad at
my gatekeeper friend over here because I can never talk to my brothers because their
wives are gatekeepers and keep me on the phone for an hour and he's got gatekeepers.
So, I'm not talking to my own commissioner.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Kimberly Davis: Good morning. Kimberly Davis, 6410 Southwest 58th Place, co-
founder and president of the Coconut Grove Optimist Club, founder of Coconut Grove
Cowboys, NFL (National Football League) FLAG football league, board member of
Virrick Park Committee, born and raised in Coconut Grove, one neighborhood, one
mission and as you can see, the Grove is here. Two minutes to articulate my feelings
in a manner that all can understand. Historical, historical. You hear it so often; the
true meaning has been watered down. Very similar to how the depth of the pool at
Virrick has been watered down. A pool that has historically been 10 feet. Imagine a
room with big, beautiful pictures showing you a promising future, but failing to
plainly identify to the untrained eye that 10 feet would change to 5 feet miraculously.
Who in this community asks for a five-foot difference is our question. Still no answers.
But thank God our Commissioner Pardo was listening. Our community needs a pool
for families, which includes teens. Teens who would not understand how to properly
use diving blocks in five feet. Mothers like me who want their children to learn the
basics of yes, water polo, because why can't they? Parents who want their children to
have a Little Bahamas swim team that competes in Little Bahamas, yes, because why
can't they? The West Grove is so used to being told that we're outsourced or
distracted. You don't need that here; you can go there. Don't worry about getting it,
you can share theirs. Oh, that'll take more time. Baby, we've been waiting more than
10 years. Imagine how long this poem would be if I was told you have time. Some
things just have to be defined. A five-foot lap pull is not justified. We need our
additional two feet.
Chair King: Thankyou. Good morning.
Anna Maria Torres: Good morning.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Chair King: And the Cowboys were national champions, as we recognize them.
City of Miami
Page 17 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Chair King: I didn't forget. Good morning.
Anna Maria Torres: Good morning. My name is Anna Maria Torres. I live at 3517
Crustal View Court, Miami. First of all, I want to thank you all for giving me the
opportunity to speak with you today. Also, I want to thank Mr. Pardo for following
through with the outreach program. You're doing an amazing job, and I really
appreciate it. And thank you to all of you to come here to be heard today. It is very
important that this is what democracy is like -- looks like. The parks are extremely
important for the people. It gives a genuine connection to nature. People have many
reasons why they come to the parks. I kind of call it like the holy moment. To engage
in games with friends and family after a hard day working, they can come with their
children to enjoy and play ball with them or just to walk with them. They practice
yoga, meditation. Park are for communities, and people should be -- should have a
voice and a vote before the government makes changes and dictate what they have to
be done with them. So, I am against PZ.4. Thank you. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Kevin Sanchez: Good morning. My name is Kevin Sanchez, 4060 East 9th Court. I'm
here to talk on --
Mr. Hannon: I'm sorry.
Mr. Sanchez: I'm here to talk on PZ.4.
Mr. Hannon: Can you state your name again, sir? I apologize, we couldn't hear you.
If you could state your name again.
Mr. Sanchez: Kevin Sanchez, 4060 East 9th Court. I'm here to talk on PZ.4. I think
residents should have a voice in decisions that impact their neighborhoods, and you
all saw that PZ.4 is not what people want. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Marc Burton: Good morning. Madam Chairwoman, Mr. Vice Chairman,
Commissioners, my name is Marc Burton, I'm the attorney who represents several of
the plaintiffs in the litigation over the gym equipment at Maurice Ferre Park. I've
spoken on PZs, what are today PZs 5 and 6, a handful of times, the jurisdictional
reasons why this commission cannot reconsider that appeal. It's been briefed in
previous written correspondence before this commission. So, I'm going to talk a little
bit about PZ.4. First of all, a lot of people have spoken more eloquent than I ever
could about how it will affect their lives, the city's residents' lives, to have their input,
their ability to speak and to have the appeal remedy. And they can do better than I
can. So, I'm going to speak about a legal aspect. This was passed on first reading
before it was ever presented to the PZAB. That violates Miami 21. Section 7.1.2.8 (G)
states, and I quote in the relevant language, "Upon receipt of the findings and
recommendations regarding code amendments by the Planning, Zoning, and Appeals
Board, the City Commission shall hold at least two advertised public hearings on the
proposed code amendments." Cannot pass it on first reading before it goes to the
PZAB, and actually, there were two PZAB meetings on this. It was deferred the first
time. Had it not been, the second reading would have taken place within nine days of
the first reading with the PZAB in the middle. This is being done in an expedited way
only because of the PZAB deferring it a meeting has it had the time. for people to learn
City of Miami
Page 18 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
about it and come and oppose it. So, I would urge that it be struck down today. If it is
passed, it must be done so on first reading. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Patrice Gillespie Smith: Good morning. My, name is Patrice Gillespie Smith, 1800
Southwest 1st Avenue is my address, Miami, 33129, and I do have a letter from the
friends of the Underline founder, Meg Daly. She unfortunately cannot be here this
morning because we have a board meeting at this very moment. So, I'll be giving this
to the clerk, but just real high level. We want to thank you, first of all, Jrothis
partnership with the City of Miami. We thank each of these commissioners who have
supported us from day one. We opened more than 3 years ago, and since then, we saw
more than 1.5 million visitors in our first phase alone. And this year, now that we're
up to 2.6 miles, we are experiencing more -- we project more than 2 million visitors.
And we have done an analysis based on zip codes. More than 75 percent of those
visitors are city of Miami. So, we're very proud of this partnership and we feel that
this is together we're serving the city of Miami, creating new jobs, creating free
programming, more than 200 free programs every year, and supporting 150 non-
profits. So, we really feel fortunate that this partnership has grown, and it will
continue to grow when those five miles in the city of Miami are completed by 2026.
Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Anthony Escarra: Back to back. Anthony Escarra, I'm here representing
Commissioner Regalado. She apologizes for not being able to make it today. We had
a Planning and Zoning Board meeting today as well. Similar to your last speaker, we
would like to also thank the Commission for their partnership with the County and the
Underline. As you all know, the Underline is a passion project for the commissioner
and we're here to support your change, your budget change. Thank you very much for
your time.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Daniela Alvarez: Hi, good morning. My name is Daniela. I am a resident and
community manager at Gallery Art, 333 Northeast 24th Street, and I am here to speak
about PZ.4. I'm against -- as a mother, Pin against PZ.4. I think that we should have a
say on what takes place in our community, in our parks. I love taking my kids to the
park. I'rn able to meet new residents. I feel like that's the only place where they can
escape the day-to-day, everything that's going on in schools, around this world. That's
the place where I can hear laughter, I can hear the air, they're away from electronics,
they can enjoy a nice, peaceful park. So, please, I want to once again reiterate, I am
against PZ.4. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Manrique Alonso: Good morning. My name is Manrique Alonso. I am an owner in the
Park West area of Downtown Miami. I come here in opposition to PZ.4. Surprise,
right? But I beg your indulgence. Three elements must be present for laws to be just.
There must be a compelling need for the law. The law must be the only way to fulfill
that need, and it must be surgical. The restrictions must be absolute minimum
required to fulfill that need. I understand the compelling need for government
efficiency, but completely excluding public oversight is, in my opinion, an overly
broad solution that silences the very voices you seek to serve, and in doing so
eliminates a crucial check to unbridled power. It is counterintuitive and antithesis to a
free society. It is through consideration of opposing views that the best argument
emerges and how the most desirable outcomes are achieved. Disallowing public
City of Miami
Page 19 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
engagement on these matters silences the most important voice in any debate, the
people. For after all, it is the public that you hope to serve. Wouldn't it help to know
how they wish to be served? This is why 1 respectfully beg you to please keep the voice
of the people in the debate and vote against PZ.4. I completely appreciate you,
Commissioner Reyes, you, Commissioner Carollo, you, Commissioner King, you,
Commissioner Gabela, and you, Commissioner Pardo. I appreciate the time and
effort you put forth trying to help our city and I thank you for the opportunity to
address you all directly. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Grant Stern: Good morning. Grant Stern, 425 Northeast 22nd Street. I come here
today to thank the commission Jrobringing up this terrible item, PZ.4, and having
passed it illegally. Because without your actions earlier, you wouldn't have
galvanized the hundreds of people that are here today, the many speakers that oppose
PZ.4. You wouldn't have proven that the commissioner who told the Miami Herald,
you wouldn't have proven him wrong when he said that it affected only, a minority of
the citizens. Look at the minority today in this room. The minority is people who want
the City to pass PZ.4 and have an unlimited authority to do anything they want in our
parks. That is the actual minority. In fact, it was something similar to this a dozen
years ago that drew me further into coming down to City Hall and speaking with the
Commission and speaking with the PZAB. In that case, the City proposed to remove
all of the design standards from Midtown to make it easier for a Walmart to locate
there. And when I said, hey, the City is about to wipe out all of the law that we made
to protect us as citizens, hundreds of people showed up at the Planning and Zoning
Board. They deferred it because of the City. And then they came back two weeks later
and the Planning and Zoning Board then, just like now voted unanimously that we
should not use the nuclear option to wipe out all the safeguards that the City put in
place to give residents a say in how their city is run. And so, I stand here today asking
that the City vote against PZ.4, 5, and 6. And I also want to give support to
Commissioner Pardo's plan with the Virrick Pool. We need to make sure that our
Public Works serve all of the public, and they serve them equally and fully, and that
the people's voices are heard in this Commission, and I want to thank you for your
time.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Steven Smith: Good morning. I plea for the reasonableness of this commission today.
Here we are again, wasting taxpayers and city resources over a silly gym. Worse, this
commission now is on the cusp of asking its citizens to just trust us. Just trust us. I
think not. As you can see from the turnout at the last PZAB board, here today, a
thousand signatures on a petition, I'm not alone in that concern. Just last night, I was
told at a public meeting on Margaret Pace Park Master Plan, the City Parks
Department attempted to insert or erect a two-story administrative office building in
the middle of the park. By this right, that -- I believe this legislation would allow that
to be done without a single citizen to be able to speak against it. Not surprisingly, that
building fits into the exception this legislation provides for. Lastly, none of this would
have even occurred, and unfortunately, I wouldn't have met many of you if the
Bayfront Park Management Trust simply followed the warrant system you're trying to
eliminate here today. There would be no gym to remove. Why? Let me say it again.
There would be no gym to remove because construction began before the appeal was
even filed. Worse, it continued after the appeal was affirmed. This is literally like just
in the face of its citizens, truly just poking them in the eye. Anyway, thank you for your
time. We appreciate your thoughtfulness and reasonableness on this matter.
Mr. Hannon: Chair, I'm sorry. Sir, can I have your name for the record? Sir, just
your name for the record.
City of Miami Page 20 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Mr. Smith: I'm sorry. I've been here so often I figured you'd know me. Steve Smith,
900 Biscayne Bay.
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Hannon: Thank you, sir.
Chair King: Good morning.
Raissa Fernandez: Good morning, everyone. My name is Raissa Fernandez. 1 am 992
Northwest 5th Street. I'm in District 3. I'm here ironically on a couple of items. I came
over here to really bring my input to you as commissioners. 1 know that you all
represent different districts, but as a whole body, you guys make decisions that affects
all residents of this city, including the taxpayers, the business, and the visitors. So, it's
your responsibility to listen, even if we're not in your district. As a native-born
resident of this city, I was born at Mercy Hospital in front of the beautiful Biscayne
Bay in the backdrop to the Vizcaya Gardens, right? I live in a neighborhood where I
grew up in parks, Shenandoah Parks. I went there as a toddler to the daycare that
used to sit at the Shenandoah Park that we don't no longer have. So, I am a product of
public spaces and parks of this city, and I urge you guys to oppose 4, 5, and 6 as
community input is an important process to our investments as a city as a whole. Our
reflection of our input as community members is important and is a reflection of our
city government. Then, 1 also want to urge you to support any funding for the
Underline under RE.11 that would bring funding to the Underline, as I am a user. I
ride my bike from Little Havana all the way through the river, all the way to the
Underline, to the Grove. And then I get here, and I have Virrick Park residents here.
And to me, Virrick Park is a beautiful space, and we would like for all of you --
Chair King: Thank you.
Ms. Fernandez: -- to support the investments into local parks.
Chair King: Thank you.
Ms. Fernandez: Our department -- our Parks Department should be lifted up as we
are an all-time space --
Chair King: Thank you.
Ms. Fernandez: -- for the outdoors.
Chair King: Thank you.
Ms. Fernandez: Thank you.
Chair King: Good morning.
Nicole Desiderio: Good morning. Nicole Desiderio, 900 Biscayne Bay. I'm here in
opposition of PZ.4, PZ.5, and PZ.6. If you see the video, I happened to be at the
meeting last night for the Margaret Pace Park Master Plan that was revealed. And I
think I almost cried when I was there because apparently Joe Carollo thought I was
the only one who cared about the parks, and I was the only one who was coming
down here to speak. But look at the hundreds of people in this room, and this is how it
should be done. There should be public outreach. You should be listening to the
citizens. You should be taking their opinions into account. And if you pass PZ.4, that
won't happen. The reason why meetings like this are held is because people know they
City of Miami Page 21 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
have to now go and obtain a warrant. And if you hold these meetings ahead of time
and you get the citizens on your side, you won't have issues when you obtain your
warrant. That warrant process is in place for a reason, so please do not pass PZ.4. I
ask you also, if you have time during your lunch break before this item comes up this
afternoon, to watch some pieces of the PZAB meeting. They voted against this
legislation unanimously, 11-0. I also ask you to not reconsider PZ.5. It's an item from
six months ago. There is pending litigation on it. It was a leading referendum
question, and you should let the courts decide on that. Regarding the pool, I didn't
know about this item until today, but it seems like the people want it funded, so if
that's what they want, I support that. And anyone who is here about PZ.4 but didn't
plan to speak, 1 encourage you to please stand up and say something to have your
voice heard. Thankyou.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Fernand Amandi: Good morning, members of the Commission. Fernand Amandi. I
reside in the South Grove. I am echoing the consensus opinion of the rest of the
residents who have come out this morning speaking out in opposition against PZ.4. It
is unfortunate that many of us continue to have to come out here, as this government,
or at least some members of this government, continue to weaponize this city against
its residents and its voters. We saw that with the pension issue recently, but all's well
that ends well. And as long as you end up doing the right thing, we can continue to
progress as a city. So, 1 would ask Commissioner Reyes, Commissioner Pardo,
Commissioner Gabela, and Commissioner King to please listen to the unanimous
judgment of the PZAB board, which in unanimity said that this was something that
they didn't want, and all of the residents have come. Not a single person has come out
here to speak in favor of PZ.4. There's another item on the agenda today that has to
do with the police chiefs. In addition to the anxiety and the concern and the
dysfunction that has defined this city recently, one thing that has worked, good news,
has been the police chiefs. We've had three outstanding police chiefs in a row. Chief
George Colina, Chief Art Acevedo, and now Chief Manny Morales, who we have seen
crime rates, murder rates at historic lows, clearance rates at 91 percent. We ask that
you support also the police chiefs that are doing the best job in the history of the city
in protecting us residents. I wish you all and your families a happy Thanksgiving and
I trust you, especially Commissioner Gabela, who you did yourself and all of us a
good service last week, to do it again. Do the right thing for the residents as I know
you will and have. Thank you, Commissioners. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Vice Chair Carollo: My condolences to you and MSNBC and the recent election.
Chair King: Good morning.
Shelby Barlow: Good morning. My name is Shelby Barlow. I reside at 30 Southwest
1st Street. I'm here to speak against PZ.4 and ask you to vote against it. I want to echo
the sentiments that have already been shared here and also add that right now you
are leaders at a time where faith in democracy and our institutions in America are at
an all-time low. So, I'd like to ask you to do the right thing and vote in the interests of
the people that you represent. Thankyou.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Laura Okamura: Good morning. Laura Okamura, 50 Biscayne Boulevard in Miami. I
am. against PZ.4. PZ.4 takes away the rights of the citizens to have a say in how their
community civic spaces will be developed. It would give sole control to three people
on the City Commission to decide the fate of our parks without any checks and
City of Miami Page 22 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
balances, including from PZAB. This is ill-advised, it's procedurally flawed, it's bad
policy and should be summarily rejected. Please be part of the solution and vote no
on PZ.4. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Maria Gonzalez: Hi. My name is Maria Gonzalez, and I live at 436 Northeast 77th
Street Road, in Miami, District 5, Commissioner King. And I'm here against, and for
you to -- opposing PZ.4, PZ.5, and PZ.6. I'm also here in reference to PZ.10, the
upzoning on Northeast 64th, better known as Northeast 64th -- and Northeast 64th
Street and Terrace. So -- and the pool as well, if you would please just listen to the
people. That's what you're here to do. And we appreciate if you would do that. And I'll
be listening to the meeting later on. Thankyou.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Britt Sager: It's not a good morning. We are here peeved and with purpose. You guys
have the nerve trying to take our parks away. There's man-made and there's God -
made. We're God -made. In fact -- and apparently you respect God. Take a look at the
emblem behind your heads. What does it say? In God we trust. Do you really trust
God? You are disrespecting hint, and he's listening. He's in this room right now.
When you go outdoors to enjoy the sunshine, do you want to enjoy it amongst
concrete? In a city, the park is a refuge. We go there almost gasping for air to return
to nature. There's a song about this. They paved paradise to put up a parking lot.
They took all the trees and put them in a tree museum. It sounds ridiculous, but that's
what we're doing. They literally paved paradise to put up that outdoor -- outdoor
gym. The point of working out outside is to be outside. There are outdoor activities
such as running, walking, throwing a frisbee, playing soccer. If you want to use
machines, does it matter that you're outside? The outdoor gym in Maurice Ferre Park
is disturbing because it makes no sense. Can you imagine Manhattan without Central
Park? Frederick Olmsted in the late 1800s was considered innovative in his time for
preserving and co -designing New York City's parks. Mindful design. Respect for
nature. What would Mr. Olmsted do with our parks? Give them an inch, they'll take a
mile. They grabbed one little inch of our park; we must stop them from taking it over.
Why is everyone picking on Downtown? Leave us alone. I don't want to come here
and defend the Downtown Neighbors Alliance. Whatever happened with ripping down
the illegal 10-story LED sign?
Chair King: Thank you.
Ms. Sager: 95 percent of American households --
Chair King: Thank you.
Ms. Sager: -- consider dogs their family member.
Chair King: Thankyou. Madam? Thankyou.
Ms. Sager: Dog spelled backwards is God.
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Hannon: And ifI can have the speaker's name? I'm sorry.
Chair King: Ma'am, may we have your name for the record?
Ms. Sager: Britt, and you've got all of my information over there. Thank you.
City of Miami Page 23 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Chair King: Good morning.
Anthony Vinciguerra: Good morning. Anthony Vinciguerra, 3325 Charles Avenue. I
think Commissioner Carollo a minute ago mentioned the last election. And no matter
how you feel about the last election, I think something that's clear is that residents,
citizens, your constituents, want elected officials who listen to them and respond to
their needs. And today is obviously two really important issues. We've heard about
them so many times. As a resident of Village West, I really want to commend
Commissioner Pardo for listening to his community, a community that's been not
listened to for way too long. And it's crazy that the village -- that the Virrick Pool was
redeveloped to be too low. We really appreciate your work, and 1 hope you all support
his work today to make sure that Virrick Park is a pool that's appropriate for the
community, and also just encourage you again to vote no, obviously, on PZ.4.
Residents want their elected officials to represent them, to hear, them and so thank
you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Samuel Keyma: Good morning. My name is Sam Keyma, 60 Southwest 13th Street,
33130, District 3. I'm just here to again echo everybody again with PZ.4. 1 think I've
noticed the general gist of everything. It kind of seems more so that the commission
board doesn't feel like the rules or the regard that we should be holding them as
commissioners and their dutv, 1 think they have been just disregarding their role as an
intermediary between the people and the City. Again, Commissioner Pardo is doing a
great job kind of spearheading all of this. And 1 think everybody should look to this
commissioner as an example as to how to be an intermission -- intermediary between
for the people, between the City and the people. Again, I think everybody's made
great points regarding the preservation. It's insane to me, as a young person, that a
lot of these older people have had to come out and explain the history and the
importance regarding these parks and regarding these places and what it means to
the people. And again, I just urge you as commissioners to really listen. These are
real people here, your neighbors, not only your constituents, but these are you as a
citizen yourself. So, thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Stanley Young: Thank you, Commissioners, for allowing me to come and stand before
you and all those that work here at the City of Miami. My name is Chaplain Young.
I'm 500 Northwest 2nd Avenue. I am a chaplain here in Miami -Dade County. Igo into
your prisons and jails and talk to your inmates, excuse me, that want to get their life
turned around, but they need help. I know a lot of us just think that, okay, you
committed a crime, you just need to just -- you know, they don't want to deal with
them. I want to deal with them. I have been dealing with them for over 30 years,
trying to help men and women get their life right and get their life going in the right
direction. And there are a lot of them that really, really want to turn their life around.
They really want their life to be a blessing to their community, but they need your
help. They're corning out of the prisons and jails. I remind you, all the jails in the
court system is located in the city of Miami. So, they are your residents that really,
they can't be here because of their situation. But I come in their stead to say that we
need to chair a board, we need to put together a group, we need to put together a
study group for those that are coming out of your prisons and jails that really want
your help, that really need for you to give them that hand up. Society has really
demonized, it has really put down all of the inmates, but there are a population of
inmates that really want to stop doing -- selling drugs, doing drugs, doing crime in
our neighborhood. But they need your help. They need -- call me. I will come, free of
charge, to help teach, train, to help whatever you need --
City of Miami Page 24 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Young: -- to get this situation turned around.
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Young: Thank you. God bless.
Chair King: Good morning.
Kelsey Hayes: Good morning. Kelsey Hayes, 3645 Franklin Avenue, aka (also known
as) the Backstreet Coconut Grove. That coffee must be good up there. Yeah, tea.
Chair King: It's tea. I don't drink coffee.
Mr. Haves: I need some of that tea after you finish. All right. I just wanted to make
reference to Virrick Park. You know, I learned how to swim at Virrick Park. I was
thrown into the deep end. That was 10 feet, okay. If it was 5 feet, I wouldn't be able to
swim today. All right. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Sonia Merchant: Hi. Good morning. My name is Sonia Merchant, and I live in 900
Biscayne Boulevard. I'm here in opposition to PZ.4, 5, and 6. I am convinced that the
commissioners want to do their jobs of supporting, honoring, and representing the
people who elected you. And that's why I think that there's no doubt in my mind that
every single one of you will vote no to PZ.4, because that is strangling the voices and
suppressing potentially the opinions of the people who voted you in. PZ.5 and 6 have
to be a no, because you're setting a terrible precedent of revisiting issues over and
over that have been thoughtfully decided. So, please, I hope you live up to what we
have all elected you to do and what I believe is your truest, honorable intention.
Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Joseph King: Good morning, Madam Chair, Commissioner Pardo, Commissioners.
Joseph King, 3651 Charles Avenue, Coconut Grove, Florida. I'm here to speak on
PH 7. The Collaborative Development Corporation is a not -for -profit organization
whose mission is to coordinate and execute neighborhood revitalization programs,
expand community housing availability, increase culture, tourism, business,
employment opportunities to Little Bahamas and West Coconut Grove. Mrs. Gibson
was one of the original board members of the CDC (Collaborative Development
Corporation), and she and I worked together at Thelma Gibson Health Initiative
beginning in 2012. I'm used to riding shotgun with her at these meetings. The CDC is
working with local landowners and development groups who plan to build up Little
Bahamas and make it such a community. These developments will generally have
retail components and workforce housing, and CDC has planned to work with them,
their anchor tenants, as well as City of Miami families to assess, assist, link, educate,
and train these participants with a goal of increased job skills, improved wages, and
the opportunity to work in the retail spaces with improved wages locally and
hopefully live to work in connection with these housing projects. Congresswoman
Frederica Wilson has committed funding, and these blocks of dollars start coming
into Little Bahamas for culture, tourism, and ultimately honoring the legacy of
Bahamian, African American, and all those who are among the first settlers of the city
of Miami. We expect to retain as many families as possible so they can also be part of
the growth and not priced out. As Mrs. Gibson has moved off all boards, with the
City of Miami Page 25 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
exception of Thelma Gibson Health Initiative, I've partnered with Monty Trainer and
CDC, he now allows me to ride shotgun with him. A couple of you may have heard of
Monty. Some of you may have dined at Monty's restaurant or even driven down Monty
Trainer Way. Monty has moved his office from the Coconut Grove Art Festival, and
he is now my office mate at 3644 Grand Avenue. He's made his commitment to help
bring lasting, equitable change to the Little Bahamas community, bring attention and
support and a spotlight --
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. King: -- on this project.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Mav Ostrenko: Good morning, everyone. Thank you for being here today. My name is
May. I'm at 9440 Fontainebleau Boulevard. I wanted to say that I'm against the item,
PZ.4. If anybody's listening.
Monty Trainer: Oh, God. Monty Trainer, 3556 Fair Isle --
Ms. Ostrenko: I'm not done.
Chair King: Hold on, hold on one second.
Mr. Trainer: Oh, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Excuse me.
Ms. Ostrenko: Hi everyone, I'm glad you're here this morning. Good morning. I want
to say I'm against the item PZ.4. I would like to know why you want to give away our
parks. What's' in it for you? Can you hear me? What are you going to gain?
Vice Chair Carollo: We're all going to become billionaires. Just between us.
Ms. Ostrenko: What are you going to gain for giving away our parks? I don't know if
you saw the footage of a young boy, elementary school. He doesn't have PE (Physical
Education). The only way he can get outside and enjoy the -- so he's able to play
soccer in the park. What's he going to do without the parks? I'm sure you all have
lovely homes with luscious foliage. You can probably walk outside your back door,
relax in the breeze, in the sun, with beautiful foliage. That's green space. We all need
our green space. We would like ours too. So, please, please, I'm begging you to save
our parks.
Chair King: Thank you.
Ms. Ostrenko: Thank you.
Chair King: Good morning. Monty? Good morning.
Mr. Trainer: Are you ready?
Chair King: Happy late birthday.
Vice Chair Carollo: Monty.
Commissioner Reyes: Monty.
Mr. Trainer: Monty Trainer, 3556 Fair Isle Street --
City of Miami Page 26 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Vice Chair Carollo: You know, that Coconut Grove Arts Festival --
Mr. Trainer: -- Coconut Grove.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- has never been the same --
Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- since you're not leading it.
Commissioner Reyes: That's right. What happened, Monty? You should stay there.
Mr. Trainer: Listen, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) got a lot of patience to sit here all day long
and listen. I mean, it's -- it's about the third or fourth time I've been here in the last
two months, and I've never seen such a parade of people. Where do you find them all?
I mean, everybody's got issues, but anyway, Christine, you made a promise you
weren 't going to cut me off.
Chair King: I'm not going to cut you off.
Mr. Trainer: Anyway, 1 made a commitment to West Grove, and I made this
commitment years ago. Actually, it was in the `80s when 1 first made the commitment
to do what I could in West Grove and to hire, do the hiring, training. Remember,
that's when 1 first met Joe King when Judge Peterson, I had some -- some time to
serve with the government, so 1 did it over in West Grove with the training program
and it worked out pretty well. And ever since then, I've been working with the West
Grove. And Mrs. Gibson has been a stalwart in the art festival. I think she's with us
about 30-some years in the Art Festival. And now her -- Joe King's wife is on our
board, she's just our past chairman of the board, so we've always had a connection
between the Art Festival and the West Grove. But anyway, we had a meeting about
three years ago, and Frederica came down from Washington and made a pledge to
us, and changed the name, it was -- what's up there?
Vice Chair Carollo: A clock.
Mr. Trainer: I thought something was going to happen.
Vice Chair Carollo: No, no. A clock.
Mr. Trainer: Anyway, she pledged to us about $11.2 million to be used in West Grove
to form an entertainment district, a living district, and it should have happened. We
should have had zoning coming in from the Gables side down Grand Avenue. That's
how we should get into Coconut Grove rather than going down 37th and 27th. And so,
I think this is an opportunity where we can -- we can -- it's a very modest budget we're
asking for, for the first year, for the 49,000, to get it started. And if you'll notice what's
happening over there now with Peter Gardner and Grant Savage, the project that they
just finished, it's fantastic. And I think that's more of the things to come in the West
Grove. And if we, with the Collaborative, if we can -- if we can just push through with
this at this particular juncture, I think you'll see some big changes in West Grove. And
I know that -- (UNINTELLIGIBLE) it was nice to see you the other night at the Dade
League of Cities, to see the City of Miami participate there. That's nice. And you can
carry some of our water over there. It's nice. It's nice to have our cities involved. And
hopefully you'll see what we're seeing in the Grove, the West Grove, with Frederica
and Mrs. Gibson and Mrs. Barton and Joe King and all the effort that's going in over
there now. A lot of money being spent, a lot -- a lot of land being swapped around, but
in a positive way I think at this particular juncture. Anyway, I want to thank you for
yesterday. I had an opportunity to get out of the county, and they welcomed me, and I
City of Miami Page 27 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
had a chance -- I didn't get a chance to speak this long, but anyway, it was fun and I
was -- represented the city of Miami in some way, I think, and I always feel like I'm
representing the city of Miami and Coconut Grove. And 1 certainly love our City
Commission and what the -- our City Manager, and what we do for the city. And
Manolo, we have a good Gator up here, you know. Anyway, Joe, and we're looking
forward to New Year's Eve, and Christine, you're a princess.
Commissioner Reyes: She is.
Mr. Trainer: Thank you very much. And 1 like our Pardo, we get over here, we get our
District 2, and now Miguel used to hang out at Monty's, so that's nice. Anyway, thank
you very much for putting up with me, and hopefully 1'll be out of this -- this
contraption here before long. 1 just got some passage to do some work on my back
that will help this along the way. But anyway, thank you for everything. It's always
great to be here, and it's great to see how much patience you have. And I'm glad you
don't have the clock today. Thank you very much.
Chair King: Thank you. Always a pleasure seeing you.
Commissioner Reyes: Monty. Madam Chair. Monty, you
Downtown Miami?
have
ue
Friday with
Mr. Trainer: Hopefully 1'll be down there. I'm looking forward to it.
Commissioner Reyes: Anytime. Do you enjoy the music?
Mr. Trainer: I want to expand my horizons. But thanks. Thanks for everything.
Vice Chair Carollo: All the best to you, Monty.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning. Ma'am?
Rose Pujol: Good morning. Rose Pujol, 2455 South Bayshore Drive. I had to come
because we know you. We know each and every one of you. We are so proud, I am so
proud, of what you have done for the city of Miami. I don't think there's been a more
exciting time to live in the city of Miami than now. And yet at the same time, I was a
bit confused when I saw on PZ.4 that Planning and Zoning had advocated against it
and yet it still went through unanimously. I think it was the 15th of October on the
first reading. I urge you to seriously consider the impact that you're going to have on
the city of Miami. We are such an example to other cities that are in the same growth
mode. To not include the voices of those you represent, as you are doing right now, is
just unconscionable. You were elected. We believe in you. We know you're doing a
terrific job, and I urge you to reconsider that and take into account those you serve
who actually, in all sincerity, believe in what you're doing. Thank you very much.
Chair King: Thank you.
Ernesto Cuesta: Good morning. Ernesto Cuesta, 1550 Brickell Avenue.
Mr. Hannon: Sir, can you get a little closer to the mic? We can't hear you.
Mr. Cuesta: Ernesto Cuesta, 550 Brickell Avenue, BHA (Brickell Homeowners
Association) 509. Good morning, Chairwoman and Commissioners. The reason that
I'm here is because a few years -- few years, two days ago I was invited to participate
in a press conference to take place in Downtown Miami to talk about two issues that
my community that I represent, Brickell area, are concerned as a Miamian, because
actually I do represent my association basically in a (UNINTELLIGIBLE) area that
City of Miami Page 28 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
we represent. Downtown is not my neighborhood, Brickell is not downtown, and
downtown is not Brickell. All of you know of Brickell Homeowners Association. I was
invited there. 1 didn't know who was attending that press conference. I didn't have to.
I'm a free person. And I spoke about two issues. Number one, about the building that
is misrepresenting the city of Miami, full of -- insecure, full of graffiti, as you are
aware, Commissioner Reyes. And the second issue was about the fact there was a
referendum approved by this Commission. It was placed in the ballot. We went to the
polls, and we voted about removing the fences around the equipment of the park.
Those two issues. A sitting commissioner called me the day after questioning my
integrity, my leadership in this community, and making an allegation that I make a
request for his resignation. That is totally untrue. That is totally inaccurate. After that
conversation --
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Cuesta: That's a problem that we don't have enough time. But after that
conversation --
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Cuesta: If you allow me for a minute. After that conversation
Chair King: Sir.
Mr. Cuesta: -- I like to foreclose.
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Cuesta: But the gentleman went to air --
Chair King: Sir.
Mr. Cuesta: -- and to the radio station --
Chair King: Sir.
Mr. Cuesta: -- and that is unethical.
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Cuesta: That is very unethical.
Chair King: Thank you.
James Torres: How do I follow that up? I don't. I know, I know, I know. Good
morning, or actually good afternoon, James Torres, president of DNA (Downtown
Neighbors Alliance). I kind of helped you out with something on PZ.4; 32 are against,
1 person is for, because I kind of did the little stick thing that you normally do, just
kind of keeping you honest. The issue that I have with PZ.4 is the issue that it includes
LED billboard language in there. I've been to several of the commissioners to
addressing this, including at the PZAB meeting that that language should be removed
because on civic spaces, there could be LED billboards implemented in there, and
that's an issue. So, it's in there, trust me, right? So, I also want to give history with the
time that I have left here on something. Why are we here again as it relates to the gym
equipment and these conversations that we keep going back and forth, over and over,
like someone stated earlier today, Groundhog's Day. Groundhog Day literally started
when our Commissioner of District 2, Damian Pardo, decided to go on vacation and
City of Miami Page 29 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
could have recalled the question when he came back, and we would not have had Mr.
Corolla, the smart fox on the group here, and did the question on the gym. No one
wants to talk about the reality of that, that I had a commissioner that was not
available to recall the question. You, Ms. Chairwoman, also pointed that out in
several commission meetings that District 2 could have called the question. That's
why we're in this mess in terms of spending tax dollars, legal issues that certain
community members are involved. So whatever decision is made here today, I hope it
is the final decision on this item. But as you move forward on this, again, I'm going to
be very clear, the LED billboard verbiage should not be included in civic spaces as
well, because it should not be there. We already have enough billboards throughout
this entire city. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you.
Silvio Pupo Casco: Good morning, Chair, Commissioners. Good to see you all. I
know it's been a long day, so I'll keep it short. Regards to PZ.4 and the whole park
situation, obviously I'm not opposed to any gym equipment. In fact, I love gym
equipment, but I do believe that it's important to have public input when we're doing -
- talking about local parks. I also want to commend you to continue to support the
local parks, continue to get public input and in fact see if we can invest in ways to
enable the community to be able to engage more directly in giving public comment,
some kind of like interactive GIS (Geographic Information Systems) tool so we can
sort of track what people really think, not everybody can show up to these meetings
it's very hard to show up to these meetings. So, that is -- that is my, my only input you
know just please facilitate community engagement and community input into our
public assets. Thank you so much.
Chair King: Thank you. Seeing no one else for public comment, the public comment
period is now closed.
AM - APPROVING THE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETINGS:
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)
City of Miami Page 30 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
CA.1
16809
Department of Fire -
Rescue
CA.2
16697
Department of
Police
CA - CONSENT AGENDA
The following item(s) was Adopted on the Consent Agenda
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT
SUPPLEMENTAL GRANT FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF
$145,372.00 FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY, FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2023 READINESS COOPERATIVE
AGREEMENT THE FLORIDA URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE
TASK FORCE 2 ("SUPPLEMENTAL GRANT"); APPROPRIATING
SAID SUPPLEMENTAL GRANT TO THE EXISTING SPECIAL
REVENUE ACCOUNT TITLED, "FISCAL YEAR 2023 -
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, FEDERAL
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, URBAN SEARCH AND
RESCUE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT" AMOUNTING TO A NEW
TOTAL OF $1,462,828.00; 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-24-0438
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number CA.1, please see "End
of Consent Agenda."
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING, IN
SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, BETWEEN THE
OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY FOR THE
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, THE METROPOLITAN POLICE
DEPARTMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, AND THE CITY
OF MIAMI ("CITY"), FOR THE CITY'S DEPARTMENT OF POLICE
TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION TASK
FORCE IN THE WASHINGTON, D.C. AREA FROM JANUARY 17,
2025, TO JANUARY 21, 2025.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0439
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number CA.2, please see "End
of Consent Agenda."
City ofMiami Page 31 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
CA.3
16727
Department of
Police
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ESTABLISHING A NEW SPECIAL REVENUE
PROJECT TITLED "ATF TASK FORCE"; AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
WITH THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE,
BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, FIREARMS AND
EXPLOSIVES ("ATF"), IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED
FORM, FOR THE MIAMI POLICE DEPARTMENT'S ("MPD")
PARTICIPATION IN THE ATF TASK FORCE, AT A
REIMBURSABLE OVERTIME COST OF $20,707.50 PER OFFICER,
FOR UP TO FOUR (4) OFFICERS, FOR A TOTAL OF $95,363.15,
OF WHICH $12,533.15 IS NON -REIMBURSABLE AND WILL BE
ABSORBED BY THE MPD GENERAL FUND OPERATING
BUDGET; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
DESIGNATE THE CHIEF OF POLICE TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL
OTHER NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, ALL IN A FORM
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, IN ORDER TO
IMPLEMENT THE ACCEPTANCE OF SAID REIMBURSEMENT
FUNDS.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0440
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number CA.3, please see "End
of Consent Agenda."
City ofMiami Page 32 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
CA.4
16745
Department of
Police
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ESTABLISHING A NEW SPECIAL REVENUE
PROJECT TITLED "2024 BJA FY24 PROSECUTING COLD CASES
USING DNA"; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT A
GRANT AWARD FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
JUSTICE, OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS, BUREAU OF
JUSTICE ASSISTANCE, IN THE AMOUNT OF $500,000.00, WITH
NO LOCAL MATCH REQUIRED, AND APPROPRIATING SAID
GRANT TO THE MIAMI POLICE DEPARTMENT ("MPD") TO
SUPPORT EXPENDITURES FOR MPD PERSONNEL IN THE
COLD CASE DETAIL AND MIAMI-DADE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S
LAB PERSONNEL TO COMPLETE A CERTIFIED INVENTORY OF
UNRESOLVED COLD CASE INVESTIGATION WITHIN MPD'S
JURISDICTION; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE A GRANT AWARD AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY
THE ATTACHED FORM, WITH THE GRANTOR; FURTHER
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO DESIGNATE THE CHIEF
OF POLICE OR OTHER DESIGNEE TO NEGOTIATE AND
EXECUTE ANY AND ALL OTHER NECESSARY DOCUMENTS,
ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, IN
ORDER TO IMPLEMENT THE ACCEPTANCE AND
ADMINISTRATION OF THE GRANT.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0441
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number CA.4, please see "End
of Consent Agenda."
CA.5 RESOLUTION
16728
Department of Real
Estate and Asset
Management
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND
EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT FOR WATER AND SANITARY
SEWER FACILITIES ("AGREEMENT"), AND ENTER INTO ANY
REQUIRED JOINDERS FOR SAID AGREEMENT, IN A FORM
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, WITH THE MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT FOR THE
PROVISION OF WATER AND SANITARY SEWER SERVICES TO A
CITY OF MIAMI OWNED PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1800-1822
NORTHWEST 37TH AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA; FURTHER
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND
EXECUTE ANY OTHER AGREEMENTS, INCLUDING SIGNING
ALL PERMIT APPLICATIONS, GOVERNMENT APPROVAL
APPLICATIONS, REQUIRED JOINDERS, AND RELATED
DOCUMENTS, AMENDMENTS, AND MODIFICATIONS TO SAID
AGREEMENT, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE SAID
AGREEMENT.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0442
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number CA.5, please see "End
of Consent Agenda."
City ofMiami Page 33 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
CA.6 RESOLUTION
16781
Department of Risk
Management
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO PAY TO AND
ON BEHALF OF ADONIS GONZALEZ, SUBJECT TO THE
CONDITIONS IMPOSED BY CHAPTER 440, FLORIDA STATUTES,
THE TOTAL SUM OF $80,000.00, INCLUDING $100.00 FOR A
SEPARATE GENERAL RELEASE, IN FULL SETTLEMENT OF ALL
CLAIMS AND DATES OF ACCIDENT ALLEGED AGAINST THE
CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY"), ITS OFFICERS, AGENTS, AND
EMPLOYEES, WITHOUT ADMISSION OF LIABILITY, UPON
EXECUTING A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT, HOLD HARMLESS,
AND INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT AS WELL AS A GENERAL
RELEASE OF THE CITY, ITS PRESENT AND FORMER
OFFICERS, AGENTS, AND EMPLOYEES, FROM ANY AND ALL
CLAIMS AND DEMANDS; ALLOCATING FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT
OF $79,900.00 FROM ACCOUNT NO.
50001.301001.524000.0000.00000 AND FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT
OF $100.00, FOR THE SEPARATE GENERAL RELEASE, FROM
ACCOUNT NO. 00001.980000.531010.0000.00000.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0443
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number CA.6, please see "End
of Consent Agenda."
CA.7 RESOLUTION
16760
Department of
Resilience and
Public Works
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING FOUR (4) RIGHT-OF-WAY DEEDS
OF DEDICATION AS DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A" ("DEEDS"),
ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, FOR RIGHT-OF-WAY
PURPOSES; APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE
RECORDATION OF THE DEEDS IN THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA; FURTHER DIRECTING THE
CITY CLERK TO RETAIN A COPY OF THE DEEDS.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0444
This matter was ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S) on the Consent
Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number CA.7, please see "End
of Consent Agenda."
City ofMiami Page 34 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
CA.8 RESOLUTION
16864
Department of
Resilience and
Public Works
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), DECLARING NO OBJECTION AND
SUPPORTING THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION ("FDOT") PROJECTS ON STATE ROAD 90
("SR-90")/ UNITED STATES HIGHWAY 41 ("US-41")/ SOUTHWEST
7 STREET FROM EAST OF SOUTHWEST 27 AVENUE TO WEST
OF SOUTHWEST 2 AVENUE WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI ("CITY") INCLUDING THE CLOSURE OF THE
CONNECTION OF SOUTHWEST 4 AVENUE WITH SOUTHWEST 7
STREET, AND THE CONVERSION OF SOUTHWEST 3 AVENUE
BETWEEN SOUTHWEST 6 STREET AND SOUTHWEST 7
STREET FROM A ONE-WAY ROAD TO A TWO-WAY ROAD, AS
DEPICTED IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED;
DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS
RESOLUTION TO THE DISTRICT SECRETARY OF THE FDOT,
DISTRICT SIX; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0445
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number CA.8, please see "End
of Consent Agenda."
CA.9 RESOLUTION
16748
Department of
Resilience and
Public Works
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A MAINTENANCE MEMORANDUM
OF AGREEMENT ("MMOA"), IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE
CITY ATTORNEY, BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") AND
THE STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
("DEPARTMENT") FOR BEAUTIFICATION IMPROVEMENTS
ALONG SOUTHWEST 8 STREET ("TAMIAMI TRAIL") FROM
SOUTHWEST 56 AVENUE TO SOUTHWEST 57 AVENUE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0446
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number CA.9, please see "End
of Consent Agenda."
City ofMiami Page 35 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
CA.10 RESOLUTION
16865
Department of
Human Services
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION,
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT AN AMOUNT
OF NOT TO EXCEED FOUR HUNDRED TWENTY-EIGHT
THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED THREE DOLLARS ($428,903.00), IN
THE FORM OF A REIMBURSEMENT GRANT ("GRANT"), FROM
MIAMI-DADE-COUNTY'S COMMUNITY ACTION AND HUMAN
SERVICES DEPARTMENT ("MIAMI-DADE COUNTY") TO THE
CITY OF MIAMI'S ("CITY") DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES'
("DEPARTMENT") FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE EARLY HEAD
START CHILD CARE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM ("PROGRAM")
FOR THE PERIOD COMMENCING AUGUST 1, 2024 THROUGH
JULY 31, 2025, WITH THE OPTION TO RENEW FOR UP TO FOUR
(4) ADDITIONAL SIMILAR PERIODS; ESTABLISHING A NEW
SPECIAL REVENUE PROJECT TITLED "EXPANSION EARLY
HEAD START CHILD CARE PARTNERSHIP GRANT
SUPPLEMENT 2024-2025", TO ACCEPT THE GRANT;
APPROPRIATING THE GRANT FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT NOT
TO EXCEED FOUR HUNDRED TWENTY-EIGHT THOUSAND NINE
HUNDRED THREE DOLLARS ($428,903.00) WITH NO CITY
MATCH REQUIRED; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT
WITH MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, INCLUDING ANY AND ALL OTHER
NECESSARY AMENDMENTS, EXTENSIONS, AND
MODIFICATIONS, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE BY THE CITY
ATTORNEY, TO IMPLEMENT THE ACCEPTANCE OF AND
COMPLIANCE WITH THE GRANT AWARD FOR SAID PURPOSE;
AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0447
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number CA.10, please see "End
of Consent Agenda."
City ofMiami Page 36 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
CA.11 RESOLUTION
16919
Department of
Procurement
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT
SPONSORSHIPS FROM VARIOUS CORPORATIONS AND/OR
ORGANIZATIONS FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI'S ANNUAL
PATHWAYS TO PUBLIC PROCUREMENT SUMMIT ("THE
SUMMIT"), A TWO-DAY INTENSIVE SUMMIT FOR AN
ANTICIPATED 200 TO 500 LOCAL, SMALL, AND MINORITY
BUSINESSES, SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 20-21, 2025,
CONSISTING OF EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS, KEYNOTE
LUNCHEONS, MATCHMAKING SESSIONS WITH GOVERNMENT
AGENCIES AND LARGE PRIME CONTRACTORS, AND AN EXPO
FOR RESOURCE PARTNERS; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL
DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, OR
MODIFICATIONS, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, AS MAY BE DEEMED NECESSARY FOR SAID
PURPOSE; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
ACCEPT SPONSORSHIPS FROM CORPORATIONS AND/OR
ORGANIZATIONS FOR ALL FUTURE ANNUAL SUMMITS.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0448
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number CA.1, please see "End
of Consent Agenda."
CA.12 RESOLUTION
16925
Department of Real
Estate and Asset
Management
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND
EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT FOR WATER AND SANITARY
SEWER FACILITIES ("AGREEMENT"), IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE
TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, WITH THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT FOR THE PROVISION OF
WATER AND SANITARY SEWER SERVICES TO A CITY OF MIAMI
OWNED PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1785 NORTHWEST 35
STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA ("PROPERTY") IN CONNECTION WITH
THE PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT FOR THE
CONVEYANCE OF THE PROPERTY TO DULCE VIDA
APARTMENTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF WORKFORCE AND
AFFORDABLE HOUSING ("PROJECT"); FURTHER AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ALL
OTHER NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING AMENDMENTS
AND MODIFICATIONS TO SAID AGREEMENT, ASSIGNMENTS,
AND OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO FINALIZE REQUIRED
PERMITTING AND MEET CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO
CLOSING, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY,
AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THE CONVEYANCE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0449
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number CA.1, please see "End
of Consent Agenda."
City ofMiami Page 37 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
CA.13
16930
Department of Fire -
Rescue
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ESTABLISHING A NEW SPECIAL REVENUE
PROJECT TITLED "STATE HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT
PROGRAM SUB -RECIPIENT AGREEMENT FOR EXPENDITURE
OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT FUNDING FOR FLORIDA URBAN
SEARCH AND RESCUE TASK FORCES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024";
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT A GRANT IN
THE AMOUNT OF $71,034.00 FROM THE UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, FEDERAL
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, THROUGH THE STATE
OF FLORIDA, DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT;
APPROPRIATING SAID GRANT FOR THE PURPOSE OF
SUSTAINING FLORIDA URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE TASK
FORCE 2 TEAM CAPABILITIES THROUGH EQUIPMENT
RELATED EXPENDITURES; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE A GRANT AGREEMENT, IN
SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, AND ANY AND ALL
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING AMENDMENTS,
RENEWALS, AND EXTENSIONS, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE
TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR THE ACCEPTANCE AND
COMPLIANCE WITH SAID GRANT AWARD.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0450
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number CA.1, please see "End
of Consent Agenda."
END OF CONSENT AGENDA
Chair King: November 21st, 2024. The meeting is now in session. I am joined by my
colleagues, Commissioner Damian. Pardo, Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela, Vice
Chair Joe Carollo, and we are going to wait a second for Commissioner Reyes. Just
give him a couple of minutes to come out. I know, we were waiting on you. Okay, let's
rock and roll. The consent agenda is before us. Gentlemen, are there any items on the
consent agenda that you would like to discuss? Seeing none, may I have a motion for
CA.1, 2,, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13, and CA.7 would be as amended.
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.
City of Miami Page 38 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
PH - PUBLIC HEARINGS
PH.1 RESOLUTION
16523
Department of
Housing and
Community
Development
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ("CDBG") FUNDS,
FOR FISCAL YEAR ("FY") 2024-2025 IN THE AMOUNT OF
$2,708,809.00 IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CATEGORY,
TO THE AGENCIES AND/OR DEPARTMENTS SPECIFIED IN
EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, FOR ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025;
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-24-0451
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number PH.1, please
see "Public Comments on all Item(s)."
Chair King: Our PH (Public Hearing) items. Are there any items on the PH agenda
that you would like to pull for discussion? Anyone? PH items? PH.6 being a four -
fifths and PH 7 being a four -fifths. May I have a motion for PH.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7?
Commissioner Pardo: Motion.
Commissioner Gabela: Second.
Chair King: I have a motion -- wait, hands up. Vice Chair has a question.
Vice Chair Carollo: (INAUDIBLE) PH7 (INAUDIBLE).
Commissioner Pardo: I think I've answered this before. I think when there's a
specialized service and you don't have enough people to bid, it's perfectly acceptable
for procurement to be waived.
Vice Chair Carollo: (INAUDIBLE).
Commissioner Pardo: It's not when I think, it's when there's no pool. There's not
enough of a pool.
Vice Chair Carollo: (INAUDIBLE).
Commissioner Pardo: I appreciate your service.
Vice Chair Carollo: (INAUDIBLE).
City of Miami Page 39 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Chair King: PH.5 will be as amended. Do I have a motion?
Commissioner Gabela: Motion.
Chair King: And a second?
Commissioner Pardo: Yep.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries unanimously.
PH.2 RESOLUTION
16785
Department of
Housing and
Community
Development
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING THE SECTION 8 HOUSING
CHOICE VOUCHER AND MODERATE REHABILITATION
("PROGRAMS") ADMINISTRATIVE PLAN ("PLAN") TO INCLUDE
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SMALL AREA FAIR MARKET RENTS
("SAFMRs"), ADOPTING A NO CHANGE IN POLICY OPTION FOR
UNITS WHERE PAYMENT STANDARDS WILL DECREASE AT
EXISTING CLIENT'S NEXT RECERTIFICATION, AND ADDING
CERTAIN MANDATORY MODIFICATIONS RELATED TO
MAINSTREAM VOUCHERS, FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE, ANY AND ALL
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE
REQUIREMENTS OF ALL FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAWS,
AS AMENDED, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0452
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PH.2, please see
"Public Comments on all Item(s)" and Item Number PH.1.
City of Miami Page 40 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
PH.3 RESOLUTION
16784
Department of
Housing and
Community
Development
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPROVING
THE CITY OF MIAMI DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING
INCENTIVE STRATEGIES ("STRATEGIES") AS RECOMMENDED
BY THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE
("AHAC") AND AS REQUIRED BY SECTION 420.9076, FLORIDA
STATUTES; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE
ANY AND ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, IN A FORM
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, TO IMPLEMENT SAID
STRATEGIES.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0453
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PH.3, please see
"Public Comments on allltem(s)" and Item Number PH.1.
PH.4 RESOLUTION
16831
Department of
Housing and
Community
Development
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE REALLOCATION OF
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT CARES ACT
("CDBG-CV3") FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $120,000.00 TO THE
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION ("PARKS
DEPARTMENT") TO SUPPORT PARK IMPROVEMENT ACTIVITIES
IN DOUGLAS PARK, AS SPECIFIC IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED
AND INCORPORATED, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY
DOCUMENTS INCLUDING EXTENSIONS, AMENDMENTS, AND
MODIFICATIONS, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE
ALLOCATION OF SAID FUNDS.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0454
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PH.4, please see Item
Number PH.1.
City ofMiami Page 41 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
PH.5 RESOLUTION
16825
Department of
Resilience and
Public Works
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING THE PLAT TITLED
"CENTURYLAND," 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-24-0455
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
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PH.5, please see Item
Number PH.1.
City ofMiami Page 42 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
PH.6 RESOLUTION
16866
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
GRANT FUNDS FROM THE DISTRICT 1 COMMISSIONER'S
SHARE OF THE CITY'S ANTI -POVERTY INITIATIVE IN A TOTAL
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND
DOLLARS AND ZERO CENTS ($100,000.00) TO LITTLE HAVANA
ACTIVITIES & NUTRITION CENTERS OF DADE COUNTY, INC., A
FLORIDA NOT FOR PROFIT CORPORATION ("LHANC"), IN
SUPPORT OF THE ANTONIO MACEO PARK CONGREGATE
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-24-0456
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PH.6, please see Item
Number PH 1.
City ofMiami Page 43 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
PH.7 RESOLUTION
16841
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; AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS
FROM THE DISTRICT 2 SHARE OF THE CITY'S MIAMI FOR
EVERYONE ("MFE") PROGRAM, ON A LUMP SUM BASIS, IN A
TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED FORTY-NINE THOUSAND,
NINE HUNDRED AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($49,900.00) ("FUNDS") TO
COLLABORATIVE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, A FLORIDA
NOT FOR PROFIT CORPORATION ("COLLABORATIVE
DEVELOPMENT CORP"), IN ORDER TO CARRY OUT THEIR "CDC
BLOCK BY BLOCK JOB PREPAREDNESS PROGRAM," WHICH
WILL OFFER JOB READINESS, JOB TRAINING, AND CAREER
EDUCATION SERVICES TO A MINIMUM OF FORTY-EIGHT (48)
FAMILIES RESIDING IN THE CITY OF MIAMI, SUBJECT TO ALL
FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAWS THAT REGULATE THE USE
OF SUCH FUNDS FOR SAID PURPOSE; 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-24-0457
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PH.7, please see
"Public Comments on allltem(s)" and Item Number PH.1.
END OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
City ofMiami Page 44 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
RE.1
16582
Office of the City
Clerk
RE - RESOLUTIONS
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), OFFICIALLY ACKNOWLEDGING THE CITY
CLERK'S CERTIFICATION OF THE CANVASS AND
DECLARATION OF THE RESULTS, ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A," OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
REFERENDUM SPECIAL ELECTION HELD ON NOVEMBER 5,
2024.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0458
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
Chair King: Our resolutions, we have several mitigations, so I'm going to leave the
mitigations out. Are there any items other than the mitigations that you would like to
pull for discussion on the RE (Resolution) items?
Vice Chair Carollo: (INAUDIBLE).
Chair King: RE.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): And, Chair, just for the record, Commissioner Reyes
will be co -sponsoring RE.20.
Chair King: Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: I'd like to pull RE.I6 to see if I can better understand what's
happening here.
Chair King: RE.16 will be pulled. I would also like to co-sponsor RE.20.
Vice Chair Carollo: (INAUDIBLE) RE.21 (INAUDIBLE) --
Unidentified Speaker: Microphone.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- (INAUDIBLE).
Chair King: Okay, so --
Commissioner Gabela: Sir, can we go over that? RE.20?
Chair King: He wants to pull RE.20 and 21.
Commissioner Gabela: RE.20 and 21, and what else?
Chair King: And --
Commissioner Pardo: 16.
City of Miami Page 45 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Chair King: -- RE.16.
Commissioner Gabela: 16.
Commissioner Pardo: All the District 2 items.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay, 16. Okay.
Chair King: They're on.
Commissioner Reyes: Leave it off.
Chair King: They're on. The mics are on.
Commissioner Gabela: So, you said RE.16?
Commissioner Pardo: Yes, RE.16.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay.
Chair King: RE.16 has been pulled and RE.20 and 21. That will leave RE.1, RE.9, 10,
11, 12, 13, 14, and 17. May 1 have a motion?
Commissioner Reyes: Move it.
Commissioner Gabela: Can -- sorry, sorry. I'm sorry.
Chair King: Hold on. Todd?
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): So, Chair, for RE.1. RE.1 will be amended pursuant to
a substitution memo dated November 19, 2024. Additionally, for RE.1, the official
election results and an official certificate of the County Canvassing Board for
referendum -- for referendum questions will be submitted into the record as backup
documents. RE.11 will be amended pursuant to a substitution memo dated November
15, 2024. And RE.14 needs to be amended to include Miami -Dade County
Commission Resolution Number R-1000-24 and the thirteenth whereas clause. Thank
you, Chair.
Chair King: Thank you.
Commissioner Gabela: Sorry, can you just repeat the REs again? RE.1 and then RE?
Chair King: RE.1, as amended.
Commissioner Gabela: Right.
Chair King: And then it will jump down to --
Commissioner Reyes: 8.
Chair King: -- RE.9, 10, 11, as amended, 12, 13. Mr. City Clerk, I would like to be
shown as a sponsor of RE.13, and RE.14, and then RE.17.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay.
Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
City of Miami Page 46 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Mr. Hannon: I'm sorry, Chair, who is the mover and the seconder?
Commissioner Reyes: I move it.
Commissioner Pardo: Second.
RE.2 RESOLUTION
16709
Department of
Code Compliance
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
MITIGATING/NOT MITIGATING THE CODE ENFORCEMENT
LIENS RECORDED AGAINST PROPERTY ADDRESS 3301
NORTHEAST 1 AVENUE, UNIT 108, MIAMI, FLORIDA, CASE
NUMBER CE2021020046, 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-24-0459
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
Chair King: And now we'll move onto our first mitigation, RE.2.
Robert Santos-Alborna (Director, Code Compliance): Good afternoon, Madam
Chairwoman, Commissioners. Robert Santos-Alborna, Code Compliance Director.
Unidentified Speaker: Good afternoon.
Chair King: Good afternoon, Mr. Director.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: RE.2 is a mitigation of a property located at 3301 Northwest 1st
Avenue, Unit 108. Respondent is Midtown Miami Realty, Number 4 LLC (Limited
Liability Company). Violation Number is CE2021020046. The violations are for
construction work without permits and failure to obtain an electrical permit,
electrical sign permit. NOV (Notice of Violation) issued on September 29th, 2021,
adjudicated on February 3rd, 2022. The violation ran for 727 days, accruing a total
of $181,850. However, support evidence by way of the iBuild database reflects that
the affidavit of the compliance was met earlier by way of a permit. And if so, the
number of days is 600 days, accruing a total of $150, 000. I understand the respondent
-- accruing a total of $150,000, respondent is offering $15,000, which is equivalent to
10 percent.
Chair King: I will accept that. Do I have a motion?
Commissioner Gabela: A motion.
City of Miami Page 47 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Chair King: Second? All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Thank you.
Unidentified Speaker: Thank you.
RE.3 RESOLUTION
16762
Department of
Code Compliance
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
MITIGATING/NOT MITIGATING THE CODE ENFORCEMENT
LIENS RECORDED AGAINST PROPERTY ADDRESS 301 NW 25
STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, CASE NUMBERS CE2021010121,
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-24-0460
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Robert Santos-Alborna (Director, Code Compliance): RE.3 is the mitigation of a
property located at 301 Northwest 25th Street. Respondent is Bhena's Inc.
(Incorporated) Code Case CE20210010121. The violation are as follows: unlawfully
establishing a new use without prior approval, construction work performed without
permits, parking lot not in conforming to off-street parking requirements, failure to
register vacant lot, failure to maintain lot in clean, safe condition, graffiti, failure to
obtain certificate of use, and failure to obtain business tax receipt. The notice of
violation was issued on May, 20th, `21, adjudicated on October lath, 2021. A
violation was complied on September 13th, 2023, running for 705 days, accruing a
total of $705,000. Respondent is offering $52,500. I understand and as I met with
each of you, the input from the attorneys was that the tenant had leased the property
and ran all these issues without their knowledge, and I am going to yield to counsel so
he can elaborate.
Chair King: Good afternoon.
David Haber: Madam Chairwoman, Commissioners, David Haber of Haber Law, 251
Northwest 23rd Street, Miami. My client, Bhena Lail, is here with us. We had a bad
tenant, and the tenant was running a parking lot. My client was in Guyana at the time.
That's where she was living. She has other properties here in the city of Miami. She's
a good corporate citizen. She's owned this property since 2003, never had a violation
prior to this tenant. Many of the parade of horribles involved failing to maintain a
clean lot, graffiti. She was assured that the tenant was going to pull permits to run a
parking lot, get the proper approvals. The tenant lied to her. She finally was able to
throw the tenant out. In June of 2023, she took over the property and within three
months cleared all violations. So, we've offered this amount of money, which is a
City of Miami Page 48 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
significant amount of money, and she apologizes for the problems that have been
caused.
Vice Chair Carollo: Madam Chair, can you raise your cup so that we can see what it
says on it? Guyana.
Chair King: Starbucks is now in Guyana.
Vice Chair Carollo: Sir, do you have any proof that your tenant was from Guyana?
Mr. Haber: My client is from Guyana. She'll swear under oath if need be.
Chair King: So, everyone --
Vice Chair Carollo: Just wanted to make sure you didn't see her cup and --
Mr. Haber: I saw her cup.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- you were quick on your feet.
Mr. Haber: But the reality is --
Chair King: That is such a --
Mr. Haber: -- she was in Guyana at the time.
Chair King: That is such a -- that is such a coincidence. Everyone knows, I say it all
the time, I'm the first Guyanese woman to be elected to the City of Miami. I was horn
in Georgetown. And my parents immigrated to this country. I was educated in the U.S.
It is a coincidence that Starbucks is now in Guyana, and I have a Guyanese cup for
Starbucks. So, those of you who may think I have a conflict of interest, I do not. And
I'm very, proud to have been born in Guyana. Now, I do understand where you have
bad tenants. I, too, was a landlord of a business center, and the eviction process, and
not knowing our code department, our legislation, we are trying to address bad actors
where it falls on the landlord. So, I am agreeable to the offer. It is a substantial
aniount. It just falls a little shy of the required 10 percent that I usually go for. But
because of the tenant, and I believe staff made this recommendation and they believe
it's reasonable, both our assistant city attorney and the director of Code are nodding
their head. So, I want to say that's the record. So, thank you.
Vice Chair Carollo: What is the amount that they offered?
Chair King: It's fifty-two thousand --
Mr. Santos-Alborna: Thousand five hundred.
Chair King: $52,500.
Vice Chair Carollo: I'll make the motion.
Chair King: I have a motion --
Commissioner Gabela: Second.
Chair King: -- and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
City of Miami Page 49 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Chair King: Motion carries unanimously.
Mr. Haber: Thankyou so much.
Chair King: Thank you.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): As amended. And Chair, I'm sorry. Sir, could you
provide your name again for the record? My apologies.
Mr. Haber: David Haber, of Haber Law.
Mr. Hannon: Thankyou.
RE.4 RESOLUTION
16763
Department of
Code Compliance
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
MITIGATING/NOT MITIGATING THE CODE ENFORCEMENT
LIENS RECORDED AGAINST PROPERTY ADDRESS 2511
NORTHWEST 2 AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, CASE NUMBER
CE2017013154, 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-24-0461
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
Chair King: RE.4.
Robert Santos-Alborna (Director, Code Compliance): RE.4, Madam Chairwoman, is
a mitigation of a property located at 2511 Northwest 2nd Avenue. Respondent is CJL
Wvnwood,, LLC (Limited Liability Company), Case Number CE2017013154. The
violations in question are for construction work without permits, no certificate of use,
and no business tax receipt. Notice of violation issued on July 20th, 2017, adjudicated
on February 6, 2020. Affidavit of compliance issued on August 7, 2024. Violation ran
for 1,643 days, accruing a total of $410, 750. Respondent is offering $57,000, which is
just a smidgen below 14 percent.
Chair King: I will accept that offer. Do I have a motion?
Commissioner Gabela: Motion.
Commissioner Reyes: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
City of Miami Page 50 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Chair King: Motion carries. Thank you so much.
Steven Wernick: Thank you very much.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): As amended.
Chair King: As amended.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: Good seeing you, Counselor. Okay, fair enough.
RE.5 RESOLUTION
16764
Department of
Code Compliance
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
MITIGATING/NOT MITIGATING THE CODE ENFORCEMENT
LIENS RECORDED AGAINST PROPERTY ADDRESSES 1190
NORTHWEST 55 STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, CASE NUMBER
CE2017020365; 1180 NORTHWEST 55 STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA,
CASE NUMBER 00063496; 1170 NORTHWEST 55 STREET,
MIAMI, FLORIDA, CASE NUMBERS 00012538 AND 00063483;
AND 1176 NORTHWEST 55 STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, CASE
NUMBER 00063490, 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-24-0462
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
Chair King: RE.5.
Robert Santos-Alborna (Director, Code Compliance): RE.5.
Chair King: Is complicated.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: RE.5 is a bit complicated. It is five cases in four properties. The
Respondent is the Estate of Manuel Ismael, Case 1, 1190 Northwest 55th Street,
CE2017020364. The violations are for construction debris, and debris in the lots.
Madam Chairwoman, would you like me to read all the four cases into -- all the five
cases with the multiple lots into the record, or would you like me to put it collectively?
Individually?
Chair King: I believe that we should do it individually.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: We should.
Unidentified Speaker: Yes.
City of Miami Page 51 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Mr. Santos-Alhorna: Okay. So, I'll continue. This notice of violation was issued on
December 6, 2017, adjudicated on April 5, 2018. Complied -- the violation ran for
2,042 days, accruing a total of $510,500. I'm going to read through them all, and then
I'll provide my synopsis. Case Number 2; the property address is 1180 Northwest 55th
Street. The case number is 00063496. Violation is for failure to register lots. NOV
(Notice of violation) issued on September 12, 2023, adjudicated on January 4th, 2024.
Complied on September 25th, 2024. Violation ran for 260 days, accruing a total of
$65,000. Case 3, abutting property at 1170 Northwest 55th Street. Violation is for
failure to maintain lot. NOV issued on Mav 9th, 2022. I have a blank here.
Adjudicated on July 7th, 2022, complied on September 21st, 2024. Violation ran Jro
795 days. The total amount of the lien is $397,500. Case 4, the property is 1170
Northwest 55th Street. Case Number 00063483. Violation is for failure to register
lots. NOV issued on September 12, 2023, adjudicated on January 4, 2024. Violation
ran,* 261 days, accruing a total of $62,250. In Case Number 5, the property address
is 1176 Northwest 55th Street, Case Number 00063490. Violation is for failure to
register lot. NOV issued on September 12th, 2023, adjudicated on April 5th, 2024,
complied on September 9th, 2024, running for 245 days, accruing a total of $61,250.
Collectively, the fines are at $1, 096,500. I'm going to yield to counsel who will -- well,
I'm going to yield to Legal Division Chief Rachel Dooley.
Chair King.. Good afternoon.
Rachel Dooley (Assistant City Attorney, Supervisor): Good afternoon. Rachel Dooley,
Office of the City Attorney. When this case was filed, obviously, a quiet title action
was filed, and 1 started reviewing it. It was -- it sort of became like an onion that you
keep peeling, and all these layers keep coming across, as you may know, dealing with
estates. I contacted counsel; we spoke at length. I can honestly say that what I learned
through my own investigation, and it probably took me, knowing our system very well,
a good two to three days just of my time only to figure out what the violations were on
all of the different things. What ended up occurring was -- was the now owner's
brother passing away in 2018, I believe. There ended up being fight with the estate
with an ex-wife and a niece, and it didn't go well. Once somebody was able to become
the executor, which was the brother, they did attempt, of which, you know, we do have
evidence of that -- to the property appraiser to, in fact, please change the address
here so we can get notices. The owner now, the brother, is not somebody, who owns
land. He doesn't -- you know, he has a house. So, he's not used to this. These are four
consecutive empty lots that are sitting together. So, some violations were prior to the
death of the brother, and a couple of them were after the fact. You'll notice the couple
that were after the fact, ran for very short periods of time, maybe six months or nine
months, because once they got the address fixed, he was able to get the notice. Prior
to that, the notice was going to a, I believe, the deceased brother's wife or ex-wife or
something like that. So, she wasn't helping anybody with what was going on. And
that's basically the situation they found them in. So, they have a large amount of fines
that were running. Most of them are consistent, the failure to maintain. They also had
-- these are the per diems. There must have been 20 to 25 tickets pre-2018 that we
found that had to be paid. Mr. Hiller has worked very diligently and actually has paid
them all. And then, even after I spent three days myself going through a system I
understand, the director actually found two more, I believe, still tickets that still need
to be paid. Was there -- there wasn't another per diem, was there? No. Okay, just
making sure. And so, at that point, I called him, and he said, we will take care of those
tickets. But we're still here. So, they have already spent several -- more than a few
thousand dollars on tickets, because they were accruing interest since I believe some
2011, 2012. And so, I'll let them go forward with the offer. On two of the cases, which
are the older ones that date back to, I want to say prior to his ownership, they're
offering the $4,250, and there are the other cases, the three other cases where they're
offering $500 each. It is on the lower side, obviously, $10,000, sort of $10,000 up
against, you know, a million seems like a drop, but quite an extensive drop, but it is an
City of Miami Page 52 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
unusual situation to review with estates, which can be very difficult for family
members who try to take control of them after you have a death in the family. But I'll
yield to Mr. Hiller.
Chair King: Good afternoon.
Douglas Hiller: Good afternoon, Madam Chair, Commissioners. Yeah, this is one of
those, I guess we say here in Miami, (FOREIGN LANGUAGE). The first case that the
gentleman referred to was 2018. That was after the owner passed away. He was -- the
gentleman had diabetes. He was on dialysis in 2017, and he passed away on March
31st, 2018. So, I think they were having his funeral the day that first hearing took
place in April of 2018. Shortly after he passed, on April 17th of 2018, the estate was
opened, and a month later, an adversarial proceeding started in the probate matter.
And Mr. Ismael, Manuel's brother, and his personal representative has been involved
in that estate dispute since 2018, and it's still going on. I didn't have a chance to
discuss that with city attorney, but it's still been going on. Hundreds of thousands of
dollars have been dissipated from the estate because of infighting within the family, if
anyone's had any of those. So, that's where we are. As far as the fines, tickets that
have been paid to date, I have the receipts here. I'm sure you don't want to see them,
but we wired in $31, 000 to pay all those tickets that had to be taken care of before we
could appear at this hearing. And, you know, there were a lot of extenuating
circumstances. Like was said, the notices were being sent. Some notices, the first two
notices went to the ex-wife, who obviously wasn't assisting in the process. And the
other property she got in the divorce, the property was sold in 2016 to a third party.
We're assuming they probably threw out the notices. So, on those cases, no actual
notice was received by the estate. Mr. Ismael went to the property appraiser's office in
person to change the address, and they said, well, your brother needs to be here in
person to change the address. And he said, my brother can't be here in person, he's
deceased. And their response was, well, that's too bad. That's not the way it's
supposed to work. He went there with the court papers showing that he was appointed
the personal representative, had he been receiving notices of these violations, because
some of these were cured long ago, because he was doing his best to maintain. He's
not a sophisticated commercial property owner. He was doing his best to maintain
these properties. And he didn't know there was a violation. So, he didn't know to call
the inspector to come inspect and say, hey, I cleaned up. You know, there was --
because they're vacant lots, as what happens here in Miami often, third parties like to
dump their trash, dump their bulk waste, their construction trash on your property if
you don't have it concealed. So, you know, after the settlement, we're actually close to
a settlement. I'm not involved in the probate. I don't do probate, but they are close to a
settlement, and it's pending resolution of these matters here. Like I said, you know, a
million dollars in fines would basically wipe out the estate. I think you have enough
information. I don't want to belabor it. But that's why, after paying the $31,000, that's
why the offer was so low, because this has been a disaster.
Chair King: Thank you. Mr. Director, do you have anything else?
Mr. Santos-Alborna: I'll say that for quite some time now, the property has been well
maintained and well kept. So, we -- clearly that's our goal, right, to have compliance.
That's it.
Chair King: And I do understand the difficulties with probate. I have practiced
probate law, and I have -- I have firsthand knowledge of the infighting with the
families and how it could drag out. So, I'm inclined to accept the offer if I may get a
motion. I have a motion.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes.
City of Miami Page 53 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Commissioner Pardo: Second.
Chair King: And a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries. Thank you.
Mr. Hiller: Thank you --
Mr. Hannon: As amended.
Mr. Hiller: -- Madam Chair, Commissioners.
Chair King: As amended.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.
RE.6 RESOLUTION
16858
Department of
Code Compliance
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
MITIGATING/NOT MITIGATING THE CODE ENFORCEMENT
LIENS RECORDED AGAINST PROPERTY ADDRESS 3436
NORTH MIAMI AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, CASE NUMBER
CE2021022336, 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-24-0463
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Robert Santos-Alborna (Director, Code Compliance): RE.6 is a mitigation of a
property located 3436 North Miami Avenue. Case number CE2021022336. The notice
of violations are for operating without certificate of use and business tax receipt,
NOV (Notice of Violation), issued on October 27, 2021, adjudicated on December
8th, 2021. The violation ran for 760 days, accruing a total of $380, 000. Respondent is
offering $19,000.
Giacomo Bossa: Good afternoon. Giacomo Bossa from Barakat and Bossa. This is a
mixed -use building with four units. The tenant on whose door the notice was posted
called my client. They manage this property. They're first-time offenders. They
immediately solved the problem with the tenant, who was no longer operating the
business three days after. They did not realize that the notice dealt with all four units.
The other tenants were also operating a business that did not have a BTR (Business
Tax Receipt). And so, you'll see in the correspondence as of October 2023, they're
asking why is the violation still open. We had dealt with that back in the day. They
didn't realize it was a hearing. In fact, I believe that it was posted on the door of that
City of Miami Page 54 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
same tenant, and the tenant believed it was resolved and never called them to let them
know. This was during COVID time so it was a difficult situation for them to deal with
the matter and so they are here asking for mitigation. These are first-time offenders
and there really was confusion about the situation with the four units. They thought
they had solved the problem and weren't really aware that there was a problem that
was occurring.
Chair King: Madam City Attorney?
Rachel Dooley (Assistant City Attorney Supervisor): Just that -- don't have anything
to say to that. The $19,000 would be 5 percent of the $380,000. Just to let you know.
Chair King: Mr. Director?
Mr. Santos-Alborna: So, one of the things that I'm very proud of that -- this last
Tuesday, we effectively had the maiden voyage of the new mitigation schedule. This
will be 5 percent and I'm going to say on the record that at that body we would not
take anything less than 10 percent. So, I will reiterate that. It's up to the board, but I
think $19, 000 is rather low.
Chair King: And his argument about they thought the issue -- they didn't know that
the issue spread to the other three tenants is --
Mr. Santos-Alborna: So, let me say this, Madam Chairwoman, there's a lot of
challenges for code, and we have lots of areas that we need to improve, but one of
which that we do well is notice. We provide notice very well, certified and post the
properties. And I -- you know, I stand by all the cases that come forth because we
make sure the T's are crossed and I's are dotted. Service, we take that seriously. So,
when somebody says, oh, we didn't get it, I'll challenge that. Maybe you chose not to
read it, but service is -- absolutely happens.
Chair King: Well, he didn't say that they didn't get service. What he said was they
addressed the issue for the one unit, and they thought that the violation was for just
that one unit. And --
Ms. Dooley: I -- I don't think we can know what was in their mind. The notice itself
said that, you know, the businesses had issues. If they were confused that -- of course
that could happen. I mean, I wouldn't -- I don't think we would sit here and deny to
you that somebody could look at it and it could say the businesses all need to have
their CUs (Certificate of Use) and BTRs, and maybe they thought everybody else was
covered and just the one wasn't, so -- and I don't know that they even knew to contact
the inspector when they got the CU and the BTR, finally -- to finalize it. It wasn't until
later that they came back and said, oh, hey. we already did that. And then we're told
you have these other ones you needed to get as well. And then they completed it. So, if
back then at the time they had contacted, which, as you know, we've been here
enough, some people just don't realize that one hand of the City doesn't go and say,
oh, you had the violation, let me let Code know for you that that's done. So, that
confusion does happen.
Chair King: I think in that instance we can do a better job, because internally we
should have the ability, once it's cleared in one department, that it goes over to the
next. It's really unfair to the layperson to manage our system. I understand for the 10
percent -- so I'm going to ask you, sir, to go to 7percent. 7percent.
Mr. Bossa: Can I have a moment with my clients who are here present? Is that okay?
Chair King: Yes.
City of Miami Page 55 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Mr. Bossa: It'll be just a moment.
Chair King: Yes.
Mr. Bossa: Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.
Vice Chair Carollo: If that don't work, I'm going to ask for 10 percent, so.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: For the record, Madam Chair, that would be $26,600.
Chair King: Okay.
Mr. Bossa: Madam Chairwoman, my clients would accept 7 percent if that were the --
Chair King: May I have a motion?
Commissioner Gabela: Motion.
Vice Chair Carollo: Motion.
Chair King: 1 have --
Commissioner Pardo: Second.
Chair King: -- a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Thank you.
Vice Chair Carollo: Congratulations.
Mr. Bossa: Thank you.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): As amended.
Vice Chair Carollo: Good negotiator.
Chair King: As amended. Thank you, but I would like to stress with staff I do think
that is unfair. If you clear your violation and you think it's cleared, but you don't know
that you have to go to another department, internally, we should be able to come up
with a mechanism that will trigger the next department. We should be able to
communicate with our departments. And we have a department that comes up with
apps, and -- or we can have someone come and do it for us, but we should be able to -
- this was fixed here; therefore, it clears it here, be able to speak. Mr. Manager, let's
start to work on that, because a lot of the mitigations that come before us, I have seen
where they cleared the violations and wasn't aware that they had to take an additional
step to contact another City department. I just don't think that's fair.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: So, Madam Chairwoman, Mr. Manager, if may, we're actually
working on that with Building and having a mirror, cross-referencing one another's
departments, and that's a work in progress. We're working with IT (Innovation and
Technology) and the Building Department on that.
Chair King: Good job.
City of Miami Page 56 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Mr. Santos-Alborna: Okay.
Chair King: Okay.
RE.7 RESOLUTION
16877
Department of
Code Compliance
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
MITIGATING/NOT MITIGATING THE CODE ENFORCEMENT LIEN
RECORDED AGAINST PROPERTY ADDRESS 1877 SOUTHWEST
7 STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, CASE NUMBER CE2018006612,
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-24-0464
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Chair King: We are on RE (Resolution) --
Robert Santos-Alborna (Director, Code Compliance): RE.7.
Chair King: -- 7.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: RE.7. The property address is 1877 Southwest 7th Street.
Respondent is VQ Everglades Homes LLC (Limited Liability Company). The violation
is CE2018006612. The violations in questions [sic] are for obstruction and blockage
of public right of way and parking and storage of inoperable vehicles. Notice of
violation was issued on April 5th, 2018, adjudicated on April 4th, 2019, a year later,
complied on April 4th, 2024. Violation ran for 1,826 days, accruing a total of
$456,500. I understand the offer from respondent is $17,500. And also, before I yield
to Rachel, I believe the violation was corrected by way of demolition. So --
Chair King: This is District 3.
Commissioner Gabela: This is me.
Rachel Dooley (Assistant City Attorney Supervisor): Yes.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: Yes.
Chair King: This is --
Commissioner Gabela: This is 3?
Chair King: This is District --
Commissioner Gabela: 3 or I?
City of Miami Page 57 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Chair King: -- 3. This is District 3.
Ms. Dooley: District 3.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: It's 3.
Ms. Dooley: Yes, they --
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes, it still -- it still is. What's the amount of the lien that they
owe us?
Ms. Dooley: So, it was actually complied January 20th of 2023, when the structure
was demolished, and that permit was finalized. So, it wasn't called in until April 4th,
but it's -- actually was for 386 days, which brought it to $346,500. Of that, they're
offering $17,500.
George Wysong (City Attorney): It was 1,386 days. You said 386 days, it's 1,386
days.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: 1,386 days --
Ms. Dooley: Oh, sorry, 1,000 -- it got cut off on my -- sorry.
Vice Chair Carollo: 1,300 --
Mr. Santos-Alborna: So, let me say this, Mr. Vice Chair, and I haven't had the
opportunity to meet with counsel, not in this case. But I think of importance is this
property had lots of issues. We have lots of complaints. In addition to this, we have 15
other cases. And so, since this was already adjudicated, we don't open a new case for
the same violation, but it clearly was a challenge. So, as the Legal Division Chief
said, you know, with the corrected amount, it's $346,500, and they're offering
$17, 500, which is 5 percent. I could not recommend that.
Vice Chair Carollo: I accept your recommendation. What are some of the violations
that they have?
Mr. Santos-Alborna: I'm sorry, sir?
Vice Chair Carollo: Some of the violations that they have.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: So, this one specifically was for obstruction and blockage of the
public right-of-way and parking and storage of inoperable vehicles. That's what this
one is ,for.
Vice Chair Carollo: It's a rental property then I gather.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: I'm sorry?
Vice Chair Carollo: It was a rental property.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: Yes.
Sebastian Jaramillo: Correct. Multifamily.
Vice Chair Carollo: Obstruction of right-of:way.
City of Miami Page 58 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Mr. Santos-Alhorna: Obstruction -- they were probably blocking the sidewalk. That's
what that is. And then parking and storage of inoperable vehicles. Would you like to
hear from --
Vice Chair Carollo: Any -- anything else that they had?
Ms. Dooley: They had -- the structure was an unsafe structure case. And so, it ended
up being demolished to take care of the unsafe structure violation. It wasn't worth
repairing it versus what would have to happen. So, it was a rundown property. I
believe on this one the owner took a long time to remove the tenants from it. They
were pretty adamant about staying. And so, some of them had vehicles without tags
that weren't working, and that's what was all over the property. So, this particular
case, the code case dealt with that issue. There was an on the side an unsafe structure
case, but the structure ended up being demolished.
Mr. Jaramillo: Good afternoon, Sebastian Jaramillo on behalf of the property owner.
My client bought this property in 2016 with the hopes of fixing it, with hopes of
improving it. Shortly thereafter, it became an unsafe structure, so -- and he had to
deal with the tenants who essentially created the violation for which we're here today.
During this time, my client realized that he wasn't going to be able to fix it because
the structural issues were significant. He tried as much as he could, but eventually the
property was demolished. He didn't object to it. He didn't, you know, put any fights.
So right now, we're truing to clear it up. It's a vacant lot. It's right behind -- this is
18th and 7th Street, so, you know, right behind 8th Street off of 17th Avenue. And
that's why our offer is 5 percent. The violation here was caused essentially by tenants
leaving abandoned vehicles and evicting all the tenants took a significant amount of
time.
Vice Chair Carollo: Who -- which are the businesses in front of -- in back of them in.
8th Street? See ifI can picture where it's at.
Mr. Jaramillo: It's just El Rey de las Fritas.
Vice Chair Carollo: Which one?
Mr. Jaramillo: El Rey de las Fritas.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Mr. Jaramillo: So, that's the -- then Presidente and this is on the other side of
Presidente.
Commissioner Gabela: Sony, can I interject for a minute here? I'm sorry, Carollo,
just real quick.
Vice Chair Carollo: Go ahead.
Commissioner Gabela: 1877 Southwest 7th Street. Is that correct? Because I had a
typo.
Mr. Jaramillo: Correct, 7th Street.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay, thank you.
Mr. Jaramillo: So, right now, it's a vacant lot. Eventually it ill be improved.
Vice Chair Carollo: Southwest.
City of Miami
Page 59 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, no, no, no. Southwest.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, I --
Vice Chair Carollo: Does your client own any other properties in the city of Miami?
Mr. Jaramillo: He does.
Vice Chair Carollo: How many more?
Mr. Jaramillo: A couple. I don't have an exact number.
Vice Chair Carollo: Have you found out if he's got problems in others?
Mr. Santos-Alborna: Sir, the respondent VQ Everglades has been before this body
before several times. I can't tell you right now if this is the third or fourth case that
this respondent., we've presented for you. So, the answer is yes, they own other
properties.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, I'm definitely not going with 5 percent. But now that you've
told me that he's been a violator in other cases, this is exactly what I've been talking
about before. It's one thing when you deal with someone that is first time, comparing
to someone that has been buying properties, then this has been going on.
Mr. Jaramillo: If I may --
Mr. Santos-Alborna: Now mind you, Vice Chair, one of the things that we've done is
paid attention specifically to recurring and repeat violations. This case before you is
a 2018 case. So that's why it doesn't have a repeat or recurring. Otherwise, if it was
happening -- would happen today, it would, and it would be a much higher per diem.
Vice Chair Carollo: This is a repeat in this case, and he's got a history of this.
Mr. Jaramillo: If I may, Commissioner Carollo, since I've been working with my
client, I've been working a lot with Rachel at the City of Miami's Office, and I've been
-- we've been clearing off all the issues with all the properties. I mean, this is one of
the last ones, but my client's been paying all his fines and essentially assuming
responsibility for the issues with the properties. But since then, we've essentially been
able to clear a number of issues with his properties.
Ms. Dooley: That -- Rachel Dooley on behalf of the Office of the City Attorney. That
is correct. When I started, so I guess almost -- almost ten years ago at the City, I -- I
did get to know not his client but then name of the company just because it had a lot of
things. He wasn 't really paying attention to it. However, in the last I want to say three
to four years, that is correct. He has been working extremely hard. I believe his son is
an engineer or an architect. They have been fixing everything up. They've been paying
all their fines, bringing all the properties into compliance. I can't say that for the most
part, but that part's been very good. So, it started on a very bad track record, and they
have certainly moved to try to have a better track record and to do everything that
needs to be done with their unsafe structures, getting back, getting the plans in,
getting those things reviewed. But he does have multiple properties in the city that did
have issues. And like I said, I think we're -- this is the tail end. But, yes, the owner has
other companies that have had other properties that have had violations. That's true.
City of Miami
Page 60 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Vice Chair Carollo: Well --
Ms. Dooley: But he's done better recently, there's no doubt. And with the assistance of
his attorney, he has improved greatly.
Commissioner Reyes: 1,826 days, that's almost 5 years. That's a long time.
Vice Chair Carollo: Rachel, I'll take your last statement to be good for 5 percent less
than what I was thinking about, but I'm not going to go less than 20 percent. This is a
habitual offender. It's, you know, it's numerous years that this went on for --
Mr. Jaramillo: The problem with this type of violation is it's difficult to comply with
because the minute you remove vehicles, the tenants keep leaving more abandoned
vehicles. So even if you try to cure it, and with due respect, Commissioner Reyes, I
heard your comments, it is a long amount of time, but it's a violation that is very hard
to resolve.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
Mr. Jaramillo: The minute you remove one, there's another vehicle that shows up, so
you try to cure it and just kind of --
Commissioner Reyes: Sir, I used to live around there. You see, I grew up in that
neighborhood, and 1 still have friends and families and all that. 1 know the area like
the back of my hand. And that has been going on for a while, you see, I know the
building. 1 can tell you exactly where it was, and it was before I even came to work at
the City of Miami when I was a kid. It was always a mess. That's it.
Mr. Jaramillo: I hear you.
Vice Chair Carollo: This is the empty lot across the street from the Presidente
parking lot, right?
Mr. Jaramillo: Correct, on the back, yeah.
Commissioner Reyes: Now it's empty.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, now it's empty. I'm not going to go lower than 20 percent
of this, but it's up to the body. That area I'm very familiar with. I saw what was going
on there through the past years. Frankly, it was hurting the neighborhood. Yeah, now
it's a clear lot, but for the years that it wasn't clear. And then other properties that he
had problems with. Frankly, I think you're getting off pretty good here.
Mr. Jaramillo: I understand. I would like to propose a 15 percent.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, you certainly could propose that. I could propose 22
percent. I was going to go with 25, but Rachel saved you 5.
Chair King: Do I have a motion?
Vice Chair Carollo: It's a motion.
Commissioner Reyes: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
City of Miami
Page 61 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Chair King: Motion carries.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: And for the record, that amount --
Chair King: As amended.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: -- will be $69,300. That is 20 percent of the $346,500. $69,300.
RE.8 RESOLUTION
16882
Department of
Code Compliance
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
MITIGATING/NOT MITIGATING THE CODE ENFORCEMENT
LIENS RECORDED AGAINST PROPERTY ADDRESS 182
NORTHWEST 34 STREET MIAMI, FLORIDA, CASE NUMBER
00039683 AND PROPERTY ADDRESS 3327 NORTHWEST 2
AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, CASE NUMBER 00039685, 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-24-0465
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Chair King: RE (Resolution) -- RE.8, another mitigation.
Robert Santos-Alborna (Director, Code Compliance): Madam Chairwoman, last
mitigation. RE.8 is -- there's two properties, same respondent. Respondent is Wyn
Park North LLC (Limited Liability Company). There are two properties. First
property is 182 Northwest 34th Street. Case Number 00039683. Violation is for
construction work without permit and failure to maintain lot. NOV (Notice of
violation) was issued on February 22nd, 2023, adjudicated on May 4th, 2023,
complied on April llth, 2024. Violation ran for 342 days, accruing a total of $85,500.
The second property is 3327 Northwest 2nd Avenue. Case Number is 00039685.
Violation is for construction work without permits. NOV issued on February 22nd,
2023, adjudicated on May 4th, 2023, complied on April 22nd, 2024. Violation ran for
342 days. Collectively, both violations have accrued a total of $256,500. I understand
the respondent has increased the offer or their offer to $12,500. That's 5 percent.
Jorge Guttman: I'm sorry.
Chair King: Which district is this?
Mr. Santos-Alborna: So originally in my notes it said 1, but it's 5.
Chair King: Me again.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: Yes, Madam Chairwoman.
City of Miami
Page 62 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Chair King: Okay.
Rachel Dooley (Assistant City Attorney, Supervisor): Good afternoon, Rachel Dooley,
on behalf of the Office of the City Attorney. The offer is $6,250 per case. Is that
correct for each case?
Mr. Guttman: That is correct. Good afternoon.
Chair King: Good afternoon.
Mr. Guttman: Jorge Guttman from Gunster, 600 Brickell Avenue, Suite 3500. I do
believe that Mr. Santos-Alborna got the amount of the collective fines incorrect. It's
not $256, 000, but $156,000, collectively.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: No. It's -- I'm going to add them up. The collective amount is
$256, 000.
Mr. Guttman: I apologize. It is $256, 000.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: Yes.
Mr. Guttman: Sorry.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: Yep.
Mr. Guttman: Yes. Madam Chairwoman, distinguished Commissioners, this client is
part of a group of companies that have 11 projects going on right now within
Wynwood Norte. These people are transforming the neighborhood for the better.
They're doing cutting -edge work which will result in 1,400 new housing units, 400 of
which are going to be workforce units. What the violations are for are for demolition
without a permit. And admittedly, while they were -- these structures were demolished
without a permit at the time, there were -- it was done so for two reasons. Number
one, there was life safety issues. These were unsafe structures that had squatters and
hoodlums in them, and they had to act quickly. They had to remove them. This was at
a great cost to them. And at the same time, given the amount of work going on, you
had multiple contractors doing work. So, you have a situation where one hand was
not talking to the other. Madam Chairwoman.
Chair King: Sir, I see our Assistant City Attorney shaking her head no, and I see some
folks from Wynwood shaking their head no.
Ms. Dooley: No, I was just going to say -- sorry --I don't know about shaking my head
no. Rachel Dooley on behalf of the Office of the City Attorney. Yes, it was a very
dangerous situation. They were actually demolishing the structures without permits.
They didn't have the proper security there. The City wasn't aware of it. They hadn't --
it's just not a good situation. You understand with squatters -- I think we all can
understand those things. And somebody, you know, obviously got a little too gung-ho
and started doing things they shouldn't have done. So, that's why they were cited. I'm
not -- don't believe they had unsafe structure cases at the time, but they were -- they
were squatter properties. But, yes, they were cited because they actually started to
demolish these buildings without permits, which is a very dangerous situation.
Chair King: And this $12,500 represents what percent?
Mr. Santos-Alborna: I had it here, and it's 5 percent, 4.9 percent.
City of Miami
Page 63 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Vice Chair Carollo: Not even 5.
Mr. Guttman: Madam Chairwoman, I see the look that you're giving me, but if we
were going under the new ordinance, we would be entitled to mitigate down to
$15,000 on this issue. Now, I want to remind the Commission that the --
Mr. Dooley: It would be $15,000 each case.
Chair King: Sir, you are not helping yourself.
Mr. Dooley: At a minimum.
Chair King: Each case -- you're not giving me any space. You just said under the new
ordinance it would be $15,000, but it's $15,000 per case. That would be $30,000.
You're not helping yourself And that is a serious violation. You can't just go and
demolish property without a permit. You just --
Mr. Santos-Alborna: Madam Chairwoman, also, in their defense, so let me also --
again, very pleased with the -- that we have the new ordinance in place. If we were to
treat it as a vacant lot, aside from the fact that they started the demolition without
permit, but if it was treated as a vacant lot, it would be $7,500 per each of the
violations, that would be $15,000. At a minimum. At a minimum.
Chair King: I'll take $15,000. 1 think that would be fair under the circumstances, Mr.
Director? Full.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: 15,000, 7,500, I think that is extremely fair.
Mr. Guttman: That's fine. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. May I have a motion?
Commissioner Reyes: Move it.
Vice Chair Carollo: Move.
Chair King: Second.
Vice Chair Carollo: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries as amended.
Mr. Santos-Alborna: Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.
Mr. Guttman: Thank you. Have a good day.
City of Miami
Page 64 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
RE.9
16684
Department of Fire -
Rescue
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), PURSUANT TO SECTION 18-111 OF THE
CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY
CODE"), RATIFYING, CONFIRMING, AND APPROVING THE
PURCHASE OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL TRANSPORT BILLING
AND COLLECTION SERVICES ("EMT BILLING SERVICES") ON AN
AS -NEEDED BASIS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF FIRE -RESCUE
("FIRE -RESCUE"), ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, THROUGH
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA ("MIAMI BEACH")
COMPETITIVELY SOLICITED CONTRACT NO. RFP-2023-015-ND
FOR EMT BILLING SERVICES WITH DIGITECH EMS BILLING,
LLC ("DIGITECH"); FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL
DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS,
AND EXTENSIONS, SUBJECT TO ALL ALLOCATIONS,
APPROPRIATIONS, PRIOR BUDGETARY APPROVALS, AND
COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THE
CITY CODE, INCLUDING THE CITY PROCUREMENT
ORDINANCE, ANTI -DEFICIENCY ACT, AND FINANCIAL
INTEGRITY PRINCIPLES, ALL AS SET FORTH IN CHAPTER 18
OF THE CITY CODE, IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE
LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS, AS MAY BE DEEMED
NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0466
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 Number RE.9, please see Item
Number RE.1.
City of Miami
Page 65 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
RE.10
16879
Department of
Finance
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND
EXECUTE AN AMENDMENT TO THAT CERTAIN INTERLOCAL
AGENCY AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY"),
SOUTH FLORIDA REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
("SFRTA"), AND THE SOUTHEAST/OVERTOWN PARK WEST
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("SEOPW CRA")
DATED NOVEMBER 8, 2016, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE
CITY ATTORNEY, FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TRI-RAIL
DOWNTOWN MIAMI LINK PROJECT; FURTHER AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND
ALL OTHER NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, MODIFICATIONS, AND
AMENDMENTS, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0467
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 Number RE.10, please see Item
Number RE.1.
RE.11 RESOLUTION
16636
Office of
Management and
Budget
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING APPROPRIATIONS RELATING TO
OPERATIONAL AND BUDGETARY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2024.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0468
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 minutes referencing Item Number RE.11, please see
"Public Comments on all Item(s) " and Item Number RE.1.
City of Miami
Page 66 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
RE.12 RESOLUTION
16875
Office of
Management and
Budget
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING, AUTHORIZING, AND DIRECTING
THE CITY MANAGER TO UNDERTAKE THIS AMENDMENT IN
ORDER TO ADD TO AND TO REVISE CAPITAL PROJECTS IN
THE CITY OF MIAMI'S ("CITY") FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 MULTI-
YEAR CAPITAL PLAN ADOPTED ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2024,
PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. R-24-0328 ("ADOPTED
CAPITAL PLAN"), AS SUBSEQUENTLY AMENDED, AND TO
APPROPRIATE FUNDING FOR ADDED PROJECTS IN
ACCORDANCE WITH EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED; RATIFYING, APPROVING, AND CONFIRMING
CERTAIN NECESSARY ACTIONS BY THE CITY MANAGER AND
DESIGNATED CITY OFFICIALS AND DEPARTMENTS IN ORDER
TO UPDATE THE RELEVANT FINANCIAL CONTROLS AND
COMPUTER SYSTEMS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH FOR
ONGOING CAPITAL PROJECTS, PROJECT CLOSE-OUTS, AND
FOR GRANTS AND OTHER FUNDING SOURCES IN PROGRESS
IN CONNECTION HEREWITH; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0469
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 Number RE.12, please see Item
Number RE.1.
City of Miami
Page 67 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
RE.13
16937
Commissioners
and Mayor
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A REVOCABLE LICENSE
AGREEMENT ("AGREEMENT"), IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO
THE CITY ATTORNEY, BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY")
AND A BETTER ME LEARNING CORP., A FLORIDA NOT -FOR -
PROFIT CORPORATION ("USER"), WHEREBY THE CITY GRANTS
USER TEMPORARY ACCESS RIGHTS TO USE THE CITY -
OWNED LOTS LOCATED AT 6201 NORTHWEST 17 AVENUE,
MIAMI, FLORIDA 33147 AND THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1199
NORTHWEST 62 STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, 33150
(COLLECTIVELY, "PROPERTIES"), FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF
HOSTING THE SOFLO LIBERTY CITY YOUTH ARTS FAIR
("EVENT"), WITH TERMS AND CONDITIONS AS SET FORTH IN
THE AGREEMENT; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY
DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
AMENDMENTS AND MODIFICATIONS TO SAID AGREEMENT,
ALL IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0470
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 Number RE.14, please see Item
Number RE.1.
City of Miami
Page 68 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
RE.14 RESOLUTION
16859
Office of Grants
Administration
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
PARTNER WITH MIAMI-DADE COUNTY ("COUNTY") AS A CO -
GRANTEE FOR THE APPLICATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF
GRANT FUNDS FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT ("HUD") FOR THE
CHOICE NEIGHBORHOODS IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
PROGRAM IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED THIRTY-NINE
MILLION NINE HUNDRED SIXTY-EIGHT THOUSAND FOUR
HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR DOLLARS ($39,968,424.00)
("GRANT"), TO BE AWARDED TO THE COUNTY AS LEAD
GRANTEE, FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A
TRANSFORMATION PLAN IN THE OVERTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD
OF THE CITY, FOR THE PERIOD BEGINNING JULY 17, 2024 AND
ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2032; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE AN
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY, THE COUNTY, AND HUD
FOR THE ACCEPTANCE AND ALLOCATION OF THE GRANT,
INCLUDING ANY AND ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS,
AMENDMENTS, EXTENSIONS, AND MODIFICATIONS, ALL IN
FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR THE
PURPOSE STATED HEREIN, SUBJECT TO ALL FEDERAL,
STATE, AND LOCAL LAWS THAT REGULATE THE USE OF SUCH
FUNDS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0471
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 minutes referencing Item Number RE.14, please see Item
Number RE.1.
City of Miami
Page 69 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
RE.15
16860
Commissioners
and Mayor
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
SUSPENDING THE UPFRONT PAYMENT OF LEGAL FEES FOR
ELECTED OFFICIALS IN CERTAIN CASES; PROVIDING FOR A
REVIEW OF FUTURE CASES INVOLVING ELECTED OFFICIALS
THAT REQUIRE OUTSIDE COUNSEL DUE TO CONFLICTS OF
INTEREST; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Continue
RESULT: CONTINUED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: Item RE.15 was continued to the December 12, 2024, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number RE.15, please see
"Order of the Day."
City of Miami
Page 70 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
RE.16
16870
Commissioners
and Mayor
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE ASSIGNMENT AND
ASSUMPTION OF A FORGIVABLE LOAN IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO
EXCEED TWO MILLION AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($2,000,000.00) IN
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021 ("ARPA") FUNDS
("ARPA LOAN") ORIGINALLY WITH CASA VALENTINA, INC.
("ORIGINAL DEVELOPER"), A FLORIDA NON -FOR -PROFIT
ORGANIZATION, TO DFI MUNDY, LLC, A FLORIDA LIMITED
LIABILITY COMPANY ("DFI MUNDY"), TO DEVELOP TWO (2)
FOUR-PLEXES ON THE PARCELS DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "C,"
ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, ON WHICH DFI MUNDY WILL
CAUSE TO BE CONSTRUCTED A NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING
DEVELOPMENT TO BE KNOWN AS "DFI MUNDY AFFORDABLE
HOUSING" ("NEW PROJECT") THAT WILL CONTAIN NO FEWER
THAN EIGHT (8) CITY -ASSISTED RESIDENTIAL RENTAL UNITS
FOR ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS WITH ANNUAL INCOME EQUAL TO
OR LESS THAN EIGHTY PERCENT (80%) OF AREA MEDIAN
INCOME AS PUBLISHED ANNUALLY BY THE UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
("AMI"), AS FURTHER DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "B," PROVIDED
THAT DFI MUNDY FULFILLS ANY AND ALL TERMS AND
CONDITIONS SET FORTH HEREIN, IN THE CITY OF MIAMI
("CITY") HOUSING AND COMMERCIAL LOAN COMMITTEE
APPROVAL ("HCLC APPROVAL"), THE CITY'S ARPA
CONSULTANT APPROVAL ("CONSULTANT APPROVAL"), AND
COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE OF
FLORIDA, LOCAL, AND CITY LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS
FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS ("LAWS"); FURTHER
AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO RE-
ALLOCATE EXISTING FUNDING IN THE FORM OF A LOAN
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO
EXCEED TWO MILLION AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($2,000,000.00) IN
ARPA FUNDS FOR THE NEW PROJECT; FURTHER
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND
EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS,
INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, AMENDMENTS,
EXTENSIONS, AND MODIFICATIONS, ALL IN FORMS
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY; PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0472
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
NAYS: Carollo
Chair King: That shall conclude the resolutions. We are now -- oh, no, I'm sorry. We
have RE.20 and RE.21.
Commissioner Pardo: And 16 as well.
Chair King: And 16? Did I miss 16?
City of Miami
Page 71 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Vice Chair Carollo: That's correct.
Chair King: I did miss 16. I'm sorry. RE.16, for discussion.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes. 16, you're moving $2 million that had been allocated to
Casa Valentina, Inc. to another firm. Is this still the same people with Casa Valentina
involved in doing this project or --?
Commissioner Pardo: To my understanding it is not, but I'd like the City Manager
and Community Development to respond.
Victor Turner (Director, Housing and Community Development): Good afternoon,
Commissioners. Yes, the new developer is DFI Mundy, and they will be assuming the
loan to develop property there.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, well, I don't understand what happened. We gave it to
Casa Valentina. There was such an applause. The pillars of the community were here.
Everybody was Barneying, you know, I love you, you love me, we're a happy family.
And all of a sudden, boom, I see the rug is pulled from under Casa Valentina and we
get Moody [sic] in here. What gives? Explain to me, please.
Mr. Turner: Yeah, Casa Valentina contacted us and said they would not be able to
move forward with the project. There was a discussion between them and DFI Mundy,
and then we had the Housing and Commercial Loan Committee review the project
and -- for the assumption of the loan.
Vice Chair Carollo: This is not a switch and bait, is it?
Mr. Turner: Sir?
Vice Chair Carollo: This is not a switch and bait?
Mr. Turner: No, sir.
Vice Chair Carollo: Now, who is this Moody [sic] Development Corporation and
what guarantees do we have? First of all, what is their experience? What is their
background?
Mr. Turner: Yeah, they developed over --
Vice Chair Carollo: What guarantees do we have that they're going to accomplish
this?
Mr. Turner: Yeah, they developed over 200 properties, and we have the developer
here if they want to
Vice Chair Carollo: 200 properties where?
Amanda De Seta: Hello, my name is Amanda De Seta. Hello, Commissioner Carollo.
How are you? Hello, other commissioners. DFI Mundy is a special purpose LLC
(Limited Liability Company) that is formed to help the City and Casa Valentina write
the steering on this project. When Casa Valentina originally contemplated their
project, they thought that they were going to be able to assemble land on Mundy
Street in order to build 50 units to help their cause. Unfortunately, that assemblage
was not possible. They were not able to move the project forward. And so, between
our relationship with Casa Valentina and also the City of Miami, we were able to
City of Miami
Page 72 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
restructure this deal in order to deliver eight 1,320 square foot affordable units. DFI
Mundy is owned by Dragonfly Investments. Dragonfly Investments owns over 500
million square feet of commercial and industrial real estate up and down the Eastern
Seaboard, has developed over 200 affordable units throughout the state of Florida,
and continues to actively grow. I'm currently overseeing a 400,000 square foot
industrial park build in Port St. Lucie. We are also the development partner for
Greater St. Paul. We have 197 units in site plan approval. We are also building
various commercial retail centers. We are well positioned and excited to deliver this
project to Mundy Street. We received Loan Committee approval and also unanimous
approval the last time 1 was in Commission for this project.
Commissioner Reyes: May 1 ask a question?
Vice Chair Carollo: Can I --? Just give me a little bit more time. Then you can come
in and I'll come back.
Commissioner Reyes: No, no, no, because I have my questions.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah. What type of work have you done in the city of Miami?
Ms. De Seta: Dragonfly or me personally?
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, Mundy, Dragonfly, whoever.
Ms. De Seta: Okay. So, in the city of Miami we have developed various real estate
assets, many in the MiMo (Miami Modern) District. We have the Stardust Hotel, we
have the River Inn. We are working with the City of Miami right now with Greater St.
Paul to adaptively renovate 10 of their units that are offline for affordable housing.
Vice Chair Carollo: Who?
Ms. De Seta: Greater St. Paul AME (African Methodist Episcopal) Church.
Personally, I have worked in Miami since 2010, have built or repositioned over 50
different types of real estate assets. We are well capitalized and well experienced.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, I've heard a lot of experience on the commercial side, but
very little on the residential affordable side. Now, in this part of Miami, how much do
you anticipate that each unit is going to cost you to build?
Ms. De Seta: Our all -in project budget is $2.2 million. We are using some incredibly
interesting building practices in order to keep our costs down.
Vice Chair Carollo: Your whole budget is 2.2?
Ms. De Seta: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: What is the total of the units that we're building here?
Ms. De Seta: Eight.
Vice Chair Carollo: Eight. No more than eight. Just eight.
Ms. De Seta: Eight. They are T -- they're T4 lots, so I can only do four units on each.
I will point out that on 3173 Mundy is a little bit more of a challenging building site
because there is a coral rock house. So, we will not be able to demolish that coral
rock house. We will adaptively reuse it, have it become the lobby for the. four units
behind.
City of Miami
Page 73 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, so your cost to build there is how much again, two million
what?
Ms. De Seta: Two two.
Vice Chair Carollo: Two two. That's your total cost?
Ms. De Seta: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: And that comes to a little more than (UNINTELLIGIBLE)? It
comes to not quite 280, excuse me, 265 a unit. No more than that. 275 more or less a
unit in cost. And you believe you could -- what size are these going to be?
Ms. De Seta: About 1,320 square feet each.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Ms. De Seta: 3173 Mundy may end up being unfortunately a little smaller because of
where the coral rock house sits, and I have to sit everything hack.
Vice Chair Carollo: You could certainly build for that, that amount even in today's
market. But what 1 don't understand is, we're giving you basically enough to build all
eight affordable houses.
Ms. De Seta: I'm sorry, I didn't hear you.
Vice Chair Carollo: We're giving you enough to build all eight affordable houses.
You 're only putting in out of pocket about 200, 000.
Ms. De Seta: No, sir. Casa Valentina used almost 1.1 million in acquiring these two
lots. There's about --
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, I was going to get there, yeah.
Ms. De Seta: -- 900,000 left in the ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) bucket. And
then we will be putting in equity and also using Intercredit Bank to finance the rest of
the project.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, so let's start from scratch, make sure I understand the
numbers. Out of the 2 million we gave already, there's only about 900,000 left. So,
actually, Casa Valentina used 1.1, I think 1 heard, to buy the lots.
Ms. De Seta: Mm-hmm.
Vice Chair Carollo: How big are these lots?
Ms. De Seta: About 5,000.
Vice Chair Carollo: About 7,500 in that area, you think?
Ms. De Seta: 5,300, I want to say.
Vice Chair Carollo: Huh?
Ms. De Seta: About 5,300, I want to say.
City of Miami
Page 74 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Vice Chair Carollo: Each?
Ms. De Seta: Yeah. They're not contiguous.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, so they're smaller than I anticipated. In Coconut Grove,
you know, 1.1 for both of them in that part of the Grove might be all right in today's
cost. In fact, it might even be low for 1.1. You got $900,000 left. So, what happens if
we don 't approve this transfer to you? Do we get the lots back or not or --?
Ms. De Seta: I believe that would be a legal question, but 1 believe the City would be
in the position of having to foreclose on a non-profit and would then owe the monies
back to the federal treasury?
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, is that correct, Mr. City Attorney, or not? Not if we move
ahead and build it ourselves.
George Wysong (City Attorney): That is correct. Yeah, that is essentially correct.
Unless we could find another person --
Mr. Turner: Correct.
Mr. Wysong: -- to step in like we did here.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Ms. De Seta: But also, we have an issue of time because 1 believe that the clock runs
out on the ARPA funding on December 31st of this year.
Vice Chair Carollo: And you're going to finish all that by December 31 st of this year?
Ms. De Seta: I need to finish the contracts.
Vice Chair Carollo: Huh?
Ms. De Seta: The contract -- I need to be in contract by December 31st of this year in
order for the City to be in a protected position. Then, according to the CARES
(Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act, I have until the end of 2026 to
have all of the funds dispersed.
Commissioner Gabela: I --
Vice Chair Carollo: What do you anticipate in selling these units for?
Ms. De Seta: We will not be selling them. We'll be renting them at a blended 80
percent AMI (Area Median Income). Dragonfly is not a merchant builder. We buy and
we hold, and we hold, and we hold for generations.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Ms. De Seta: So, the sales exit is not something that we are contemplating.
Commissioner Reyes: May I?
Vice Chair Carollo: I'll give it to you now.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay. This is quite interesting because I was one of the
supporters of Casa Valentina. I visited them and I spent some time with them. And my
City of Miami
Page 75 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
understanding that those buildings, that Casa Valentina was going to build to
maintain their -- the operations that they had, that they accept people that are -- they
are in need, particularly young people, and they provide them with housing and
everything they need, and they go to school, and they start working, and all of that, I
mean, to try to guide them and go back to the society. And now, this is a different --
that was the reason that those funds were allocated to Casa Valentina. But now you
come with a different project, and your project, it is affordable. In Casa Valentina, the
affordability for Casa Valentina is totally different than yours, you see? Because when
you say -- when you claim that this is going to be 80 percent blended, I don't know
what you mean by blended.
Ms. De Seta: Okay.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay. 80 percent blended; it is -- let me do a rough calculation
here. You see, you'll be able to -- (FOREIGN LANGUAGE). It is about $80,000 AMI.
And at 80 percent it's $64,000 that you can rent this. (FOREIGN LANGUAGE). You
can rent this ahnost at market rate. I mean, the rent is going to be -- that's right. No,
that's right. I mean, the rent is going to be almost (UNINTELLIGIBLE). The AMI now
is close to $80,000 dollars, you see? $80,000 and 80 is 64,000. 30 percent of that is
(FOREIGN LANGUAGE). You can charge $19,000 dollars a year, okay? $19,000 a
year, it is -- you divide by 12, and the rent, it is a little bit over what Casa Valentina
was charging, you see? 1t is a totally different operation. And I don't know --
personally, 1 don't know if we should do that because these funds were allocated for
an operation that is totally different than the ones that you 're going to have unless
you lower the AMI to 60, maybe 40. But that was what Casa Valentina was working
with because if not, what we're doing is now we are funding a different -- this is a
different project than Casa Valentina, and those funds were given to Casa Valentina
for that particular project.
Ms. De Seta: I understand that, but Casa de Valentina's original proposal is not
viable.
Commissioner Reyes: Well, if it's not viable, I think it is our -- we as a commission,
we should decide what do we do with those funds, you see? If we --
Vice Chair Carollo: What I'd like to -- yeah.
Commissioner Reyes: Hold on a second, Carollo. If we could accept that or not,
because I don't know, I don't like the idea that now we are going to be financing
something different than what it was --
Vice Chair Carollo:. A lot -- a lot different.
Commissioner Reyes: -- the funds were -- huh?
Vice Chair Carollo: A lot different.
Commissioner Reyes: A lot different. Those funds were allocated to -- those ARPA
funds, they were allocated too, you see?
Vice Chair Carollo: What --?
Commissioner Reyes: I mean, and I have great respect for Casa Valentina, and I
supported them, and I've been there a couple of times.
Ms. De Seta: And we've been working closely with Casa Valentina in order to get
this.
City of Miami
Page 76 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Commissioner Reyes: But then if you're closely -- working closely with Casa
Valentina, are you going -- you're going to provide the same type of housing at the
same rate and continue the operation of Casa Valentina as they do, or you are going
to go higher?
Ms. De Seta: No, we will go higher and --
Commissioner Reyes: You see, that's my problem.
Ms. De Seta: In a blended 80 percent AMI, see, some units at 60, some units at 50,
some units at 70, so that the blended average across the property is --
Commissioner Reyes: Okay. How many apartments are you going to have?
Ms. De Seta: Eight.
Commissioner Reyes: You're going to have eight. How many are going to be at 80?
Ms. De Seta: I believe two.
Commissioner Reyes: Two and then two 60 and then two 40?
Ms. De Seta: Um-hmnt.
Commissioner Reyes: And blended --
Ms. De Seta: And while we --
Commissioner Reyes: You have an average -- an average of what?
Ms. De Seta: Of 80.
Commissioner Reyes: But the thing is that Casa Valentina didn't have a blended AMI
proposal. Casa Valentina, the funds were very specific what they were doing, you
see?
Ms. De Seta: I understand that.
Commissioner Reyes: To start with, I am not an attorney, but I don 't think that this is
legal.
Commissioner Gabela: What's the average?
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, let me --
Commissioner Gabela: I'm sorry, what's your average? The blend?
Ms. De Seta: The blended average is 80 percent.
Commissioner Reyes: 80 percent. That's why -- the number that gave you now.
Vice Chair Carollo: 80, 60, 40. Now, here's what gets me in this. And besides, you
know, we were given the Kool-Aid, Casa Valentina, Casa Valentina, and you know,
this was the new wonderkid on the block. Now, why does this come to us today? This
could not have happened just overnight. I'm sure that we had to have known that
Casa Valentina was not going through with this some time ago. So, now Casa
City of Miami
Page 77 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Valentina worked its deal with this group, and we're here just to kind of rubberstamp
whatever Casa Valentina worked out with them, whatever money they're giving Casa
Valentina to take this deal, because I guarantee you Casa Valentina is not doing this
out of the goodness of their heart.
Ms. De Seta: We -- they are not getting any money out of this deal.
Vice Chair Carollo: They're not getting any money.
Ms. De Seta: And we also brought this to Commission in September, and we
unanimously passed.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, this is not what I fully understand, ma'am. I'm sorry.
Commissioner Reyes: No, I didn't understand.
Vice Chair Carollo: Now, why, if this is transpiring for so long, weren't we briefed
exactly on what was going on here?
Mr. Turner: I didn't hear your question, Commissioner.
Vice Chair Carollo: Why if this is going on for so long, why weren 't we briefed as to
what was happening with Casa Valentina in this project, so that I'm not hearing that,
you know, we're a month and days away from December where we will lose these
funds?
Mr. Turner: I can't speak to whatever briefings have previously taken place. I do
know that there were previous meetings about it, and due to our timing, we really
don't have a whole lot of time to find another developer as understood.
Vice Chair Carollo: That's exactly what I'm saying. Why weren't we given the facts
so the City could have vetted other people, and we didn't have a situation where we
have someone that I don't think you vetted sufficiently and it's Casa Valentina that's
bringing them to us. I mean, if this is the private sector, we won't be doing business
like that. So, why are we doing it? Just because we're the city, and we're supposed to
be up here rubberstamping everything. So, then the great tabloid, if you go with those
pillars of the community and their project wonders, they can say what a good guy you
are. If not, they sic the dogs on you all the time.
Commissioner Pardo: City -- I just want to refer to the City Manager a minute.
Vice Chair Carollo: Excuse me, excuse me, I'm not done yet.
Commissioner Pardo: Oh, okay, I thought you were.
Vice Chair Carollo: No, I'm not, and you haven't gone through the Chair. That's the
second mistake.
Commissioner Pardo: She was busy.
Vice Chair Carollo: No, she's not busy. She got two ears that God gave her. Mr. City
Attorney, I think this is more up your alley. What has happened here that we're seeing
ourselves in this situation today. And what can we do to save that money if we decide
not to go this route?
City of Miami
Page 78 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Mr. Wysong: Let me have Mr. Alban from our office, who specializes in these type of
things. But I will tell you that it is as described. And Xavi, could you explain the
timelines and what the consequences are, please?
Xavier Alban (Assistant City Attorney, Supervisor): Yes, Xavi Alban, Division Chief of
Real Estate and Transactions. So, yes, we do have a deadline that we must obligate
the funds by December 31st, 2024, which is why we would need to enter into an
agreement with DFI Mundy to make sure that we obligate the remaining funds, right,
which is, I believe, around $900,000 ifI -- around there, because the other funds have
already been used to purchase the land. So, we can spend it by December 31 st, 2026,
but it has to be obligated by December 31 st. You know, this is one option where they
have come forward, they will take over the project, provide eight affordable units as
described, and that's one of the options we can do. The other option is, as stated, you
know, we take back the money or the remaining funds. We obligate it somewhere else,
the 900,000 in ARPA or convert it to a revenue replacement and then take back the
properties, right? We'd have to foreclose on the properties and take the properties
back.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, so --
Commissioner Reyes: That was going to -- excuse me.
Vice Chair Carollo: Let me --
Commissioner Reyes: That was my question, I'm sorry. And we take the property that
was bought with those funds?
Mr. Alban: Yeah, we would take those properties back.
Vice Chair Carollo: And allocate the --
Commissioner Reyes: We will take those properties and we will be able to do
something about it.
Vice Chair Carollo: And allocate the $900,000 somewhere else.
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Mr. Alban: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: Can that be done?
Mr. Alban: Yeah, that would be -- that would be an option.
Vice Chair Carollo: I'm sure we've got to have other projects that we could allocate
the money somewhere else. I certainly have them in my district. I'm sure that
Commissioner Gabela's got them in his district, or Commissioner King, or
Commissioner Reyes. I know that Commissioner Pardo is somewhat limited in his
district, but he still might have a project or two there that he could use it in. It just
really bothers me that, you know, we roll the red carpet for Casa Valentin [sic], and
you know, now we've got a switch and bait, something totally different than we were
told. And it's like, hey, you've got to do it or else. Those two lots, the only thing that
I'll say, even if they're on the smaller side, in 5,300, they've got to be worth more
than the 1.1 today. Wouldn't you agree, Commissioner Pardo?
Chair King: I believe Commissioner Gabela --
City of Miami
Page 79 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Commissioner Pardo: Through the Chair.
Chair King: -- through -- I believe Commissioner Gabela wanted to make a statement
and then our district commissioner will speak.
Commissioner Gabela: Now, what I wanted to ask is, so if the blend is 80 percent
average now, okay, what was it with Casa Valentina, because I'm behind the curve
here? What was it originally with Casa Valentina, the AMI, the difference?
Commissioner Reyes: 1 don't have the exact amount of --
Commissioner Gabela: What was it?
Vice Chair Carollo: He's got it.
Commissioner Reyes: The exact amount of what?
Commissioner Gabela: The original deal. The original deal with Casa Valentina.
Mr. Turner: I don 't have the original with me.
Commissioner Gabela: You guys have the original?
Commissioner Reyes: It says --
Mr. Turner: But we would have to --
Ms. De Seta: I don 't have it on me.
Mr. Turner: We would have to either rent or sell them below 80 percent of area
median income.
Commissioner Gabela: About how much?
Mr. Turner: 80 percent of area median income was the maximum that we could have
used for the income levels of the tenants or homebuyers if it was a hornebuyer project.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay.
Commissioner Pardo: I just want to say --
Chair King: Commissioner Pardo.
Commissioner Pardo: -- this is D2 (District 2) allocated ARPA funds. We have been
working closely with the development team. We were fully briefed. All the backup
documents were there. It came before Commission, it passed, everybody supported it.
This is our discretion in our district. The community is looking forward to the
development. The community is looking forward to these units. They've been very
much engaged and we should respect this process, the ARPA Fund and the District 2
Commissioner and the work that has already been done.
Chair King: Mr. Assistant City Attorney.
Mr. Alban: Yeah, through the Chair, thank you so much. I just wanted to mention
about the AMIs. When the ARPA funds were originally allocated to us, there was no
guidance on affordable housing, and then eventually the Treasury released guidance.
That guidance had a much lower AIL I believe it was around 60 percent AMI And
City of Miami Page 80 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
then if you use other federal funding sources, you can match that federal funding
source, right? So, that's why we were at 80 percent AMI, I believe around that time.
In June of this year, they updated it. So, now you can do up to 120 percent AM1. So,
that's -- I think that's also a change there that the regulations have been amended to
allow for greater AMI
Commissioner Reyes: Correction. We have -- well, those are for the -- I'm not talking
about affordable, but I'm saying that we have a resolution that we only accept on the
workforce 100 percent AMI in the City of Miami. Now, my only concern is that we
change the -- I mean, the objective of that allocation, you see, from Casa Valentina to
a private company. A private company that it is -- they -- now they want to charge 80
percent -- you said blended, 80, 60, or 80, 70, 60, and all of that. I will agree if we
could do that and leave 80 out of the question. 80 is $1,600. And Casa Valentina, the
business model for them was for homeless, homeless youth, you see, homeless youth,
not for renters. And that's what the amount was allocated for them to increase the
capacity of accepting more youth that were in the street and guide them into going
back to society, you see? Which is, this is a totally different business concept than the
one that we approved. And I was one of the main supporters, or you remember that. I
was one of the main supporters because the program is fantastic, you see?
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, that's why we all jumped on board.
Commissioner Reyes: That's right. That's why everybody jumped on board. And this
is -- this is my only concern.
Vice Chair Carollo: That's my concern.
Commissioner Reyes: Now, if you going to rent this because the funds were not given
to -- I mean, for renting $1,600 per room, you see, it was -- it was minimum,
minimum, about 20 or 30 AMI, and they were homeless. If you change your business
concept in order to be similar to Casa Valentina, I don't have any problems. But
doing it just like a private sector that you are going to be charging $1,600 to a one -
bedroom, you see? It is -- I mean, I cannot go along with that.
Ms. De Seta: They're not one bedrooms; they're three -bedroom units.
Commissioner Reyes: Three -bedroom.
Ms. De Seta: So, it's $1, 600 for a family.
Commissioner Reyes: For a family.
Commissioner Pardo: Madam Chair.
Commissioner Reyes: For a family. But now you have family, now it is not homeless.
It's a different concept.
Ms. De Seta: I understand that, but if Casa Valentina was unable to deliver what they
pitched you --
Commissioner Reyes: Okay, but that --
Ms. De Seta: -- and they are asking for a way out of the situation to not be foreclosed
upon, and there is a development partner that's willing to invest and work alongside
the City and Casa Valentina to get them out of their trouble --
Commissioner Reyes: Personal --
City of Miami Page 81 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Ms. De Seta: -- why should they be foreclosed upon?
Commissioner Reyes: What I personally -- and this is the first time that I hear all of
this, all this changes. I will have -- I need more information and what is going on, and
more information about you guys. And I want to know what are you going to do, how
much are you going to charge? You're going to charge -- this is going to be now
families. It's going to -- one bed -- I mean, four bedroom families?
Ms. De Seta: Three.
Commissioner Reyes: Three bedroom, what's the total?
Ms. De Seta: The total square footage is 1,320 square feet, three -bedroom, two -
bathroom units.
Chair Russell: Okay.
Mr. Turner: Commissioner, I have the rent schedule in front of me.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
Mr. Turner: So, for 60 percent of median income, the rent would be $1,770 a month.
For 65 percent, it would be $1,917.50 per month. 70 percent of AMI would be $2,065
per month. 75 percent would be $2,213.
Commissioner Reyes: Wait a minute, wait a minute, sir. How come you are increasing
the rent while you are decreasing the percentage of the AMI? It doesn't go with it.
Mr. Turner: No, the rent is going up as the AMI goes.
Commissioner Reyes: What?
Mr. Turner: The rent is increasing as the AMI has increased.
Commissioner Gabela: That's what she said, it was an 80 percent blend.
Commissioner Reyes: The rent increases as the AMI decreases?
Mr. Turner: No, no, the more they make, the more rent they can pay. So, the 80
percent of area median income has a higher rent than those that are at 60.
Commissioner Reyes: I know that. I know that. But therefore, if 60 percent AMI, the
individual or the family that has 60 percent AMI should pay less rent than the family
that has an 80 percent AMI
Mr. Turner: That is true.
Commissioner Reyes: I mean, according to my math.
Mr. Turner: That is --
Commissioner Reyes: I'm sorry.
Mr. Turner: That is -- Commissioner, that is exactly what they have. The 60 percent
are paying less.
City of Miami Page 82 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Commissioner Reyes: How much are they paying?
Mr. Turner: They're paying $1,770 a month versus an 80 percent at $2,361 a month.
Commissioner Reyes: And 80 percent is $2, 661 ?
Mr. Turner: $2,361.
Commissioner Reyes: That's more than 8 percent. That's more than 80 percent.
According to HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development), and according
to my knowledge, if you have -- the AMI is around $80, 000, right? 79-something, the
county, which we shouldn't be using, but it's around $79,000. Let's round that up.
$80,000 -- 80 percent of $80,000 is $64,000. And according to HUD, you cannot
charge more than 30 percent of it. And 30 percent of it, when you divide that, it's
going to be around $19,000. You divide it by 12, it 's $1,600.
Mr. Turner: Yeah.
Commissioner Reyes: I mean, I don't know what it is. That's the rent schedule. It
doesn 't --
Arthur Noriega (City Manager): Commissioner, if I may, just to keep in mind, these
are based on family income, because these are multi -- these are three -bedroom units,
so the rents are going to logically be higher, because the median income, although it
says --
Commissioner Reyes: Family unit -- the AMI is based on family income.
Mr. Noriega: Correct.
Commissioner Reyes: And he's saying a family income that's 80 percent, okay, is
going to pay $2,300, but a family income that makes $80,000, that family income, you
know, should be paying $1,900 -- I mean, $1,600 a month.
Chair King: Commissioner, if I may.
Commissioner Reyes: I want more information about that.
Chair King: So, I hear what Commissioner Reyes is saying, that he needs more
information. I can tell you that in my briefing that I was not briefed that this item was
replacing Casa Valentina. I checked with my staff in case, you know, and that was not
mentioned in my briefing. I just want to make that clear because if they -- if you had
said this is a replacement for what we voted on for Casa Valentina, that would have
raised some alarms with me. And I see that Commissioner Reyes has a lot of
questions, and I don 't think this is the place where we should hash all of that out. I
will support the District Commissioner's recommendation, but I don't have all of the
information because, Commissioner, I wasn't briefed on, in totality, what this item
was about.
Commissioner Pardo: I understand. We were, and we knew that, so I don't know
where the, you know, where the breakdown was. For the record, I just want you to
repeat the AMI breakdown in the project, for the record in this moment.
Ms. De Seta: Yes, it is 60, 70, and 80 percent blended AMIs. And we are using the
Miami -Dade County 2024 published area median income rental charts.
Mr. Noriega: I think --
City of Miami Page 83 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Commissioner Pardo: Okay, and for us, a key here was that Casa Valentina was a
failing proposition, and they were able to find a solid partner with a great track
record and amazing reputation, who I totally believe isn't making a penny out of this
to step in and serve the community and be able to provide these units. So, absolutely
we are in favor of it. That's why we're using our ARPA allocation. And I'd like to see
this pass because of the timeliness and the need for us to be able to do it.
Vice Chair Carollo: If I could --
Chair King: Commissioner Gabela would like to say something.
Commissioner Pardo: Yeah.
Commissioner Gabela: If I may, gentlemen. So, to get it straight, we have a
combination here of eight units. They're all three bedrooms, right? I suppose. And we
have $1,770, $1,917, $2,065, and $2,213. You know what? I'm going to go with you
because it's your district. And I think, and this is also the neighborhood here, you
know, is up and coming, I believe. And I think, you know, that we should support.
Now, granted, and I hear what you 're saying down there. I understand what you 're
saying down there. You know, but 1 also understand the time constraints and the
reputable --1 mean, my vote is yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: But I need to ask one other question, maybe it'll be a follow-up.
I'm having a hard time in Sunbiz Florida finding out the owners that appear,
managers of this corporation here that we have before us here. Can somebody help
me to see if maybe it's my phone that the State don't want to ring up the right
company to me? You have the name here in this item. Let's see.
Mr. Noriega: Could you just disclose who the owners of the -- of the LLC are, the
partners?
Vice Chair Carollo: What I want is not for her to disclose. Here, what we're being
told is that it's a corporation. I believe the name of it --
Ms. De Seta: DFI Mundy.
Vice Chair Carollo: DFI or DF1 ?
Ms. De Seta: No, DFI --
Vice Chair Carollo: It's DFI, okay.
Ms. De Seta: -- Mundy, LLC, wholly owned by Dragonfly Investments, LLC --
Vice Chair Carollo: Let's try the DFI.
Ms. De Seta: -- who is owned by Irving Weisselberger and Jason Morjain.
Vice Chair Carollo: Who are the principals, ma'am?
Ms. De Seta: Irving Weisselberger and Jason Morjain, Sergio Rok's nephew.
Vice Chair Carollo: Sergio?
Ms. De Seta: Sergio Rock's nephew.
City of Miami Page 84 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Commissioner Pardo: Madam Chair, can we have a motion?
Chair King: We certainly --
Vice Chair Carollo: No, I want to find the corporation --
Commissioner Pardo: I'd like to make that motion.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- before I could vote.
Chair King: We're still in discussion, but you can make the motion. Motion. Do 1 have
a second?
Commissioner Gabela: Second.
Chair King: We have a motion and a second. We 're still in discussion.
Vice Chair Carollo: You were saying, ma'am --
Commissioner Pardo: Thank you.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- it's DFI, correct?
Mr. Noriega: Commissioner --
Vice Chair Carollo: Maybe we could find it now.
Mr. Noriega: Commissioner, the information she just referenced is correct. We just
looked it up.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, I still can't --
Mr. Noriega: And Dragonfly, which is the wholly owned principal --
Vice Chair Carollo: What did you run?
Mr. Noriega: DFI Mundy, exactly what's here.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Can you bring it to me because --?
Mr. Noriega: And then we also ran Dragonfly, which is the principal.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, it's under DFI Mundy, so Dragonfly doesn 't mean anything
to me right now.
Mr. Noriega: But it's wholly owned by Dragonfly. So, we looked up Dragonfly as
well.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, so it says. Can you show me the DFI Mundy? Because this
is not corning up for me.
Commissioner Gabela: Dragonfly was the Florida corporation?
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
City of Miami Page 85 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Commissioner Gabela: Is it a Florida corporation?
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Commissioner Gabela: I'm trying to find it on Sunbiz (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Commissioner Pardo: It should be in the backup of the item.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, I see it now. They found it for me. And it's always
something that 1 like to do, and particularly when it appears as a new company, 1
want to see that it is registered and who it's registered to but --
Chair King: I have a motion and a second.
Commissioner Reyes: (INAUDIBLE) see what --
Chair King: Commissioner -- right because --
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Commissioner Reyes: You see, 1 have been an advocate of real affordable housing.
Real affordable housing. And I don't see, in my opinion, $2,300 a month is affordable.
1 don't think it's affordable, you see, because you have a family. You see, a problem
that we have with the County is that the -- it's HUD. The table that they have as the
number of people increase, no matter that they are children, number of people
increase in the apartment, the rent increases, you see. And that goes beyond what the
earnings of the people are, the renters are, you see, and that is not affordable. $2,300
a month for a three -bedroom apartment, which is very, very small, in my book, it is
not affordable. It is not. It is not. Voting for this, it would be going against my
principle, what I have been advocating all the time. If we are going to afford -- I
mean, that area there, they need affordable housing. If we are going to do affordable
housing, let them work on their numbers and come back with some rents that they are
affordable, you see. Regardless because everybody hides behind the table, the HUD
table. And I had, I remember when the housing director came here, I told him, I mean,
I said, what we are doing with what is called affordable, it's not affordable to Miami.
It's not affordable. If we -- we're going to use the AMI of the county, which is
$80,000, go in the neighborhood and get the AMI of the whole city of Miami, it is not
80 percent, you see? I mean, we are not doing a favor, or we are not providing with
real affordable housing to our residents. And that is my problem. That is my problem.
And I'm sorry, Mr. Pardo, but I am -- I'm consistent. I am very, consistent. And I'm
going to keep on working until we get some sort of real affordability for the people in
the city of Miami, the residents of the city of Miami. They can hardly afford an
apartment. This doesn't mean that they cannot rent at $23,000, I mean, $2,300. Yes,
maybe they could rent it, but they would be using probably 40, 50 percent of their
income in rent. They would be rent stressed. That goes even against the economy,
because that is less money that they can use to purchase other things.
Vice Chair Carollo: Chair?
Commissioner Reyes: You see? I cannot go through this.
Vice Chair Carollo: How many square feet is the average?
Ms. De Seta: 1,320 square feet.
City of Miami Page 86 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Vice Chair Carollo: And is -- the three bedrooms are what size, more or less?
Ms. De Seta: I believe they're 10 by 9.
Vice Chair Carollo: So, you must -- those are small bedrooms, you must have a larger
Ms. De Seta: They more than meet code.
Vice Chair Carollo: You must -- well, I know that, I'm not questioning that, but there
are small bedrooms, which means that if you're almost 1,400 square feet, you must
have a larger living room, dining room, with kitchen. How many bedrooms?
Ms. De Seta: Three.
Vice Chair Carollo: Bathrooms?
Ms. De Seta: Two.
Vice Chair Carollo: Two.
Ms. De Seta: I mean, our approach to affordable housing is that 1 think we stand
around a lot and we talk about affordable housing like it's some great shining beacon
that's over there across the sea and that one day we 're going to get it, and one day
we're going to get there, and what we fail to do is reach over the bow of our boat and
help some of the bodies that are floating right beside us. We can talk about how great
it's going to be and how many units we're going to build, and then we can't even
deliver eight small units that 1 can get built inside a year and get eight families in the
West Grove.
Vice Chair Carollo: Ma'am?
Ms. De Seta: I am trying to help.
Vice Chair Carollo: Ma'am, let me say this to you. I'm trying to put the best face in
this that I can. This is totally different than what we originally had approved. I think
that's been made clear. At the same time, you know, I've seen you pretty combative.
You're upset that we just don't approve it and --
Ms. De Seta: No, I'm not upset.
Vice Chair Carollo: And I'm sorry. Maybe that's what you were told would happen or
you think would have happened, or you think should happen. But this is part of the
problem with all the trillions of billions of dollars that our federal government gave
that it's going to be my kids and grandkids that are going to be paying for it and
we're throwing it away like there's no tomorrow.
Ms. De Seta: Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: And then the Chinese are going to have us for lunch.
Ms. De Seta: I'm --
Vice Chair Carollo: Outside of that, I am going to say this, that 1,400 square feet,
2,300, while it's not affordable, and we're in agreement with Commissioner Reyes,
it's workforce housing. It 's the kind of more affordable .fbr this part of the city, not for
the people that live in the West Grove, but it's more affordable of an amount of people
City of Miami Page 87 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
that want to live in this area of Miami are going to be able to afford. They're not
going to get too many other deals that are in that range out in the market. However,
in my opinion, the bedrooms were built too small. Your living room, dining room was
bigger than it should have been. I could have designed for you a two -bedroom, 800
square feet, that you could have even put a third bedroom small that had bigger
bedrooms than those that had a reasonable living room, dining room, and kitchen.
But that's, you know, neither here nor there. That's two-thirds of what you've built.
But you've got three bedrooms. That means you're going to have bigger living spaces
and dining areas by having smaller rooms. This is what I would suggest that I would
do if you want my vote today. I would want -- because that 2,300, it's not affordable,
not affordable. But 1 know where things go in the Grove. I'm not blind. And 1-- you
know, I'm not the other kind of guy that hold grudges, like some do. And if a
colleague has this in his district, we will support it. Here are the differences, what
we've discussed here. We approved something that we thought we were getting kids
off the street, and it's all been changed. And frankly, I don't know who sat with whom,
who cut what deal, what happened here. What I'd like for the City to give me, what
other options do we have for the remaining $900, 000 to be spent before the end of the
year versus this and just keeping the land if we foreclose it? And then --
Mr. Noriega: So, I think the best -- the only real alternative option is to take the
money, obviously, if you were looking at an option beyond this one, and take it as
revenue loss, because there's no way we're going to find a project within one meeting
to allocate this to.
Commissioner Reyes: Madam Chair?
Vice Chair Carollo: You don't have any --
Mr. Noriega: Because it has to be vetted through the Housing and Loan Committee.
Commissioner Reyes: I have a solution. I have a solution, Madam Chair.
Chair King: Hold on. Commissioner Reyes.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes. You see, when -- I was right, you see, (INAUDIBLE). The
biggest problem that I have with this table, this table increases, the rent increases as
the number of people conies in. That is, if two people that are making $40,000 each,
which is a very good salary in the City of Miami, and if they come in and they try to
rent at 80 percent, okay, once they have -- that's 80 percent, that's $80,000, they
could afford it, that's fine, with 16,000, I mean, 1,600, 1,700. If they have two kids, if
they have two children, their rent increases tremendously. It doesn't matter that they
are in elementary school, you see? And this is my problem with this table. Now, I'm
going to ask for this. I'm going to ask for a covenant that the children will not be
counted according to this table. You don't count the children when you are
determining how much they're going to pay. You see, if it is a couple that has
(INAUDIBLE) children -- I mean, two children, you just treat them as a couple and
that's it, what both of them are making. Because you are including even if it is a
newborn, it is -- that -- it is included as part of the income. I mean, increases -- that
increases the rent, you see? If you -- if I can get that, you see, it will have my vote,
because what I will not accept and I will not accept that according to this table that I
don't know who thought about it, and it comes from Washington, it's not done here,
you see, and it's based on 79,400 AMI, which is not the AMI of the City of Miami,
Liberty City, Allapattah, and all those areas, and we are -- our hands are tied by that.
Okay, if it is possible to restrict this table that children are not counted unless they
are income earners, you see, then I will be voting in favor.
Chair King: Commissioner Gabela.
City of Miami Page 88 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Commissioner Gabela: Okay. Question number one. So, you -- you said you are at
(UNINTELLIGIBLE), you're an average of 80 percent. You said that one of them, it
rents for $1, 600 for a three bedroom, right? Alright.
Ms. De Seta: He has --
Commissioner Gabela: How much --?
Ms. De Seta: -- the pro forma in front --1'm so sorry, 1 don't have it with me.
Commissioner Reyes: The pro forma is here.
Commissioner Gabela: How much now -- how much would --?
Mr. Turner: Commissioner.
Commissioner Gabela: Yes.
Mr. Turner: So, she has the 60 percent of area median income at 1,770 --
Commissioner Gabela: Right.
Mr. Turner: -- a month.
Commissioner Gabela: Got it. It's a combination.
Mr. Turner: The 65 at 1,970.
Mr. Noriega: But Victor, Victor, give them the number of units at each of those
income levels.
Commissioner Gabela: You got eight units at 1, 770, two at 1,770, two at 1,970, two at
2,065 --
Mr. Noriega: No, no, no, no.
Commissioner Gabela: -- and two at $2,213.
Mr. Noriega: No, no, that's not the breakdown.
Mr. Turner: So, we have one unit at 1,770 that's at 60 percent of AMI.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay.
Mr. Turner: We have one unit at 65 percent of AMI that's at $1,917.50.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay.
Mr. Turner: We have one unit at 70 percent of AMI that's at 2,065. We have two units
at 75 percent of AMI, which is at 2,213 per month, and three units at 80 percent of
AMI, which is 2,361 per month.
Commissioner Gabela: They're all three bedrooms. If you would take --
Mr. Turner: Yes.
City of Miami Page 89 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Commissioner Gabela: -- the average of all these eight, that dollar amount would be
$1, 600 a month. Is that correct? You take all the eight, the average. Just give me the
average.
Mr. Noriega: The average is probably closer to $2,000 if you do the -- I'm not looking
at it --
Commissioner Gabela: Okay.
Mr. Noriega: -- but just in the math, it's probably closer to 2,000, $2,100.
Commissioner Gabela: And what's the going rate for a regular four -- three
bedroom? What's the going rate, do you know? There for, you know, the same thing,
market rate?
Mr. Noriega: I wouldn't know off the top of my head. I mean, we could probably look
into it.
Commissioner Gabela: You know, I'm trying to determine here, you know, what we're
offering compared to market rate.
Mr. Noriega: What the real affordability is.
Commissioner Gabela: Exactly, what the value is. And you know, I've seen worse
deals really. After this thing that we sold for 2.1, that's a bad deal. Like Manolo said,
we sure know how to pick them, you know. So, that's why I'm asking the question. So,
do you have that answer or no on the market rate? Yeah.
Mr. Turner: The average is 2,157 per month.
Commissioner Gabela: So, 2,157 versus what at market rate? What would market
rate, you know, if I've got a family, I want to move into that neighborhood, I'm going
to pay market rate, what would it be, roughly?
Ms. De Seta: About $3 a square foot.
Commissioner Gabela: I'm sorry?
Ms. De Seta: About $3 a square foot.
Commissioner Gabela: $3 a square foot --
Larry Spring (Chief Financial Officer): So that's --
Commissioner Gabela: -- multiplied by what, $1,300?
Mr. Spring: It's $4, 000 a month. That's what I was about to say.
Commissioner Gabela: 4,000. Okay, so the value is that there's almost $2,000
discounted from these units. That's the value, right? And we're putting -- we already
got 2.1 invested, 1.1 for the two lots, is that correct? And 900k we have sitting in
liquid somewhere, is that correct? Yes? Okay, and now we're going to pledge, how
much is it 2 mil, I think? Is it 2 mil?
Commissioner Pardo: Yeah, 2 mil.
Commissioner Gabela: 2 mil, so we got 4.1 as our investment.
City of Miami Page 90 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Mr. Noriega: This is the same 2 mil. There's not --
Commissioner Pardo: Right, it's being reallocated.
Mr. Noriega: We're not adding any more money.
Commissioner Gabela: Oh, we 're not adding any more money.
Mr. Noriega: No, no, the money was already allocated.
Commissioner Pardo: No, it's being reallocated.
Mr. Noriega: All we're doing is swapping out --
Commissioner Pardo: Right.
Mr. Noriega: -- one company for another and the scope of the project is changing.
Commissioner Reyes: And that's what I'm talking about, the scope of the project. And
Victor, when you went -- you were, 1 mean, dictating the amount that was paid at
every single AMI, at 65 percent or whatever, you kept on increasing the rent because
you were increasing the number of people in the apartments, right? Because that 's
what the table says.
Mr. Turner: The table that I have, the rent was increasing because the income had
increased.
Commissioner Reyes: The income, because you are, you are estimating that it's going
to be about four people that are going to have income in the apartment.
Unidentified Speaker: No, no.
Commissioner Reyes: But it doesn't -- that doesn't -- it doesn't say it here the age of
the people that are in the apartment. What it says is the number of people, as the
number of people in the apartment increases, the rent increases.
Chair King: No.
Commissioner Reyes: I have it here.
Chair King: No, Commissioner Reyes.
Commissioner Reyes: It's right here.
Chair King: The AMI increases -- the apartments are all three -bedroom apartments.
Commissioner Gabela: They're all the same.
Chair King: But some are 60 percent AMI. Two are 60, two are -- and two are 80.
Commissioner Reyes: Madam Chair, the ones at 80 percent, according to him, is
paying $1,600 a month.
Ms. De Seta: No.
Mr. Spring: No.
City of Miami Page 91 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Ms. De Seta: No.
Commissioner Reyes: How much are they paying, 17?
Mr. Spring: The ones at 80 percent AMI are at 2,361. That's the rent.
Commissioner Reyes: That's the rent?
Mr. Spring: Per month, yes.
Commissioner Reyes: And then the rent at 60 percent?
Mr. Spring: The one at 60 is $1, 770 a month, maximum.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay. Then I wasn't following you or you were -- your order
was out of whack. But okay, there is another thing that it is if you are going to follow
the table, and they can do it, and they can do it. It is if the -- I mean, as the number of
people that are living in the apartment increases, the rent increases, according to this
table. If you are going to guide yourself by this table, you can increase the rent even
at 60 percent AMI because the number of people are counted. And what 1 'm asking is
that the number of children that they are not income earners will not be counted.
Mr. Spring: Okay.
Chair King: They will not.
Commissioner Reyes: No, but we need a covenant on that because that table would
say it.
Chair King: Well, no, that's not correct, Commissioner Reyes. Children do not -- the
only folks that count as income earners are folks that earn income, not children that
are not employed. I believe our CFO (Chief Financial Officer) wants to say -- I
believe our CFO wants to say something.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes, but let me say, I'm reading from the table. It says, "income
limit by number of persons in household." It doesn't speck if they are income
earners. And I want to speck that they are income earners. Because the table doesn't
say income earners. And this is the official table of HUD that most people use.
Chair King: Let's hear from the CFO.
Mr. Spring: Larry Spring, Chief Financial Officer, through the Chair. Commissioner,
with regards to these units, the restriction that is being applied is you have all three
bedrooms and the restriction is an income restriction. It's not speaking to the number
of dwellers. That's what's in our deal.
Commissioner Reyes: It is -- it is income earners, okay, fine.
Mr. Spring: Okay. I'm talking about -- so that's an answer specific to this deal.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay, but --
Mr. Spring: Your answer -- I'll address your -- yes, HUD tables -- HUD puts out
income limitations that are two thing -- that are a couple of things, income and
household size. Yes. If you have a larger household, HUD allows for there to be a
City of Miami Page 92 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
larger rent, a rent maximum, and that's what you're looking at on the chart.
However, this deal is strictly set by -- it's three bedrooms, two baths --
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Mr. Spring: -- and only set by the income limit.
Commissioner Reyes: I want that in writing that this table --
Mr. Spring: It's here.
Commissioner Reyes: -- because she brought this table up, you see, and I want this
table to be used.
Mr. Spring: So, that table is the federal government's issued table.
Commissioner Reyes: I know that. It was --
Mr. Spring: We cannot -- and I want to address that question. We cannot just change
the requirements. Those are federal requirements.
Commissioner Reyes: It is a -- well --
Mr. Spring: And if we are getting federal money, that is the guidelines that we must
abide by.
Commissioner Reyes: But then it is --
Mr. Spring: And you and I have talked about this in the past.
Commissioner Reyes: Absolutely, absolutely. And you and I agree that this table is
wrong.
Mr. Spring: And we -- well, it doesn't --
Commissioner Reyes: This table is wrong.
Mr. Spring: The City of Miami's medium income is less than that of the county --
Commissioner Reyes: Absolutely.
Mr. Spring: -- for certain and even less in certain areas around the city. We fully
agree with you on that. Myself, Victor, we've actually had this conversation a
hundred times with the chairwoman about working through different scenarios on
how we leverage all of our tools --
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Mr. Spring: -- in order to solve that.
Commissioner Reyes: To end this conversation --
Mr. Spring: Okay.
Commissioner Reyes: -- the rent limit is based on income.
Mr. Spring: On income only, not size, not --
City of Miami Page 93 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Commissioner Reyes: Oh, no, income, not the number of people (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Mr. Spring: Bedrooms, right.
Commissioner Reyes: Not on number of people in the apartment.
Mr. Spring: Not on the number of people, bedroom size.
Commissioner Reyes: Only on income.
Mr. Spring: Bedroom --
Commissioner Reyes: It's going to be 60 percent, it's going to be 70 percent, and 80
percent.
Mr. Spring: Bedroom size and the income limit. So, these are all three bedrooms, and
we said 60. There's --
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Mr. Spring: The units range from 60 percent AMI to 80 percent AMI.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay, okay.
Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Commissioner Pardo: And Mr. City Manager, in the future, if there's a way to explain
these more thoroughly in briefings, it would be incredibly appreciated.
Mr. Noriega: I mean, typically in briefings, what happens, and I mean, you've all
been part of briefings, right? We go through each agenda item, we do a general
overview, because if we went in that kind of level of detail for every item, briefings
would take six hours. So, we go -- we do sort of a brief overview, and in the end, in
some cases, you know, your individual staffs will review the agendas deeper and then
come up with additional questions if necessary.
Commissioner Pardo: Noted.
Mr. Noriega: In this particular case, somehow there was a disconnect relative to that
this was a transfer, right, in terms of the applicant or whatever, in terms of the
allocation, who the allocation was being made to. But this obviously went to the
Housing and Loan Commission as well, they vetted it as well. So, I mean, this had a
pretty lengthy process in terms of the vetting process.
Commissioner Pardo: Thank you.
Chair King: I agree with Commissioner Pardo, because again, for the record, in my
briefing, I was not told that this was a transfer from Casa Valentino -- Casa Valentina
to this entity.
Commissioner Reyes: I was -- I wasn't either. I thought that it was something else.
City of Miami Page 94 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
RE.17
16872
Commissioners
and Mayor
RE.18
16868
Commissioners
and Mayor
Chair King: Commissioner.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): My apologies, Chair. For the record, 1 have the vote as
4-1, with Commissioner Carollo voting no. Is that correct, sir?
Vice Chair Carollo: Correct.
Mr. Hannon: Understood.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
CODESIGNATING A PORTION OF NORTHWEST 19TH AVENUE
FROM NORTHWEST 34TH STREET TO NORTHWEST 36TH
STREET AS "MIRTA SANDRA FUENTES WAY" HONORING HER
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") AND THE
GREATER MIAMI AREA, PURSUANT TO SECTION 54-137 OF
THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED;
FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY
OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE HEREIN DESIGNATED
OFFICIALS.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0473
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 Number RE.17, please see Item
Number RE.1.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA,
CODESIGNATING NORTHEAST 2ND COURT BETWEEN
NORTHEAST 67TH STREET AND NORTHEAST 65TH STREET AS
"RUDMAN WAY"; ACKNOWLEDGING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF
RAUL RUDMAN TO THE LITTLE HAITI COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
AND THE CITY OF MIAMI; FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY
CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE
HEREIN DESIGNATED OFFICIALS.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0474
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Chair King: Is anyone here for RE.18? Any family members here for RE.18? Okay
well, let's take this up anyway. RE.18. May I have a motion?
City of Miami Page 95 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Vice Chair Carollo: Move.
Chair King: Second?
Commissioner Reyes: Second.
Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries unanimously. Thank you. Now, let's go back to the top of
our agenda. What time is it?
Commissioner Reyes: 12.
Vice Chair Carollo: It's 12, so --
Chair King: It's 12. We have two CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) meetings.
We -- so, would we like to break and take the CRA meetings --
Commissioner Pardo: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes.
Commissioner Pardo: Yes.
Chair King: -- and then the rest of the agenda?
Commissioner Pardo: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes.
Chair King: Okay. So, at this time, the City of Miami Commission --
Commissioner Pardo: Yay.
Chair King: -- meeting will be in recess. We will have our Southeast Overtown/Park
West CRA Commission meeting, and then we will go into the Omni CRA meeting; and
after those meetings we will recess for lunch, and our lunch will be two hours from
the last meeting. City of Miami Commission meeting for November 21, 2024, is now in
recess. Thank you everyone. Thank you for your advocacy.
City of Miami Page 96 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
RE.19
16887
Commissioners
and Mayor
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, BY A FOUR -
FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE , WAIVING THE
RESTRICTIONS RELATED TO STREET NAMING CONTAINED IN
SECTION 54-137 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA ("CITY CODE"), AND CO -DESIGNATING NORTHWEST
2ND AVENUE BETWEEN NORTHWEST 62ND STREET AND
NORTHWEST 59TH STREET AS "NAT MOORE WAY," TO HONOR
THE LEGACY AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF NATHANIEL "NAT"
MOORE TO THE CITY OF MIAMI; FURTHER DIRECTING THE
CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO
THE HEREIN DESIGNATED OFFICIALS.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0475
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number RE.19,
please see "Order of the Day."
Chair King: If I may, 1 would like to ask my colleagues if we can take a couple of
items out of turn. I have RE.19, which requires a four -fifths vote. It is a street co -
designation for hall offamer Nat Moore.
Commissioner Gabela: Motion.
Chair King: His family is here. I'd like to recognize them. Thank you for coming. So,
ifI could have a motion --
Commissioner Pardo: Second.
Chair King: -- and a second.
Commissioner Reyes: Madam Chair, I'm co -sponsoring this.
Chair King: And Commissioner Reyes is co -sponsoring. I'm the sponsor.
Vice Chair Carollo: If you --
Commissioner Reyes: My fellow Gator.
Vice Chair Carollo: If you could put me as a co-sponsor too, Mr. Clerk.
Commissioner Pardo: All of us. Me too.
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, I just want to say one thing. I was a kid when they --
when the -- Nat Moore was in the perfect season with Larry Csonka and all those
other guys in the Dolphin Stadium, so --
Vice Chair Carollo: I wasn't a kid, I was in the Orange Bowl watching it.
Commissioner Reyes: Well --
City of Miami Page 97 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Vice Chair Carollo: The best stadium that we ever had in Miami, the Orange Bowl.
Commissioner Reyes: I had the privilege of going to school with Nat Moore when he
was at UF, University of Florida, and every time I see him and I talked to him, I'm
reminded of a chant that we used to -- every time that we went to a game at home, the
whole stadium was chanting, "One, two, three, four, give the ball to Nat Moore. "And
that -- that -- it was -- all the years that he played in Florida, I mean, he was such a
great individual, very humble, and -- and magnificent athlete. He's a great, great
human being let me tell you.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, both of the last Super Bowls that the Dolphins went to, I
was in the plane. So, I got to know a lot of them, Nat, Csonka, many of the others that
were there, certainly Coach Shula and Joe Robbie, that was a great man. He didn't
need government to build a stadium for him, he went and did it himself. So, those --
those were great, great years. We had the undefeated season. Probably we'll never see
anything like that ever again. So, I'm very proud that we're going to be doing this for
Nat today.
Chair King: So --
Vice Chair Carollo: Madam Chair --
Commissioner Reyes: Very well deserved.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- if I may ask, once we do this, 1'd like to, if we can, just touch
upon briefly, some of the things that were said.
Chair King: Sure.
Vice Chair Carollo: As you know, I've been very patient like you have.
Chair King: Yes. So, I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries unanimously.
Unidentified Speaker: Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you.
Commissioner Reyes: Go Gators.
City of Miami Page 98 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
RE.20
16941
Commissioners
and Mayor
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING AN INCREASE TO THE
CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT WITH RECREATIONAL DESIGN &
CONSTRUCTION, INC., A FLORIDA PROFIT CORPORATION
("RDC"), SOLICITED AND AWARDED PURSUANT TO INVITATION
TO BID ("ITB") NO. 20-21-009, TO PROVIDE CONSTRUCTION
SERVICES FOR VIRRICK PARK AQUATIC FACILITY, PROJECT
NO. B-40571 - D2, BY AN AMOUNT OF TWO MILLION SEVEN
HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($2,750,000.00),
THEREBY INCREASING THE ORIGINAL PROJECT
COMPENSATION AMOUNT FROM SEVEN MILLION ONE
HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($7,150,000.00) TO THE
AMENDED PROJECT COMPENSATION AMOUNT OF NINE
MILLION NINE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($9,900,000.00)
FOR THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH ADDITIONAL SCOPE OF
WORK ITEMS, AS DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM PROJECT NO. B-
40571, SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS AND
BUDGETARY APPROVAL AT THE TIME OF NEED; AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE AMENDMENT WITH
RDC IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR
SAID PURPOSE, AND TO ISSUE RDC THE APPROPRIATE
NOTICE TO PROCEED; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL
DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS,
AND EXTENSIONS SUBJECT TO ALL ALLOCATIONS,
APPROPRIATIONS AND BUDGETARY APPROVALS HAVING
BEEN PREVIOUSLY MADE, IN COMPLIANCE WITH ALL
APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, ("CITY CODE"), INCLUDING,
THE CITY OF MIAMI'S PROCUREMENT ORDINANCE, ANTI -
DEFICIENCY ACT, AND FINANCIAL INTEGRITY PRINCIPLES, ALL
AS SET FORTH IN CHAPTER 18 OF THE CITY CODE, IN A FORM
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, AND IN COMPLIANCE
WITH ALL APPLICABLE LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS, AS
MAY BE DEEMED NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0476
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number RE.20,
please see "Public Comments on all Item(s)."
Chair King: Okay. Now we will take up RE.20 that was asked for discussion. RE.20.
Commissioner Pardo: And 21.
Chair King: And 21.
Commissioner Pardo: Yeah.
City of Miami Page 99 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Commissioner Reyes: Madam Chair?
Chair King: If I may, I'd like to start. Legion Park -- I'm sorry, not Legion Park, but
Charles Hadley Park also has an Olympic -sized swimming pool, and the issue has
come up that the diving board has been taken away. You cannot have -- we can't train
Olympic swimmers, because we might have some Olympic swimmers in the city of
Miami, maybe some want to do the diving competition, without the diving board.
Many people who came to speak today on behalf of this item spoke of the depth of the
pool as well as the diving boards. I would like to see the diving boards replaced at
Charles Hadley Park.
Arthur Noriega (City Manager): So, I'll speak as someone who 30 years ago worked
in a pool that had a diving well, by the way, which was eventually removed because of
the liability involved. I can't speak to the national trend, but from a liability
perspective, diving boards have been, across the board, eliminated at most public
facilities because of the liability involved. Unless you have a training facility specific
to diving, which typically that's where diving occurs, I wouldn't recommend, as your
city manager, to have a diving board at a pool because there's a tremendous amount
of liability involved in that. That's my recommendation. I mean, we could set up, we
could eventually talk about doing a facility that specifically would cater to that. 1
don't have an issue with that, but if you have a public pool that has open swim and
everything involved, a diving board is a very risky proposition.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes, it is. Madam Chair?
Chair King: Commissioner Reyes?
Commissioner Reyes: Yes, I agree that it is about time that this pool is built. You
know how I feel about parks and about pools, you see. I built -- I helped build it, the
City, in my district we built an Olympic -sized pool and right now in another park
we're building a pool. I believe that the residents deserve, you see, a bigger pool and
I'm all for it. But I have a little problem. And nay problem is the contractor. That's my
problem. A contractor that has been picked which is RDC (Recreational Design &
Construction). You see, RDC was the same contractor that built the pool in
Shenandoah. And because of negligence, that couple of fires started, electrical fire
started. The City had to work on it. The City had to pay for it. We asked for them to
reimburse -- I mean, pay for those events that were their fault, and they haven't paid
us. If this is going to be the contractor, I will respectfully ask that we place a limit that
they don't get this contract unless they pay for what they did. And that is my only
problem, Mr. City Manager, with the contractor that you are employing for Virrick
Pool. I agree, I agree in the size, and I am very enthusiastic about the pool and all of
that. But we want -- we want the City ofMiami made whole.
Mr. Noriega: Okay, we'll address that. Understand that this contractor has been in
place since 2022 on this project, which precedes -- I mean, the award of this contract
precedes any of the issues we had at Shenandoah, because this project actually has
been in construction jot- almost two and a half years --
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Mr. Noriega: -- partially because it was paused to readdress this issue of the scope.
So, unfortunately, the contractor has been on this job for a considerable amount of
time, which predates the issues we have with Shenandoah.
Commissioner Reyes: Sir, if I may add, I gave you a directive, a directive to do and
use all means for the City to recoup the money that was spent and nothing has been
City of Miami
Page 100 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
done. Okay? And nothing has been done. You see, what I'm trying to protect is the
interest of the City of Miami here, okay? And I don't know how we going to do that,
but this contractor that has been already picked, owes the City of Miami money and
you have not done anything to collect it. And I want to know what can we do legally,
Mr. City Attorney?
George Wysong (City Attorney): We will work with the administration as far as
determining what that amount of money is, and then, you know, do whatever. The
instruction was to take any and all means to collect and make it right, and we'll do
that.
Commissioner Reyes: And to finish -- I will co-sponsor that pool. I co-sponsor
because the residents --
Commissioner Pardo: Thank you.
Commissioner Reyes: -- deserves it. But this guy has to pay the City.
Vice Chair Carollo: I have a couple of questions on this, Chair.
Chair King.• Commissioner? Go ahead.
Vice Chair Carollo: Let me see when the manager is done over there.
Chair King: Mr. Manager.
Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Manager. There's almost $3,250,000 extra dollars that has
to be allocated. Where's the money coming from?
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Vice Chair Carollo: There's -- between both RE.20 and RE.21, there's almost
$3,250,000 extra dollars. Where is the money coming from?
Marie Gouin (Director, Management & Budget): The extra money is being allocated
from the district's impact fee dollars, which was part of the adopted budget for capital
plans, which was on September, I believe, 7th.
Vice Chair Carollo: When you say impact fees --
Ms. Gouin: Impact fees.
Vice Chair Carollo: From where?
Ms. Gouin: From parks impact fees.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Ms. Gouin: Everybody -- on an annual basis, all the district gets an allocation of the
park impact fees for their district. He's using his district's portion for the park.
Vice Chair Carollo: If that's the case, then that's fine. But what is my portion, what is
the portion for the rest of us --
Ms. Gouin: They were all --
Vice Chair Carollo: -- for this fiscal year?
City of Miami
Page 101 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Ms. Gouin: -- they were all equal. I'm trying to remember. 1 believe it was about 4.7
million, but 1 can double check that went to each district.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Alright.
Ms. Gouin: Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: Very well.
Chair King: Do I have a --?
Ms. Gouin: Let me double check the numbers and I'll verify.
Chair King: Do I have a motion?
Commissioner Pardo: I'll make the motion.
Chair King: I have a motion and a second.
Vice Chair Carollo: Second.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): I'm sorry, is that motion for RE.20 and 21 ?
Chair King: Yes.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: They're together.
Chair King: Yes. I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries unanimously.
City of Miami
Page 102 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
RE.21
16944
Commissioners
and Mayor
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE AMENDMENT NO. 2, IN A FORM
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, TO INCREASE THE
CONTRACT CAPACITY OF THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
AGREEMENT ("PSA") WITH ALLEGUEZ ARCHITECTURE, INC., A
FLORIDA PROFIT CORPORATION ("ALLEGUEZ"), SOLICITED
AND AWARDED PURSUANT TO REQUEST FOR
QUALIFICATIONS ("RFQ") NO. 14-15-028, TO PROVIDE
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
ADMINISTRATION SERVICES FOR VIRRICK PARK AQUATIC
FACILITY, PROJECT NO. B-40571 - D2, BY AN AMOUNT OF
FOUR HUNDRED FORTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($440,000.00),
THEREBY INCREASING THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT
COMPENSATION AMOUNT FROM FOUR HUNDRED TWENTY-
FOUR THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED FORTY-TWO DOLLARS
AND TWENTY-THREE CENTS ($424,342.23) TO THE AMENDED
CONTRACT AMOUNT OF EIGHT HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR
THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED FORTY-TWO DOLLARS AND
TWENTY-THREE CENTS ($864,342.23) FOR THE COSTS
ASSOCIATED WITH ADDITIONAL SCOPE OF WORK ITEMS, AS
DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED;
ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM OFFICE OF CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENTS ("OCI") PROJECT NO. B-40571; FURTHER
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND
EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING ANY
AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, AND EXTENSIONS SUBJECT TO
ALL ALLOCATIONS, APPROPRIATIONS, AND BUDGETARY
APPROVALS AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE
PROVISIONS OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA,
AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), INCLUDING THE CITY OF MIAMI'S
PROCUREMENT ORDINANCE, ANTI -DEFICIENCY ACT, AND
FINANCIAL INTEGRITY PRINCIPLES, ALL AS SET FORTH IN
CHAPTER 18 OF THE CITY CODE, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO
THE CITY ATTORNEY, AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH ALL
APPLICABLE LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS, AS MAY BE
DEEMED NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0477
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number RE.21, please see Item
Number RE.20.
END OF RESOLUTIONS
City of Miami
Page 103 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
EM - EMERGENCY ORDINANCE
EM.1 ORDINANCE Emergency Ordinance
16938
Commissioners
and Mayor
AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE OF 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 CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED,
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 WYNWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD
REVITALIZATION DISTRICT 1 ("NRD-1") USING DECIBEL
READING WITH A BASE DB(C) OF 68, CREATING SCALED
VIOLATIONS AND REQUIRED OPEN AIR VENUE NOISE
ATTENUATION DEVICES; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: 14330
MOTION TO: Adopt as an Emergency Measure
RESULT: ADOPTED AS AN EMERGENCY MEASURE
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: Item EM.1 passed as an Emergency Ordinance with two roll
calls. For the first roll call, a motion was made by Commissioner Carollo,
seconded by Commissioner Gabela, and was passed unanimously to pass EM.1 as
an Emergency Ordinance. The second roll call to pass EM.1 as an Emergency
Ordinance is reflected above in the vote result box located underneath the
enactment number.
Chair King: Mr. City Attorney, would you please read the emergency ordinance title
for the record?
George Wysong (City Attorney): Yes, Madam Chair. EM.1.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Chair King: Do I have a motion?
Vice Chair Carollo: Motion.
Commissioner Reyes: Move.
Chair King: I have a second.
Commissioner Gabela: Second.
Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
City of Miami
Page 104 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries unanimously. Mr. City Attorney, would you please read
the title into the record --
Mr. Wysong: Again.
Chair King: -- again?
Mr. Wysong: Yes, Madam Chair. EM.1.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Chair King: May I have a motion?
Commissioner Reyes: Move it.
Commissioner Pardo: So moved.
Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries unanimously.
END OF EMERGENCY ORDINANCE
City of Miami
Page 105 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
SR - SECOND READING ORDINANCES
SR.1 ORDINANCE Second Reading
16581 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
Department of CHAPTER 35/ARTICLE VII/SECTION 35-254 OF THE CODE OF
Planning THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"),
TITLED "MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC/TRANSPORTATION
TRUST FUND/TRUST FUND PAYMENTS," MORE PARTICULARLY
BY AMENDING SECTION 35-254(C) OF THE CITY CODE TO
ESTABLISH A PURCHASE PRICE OF PARKING SPACES
PAYABLE INTO THE TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR
AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: 14331
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Chair King: Mr. City Attorney, would you please read the second reading ordinances
titles for the record?
George Wysong (City Attorney): Yes, Madam Chair. SR.1. 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.
Chair King: Gentlemen, are there any of the second reading ordinances that you
would like to pull for discussion?
Vice Chair Carollo: If you could give us --
Chair King: Take your time.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- a couple of minutes. Thank you.
Chair King: We've lost Commissioner Reyes. I'd like --
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Chair King: -- to make sure he's okay with these items.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Commissioner Reyes: (INAUDIBLE).
Chair King: I understand. We are on our second reading ordinances, SR.1 and SR.2.
Would you like to pull any for discussion?
City of Miami
Page 106 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Commissioner Reyes: No, ma'am.
Chair King: Anyone? May I have a motion?
Commissioner Reyes: Move it.
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
16661 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, AMENDING
City Manager's CHAPTER 40/ARTICLE IV/DIVISION 3 OF THE CODE OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED (CITY CODE) TITLED
Office "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.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: 14332
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number SR.2, please see Item
Number SR.1.
END OF SECOND READING ORDINANCES
City of Miami
Page 107 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
FR - FIRST READING ORDINANCES
FR.1 ORDINANCE First Reading
16550 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
City Manager's CHAPTER 2/ARTICLE IV OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
Office 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.
MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading
RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Chair King: Mr. City Attorney, would you read the first reading ordinances ' title for
the record?
George Wysong (City Attorney): Yes, Madam Chair. First reading ordinance is FR.1.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Mr. Wysong: FR.2.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Mr. Wysong: FR.3.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Mr. Wysong: FR.4.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
[Later..:
Chair King: Are there any of the FR (First Reading) items that you would like to pull
for discussion? One, two, three, or four? Seeing none, may I have a motion? A
second?
Commissioner Pardo: Second.
City of Miami
Page 108 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries unanimously.
FR.2 ORDINANCE First Reading
16788 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
Department of CHAPTER 62/ARTICLE VI/SECTION 62-22 OF THE CODE OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), TITLED
Planning "PLANNING AND ZONING/ZONING AND PLANNING
FEES/SCHEDULE OF FEES," TO ALLOW THE FEE SCHEDULE
TO BE ADOPTED BY RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading
RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number FR.2, please see Item
Number FR.1.
FR.3 ORDINANCE First Reading
16787 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
Department of CHAPTER 62/ARTICLE IV OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
Planning FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE") TITLED "PLANNING AND
ZONING/NOTICE GENERALLY," MORE PARTICULARLY BY
AMENDING SECTION 62-20 OF THE CITY CODE, TITLED "SAME -
TYPES," TO PROVIDE FOR CLARIFICATION REGARDING
REQUIRED MAIL AND COURTESY NOTIFICATIONS;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND PROVIDING FOR
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading
RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number FR.3, please see Item
Number FR.1.
City of Miami
Page 109 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
FR.4 ORDINANCE First Reading
16793
Off -Street Parking
Board/Miami
Parking Authority
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 35 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA,
AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), TITLED "MOTOR VEHICLES AND
TRAFFIC," INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, SECTION 35-1,
TITLED "DEFINITIONS," DEFINING CURB LOADING ZONES,
FREIGHT OR COMMERCIAL CURB LOADING ZONE, PARKING
ENFORCEMENT SPECIALIST, AND SMART LOADING ZONE,
SECTION 35-4, TITLED "HITCHHIKING," REVISING THE
LANGUAGE TO ACCOUNT FOR CURRENT DAY RIDE -HAILING
SERVICES, SECTION 35-10, TITLED "PARKING FOR CERTAIN
PURPOSES PROHIBITED," ADDING LANGUAGE CONCERNING
LOADING ZONES AND ENFORCEMENT SPECIALISTS, ADDING
SECTION 35-11, TITLED "IMMOBILIZATION/ BOOTING OF
MOTOR VEHICLES," REMOVING SECTION 35-163, TITLED
"FAILURE TO APPEAR AND PAY FINE WITHIN PRESCRIBED
TIME," AS THIS LANGUAGE IS CURRENTLY OBSOLETE,
REMOVING SECTION 35-164, TITLED "PENALTY FOR
VIOLATIONS OF DIVISION," AS THIS LANGUAGE IS CURRENTLY
OBSOLETE, ADDING SECTION 35-165, TITLED "INVOICE AND
CITATIONS BY MAIL," SECTION 35-191, TITLED "ON -STREET
PARKING METERS, AND MONTHLY ON -STREET PERMIT
PROGRAM," REVISING LANGUAGE CONCERNING LOADING
ZONES, SECTION 35-192, TITLED "MUNICIPAL PARKING
GARAGES," ADDING LANGUAGE CONCERNING THE PUBLIC
HEALTH TRUST PARKING FACILITY, SECTION 35-193, TITLED
"MUNICIPAL OFF-STREET PARKING LOTS," ADDING THE
MARINE STADIUM SITE AND PROVIDING FOR THE ADDITION
OF NEW PARKING LOTS VIA RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF
THE DEPARTMENT OF OFF-STREET PARKING A/K/A THE MIAMI
PARKING AUTHORITY ("MPA"), AND ARTICLE VIII, TITLED
"PRIVATE PARKING LOTS," UPDATING THE LANGUAGE IN
ACCORDANCE WITH CURRENT STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading
RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number FR.4, please see Item
Number FR.1.
City of Miami
Page 110 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
FR.5 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: Withdraw
RESULT: WITHDRAWN
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number FR.5, please
see "Public Comments on all Item(s)."
George Wysong (City Attorney): And finally, FR.5, which will be withdrawn.
Chair King: FR.5 has been deferred?
Mr. Wysong: It should be withdrawn considering that EM.1 was adopted.
Chair King: Okay, so we don't need to take that up.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): But Chair, just for the record, it's still in play, so a
motion to withdraw the item from the agenda would be required.
Vice Chair Carollo: Move.
Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries unanimously.
END OF FIRST READING ORDINANCES
City of Miami
Page 111 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
BC.1
16510
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
City of Miami
Page 112 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
BC.2
16832
Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT COUNCIL FOR
TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela
Commissioner Damian Pardo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
City of Miami
Page 113 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
BC.3
6672
Office of the City
Clerk
BC.4
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:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Christine King
Commission -At -Large
Commission -At -Large
City of Miami
Page 114 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
BC.5
15417
Office of the City
Clerk
BC.6
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 115 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
BC.7
15122
Office of the City
Clerk
BC.8
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:
Commission -At -Large
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
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 116 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
BC.9
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 117 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
BC.10
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 118 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
BC.11
15097
Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A CERTAIN
INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR A TERM AS
DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY:
Erica Paschal City Manager Arthur Noriega, V
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0479
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Chair King: Mr. City Clerk, are there any board appointments?
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Yes, thank you, Chair. BC.11, Finance Committee, the
City Manager will be reappointing Erica Paschal.
Chair King: May I have a motion?
Vice Chair Carollo: Move.
Commissioner Reyes: Move.
Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries.
Mr. Hannon: That concludes the boards and committees. Thank you, Chair.
Chair King: Thank you.
City of Miami
Page 119 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
BC.12
7963
Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE HEALTH FACILITIES AUTHORITY BOARD FOR
TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela
Commissioner Damian Pardo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Christine King
City of Miami
Page 120 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
BC.13
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
City of Miami
Page 121 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
BC.14
16055
Office of the City
Clerk
BC.15
16837
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: NOMINATED BY:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
Commissioner Christine King
City of Miami
Page 122 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
BC.16
15421
Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE MAYOR'S COUNCIL ON GLOBAL
COMPETITIVENESS FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Damian Pardo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Christine King
Commission -At -Large
City of Miami
Page 123 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
BC.17
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
Page 124 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
BC.18
9270
Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE MIAMI TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL FOR TERMS
AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela
Commissioner Damian Pardo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Christine King
Commission -At -Large
Commission -At -Large
Commission -At -Large
City of Miami
Page 125 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
BC.19
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 Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Christine King
Commissioner Christine King
City of Miami
Page 126 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
BC.20
3693
Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE STARS OF CALLE OCHO WALK OF FAME
COMMITTEE FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Mayor Francis Suarez
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commission -At -Large
Commission -At -Large
Commission -At -Large
City of Miami
Page 127 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
BC.21
16286
Office of the City
Clerk
BC.22
16056
Office of the City
Clerk
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE URBAN DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD
(UDRB) FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN.
APPOINTEES:
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
NOMINATED BY:
Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela
Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela
Commissioner Damian Pardo
Commissioner Damian Pardo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Joe Carollo
Commissioner Manolo Reyes
Commissioner Christine King
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
Page 128 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
DI - DISCUSSION ITEMS
DI.1 DISCUSSION ITEM
16942
Commissioners
and Mayor
A DISCUSSION ITEM REGARDING LOST INCOME TO THE CITY
WITH VOTE FOR SOLUTION.
MOTION TO: Continue
RESULT: CONTINUED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: Item DI.1 was continued to the December 12, 2024, City
Commission Meeting.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): And DI.1 and DL2.
Chair King: I know. I'm going back to that. So, we have two discussion items, lost
income to the City with --
Vice Chair Carollo: Let me try to be brief Madam Chair.
Chair King: Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: I don't think we're going to be losing that much more if save
this one for -- and defer to the next meeting. So, I defer D.1 [sic] to the next meeting.
Chair King: Motion?
Vice Chair Carollo: Motion.
Commissioner Gabela: What are we doing again?
Chair King: To defer Discussion Item 1 --
Vice Chair Carollo: I'm going to defer D -- Discussion Item 1.
Chair King: -- to December 12th.
Commissioner Gabela: Oh, D.1 [sic] and D.2 [sic] or just D.1 [sic]?
Vice Chair Carollo: D.1 [sic].
Chair King: D.1 [sic]. To December 12th. I have a motion.
Commissioner Gabela: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
City of Miami
Page 129 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
DI.2 DISCUSSION ITEM
16943 A DISCUSSION ITEM WITH THE POLICE CHIEF.
Commissioners
and Mayor
rRESULT: DISCUSSED
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number DL2, please
see "Public Comrnents on all Item(s)."
Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. Manager, is the police chief here?
Arthur Noriega (City Manager): Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: If you could ask him to come, please. Chief,' how are you? Thank
you for being here.
Manuel Morales: Good evening. Manny Morales, Chief of Police.
Vice Chair Carollo: Good evening, Chief. Chief, and this is good that we deal with it
now, because you might need to come back with what I'm going to be asking of you
when -- for the next meeting. How many boats do we have in the Marine Patrol as of
today that are usable?
Mr. Morales: Boats in Marine Patrol, sir?
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, usable for patrol.
Mr. Morales: So, right now we have 11 boats in Marine Patrol. And personnel, we
have one lieutenant, two sergeants, and 14 officers right now.
Vice Chair Carollo: And 14 officers. You've got 17 in personnel altogether.
Mr. Morales: Yes, sir.
Vice Chair Carollo: Marine Patrol. How many of those I boats are you using?
Mr. Morales: Can we use?
Vice Chair Carollo: How many are actually being used?
Mr. Morales: So, at 11 boats, I want to say two are shallow, so we don 't use them all
the time. And then we have --
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, so you really' have nine because the other two are shallow.
Mr. Morales: Well, they're special purpose so --
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, right, I understand.
Mr. Morales: -- so we only use them in like --
Vice Chair Carollo: That why I said that.
Mr. Morales: -- Blue Lagoon and the other locations. The ones that we get the most
use are the three latest ones that we got with the assistance of the Grant Department
City of Miami
Page 130 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
and FIND (Florida Inland Navigation District), which are the safety boats, which one
is a -- bought with UASI (Urban Areas Security Initiative) money, which is a SWAT
(Special Weapons And Tactics) boat, but we use for Marine Patrol because we have
SWAT personnel on it. And then we have two other safe boats that we use. Those are
the ones that get the most use.
Vice Chair Carollo: Out of those nine, do you have one now that you don 't have
sufficient personnel to fill it, to put out there?
Mr. Morales: The way that we rotate it and the amount of personnel that we have, sir,
1 can only have at a maximum maybe three or four being used at the sane time. Is that
the question that you're asking?
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes.
Mr. Morales: Okay. But 1 can use a maximum of four at a given time.
Vice Chair Carollo: In actuality, you're not going to have four, I don't think, at the
same time unless it's a special event or something.
Mr. Morales: Not on a 24-hour basis.
Vice Chair Carollo: How many do you have being used at the same time, two or
three?
Mr. Morales: So, at -- probably three at the same time.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Mr. Morales: Because that's two officers per boat just for safety, since you're out
there on the water.
Vice Chair Carollo: Two per -- I understand that.
Mr. Morales: So, we're talking about six (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Vice Chair Carollo: Here is what I'd like to know from you and the Manager's here,
so we're going through the Manager.
Mr. Morales: Yes, sir.
Vice Chair Carollo: Miami River, as you know, you 've been around for a long time,
it's a critical part of our commerce in the city, of traffic going through there. We have
a lot of restaurants down in the river that people like to go to. We 're getting a lot
more traffic than in the past. Now that I have the majority, of Brickell in my district, I
have been getting a lot of requests for Marine Patrol to be there. Neighbors are
complaining that at night you're getting all those party boats that are coming into late
hours of the night, they can't sleep. Others are speeding through there. I think there 's
four of us that share the Miami River; Commissioner Gabela, Commissioner King,
myself, and a little bit at the entrance, Commissioner Pardo. I don't believe, correct
me if I'm wrong, I don't think Commissioner Reyes has any.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, thank you. Now, what can we do, Chief to be able to
include another patrol boat? And you know, if it's money, I'll get you the money. You
get the boat. But for additional police officers, if it's money, that I'll get you right
City of Miami
Page 131 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
here today. But I don't know if you have enough people trained or people that you
could pull to be trained in marine patrol right away. So, it's not going to do us any
good if you get a boat, but you don't have the people to put in there immediately. So,
what I want you to come back on the 12th with is what plan can you present to us to
increase, in particular, at night, right at the entrance of the river? You know, I don 't
care who it is. The minute they see a Miami Patrol boat out there, a Miami Police
patrol boat, they have a different attitude. I think you know that.
Mr. Morales: Correct.
Vice Chair Carollo: What can you come up with -- and I'm again going through the
Manager -- that you can present a stronger plan of action in patrolling that river, in
particular, the entrance at night, so that the residents could have some peace and
quiet? And frankly, I've seen it myself, the speeding is getting out of hand at times,
and the wakes. And there 's just a lot of activity, a lot more than we 've ever had, Chief.
Mr. Morales: So, Commissioner, I hear you loud and clear. One of the things that was
synonymous with what you're stating is, during the budget hearings, a lot of our
community came up and when they were voicing their concerns, one of their concerns
was the patrolling of the river. So, as of September 25th, we added two additional
bodies to Marine Patrol. It was 12 before September 25th, we added the two ones.
Those two bodies that we added on September 25th are exclusively assigned to the
river. And they work Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 3
a.m. exclusively on the river unless there's an emergency call outside in the bay
where they need to respond. So, they've had a little bit more impact. 1 can get you
some updated stats of what they've been doing there.
Vice Chair Carollo: What can we do to bring that seven days a week? And at the
same time, have one that's more or less stationed. I mean, you're not going to have
them there 24-7 because something might happen down the river and you wouldn 't be
able to send them. But in particular in the nighttime, they could be stationed towards
the front and being a sort of a Marine Patrol Coast Guard so that people know that
they can't come through there speeding, that party boats can't be blasting where you
can hear them, you know, for a mile away. What can we do to give our residents a
little more assurance, a little more peace on that? And if the question is more
personnel, I don't know if you could pull two more from somewhere else to have them
in there. What I'm asking you, Chief through the Manager, if we can come up with
some plan that we're going to have. That might mean a second boat, one at the tip, a
second boat in the Miami River, towards the entrance of it, so that we can stop a lot of
this before they go into the rest of the river.
Mr. Morales: So, Commissioner, we can definitely take a look at instituting a boat.
Eventually, ideally, what we would want is a 24-7 patrol,, one on the bay and one on
the river. The difficulty of the river, like you mentioned, is not only, it takes -- it's the
length of time that it takes. So, if I have the boat in the bay and I have a call inside the
river, it takes me about 25 to 30 minutes --
Vice Chair Carollo: Sure, yeah.
Mr. Morales: -- just to get in there because there's a no -wake zone, right?
Vice Chair Carollo: Right.
Mr. Morales: So, one of the things we're looking at is to look for a viable position
where we can station a boat somewhere along the river that would prevent that, yeah.
City of Miami
Page 132 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, I've been given -- I've been given several locations, Chief
that we could use that I'll be happy to give you so that your people can look at it, see
if it's satisfactory for your needs. But again, I'm willing to give you whatever
assistance you need, even if it's going to come from my own district office budget. If
you need two more officers, from what I hear, you're okay in boats. But if you need
another boat, we'll find another boat.
Mr. Morales: Thank you, Commissioner. I appreciate it. We're scheduled to get two
more as the bodies that are now in the field training program hit, so I believe it's
March of 2025 that we'll be adding two more to Marine Patrol that could supplement
what we already have on the river. Give me a little more robust coverage.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Mr. Morales: And I will update the plan, and I'll present it back to the Commission.
Commissioner Gabela: I got some questions.
Chair King: Commissioner Pardo wanted to make a statement.
Commissioner Pardo: Chief 1 just wanted to thank you. You helped us a lot with
Marine Patrol. You know, we're trying to get our own little rapid response boat
patrol. So, you've been great. And I just want to commend you and please keep doing
what you're doing.
Mr. Morales: Still are waiting for you guys. It's whenever you guys are ready.
Commissioner Pardo: It's making a big difference for the district. Thank you.
Mr. Morales: You got it, sir. Appreciate it.
Chair King: Commissioner Gabela.
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah. So, what I want to ask you, let's go through the
schedule again. You got two boats, you got 11 in total, nine that you used, two are on
standby.
Mr. Morales: Two are special purpose, so two of them are for like shallow water. So,
we wouldn 't put them in the bay; we would put them at Blue Lagoon.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, those are the ones that used to go fishing.
Mr. Morales: Yeah, those shallow flats, like a flats boat.
Commissioner Gabela: Like allots boat.
Mr. Morales: Yeah.
Commissioner Gabela: But then what you have is, out of the nine, you have four to
three at the same time.
Mr. Morales: Correct. We could not -- we don't have the personnel to put more than
four at the same time, unless we go all hands on.
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, four times two, that's eight.
Mr. Morales: Correct.
City of Miami
Page 133 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Commissioner Gabela: Okay. And the fourth that you have, let's pretend you have
four, where exactly are they from, like from 27th Ave to where?
Mr. Morales: So, it depends. The one that I --
Commissioner Gabela: So, the ones that you're talking about that you keep on the
river because you're not going to dispatch them to go out and you're also not going to
dispatch one from the bay to come in because you 're wasting time.
Mr. Morales: So, the one that's -- Commissioner, the one that's dedicated to the river
on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday --
Commissioner Gabela: Right.
Mr. Morales: -- from 5P to 3A, that one's on the river. So, it could be anywhere from
the mouth of the river in Brickell all the way to 27 Avenue, past a little bit of 27
Avenue bridge. So, it could be anywhere in there, handling calls for service or any
requests that they have, or the officers do have the discretion to enforce in the areas
where they know from their experience patrolling the river where there might be an
issue.
Commissioner Gabela: And that's all hours of the day, you know, there's shifts?
Mr. Morales: That's just the one that's there from Wednesday, Thursday, Friday,
Saturday, from 5P to 3A.
Commissioner Gabela: I'm sorry, from what?
Mr. Morales: 5 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, to 3 a.m.
Mr. Morales: That's an exclusive river patrol. The other seven days of the week that
we have and the earlier hours, we've got boats that are sharing. So, we'll have one or
two boats that are sharing. If it's a weekend, usually we have a lot of traffic in Marine
Patrol -- in Marine Stadium. We'll have some traffic close to Bayside. So, the officers
kind of handle and they rotate those areas of concerns that we receive through either
commissioners relaying the complaints or residents that have called and relayed or
called for 911 assistance.
Commissioner Gabela: So, I --
Vice Chair Carollo: I'm sorry.
Commissioner Reyes: Madam Chair?
Vice Chair Carollo: Go ahead, sir. I apologize.
Commissioner Gabela: No problem. Just wanted to real quick, out of the four, you've
got one out on the bay, right, and the three others are inside the river?
Mr. Morales: Yes, on those hours, and when it's not -- like before 5 p.m., there could
be a boat answering calls on the river or on the bay.
City of Miami
Page 134 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Commissioner Gabela: Okay. Just one question. Is that us only on the river, or do we
also have FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission), Coast Guard,
do we have any other assets out there besides ourselves at those times?
Mr. Morales: So, we have --
Commissioner Gabela: I'm trying to learn here.
Mr. Morales: Yeah, yeah, no --
Commissioner Gabela: I have no idea what we have going on.
Mr. Morales: I appreciate it. It's a little bit kind of random. So, on the bay we share
with the County. It helps out a little bit more on the port side, for the Port of Miami,
but they do help out outside on the maritime areas where the jurisdiction falls into the
County waters. The Florida Wildlife Commission helps us out as well. They have
jurisdiction statewide, but the majority of the individuals that patrol the river is the
City of Miami. That's our main responsibility. The County does help out every once in
a while. They were sending us -- to augment our numbers, they were sending us some
assistance during the weekends, on Friday and Saturday, earlier in the day. I got to
check with them to see if they're still providing that assistance. They were sending me
a weekly report, but the area chief kind of retired, so the County is going through a
little bit of change. So, I'll get that information. But we work very closely together, the
City, the County, and the State with FWC.
Commissioner Reyes: Madam Chair?
Chair King: Commissioner Reyes.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Although I don't have any part of the river, I have received
a lot of complaints, particularly from residents around the river, that illegal charters,
they come, and they pick up a group of people, and then they go out and they party,
and they come back with all the noise and all of that. And there are a ton of illegal
charters going on in the river. Are you doing something about it? Are you trying to
stop them and check if they have a license or whatever?
Mr. Morales: So --
Commissioner Reyes: Because they have -- there are people that their business, their
main business, and they're making a lot of money, is using their boats and illegally
chartering into a group that will come and they will pick them up along the river
sometimes next to an apartment building.
Mr. Morales: So, Commissioner, that's a great question. That's one of the complaints
that we receive quite often. Right along the river, the main point of embarkation for
illegal charters we've noticed is Lummus Park.
Commissioner Reyes: Lummus Park.
Mr. Morales: Right on -- in the city docks where we've done some work.
Commissioner Reyes: On 18th Street also.
Mr. Morales: We've done some operations there. We've arrested some illegal
charters. So, that's one of the points of interest. So, when the patrol is on the river,
they take a look at that. When they see individuals that are getting in there, that are
being picked up, usually gets dropped off by rideshare and they jump on the boat. But
City of Miami
Page 135 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
we've seen them other places. We know we had them north of the Venetian in that --
just south of Margaret Park. So, we do pay attention to them. We do specialized
operations. Sometimes we do undercover where some of our undercover officers
would pose as clients and try to get a charter, and then we'11 have Marine Patrol stop
them. But it's not only the charters. We also do -- we had a combined operation with
Code Enforcement or Code Compliance, where we went after the big illuminated
LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) --
Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
Mr. Morales: -- that were on the bay, right off of Downtown Bayside and going into
the mouth of the river in Brickell Key, and also the jet skis. One of the big locations
where we have is Margaret Pace Park, where they go, and they pick up and they ferry
riders for the jet skis. So, we're working all those complaints. We're kind of lumping
them into one, and that's one of the priorities for Marine Patrol.
Commissioner Reyes: Also, I want to offer any help that you need. And I'm willing to
cooperate as much as I can in order for you to get the proper personnel to keep our
river and our bay safe.
Mr. Morales: Thank you, Commissioner. I appreciate that.
Vice Chair Carollo: Chief to be clear, what we're talking about is one boat inside the
river, one right at the entrance of the river to be stationed.
Mr. Morales: So, two on the river. I know there's some interest to perhaps have some
Commissioner Gabela: No, no, but hey --
Mr. Morales: -- of our state legislators help out --
Commissioner Gabela: Don't take away, those three. Leave those three in the river.
Mr. Morales: Yeah.
Vice Chair Carollo: If you need two more officers, you know, you -- I'm giving you
the tickets so you get the laundry and get them uniforms and all --
Mr. Morales: Thank you, Commissioner.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- the equipment you need, and you can put them in service.
Mr. Morales: Okay. Noted, sir. Appreciate it.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you, sir.
Mr. Morales: Thank you.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay, nothing else?
Chair King: This concludes the City of Miami Commission meeting for November
21 st, 2024. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. I will see you -- we will see you here --
Unidentified Speaker: December.
Chair King: -- in December. Good night, everyone.
City of Miami
Page 136 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Vice Chair Carollo: Good night.
END OF DISCUSSION ITEMS
City of Miami
Page 137 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
PART B: PZ - PLANNING AND ZONING ITEM(S)
PZ.1 ORDINANCE Second Reading
12858
Commissioners
and Mayor - PZ
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 10544, AS
AMENDED, THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP OF THE MIAMI
COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN, PURSUANT TO SMALL
SCALE AMENDMENT PROCEDURES SUBJECT TO SECTION
163.3187, FLORIDA STATUTES, BY CHANGING THE FUTURE LAND
USE DESIGNATION FROM "DUPLEX RESIDENTIAL" TO "LOW
DENSITY RESTRICTED COMMERCIAL" FOR THE PROPERTY
GENERALLY LOCATED AT 3424 AND 3442 SOUTHWEST 37
AVENUE, 3714 AND 3718 WASHINGTON AVENUE, AND 3719
THOMAS AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS MORE PARTICULARLY
DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED;
MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Indefinitely Defer
RESULT: INDEFINITELY DEFERRED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.1, please see "Order
of the Day."
City of Miami
Page 138 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
PZ.2 ORDINANCE Second Reading
12859
Commissioners
and Mayor - PZ
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING THE ZONING ATLAS OF ORDINANCE
NO. 13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("MIAMI 21 CODE"), BY CHANGING THE
ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM: "T3-O" SUB -URBAN TRANSECT
ZONE — OPEN TO "T4-O" GENERAL URBAN TRANSECT ZONE -
OPEN WITH A "VILLAGE WEST ISLAND DISTRICT AND CHARLES
AVENUE NCD-2" (NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT)
OVERLAY FOR THE PROPERTY GENERALLY LOCATED AT 3424
AND 3442 SOUTHWEST 37 AVENUE, 3714 AND 3718 WASHINGTON
AVENUE, AND 3719 THOMAS AVENUE; MAINTAINING THE ZONING
CLASSIFICATION OF "T3-O" SUB -URBAN TRANSECT ZONE — OPEN
WITH A "VILLAGE WEST ISLAND DISTRICT AND CHARLES AVENUE
NCD-2" (NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT) OVERLAY
FOR THE PROPERTY GENERALLY LOCATED AT 3735
WASHINGTON AVENUE, AND MAINTAINING THE ZONING
CLASSIFICATION OF "T5-O" URBAN CENTER ZONE— OPEN WITH
A "VILLAGE WEST ISLAND DISTRICT AND CHARLES AVENUE NCD-
2" (NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT) OVERLAY FOR
THE PROPERTY GENERALLY LOCATED AT 3710 GRAND AVENUE,
MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN
EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED; MAKING FINDINGS;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Indefinitely Defer
RESULT: INDEFINITELY DEFERRED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.2, please see "Order
of the Day."
City of Miami
Page 139 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
PZ.3
14120
Department of
Planning
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
GRANTING/DENYING THE APPEAL FILED BY 970 N.W. 8TH STREET
ROAD, LLC, ("APPELLANT") AND
REVERSING/AFFIRMING/MODIFYING THE DECISION OF THE MIAMI
HISTORIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION BOARD'S
DENIAL, PURSUANT TO SECTION 23-6.2(B)(4) OF THE CODE OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, OF THE
APPELLANT'S APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL CERTIFICATE OF
APPROPRIATENESS TO PERMIT DEMOLITION OF TWO (2)
CONTRIBUTING STRUCTURES, LOCATED APPROXIMATELY AT
812 NORTHWEST 8 STREET ROAD AND 830 NORTHWEST 8
STREET ROAD, MIAMI, FLORIDA, 33136, WITHIN THE SPRING
GARDEN HISTORIC DISTRICT; WITH FOLIO NUMBERS 01-3135-
027-1080 AND 01-3135-027-1070.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: Item PZ.3 was deferred to the February 27, 2025, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.3, please see
"Order of the Day."
PZ.4 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 with Modification(s)
RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number PZ.4, please
see "Public Comments on allltem(s)."
City of Miami
Page 140 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Chair King: I'd like to take the PZ (Planning and Zoning) items up before we go to
the discussion items, if that's okay with you guys.
Vice Chair Carollo: Sure.
Chair King: Okay. Mr. City Attorney, would you please read the titles of the PZ items
into the record?
George Wysong (City Attorney): Yes, Madam Chair. The PZ items still up for
consideration, starting with PZ.4.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Mr. Wysong: A substitution memo was submitted to the Commission and the -- a
different item was considered by the Planning Advisory Board. So, let me read the
title of the proposed substituted amendment to PZ.4, which is --
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Mr. Wysong: PZ.5, a resolution of -- no, I'm sorry. PZ.9.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Mr. Wysong: PZ.10.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Mr. Wysong: PZ.11.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Mr. Wysong: And just as a note to the City Clerk, the covenant has been updated on
PZ.11. So, there will be a substitution. PZ.12.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Mr. Wysong: PZ. 13.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Mr. Wysong: PZ.14.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Mr. Wysong: PZ.15.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Mr. Wysong: PZ. 18.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Mr. Wysong: And finally, PZ.19.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
City of Miami
Page 141 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Marc Burton: May I ask you ifPZ.5 or 6 were read (INAUDIBLE)?
Mr. Wysong: They're resolutions and do not need a title read.
Mr. Burton: Thank you.
Mr. Wysong: You're welcome.
Chair King: Does that complete --?
Mr. Wysong: That completes the PZ items.
Chair King: Gentlemen, are there any of the PZ items that you would like to pull for
discussion?
Commissioner Pardo: PZ.4.
Chair King: PZ.4.
Commissioner Pardo: I'd also like to pull outPZ.19.
Chair King: PZ.19. Anything else?
Commissioner Pardo: 5 and 6 as well now that --
Chair King: Oh,1 got that.
Commissioner Pardo: -- if we're doing 4, yeah.
Chair King: 4, 5, and 6. Any other items to be pulled for discussion?
Commissioner Reyes: (INAUDIBLE) 4.
Chair King: Uh-huh. Okay. Commissioner Carollo, any, items? Other than the ones
that were pulled, 4, 5, and 6?
Vice Chair Carollo: (INAUDIBLE).
Chair King: Okay. So, at this time, if I may have a motion to pass PZ.7, PZ.9, PZ.10,
11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 18.
Commissioner Gabela: Motion.
Commissioner Reyes: Second.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): And again, just to state for the record, PZ.11 will be as
amended.
Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries unanimously.
[Later... j
Chair King: Now we will go to PZ.4 for discussion. Commissioner Pardo?
City of Miami
Page 142 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Commissioner Pardo: Thank you. Listen, it's been a long day. I know we're all very,
very tired. So, I'm going to ask a big favor of my colleagues, and that is, try to follow
me as I'm connecting the dots here in what I'm about to say. This is very important to
us because it's our district and we get the emails, we get the calls, we get -- this is
something that will not go away from our office or from this commission because the
residents of Downtown are furious. What are they furious about? This started before
my term. About a year ago, they go, and they use Maurice Ferre Park on a daily
basis. They walk their dogs, they play frisbee, they enjoy green space. That is what
they would like to keep. And in fact, if you look at City of Miami Parks Master Plan,
the number one highest priority is green space and public space in park. They see a
gym, a circular gym, has been placed in the park. Their buildings have gyms. They
didn't askfbr the gym. And this was kind of like the straw that broke the camel's back.
Because there had been a series of things where they felt their input was simply not
even taken into consideration in any form. So, they came here, they used the warrant
process, they went to PZAB (Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board). They won at
PZAB, 7 to 1. PZAB supported their point of view to get rid of the gym. They came
before Commission. We voted on this item. We voted 3-2 to remove the gym. That was
the order. To this day, that's never been done. I want to take a second though, and I
want to put the ballot -- Chris, if you could, just -- because I want -- I want people to
see why they're so furious and why they're so upset. Because they feel that their
government has been in some ways weaponized against them. They feel that putting a
ballot question like the one that I'm about to pop up, hopefully -- while he's putting it
up, 1 'm going to read it. And then when it comes up, hopefully --
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Commissioner Pardo: It's small. Oh, that screen. Okay. So, behind us, we can see it.
On our screen, I think it's not the same. But -- oh, there we go. If you read the ballot
question, it's keeping installed outdoor gym equipment at Maurice A. Ferre Park.
Shall the City of Miami keep already installed outdoor gym equipment, like in many of
our parks, at the City park located at 1075 Biscayne Boulevard, also known as
Maurice A. Ferre Park, to enhance recreational facilities and promote community
health and fitness for all of our residents? Downtown residents and the people that
came here this morning to speak didn't see themselves. They're like, wait a minute,
what happened to our -- this doesn't talk that the residents -- doesn't speak to the fact
that the residents didn't want that equipment. They had never wanted it, and they had
protested it and fought really hard. Because if you think about it, these folks have
been coming to us time and time again for over a year. What's important about this
question are two things. The plaintiffs hired attorneys, they sued on this question, they
sued on the legality of this kind of question, being too vague, but they also sued
because the State has a law that says a referendum cannot supersede a warrant. And
now we're here asking to eliminate warrants, which would tip the scale on their
lawsuit. The residents are asking us, don't tip the scale against us. Let the courts
decide this issue. And they deserve that. They've worked really hard, and they're very
passionate. And another problem here has been feedback. You see, what happens is
this park, Maurice Ferre Park, doesn't fall into a city -- I didn't even really
understand this. It doesn't fall into the City of Miami Master Plan. So, for example,
the video we saw this morning of Margaret Pace Park and the wonderful community
engagement, there is no process that requires Maurice Ferre Park to go through any
of that. It's not part of this plan. In fact, the only plan that addresses Maurice Ferre
Park is a 2008 plan that does not include outdoor gym equipment. In fact, in these
priorities in the master plan, there is no outdoor gym equipment. There's an indoor
gym equipment as a low -medium priority. Eliminating warrants, doing that across the
board for the entire City is just getting rid of a fail-safe that the residents feel protects
them and was put in place to avoid situations just like this. I mean, we have a great
parks director, we have a great City administration, our Parks Department does a
City of Miami
Page 143 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
wonderful job of soliciting feedback, but what if that were to change? What if that
changed? What if they had a situation like what just happened at Maurice Ferre?
They would no longer have the ability to appeal or even get notice, and someone --
which they feel that not only has Commissioner Carollo not listened to them, they feel
he's berated them, he's insulted them, he's bullied them. And I mean, I have -- there
are e-mails or -- and I mean, people show up and have said this here at public
comment. So, it's a strained, it's a difficult relationship. I'd like to ask the City
Attorney if there's any way possible to mediate or apply best efforts, because it is
ridiculous that this is before us, and it is ridiculous that this is, you know, risen to this
level, and there is a valid point about streamlining the process for these things, but
we're nowhere near there. We -- you know, just to get rid of this outright would be
really reckless in many ways for the residents of the city. So, I mean, they are the
taxpayers, you know, this is public land. We report to them. So, what 1 'd ask you to do
is please, you know, if you're not going to deny this, defer it, but this should not be
passed.
Chair King: I believe the City Attorney wants to --
George Wysong (City Attorney): Yes.
Chair King: -- make a statement.
Mr. Wysong: 1 may have a surprising suggestion, but my recommendation based on,
number one, this is here on second reading. There have been some arguments made
that the Miami 21 Code requires two readings after going to PZAB. Notwithstanding
the City Commission's precedent for perhaps more than five years or so where the
City has allowed items to go first reading, then PZAB, then to second reading --
Chair King: I'm sorry, I didn't hear you. Could you say that again? I didn't hear you.
Mr. Wysong: Oh, I'm sorry. I was just saying, notwithstanding the precedent that,
over a five-year precedent that the City Commission has in permitting items to go to --
be heard here first reading, then go to PZAB in between, and then hear the second
reading, which is the posture of this item, some arguments have been made that that
doesn't follow the Charter -- or I'm sorry, the City Code. I could argue with you that
in fact it does comply and there's a waiver of time limitations in this section as well,
but in light of the fact that this item is postured in a litigation format, and that to me is
really the only weakness on PZ.4, my recommendation is that we reset this item, PZ.4,
to a first reading again, and then bring it back on December 12th as a second reading
item. And perhaps in between first reading and second second reading, some
discussions could be made as far as if there is any resolution. I will say it will be
challenging because this is really -- you know, it's gym equipment or no gym
equipment. So -- but we're always willing to discuss. So, my recommendation would
be to reset it. And I also have to mention, the other reason I wanted to reset it is
because --
Commissioner Pardo: Substitution.
Mr. Wysong: -- we have offered a substitution. When the item went initially to City
Commission, some of you were concerned with the signage, and it created confusion
as to will there be another PAMM (Perez Art Museum Miami) sign in all city parks
and stuff like that. So, the Planning Department decided that in order to allay those
concerns and not hinder this piece of legislation, that they will come back with a
separate piece of legislation to look at the on -site signage for City parks. So, the
substitution removes the sign changes in Miami -- in this item and also it will -- in
addition, what this amendment does is there -- you want to explain it? It's probably
better than I
City of Miami
Page 144 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
David Snow (Director, Planning): Yes, Madam Chair. So, the substitution would also
require the community facilities for libraries and for museums to be by warrant.
Originally, it was all changing by right so those facilities would -- for community
facilities would be by warrant for libraries and for museums.
Mr. Wysong: And so, in light of those changes, we think it would be appropriate to
reset it to a first reading, have a vote today, and then we'll resolve it on December
12th.
Commissioner Pardo: Does it go back to PZAB?
Mr. Wysong: No, it would not have to go back to PZAB. It has been to PZAB.
Commissioner Pardo: Even with the substitution?
Mr. Wysong: It went to PZAB with the substitution, with this language, so it's in play.
There 's no more hindrances or pitfalls for this item.
Chair King: Mr. City Clerk, would I need a motion to accept the City Attorney's
recommendation to reset this PZ.4 as first reading?
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Well, it would be a motion to pass this item on first
reading, as amended, pursuant to the substitution memo dated November 15, 2024.
Commissioner Pardo: I wouldn't be in favor of passing any of this, just to be clear.
Chair King: Okay. I understand.
Vice Chair Carollo: I would proffer a motion to pass the City Attorney's
recommendation.
Chair King: So, I have a motion. Do I have a second?
Commissioner Gabela: Second.
Chair King: I have a motion and a second. Any further discussion?
Commissioner Reyes: Yes. I quite don't understand what you just said, maybe because
I'm not an attorney. But I'm going to give you my 10 cents of what I think about the
warrants and the problem with the warrants. I have worked in about 11 parks, 11
parks in my district that have been redone, built from scratch and rebuilt. And in
every single one of them, I have problems with warrants. Every, single one of them.
And the problem is that you need a warrant for everything even the naming of the
park. And the process, the process delays the residents to enjoy the park close to five
months, close to five months. If we are going to revisit this, we have to revisit in a way
that the process is expedited when there is City works or City projects. Expedited
because it is ridiculous that when you have to move a tree, that the tree is in the
middle of where the playground is going to be, you need a warrant and five months'
delay. That is ridiculous. And that is my problem. I don 't want to take the warrant
ability of people ability to come and express their opinion, but I want to expedite
those jobs that are going to benefit the community, you see, and the warrant process
will be totally, totally revamped and done in a way that it will be expedited.
Chair King: I have one question for staff Mr. Director, the warrant, removing the
warrant requirement, does that take the residents' voice away in determining what
happens in our parks? 1 know for my district I have community meetings for
City of Miami
Page 145 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
everything. We've had community meetings for what would happen in Legion Park.
I've had several community meetings with respect to our planning for Legion Park
and other parks in my district. I'm not in favor of silencing the community. I heard a
lot of public comments today that in taking this action it would remove or it would
take away the public's ability to speak on what happens in their park. I don't believe
that to be true, but I want to hear on the record.
Mr. Snow: Yes, Madam Chair, thank you. So, right, I think from a planning
perspective, their voice begins at the beginning of the process in the early stages of
the planning and programming and working with staff on that design of the park. The
warrants come in at the end of the process, and the warrants only require the abutting
property owners to be notified. We know very well that our parks serve a much
greater population than just the abutting property owners, but those would be the only
ones that would have the right to appeal the process. And the appeal process is not
necessarily the voice of the community, in our opinion.
Commissioner Gabela: Can I further add to that?
Chair King: Hold on, hold on. I have another question, because it was said that
exercise equipment is not in the Parks Master Plan. And this issue, I have gone back
and forth about it. 1 have checked with staff, and 1 have checked with our Parks
Director because one of the things is exercise equipment is not in the Parks Master
Plan. Is exercise equipment in our Parks Master Plan?
Chris Evans: Thank you, Madam Chair. Chris Evans, Parks and Recreation Director.
It mentions the top priorities for residents. It mentions outdoor fitness. Then another
part -- portion of the master plan, it mentions ideal amenities that are in each type of
park, whether it be a mini park, a neighborhood park, or a community park. Exercise
equipment has been listed as an ideal feature of an ideal park that we would design.
Chair King: And our Parks Master Plan, the master plan is created with community
input?
Mr. Evans: Yes, ma'am. We've had 36,000 inputs into the -- residents' input into the
statistically valid survey of all residents in the city of Miami.
Chair King: Okay, one more. I have one more. For me -- I don't know about nay
colleagues -- but again, I'm going to say, I am not clear what we do with the 80
percent of our electorate who voted to keep the gym equipment in the park. I do not
understand. We have residents that are coming, they don 't want this gym equipment in
the park, but 80 percent of our electorate, including the residents of District 2, voted
in favor of it. I may be swayed to change my mind had residents in District 2 voted
against it. The question is not misleading to me, to me,, the question is not misleading
as well as, Commissioner Pardo, I know that you, because you are engaged with your
constituency, the ballot question was explained to your district. If your district had
voted against it, I would take a different position. But District 2 residents voted in
favor of the gym equipment. I met a couple of residents from your district that lived
Downtown; one nice gentleman I met while I was voting at the Government Center.
And he said, I love it. I love the gym equipment. And he lives right there across the
street. So, what I am trying to accomplish now, through advice of counsel and staff is
the best way to honor the voters. That's what I'm trying to accomplish. I think
Commissioner Gabela wanted to say something.
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah. Yeah, I wanted to make that point also, but to me, the
way it was explained when I asked this, what does the warrant entail? And what you
said to me was, David, that the warrant is basically the abutting property, the nearest
property owners in front of that park are the ones that have the say. But behind that
City of Miami
Page 146 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
and around, those guys, you know, don't have a say. And when 1 see all these people
here, 1 heard them. But 1 am in agreement with the chairwoman, you know. And 1
heard your argument, by the way, and I voted with you in the beginning. You know, I
voted in your favor. But then when, you know, the referendum came and 80 percent of;
you know, the district, in fact, voted for this, I have to ask myself the same question
here. And then here's the thing, I believe your park, that's a regional park, that's
what I believe, okay. And then here's the thing, you've got four or five buildings in
front of that park, but to the south, you don't have anything to the south. You have, I
think, the Intercontinental all the way to the south. What do you have to the north?
You have the Frost and the PAMM, and then to the east, you've got nothing. You've
got the park. So, the only people in my view, okay, that come here and tell us, oh, we
are the whole -- we're everybody here. No, they're not everybody here. You know, and
1 respect what they have to say. I respect what they have to say. I'm respecting what
you have to say. It's your area. But here's the thing. You know, to me, that doesn't
equate the 100 percent, the 80 percent, the rest of the 80 percent of the voters that,
you know, look, for good or bad, the referendum was put to the voters. The voters
approved it 80 percent. And I think this overrides -- I think, you know, 80 percent of
the whole district, in fact, overrides the abutting property owners that have -- that
make up these four or five buildings. I mean, the math is simple. Even though they
come down here in numbers, that doesn't mean -- you know, you've got people
working, you've got people that can't spend all day here, you know, because they
show up and you always see the regulars here also, you know, with all due respect,
you know, it's everybody's right to come here, you know, but what about the rest of
the 80 percent that already voted? This is my problem, you know, and look, for me, I
want to put this to bed because I think -- and somebody said here that was on the
opposing side that doesn't want the gym equipment, they said, we've been wasting
time, and it's true. We've been wasting taxpayer -- how many meetings after the
referendum have we had this? I lost count, and now we're going to do it one more
time? We're going to do it one more time, you know, and then to spend another three
hours with the same thing we already' know. You know, I mean, and listen, I don't
mean to offend anybody that's against the gym equipment. It's their opinion and I
respect it, but I think enough is enough, you know. And I just -- in good faith, I cannot
vote, honestly speaking, to take now the gym equipment away after the 80 percent
have spoken. That's where I'm at, with all due respect, and those are my five cents
and I leave it there.
Commissioner Pardo: Madam Chair?
Chair King: I think Commissioner Reyes would like to speak.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes. There's' a lawsuit. There's a lawsuit against -- I mean, I
don't know, it's us, it is trying to determine if we have -- the referendum has the
power over, I mean, the decision of a warrant. There's a lawsuit that's going to be
decided, you see? my opinion is that people spoke, let's wait until the lawsuit, see
what happens. And if we are going -- I don't agree on doing away totally with the
warrant process. Let's wait until the lawsuit it is solved and the -- I mean, in the
courts, and put this item to rest until the judge is going to decide because the judge is
going to have the last word, you see? You understand what I'm saying? The judge is
going to have the last word. If the judge sides with the people that voted, which I
believe is going to happen, or if they side with the warrant process that it is needed.
As I stated before, I believe that the warrants should be maintained in a certain way,
but it has to be tweaked. It has to be expedited, and it cannot be used as a weapon,
you see, against any development that we're going to do, particularly at the City, City
project. So, my suggestion is let's defer this thing until the judge decides.
Commissioner Pardo: Madam Chair?
City of Miami
Page 147 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Chair King: Hold on. I'm just going to say I don't agree with that because I see our
City Attorney waving his hand saying no on that, and that could be two years from
now, and 1 don't think that would be fair to the residents.
Vice Chair Carollo: Can --?
Commissioner Pardo: Madam Chair?
Commissioner Reyes: Two years from now? I heard that it's going to be heard in
May.
Commissioner Pardo: Madam Chair, it's on the calendar jor --
Chair King: Hold on a sec.
Mr. Wysong: What I wanted to clarify was that the current action is an election
question. Whether the ballot question was appropriate, whether the ballot question
should be overturned.
Chair King: Right.
Mr. Wysong: If the judge rules that the ballot question was fine, we still have not
resolved whether or not the park can open.
Chair King: Correct.
Mr. Wysong: So, that would just be additional delay to resolve that additional portion
of this.
Chair King: Correct. Correct.
Mr. Wysong: And so --
Arthur Noriega (City Manager): But --
Chair King: Hold on a second.
Commissioner Reyes: Why don't we open it up --
Chair King: Hold on.
Commissioner Reyes: -- and wait until the judge decides?
Mr. Noriega: Madam --
Chair King: Hold on, hold on. Commissioner Carollo wants to speak.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you, Madam Chair. You've seen that I politely have let
everybody else speak. Let me begin from the top. I made quick notes on what
Commissioner Pardo said, and now I hear from Commissioner Reyes. And may I
remind everybody that we voted for this 5-0 at the last Commission meeting. Now, let
me address the issue of the lawsuit. It's the biggest fraud put upon this city, this
lawsuit. This lawsuit was instigated, pushed, and told to the people that were going to
join it as plaintiffs, that Mr. Pardo stated to them that he was going to create a
political action committee to pay for it, not to worry about the funding of it. He
pushed for this lawsuit. He funded this lawsuit. And I'm going to deal with that
lawsuit much more in detail, comes December, so we could have a big ho-ho-ho. But
City of Miami
Page 148 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
this is the man that's created all this. He stands back like 1 had nothing to do with
this. It's the people, the residents. Well, he talks like he's living in a different city. The
residents, the residents. Well, he wants democracy to be for a small minority, not
democracy for a large majority. It was 80-20 that voted to keep the gym equipment
there. But beyond that, we remember how many times before the election he says that
all the residents were opposed, all the residents in Downtown were opposed to it. And
we saw the results right across the street. It won to keep the gym by huge majorities,
including in the famous 900 building. They didn't even have a majority, or even close
to it, in those buildings. They lost them by huge amounts, huge amounts. So, this is all
a complete story. May is when I think the judge wanted to hear this, and who knows
when it will be heard and how long it will be. In the meantime, 80 percent of the
people of Miami are being told that it doesn't matter what their opinion is. The
Commissioner Pardo started by saying that, I do not want to listen to the residents.
On the contrary, the one that doesn't want to listen to the residents is him, him. He
talks about weaponizing government. The only person that has weaponized
government up here, and certainly in this issue, is Mr. Pardo. And he 's done it in so
many ways that we have never seen in this dais, in the history of this city. And we will
deal with that also in December. Ho, ho, ho. He says that I belittle the residents. I
didn't belittle anyone because I stated the truth, that there's a handful of residents
there that don 't want that park to be used by Hispanics like me, by blacks. They want
it all to themselves. They think because they have money, they're entitled to that park
for themselves. This is not belittling; this is stating a fact. When -- but if we want to
talk about belittling, when the wife of the sculptor, one of the top five in the world,
Jimenez Deredia, came that they were installing for the city that we had it here for a
year, 15 beautiful statues all through that park. That never had happened before. But
it was the present board of Bayfront Park that was able to accomplish it. And there
were tens of thousands of people that came to see it. But in that first day, one of those
residents that he claims had been belittled went to the wife of Mr. Jimenez Deredia to
insult her. The woman started crying. She didn't know why this man was lashing at
her and insulting her. He wanted to know how much of his taxpayers' monies were
being spent in putting the sculptures there. And how much has Joe Carollo gotten?
When a few days later he found out just how famous the sculpture was, he went back
to her, the woman was petrified of him, and he tells her, why did you go to Joe
Carollo to bring the sculptures? Why didn't you go to Jorge Perez instead? So, this is
not about what we have done for this park. This is a personal vendetta by a small
group that started with one of his predecessors, and he's weaponized them even more
so before. My wife, by some of these people, if we're going to be talking about
belittling they've accused her in emails and more that in the Dogs and Cats Sculpture
Gardens and Walkway, where we spent under $900,000 to do 57 sculptures -- go to
the County, and I don't know if there's any single sculpture that the County gets done
for less than half a million to a million dollars. We got 57 done for not even $900,000.
But these people had the audacity to accuse my wife that she was getting money out of
it, that there were contracts given by the City of Miami, by the Bayfront Park Trust, to
her and her company to get money from that. And the poor woman, all she's done is
work for the City for free, not for one darn penny. And this son of a gun with his little
smirk has the audacity to talk about me belittling anyone? But I don 't think anyone
would have blamed me if I would have blasted that son of a gun, that lying son of a
gun, making those statements. Our employees, the same small group of people,
handful, insult them every day. If they hear them speak Spanish, they start screaming
at them, speak English. Their whole joy when they wake up in the morning is walking
through the park to see if there's anything they could complain about that's wrong.
He said that we avoided informing the residents about an outdoor gym in Maurice
Ferre Park when we have shown here that is an outrageous lie. A year and a half
before this outdoor gym equipment was even installed, there was an article in Miami
Today that gets put in every single building, and they 're online on top of that. The
local tabloid doesn't put their paper in every single building. In fact, you can hardly
find it anywhere. Nobody wants to buy it. But Miami Today had an article that in two
City of Miami
Page 149 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
different places of the article, it had me talking about what we're looking as a board -
- because I'm only one of nine -- to do in Ferre Park and even Bicen -- Bayfront Park.
And it talked twice about the installment of the outdoor gym equipment. The board
just didn't decide on its own that we are going to do this. It was people that were
coming to us that asked for it, suggested it. Residents of Miami, like the ones that
voted 80 percent for it. I, myself besides the article that I just mentioned -- and that
cannot be erased or questioned because it's there as proof and including the
chairman of the Downtown association, which I showed here in one of my old text
messages, was the one that texted me the article originally so I could see it. He read
it; others read it. I met with the then presidents of the four buildings across the street.
And they were informed about what was coming, and that we were looking because
the requests were made for the outdoor gym equipment. And frankly, one of the things
that we would have wanted to do before anything else was a playground, but a
playground takes more area. And the way that park was left for us, we can't put a
playground until the area is level and you have drainage, because if it rains too much,
those areas get full of water and flooded. And the warrant process, getting surveys,
it's taking forever. Now, I just didn 't meet with the four presidents of the buildings
across the street. The DNA (Downtown Neighbors Alliance) had a meeting across
Bayfront Park in the main building there. I went there and I spoke to probably 100
people or so. And I talked about the outdoor gym equipment there also. This is a year,
year and a half before this was installed. If the Bayfront Park Board would have had
anyone in numbers coming to us saying they didn't want this, we would have listened.
When we met -- our meetings are advertised, just like the meetings here at City Hall --
no one came to object to it. When we hear the objections, that's when the gym is going
up. It's the first time we heard any objections. Mr. Pardo talked about a plan in 2008.
Well, 1 don't know what plan he's talking about, but if he's trying to insinuate of a
master plan, there's never been a master plan that has been approved by any past
commissions of the city on Ferre Park, not one. You know, maybe the form of
democracy that -- and transparency that Mr. Pardo wants is the one that he's been
playing with this commission to take up so much more of our time in meeting after
meeting. But maybe he 's got a point. We could save millions of dollars in not having
future elections in the City of Miami. We could just see who brings 20, 30, 40 people
here. Show your hands. And that's it. That's how we'll have elections. We'll save
millions of dollars. But he knows well, just like he's done in the past, that the group of
31 that was counted here today, for the most part, most of those people, is his core
group of campaign supporters. Many of them are the same ones you see time and time
again. These people just didn't cone because they decided to get up that morning, for
the most part. They came because Mr. Pardo and his office have been working them
to come and come. And you notice that most of them spoke, not on one issue, they
spoke on two. That's what he asked him to do, the two issues he had an interest in. So,
if you think that I'm going to be impressed by 31 people, frankly, sir, I'm much more
impressed by 80 percent of the vote of thousands of people that voted for this. And if
would have had 80 percent, ifI would have had even 51 percent, 50 plus 1, that would
have said no, they didn't want the gym equipment, I would have accepted it because
that's democracy; that's how it works. But to come after you spent thousands of
dollars with the help of your ally, the go -to, to see how they could smear me, smear
the Trust, attack us, see what stories could be put in in the morning, to give you some
wind in your back. To come after an election, after you spent weeks and weeks trying
to make this into a referendum against me when this had nothing to do with me -- I
was one vote within that board to approve this. And now, after you lose, you're not
happy with the wording. Well, the wording is so simple a child can understand it. And
now, after evefything we've got through, we've got to wait, you know, on the courts,
with a lawsuit that you're the one that instigated, you're the one that raised money
for. By the way, how many of you know security guards that have such an interest,
such an interest in the outdoor gymequipment, especially when they don't make
ouch, especially when even the address they put in the political action committee for
the security guard shows they live in a very humble place? How many of you know a
City of Miami
Page 150 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
security guard that could afford to give $2,000 from his own pocket, not somebody
that put it in his pocket so he could give it instead to a political action committee?
And this is what happened here. But look, this has gotten to the point that because he
could never be wrong, he's always going to blame somebody else. He cried that he
wasn't here. How could we vote upon this? Well, we all know that one of our main
responsibilities is to be here in commission meetings. And we know ahead of time
when commission meetings are going to be held. And unless it's something that has to
do with our health, a family member's health, we have to be here. That takes priority
over anything else. But not Mr. Pardo, he wasn't here. Of course, the local tabloid
won't touch that, especially in today's story, why he wasn't here. Because he wanted
to go to Eurovision and party for three days in Sweden. Well, that's great. He's a
party animal. But then, don't cry because you weren't here. Don't cry because you
came back, and I guess you were still jet -lagged for all those weeks, and you didn't do
what you were supposed to do. You bring it back for a rehearing. Now, Mr. Pardo,
you've gone on the attack on me every which way. You're trying to destroy me and
anyone that you can to see if by destroying other people and defaming other people,
you can scratch me. But I'm looking you right in the face and I see finally the smirk
went away. I'm not what you're used to, that you could defame, you could attack, and
I'm going to sit back and take it. I have sat back and tried to behave as professionally
as I can with you, but your games stop here today. Any way you want it, I'm going to
give it to you tenfold. Here, outside of here, any radio program, any TV, anywhere
you want. You're the biggest fraud that's hit this city and the biggest fake. And we'll
deal with that in December; Mr. Pardo.
Commissioner Pardo: Madam Chair?
Chair King: Commissioner Pardo.
Commissioner Pardo: Yeah, I do have the citation for the 2008 City approved, the
master plan with a $46 million budget, and by 2010 the park was ready for
construction. I'd be happy to share that with you. People may come and sometimes
talk about District 2 items jointly because we go --
Vice Chair Carollo: Excuse me, where's the citation?
Commissioner Pardo: May I finish? May I finish?
Chair King: Hold on.
Vice Chair Carollo: See, he (UNINTELLIGIBLE) stop. I've been told by the clerk
there's no master plan.
Commissioner Pardo: Because I allowed you to finish. And I would like to finish.
Chair King: Hold on. Hold on.
Vice Chair Carollo: He thinks he can get away with it.
Chair King: Okay, hold on.
Commissioner Pardo: I would like to finish.
Chair King: Hold on. Hold on. Let him finish and then we can ask for the citation if --
Commissioner Pardo: Thank you. So, the issue here was, and may be part of the issue,
is the process that was followed. Putting an article in a newspaper and expecting it to
get to people or thinking that you had -- that's a big difference to the way the City of
City of Miami
Page 151 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Miami does their outreach and the way they run it. And maybe that's why there was
such a division to begin with or such a lack of connection. The issue about, Madam
Chair, when you read the question and it makes sense to you, the reason that there
were people that were so upset and the reason that there were plaintiffs was because
for some people who read that question, they had no idea of anything, of anything that
had happened before, of that the residents in Downtown did not want that gym
equipment. It is not the same thing to have a resident in Flagami, Hialeah,
Morningside, wherever, Coconut Grove, weigh in on Morningside Park. They really
don 't use the park every day. Maybe they go there for an assembly or a protest, but
they're not the people walking their dogs, playing frisbee. 1 ride through there all the
time, especially on Sundays and Saturdays. You can tell the people that are in that
park are from the buildings. It's visible. Every time we use the words regional park,
and we don't acknowledge a neighborhood, we're kind of slamming them. They feel
like nobody is including them. No one is speaking to them. And I get from how -- from
a planning perspective, staff may feel a certain way. But let me ask you, with
Morningside Park, what would you consider the abutting properties?
Mr. Snow: Morningside is quite a large park. You know, there's many abutting
properties.
Commissioner Pardo: The single-family residentials, right?
Mr. Snow: That is correct.
Commissioner Pardo: Okay, so --
Mr. Snow: But I also want to clarify that in those areas that do have registered
associations, they would also receive -- those representatives would receive
notification as well.
Commissioner Pardo: So, associations would also receive the notice?
Mr. Snow: That's correct.
Commissioner Pardo: Okay. So, my point in saying that is that when everything fails,
let's say when the City process fails, when someone hasn't included people, that's
when the warrant applies. You may have mentioned like we're not taking away
anybody's voice, but we actually are taking away people's voices at the worst
possible time when they need it, when they have a really big objection. Morningside, I
guarantee you, if you put in gvm equipment like that in Morningside, all hell would
break loose without a lot of community outreach. Same with Peacock Park. I mean,
that's just the nature of our districts. And what we have done really from the
beginning is try to represent that, and that's all. The City filed a motion to dismiss this
lawsuit. That motion was denied. I am totally willing to live with the outcome of the
lawsuit. Whatever happens, happens. But I do feel the residents have earned the
ability to see it through and we should allow that to be seen through. Thank you.
Vice Chair Carollo: Madam Chair, brief Again, Mr. Pardo talks like he's in another
city, Never Never Land. Talks about the residents not informed. The residents -- didn 't
you look at the vote in your district? Didn't you look at the vote across the street in
those precincts? You lost hugely. So, where's these residents that you claim that a
majority of them are against the gym equipment? Or are you trying to say that they're
all ignorant fools, that they can't read something and that they get fooled so easily?
No, they don't. You're trying to stub this out with your finger, and you can't do that
because the votes are there. You just can't accept having lost. You have this group
that think that they're entitled, and they keep coming back with the same thing. You
keep calling them to come back to see if they can intimidate us, just like when you
City of Miami
Page 152 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
called last meeting that we had, your buddy little Billy and Mr. Amandi, so they could
come and attack the chairwoman because you were upset because she answered you
correctly after you attacked her in one of your little Instagram stuff. And you bring
them again and you think you're going to intimidate with that. And I'm telling you,
mister, you are so wrong, and you reached your limitation.
Commissioner Pardo: Madam Chair, I just don 't really know what to say because it's
somewhere else.
Marc Burton: May I --?
Chair King: Sir --
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, well, maybe you want to attack Miguel Ferro again.
Chair King: Hold on a second.
Vice Chair Carollo: You want to talk about Miguel Ferro? Come on, you want to
attack him again? You accused him of I don 't know how many things so far. Anything
you want to accuse him of now? Feel free. So, I can tell you why you've attacked
Miguel Ferro, and everybody can know.
Mr. Burton: May I provide a brief comment?
Chair King: No. Sir, no. You spoke at public comment. This isn't a quasi-judicial
issue. You spoke at public comment. Thank you.
Mr. Burton: Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.
Chair King: Thank you.
Vice Chair Carollo: Call the vote, Madam Chair.
Chair King: So, I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
Commissioner Gabela: I'm sorry, I'm sorry, sorry.
Chair King: Okay.
Commissioner Gabela: Because I left it off where somebody was a party animal.
Hang on a minute. Okay, I had to go to the bathroom. Hang on a minute. Where are
we at? What are we doing?
Chair King: We are voting on PZ.4.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay.
Chair King: It's going to -- with the substitution, no LED (Light Emitting Diode) signs
in parks or city facilities. That is taken out.
Unidentified Speaker: Civic spaces.
Chair King: Civic spaces. And this will be reset for first reading.
Commissioner Gabela: So, we're deferring?
Chair King: No, we're not.
City of Miami
Page 153 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Mr. Wysong: No, no, no.
Chair King: No, we 're not deferring it. We 're voting on it as first reading, as
amended.
Commissioner Pardo: As a first reading.
Commissioner Gabela: Is that what you want, Wysong?
Mr. Wysong: Yes, sir. That's my recommendation.
Commissioner Reyes: Madam Chair?
Commissioner Gabela: That's what you're advising, right?
Chair King: Hold on.
Commissioner Gabela: That's what you're advising.
Chair King.: Yes.
Commissioner Reyes: One point of clarification. We are voting this on first reading.
Chair King: Yes.
Commissioner Reyes: And between first reading and second reading, we are going to
determine what we're going to do with the process.
Vice Chair Carollo: No, sir. You are saying that because you want to slow the process
up. You want the 31 votes if they all vote.
Commissioner Reyes: No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
Vice Chair Carollo: Oh, yes, yes. This is what's going on here.
Commissioner Reyes: No, no, listen, you know what --
Vice Chair Carollo: You're making decisions in every darn meeting, not based upon
what's best for the city, what's best upon Mr. Reyes because he wants to be mayor.
Commissioner Reyes: Listen, listen.
Chair King: Okay, hold on.
Commissioner Reyes: It doesn't matter if I want to be mayor or not.
(MULTIPLE PARTIES SPEAKING IN UNISON)
Vice Chair Carollo: Of course it is.
Commissioner Reyes: And I want to clarify° this.
Vice Chair Carollo: That's what it's all about.
Commissioner Reyes: Let me tell you this.
City of Miami
Page 154 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Chair King: Sir, sir, sir, sir, sir.
Commissioner Reyes: 1 am also --
Chair King: Stop it. Stop it. Stop it.
Commissioner Reyes: I am also opening up the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) --
Chair King: Let's use -- let's use our inside voices where we don't have to scream.
Commissioner Reyes: -- (UNINTELLIGIBLE) is going to happen and 1 said it before.
Chair King: Commissioner Reyes. Commissioner Reyes.
Commissioner Reyes: I mean, this gentleman, he tends to attack everybody.
Chair King: I understand, Commissioner Reyes. Just --
Commissioner Reyes: You're wrong.
Chair King: Okay. Let's not --
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Chair King: Let's use our inside voices. Let's use our inside voices --
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Chair King: -- and point of clarification.
Commissioner Reyes: Well, point of clarification, I want to know what we are voting
on.
Vice Chair Carollo: Can we have --? He knows what we're voting upon.
Commissioner Reyes: I don't know, man.
Chair King: Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: He just wants to keep stalling.
Chair King: Okay. Okay, Commissioner Carollo,, please, please, please. Point of
clarification for Commissioner Reyes, and then Commissioner Pardo would like to
say something else. Okay, but let's not -- I understand --
Commissioner Reyes: This is out of hand.
Chair King: I understand we're very passionate, but we don't have to yell at each
other, please.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Commissioner Reyes: (FOREIGN LANGUAGE). Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, buddy.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
City of Miami
Page 155 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
(MULTIPLE PARTIES SPEAKING IN UNISON)
Chair King: Gentlemen, gentlemen, please.
Commissioner Reyes: Enough. (FOREIGN LANGUAGE).
Chair King: Gentlemen, please, please.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Chair King: City Attorney, 1 think Commissioner Reyes has a question.
Mr. Wysong: Yeah, so --
Commissioner Reyes: What are we voting on, sir?
Mr. Wysong: All we're voting on now is PZ.4, which was previously scheduled as a
second reading. We are making it back to first reading. So, we're going to vote on
first reading on PZ.4, which is the modified version of the ordinance that allows
recreational facilities by right. It removes the language regarding the signs out of that
amending ordinance. It allows community facilities by right except for libraries and
museums, which will still require a warrant.
Commissioner Reyes: My question is, are you including the signs and are you going
to revisit the signs?
Chair King: The signs are being taken out.
Mr. Wysong: That will come back.
Commissioner Reyes: The signs and all of that. Okay.
Mr. Wysong: That will come back as a separate ordinance later.
Commissioner Reyes: During that vote or whatever, are we agreeing -- because I
believe that people spoke, and I told you a hundred times, the people spoke. Are we
opening up the gvm? And as people decide, and just wait until what's happening in
court, because that is my proposal.
Chair King: It has to come back for second reading.
Mr. Wysong: Yeah, so --
Vice Chair Carollo: This is not -- this is not in the question.
Chair King: It has to come back for second reading.
Commissioner Reyes: For second reading, and then we can talk about that.
Chair King: Yes.
Commissioner Reyes: We can talk about what people -- because I believe in
democracy. And I believe that people spoke their mind but there are recourses that
the residents have, and they are using their recourses, but people spoke about opening
the park.
City of Miami
Page 156 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Mr. Vysong: Yeah.
Vice Chair Carollo: A small minority financed by Mr. Pardo.
Commissioner Reyes: I'm not talking about that, you see.
Chair King: Okay, so we --
Commissioner Reyes: I'm not going against you in this, but you believe whatever you
want.
Chair King: Okay, Commissioner Reyes.
Commissioner Reyes: It doesn't -- I mean, it doesn't affect me at all.
Chair King: Commissioner Reyes, Commissioner Reyes. Commissioner Pardo, would
you like to say something else?
Commissioner Pardo: I just wanted to further clam that I do think it's important to
streamline the process, and I think there's an opportunity where there's already
existing equipment to maybe look at that and not needing warrants for that. 1 don't
know, but I think it's important for us to get this right, and I think we should put in the
time before the next meeting.
Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries, 5-0.
Vice Chair Carollo: So, what's the vote?
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): No, no, no. So, I have Commissioner Reyes and
Commissioner Carollo -- no, I'm sorry. Commissioner Reyes, you voted no, correct?
Commissioner Reyes: No, I didn 't vote.
Mr. Hannon: You voted --
Commissioner Reyes: I voted yes.
Chair King: 5-0.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes, 5-0.
Chair King: Everybody voted in favor.
Mr. Hannon: Commissioner Carollo and Commissioner Pardo, you as well; 5-0,
unanimous.
Chair King: Yes.
Mr. Hannon: As amended.
Chair King: Okay.
City of Miami
Page 157 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
PZ.5
16562
Department of
Planning
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: Continue
RESULT: CONTINUED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: Item PZ.5 was continued to the December 12, 2024, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number PZ.5,
please see "Public Comments on all Item(s)."
Chair King: May I have a motion to defer PZ.5 and 6?
Commissioner Gabela: Motion.
Vice Chair Carollo: If we could deal with it already.
Chair King: Well, that's the recommendation of the --
Vice Chair Carollo: No, if we could deal with it already.
Commissioner Reyes: (INAUDIBLE).
Vice Chair Carollo: If we could deal with it already, because this goes hand in hand
with the other.
Chair King: Well, PZ.4 makes PZ.6 moot.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): So, you may want to defer PZ.5 and 6.
Vice Chair Carollo: No, it does not. PZ.4 does not make PZ.5 or 6 moot. They're two
different motions altogether.
Chair King: Okay. Mr. City Attorney?
City of Miami
Page 158 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Vice Chair Carollo: Now, if --
Chair King: Hold on, let me hear from the City Attorney.
George Wysong (City Attorney): Right.
Chair King: That was his recommendation.
Mr. Wysong: I think there is -- as you've heard, if PZ.4 were to be adopted on
December 12th, I think then there would be no need to reconsider and/or grant the
appeal via PZ.5, PZ.6. However, if you wanted to adopt PZ.5 and PZ.6 as like a belt
and suspenders approach, you could do that. My concern with that is -- well, I have
other legal concerns, but my suggestion would be to move it to the 12th --
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Mr. Wysong: -- and then well address that.
Commissioner Reyes: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) go with the city attorney.
Vice Chair Carollo: Let me be very specific. We were supposed to have voted on this
numerous times, and it gets changed, changed, changed. Today, it was supposed
today to be the day that we voted up or down. I went ahead with your suggestion of
going with this vote for the first reading. This is supposed to have been the second
reading.
Mr. Wysong: Yes, sir.
Vice Chair Carollo: I went ahead with that. But I don't want to come here on the 12th
and then we get another story. This has to come to a head. You can't laugh at the
people of Miami that voted 80 percent on this. You can't tell me that democracy is
based only on what you want, not on what it is. And I'm not going to hear a clap any
longer that everybody, everybody's against this, everybody, all the residents. That's
what you've been hearing from this man. My God, what city is he in? Maybe he's still
in shock, I don't know. But 80 percent of Miamians voted for this. After he raised
money, thousands of dollars, held a campaign, had an editorial from our local
tabloid, had that local program where he thinks it's going to scare some of us. And
boy, oh, boy, wait until we start talking about who owns that radio station and how
they do it in Venezuela that they don't want to do it here. But anything else that you
have that will prevent us from not deciding this, unless this Commission wants to
defer it again, on the 12th?
Mr. Wysong: There should be no more impediments. I thank you for indulging my
super conservative approach on this item. I just wanted to make sure --
Vice Chair Carollo: I respect you as the city attorney, George, even though I was the
only one here that didn't vote for you, but I think you know why. But I respect you and
your experience as a city attorney. So, Madam Chair, I will indulge the City
Attorney's request to defer both items for the next meeting.
Chair King: December 12th.
Vice Chair Carollo: December 12th.
Chair King: So, I have a motion and a second?
Vice Chair Carollo: It's a motion, yes.
City of Miami
Page 159 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
PZ.6
15113
Department of
Planning
Chair King: And a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: PZ.5 and 6 are deferred until December 12th.
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: Continue
RESULT: CONTINUED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: Item PZ.6 was continued to the December 12, 2024, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.6, please see
"Public Comments on all Item(s)" and Item Number PZ.5.
City of Miami
Page 160 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
PZ.7
16818
Department of
Planning
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING FOUR (4) EXCEPTIONS: AN
EXCEPTION PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 3, SECTION 3.14.1.1.b OF
ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE ZONING CODE OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, ("MIAMI 21 CODE") TO UTILIZE
BONUS HEIGHT FOR A SITE WITHIN THE "T5-O," URBAN CENTER
TRANSECT ZONE — OPEN, WITHIN A TRANSIT ORIENTED
DEVELOPMENT ABUTTING A "T3," SUB -URBAN TRANSECT ZONE;
AN EXCEPTION PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 5, ILLUSTRATION 5.5 OF
THE MIAMI 21 CODE TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM LOT
COVERAGE FROM 80% TO 82% FOR A SITE LOCATED IN A
TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT; AN EXCEPTION PURSUANT
TO ARTICLE 5, ILLUSTRATION 5.5 OF THE MIAMI 21 CODE TO
PERMIT A SIX FOOT (6') SETBACK ON THE SOUTH AND SIX FOOT
(6') SETBACK ON THE WEST WITH A TRANSIT ORIENTED
DEVELOPMENT WHERE A MINIMUM OF 26 FEET (26') IS
REQUIRED; AND AN EXCEPTION PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 5,
SECTION 5.5.1.i OF THE MIAMI 21 CODE TO PERMIT A 1.5%
INCREASE IN THE REQUIRED MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE LOT SIZE
FROM 40,000 SQUARE FEET TO 40,583 SQUARE FEET, IN THE "T5-
0," URBAN CENTER TRANSECT ZONE — OPEN, FOR THE
PROPERTY MORE GENERALLY LOCATED AT 3700 SOUTHWEST 28
STREET, 2810 SOUTHWEST 37 AVENUE, 2814 SOUTHWEST 37
AVENUE, 2816 SOUTHWEST 37 AVENUE, 2818 SOUTHWEST 37
AVENUE, 2824 SOUTHWEST 37 AVENUE, 2828 SOUTHWEST 37
AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, MORE PARTICULARITY DESCRIBED IN
EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED; MAKING FINDINGS;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0480
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.7, please see Item
Number PZ.4.
City of Miami
Page 161 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
PZ.8
16838
Department of
Planning
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING A PARTIAL
RELEASE/MODIFICATION OF AN AMENDED RESTRICTIVE
COVENANT, ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "C,"
AND THE PROFFERED SECOND AMENDED COVENANT,
ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "B," IN A FORM
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR THE PROPERTY
LOCATED, APPROXIMATELY AT 1633 NORTH BAYSHORE DRIVE,
MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS MORE PARTICULARITY DESCRIBED IN
EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED; MAKING FINDINGS;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Continue
RESULT: CONTINUED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: Item PZ.8 was continued to the December 12, 2024, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.8, please see
"Order of the Day."
PZ.9 ORDINANCE Second Reading
16713 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING THE
Department of ZONING ATLAS OF ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE ZONING
Planning ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, BY
CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM "CS," CIVIC
SPACE TRANSECT ZONE, TO "T6-12-0," URBAN CORE TRANSECT
ZONE - OPEN, FOR THE SOUTHWESTERN PORTION OF THE
PROPERTY GENERALLY LOCATED AT 980 MACARTHUR
CAUSEWAY, MIAMI, FLORIDA, MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED
IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED; MAKING
FINDINGS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: 14333
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.9, please see
"Public Comments on aliltem(s)" and Item Number PZ.4.
City of Miami
Page 162 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
PZ.10 ORDINANCE Second Reading
16649 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Department of ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 10544, AS
Planning AMENDED, THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP OF THE MIAMI
COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN, PURSUANT TO SMALL
SCALE AMENDMENT PROCEDURES SUBJECT TO §163.3187,
FLORIDA STATUTES, BY CHANGING THE FUTURE LAND USE
DESIGNATION FROM "MEDIUM DENSITY MULTIFAMILY
RESIDENTIAL" TO "RESTRICTED COMMERCIAL" FOR THE
PROPERTIES GENERALLY LOCATED AT 625, 645, 675, 685, 650,
640, 630, AND 626 NORTHEAST 64 TERRACE, AND 635, 645, 655,
669, AND 685 NORTHEAST 64 STREET, AND FROM "RESTRICTED
COMMERCIAL" AND "MEDIUM DENSITY MULTIFAMILY
RESIDENTIAL" TO "RESTRICTED COMMERCIAL" FOR THE
PROPERTIES LOCATED AT 610 NORTHEAST 64 TERRACE AND 629
NORTHEAST 64 STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS MORE
PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED; MAKING FINDINGS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: 14334
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.10, please see
"Public Comments on all Item(s)" and Item Number PZ.4.
City of Miami
Page 163 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
PZ.11 ORDINANCE Second Reading
16650 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Department of ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING THE ZONING ATLAS OF ORDINANCE
Planning NO. 13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("MIAMI 21 CODE"), BY CHANGING THE
ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM "T5-R," URBAN CENTER
TRANSECT ZONE — RESTRICTED, TO "T6-8-L," URBAN CORE
TRANSECT ZONE — LIMITED, FOR THE PROPERTIES GENERALLY
LOCATED AT 625, 645, 675, 685, 650, 640, 630, AND 626
NORTHEAST 64 TERRACE, AND 635, 645, 655, 669, AND 685
NORTHEAST 64 STREET, AND FROM "T5-R," URBAN CENTER
TRANSECT ZONE — RESTRICTED, AND "T6-8-O," URBAN CORE
TRANSECT ZONE — OPEN, TO "T6-8-L," URBAN CORE TRANSECT
ZONE — LIMITED, AND "T6-8-O," URBAN CORE TRANSECT ZONE —
OPEN, FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 610 NORTHEAST 64
TERRACE, AND FROM "T5-R," URBAN CENTER TRANSECT ZONE —
RESTRICTED, AND "T6-8-O," URBAN CORE TRANSECT ZONE -
OPEN, TO "T6-8-L," URBAN CORE TRANSECT ZONE — LIMITED,
FOR THE PROPERTY GENERALLY LOCATED AT 629 NORTHEAST
64 STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED
IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED; FURTHER
RECOMMENDING TO THE CITY COMMISSION ACCEPTANCE OF
THE VOLUNTARILY PROFFERED COVENANT, ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "B"; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING
A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: 14335
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
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.11, please see
"Public Comments on all Item(s)" and Item Number PZ.4.
City of Miami
Page 164 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
PZ.12 ORDINANCE Second Reading
16433 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
Office of Zoning ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("MIAMI 21 CODE"), MORE
SPECIFICALLY BY AMENDING ARTICLE 1, SECTION 1.2, TITLED
"DEFINITIONS / DEFINITIONS OF TERMS," AND ARTICLE 7, TITLED
"PROCEDURES AND NONCONFORMITIES," TO PROVIDE FOR A
BY -RIGHT ADMINISTRATIVE SITE PLAN REVIEW ("ASPR")
PROCESS AND A SIMPLIFIED BUILDING PERMIT REVIEW
PROCESS FOR APPROVED ASPR, EXCEPTION, VARIANCE,
WARRANT, AND WAIVER APPLICATIONS; PROVIDING FOR
TOLLING OF ZONING APPROVALS DURING PENDENCY OF
CERTAIN LITIGATION; REPLACING THE TWO (2) YEAR TIME
LIMITATION AND OPTIONAL ONE (1) YEAR EXTENSION FOR
OBTAINING BUILDING PERMIT OR CERTIFICATE OF USE FOR AN
EXCEPTION, VARIANCE, WARRANT, WAIVER, OR ASPR WITH A
THREE (3) YEAR TIME LIMITATION WITH NO ADMINISTRATIVE
EXTENSIONS; REVISING PHASED PROJECT REQUIREMENTS AS
TO APPROVAL BY PLANNING DIRECTOR AND TO REDUCE
PROPERTY SIZE LIMITATIONS; CLARIFYING PREVIOUSLY
ADOPTED FLOORPLATE LENGTH AND AREA WAIVER
PROHIBITIONS; PROVIDING FOR APPLICABILITY TO PRIOR
APPLICATIONS AND APPROVALS; MAKING FINDINGS AND
TECHNICAL CHANGES; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE;
AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: 14336
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.12, please see Item
Number PZ.4.
City of Miami
Page 165 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
PZ.13 ORDINANCE First Reading
16824 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Department of ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING THE ZONING ATLAS OF ORDINANCE
Planning NO. 13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("MIAMI 21 CODE"), BY CHANGING THE
ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM "T6-24A-O," URBAN CORE
TRANSECT ZONE — OPEN, TO "T6-24B-O," URBAN CORE
TRANSECT ZONE — OPEN, FOR THE PROPERTIES GENERALLY
LOCATED AT 1317 NORTH MIAMI AVENUE AND 1353 NORTH MIAMI
AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED
IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED; MAKING
FINDINGS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading
RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.13, please see Item
Number PZ.4.
PZ.14 ORDINANCE First Reading
16822 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Department of ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 10544, AS
Planning AMENDED, THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP OF THE MIAMI
COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN, PURSUANT TO SMALL
SCALE AMENDMENT PROCEDURES SUBJECT TO §163.3187,
FLORIDA STATUTES, BY CHANGING THE FUTURE LAND USE
DESIGNATION FROM "LIGHT INDUSTRIAL" TO "RESTRICTED
COMMERCIAL" OF THE ACREAGE DESCRIBED HEREIN OF REAL
PROPERTY AT 1990 NORTHWEST 27 AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA,
AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED
AND INCORPORATED; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading
RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.14, please see
"Public Comments on all Item(s)" and Item Number PZ.4.
City of Miami
Page 166 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
PZ.15 ORDINANCE First Reading
16823 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Department of ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING THE ZONING ATLAS OF ORDINANCE
Planning NO. 13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("MIAMI 21 CODE"), BY CHANGING THE
ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM "D1," WORK PLACE DISTRICT
TRANSECT ZONE, TO "T6-12-0," URBAN CORE TRANSECT ZONE —
OPEN, OF THE PROPERTY GENERALLY LOCATED AT 1990
NORTHWEST 27 AVENUE , MIAMI, FLORIDA, MORE
PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading
RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.15, please see
"Public Comments on all ltem(s) " and Item Number PZ.4.
PZ.16 ORDINANCE First Reading
16820 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Department of ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 10544, AS
Planning AMENDED, THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP OF THE MIAMI
COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN, PURSUANT TO SMALL
SCALE AMENDMENT PROCEDURES SUBJECT TO §163.3187,
FLORIDA STATUTES, BY CHANGING THE FUTURE LAND USE
DESIGNATION FROM "MEDIUM DENSITY MULTIFAMILY
RESIDENTIAL" TO "RESTRICTED COMMERCIAL" OF THE ACREAGE
DESCRIBED HEREIN OF REAL PROPERTY AT THE
SOUTHEASTERN PORTION OF 490 NORTHEAST 78 STREET ROAD,
AT 496 NORTHEAST 78 STREET ROAD, AND AT 498 NORTHEAST
78 STREET ROAD, MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS MORE PARTICULARLY
DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A"; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: Item PZ.16 was deferred to the February 27, 2025, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.16, please see
"Order of the Day" and Item Number PZ. 4.
City of Miami
Page 167 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
PZ.17 ORDINANCE First Reading
16821 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Department of ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING THE ZONING ATLAS OF ORDINANCE
Planning NO. 13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("MIAMI 21 CODE"), BY CHANGING THE
ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM: "T6-8-O," URBAN CORE
TRANSECT ZONE - OPEN, AND "T4-R," GENERAL URBAN
TRANSECT ZONE — RESTRICTED, TO "T6-8-O," URBAN CORE
TRANSECT ZONE — OPEN, AND "T5-O," URBAN CENTER
TRANSECT ZONE — OPEN, FOR THE PROPERTY GENERALLY
LOCATED AT 490 NORTHEAST 78 STREET ROAD AND FROM "T4-
R," GENERAL URBAN TRANSECT ZONE — RESTRICTED, TO "T5-O,"
URBAN CENTER TRANSECT ZONE - OPEN, FOR THE PROPERTIES
GENERALLY LOCATED AT 496 NORTHEAST 78 STREET ROAD AND
498 NORTHEAST 78 STREET ROAD, MIAMI, FLORIDA, MORE
PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: Item PZ.17 was deferred to the February 27, 2025, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.17, please see
"Order of the Day."
City of Miami
Page 168 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
PZ.18 ORDINANCE First Reading
16789 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
Department of ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
Planning OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, ("MIAMI 21 CODE")
SPECIFICALLY BY AMENDING ARTICLE 7, TITLED "PROCEDURES
AND NONCONFORMITIES" TO HARMONIZE THE PUBLIC NOTICE
REQUIREMENTS FOR PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS TO THE
LANGUAGE FOUND CHAPTER 62 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, ARTICLE IV, TITLED "PLANNING
AND ZONING" / "NOTICE GENERALLY"; MAKING FINDINGS;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading
RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.18, please see Item
Number PZ.4.
PZ.19 ORDINANCE First Reading
16917
Commissioners
and Mayor - PZ
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE
ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS
AMENDED ("MIAMI 21 CODE"), BY AMENDING ARTICLE 3, TITLED
"GENERAL TO ZONES", SECTION 3.4, TITLED "DENSITY AND
INTENSITY CALCULATIONS," TO CLARIFY DENSITY STANDARDS
IN CERTAIN TRANSIT CORRIDORS, AND BY AMENDING ARTICLE 3,
TITLED "GENERAL TO ZONES," SECTION 3.14, TITLED "PUBLIC
BENEFITS PROGRAM," AND ARTICLE 5, TITLED "SPECIFIC TO
ZONES," ILLUSTRATION 5.5, TITLED "GENERAL URBAN TRANSECT
ZONES," TO ALLOW BONUS BUILDING HEIGHT WITHIN SPECIFIED
TRANSIT CORRIDORS AND TRANSECT ZONES IN EXCHANGE FOR
AFFORDABLE/WORKFORCE HOUSING; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading with Modification(s)
RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number PZ.19,
please see "Public Comments on all Item(s)" and Item Number PZ.4.
Chair King: The last item to be taken up is PZ.19.
Vice Chair Carollo: That's one of yours.
City of Miami
Page 169 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Chair King: But --
Commissioner Pardo: Yeah.
Chair King: Commissioner Pardo?
Commissioner Pardo: Yeah, Madam Chair, the only reason I held that out is because
we had several -- you know, we do a call before the agenda, we go through it with
people that want to participate. We had several people ask us about it, and I was able
to look at the map, but 1 was left with a feeling of not really understanding as much.
Chair King: So, this is actually -- this is actually what our community wanted. 1 don't
see the attorneys here, but PZ. 19, when it goes for second reading and passes, if it
passes, will eliminate the need to upzone. It's going to keep the zoning flat for the
development and gives the density that they needed, and that's the only reason why
the upzone was being requested, but our planning director can confirm that fOr you.
David Snow (Director, Planning): Yes, thank you, Madam Chair. So, PZ.19, this is an
amendment to Miami 21 to allow additional bonus height fOr T5-O and the underlying
density in T5-O along specific transit corridors. So, what that means is that we 've
identified that there are density levels within our transit corridors that are not being
fully tapped into because T5-O right now allows 65 dwelling units an acre. This
amendment would allow the T5-O to tap into higher density levels to allow for those
developments to work out and then also to allow for bonus heights so long as an
affordable housing/workforce housing component is provided. And that's broken
down into, for the first bonus floor, 10 percent of those units -- I'm sorry, 5 percent of
those units have to be provided at 100 percent AMI (Area Median Income). And then
if you're going to go an additional, the additional two bonus floors, additional 5
percent of those units have to be at 80 percent AMI.
Commissioner Pardo: And this is also included in the MiMo (Miami Modern)
District?
Mr. Snow: That is correct, but the MiMo overlay still applies as per Chapter 23 --
Commissioner Pardo: Still applies.
Mr. Snow: -- at the 35-foot height limit. So, they cannot.
Commissioner Pardo: So, they were concerned about the geographies on the transit
corridors. So -- but this is a first reading item, so we can -- I can kind of take that up
with the, folks that have the concerns, and we can work with them.
Mr. Snow: Absolutely.
Commissioner Pardo: Thank you.
Commissioner Reyes: I move it.
Commissioner Pardo: Thank you, Madam Chair.
Vice Chair Carollo: Second.
Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
City of Miami
Page 170 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
Chair King: Motion carries.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): And Chair, so that's PZ.19 as amended to include
PZAB (Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board) meeting information in the PZAB vote
in the fifth whereas clause?
Chair King: Correct.
END OF PLANNING AND ZONING ITEM(S)
City of Miami
Page 171 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
FL.1
16842
City Manager's
Office
FL - FUTURE LEGISLATION
ORDINANCE
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 2/ARTICLE XI/DIVISION 2/SECTION 2-887 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/QUORUM REQUIREMENTS;
EXCEPTIONS," MORE PARTICULARLY BY REMOVING
REFERENCES TO THE BOARDS, COMMITTEES, AND CITIZENS'
ADVISORY GROUPS (COLLECTIVELY, "CITY BOARDS") BEING
SUNSET HEREIN; FURTHER AMENDING CHAPTER 2/ARTICLE
XI/DIVISION 2/SECTION 2-892 OF THE CITY CODE TITLED
"ADMINISTRATION/BOARDS, COMMITTEES,
COMMISSIONS/STANDARDS FOR CREATION AND REVIEW OF
BOARDS GENERALLY/"SUNSET" REVIEW OF BOARDS," MORE
PARTICULARLY BY REMOVING REFERENCES TO THE CITY
BOARDS BEING SUNSET HEREIN; REPEALING CHAPTER
2/ARTICLE XI/DIVISION 3/SECTIONS 2-921 — 2-929 OF THE CITY
CODE TITLED "ADMINISTRATION/BOARDS, COMMITTEES,
COMMISSIONS/MAYOR'S COUNCIL ON GLOBAL
COMPETITIVENESS;" FURTHER REPEALING CHAPTER
2/ARTICLE XI/DIVISION 6/SECTIONS 2-1011 — 2-1019 OF THE
CITY CODE TITLED "ADMINISTRATION/BOARDS, COMMITTEES,
COMMISSIONS/COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN AND
QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE;" FURTHER REPEALING
CHAPTER 2/ARTICLE XI/DIVISION 7/SECTIONS 2-1051 — 2-1056
OF THE CITY CODE TITLED "ADMINISTRATION/BOARDS,
COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS/CO OVERTOWN ADVISORY
BOARD/OVERTOWN COMMUNITY OVERSIGHT BOARD;"
FURTHER REPEALING CHAPTER 2/ARTICLE XI/DIVISION
12/SECTIONS 2-1150 — 2-1153 OF THE CITY CODE TITLED
"ADMINISTRATION/BOARDS, COMMITTEES,
COMMISSIONS/COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD;" FURTHER
REPEALING CHAPTER 2/ARTICLE XI/DIVISION 22/SECTIONS 2-
1329 — 2-1331 OF THE CITY CODE TITLED
"ADMINISTRATION/BOARDS, COMMITTEES,
COMMISSIONS/STAR OF CALLE OCHO ADVISORY
COMMITTEE;" FURTHER REPEALING CHAPTER 2/ARTICLE
XI/DIVISION 26/SECTIONS 2-1360 — 2-1368 OF THE CITY CODE
TITLED "ADMINISTRATION/BOARDS, COMMITTEES,
COMMISSIONS/MIAMI TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL;" FURTHER
REPEALING CHAPTER 22/ARTICLE VII/SECTIONS 22-170 — 22-
174 OF THE CITY CODE, TITLED "GARBAGE AND OTHER SOLID
WASTE/COMMERCIAL SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING
MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE;" SUNSETTING THE
AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP LOAN PROGRAM TASK
FORCE ESTABLISHED BY THE CITY COMMISSION PURSUANT
TO RESOLUTION NO. R-19-0508 ADOPTED ON DECEMBER 12,
2019; DECLARING THAT ALL POWERS, DUTIES, ASSETS, AND
FUNDS OF THE CITY BOARDS SUNSET HEREIN SHALL REVERT
TO THE CITY AND THE CITY SHALL RESUME THE
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CITY BOARD SUNSET HEREIN;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR AN
City of Miami
Page 172 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
EFFECTIVE DATE.
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
Chair King: And we have future legislation that I just need to say we have future
legislation.
FL.2 ORDINANCE
16720
Department of
Solid Waste
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 22/ARTICLE I OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TITLED "GARBAGE AND OTHER SOLID
WASTE/IN GENERAL'; TO AMEND THE REQUIREMENT BY THE
CITY FOR PICK UP ON BULKY WASTE TO KEEP IN LINE WITH
CURRENT NEEDS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE;
AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
FL.3 ORDINANCE
16743
Department of
Solid Waste
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
CHAPTER 22/ARTICLE II OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TITLED "GARBAGE AND OTHER SOLID
WASTE/REGULATION OF PERSONS ENGAGED IN
COMMERCIAL WASTE COLLECTION" PROVIDING FOR AN
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT THAT FRANCHISEES ALSO BE
REQUIRED TO REMOVE BULKY TRASH FROM CONTRACT
PROPERTIES; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
City of Miami
Page 173 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
FL.4
16869
Department of
Planning
F L.5
14139
Department of
Planning
ORDINANCE
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE
ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS
AMENDED, BY AMENDING ARTICLE 1, TITLED "DEFINITIONS,"
TO ADD A DEFINITION OF PORTICO, BY AMENDING ARTICLE 3,
TITLED "GENERAL TO ZONES," TO CLARIFY THE BUILDING AND
STRUCTURE HEIGHTS IN THE "T3" SUB -URBAN TRANSECT
ZONES AND FLOOR AREA FOR INTERMEDIATE LEVELS, BY
AMENDING ARTICLE 4, TITLED "STANDARDS AND TABLES," TO
UPDATE SETBACK REQUIREMENTS FOR INGRESS CONTROL
DEVICES, BY AMENDING ARTICLE 5, TITLED "SPECIFIC TO
ZONES," TO UPDATE AND SIMPLIFY REGULATIONS RELATED
TO SINGLE FAMILY AND TWO-FAMILY HOMES IN THE "T3" SUB-
URBAN TRANSECT ZONES, AND BY AMENDING ARTICLE 7,
TITLED "PROCEDURES AND NONCONFORMITIES," TO
PROVIDE A WAIVER FOR RAISED DECKS; MAKING FINDINGS;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
ORDINANCE
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE
ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS
AMENDED ("MIAMI 21 CODE"), MORE SPECIFICALLY BY
AMENDING ARTICLE 3, TITLED "GENERAL TO ZONES," TO
CLARIFY DENSITY AND INTENSITY CALCULATIONS INCLUSIVE
OF RIGHT-OF-WAY DEDICATIONS AND TO REQUIRE
PROVISION OF A DEED AND A SURVEY SHOWING RIGHT-OF-
WAY DEDICATIONS SINCE THE LAST RECORDED PLAT;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND PROVIDING FOR
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
END OF FUTURE LEGISLATION
City of Miami
Page 174 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
NA.1
16999
City Commission
NA - NON -AGENDA
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, UPON
RECOMMENDATION OF THE CLIMATE RESILIENCE
COMMITTEE, URGING MIAMI-DADE COUNTY TO POSTPONE
THE DECISION ON THE LOCATION OF THE NEW WASTE -TO -
ENERGY INCINERATOR TO ALLOW MORE TIME FOR PUBLIC
ENGAGEMENT AND SOLUTIONS; FURTHER DIRECTING THE
CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A CERTIFIED COPY OF THIS
RESOLUTION TO THE OFFICIALS NAMED HEREIN.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-24-0478
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes
Commissioner Gabela: Madam Chair, I've got a pocket item. This is on the -- as a
petition. I think you have a copy of it, Wysong?
George Wysong (City Attorney): Yes, sir.
Chair King: Mr. City Attorney, would you please read the pocket item in for -- the
title for the record?
Mr. Wysong: Yes, Madam Chair. Pocket item. A resolution of the climate -- okay, this
would be a resolution of the City of Miami.
The Resolution was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Commissioner Gabela: What I'm concerned -- I'm sorry, just real quick. What I'm
concerned about is the second -- number two that urges the City to request County to
conduct a detailed cost analysis for all 34 municipalities.
Chair King: I need to open the floor for public comment if there's anyone here that
would like to speak on behalf of this item. Good afternoon.
Steven Leidner: Good almost evening. Steven Leidner, 1130 102nd Street, Bay
Harbor Islands. Thank you for considering this. I am the conservation chair for the
Miami Sierra Club, and we're thoroughly engaged in the County's and City's
handling of municipal solid waste and its impact on our planet. And our
understanding is the County is barreling forward. They are in the process of selecting
a zero -waste consultant, which should dramatically change their approach to how
they handle municipal solid waste and how they do will affect the City's engagement
and the City's costs and the residents' costs for where the waste -- how the waste is
handled and where it is trucked to. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good afternoon.
Silvio Pupo-Casco: Good afternoon, Silvio. I ant presenting today as the economics
lead for the Climate Resilience Committee. I wanted to present this resolution
because, as was mentioned, the County is moving forward with the waste energy
City of Miami
Page 175 Printed on 1/21/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes November 21, 2024
ADJOURNMENT
incinerator. There's a big waste issue that we have in the city and in the county.
Currently, the different options that are under consideration for the County would
have different implications to us, especially moving and relocating where the
incinerator would be. There is no direct understanding to how much it would increase
the cost to the City in terms of time, fuel, and ultimately dollar amount. So, we're
asking -- the committee has been asking yourselves to please consider this resolution
so that we can ask the County to incorporate this in this master plan so that we have a
better understanding of the implication on the cost to the City of Miami. So, if there's
any questions or anything to it, I'd be happy to answer them. Thank you so much.
Chair King: Thank you.
Commissioner Reyes: 1 move.
Commissioner Gabela: Second.
Chair King: Wait, I have to close the public comment. Seeing no one else for public
comment -- I'd like to also be seen as a sponsor for this item.
Commissioner Pardo: I'd like to also be added.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Commissioner Pardo: Yeah.
Chair King: All of us. 1 have a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries unanimously. Thank you.
The meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m.
City of Miami
Page 176 Printed on 1/21/2025