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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2025-02-13 MinutesCity of Miami City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 www.miamigov.com Meeting Minutes Thursday, February 13, 2025 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 February 13, 2025 9:00 AM INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Present: Chairwoman King, Vice Chair Carollo, Commissioner Gabela, Commissioner Pardo and Commissioner Reyes On the 13th day of February 2025, 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 9:36 a.m., recessed at 12:25 p.m., reconvened at 3:15 p.m., recessed at 5:31 p.m., reconvened at 5:42 p.m. and adjourned at 6:12 p.m. Note for the Record: Commissioner Carollo entered the Commission chambers at 10:12 a.m. Note for the Record: Commissioner Reyes participated in the meeting via Zoom video conferencing. ALSO PRESENT: Arthur Noriega, V, City Manager George K. Wysong III, City Attorney Todd B. Hannon, City Clerk Chair King: The Mayor and I were just having a fight about the young folks that have joined us today because he wants to call them up. And I was like, no, I want to call them up. Today we have BridgePrep Academy. There's a compromise. And I'd like them to come and join me when we say the Pledge of Allegiance. So, come on up. Applause. Chair King: This is a whole civics class. You know, they get to see government in action. And we always want to celebrate our kids. Great minds think alike. And at this time, we are going to begin the meeting with prayer, as we always do. And we have today, Pastor James Paul, Jr. of St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church that is going to lead us in prayer. And then after the prayer the kids are going to say the Pledge of Allegiance with us. Pastor. James Paul, Jr.: Thank you so much. Good morning, everyone. Let's pray together. Invocation delivered. Chair King: Thank you, Pastor. Thank you. And this time we're going to have BridgePrep Academy join us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Start it off. Pledge of Allegiance delivered. Chair King: Thank you. Applause. City of Miami Page 1 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 PR - PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS PR.1 PROTOCOL ITEM 17266 Honoree Presenter Protocol Item Apostle Dr. John H. Chambers Mayor and Commissioners Key to the City Miami Police Department Mayor and Commissioners Proclamation The HoneyComb House Mayor and Commissioners Proclamation Kristy Duarte Mayor and Commissioners Proclamation Nicolas (Nick) Katz Mayor and Commissioners Key to the City RESULT: PRESENTED Chair King: Welcome to the City of Miami Commission meeting for February 13th, 2025. We are going to get started in a few. We are waiting for our mayor and one of our honorees. Once they arrive, we will begin the recognition portion of the meeting. 1 apologize that we're running a little behind, but one of our honorees hasn 't made it as yet, and we are also waiting. for our mayor. So, thank you, and thank you all, for being here today. Applause. [Later...] Chair King: Good morning, again. We are going to begin our meeting now with the presentation portion of the meetings. I'm going to -- I am joined by my colleagues, Commissioner Pardo, Commissioner Gabela, Commissioner Carollo --1 just saw him a second ago -- and our mayor, Francis Suarez. And I'm going to turn the mic over to the Mayor to begin our presentation portions. Presentations made. 1) Mayor Suarez and Commissioners presented a Key to the City to Apostle Dr. John H. Chambers. Apostle Chambers was formally educated in the Miami -Dade Public School System, Miami -Dade Community College, and Florida A&M University (FAMU). Under God's direction, he obeyed, returned to school, and received his Doctorate Degree in Theology on November 12, 2016, from C.E.L.A. International University. In 1995, Apostle Chambers was ordained as a Pastor, started BOA, and proceeded with devoting himself .full time to spreading the gospel and building BOA Ministries. After serving as Chief Prophet of End Times Ministries International Association, Apostle Chambers was ordained to the office of Apostle in 2006. From 2011 to 2013 he served as Chaplain for the National Association of Real Estate Brokers. In 2003, God led Apostle Chambers to successfully establish BOA Job Placement Service. His desire to inspire and motivate young people resulted in the birth of `Back -to -the -Hood", a motivational forum targeted to youth and teenagers. Elected Officials paused in their deliberations of governance to acknowledge, recognize, and commend the service and dedication to the community, in the City of Miami. City of Miami Page 2 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 2) Mayor Suarez and Commissioners presented a Proclamation to the City of Miami Police Department to recognize and commend the Miami Police Department for its exemplary service and contributions to the security operations of the 60th Presidential Inauguration and extend gratitude for their unwavering dedication to duty. On January 20, 2025, the 60th Presidential Inauguration took place in Washington, D.C., an event of national significance that attracted dignitaries, celebrities, media organizations, sponsors, and large crowds from across the country. The Miami Police Department was requested to provide uniformed personnel to supplement local and federal law enforcement agencies in Washington, D.C. Miami Police personnel received their assignments and were strategically positioned along the presidential parade route on Pennsylvania Avenue, between 7th Street and 9th Street, ensuring order and public safety during this historic event. The Miami Police personnel exhibited unwavering resilience and excellence in service during the Presidential Inauguration, enduring extreme weather conditions with temperatures as low as 12 degrees and a high of only 20 degrees, accompanied by intermittent snow flurries; and, despite these challenges, they worked extended hours from 0300 to 1900 hours, ensuring the safety and security of the event while demonstrating the highest standards of professionalism and discipline.. Elected Officials paused in their deliberations of governance to acknowledge, recognize, and commend the service and dedication of its law enforcement officers, whose commitment to public safety extends beyond city borders to support national security while proudly elevating the brand of service that the City ofMiami always provides. 3) Mayor Suarez and Commissioners presented a Proclamation to The Honeycomb House. The HoneyComb House is a nonprofit organization committed to delivering Maternal Trauma Informed Care, holistic education, and vital support services to pregnant and postpartum mothers and their children. Since their founding, they have empowered hundreds of mothers by providing essential resources and helping them overcome challenges such as poverty, trauma, and lack of support. Elected Officials paused in their deliberations of governance to acknowledge The HoneyComb House whose commitment to address social issues by standing up against violence and sending a positive message of peace and safety to our young adult's community, makes them a valued organization in the City ofMiami 4) Mayor Suarez and Commissioners presented a Proclamation to Kristy Duarte. Ms. Duarte began her service with Miami Parks in 2011 as a lifeguard, demonstrating unwavering dedication and a strong commitment to public service. Throughout her tenure, she has excelled in various roles, consistently surpassing expectations and making a lasting impact on the City of Miami and its residents and as a park manager, Ms. Duarte revitalized Antonio Maceo Park, transforming it into a thriving community hub for older adults and developing an active adults' program that became one of the most popular in the City. In her current role as special projects coordinator, she has played an instrumental role in the development of new parks, working in collaboration with the Capital Division to organize groundbreaking and ribbon -cutting ceremonies that celebrate the City's progress. Her dedication, leadership, and vision have significantly contributed to the enhancement of Miami's parks and public spaces, improving the quality of life for residents of all ages. She was selected as one of NRPA 's 30 Under 30 for 2025. Elected Officials paused in their deliberations of governance to recognize and commend Ms. Kristy Duarte for her outstanding service and dedication to the City ofMiami. 5) Mayor Suarez and Commissioners presented a Proclamation and a Key to the City to Mr. Nicolas (Nick) Katz. Mr. Katz was deeply influenced by skateboarding, a passion that led him to found the nonprofit organization Skate City ofMiami Page 3 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 ORDER OF THE DAY Free in 2012, advocating for the creation of skateparks in underserved urban areas. Skate Free, in partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), the Miami Parking Authority (MPA), and the City of Miami Conmiission, successfully opened Lot 11 Skatepark, in Downtown Miami, marking the City's first public skatepark. Since its grand opening in 2019, Lot 11 Skatepark has gained national recognition as one of the premier skateparks in the United States, attracting visitors from around the world and receiving public endorsements from some of the sport's most renowned professional athletes. Lot 11 has also become a leader in social engagement, boasting the largest following of any public skatepark in the country, with over 28,000 social media followers. Mr. Katz is also the owner and operator of the skate brand Andrew, established in 2017 at 10 NE 1st Ave in Downtown Miami, which has become a cultural huh for the skateboarding and streetwear community, elevating Miami's presence on the global fashion and skate scene, Mr. Katz has built an internationally recognized brand, with its clothing sold in over 25 stores worldwide. Elected Officials paused in their deliberations of governance to acknowledge and commend the contributions to the improvement of Downtown Miami making it the most livable community, of South Florida and the legacy he is building in the City ofMiami. Chair King: And at this time, we are going to get our meeting started with a statement from the City Attorney. George Wysong (City Attorney): Thank you, Madam Chair. 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 found in Chapter 2, Article 2 of the City Code, a copy of which is available online at www.municode.com. Any person who is a lobbyist pursuant to Chapter 2, Article 6 of the City Code must register with the City Clerk and comply with related City requirements for lobbyists before appearing before the City Commission. A person may not lobby a City official, board member, or staff member until registering. A copy of the code section about lobbyists is available in the City Clerk's Office or online at www.municode.com. Any person making a presentation, formal request, or petition to the City Commission concerning real property must make the disclosures required by the City Code in writing. A copy of the City Code section is available at the Office of 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 material for each item on the agenda is available during business hours at the City Clerk's Office and online 24 hours a day at www.miamigov.com. The meeting of the Miami City Commission is a limited public forum. Any person may be heard by the City Commission through the Chair for not more than two minutes on any proposition before the Chair -- before the City Commission unless modified by the Chair. Public comment will begin at approximately 10:10 and remain open until public comment is closed by the chairperson. Any person making offensive remarks or who becomes unruly in the City 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 City ofMiami Page 4 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Commission Chambers. Persons exiting the Commission Chambers shall do so quietly. Members of the public wishing to address the body may do so by submitting written comments via the online comment form. Please visit www.miamigov.com/meetinginstructions for detailed instructions on how to provide public comment using the online public comment form. The comments submitted through the comment form have been and will be distributed to the elected officials, their staff and city administration throughout the day so that 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 city administration up until the chairperson closes public comment. Public comment may also be provided here live at City Hall at 3500 Pan American Drive, subject to any and all rules as they may be amended. If the proposition is being continued or rescheduled, the opportunity to be heard may be at such later date before the City Commission takes action on such proposition. When addressing the City Commission, the member of the public must first state their name, their address, and what item will be spoken about. Any person with a disability requiring assistance, auxiliary aids, and services for this meeting may notify the City Clerk. The clerk -- the City has provided different public comment methods to indicate, among other things, the public's support, opposition, or neutrality on the items and topics to be discussed at the City Commission meeting in compliance with Section 286.0114(4)(c) Florida Statutes. The public has been given the opportunity to provide public comment during the meeting and within reasonable proximity and time before the meeting. Please note, commissioners have generally, been briefed by City staff and the City Attorney's Office on items on the agenda today. Anyone wishing a verbatim record of an item considered at this meeting may, request it at the Office of Communications or view it online at www.miamigov.com. Planning and Zoning items shall proceed according to Section 7.1.4 of 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 or request to the City Commission. If the applicant agrees with the staff recommendation, the City Commission may proceed to its deliberation and decision. The applicant may also waive the right to an evidentiary hearing on the record. For appeals, the appellant will present its appeal to the City Commission, followed by the appellee. Staff will be allowed to make any recommendation they may have. Please silence all cellphones and other noise -making devices. This meeting can be viewed live on MiamiTV, the City's Facebookpage, the City's Twitter page, the City's YouTube channel, and Comcast Channel 77. The broadcast will also have closed captioning. Pursuant to advisory legal opinion, AGO (Attorney General Opinion) 2020-03, issued on March 19, 2020, the Florida Attorney General opined that, consistent with prior Attorney General opinions, a member of a local governing body who is physically unable to attend a meeting because of medical treatment or due to medical reasons may participate and vote in meetings where a quorum of other members was physically present. Thank you, Madam Chair. Chair King: Thank you, Mr. City Attorney. Mr. City Clerk, would you please read your statement and any other information that we need to be aware of? City of Miami Page 5 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Thank you, Chair. The procedures for individuals who will be providing testimony to be sworn in for Planning and Zoning items and any quasi-judicial items on today's City Commission agenda will be as follows': 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 Ifinish 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: And thank you, Chair. May I administer the oath for the Planning and Zoning items? Chair King: Please. Mr. Hannon: Thank you, Chair. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. If you will be speaking on any of the Planning and Zoning items, the PZ items, may I please have you stand and raise your right hand? The City Clerk administered oath required under City Code Section 62-1 to those persons giving testimony on zoning items. Mr. Hannon: Thank you, Chair. Chair King: Thank you. Mr. City Manager, do you have any items that will be deferred or withdrawn from this agenda? Arthur Noriega (City Manager): Good morning, Madam Chair, Commissioners, City Attorney, Mr. City Clerk. At this time, the administration would like to defer and/or withdraw the following items: RE.4, to be deferred to March 13th; FR.1, to be deferred to February 27th; AC.1, to be deferred to February 27th; DI4, to be withdrawn; and PZ.7, to be deferred to July 24th. That concludes the items. Chair King: Thank you. At this time, I'm going to ask my colleagues if they have any items that they would like to withdraw or defer. Vice Chair? Vice Chair Carollo: Not at this time. Chair King: Commissioner Gabela? Commissioner Gabela: No. The only thing I want to say, if I can -- if we can do one -- as one of the first items, the RE.6 because the gentleman is here and I think I'd (UNINTELLIGIBLE) -- Chair King: RE.6? Commissioner Gabela: Yeah. Chair King: Okay, but we have to -- oh. Commissioner Gabela: Yes. Chair King: Commissioner Pardo? City of Miami Page 6 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Commissioner Pardo: No, none. Chair King: Commissioner Reyes, are there any items that you would like to have deferred? Commissioner Reyes: No, ma'am. I don't have any. Chair King: Okay. At this time, may I have a motion? Commissioner Gabela: Motion. Chair King: Second? Commissioner Reyes: Second. Chair King: All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair King: Motion carries unanimously. Mr. Hannon: Chair, my apologies, if I may. During the order of the day, I would just like to state Commissioner Gabela will be co -sponsoring RE.13 and RE.14. Commissioner Pardo will be co -sponsoring RE. 7. Commissioner Reyes will be co -sponsoring RE.6. Commissioner Pardo has a pocket resolution urging President and Homeland Security Secretary to maintain TPS (Temporary Protected Status) designations for law-abiding nationals of El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Venezuela and other designated countries while conditions persist that preclude their safe return. Commissioner Carollo has a pocket item, a resolution pertaining to the acquisition of real property located at 1702 and 1714 West Flagler Street. And Commissioner Reyes has a pocket resolution. It's a grant of easement to FPL (Florida Power & Light) for the city - owned property located at 7121 Southwest 3rd Street. Thank you, Chair. Chair King: Thank you. Vice Chair Carollo: Madam Chair, I have a second pocket item that I will be presenting. (COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD) Vice Chair Carollo: Well, in this meeting. Chair King: Do you want to present it now? Vice Chair Carollo: If you like, I'll present it now, but it could be at any time. Chair King: Does the city attorney have it so we could read it -- Vice Chair Carollo: Yes. Mr. Wysong: Yes. Chair King: -- into the record and it would be considered for public comments? Vice Chair Carollo: Yes. City of Miami Page 7 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Mr. Wysong: Ready? This is the additional pocket item. A resolution on the Miami City Commission urging President Donald J. Trump and the United States Secretary of Homeland Security to maintain temporary protected status designations for law-abiding nationals of certain countries, calling for a comprehensive review of conditions and TPS designated nations before any policy changes, directing the city clerk to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to certain officials, providing for an effective date. And there's additional language, if you'd like me to read that. Vice Chair Carollo: Please. Mr. Wysong: Yes. Whereas the City ofMiami urges the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, and the Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, to thoroughly assess the situations in these countries and take into account all perspectives of -- wait, that's the wrong section. I'm sorry. The additional section is, whereas the City ofMiami likewise urges the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, and the Secretary of Homeland Security', Kristi Noem, to apprehend and deport any illegal immigrant that has been convicted of committing crimes to any American resident or property. That is pocket item -- Mr. Hannon: And I'm going to get to that just right now. So, Chair, I was going to just, if it's the will of the body, PL 1 will be Commissioner Pardo's pocket item. PL2 will be Commissioner Carollo's pocket item regarding the acquisition of property. PL3 will be Commissioner Carollo other pocket item regarding TPS. And then PL4 would be Commissioner Reyes's' pocket item. So, P1..1 through 4. Vice Chair Carollo: Can you describe the other pocket items, please? Mr. Hannon: Yes. So, Commissioner Pardo has a pocket item, it's a pocket resolution, urging the President and Homeland Security Secretary, -- Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, alright, alright. Okay. Mr. Hannon: Okay. You have your two pocket items. Vice Chair Carollo: Yes, and Commissioner Reyes. Mr. Hannon: And Commissioner Reyes has a pocket resolution granting -- it's a grant of easement to FPL (Florida Power & Light) for the city -owned property located at 7121 -- Vice Chair Carollo: That's fine, that's fine. Thank you. Chair King: Do we need a motion for all of those? Do we need a motion for those? Mr. Hannon: No, I think what well do is after the public comment period, then you can vote on all those pocket items afterwards. Chair King: Okay. [Later...] Chair King: So, let me go -- hold on. Let me go through. Are there any items in the consent agenda that anyone wants to pull for discussion? Does anybody want to pull any items from the consent agenda? City ofMiami Page 8 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Vice Chair Carollo: CA.4 (INAUDIBLE). Chair King: CA.4. Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah. Chair King: Okay. Commissioner Reyes, are there any items from the consent agenda that you would like to --? Commissioner Reyes: No, ma'am. Chair King: No, okay. Commissioner Reyes: No, Madam Chair. Chair King: Does anyone want to pull PH.1 for discussion? Vice Chair Carollo: PH.1? Chair King: PH.1. Commissioner Gabela: Can I --? Chair King: For PH.1? Commissioner Gabela: No, no, I -- what I wanted to say was that, you know, we have a contentious issue, and it's DI 3, and I think we should step it -- take it now as early as possible because I want Carollo to be here because it has to do with him and -- Chair King: He's going to come hack after lunch. Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, I'll be here. Commissioner Gabela: I don't want -- Chair King: Let me just get through the agenda. He's going to come back after lunch. I just want to see what you guys want to pull. Commissioner Gabela: We don't want to do anything behind anybody's back and Chair King: No, we're not. We're not. Commissioner Gabela: Okay. Chair King: We're not going to do that. I just want to -- does anyone want to pull PH.1 for discussion? Vice Chair Carollo: No, but I do -- Chair King: PH.1. Commissioner Gabela: PH (Public Hearing) -- Vice Chair Carollo: I do have to leave, Madam Chair. City of Miami Page 9 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Chair King: Okay. Vice Chair Carollo: I think we all know what -- Chair King: Are there any items --? Vice Chair Carollo: -- controversial items there are. Chair King: Right. Are there any resolution items that you would like to pull for discussion? Vice Chair Carollo: If we could leave any resolution item that could be controversial, for that matter, any pocket items that could be controversial. If there's none, then we move with it. But I do have to go now. Thank you. Chair King: Okay. Vice Chair Carollo: Appreciate it. [Later...] Chair King: There's' a mitigation, RE.1, but that's District 3, so he left, so we won't take that up until he comes back. I'm going to pull RE.3 for discussion. Any of the -- any of the -- RE.14 for discussion. Commissioner Reyes: 14? RE.13. Chair King: Let's see. Commissioner Pardo: He added 13 as well. Chair King: 13? Commissioner Reyes: That's right. Chair King: You want to pull 13 for discussion? Commissioner Pardo: Commissioner Reyes. Chair King: Okay, Commissioner Reyes, you want to pull 13 for discussion? Commissioner Reyes: That's right, 13 and 14. Chair King: Are there any other items? Commissioner Gabela: So, we're putting 13 and 14? Chair King: Pulling 13, 14, and RE.3. Commissioner Gabela: Okay. Unidentified Speaker: And 1. Chair King: And 1 until the afternoon. Commissioner Gabela: On the REs (Resolutions)? City of Miami Page 10 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Chair King: On the REs. Commissioner Gabela: I believe 4 was deferred, no? Chair King: Yes, RE.4 was deferred until March 13th. And RE.6, we already passed. Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Commissioner Gabela: So, nobody has objections. PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ALL ITEM(S) 17260 DISCUSSION ITEM Office of the City Clerk PUBLIC COMMENTS SUBMITTED ONLINE BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FOR THE FEBRUARY 13, 2025 CITY COMMISSION MEETING. RESULT: PRESENTED Chair King: And at this time, I'm going to open public comment for items that are on the agenda today. Commissioner Russell, hello. Ken Russell: Good morning, commissioners. It's been a few years. It's an honor to be here, and I'm very happy to see all of you. Unfortunately, I'm not here on good news. RE.14 is an effort to break the promises of Miami Freedom Park. At this very lectern seven years ago, David Beckham stood and made the promise to us and the city. He said, 1 am doing this for your children and your children's children. And his development partners made the promise to us, which resulted in legislation, which was our promise to the city. And the mayor signed that legislation, which created a lease. And part of that promise is, for the land that was going to be taken up, the green space that would disappear for the stadium, we would find, rezone, and fund new parks throughout the city. We identified those four parks, and they are in districts throughout. And we rezoned those parks, and we funded it with half of the $20 million contribution. Now, Commissioner Gabela, it has been an honor to watch you over this last year. As people underestimate your character and intelligence, you have proven them wrong every step of the way by changing your mind when you see things come to light. And I promise you when you see the math on this, this is not an additional $10 million gift to your district. This is an additional $10 million to the Mas family and their development group because this actually defunds one of the new parks that would be going into District 1. And the money that they are going to use to build up that park is already meant to be spent by them. Miami has a history, of recalling mayors who make bad decisions on sporting deals. And we do not want to see that happen here. Mayor Suarez has been a friend of mine for over 10 years, but if the promise of this deal is broken, I will be the first signature on any recall effort for any elected official who tries to break the promises of this deal. Because it is my integrity, it is your integrity, because you carry the promises of commissions past. Please vote no on RE.14. Thankyou. Chair King: Thank you. Good morning. City of Miami Page 11 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Elvis Cruz: Good morning. Elvis Cruz, 631 Northeast 57th Street. RE.14, a gift of $20 million to the billionaires behind the soccer stadium and development scam. Our City Commission should be committed to preserving and protecting our parks, not giving away cushy contracts for private developments on them. This soccer stadium scam should never have been on the ballot. If the City did not want that land to be a golf course anymore, they should have turned it all into one big, glorious park for the people, and not give a hugely lopsided deal to billionaire friends and campaign contributors. This is just another money - motivated manipulation at Miami City Hall. Please vote no. Thankyou. Chair King: Thank you. Good morning. Edward Martos: Good morning, Commissioners. Thank you for the opportunity. Edward Martos, offices at 2800 Ponce de Leon Boulevard. I'm here on behalf of Waste Connections, one of your larger waste haulers. And I want to speak about FR.2. I was here a few meetings ago, a couple meetings ago, and raised some important objections. I want to say thank you to you all for listening and thank you to your staff for making very critical changes to the ordinance. I think it's dramatically' better. We also, at the same time, have to ask for some minor refinements. Those refinements are really nuts and bolts issues. And it's my understanding the Administration's position is that they could be resolved through an RFP (Request for Proposals) process, but it's a fundamental point of law that an RFP cannot go contrary to what's in the code. So, my request to you today is if you're not going to defer the item together with the other waste item, I ask that you please make it clear that we need to, between first and second reading, clean up some of these issues that I've already raised to the City Attorney, that I've also raised to the Administration, so that we can make this thing really watertight. Thankyou, Commissioners. I appreciate your time. Chair King: Thank you. Good morning. Albert Gomez: Good morning, Albert Gomez, District 2 resident. Through the Chair, Commissioner Pardo, the FR.4 item, thank you for removing fiscal waste. But I think the process of submitting a permit is still necessary. Removing the. fees shouldn 't be there, but the process of putting in the permits is, I think it's important. It shows the City wants to care about its own regulations. Again, through the Chair, Commissioner Gabela, thank you for honoring the Honeycomb House. I've seen their work through the Women's Fund and little different groups like that, but I can't see the benefit of honoring groups like that while we're dismantling boards that support those specific issues such as the Board on Women's Health and Equity and Status of Women. 1 don't see how they don't co -- they're exactly the same thing. Please allow that vehicle for the community to speak to our legislation on these issues to stand, as well as all the other boards. If you have one or two that you have an issue on graft or fat, please step in, place people on the boards, and let them do their job. They're useful. And then through the Chair on the Freedom Park issue, I was here in the gallery when it was passed. You know, you got to honor your commitments. If you go back on your commitments -- and the mayor wouldn't bring it up if he didn't have the votes. So, if he's saying he has the votes, you guys would be going against your commitments. That's in boldface. I think you can do better. I really do. I think there's a big opportunity for the City to show up here for past choices. You guys made a decision, you negotiated, honor it. And I don't want to hear Chris fighting for budgets when you're ready to give $20 million out the door that could effectively go to maintenance within parks, more green spaces. It doesn't line up well, giving this gift out to a private entity. If we're about removing government, let's be smart about it. Thankyou. City of Miami Page 12 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Chair King: Thank you. Good morning. Laura Kelley: Hi, good morning. My name is Laura Kelley. 1 am chair of the Miami -Dade Democratic Party. I am here to thank Commissioner Pardo for his resolution on the rescission of temporary protected status for Venezuelans, and I'm here to support that resolution and urge all of our commissioners to support that resolution. I am also an immigration attorney and small business owner. I understand that the rescission of TPS (Temporary Protected Status) for Venezuelans will not only tear apart families and our communities, but will have a devastating impact on our local economy. So, this resolution, while it may not change the outcome, at least, at the very least, it demonstrates to the administration where we stand in this city for our immigrant community and especially our Venezuelan immigrant community. So, thank you, Commissioner Pardo, and I hope all the commissioners here will accept and approve this resolution today. Thank you. Chair King: Thank you. Good morning. Mariella Lopez De Albear: Good morning. Good morning. Commissioner Reyes, good to see you. (FOREIGN LANGUAGE). Welcome back. Good morning, everyone. I'm here to talk about the Freedom Park. My name is Mariella Lopez De Albear, 661 Northeast 68th Street. And I just want to say that we don't live in a zip code. We live in a planet. We need to preserve it, and we need to share it. We need more green spaces and less concrete. We have enough concrete as it is. We know that we have a flooding issue in Miami. We don't need to put more concrete weight on it. I think that the stadiums, they're selected. They're not for everybody to come because there's certain occasions, certain times that people can go, and we need more parks. We need to be a real city that is embracing all the citizens of all walks of life so they can go out and they can actually enjoy something and not be told that it's being invaded, being invasive with more concrete. We don't need to do that. We need to remember your oath that you took. We the people for the people and by the people. And that is what you should be doing every single day is representing us and not the other way around. So, save the trees, save the green spaces and let's get going. Thank you. Chair King: Thank you. Juan Cuba: Hello, my name is Juan Cuba and I'm with the Democratic Party, but I'm speaking today as the son of immigrants. My parents came to this country when I was three years old. We fled a Maoist guerrilla group, Sindero Luminoso, and since then, hundreds of thousands of families have fled oppression, communism, dictatorship, authoritarianism, in search of a better future here in Miami -Dade and across this country. You know, I'm here to support Commissioner Pardo's pocket item resolution urging the administration to restore TPS, temporary protected status, for Venezuelans and for others that have came here fleeing communism, authoritarianism, in search of that better future. You know, stripping that away puts them in a very precarious position. It tears families apart. It's scaring our communities, it's scaring people that, you know, are just here to work hard and provide a better future for their kids. So, I urge everyone, Democrat, Republican, Independent, for all of us to be united and stand together and urge this administration to restore TPS. Thank you so much. Chair King: Thank you. Good morning. Nicole Crooks: Good morning. My name is Nicole Crooks, and I serve as a community engagement manager in Overtown. I also live in Overtown and I'm here today to speak in strong opposition to SR.1, which would include the City of Miami Page 13 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 permanent dissolution of the Overtown Community Oversight Board. This board was established to ensure transparency, accountability, and community input in the face of ongoing development in our neighborhood. And it was not just an advisory body. It was clearly an oversight committee, a safeguard, a necessary checks and balance to ensure the voices of Overtown residents were heard whenever decisions about construction, redevelopment, and public investment were being made. This board was also a key component of the agreement for the CRA (Community, Redevelopment Agency). Ending the oversight board could further erode trust between the community and elected officials, and we know that the public meetings like this one are often scheduled at times when working people are not able to be here, in terms of our elders and so on and so forth. We also know that the way that the agenda items are recorded often make it very difficult for everyday people to even understand what's being discussed. And so, the oversight board gives an additional safeguard to make sure that the people are included in the process. Now, since the board has been unable to meet, we've witnessed what happens when community voices are silenced. Town Park residents continue to deal with development challenges and concrete is replacing the green spaces. So, I know that my, time is up, I could keep going, but I don't want to -- I want to make sure that there should -- there should not be any development that takes place without community oversight. And our community deserves a seat at the table, not just as an afterthought, but as a priority. Otherwise, it's not urban renewal, it's urban replacement, and that's what we see. Thank you. Chair King: Thank you. Good morning. Grant Stern: Grant Stern, 425 Northeast 22nd Street. I wanted to start by thanking Commissioner Pardo for bringing up this item about TPS. I was just on Newsmax Television this morning explaining how Donald Trump's revocation of TPS is going to impact 500,000 Venezuelans who entered America illegally, 180,000 in Florida. And this is very important because they cannot speak for themselves. They are now intimidated. Their First Amendment rights have essentially been revoked. So, it is up to us to speak for them. I'd like to thank Commissioner Gabela for bringing up Item RE.3, which will stop the City from making payments for commissioners who commit wrongdoing when they're being sued by their staffers, their constituents, their former police commissioners, et cetera. Because we need a vote of the commission before the commission outlays these funds. The commission has the ability to make that decision responsibly, and I agree with Commissioner Gabela on that, but I disagree with the Melreese item. And I'm going to tell you right now I'm not a slick lobbyist threatening you right here. 1 am someone here as -- that opposed that from the beginning, but 1 was denied the right to speak because the person sitting to my right violated the Sunshine Law to commit an egregious act of public corruption to get that onto the ballot. And lastly, I'd like to read from a lawsuit that was filed recently. This is in relation to DI.3. Suarez and Canto learned that in late January 2024, the Bayfront Trust wired approximately $45,000 to Joe Carollo's Little Havana Fridays, despite Bayfront Trust having no association with Carollo's event nor deriving any benefit from Carollo's event. In addition to that $45,000, the Trust paid an additional $15,000 for artists to perform at Carollo's District 3 event, which was apparently sent directly to a miscellaneous District 3 account. The $60, 000 was allegedly intended to enable Carollo to pay artists to perform at the Little Havana Fridays event. Payment, which was reportedly resulted in booking commissions paid to entities associated with or controlled by Joe and/or Marjorie Carollo. Chair King: Thank you. City of Miami Page 14 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Vice Chair Carollo: Where's the proof? Chair King: Thank you. Commissioner -- Vice Chair Carollo: These are your friends so they're putting you up to this. Chair King: Commissioner -- Vice Chair Carollo: Where's the proof.? Chair King: Thank you. Vice Chair Carollo: Show one penny of proof. Chair King: Thank you. Mr. Stern: May I have time to respond? Vice Chair Carollo: Show one penny of proof Chair King: Commissioner -- Commissioner, please. Thank you. Mr. Stern: May I respond? Chair King: No, thank you. Mr. Stern: Thank you. Chair King: Good morning. Vice Chair Carollo: Madam Chair, I don't care if the same individuals that are sent here meeting after meeting after meeting to attack me, want to attack me. But when they're going to the low level of attacking my wife, something that even in politics in Miami has not been seen before, it shows how desperate they are. I dare this character here, or any one of these people to show one penny that 1 or my wife have gotten for anything. My poor wife, the only thing she's done is put hundreds of hours of volunteer time for this city, something a character like this has never done. She builds, she doesn't destroy like guys like him. And I'm not going to stand here and keep my mouth shut if they're going to come here and lie through their teeth because this last BS lawsuit is something that will be dismissed immediately once we get to court. We have ample proof of the lies that they put down, including, many of them, in Mr. Jose Alberto Suarez's own words, signature, and statements. Now, they know well that the Trust, not Joe Carollo, nine members of the Trust, approved funding for community activities. A lot of it went to Liberty City, Overtown, for kids to be taught art, how to paint, for soccer teams in Little Haiti, for young girls in Little Haiti. And yes, $60,000 was approved for entertainment in Little Havana. And every penny of it went for that and they know that because if anybody that's an elected official in this town has shown for years every penny that went in and went out of their bank account, tax statements, including my wife's, including her small business, and they couldn't find a single penny that went in or went out that wasn't justified. So, this is what they resort to, getting a handful of characters like this after they file a frivolous lawsuit that it took them three weeks to ask the federal courts to issue a subpoena so they could serve. And then when they served me yesterday in a press conference just before we got started at Bayfront Park for the ribbon cutting of our fountain, it was coordinated with Little Billy. Of course, Little Billy doesn't get paid by anybody. He's a rich man, of course. So, Madam Chair, they could City of Miami Page 15 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 come here and lie, but don't hide behind a lawsuit. And let me say this to everyone that's listening. The reason that you don't get that ambulance chaser attorney that filed this lawsuit for these people, the sane one that's filed the lawsuit for the bar owners on 8th Street and has filed other suits against other employees in the city and more, the reason they will not go publicly to say anything like that is because they know then that my wife will have the opportunity to sue the crap out of them. But unfortunately, our laws are that you could put any lie, no matter how big it is, in a lawsuit or in motions, and you can 't sue on that. And this is what they're doing. So, then a character like this, that's working hand -in -hand with them, can come up here and repeat it, and they can try to defame me, defame my wife, because they haven't been able to beat me the democratic way. They lost two elections, lost one recall, and a recall, by the way, that you'll be hearing about in the near future, because they spent maybe as much as a quarter million dollars of laundered, illegal money in that recall. So, Madam Chairman, I hope that you're going to uphold our laws in this city and in every other city commission or county commission in this state where people stick to the item at hand. He went way over what the item at hand was and keep family members out of it because if it's a free-for-all with family members, believe me, I could go much deeper with others. Chair King: Thank you. Thank you. Mr. Stern: Pardon me. I would like a chance to respond -- Chair King: No, you had -- you had -- Mr. Stern: -- Madam Chairwoman. Chair King: You don't need to respond. You had your two minutes. Commissioner Gabela. Commissioner Gabela: Point of order. Chair King: Point of order. Commissioner Gabela: I think it's fine that Carollo spoke, but from now on, if he has five minutes on this, while we're doing this, everybody gets five minutes, you know, fine, no problem. Chair King: I will not deny you the opportunity to speak. I will not deny any of my colleagues the opportunity -- Commissioner Gabela: Just want to make that clear. Thank you. Chair King: -- to speak. Commissioner Gabela: Thank you very much. Mr. Stern: May I raise a point of order? Chair King: No. Your two -- Mr. Stern: (INAUDIBLE) spoke on the item. Chair King: I said no. Your two minutes are up. Good morning. City of Miami Page 16 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Jihad Rashid: Good morning, Commissioners. I'm here -- my name is Jihad Rashid, 3629 Grand Avenue and just have some comments on RE.10.1 received a call last night and it was some great concern, but after 1 came here, I found that the measure that's been proposed is innocuous, and I could easily support it. But I want to take this opportunity to say that there's an organization that represents Coconut Grove, the Coconut Grove Village West Homeowners and Tenants Association. It embodies representative government and is your partner in representative government. We have a measure in now that prohibits city officials from attending our meetings. But to avoid these kind of things, that (UNINTELLIGIBLE) people, this organization has been here since 1954. It's the most venerable organization. And I would urge the Commission to find a way to move around that, because everybody that's a member of that organization lives and votes in the Grove, and they are -- they have a voice and a vote. So, in these era, in these days where we're concerned about democracy and our voices being heard, let's reconsider that communication because if we're your partner and we want to do that, I was summoned here, I had plenty of other things to do, but they were saying they're going to take something over. And it's innocuous. And I said, well, while I'm here, why not take this time and make that request of you respectfully. Thank you. Chair King: Thank you. Commissioner Pardo. Commissioner Pardo: I just wanted to make a point of clarification. The reason that our staff doesn't attend the HOTA (Homeowners and Tenants Association) meetings', or two other groups is because they have sued the City of Miami, and under advice of legal counsel, we cannot have representatives attending in those meetings. We have expressed to those organizations this from the very beginning. We kind of let them know, listen, we are available, Javier Gonzalez is always there, our office is available. We just did several forums with the Coconut Grove community. So, we try to be extremely accessible. I would recommend that you contact our office and certainly work through Javier because we definitely don't want to lose the communication. Mr. Rashid: Yeah, we understand, and again, we're your partner. Chair King: Thank you. Thank you. Good morning. Maria Corina Vegas: Good morning. Can you hear me? My name is Maria Corina Vegas, 6795 Southwest 102nd Terrace in Pinecrest, 3315 -- Commissioner Pardo: 1 can't hear you. Ms. Vegas: My name is Maria Corina Vegas, 6795 Southwest 102nd Terrace, Pinecrest, Florida. I'm here to thank Commissioner Pardo and to support his resolution to support Venezuelan TPS and other TPS holders as a Venezuelan American myself who fled the Chavez regime and I understand what it means to have people go back there and the fear our community right now has. I have friends, I have relatives, and I have colleagues that are, you know, fear stricken. And I really appreciate your effort to put this resolution forward. And I ask the whole Commission to support it. Thank you very much. Chair King: Thank you. Good morning. Rick Madan: Good morning, Commissioners. Rick Madan, 2900 Northeast 7th Avenue, Miami, Florida. I'm here to speak on a couple of the agenda items. Support of RE.3, this resolution, which was introduced by Commissioner Gabela, would stop the City from automatically paying legal fees for commissioners sued City of Miami Page 17 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 in civil lawsuits. Now we understand you have political enemies, so if it's in the scope of your work, the City should defend you, but if it's outside of the scope, taxpayers should not be funding these lawsuits. Opposing FR.6, this ordinance which eliminates the Bayfront Park Management Trust transferring full control to the City Parks Department, reducing public input on parks operations. I support Commissioner Gabela joining the Trust to ensure better oversight and community representation. We need a change at Bayfront Park Trust. It should not be eliminated. And then RE.14, oppose this ordinance which redirects the $20 million back to Freedom Park, which is amazing. This is a bait and switch. Because the development agreement reached stipulated that the developers would donate 20 million to be used for improvement to public parks or acquisition of public parks within the city of Miami, not for Miami Freedom Park but other parks citywide. I strongly oppose any redirection of these funds, and thank you, Ken Russell, for supporting this. Lastly, DI.3. This is an item of vote of no confidence in Commissioner Carollo. You should relinquish your post as chair of the Bayfront Park Trust because of all this controversy. Commissioner Gabela should be appointed chair of the Trust. He listens to the people. He will do a good job. Thank you and happy Valentine's Day. Chair King: Thank you. Good morning. Amaya Ariztoy: Good morning, everyone. My name is Amaya Ariztoy. I live on 128 Morningside, Coral Gables. I am here today in support of Commissioner Pardo's resolution to restore the TPS. I am a Venezuelan -American that lives here for 25 years, and I have family and friends directly and negatively being affected by this injustice that is happening as we speak. For example, I have my nephew who came to this country legally under a visa for a student. He went to University of Florida, had a master's degree there. He paid his international tuition. He came back to Miami. He found a job. He was working under TPS. He was paying his taxes. And now he's forced to go back to a country that is no future -- that has no future and also is a country that is under a dictatorship. So, it's important to understand that. And the majority of the people that have been affected are hardworking Venezuelan community that pay their taxes and that are contributing to this country as well. And .finally, I want to say that as a Venezuelan -American and as a Venezuelan immigrant, we're not criminals. Thank you. Chair King: Thank you. Good morning. Frances Alban: Hi, good morning. My name is Frances Alban and I live in Edgewater, which has become ground zero for overdevelopment. And I'm actually born and raised in Miami, so I've seen this transformation, and it's -- you know, it's overdevelopment. We have -- the items I wanted to support were FR.3 -- sorry, FR.4, the noise ordinance. I'm right outside of Mellow Group, which has two 60-story towers that they're developing on 24th Street. And they're -- they just get whatever permit they need to construct and build at all hours of the night is being approved. And this is causing incredible disruption and creating, besides the noise, the level of dust and dirt that's going into the bay. The bay is in like terrible shape, but I'm not -- I mean, there's -- that's another story, but the noise, definitely in support of that. Also want to oppose FR.6, which we don't need LED (Light Emitting Diode) billboards in anywhere near parks. And FR.3 -- oh, sorry. Also, finally, my last one is RE.3, which is, I agree with the sentiments of the folks speaking previously, we don't -- taxpayer dollars should not be used to defend officials accused of abuse of power. Thank you. Chair King: Good morning. City of Miami Page 18 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Rick Beasley: Good morning, Madam Chair to the Commission. I'm Rick Beasley. 1 represent CareerSource South Florida, the South Florida Workforce Investment Board. We come here to ask for your support for RE.11. Again, this initiative allows for the creation of the Women in Tech Program. This program will provide, again, the talent pipeline that's needed for the IT (Information Technology) industry that you all are providing or expanding here in the city of Miami, but it also provides an opportunity to provide economic mobility for the citizens here in the city of Miami. The South Florida Workforce Investment Board at CareerSource South Florida provide the matching funds for this initiative. And this initiative will hit five main goals here. One, expanding women's representation in the information technology industry. It will drive workforce development and economic growth here in the City of Miami. It will provide an investment in high wage and sustainable careers here in the City of Miami and strengthen public private partnerships for job creation. And lastly, ensure long- term impact and economic growth for the City of Miami. And so, we ask for your support for Resolution 11. Thanks so much. Chair King: Thank you. Good morning. Todd Amelung: Hi, good morning. My name is Todd Amelung. I live at 677 Northeast 24th Street in Edgewater. I'm here to support the resolution that keeps us from automatically paying legal fees for commissioners. I think that alone could break the city at the rate we're going. But specifically, I'm here for FR.6. The park management is so -- the input of the community is so important for the parks. The difference in quality of living that we've seen in Edgewater due to development is staggering. Really, for me to ride my bicycle from my home to Midtown, which is less than a mile away, is almost death defying. There's no bike paths. There's no -- there's now adverts and LED advertisements, sometimes two per block. So, if you even have to ride your bike on the city sidewalk, even that, you're bumping people into the street. It's really, it's too much. And the amount of pollution and dust and (UNINTELLIGIBLE) -- there's not enough room in Margaret Pace Park for the buildings that are continuing to go up around it. It needs the full input of the city in order for it to be something that we can all live in and be proud of because it really feels like developers are in charge there of almost everything. So, I just wanted to go on the record for that and hope that you'll help us with that. Thank you. Chair King: Thank you. Good morning. Nicole Desiderio: Good morning, Nicole Desiderio, 900 Biscayne Bay. I'rn speaking on DI.3 and FR. 6. Joe Carollo has had no less than six park directors in the last six years at the Bayfront Park Management Trust, and it's because he treats people horribly. No one wants to work for him, and no one can last in that position for more than a year. He tries to deny that illegal substances were found at the Park Trust offices when the police department released the body camera footage. He will just say anything to try and get out of trouble. I'd like to set the record straight about the lies Joe told about me when he took my public comment time last commission meeting. He claimed that I'm a new transplant to Miami and that I just moved here in the last few years. You said welcome to me? Well, I don't need you to welcome me because I've been living in the city of Miami for almost 20 years. I've stated this on the record here at least 10 tunes, including the fact that I've lived in South Florida all of my life, including across the street from Ferre Park for the last 15 years. So, I don't know why on earth or who on earth you get your information from, but at least you're consistent with telling blatant lies. Just like your blatant lie claiming that there's no master plan for Ferre Park. You knew about this master plan all along, you just refused to use it. So, I say to the rest of you commissioners, please do not believe the lies that Joe City of Miami Page 19 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Carollo tells. Last month when you took my public comment time, you went on a rant, even going so far as to insinuate that I'm involved in some orchestrated plan against you. I'll say it again and I've said it before. I did not know any of you commissioners before I started coming down here and I am not being sent here by anyone. And now RE.14 about Freedom Park, it's disappointing that we have so many issues with our park. And FR.6, it seems like you are taking the stance of if I can't have it, no one can, so you just want to abolish the Trust altogether. I think Commissioner Gabela should be the chair of the Trust. And RE.3, I'm with you on that, Commissioner Gabela. Thank you. Chair King: Thank you. Good morning. Billy Corben: Sure. It's just a cake for the -- he gave me a donut last time. Why not? I'm not going to eat it here, though. He gave me a donut last time. Luis Camacho (Sergeant at Arms, Police): (INAUDIBLE). Mr. Corben: Okay, we're not going to serve it, but -- Mr. Camacho: (INAUDIBLE). Mr. Corben: Okay, you can take it. Mr. Camacho: I don't want it. You need to secure it in your car or -- Unidentified Speaker: I'll take it. Mr. Camacho: You need to take it out of here. Mr. Corben: Thanks. Thank you. Good morning. Billy Corben, also known as Vile Little Man, Little Billy, Timeshare Baby, and Mr. Cohen here to speak on DI.3, 5, FR.6, RE.3, and RE.14. First, good to see Commissioner Reyes here and healthy, sir. And I want to thank Commissioner Gabela for bringing some very important items that put taxpayers first on this agenda, first and foremost, related to Bayfront Park Management Trust, and of course, outside counsel for elected officials. On the Bayfront Trust, I am all for your suggestion that you take over as the chairman. I think you are the right new sheriff to come in and fix the mess that is there. And it affects the outside counsel issue as well. If you see one of those meetings right now, it's like a communist politburo, where everyone tells Joe Carollo how smart and handsome and funny he is, and all vote in unison for him, including recently on more outside counsel to defend corruption in this city And who did they pick? Loser law firms like Shutts & Bowen. Loser law firms, okay, who are now defending yet another First Amendment retaliation lawsuit against Joe Carollo. What are their qualifications? They lost the last First Amendment retaliation lawsuit against Joe Carollo to the tune of $63.5 million. It's got to stop, this blank check that the City Attorney's Office has to buy themselves other positions. Look at Trick' Vicky Mendez, the former consigliere of the Miami Mafia here. She got herself -- by signing away $20 million, she got herself a position at that law firm. Now you're paying a corruption tax in her pension and also, you're paying her salary there at Shutts & Bowen. It's got to stop. And finally, I just want to mention on Melreese, they're lying to you. I just want you to know that. They're lying to you, just like they lied to Ken Russell, they lied to this whole community after negotiating in good faith up there. They are lying to you. Don't let them do it like they did with the pensions, too. They're trying to pull a fast one. The mayor is an unregistered lobbyist for them, and they represent his law firm, MLS. Don't let them do it. And finally, I have a cake -- City of Miami Page 20 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Chair King: Thank you. Mr. Corben: -- to celebrate the 24th anniversary of Joe Carollo's -- Chair King: Thank you. Mr. Corben: -- domestic violence arrest with a mugshot -- Chair King: Thank you. Mr. Corben: -- from him. Chair King: Thank you. Mr. Corben: The only person who 's attacked your wife here -- Chair King: Thank you. Mr. Corben: -- is you, sir. Vice Chair Carollo: Madam Chair, the only title he forgot to mention, which is his main one, the voice of corruption, because that's who pays him to come here. Corruption. The one that pays this guy here with the TikTok shirt to be filming so that he could put it in his little podcast. Thank you. Chair King: Good morning. Christi Tasker: Good morning, Chairwoman. Good morning, Commissioners. I'm here to speak on many of your proclamations, Commissioner Pardo, the proclamations that you're trying to make regarding deportations of specific immigrants. I am a member of the Republican Party in your district, District 17, as committeewoman. I've also served on the Code Enforcement Board. We have a massive issue with immigration here that directly affects our elections. We have illegals voting in our elections. They are allowed to check a box whenever they are applying for their state IDs. That has gone all the way to the governor's office. So, in President Trump's inauguration speech, he clearly said he plans on cleaning up from Chicago to Miami. Wondering why he said that? Well, maybe because our county mayor has almost raided the fund for the sheriff's department in buying things from Chicago. Hmm, that's very strange, right? According to NBC's own reports, in November 2024, there was a man from Venezuela at Dolphin Mall that was harassing citizens, beating them. He had sold over $1,100 in merchandise. Well, he was arrested in Chicago, had an ankle monitor that was cut, but there was nobody to go get him, but he was beating up on our citizens. On January 28th, 26 Chinese immigrants were being smuggled in our own backyard here in Coral Gables. Those immigrants, we have no idea what they were doing in terms of their abilities, and it looked like they were actually, trying to escape Latinos. So, we don't know what member of the gang there are. So, President Trump is actively cleaning up our country as almost 80 percent of Americans wanted, and if you would like me to hand deliver a letter to you with my, rebuttal on top, I will be glad to do that because I will be at Mar-a-Lago tonight. Thank you. Chair King: Thank you. Good morning. Vice Chair Carollo: Enjoy, Christi. Unidentified Speaker: Liar. City of Miami Page 21 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Brenda Betancourt: Good morning. Brenda Betancourt, 1436 Southwest 6th Street. SR.3 and FR.5, 1 just want to thank Commissioner Carollo for the renaming and just hope that those three parks, they are going to be more active. And if it's possible, if the director of Parks can try to see if we can have more of the programs that we have around, that they still have to be added to these two new parks. So, Ruben Dario is going to be amazing, and as well as the children 's parks. In support of PZ.3, for the survey showing the right-of-way dedication for owners that doesn't understand what that dedication means when they own a property. Just a question about FR.6 and DI.5. 1 think we all as residents of the city of Miami, we just want to understand the reason of requesting the abolish of this management. And I'm not in favor of abolish anything, but we all have to understand in order for you to have any event in the park, it's like a miracle in order for you to actually qualify to do an event in the Bayfront Park. So, I just want to understand exactly what is it they are truing to accomplish and to abolish it. Is it going to be more actually accessible to the people? Or is it just for a different reason? I just have questions about that. And I just want to make sure to mention to you guys about the 40, 50 recertification for seniors in our homes. We have a senior in an area of Shenandoah who received a letter from the Unsafe Department saying that she need to recertify her house. And we have to understand, when you send a letter to an 84-year-old that she needs to recertify her house, and she's going to panic, you guys, as a city, have to let them know what that means, please. Chair King: Thank you. Good morning. Denise Galvez Turros: Good morning. Denise Galvez, 2130 Southwest 20th Street. I'm here to speak on FR.6. I think it's pretty clear. I think Pardo and Gabela understand the game. I think Commissioner Reyes also understands the game. Obviously, this is an attempt for Commissioner Carollo to basically, if I can't have it, no one can. Please don't abolish the park. Please don't put it hack in the Parks Department. 1 deal with the parks a lot. I'm actually trying to restore a historic building in one of the parks. I have the money, the roof, from Dade Heritage Trust and we haven't been able to get that through. The parks is a mess. A lot of our parks are mismanaged. Don 't abolish Bayfront Management Trust. As for the third -party attorney fees, I absolutely, support that. As a matter of fact, I would add a provision, and I ask all of you to add a provision, where we do not allow our City Attorney's Office to hire third party attorneys and firms who are actively engaged in our elections, i.e. Sarnoff and Ben Kuehne. All of them have PACs (Political Action Committees), they donate to Carollo, they support all his elections. They should not be allowed to be part of that third party attorney hiring process, regardless of what the circumstances are. They should be prohibited from even participating in that process. So, thank you so much, Gabela, for bringing this up. And please appoint Commissioner Gabela as the chairman because that trust had for 30 years a wonderful leadership team that I worked with and there was no problem with me doing events there or anybody else. I don't know what Ms. Betancourt is talking about. Just please remove it from Carollo's hands. That's the only problem with that park. Thank you. Chair King: Thank you. Good morning. James Torres: Good morning Chairwoman. James Torres, president of the Downtown Neighbors Alliance. We're here to oppose RE.14. The resolution is the wrong way of doing business in the City of Miami because it's very specific that a promise was made here back in 2022. That $20 million in park funding that was only recently received and has been a clear earmark since 2022 for citywide improvements and the acquisition of land for new parks. It doesn't matter that City of Miami Page 22 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 technically -- the key word here is technically -- we did not have to acquire new parks and find additional loopholes as required or has been currently been speaking to. New land for parks beyond Miami Freedom Park was a promise that was made improving for other parks beyond the Miami Freedom Park. As promised, no new taxpayers' money should have been used for this. Now we're in this conundrum. We are not here to argue technicalities. We're here opposing the resolution because it lacks integrity. If we allow this to happen, what will happen next? The job creations that were promised will no longer exist, the guarantee of a 58-acre park in general will no longer exist, and the terms of the entire deal because a former corrupt city attorney left us nasty, surprising, and finding an additional loophole that should not have been created. We suggest the following compromise. In 2022, the Commission decided that $12.5 million was going to go to District 1, and within that, $2.5 million of the pot was going to be split equally among the other districts. There should be other solutions. Part of the solution may be a conservatorship that the mayor should start having a conversation in addressing that and/or looking for a trust or philanthropy partners that perhaps will address this issue as like you're doing with the Underline park. That's our stance on RE.14. FR.3 and 4, the noise ordinance, we're asking -- Chair King: Thank you. Mr. Torres: -- that you include language that is not there to support the fact that the administration does not have the right. Chair King: Thank you. Mr. Torres: FR. 6, the Bayfront Park issue. Chair King: Thank you. Mr. Torres: RE.9 -- Chair King: Thank you. Thank you. Mr. Torres: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Thank you. Chair King: Thank you. Good morning. Miguel Soliman.: Good morning again, Commissioners. Miguel Soliman, 1436 Southwest 6th Street. I'm here in support of RE.8 and RE.11. Commissioner Gabela, 1 commend you. Always looking out for our most vulnerable in our community. RE.8 is for the holiday meal distribution. That's admirable what you're doing. And then RE.11 is for the Women in Tech program, which is an incredible thing that we're doing. We have to support our women. I'm here also against RE.14. Miami Freedom Park got a billion dollars, possibly the best deal that's ever been given in this county. And now they're getting greedy on top of what they got. The voters spoke in November. It was a clear mandate. We're tired of these kind of things. You know, don't let them, don't let them continue to be so greedy. Enough is enough. Leave that 20 million there. Leave something for us. Then I'd also like to commend the police department and our chief. Last time I was here, I spoke of the situation we have with the mopeds. They've implemented a great program. There's still a lot of work to do. It's a very difficult issue to get these mopeds and these individuals, but they are picking them up. They're confiscating mopeds and they've even assigned officers specifically to that task. And I would like to commend our chief and our police department as always. Thank you very much for your service. And lastly, real quick, real quick, I'd like to commend an individual that is always behind the scenes and we never hear City of Miami Page 23 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 anything from him, our City Clerk, Todd Hannon. He's always quiet and that little help but I'd say give him a round of applause. Applause. Mr. Soliman: Forgive me but that man and that department, his staff they never make a mistake. They keep our city record. They're always correcting us if we make a mistake, and it is very admirable, and we never point that out. We talk about our police, we talk about our fire department, but he does an incredible job with our city. Thank you very much, Mr. City Clerk and all your staff Chair King: Thank you. Mr. Soliman: Thank you, Commissioner. Chair King: Thank you. (COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD) Chair King: At this time, seeing no one else for public comment, the public comment period is now closed. AM - APPROVING THE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETINGS: AM.1 City Commission - City Commission Meeting - Dec 12, 2024 9:00 AM MOTION TO: Approve RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes Chair King: At this time, I would like to ask my colleagues for a motion to pass the City Commission meeting minutes for the -- accept the City Commission meeting minutes for December 12, 2024. Vice Chair Carollo: Move. Chair King: I have a motion. Commissioner Gabela: Second. Chair King: Second. All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair King: Motion carries. Vice Chair Carollo: Madam Chair? Chair King: Yes. City of Miami Page 24 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Vice Chair Carollo: 1 apologize. 1 have to leave now. 1 have something that I could not change. What time should I be back? 2:30? Chair King: No, it's only 11:30. If I would still have quorum, I'd like to take up some of this stuff Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. The only thing that I ask, since we have another 20 plus minutes before noon, if there's any item that is controversial, it should be held back for the afternoon session, and I'll be here. 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 25 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 PA - PERSONAL APPEARANCE PA.1 PERSONAL APPEARANCE 17080 A PERSONAL APPEARANCE BY JAIVER BETANCOURT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CITIZENS' INDEPENDENT TRANSPORTATION TRUST (CITT) REGARDING THE STATUS OF THE PEOPLE'S TRANSPORTATION PLAN (PTP) AND THE STRATEGIC MIAMI AREA RAPID (SMART) PLAN. RESULT: PRESENTED Chair King: 1 do see we have a personal appearance. Citizens Independent Transportation Trust. Javier Betancourt: Good morning, Madam Chairwoman, Commissioners, Mr. Mayor, Mr. Manager. Javier Betancourt, executive director of the Citizens Independent Transportation Trust, or CITT. It's great to he hack at the city. I worked for the Miami DDA (Downtown Development Authority) many years ago, and obviously, it's great to see all my old friends and colleagues here at the city. Mariana Price, who is our Municipal Program Manager, is here as well. She also worked for the Miami DDA, so, you know, the city of Miami is really near and dear to our heart. And in fact, Mariana is also a city resident, so she's a twofer. So, thank you for granting me some time to update you on our efforts to oversee the halfpenny funds and the implementation of -- (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Okay, while he does that, we did pass out just an overview of our organization and the use of the PTP (People's Transportation Plan) funds both by the County and our cities. Oh, there we go. We're getting there. Okay. I just need to go backwards. All right. Starting from scratch, I apologize. So, 20 years -- 23 years ago now, actually, the voters in Miami -Dade County were presented with this ballot language, and it asked the taxpayers if they would increase their sales tax from 6.5 percent to 7 percent, a half penny increase, and that those funds would be used to enhance mobility and improve transportation throughout Miami -Dade County under something called the People's Transportation Plan, or PTP. If you look at the last sentence of the referendum language, it also created the Citizens Independent Transportation Trust, my organization, to oversee the use of those funds by both the County that gets about 80 percent of the money and the cities that are getting about 22 percent of the funds these days. And those fends are distributed to the cities on a pro-rata basis, so by population. City of Miami being the largest city by population in the county gets the lion's share of those municipal funds. So, our charge at the CITT is to monitor, audit, review, and oversee and investigate the use of the funds and the implementation of the PTP. I am not technically CITT. I am support staff to them. These folks up on the screen are the citizen volunteers that compose our trust. At least five of them, 1 believe, represent at least part of the city of Miami, and you'll recognize some of these folks, Meg Daly, Robert Ruano, who 1 understand worked here many years ago. They're true citizen volunteers from all walks of life. We do have vacancies. If you're interested in serving on the Trust as a volunteer, please visit our website and apply. Even if there isn't a vacancy, we'll keep that on file for future vacancies. This is my office. You know, we assist the Trust in its ongoing efforts. One of the key responsibilities of ours is to audit all the cities and the County on a regular basis to ensure that those funds are being spent appropriately. And we - -1 do want to acknowledge your city staff has done a phenomenal job of working City of Miami Page 26 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 with us to address some audit findings from the past. Audit findings that, by the way, were not due to this administration or this commission. They are longstanding issues that we finally, resolved. And so, kudos to your staff for working so well with us to do that. So, half a penny doesn't sound like a lot of money, but it collects a lot, particularly over time. So, we're now at about $400 million that is being collected annually. And since its inception, we've collected nearly $5 billion. And what you see here is the breakdown of how those monies were expended. The bulk of it has gone to Miami -Dade Transit. Some has gone to Miami -Dade Public Works for roadway projects, although that's been less than 10 percent of the funds. About 21 percent overall has gone to the cities. And I'm proud to say that less than 1 percent goes to our office for administration. We're allowed to spend up to 5 percent, but we ensure that we spend less than 1 percent because we believe that the bulk of the funds should be spent on the street, on projects and services that actually move people. Here's the same amount -- same information over time. Generally, speaking, the sales tax has grown over time, collections have grown, and expenditures have grown with the exception of the recession and the pandemic. This is our annual budget, tells more or less the same story. If you're really interested in the numbers, we have every penny going in, every penny going out over the next 40 years in this 40-year pro forma. It's an $8 billion program over those 40 years, and this is available on our website. I won't go into it in detail here. So, enough about us, enough about the money. Let's talk about what people really care about. It's the projects, programs, and services that the half penny funds. A lot of promises were made 23 years ago to the people. Everyone remembers expansion of Metrorail, and that was certainly one of the core promises, but there was so much more. There was a 20 percent to the cities, of which the cities have to use at least 20 percent for transit, and the other 80 percent they can use on other transportation. There was fare free MetroMover, right here in the city of Miami. There was fare free transit for all seniors, regardless of income, what's now called the Golden Passport. You had bus service improvements. You had major highway and road improvements, over 40 roadway and highway improvements. And then, yes, of course, expansion of Metrorail or rapid transit. I'm going to hring Mariana up here to quickly talk to these two slides about the municipal transit program that she manages. Mariana Price: Good morning, Commissioners, Mr. Manager. My name is Mariana Price. I'm the municipal program manager. I oversee the use of the surtax funds with the 33 municipalities that participate in our program. The city of Miami is the largest city. Funds are distributed on a pro-rata basis. With just under 500,000 in population, the City is slated to get about $28 million this year. Last year the ridership was about 4.2 million and it increased -- I'm sorry, the year before last was 4.2 million, increased about 5 percent to 4.4 million and the City has the most robust trolley system in Miami -Dade County with 13 routes. I've ridden all 13 of them. Natasha, Wade, Juvenal, Charles, they all do a great job and yeah, thank you so much. Mr. Betancourt: Thank you, Mariana. She works on a regular basis with your amazing team here at the City. As I said, a number of roadway projects, three quarters of those are done. Now our position at the CITT is that as the roadway projects are completed, we're not accepting new roadway projects ,from the County. We want the bulk of the funds spent on transit because that is where we're furthest behind. And frankly, we don't have the ability to expand roadways in Miami -Dade County anymore. The only alternative is transit. However, one roadway -related project that we are funding and are fully supportive of is advanced traffic management system technology. It's a fancy way of saying smart signals, right? So, we have these antiquated traffic signals, you know, they're just on timers, they're not adapting to real-time traffic situations. This system will allow that to happen. There was a phase one that was a pilot project that was City of Miami Page 27 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 very successful, and the County is now moving into phases two and three. So, the whole idea of here is to get you through those intersections faster if you are in a car. But our focus really is on transit and has been for a long time. We've completely, replaced all the vehicles, Metrorail, Metromover; the Metrobus system. I'm proud to say that the Metrobus system is increasingly going to be electric and eco-friendly CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) buses. We did expand Metrorail to the airport. We do fund all the municipal trolleys. We fund bicycle and pedestrian connections to those transit systems, what we call the first/last- mile. And we have also invested in Tri-Rail. So, about a year ago, Tri-Rail expanded its current system to downtown Miami. We helped to pay, as the City also helped to pay, Jrothat platform at the Miami Central Station. Okay, we'll pass that. So, the one rapid transit corridor that was achieved, again, was the expansion of Metrorail to the airport, but many more were promised. I think we all remember there were another five or six corridors that were promised 20 years ago. Those have not come to fruition. The good news is the County is actively working and the TPO (Transportation Planning Organization) to bring those projects to fruition finally through what they now call the SMART Plan, Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit Plan. So, those are six corridors that are in some stage of planning, design, development, or construction. So we have the South. Corridor, Beach Corridor, East-West Corridor, Kendall Corridor, Northeast Corridor, and the North Corridor. The South Corridor is under construction as we speak. If you go from about Dadeland South, south to Florida City, you'll see it being built right alongside South Dixie Highway. It's really exciting. It's going to be gold standard bus rapid transit that's going to behave very much like a train. And that should be opening in about July of this year. The Beach Corridor, formerly known as BayLink, obviously, very important to the city of Miami. This is still in planning and development. The City of Miami Beach took some issues with the proposal of Metromover, but you know, this is still a County priority and something that we certainly support at the CITT. In addition to getting to the beach, you'll notice there's also a line that goes up to the Design District, and both of those are currently proposed to be Metromover. The East- West Corridor, you know, is connecting people who live out west to the jobs here in the City of Miami and points east. This was originally going to be BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) on the Dolphin Expressway. The County has taken a step back and is now exploring other alternatives, either the CX lines -- CSX lines that are currently in place near the airport, or potentially doing something on Flagler Street instead of State Road 836. So, they're exploring all that. Please stay tuned. The Kendall Corridor doesn't really affect your city. This has kind of been shelved for the moment while they focus on other corridors. The next most exciting one that I believe will come to fruition is the Northeast Corridor. And this is certainly one that 1 know you're anticipating and supporting here at the city of Miami. This is essentially going to run commuter rail, so think Tri-Rail- like trains, along the existing Brightline FEC (Florida East Coast) tracks. Brightline is fantastic. It's a little expensive. It doesn 't really work for your daily commuter. So, it needs to be complemented by a true commuter rail system that has affordable fares, multiple stations throughout the county. And this deal, I would say, is nearing fruition. We did secure $400-plus million from the Biden Administration for the federal share. We'll see if the Trump Administration honors that and if Congress approves it. But the local and state matches are there as well. The North Corridor would run up 27th Avenue toward the Broward County line. This one is slated to be Metrorail. As such, it's going to be the most difficult to achieve because Metrorail is extremely expensive. We don't currently have the fends in place for that corridor. It's going to require federal funds and we're not sure if' it would compete competitively Jrothose funds under the new administration. Finally, we have supported several park and ride facilities throughout the county. We need more funding. We need to look under every rock and additional areas offocus for ours. First/last-mile connectivity is important. It City of Miami Page 28 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 doesn't matter if you build these corridors, if you can't get to the station or from the station to your destination. So, you know, we really encourage the municipalities to invest in first/last-mile bicycle pedestrian connectivity, on - demand transportation, which I know you're exploring, and of course, your own circulators. Enhancing county municipal connectivity. We don't have one transit system in Miami -Dade County. We have 35. We have transit, we have Brightline, we have Tri-Rail, and then we have 33 cities doing their own thing. And that doesn't work- for the rider or the consumer. We really need to bridge those things so that it's one seamless system from the perspective of the rider. We could build everything we want. If it's not providing a good customer experience, people aren't going to use it. So, making sure that the system is well maintained, that it's clean, that it performs well. And finally, community engagement. I am committed to telling the story of the half penny and the PTP, and I'm doing this throughout the county, because the people deserve to know where their half penny is going, where it's succeeding, but also where it's failing. You know, information is power. I'm just going to leave you with two points. We did launch a CITT Ambassador Program two years ago. Basically, we're using the people who ride the system to be our eyes and ears on the system. They submit feedback on a regular basis on an app. They get points for that, which they can exchange for rewards, like free Uber rides, free transit passes. This is fantastic. And we encourage any transit rider in the city of Miami, of either the Miami -Dade County Transit or even your own system, to apply to become a CITT ambassador, to be our eyes and ears on the system so that we can keep improving it. And finally, I did launch a podcast a couple years ago to talk about mobility, to talk about transportation, to inform the public. And I've had several officials over that time. I would invite all of you and the mayor and the manager to be guests on my podcast to talk about mobility. We film it out of Miami's Community Newspapers Studio not too far from here in South Miami. So, please be my guest. Thank you, and I'm happy to answer any questions. Chair King: Thank you. I do have one question. I am trying to expand the City's trolley service to the east of my district, up Biscayne Boulevard. Biscayne Boulevard is a traffic nightmare, and it would be helpful if we could move our residents, and it seems to be the only area of the city of Miami that does not have a trolley route. And it -- I don 't think it's fair that the east side of the city of Miami, up to the northern boundary of the city of Miami, doesn 't have the trolley system. I've spoken to staff about it. It's been a priority of mine because the businesses there, there's no parking on the Upper East Side and the businesses there are suffering because we can't get persons into that area, and we have several businesses that would benefit from more persons visiting that community. That happens to be my neighborhood, so 1 understand better than most because that is literally my neighborhood -- Mr. Betancourt: Right. Chair King: -- and I would like to see a trolley route. The trolley stops on 62nd and Biscayne and turns back around. The trolley goes everywhere in Miami except there. So, I would like -- I know staff has brought this to your attention, and I would really like to see a trolley in that area because we have to alleviate the traffic on Biscayne Boulevard. Mr. Betancourt: So, that -- Chair King: And I like what you said about the signaling because the signals are out of sync on Biscayne Boulevard. You get to one green light only to go to a red light. And the traffic just does not flow. And it's very frustrating. It takes me an hour to get from downtown to my house on Biscayne and 62nd, I'm east of that. City of Miami Page 29 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 An hour where it's really only a 10-minute ride when it's not, you know, rush hour traffic. So that -- and we had a meeting with FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation), Miami Parking Authority, the City of Miami and the Miami - Dade County -- I should have included you guys -- and we talked about the syncing of the traffic lights because we have -- every little bit helps, every little bit helps, but really I'm concerned about the trolley and I would like to have -- and I've given it to staff They know it's a priority of mine and I'd like to see the trolley go up Biscayne Boulevard. Mr. Betancourt: Yeah, the decisions on where trolleys should go, what routes you have is really a city decision. You do have to coordinate that with Miami -Dade Transit to make sure it complements the overall transit system and doesn't compete with it. That's a conversation that your city staff has with their department, not with us. You know, we don't have any say in where your trolley routes go or where they should go. We just, you know, oversee the funding. I will say that the City, again, is only required to spend 20 percent of what you get on transit on the trolleys. You spend well above that. And so, the City is already spending,you know, I think the bulk of your funds at this point on transit, even though you don't have to. But there may be additional funds that could go towards expansion of trolleys. That's a conversation to have with them. Chair King: Thank you. And thank you fbr your presentation. Commissioner Gabela: Can I just --? Chair King: Yes. Commissioner Gabela: Can I just --? You know, in my area, I asked for this, you know, since I got in office, January or February, that you're running -- the trolleys running westbound from approximately 12th Avenue northwest and Northwest 7th Street, running westward to 57th Avenue. And then when it gets to 57th Avenue, it cuts and goes -- turns left and goes south. And when I was campaigning about two years ago, many of the residents, you know, wanted that trolley, you know, since they're getting on it, to go westward, why doesn't it go -- you know, return the same way? And yes, I got the answer, but I'd like to see that change because, you know, if senior citizens get on the trolley to go shopping at let's say the 57th Avenue shopping center, they have no way of you know, making the return trip. Mr. Betancourt: Okay, again, you're talking about a City of Miami trolley? Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, yeah. Mr. Betancourt: That's, again, wholly within the City's control on how you route those. I shouldn't say wholly because you have to -- you do have to coordinate with Miami -Dade Transit but -- Commissioner Gabela: That's what they said. Mr. Betancourt: Yes. I know there's flexibility there. And by the way, one of the things I should also applaud the City for is there are areas where you actually go outside your city and connect to, for instance, the city of Coral Gables. That is allowable. I think up to 30 percent of a route can be outside of your jurisdictional boundaries, and we encourage that because it increases connectivity. So, there may be opportunities there, you know, to look at some of those flexible options. And by the way, one of our great partners, Juvenal, I think might be able to address your question. City of Miami Page 30 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Juvenal Santana: Good morning, Madam Chair, Commissioners. Juvenal Santana, director of Public Works. We are currently going to be looking at our trolley route master plan. So, as part of that, taking the recommendations, we've already had conversations with DTPW (Department of Transportation and Public Works), and that's the planning section that has to approve any changes to our trolley routes have to be approved by the Planning Department at DTPW at the County. So, we will be looking at all the routes citywide, including the northern extension along Biscayne Boulevard as part of that effort, and so we'll be reaching out to do that. That master plan had been put on hold because we were not receiving the county surtax dollars. That just happened in March, and we've already engaged the consultant that's going to be doing that work. Okay. Chair King: Thank you. Mr. Santana: You're welcome. Chair King: And thank you. Thank you for the presentation. Mr. Betancourt: Thank you all very much. END OF PERSONAL APPEARANCE City of Miami Page 31 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 CA.1 17172 Department of Fire - Rescue CA - CONSENT AGENDA The following item(s) was Adopted on the Consent Agenda MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT ("MOA"), BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY"), THROUGH ITS DEPARTMENT OF FIRE - RESCUE ("DEPARTMENT") AS THE SPONSORING AGENCY OF FLORIDA TASK FORCE 2 UNDER THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY'S NATIONAL URBAN SEARCH & RESCUE RESPONSE SYSTEM, ACTING THROUGH THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, THE STATE OF FLORIDA, AND EACH OF THE CURRENT AND ANTICIPATED PARTICIPATING AGENCIES IN "EXHIBIT A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER, SUBJECT TO CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT, TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY FUTURE AMENDMENTS, EXTENSIONS, AND/OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THE MOA, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF LEGAL FORM AND CORRECTNESS BY THE CITY ATTORNEY, AND SUBJECT TO BUDGETARY APPROVAL AT THE TIME OF NEED. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0025 This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda. CA.2 RESOLUTION 17086 Department of Resilience and Public Works A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN OFF -SYSTEM CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, WITH THE STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ("FDOT"), FOR IMPROVEMENTS ON STATE ROAD 5/UNITED STATES HIGHWAY 1 (US-1)/ BISCAYNE BOULEVARD FROM NORTHEAST 61 STREET TO NORTHEAST 6 AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, FOR GENERAL ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS IN THIS CORRIDOR, INCLUDING IMPROVEMENTS ON ROADS NOT ON THE STATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0026 This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda. City of Miami Page 32 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 CA.3 RESOLUTION 17100 Department of Resilience and Public Works CA.4 17162 Office of the City Attorney A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING ONE (1) RIGHT-OF-WAY DEED OF DEDICATION AS DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED ("DEED"), FOR RIGHT-OF-WAY PURPOSES; APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE RECORDATION OF THE DEED IN THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA; FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO RETAIN A COPY OF THE DEED. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0027 This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda. RESOLUTION - item Pulled from Consei. A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO PAY EDWIN GOMEZ FIFTY -THOUSAND -DOLLARS ($50,000.00) IN FULL AND COMPLETE SETTLEMENT OF ANY AND ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS BY HIM, INCLUDING ALL CLAIMS FOR ATTORNEYS' FEES, AGAINST THE CITY OF MIAMI, ITS OFFICERS, AGENTS, AND EMPLOYEES IN THE CASE OF EDWIN GOMEZ VS. CITY OF MIAMI ET AL., CASE NO. 21-CV-23668-KMW, PENDING IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA, UPON THE EXECUTION OF A GENERAL RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS, AND A DISMISSAL OF ALL CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY OF MIAMI AND ALL PARTIES WITH PREJUDICE; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM GENERAL LIABILITY ACCOUNT NO. 50001.301001.545013.0000.00000. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0028 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item CA.4, please see "Order of the Day." Chair King: Gentlemen, are we ready to take up CA.4 settlement? Edwin Gomez? Commissioner Gabela: I'm sorry, which one are we at again? Chair King: CA.4. It's the last of the CA (Consent Agenda) items. Commissioner Gabela: I'm ready to make a motion. Chair King: Who pulled it for discussion? City of Miami Page 33 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Arthur Noriega (City Manager): Commissioner Carollo. Chair King: Okay. Vice Chair Carollo: Mr. City Attorney, Mr. Manager, can we have full disclosure because no names were put in this and since we're talking so much about settlements and suits and attorney's fees, that there should be names? Whom are we dealing with in this case here? Kevin Jones (Deputy City Attorney): Commissioner, good afternoon, Madam Chair, Commissioners, Kevin Jones, Law Department. This is -- the lawsuit was styled as Edwin Gomez versus the City ofMiami. Vice Chair Carollo: Can you speak louder so we can hear you? Mr. Jones: Yes, can you hear me? Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, now I can. Mr. Jones: The lawsuit is styled as the City of Miami versus -- Edwin Gomez versus the City of Miami, and Javi Ortiz. Vice Chair Carollo: Edwin Roman? Mr. Jones: Edwin Gomez. Vice Chair Carollo: Gomez. Mr. Jones: Yes, sir. Vice Chair Carollo: And? Mr. Jones: Versus the City ofMiami and Javi Ortiz. Vice Chair Carollo: So, it's against the City ofMiami and Javi Ortiz. Mr. Jones: Yes, sir. Vice Chair Carollo: Is the City ofMiami still involved in this? Mr. Jones: The court has issued rulings that have granted the City's motions, and the City has been dropped from the case -- well, out of the case at this moment. There's still the potential for an appeal, but the court has granted or motioned, and the City is no longer in the litigation. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. So, what did I miss? If the City is no longer in litigation -- Mr. Jones: Well, it depends on the question, sir. Vice Chair Carollo: -- what have I missed here? Mr. Jones: Well, there is a potential for an appeal, right? The officer, Javi Ortiz, is still in the case on a single count. And the way that -- obviously, the way the case started, there were constitutional claims as well as state law claims, and as you know, our normal process is if the officer is within the course of scope of his employment, or that's the allegation, and we -- but we believe there's a conflict, City ofMiami Page 34 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 we get conflict counsel for the officer and we take the City. That normal process was followed here. There are dispositive motions filed. The court has granted those motions in part. The part that's relevant to, I think, our discussion now is that the City has been dropped or at least ruled that we're no longer in the case. The City -- there is a potential for an appeal for the claims against the City, but the claim against, I think, one count against Javi Ortiz, Officer Ortiz, still remains. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Mr. Jones: So, that count -- did you want to jump in? So that counsel that we retained for Javi Ortiz is still there representing Mr. Javi Ortiz. Vice Chair Carollo: Help me out because I didn't take my smart pill today. So if we are concerned that they could win this appeal, why are there some people out there that are not concerned, or they seem, that I'm not going to win the appeal that's going to have an oral argument at the end of this April on that $63.5 million in Broward County, with a Broward jury, and the kangaroo court that I went through? Mr. Jones: Well, I don't know how to answer that, but I can tell you that in the present case, the case that we're discussing, there is a potential for the appeal, and I know you'd all been briefed that this is -- Vice Chair Carollo: There always a potential fbr an appeal. And we all also all know the percentages on appeal that are winnable or not, or are in the middle, a 50-50 appeal. Now, what percentile do you put this appeal at? Is it an appeal that they're going to hit the ball out of the park and win it, hands down, because the judge was so prejudiced in favor of the City or is it an appeal that you had a straightforward judge that ruled on what the law says he should have ruled on and that we should have a pretty high percentile of winning the appeal. Or is it somewhere in the middle because the law was cloudy? Mr. Jones: Yeah, I don't have a crystal ball. Vice Chair Carollo: And it could go either way. Mr. Jones: But to your question, I think we have a -- I think we have a strong position in this case. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, we have a strong position. So, let me come to the next question then. You answered the first one, we have a strong position in the case. Who is going to be handling the appeal? Will it be our inner staff itself or --? Mr. Jones: Yes, sir. It'd be -- it'd be our office. Vice Chair Carollo: How much do you estimate that is going to cost us in hourly rates to handle the appeal in-house? Mr. Jones: That would be free to you because we have lawyers in-house that could -- Vice Chair Carollo: Well, that's the way that I see it because we're going to pay you guys regardless of whether you're working or not, but I, you know, you're encouraging me -- Mr. Jones: I don't think that I'm encouraging. City of Miami Page 35 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Vice Chair Carollo: -- Mr. Jones, being so forthright, and 1 appreciate that. But let's say for the side of arguing on the other side, that if you weren't doing this work, you could be doing other stuff that maybe somebody else has to do that we're paying for, or I don't know. How much do you think hourly rates of us doing it in-house, we would put in on the staff that we would be using, plus additional costs that might be involved? Is this 3rd DCA (District Court of Appeal) or Federal, 11? Mr. Jones: Federal -- federal court. Vice Chair Carollo: 11 th. Okay. Mr. Jones: Okay, so ifI understand your question, you're asking what the general hourly rate is for a federal court practitioner? Vice Chair Carollo: Well, no, it's our people. Mr. Jones: Okay. So -- Vice Chair Carollo: In our hourly rate, how much do you think we're going to put into it? And this is an approximate cost, Kevin. Mr. Jones: No, I understand. Vice Chair Carollo: How much do you think we would put in our rate. Mr. Jones: Okay. So, there's a two-part answer to that question. If we're going to do it in-house, you've got to look at the number of hours it would take to do an appeal. I would say the general estimate of an appeal of this type is probably 40 hours, maybe 40 to 60 hours. We are entitled to, in the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) that we win cases, and we're entitled to a fee shifting, the lawyers end up in the -- in the City Attorney's Office are entitled to their hourly rate, the same hourly rate a lawyer in the general public would get. Vice Chair Carollo: Sure. Mr. Jones: So, that part of your question has two parts. If it's internal, right, if we're doing it internally, again, it's free. We're just looking at the number of hours that the lawyer would put in to defending. Vice Chair Carollo: Right, but how much of those internal hours are we having to pay those attorneys for the amount of hours that you said, I forgot, you said 40? Mr. Jones: 40, yeah. Well, if it's internal, the person gets a salary. So, it would just be they worked on the project for 40 hours. If you're asking me what that going rate is -- Vice Chair Carollo: George. Mr. Jones: -- out in the public, that's a different answer. Vice Chair Carollo: George -- no, I'm not going to the public. Mr. Jones: Okay. City of Miami Page 36 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Vice Chair Carollo: I'm going in-house. 1 think Kevin got tired of me. He was so straightforward on the last question, let me take you now, see if you can understand me better. I'm just trying to find out the approximate 40 hours or 50 hours that it might take to handle this appeal, what do you estimate that whoever you use, I don't know what hourly rate we pay them based on their salary, yearly salary, how much would that be costing the City on that person that we're going to assign to this. George Wysong (City Attorney): So, what's our blended rate? We're like at -- Mr. Jones: I understand what he's asking. Mr. Wysong: -- 50 to 100. So, let's say 40 hours, you know, we could estimate at $300 an hour. I think -- I think what -- Vice Chair Carollo: We pay people 300 bucks an hour here? Mr. Wysong: -- he wants to say is how much would it cost the City if we were to do this and what -- what's the ballpark number -- Mr. Jones: So, you know, if fyou figure, okay, if you use 100 hours and you do 40 hours, and you do 40 times 100. What I was trying to explain was because we're in-house, we're salaried, so the hourly rate wouldn't be a direct comparison to what it would cost for someone -- Vice Chair Carollo: And you're right. Mr. Jones: Okay. Vice Chair Carollo: But since we're doing it in-house, that's why I didn't want the outside rate. Mr. Jones: Oh, okay. I understand. Vice Chair Carollo: Not in a case like this that doesn't require going outside. So, even if we go at $250 an hour, we're about 10,000 bucks, that's our in-house cost. Commissioner Reyes, you're the economist. What say you? Commissioner Reyes: Yes, sir, I am. I've been a proponent of using in-house attorneys more than hiring from the outside. It's going to cost around $10,000. We should do it inside. Mr. Jones: We sort of got -- Mr. Wysong: Yeah -- Mr. Jones: Yeah, we've got to turn around. Okay. So, this settlement is to settle the last remaining claim in the case. That last remaining claim is against Javi Ortiz. That's really the focal point of this deal. It's to resolve that claim so that the entire case, the potential for the plaintiff to appeal against the City and the final resolution of the claim altogether comes to an end. That's what this is. It's not just the appeal for the City. Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Mr. Wysong: And I just also wanted to add, Edwin Gomez, the plaintiff is a former City of Miami police officer. He is suing the City and a former -- well, a City of Miami Page 37 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 almost former police captain named Javier Ortiz. At the time that this lawsuit was filed, it involved allegations against the City and against Javi Ortiz. Some were personal towards Javi Ortiz, some were as his authority as a supervising officer. And so, the city attorney at the time made the decision to retain counsel because there was a conflict with Mr. Ortiz because he's got plenty of cases that we've had to handle, and so there's no way our office could have represented Javi Ortiz. So outside counsel has been retained. Outside counsel estimates that to resolve this case, to take this case to trial, and I think there was a trial date set this week, but it was set off pending this settlement. So, there's a potential that if we were to go to trial, it would cost between $50,000 and $100,000. Commissioner Reyes: Yeah. Mr. Wysong: And so really, this settlement is basically cutting those costs of the continuing litigation, and it's truly a business decision. I don't believe -- Commissioner Reyes: It is. Mr. Wysong: -- I don't believe any of these people -- like I'm not putting my hand on the Bible for either of these officers, the plaintiff or the defendant. It's a terrible case. It's an unfortunate situation for the City to be in. I'm just looking at dollars and cents. You know, if we're going to spend 50, 75, $100,000, and we can get out at a 100, that's a business decision that we felt compelled to bring to you. If you want us to try it, we'll be more than happy to try it, but that's where we're at. Vice Chair Carollo: All the allegations happened while Mr. Ortiz was working as the city employee? Mr. Jones: That's correct. Mr. Wysong: Yes. Mr. Jones: That's correct. Mr. Wysong: He was his supervisor, I believe, in the chain of command. Vice Chair Carollo: Well, that makes a difference to me, and 1 will go ahead and make the motion. It's not a huge amount, but it's real money. Mr. Wysong: 1 call these one of those pinch -your -nose sort of settlements, unfortunately. Vice Chair Carollo: Hopefully, you know, it's not drip and drops. Chair King: I have a motion. Do I have a second? Commissioner Pardo: Second. Chair King: All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair King: Commissioner Reyes? Commissioner Reyes: Aye. City of Miami Page 38 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Chari King: Motion carries unanimously. Commissioner Reyes: 1 have a question. Is the last that we're going to hear from Javi Ortiz, or we are going to keep him? Mr. Jones: We expect that this is the last we'll hear from Mr. -- Officer Ortiz. He is set to separate, I believe, later this year. Vice Chair Carollo: Not unless -- Commissioner Reyes: Okay. Vice Chair Carollo: Not unless, Commissioner, the great police chief greatest police chief in America, brings him to trial against you, me, and the City. Commissioner Reyes: Yep. Yep. But at least we're going to get rid of Javi Ortiz. END OF CONSENT AGENDA Chair King: So, may 1 have a motion for CA.1, 2, 3? Vice Chair Carollo: Move. Chair King: Motion. Commissioner Pardo: Second. Chair King: All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair King: Okay, it passed. With CA.4 for discussion later. City of Miami Page 39 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 PH - PUBLIC HEARING PH.1 RESOLUTION 17142 Department of Real Estate and Asset Management A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED COVENANT IN LIEU OF UNITY OF TITLE ("SECOND AMENDED COVENANT") TO ALLOCATE AND TRANSFER NO MORE THAN TEN (10) RESIDENTIAL DWELLING UNITS TO THE PROPERTY OWNED BY LANCELOT MIAMI RIVER, LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ("LANCELOT"), LOCATED AT 230 SOUTHWEST 3RD STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA 33130, AND IDENTIFIED AS FOLIO NUMBER: 01-4137-038-0030, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN THE ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED EXHIBIT "A,", FROM THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") OWNED PROPERTY, LOCATED AT 444 SOUTHWEST 2ND AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA 33130, AND IDENTIFIED AS FOLIO NUMBER: 01-4137-038-0020 AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN THE ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED EXHIBIT "B"; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED SALE/REFINANCING TRANSACTION FEE AGREEMENT ("AMENDED FEE AGREEMENT") TO PROVIDE FOR THE PAYMENT BY LANCELOT TO THE CITY OF AN ADDITIONAL ONE- TIME CAPITAL TRANSACTION FEE TO CAPTURE THE TRANSFER OF UP TO TEN (10) RESIDENTIAL DWELLING UNITS; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE SUCH AGREEMENTS, APPLICATIONS, ASSIGNMENTS, AND OTHER DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING AMENDMENTS AND MODIFICATIONS TO SAID AMENDED FEE AGREEMENT AND SECOND AMENDED COVENANT, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY, AS OWNER, TO EFFECTUATE THE PURPOSES SET FORTH HEREIN, SUBJECT TO ALL FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAWS THAT REGULATE SUCH TRANSACTIONS. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0029 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item PH.1, please see "Order of the Day." Chair King: May 1 have a motion for PH.1? Commissioner Reyes: Move it. Chair King: I have a motion. Second? City of Miami Page 40 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Commissioner Pardo: Second. Chair King: All in favor? Commissioner Gabela: I'd just like to say one thing. Chair King: Yes. Commissioner Gabela: I'm going to be voting against it because I asked how much was -- what was the dollar amount. We talked about a formula, City Manager, and I haven't got that formula back. I haven't got the dollar amount, so I can't vote on something that I don't really know what we're selling jor. Commissioner Pardo: Can we defer the item? Arthur Noriega (City Manager): (INAUDIBLE). Commissioner Gabela: Yeah. Okay. Chair King: You want to defer it for this meeting or until afternoon? Commissioner Pardo: The meeting. Chair King: For the meeting. Okay, so I have -- do I have a motion to defer? Commissioner Pardo: Motion. Chair King: Second? Commissioner Reyes: Second. Chair King: Until when? Commissioner Gabela: Until we get the dollar amount. Commissioner Pardo: I guess 2/27, the next meeting. Chair King: To the next meeting? Unidentified Speaker: Yeah. Chair King: Okay. (COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD) Chair King: So, we don't need to defer it. Commissioner Pardo: Right, yeah. Chair King: Well just hold it. Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Yeah. You can table the item. Chair King: Welt table the item until the afternoon. All right. [Later...] City of Miami Page 41 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Chair King: Okay. RE.3 was pulled for discussion. Commissioner Reyes: RE.3. Chair King: RE.3. Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair. My apologies, Chair. PH.1 is still in play. Vice Chair Carollo: Excuse me, RE -- Chair King: Wait. PH.1. Commissioner Pardo (INAUDIBLE) deferred. Chair King: No, PHI passed. Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, I was the one that, but here's the problem. Mr. Hannon: PHI was tabled from this morning. Chair King: It was tabled, okay. Commissioner Gabela: Yeah. So, here's the problem. The problem is that they gave me the formula, but if I don't have the purchase price or a number to go by, you can't do the formula. Vice Chair Carollo: I'm sorry, what? Where are we at? Commissioner Gabela: We're talking about the sale of the MRC (Miami Riverside Center) building. Chair King: PH. I. Commissioner Gabela: PH.1. Chair King: Andrew? Vice Chair Carollo: That was sold already, right? Chair King: No, go ahead. Andrew Frey (Director, DREAM): So, the -- the formula is a fee that the buyer, Adler, in the future, after they purchase the land and they build a project, they still have to pay the City a percentage of any money that they -- any profit that they make in the future. So, on the sale or the refinance. So, what this does is at the time of the sale or the refinance, say they build an apartment building and the apartment building has 300 units in it, just for round numbers. And they sell that building for, you know, whatever, $100 million. There's a 2 percent fee that they owe the City on the profit from that sale. So that's, you know, that's nice. The City gets to participate in the profits of the developer. That's a nice thing. We don't usually get that. Right, usually when you sell a piece of land, right, you're out of the deal and whoever the buyer is just builds whatever they want. In this case, we not only sell the land to Adler, then we participate in the profits if they were to refinance or to sell that deal to another landlord. So, what this -- the amendment today is to say, okay, you take that price, for example, say it was a 300-unit apartment building. If Adler is able to use up to 10 units of density on another phase of the development in one of the surrounding towers, then that 2 percent City of Miami Page 42 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 fee that they pay the City on the profits of the sale of the refinance is then pro- rated for 10 additional units. So, it's additional proceeds to the City that we -- Commissioner Gabela: What was the original sale price? Mr. Frey: So, the 2 percent is not calculated as -- Commissioner Gabela: Forget about 2 percent. The original sales price number. Mr. Frey: $68? Arthur Noriega (City Manager): $69 million. Commissioner Gabela: $69 million. Mr. Frey: Yeah. So, we get -- the City gets the sale price, so when we sell the land, and then on top of that, we get to participate in the profits on the sale of the refinance. Mr. Noriega: Commissioner, it's actually a little rare to get a kicker, we'll call it a kicker, if they resell it again. Mr. Frev: Yeah. Mr. Noriega: The reason why we can't put a value to it is we don't know what they'll sell it for, right? So, example to what Andrew said, if they sell it for $200 million, it's a number at 2 percent. If they sell it for $300 million, it's 2 percent of that number. So, the number is really dependent on what they ultimately, sell it for. What this provides for -- what this provides for is now we're adding 10 additional units to that calculation. That's really what we're doing here. Commissioner Gabela: Got it. Mr. Frev: Yeah. So, and that 2 percent fee document is already a recorded document. And so that will be enforced on the settlement, on the closing statement, any time that there's a sale. So, the City is, you know -- the City is protected, it's a recorded document, and this adds a little juice to that in that if they're able to use up to 10 units of density in an earlier phase, we get paid for that too. So, it's a little extra money. And as the city manager pointed out, it's unusual to get this kind of participation in the upside of the deal, so we're happy about that. So, and when the sale or refinance happens, then the 2 percent will be calculated off of whatever that sale price is at the time. We don't know what that sales price is right now, but if it's $100 million, it's 2 percent of $100 million. If it's, you know, $200 million, its 2 percent of that. So, we're going to get that, depending on what the sale price is. We'll get 2 percent. Commissioner Reyes: Madam Chair. Chair King: Commissioner Reyes. Commissioner Reyes: Yes, I have a question. The two -- it's only for the 10 additional units? Mr. Noriega: No, it applies to the entire transaction. We're just adding -- City of Miami Page 43 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Commissioner Reyes: It's part of 1 would say -- it's only for the 10 additional units. The rest of the apartments that they sell, they don't have any, 1 mean, we don't receive anything. Mr. Noriega: Yeah, we do. Mr. Frey: We do. Mr. Noriega: So, what they're doing is they're transferring 10 units of development rights to one of the adjacent properties. In doing that, because that's above and beyond the transaction involved in the MRC, they're adding density, which means we'll get more money off the resale. They're adding density that they wouldn't normally be allowed to have. Mr. Frey: Right. Mr. Noriega: Which is what they're doing. Mr. Frey: So, the 2 percent will be calculated on the MRC site -- Mr. Noriega: Yes. Mr. Frey: -- plus -- Mr. Noriega: Plus. Mr. Frey: -- the value of these 10 additional units. So, it's not -- Mr. Noriega: It's in addition to. Mr. Frey: Exactly. So, it's not just 2 percent on the 10 units, it's 2 percent on the whole thing. Commissioner Reyes: The whole thing, okay. Mr. Frey: Yes. Chair King: May I have a motion? Vice Chair Carollo: Move. Chair King: Second. Commissioner Reyes: Second. Chair King: All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Mr. Frey: Thank you so much. Chair King: Commissioner Gabela? Commissioner Gabela: I said aye. Chair King: Okay. I didn't hear you. City of Miami Page 44 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 END OF PUBLIC HEARING RE - RESOLUTIONS RE.1 RESOLUTION 17182 Department of Code Compliance A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION MITIGATING/NOT MITIGATING THE CODE ENFORCEMENT LIEN RECORDED AGAINST PROPERTY ADDRESS 1427 NORTHWEST 1 STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, CASE NUMBER CE2020022977, AFTER A HEARING, AS REQUIRED BY SECTION 2-817 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AND IN EFFECT THROUGH NOVEMBER 14, 2024; 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-25-0030 MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s) RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S) MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner SECONDER: Christine King, Commissioner AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item RE.1, please see "Order of the Day." Chair King: We can take up RE.1. Commissioner, that's your district, Vice Chair. It's a mitigation. RE.1. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Jorge Guttman: Good afternoon. Jorge Guttman, 600 Brickell Avenue. Chair King: Hold on a second. We'll go with the city first and then you. Mr. Guttman: Sure. Trelana Haines: Good afternoon. Trelana Haines, Interim Director, Code Compliance. Unidentified Speaker: Louder. Chair King: Can 't hear you. Ms. Haines: Can you hear me? Vice Chair Carollo: Good afternoon. Ms. Haines: I'm sorry. Trelana Haines, Interim Director, Code Compliance. RE.1 is a mitigation request for 1427 Northwest 1st Street in D3 (District 3). The City of Miami Page 45 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 property was cited for illegal additions, failure to maintain exterior, failure to main lot. The case was opened December 16th, 2020. The hearing was November 11, 2021. They complied August 13th, 2024. The lien ran for 917 days. Total accrued is 229,250 and the offer is $10,000. Vice Chair Carollo: 229,250? Ms. Haines: Yes. And the offer is 10,000, which is 4.3 percent. Vice Chair Carollo: How much is in percentage? Ms. Haines: 4.3 percent. Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, I thought it was under 5. Chair King: Sir? Vice Chair Carollo: I thought it was under 5. Chair King: Sir? Mr. Guttman: Good afternoon. Jorge Guttman, 600 Brickell, Suite 3500, Miami 33131. I have the privilege of representing TIG Investment Group, LLC (Limited Liability Company), which is the record owner of the property as of June 26, 2023. TIG Investment Property is planning to build 11 much -needed workforce units in the property. I'll come back to the amount that we offered and -- but first, please indulge me with a little bit of the history about what happened here. The prior owner of the property was the estate of Alfredo Chacon. In November of 2021, there was a violation issued for work without a permit and failure to maintain the exterior of commercial residential premises. It gave the owner, the owner then until February of 2022 to comply. And the failure, of course, resulted in $250 per day. At the time that we bought the property, in June of 2023, more than 271 days had passed. Now, in January of 2023, prior to my client becoming the record owner, the property was deemed an unsafe structure. The former owner did not do anything to correct any of the violations or the unsafe structure order. What did we do when we came in? We bought the property on June 26, 2023. On little 28, 2023, two days after buying the property, we served seven notices of eviction to the squatters that were in the property. They ignored those notices. Between September 7, which is just a couple of months later, and October 2nd, we evicted every single one of those squatters. In July, so shortly after we bought the property in July, July 7th of 2023, we applied for a demolition permit, even before we got the squatters out. So, what I'm trying to show here is that we -- my client has moved with the utmost alacrity in trying to resolve a situation that they did not create. There were delays by the City in approving the permit. The permit was approved in December of 2023. During the demolition, a sidewalk was damaged, and by March 1st, we were already applying, March 1st, 2024, we're now talking, we had already applied for a permit to fix it. The City took two months to approve that, and on June 3rd of 2024, we passed inspection. So, again, my client came in completely after the fact, moved as quickly as I could to correct a situation that they did not create. They had no hand whatsoever in creating. And we understand that the City has incurred costs in terms of enforcement, which is why we offer the $10,000. I understand it's 4.3 percent, but we're willing to offer anything that is reasonable, that the Board considers reasonable under the circumstances. Now, I understand that we're traveling under the old ordinance and this is probably the last mitigation hearing that you will have under the old ordinance. If there was ever a City of Miami Page 46 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 situation that warranted the Board's exercise of discretion, this one is it. Thank you. Vice Chair Carollo: Chair? Chair King: Thank you. Vice Chair. Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you. Ms. Haines, how much does the City have into it in our cost what we put out through inspectors, notices, work that we've done? Ms. Haines: I can give you a guess -- an estimate. Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah. Ms. Haines: I think that the average 10 to 15 percent that we normally take will cover the City cost. Vice Chair Carollo: I'm sorry, I didn't -- Ms. Haines: If we go with the average of what we normally do with this board, we accept in between 10 to 15 percent, it will satisfy what the City has put out. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, alright. My next question to you is, is what he is telling me correct? That the minute they bought the property, they immediately went to try to cure the situation? Ms. Haines: It is. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, that's one plus for you, Counselor, and your client. Now, how much did your client pay for this property at the time? Mr. Guttman: I do not have that information with me. Vice Chair Carollo: How big of a property is it? Mr. Guttman: I can look at the property records, but big enough to accommodate 11 units of workforce housing. Vice Chair Carollo: That's not telling me. I'm trying to see what your client paid fbr the property and what the property more or less would have been worth at that time. And the reason I'm asking for that is because the part that a lot of clients don 't tell their counselor, I'm not saying that he's a user, is that when they bought the property like this, they bought it at a discount because they knew, and the person selling it to them knew that they had all this money that they owed the City. So, I don't know if your client falls into that category'. And since you don't know any of the others, I'm sure you're not going to know that one either, so please don't tell me that you do, because then I'm going to think that you knew the others and you weren't forthcoming to me. Mr. Guttman: I do not know. I can try and find out how much they felt -- they paid for the property, but it is a small property. I mean what you had -- the structure that you had there was -- I looked it up on Google Maps yesterday. It was a house with an addition. Vice Chair Carollo: And you -- you're getting 11 units in something that small? City of Miami Page 47 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Mr. Guttman: I would assume --1 would assume that it's going to be two stories high, but that's a good -- Vice Chair Carollo: I would have to assume that it's going to be a lot more than two stories high if you're going to get 11 units on a lot that's supposed to be small, but nevertheless, it is what it is. Counselor -- Arthur Noriega (City Manager): Commissioner, would you like some information on the property? Vice Chair Carollo: If you have it, yes. Mr. Noriega: I mean, in foreclosure; it was acquired for 615 -- 615, 000. Vice Chair Carollo: How much? Mr. Noriega: 615,000. The property appraiser's valuation of it is 721. Vice Chair Carollo: So, it was acquired in foreclosure. Mr. Noriega: Yeah. Vice Chair Carollo: And so, what I said before is accurate. They did get a deal, but it wasn 't just because of what the City is owed, but it's also because it went into foreclosure, so it was a combination of both. But they got a deal. And Counselor, what do you think is fair that the City should receive then? That's about a hundred thousand dollar spread, actually a little bit over $100,000, but 107,000 -- 6,000 spread between what the property was appraised at and what he sold. And that's assuming that that was the real market value, because I doubt it if that was the market value at the time. It was probably higher. Let's go with that one. Mr. Guttman: So, what you're not taking into account respectfully is all the time, fees, and costs that my client has incurred in correcting all of the violations as well. Yes, they may have bought it at a discount, at a foreclosure sale, but they never expected that it would be so costly and so time-consuming to get everything ready. So, when -- Vice Chair Carollo: Give me a figure that you think is going to be a lot more fair to the City than the 4.3 percent that you've offered. You've heard Ms. Haines on the record and what she thinks would be satisfactory to at least cover our costs. Mr. Guttman: I would agree with the City that a 10 percent of the amount of the fine is reasonable under the circumstances. Vice Chair Carollo: You don't think 15 is? Mr. Guttman: I do not believe so if you take into account the expenses that my client has incurred. Vice Chair Carollo: So, then, do you want to split the difference at 12.5? Mr. Guttman: If that's what the Board is inclined to do, then that's what I'll take to my client. Vice Chair Carollo: Ms. Haines, what say you? Do you think that we're going to cover at 10 percent or we're going to covered at 12.5? I don't want to fall short. City of Miami Page 48 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Ms. Haines: I'm okay with 10. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Alright. So, 10 will be the amount that I would make the motion for. And it's only because your client immediately jumped to cure the situation. Mr. Guttman: I understand. We are -- I understand your point, but we are truly the white hats here. Vice Chair Carollo: I do have a problem with people coming here dressed in white when they've gotten a good deal out of what others did. So, there's a motion, Chairwoman, with 10 percent. Chair King: Second. All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair King: Motion carries. Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): As amended. Chair King: As amended. Mr. Guttman: Thank you very much for your time. City of Miami Page 49 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 RE.2 17139 Department of Fire - Rescue RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), ESTABLISHING A NEW SPECIAL REVENUE PROJECT TITLED "URBAN AREA SECURITY INITIATIVE ('UASI') GRANT PROGRAM FISCAL YEAR 2024" AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE OPERATION OF THE SAME IN THE AMOUNT OF $12,388,404.00 CONSISTING OF A GRANT FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY DIRECTLY TO THE STATE OF FLORIDA'S DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ("GRANT AWARD"); AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT THE GRANT AWARD AND TO EXECUTE THE FEDERALLY -FUNDED SUBGRANT AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL OTHER NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT THE ACCEPTANCE OF AND COMPLIANCE WITH THE GRANT AWARD; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXTEND THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 UASI GRANT PROGRAM, AS NECESSARY; AUTHORIZING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS TO VARIOUS GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES DESIGNATED FOR HOMELAND SECURITY EXPENSES PURSUANT TO THE UASI GRANT GUIDELINES; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE MEMORANDA OF AGREEMENTS, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, WITH CONTIGUOUS PARTNERS OF THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") SETTING FORTH THE PARTIES' RESPONSIBILITIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT OF THE UASI PROJECT ADMINISTERED BY THE CITY'S DEPARTMENT OF FIRE - RESCUE, CONTINGENT UPON FUNDING OF THE PROJECT BEING SECURED. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0031 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes Chair King: Okay, so may I have a motion -- and let me read them out. Let me read them out. Motion for RE.2, RE.5, RE.7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and be mindful that RE.12 is a four -fifths. Do I have a --? Commissioner Gabela: Motion. Chair King: I have a motion. Commissioner Pardo: Second. Chair King: All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair King: Items pass. Okay. City of Miami Page 50 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 RE.3 RESOLUTION 16860 Commissioners and Mayor A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION SUSPENDING THE UPFRONT PAYMENT OF LEGAL FEES FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS IN CERTAIN CASES; PROVIDING FORA REVIEW OF FUTURE CASES INVOLVING ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT REQUIRE OUTSIDE COUNSEL DUE TO CONFLICTS OF INTEREST; 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 additional minutes referencing Item RE.3, please see "Order of the Day" and "Public Comment For All Item(s)." Vice Chair Carollo: Can we go to Melreese and get that out of the way already? Miami Freedom Park? Chair King: Well, that would be coming up next. Let's just go in order and take up RE.3 for -- Commissioner Reves: (INAUDIBLE). Chair King: And then Melreese is right after that. RE.3. Commissioner Pardo? Commissioner Pardo: Yep. You know, this item has been deferred and on the agenda now several times. And I know, City Attorney, we've been able to talk about some ideas as far as bringing back something more concrete and a policy. Bottom line here is the residents feel that they are paying fees that they should not be paying. The City feels that these are justified fees based on the business at hand. I thought maybe given the example that was just brought up, you could take that case of the $63.5 million and walk us through what the City's position is and what is within the scope of a commissioner's work, what is outside the scope of a commissioner's work, and why sometimes you have to be part of that appeal, and why sometimes at the end you can get your attorney's fees back. And so, some of these constraints are really unknown. I was hoping you could walk us through that. George Wysong (City Attorney): And of course, first of all, you know, the concept of suspending or preventing the payment of upfront legal fees for an elected official, who in their official capacity is doing the City's work, and some plaintiff sues because they don't like what you're doing, my feeling is, and I think it's many people's feelings, that there would be a tremendous chilling effect on the quality of people that would run for office. Because you'd have to be, you know, a billionaire to he able to run to confidently feel that you can heat all these cases. So, you've got that issue. Now why do I say that? Florida Statute Chapter 111 provides that concept of Florida law is you only use municipal dollars to pay for things that affect the municipality, the people, public purpose. Chapter 111 says one of those things is the defense of police officers and the defense of other city employees who are sued in their official capacity under color of law. So that entitles us, that statute says it's discretionary, we may pay, but then there are City of Miami Page 51 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 there are cases, a Florida Supreme Court case, that says it's actually not discretionary, it's mandatory that we pay. So, if you're sued and you prevail, the City has to pay. Now, two concepts on that. If we were to say, all right, you got sued, good luck with that, come to us after the case is over. You're going to hire whatever lawyer you want, probably an expensive lawyer, because you're fighting for not only your position on the city commission, but your reputation as well. And so, we have no control over who you hire or how much those legal fees are. Ultimately, they'll come to the city commission, but 9 times out of 10, that could end up in some sort of a hearing to determine how much the legal fees are, and those would usually be on the high end. So, when we pay up front, we have the ability to work with you to find counsel that is both reasonable and relatively affordable. And you know, a lot of folks take it as a privilege to represent elected officials and the City of Miami in these cases, and they offer us a better rate than, say, they would offer a general person in the public. So, we can control costs and fees and stuff like that. The other, you know -- and then the other concept of why would we want to pay up front is, you know, a person, a plaintiff could bankrupt one of you. The cost of litigation today where attorneys are $700 to $1,000 an hour to pay for these cases, and mind you, so like -- a lawsuit comes in, you read the claim, and earlier today it was mentioned that you could put anything on a complaint. $401, you can file a complaint, you can write all kinds of crazy things in that complaint, saying that this person violated every law and stuff like that. But we have to defend that claim, and a lot of times those claims are ultimately overturned. And so, when those cases come in, we have to make a judgment as to whether or not that case relates to official acts of the elected official or outside acts. There's cases that say, for example, an elected official who sexually harassed one of his staff persons. The City refused to cover that type of case because they said that was outside the course and scope, obviously, and the City prevailed and didn't have to pay those upfront legal costs. But it gets more difficult when somebody, say, challenges a decision you made or challenges the intent of the decision you made. And so, we try and sort of figure that out and come up with a determination as to whether or not it should he covered. Secondly, the question is, you know, let's say theres a case, somebody makes these allegations against somebody, it goes to trial. I've always said that the best work that the City Attorney Office does, and this is no slight to my pit litigators, but the best work we do is often in the appellate courts because when you go in front of a judge and a jury, it's very easy to get a result. It's much more difficult to get that result to withstand appellate review and what I call deliberative review of the facts and circumstances of the case. We tend to prevail more in the appellate cases than we do in the trial cases. Why is that? You know, I don't know if any of you have been called to jury duty recently, but you sit through the process of voir dire, and 1 was called for a criminal case a couple months ago and you hear people talk: Any experience with law enforcement? Yes. What kind of experience? They arrested me. They shouldn't have arrested me. 1 hate the City. I hate the County. You know, the public out there is not predisposed to voting in our behalf and it becomes increasingly more difficult to defend our cases. And it's a shame, really, because when you think about, ultimately, who pays these verdicts and these decisions, it's the taxpayer, right? And those taxpayers are the ones who are the members of the jury who are, you know, persuaded by a plaintiff's counsel or a defense counsel. And so, I think -- so my train of thought was as far as the case, you may have a case with a verdict and then should we cut the elected official off at that point. Our view is, and the court's view is, the case is not resolved until the case is resolved, until the final court has say. So, I think that a case is still in play if it's been to trial, verdict comes out, there's appealable issues, it's still at play. I think that at each level you have to examine though, is it still related to the official course and scope, government business, stuff like that. And so, I had recently been reviewing the law and I noticed, for example, in Miami Lakes, they have a policy that says, you City of Miami Page 52 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 know, the city will retain council under certain circumstances. The problem with those policies is when you try and make a rigid policy, the stuff we deal with here is never black and white, vanilla type of stuff. It's always difficult to figure out, you know, the edges, the parameters, and things like that. But what I did take away from that policy was, and what I have told -- Commissioner Reyes had brought this item on payment of fees up before, and I've heard from many of you that you're concerned that it's like the City Attorney's Office has a blank check to a lawyer. You want us to review these cases, you want us to look into them, and ultimately, ultimately the law says you all have the authority to determine whether or not you should pay up front or not. So, my commitment to you is that in the future as cases come in, we will review the case, determine whether we think it's a case that is one that should be paid up front -- well number one defended, but number two, paid up front. And then we'll circulate that among you. I'll individually speak with you. If any of you object to the coverage of that payment, then I'll bring it to the City Commission, and then the City Commission can have a say. I think, you know, that might work. And of course, at any time, if you fend that we are covering somebody and you disagree with that coverage, you can set it on the agenda and ask me, why are you covering this person? But -- so that's the best I can offer. I do think this is a -- it's a feel -good road, but I think ultimately you will rue the consequences of not providing yourself with the ability to be represented for cases up front. Because like I said, it's very expensive, it's a difficult jury pool out there, and so these are long -haul cases, and I just throw that out there as my counsel and advice. Commissioner Gabela: But George, because of the continuity of the last years here is precisely -- and this is precisely what we got in trouble in the sense that the insurance company dropped us. Dropped one commissioner and because that commissioner was dropped, okay, everybody else was dropped. So, right now, we're operating and we don't have insurance and anything, you know, the City's paying for it, the taxpayer's paying for it. I feel bad about that. One thing is having insurance, and another thing is the taxpayer- footing the hill. That's what I'm concerned about, as I'm sure the other commissioners are concerned about. That's my five cents worth. Mr. Wysong: I neglected to mention that I do think that, you know, insurance carriers make decisions, and our insurance carrier made a decision a couple years ago, excuse me, that they -- first they raised the premiums and then they increased the deductible and then they said they would only cover certain individuals. And then it's my understanding that we didn't have policy coverage. I still recommend that we should be out on the market looking to see if we can get coverage for you all at an affordable rate with affordable terms. I share your concern. 1 would prefer to have an insurance carrier that covers, even if it's the secondary insurer, where they cover up to a certain amount, I think you should ask the administration to continue trying to obtain reasonable insurance coverage for you all. Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, but the decision was made by the administration, as I was told, that because that one, in other words, they would cover four of the commissioners, except that one commissioner. But the decision was made, I was told, or this is what I'm aware of that because of that, the administration said, no, if you don't cover that -- everybody, you're not going to cover anybody. Is that correct? Mr. Wysong: I think so, but you should probably ask the administration. I don't want to mislead you. Commissioner Reyes: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). City of Miami Page 53 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Mr. Wysong: The question was did the administration make the determination to not retain coverage when they were willing to cover four but not all five? It's my understanding that we decided as a City that that's unfair and we weren't going to pick and choose who they're going to cover. But I don't want to speak for the administration. Commissioner Gabela: So, in other words, I don't have -- for example, I don't have insurance because of another commissioner's action. I don't think -- Arthur Noriega (City Manager): Well, we're self -insuring. You don't -- it's not like you don't have coverage, but it 's self-insurance. Commissioner Gabela: Right. Chair King: Commissioner Reyes, do you have comments? Commissioner Reyes: No, I agree with Commissioner Gabela that this has been used and abused, and something has got to be done about it. And it is embarrassing that we can get insurance for four of the commissioners only and leave one out. And that means' that a lot of money, has been spent in that commissioner. And we have to understand that something's got to be done. Somethings got to be done. So, I agree with Commissioner Gabela. Vice Chair Carollo: Have we gone out in the market to look to see what insurance companies are out there that have policies available outside of this one that we've been dealing with? Have we? Who can answer me? Ann -Marie Sharpe: Good afternoon, Commissioner; Ann -Marie Sharpe, Director of Risk Management for the record. (COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD) Ms. Sharpe: Is that better? Commissioner Pardo: Yes. Ms. Sharpe: Ann -Marie Sharpe, Director of Risk Management for the record. I'm sorry, what was the question? Vice Chair Carollo: The question is, have we gone out into the marketplace to see what insurance companies are out there that can give us quotes outside of the lone, single insurance company that we have been dealing with? Ms. Sharpe: We did in October because the policy expired October 31st -- 30, October 30. The effective date of the new policy was November 1. So, yes, we went out to the market last year when the policy expired and the year before that. We will be going out again in September, August/September, for a Level 1 renewal. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. How many insurance companies are there that cover cities like us? Ms. Sharpe: Yes, a lot of cities are self:insured. Vice Chair Carollo: That's not what I asked. How many insurance companies are out in the market that could cover a city like Miami. City of Miami Page 54 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Ms. Sharpe: There are quite a few in the excess market, just a handful, because each time that we have gone out, we have -- we get from our broker a list of carriers that they approached and how the carriers respond, right? So, we'll ask them to go out to as many carriers as possible. And some carriers will deny to quote on certain lines of coverage, right? Like some carriers will quote your law enforcement, but won't want to quote -- won 't want to quote on your public official's liability, for example. So, there's just a handful who will quote on your coverages, certain lines, at different levels of retention. Vice Chair Carollo: Did we also go out to the excess market? Ms. Sharpe: This is the excess market we're talking about; yes, sir. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, and what was the -- first of all, how many companies did we approach, do you know? Ms. Sharpe: Off the top of my head, no. I would have to look at the last proposal we received last October. Vice Chair Carollo: Have we tried maybe using a different broker, see what they bring to us? Ms. Sharpe: So, an RFP (Request for Proposals) went out last year for a broker and that is still in the process. It was evaluated and we're waiting for that to be awarded. Vice Chair Carollo: We can't go out in the market and ask half a dozen brokers for the same thing so that we could get some quotes? Ms. Sharpe: We could explore that. However, usually when you are on a contract with one broker, that broker becomes your broker of record. And so, the market is only going to respond to your broker of record on your behalf Usually there's one broker of record, but we could explore otherwise. I've not seen us do otherwise, but I'm open to looking at it. Vice Chair Carollo: Well, I hope someone is open, not just to look at it, but to actually go out there, because 1 cannot believe that with all the insurance companies that we have, not only in the U.S., but outside of the U.S., we can't find any that will give us quotes. Ms. Sharpe: Well, we will lean on our broker or the market in general for -- as aggressively as we can to get whatever quote we can. Vice Chair Carollo: What quotes did we ever get? Ms. Sharpe: The last time? Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, last year you said. Ms. Sharpe: Well, the premium -- the quotes were -- the conditions were we will write your policy excluding -- with certain exclusions. So, all policies have exclusions. Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, every policy, no matter what insurance you get. City of Miami Page 55 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Ms. Sharpe: Right, and some carriers will impose more exclusions than others. And we usually try to negotiate the best terms we can get. At the level that we deem. So, our retention is -- the carrier will say, 1 will write you a policy, but you have to retain $2 million worth of, you know, of your losses, right, on each claim. So, the first 2 million -- and for an entity or size, or for large entities with larger exposures, you know, analogous to insuring an expensive car versus a lower priced car, right? You know, the exclusions are different based on the exposure. So, it's the exposure that the carrier is evaluating. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, well, you figure out what she said, Commissioner Reyes? Commissioner Gabela: Could we take a vote on this or maybe defer it? I mean, I don 't -- Commissioner Pardo: Yeah, I wanted to just bring up -- Chair King: I -- Commissioner Gabela: We're beating the horse here. Chair King: Commissioner -- Commissioner Pardo had a comment and I -- I do have a comment on this. Commissioner Pardo: Go ahead, Madam Chair. Chair King: Well, I don't think it's any secret. I have been against this all along based on everything that our city attorney has said. I don't think that we should make decisions based on popularity. Right now, I am facing a lawsuit. Kevin can attest to this. Yes? You don't want me to say anything? Kevin Jones (Deputy City Attorney): 1 would prefer -- Vice Chair Carollo: You guys might be Acing one tomorrow or the next day. You never know. Chair King: But the point is, I know it will have no merits, but I shouldn't have to defend it myself I won't say, I won't -- Mr. Jones: Let me do it, let me do it. That way -- Chair King: Go ahead, Kevin. Go ahead. Mr. Jones: All right. Thank you. So, to reiterate what the City Attorney said and what the Madam Chair said is that there is potential of a claim against her. In its early stages, I've looked at what's there. I don't think there's any merit to it, but that sort of just proves the point, right? Anybody with $400 and a grievance can file multiple successive lawsuits against you, and you, individually, each one of you, and they, unfortunately, the plaintiffs, get to dictate the form in which they're going to bring this lawsuit. So, it could be everything from a county court mishap to what we have seen recently is successive federal lawsuits. Now, federal lawsuits, by their very nature, are long, involved, and complicated. And it's no secret why the recent spade of cases, they've named multiple city employees to make this more complicated and more expensive. This conversation, in my estimation, proves the rule why the city attorney needs to be able to step in and get counsel for you guys. This -- this example proves exactly why we need to keep being able to provide counsel for you guys on an individual basis. Perhaps, you City of Miami Page 56 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 know, what George has suggested, that we screen it, we bring it to you, and let you ultimately make the decision on what you want to do, but this is -- what we've seen in the last couple of years, proves the effect that $400 and a dot matrix printer can have on this organization, right, to the extent that it's affecting insurance. Now, I won't get into what I think about the merits of all of these cases being filed. If asked, I would say we have a very strong position on all of them, but that doesn't do anything with the damage and effect it will have, right? And by eliminating our ability to get you counsel or as the circumstances deem fit, you are really putting yourselves at a disadvantage. Chair King: So, in addition to the Florida Supreme Court has said we do have a right. Now, I think what no one wants to acknowledge, the elephant in the room, is that two of our commissioners are being sued right now from a former employee. They fully believe that they're going to be -- that the case is going to resolve in their favor, but they're being sued right now. Vice Chair Carollo: And the manager. Chair King: Oh, and the manager. There's several -- Vice Chair Carollo: And the City. Chair King: -- there's several employees being sued as well. Vice Chair Carollo: By the best police chief in America. Chair King: May I speak? Vice Chair Carollo: Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Chair King: Thank you. Now, because I did employment law, I know that if any case comes against me that's floating out there in the air right now, we're going to win. I shouldn't have to pay up front attornev's fees because somebody is disgruntled. And there was a colleague of ours that was sued, removed front office, only to be -- the case didn't even move forward. The case was dismissed with a scathing order from the judge. No one talks about that. Everyone says at the time because just because somebody files a lawsuit against you, a complaint against you, everyone goes, oh, as if it's fact, it's the truth and you're going to be found -- a judgment is going to be found against you. That's not the case. Anyone can file a complaint against anyone which will make you incur attorney's fees. This proposed legislation not only puts us at risk, it puts our City employees at risk. And that's not fair, particularly when the Florida Supreme Court has upheld legal fees for elected and municipal employees. 1 will not support this because it can't be based on popularity. And again, I'm the only one up here that perhaps could defend myself because I'm a practitioner, but that's not the point. Someone can come up here -- this also includes, by the way, recall actions. I know one of us up here was threatened with that because of a position that they would take or not take. That wouldn't be fair for any of us to have to defend a recall action because some residents are disgruntled with an action that we take. So how do you pick and choose? How do you set, well, we're going to do this one, we're going to do that one. We already will not pay any legal fees for any criminal activity brought against us, correct? We're on our own for any criminal that will cause us to go whatever. So, again, for all of the reasons that the city attorney stated -- the city attorney stated, I state, I'm not in favor of this. It's reckless and it's outside of the law. It is outside of the law. City of Miami Page 57 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Commissioner Gabela: Can 1 weigh in? This is -- I think we've beaten this horse to death. Commissioner Pardo: I just have one quick comment after you, after you're done. Commissioner Gabela: No, go ahead. Commissioner Pardo: Unless you just want to -- Commissioner Gabela: No, 1 just want to wrap up by saying this, the gentleman that she's referring to, which I well remember last year, that case was paid by us and all of (UNINTELLIGIBLE) said, meanwhile, when my house was taken out of the district so I could not run in the district before that gentleman was even arrested, that came out of my pocket. So, I fully understand what you're saying, you know, and understand, but there's got to be a way, you know, there's got to -- there's got to be a way where we can minimize the damages because the taxpayer at the end of the day is footing the bill. And we have a fiduciary, you know, duty when we take the oath to, you know, to save the taxpayer. To, you know -- we're in charge of the purse strings, if you will. And I think that at some point, you know. reality sets in, and you know, by the same token, we can't just keep doing this and doing this and doing this where someday we get into the -- we're already in the millions of dollars spent and I'll leave it at that. Chair King: Commissioner Pardo. Commissioner Pardo: Madam Chair, all I wanted to say is, you called it kind of a feel -good thing. But I think there is opportunity here for improvement, not just in a feel -good sense, but in a way that we offer more transparency, and we put some kind of condition, or guardrails, around the issue that taxpayers need to be protected in terms of the way these monies are spent or at a minimum informed. I know that because of the big claim in this case, Commissioner Carollo was not covered by that specific claim, but that -- Commissioner Carollo is covered at the Bayfront Park Trust. Mr. Wvsong: Separate entity, yeah, they have their own insurance policy. Commissioner Pardo: Oh, so they -- that's -- (MULTIPLE PARTIES SPEAKING IN UNISON) Mr. Wvsong: That's totally different. Vice Chair Carollo: It's got its own insurance policy. Commissioner Pardo: Okay. Got it. Thank you. Commissioner Gabela: Can we -- Chair King: Commissioner Reyes. Commissioner Reyes: Madam Chair. If I may. I have a suggestion that -- if -- proponent of the ordinance agrees (INAUDIBLE) -- Vice Chair Carollo: We can't hear you, Commissioner. We lost you. Commissioner Reyes: You can hear me? City of Miami Page 58 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Vice Chair Carollo: Now we can. Commissioner Gabela: Now we can. Vice Chair Carollo: Now we can. Commissioner Reyes: Okay. That we'd stop all hiring as of today, of tomorrow, and we start then -- new hiring, new hiring, we stop new hiring. And we start looking for an insurance company that would be able, or it is willing to insure the four commissioners, that they don't have any quarrel with. Chair King: I think that you should do that. Commissioner Pardo: Yeah, it's a directive. Chair King: I think we should be, whoever can be insured, and keep looking for a carrier -- Commissioner Pardo: Agreed. Chair King: -- that would insure all of us. Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah. Chair King: But also remember that, you know, we're not always going to be here. There are term limits. Commissioner Reyes: That's right. Chair King: So, that's not going to affect us forever. There are term limits. But to suspend up front, no. And plus, you don't -- you haven't laid out any guidelines, any guardrails, any parameters that I can see. So, 1 cannot support this, particularly when I know that we live in a litigious society, and you can be sued for any reason. Commissioner Pardo: Can we defer this item and give -- Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, let's defer this item. Commissioner Pardo: -- and give time? Maybe there's a way to weave this into what you were suggesting, City Attorney. Commissioner Gabela: Yeah. Motion to defer. Chair King: I have a motion to defer. Commissioner Reyes: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Chair King: Do I have a second? Commissioner Reyes: Second. Commissioner Pardo: Second. Chair King: Until when? City of Miami Page 59 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Commissioner Gabela: Until they have an answer or maybe a possible alternative to another insurance company? Mr. Noriega: You want to do an indefinite deferral? Indefinite and -- Vice Chair Carollo: Then bring it back. Mr. Noriega: -- then we can bring it back when they're ready. Commissioner Pardo: Indefinite? Commissioner Gabela: Whatever you guys want. Whatever this body decides. Vice Chair Carollo: Definitely. Chair King: Let's do an indefinite deferral and it'll come back then. But hopefully staff will have some -- some answers for us. So, we have a motion and a second to indefinitely defer it. All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. RE.4 RESOLUTION 17138 Commissioners and Mayor A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, WITH THE INTENT TO CLAW BACK TWO MILLION AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($2,000,000.00) IN TAX INCREMENT FUNDING REVENUES FROM THE OMNI CRA FOR THE NEXT FIVE (5) FISCAL YEARS BEGINNING IN FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 TO BE RESTRICTED FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS, INFRASTRUCTURE REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS, AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS IN ALLAPATTAH; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY NECESSARY AMENDMENTS, EXTENSIONS, OR MODIFICATIONS TO THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MOTION TO: Continue RESULT: CONTINUED MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes Note for the Record: Item RE.4 was continued to the March 13, 2025, City Commission Meeting. Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item RE.4, please see "Order of the Day." City of Miami Page 60 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 RE.5 RESOLUTION 17110 Department of Resilience and Public Works A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN OFF -SYSTEM CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM, WITH THE STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ("FDOT"), FOR IMPROVEMENTS ON STATE ROAD 5/UNITED STATES HIGHWAY 1/BISCAYNE BOULEVARD AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS, MIAMI, FLORIDA, FOR GENERAL ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS IN THIS CORRIDOR, INCLUDING IMPROVEMENTS ON ROADS NOT ON THE STATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0032 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes ABSENT: Carollo Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item RE.5, please see Item RE.2. RE.6 RESOLUTION 17194 Commissioners and Mayor A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, BY A FOUR - FIFTHS AFFIRMATIVE (4/5THS) VOTE, PURSUANT TO SECTION 54-137 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), WAIVING THE RESTRICTIONS RELATED TO STREET RENAMING CONTAINED THEREIN, CODESIGNATING NORTHWEST 15TH STREET FROM NORTHWEST 33RD AVENUE TO NORTHWEST 37TH AVENUE AS "REV. GUILLERMO A. REVUELTA WAY"; HONORING HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CITY OF MIAMI AND THE GREATER MIAMI AREA; FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE HEREIN DESIGNATED OFFICIALS. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0024 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 RE.6, please see "Order of the Day." Chair King: At this time, I'm going to open public comment for RE.6 only. Anyone here to speak on behalf of RE.6, the code designation for Reverend Guillermo -- City of Miami Page 61 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Commissioner Gabela: 1 would (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Chair King: Wait. Anyone here to -- Brenda Betancourt: (INAUDIBLE). You said wait. Good morning. Brenda Betancourt, 1436 Southwest 6th Street, in support of RE.6. Reverend has been -- always been with us. And as a non -Cuban citizen of the city, I have always received the support of the reverend. He's been part of the community in all the different (UNINTELLIGIBLE) that we live here. And he's always been there. He's always supported us and he's always there to answer the call every time that we need him. So, to me, I think it's an honor for us to have done these proclamations and dedication of his time, I think it's more than right to do it. So, he's always there for us and I hope that him and all his family will receive this as a thank you from all the citizens of the city of Miami. Thank you. Chair King: Thank you. Is there anyone else here who would like to speak on behalf of RE.6? Miguel Soliman: Good morning, Commissioners. Good morning to all. Miguel Soliman, 1436 Southwest 6th Street. I'm here in support of RE.6. Commissioner, Reverend Guillermo A. Revuelta has always been a pillar in our community. He has been an exceptional individual, and he has always served and dedicated his life to serving. Therefore, I think it's a pleasure for me to have this opportunity to stand up here and support. Thank you very much. Chair King: Thank you. Seeing no one else for public comment -- Commissioner Reyes: Madam Chair. Chair King: -- on RE.6. Commissioner Reyes: Madam Chair. Chair King: Yes, Commissioner Reyes. Commissioner Reyes: Yes, I want to add to all the things that Guillermo Revuelta, Reverend Guillermo Revuelta, through the years, I've said over 40 some years, he has been always there for the community, not only for the Cuban community, for every -- for all the communities, for everybody (UNINTELLIGIBLE) every time that they need an invocation, he is there. And he has been a pillar to this community. And that's why 1 am co-sponsor. I congratulate Commissioner Gabela for his initiative, and 1 will vote for it. And it is an honor. Chair King: Thank you. Is there anyone else that would like to comment on RE.6 at this time? Seeing none, public comment period is closed for RE.6. At this time, may I have a motion? Commissioner Gabela: Motion. Commissioner Reyes: Move it. Vice Chair Carollo: Second. Chair King: Go ahead. Commissioner Gabela: Just wanted to say that it's an honor for me to honor Guillermo. He's out there, Guillermo. And it's an honor for me because he's City of Miami Page 62 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 always, like Manolo said, and Commissioner Reyes said, and everybody that spoke, he's always been active in our community, helping wherever he can. So, it's an honor for me and my office to do this street name. Thank you. Chair King: Thank you. I have a motion. George Wysong (City Attorney): Madam Chair, because it's somewhat of a surprise to the honoree, could I just read the title? Chair King: Please. Mr. Wysong: RE.6. The Resolution was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney. Chair King: Thank you. Unidentified Speaker: Thank you. Thank you so much. Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair King: Motion carries unanimously. Congratulations, Reverend. Unidentified Speaker: Thank you. Chair King: Ilook forward to attending the street naming ceremony. Thank you. RE.7 RESOLUTION 17177 Commissioners and Mayor A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION SUPPORTING THE CLOSE UP FOUNDATION AND CLAUDE PEPPER FOUNDATION'S "A DAY OF DELIBERATIVE DIALOGUE" TO BE HELD AT THE OVERTOWN YOUTH CENTER ON FEBRUARY 17, 2025; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0033 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes ABSENT: Carollo Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item RE.7, please see "Order of the Day" and Item RE.2. City of Miami Page 63 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 RE.8 RESOLUTION 17198 Commissioners and Mayor A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION TRANSFERRING FUNDS FROM THE DISTRICT 1 SHARE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI'S ANTI -POVERTY INITIATIVE ("API") PROGRAM IN A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED ONE HUNDRED SIXTY- FIVE THOUSAND, FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE DOLLARS AND TWENTY-TWO CENTS ($165,553.22) FOR THE DISTRICT 1 HOLIDAY MEALS DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM, TO THE DISTRICT 1 DISCRETIONARY ACCOUNT FOR EXPENDITURES CONSISTENT WITH THE API PROGRAM GUIDELINES. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0034 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes ABSENT: Carollo Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item RE.8, please see "Public Comment For Allltem(s)" and Item RE.2. RE.9 RESOLUTION 17199 Commissioners and Mayor A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION WAIVING THE TWO (2) WEEK TEMPORARY EVENT LIMITATION PER YEAR FOR THE PRIVATE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1361 NORTHEAST 1 AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 62/ARTICLE XIII/DIVISION 1/SECTION 62-521(B)(4) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TITLED "PLANNING AND ZONING/PLANNING AND ZONING APPROVAL FOR TEMPORARY USES AND OCCUPANCIES; PERMIT REQUIRED/TEMPORARY EVENT PERMITS/TEMPORARY EVENTS IN GENERAL," TO ALLOW FOR PADEL X, PADEL BALL EVENTS TO CONTINUE FROM MARCH 1, 2025 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2025. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0035 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes ABSENT: Carollo Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item RE.9, please see "Public Comment For All Item(s)" and Item RE.2. City of Miami Page 64 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 RE.10 17200 Commissioners and Mayor RE.11 17201 Commissioners and Mayor RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION WAIVING THE TWO (2) WEEK TEMPORARY EVENT LIMITATION PER YEAR FOR THE PRIVATE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3410, 3520, 3522, 3530, 3560, AND 3574 GRAND AVENUE AND 3428, 3509, 3521, 3547, 3551, 3559, 3577, AND 3587 THOMAS AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 62/ARTICLE XIII/ DIVISION 1/SECTION 62-521(B)(4) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), TITLED "PLANNING AND ZONING/PLANNING AND ZONING APPROVAL FOR TEMPORARY USES AND OCCUPANCIES; PERMIT REQUIRED/TEMPORARY EVENT PERMITS/TEMPORARY EVENTS IN GENERAL," TO ALLOW FOR GROVE BIMINI-NASSAU QOZB, LLC'S RACQUET SPORTS EVENT FROM MARCH 1, 2025 TO DECEMBER 31, 2025. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0036 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes ABSENT: Carollo Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item RE.10, please see "Public Comment For All Itefn(s)" and Item RE.2. RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT ("AGREEMENT"), IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") AND CAREERSOURCE SOUTH FLORIDA ("PROVIDER") TO FUND THE WOMEN IN TECH ("WIT") PROGRAM; ESTABLISHING A SPECIAL REVENUE PROJECT TITLED "WOMEN IN TECH" AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED TWO HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($250,000.00) FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES' BUDGET, OR OTHER LEGALLY AVAILABLE SOURCES OF FUNDING, TO SUPPORT TRAINING AND ON-THE- JOB PLACEMENTS FOR TWENTY-FIVE (25) WOMEN RESIDENTS IN HIGH -DEMAND TECH OCCUPATIONS; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY NECESSARY AMENDMENTS, EXTENSIONS, OR MODIFICATIONS TO THE AGREEMENT, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE CITY ATTORNEY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0037 City of Miami Page 65 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes ABSENT: Carollo Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item RE.11, please see "Public Comment For AllItem(s)" and Item RE.2. City of Miami Page 66 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 RE.12 RESOLUTION 17211 Department of Real Estate and Asset Management A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, BY A FOUR -FIFTHS (4/STHS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), RATIFYING, APPROVING, AND CONFIRMING THE EXECUTED SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT FOR EMINENT DOMAIN CASE NO. 21-027229-CA-01 ("SETTLEMENT") AND THE INCORPORATED PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT ("PURCHASE AGREEMENT"), ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A," AUTHORIZED PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION R-25-0021, ADOPTED ON JANUARY 23, 2025; AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING THE CONDITION PRECEDENT TO THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT CONTAINED IN SECTIONS 2 AND 5 OF THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT TO AUTHORIZE AN INCREASE IN COST BY EIGHT HUNDRED AND FORTY-SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($847,000.00) FOR A REVISED PURCHASE PRICE EQUAL TO NINE MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED AND FORTY-SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($9,847,000.00) ("PURCHASE PRICE") FOR THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY IDENTIFIED BY FOLIO NUMBERS 01- 4102-006-6450, 01-4102-006-6460, 01-4102-006-6470, 01-4102- 006-6480 AND 01-4102-006-6490 LOCATED IN MIAMI, FLORIDA (COLLECTIVELY, "ALTERNATIVE PROPERTY"), FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED ELEVEN MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED FORTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($11,740,000.00) FOR THE SETTLEMENT AND ACQUISITION OF THE ALTERNATIVE PROPERTY FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, TO COVER THE COST OF SAID SETTLEMENT AND ACQUISITION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE PURCHASE PRICE, BENEFITS -BASED ATTORNEY'S FEES, EXPERT FEES, LITIGATION COSTS, SURVEYS, ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTS, TITLE INSURANCE, DEMOLITION, SECURING THE PROPERTY, PROJECT SIGNAGE AND ALL RELATED CLOSING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID ACQUISITION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND PURCHASE AGREEMENT; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING AMENDMENTS AND MODIFICATIONS TO SAID AGREEMENTS, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THE EXECUTED SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR THE PURPOSES SPECIFIED HEREIN; THE INCREASED COST OF EIGHT HUNDRED AND FORTY-SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($847,000.00) SHALL BE ALLOCATED FROM THE DISTRICT 3 COMMISSIONER'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND ALLOCATION, SUBJECT TO ALLOCATIONS, APPROPRIATIONS AND BUDGETARY APPROVAL HAVING BEEN PREVIOUSLY MADE OR AS MAY BE SEPARATELY REQUIRED PRIOR TO EXPENDITURE, AND SUBJECT TO COMPLIANCE WITH ALL FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAWS THAT REGULATE THE USE OF SUCH FUNDS FOR SAID PURPOSES. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0038 City of Miami Page 67 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes ABSENT: Carollo City of Miami Page 68 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 RE.12 RESOLUTION 17211 Department of Real Estate and Asset Management A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, BY A FOUR -FIFTHS (4/STHS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), RATIFYING, APPROVING, AND CONFIRMING THE EXECUTED SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT FOR EMINENT DOMAIN CASE NO. 21-027229-CA-01 ("SETTLEMENT") AND THE INCORPORATED PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT ("PURCHASE AGREEMENT"), ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A," AUTHORIZED PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION R-25-0021, ADOPTED ON JANUARY 23, 2025; AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING THE CONDITION PRECEDENT TO THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT CONTAINED IN SECTIONS 2 AND 5 OF THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT TO AUTHORIZE AN INCREASE IN COST BY EIGHT HUNDRED AND FORTY-SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($847,000.00) FOR A REVISED PURCHASE PRICE EQUAL TO NINE MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED AND FORTY- SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($9,847,000.00) ("PURCHASE PRICE") FOR THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY IDENTIFIED BY FOLIO NUMBERS 01-4102-006-6450, 01- 4102-006-6460, 01-4102-006-6470, 01-4102-006-6480 AND 01- 4102-006-6490 LOCATED IN MIAMI, FLORIDA (COLLECTIVELY, "ALTERNATIVE PROPERTY"), FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED ELEVEN MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED FORTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($11,740,000.00) FOR THE SETTLEMENT AND ACQUISITION OF THE ALTERNATIVE PROPERTY FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, TO COVER THE COST OF SAID SETTLEMENT AND ACQUISITION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE PURCHASE PRICE, BENEFITS -BASED ATTORNEY'S FEES, EXPERT FEES, LITIGATION COSTS, SURVEYS, ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTS, TITLE INSURANCE, DEMOLITION, SECURING THE PROPERTY, PROJECT SIGNAGE AND ALL RELATED CLOSING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID ACQUISITION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND PURCHASE AGREEMENT; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING AMENDMENTS AND MODIFICATIONS TO SAID AGREEMENTS, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THE EXECUTED SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR THE PURPOSES SPECIFIED HEREIN; THE INCREASED COST OF EIGHT HUNDRED AND FORTY- SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($847,000.00) SHALL BE ALLOCATED FROM THE DISTRICT 3 COMMISSIONER'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND ALLOCATION, SUBJECT TO ALLOCATIONS, APPROPRIATIONS AND BUDGETARY APPROVAL HAVING BEEN PREVIOUSLY MADE OR AS MAY BE SEPARATELY REQUIRED PRIOR TO EXPENDITURE, AND SUBJECT TO COMPLIANCE WITH ALL FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAWS THAT REGULATE THE USE OF SUCH FUNDS FOR SAID PURPOSES. City of Miami Page 69 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0038 MOTION TO: Reconsider RESULT: RECONSIDERED MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes ABSENT: Carollo City of Miami Page 70 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 RE.12 RESOLUTION 17211 Department of Real Estate and Asset Management A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, BY A FOUR - FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), RATIFYING, APPROVING, AND CONFIRMING THE EXECUTED SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT FOR EMINENT DOMAIN CASE NO. 21- 027229-CA-01 ("SETTLEMENT") AND THE INCORPORATED PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT ("PURCHASE AGREEMENT"), ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A," AUTHORIZED PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION R-25-0021, ADOPTED ON JANUARY 23, 2025; AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING THE CONDITION PRECEDENT TO THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT CONTAINED IN SECTIONS 2 AND 5 OF THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT TO AUTHORIZE AN INCREASE IN COST BY EIGHT HUNDRED AND FORTY-SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($847,000.00) FOR A REVISED PURCHASE PRICE EQUAL TO NINE MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED AND FORTY-SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($9,847,000.00) ("PURCHASE PRICE") FOR THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY IDENTIFIED BY FOLIO NUMBERS 01-4102-006-6450, 01-4102-006-6460, 01-4102-006-6470, 01-4102-006-6480 AND 01-4102-006-6490 LOCATED IN MIAMI, FLORIDA (COLLECTIVELY, "ALTERNATIVE PROPERTY"), FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED ELEVEN MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED FORTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($11,740,000.00) FOR THE SETTLEMENT AND ACQUISITION OF THE ALTERNATIVE PROPERTY FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, TO COVER THE COST OF SAID SETTLEMENT AND ACQUISITION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE PURCHASE PRICE, BENEFITS -BASED ATTORNEY'S FEES, EXPERT FEES, LITIGATION COSTS, SURVEYS, ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTS, TITLE INSURANCE, DEMOLITION, SECURING THE PROPERTY, PROJECT SIGNAGE AND ALL RELATED CLOSING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID ACQUISITION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND PURCHASE AGREEMENT; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING AMENDMENTS AND MODIFICATIONS TO SAID AGREEMENTS, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THE EXECUTED SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR THE PURPOSES SPECIFIED HEREIN; THE INCREASED COST OF EIGHT HUNDRED AND FORTY-SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($847,000.00) SHALL BE ALLOCATED FROM THE DISTRICT 3 COMMISSIONER'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND ALLOCATION, SUBJECT TO ALLOCATIONS, APPROPRIATIONS AND BUDGETARY APPROVAL HAVING BEEN PREVIOUSLY MADE OR AS MAY BE SEPARATELY REQUIRED PRIOR TO EXPENDITURE, AND SUBJECT TO COMPLIANCE WITH ALL FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAWS THAT REGULATE THE USE OF SUCH FUNDS FOR SAID PURPOSES. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0038 City of Miami Page 71 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s) RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S) MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes ABSENT: Carollo Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item RE.12, please see Item RE.2. Chair King: And 1 need to revisit RE. 12. There's a substitution. So, if we can -- if can have a motion for -- to revisit RE.12. Commissioner Gabela: Motion. Commissioner Pardo: Second. Chair King: I have a motion and a second. Commissioner Reyes: Move it. Chair King: RE.12. May 1 --? All in favor of RE.12 as amended. Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Oh, no. So, the vote on the reconsideration. We need to reconsider. Chair King: Oh, I'm sorry. There's a two-step thing here. A motion and a second for reconsideration. All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair King: Motion passes. Now, may I have a motion to adopt RE.12? Mr. Hannon: As amended pursuant to substitution memo dated February 12, 2025. Commissioner Pardo: So moved. Commissioner Gabela: Second. Chair King: All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair King: Motion carries unanimously. City of Miami Page 72 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 RE.13 17218 Commissioners and Mayor RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION SUPPORTING THE CREATION OF THE LEJEUNE GARDENS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT ("LEJEUNE GARDENS CDD") AND AUTHORIZING MIAMI FREEDOM PARK, LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, AND ITS AFFILIATES AND SUBSIDIARIES (COLLECTIVELY, "DEVELOPER') TO FILE A PETITION FOR THE CREATION THEREOF WITH MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, FOR THE 130 +/- ACRE SITE LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 4000 NORTHWEST 14 STREET, (FOLIO NO. 01-3132-000-0105), 1900 NORTHWEST 37 AVENUE (FOLIO NO. 01-3132-000-0095), 1950 NORTHWEST 37 AVENUE (FOLIO NO. 01-3132-000-0100), AND 1550 NORTHWEST 37 AVENUE (FOLIO NO. 01-3132-000-0090), ALL LOCATED IN THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AND GENERALLY BOUND ON THE EAST BY NORTHWEST 37 AVENUE, ON THE WEST BY NORTHWEST 42 AVENUE, ON THE SOUTH BY NORTHWEST 14 STREET, AND ON THE NORTH BY THE MUNICIPAL BOUNDARY, EXCLUDING THE FOOTPRINT OF THE CITY'S NEW ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING SITE; ENCOURAGING THE MIAMI-DADE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ("COUNTY COMMISSION") TO APPROVE THE PETITION SUBMITTED BY THE DEVELOPER TO CREATE THE LEJEUNE GARDENS CDD ALL IN A FORM AND MANNER CONSISTENT WITH THE PROJECT, LEASE AGREEMENT, ALL OTHER APPLICABLE AGREEMENTS AND INSTRUMENTS, AND THIS RESOLUTION; STATING THAT THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED TO BE AN AMENDMENT OR MODIFICATION OF THE PROJECT OR THE TERMS, DUTIES, COVENANTS, OR OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES TO THE LEASE AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE AGREEMENTS OR INSTRUMENTS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0039 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo NAYS: Reyes Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item RE.13, please see "Order of the Day." Chair King: RE.13. Commissioner Gabela: Can I respectfully request that we handle DI3, the elephant in the room, so we can put this to bed one way or the other? Chair King: No, we're going to go in order. Commissioner Gabela: Okay. Chair King: The Mayor is here to make a presentation. City of Miami Page 73 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Mayor Suarez: Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you for having me here on this item, RE.I3 and RE.14. But you asked me to sort of come down and walk you through the history of how we got here. And so, in 2018, the voters of Miami approved a referendum -- Chair King: Mr. Mayor? Mayor Suarez: Yes. Chair King: The City Clerk wants to make sure what item we're discussing. Only 13 -- Mayor Suarez: 13. 13. Chair King: -- right now. Only 13. Mayor Suarez: Yeah, yeah. Yeah, I may -- Chair King: RE.13. Mayor Suarez: -- I may bring up aspects of 14 because I think it informs 13 at some level, but we're on item RE.13, which is the -- 13 is the CDD (Community Development District)? I'm sorry. (COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD) Mayor Suarez: Okay, do you want me to do 13? My apologies. Chair King: 13. Mayor Suarez: Do you want me to make a presentation on 13? Chair King: I don't -- do my colleagues need a presentation. for RE.13? Commissioner Gabela: No, I -- I know exactly what I'm going to do. I've been briefed. I don't have to be briefed by the mayor for me, respectfully. Chair King: So, does anyone have any comments? Because it was pulled for discussion. Anyone want any information on RE.13? Are we all ready to vote on RE.13? Vice Chair Carollo: I have a statement to make. Chair King: Okay. Vice Chair Carollo: There has been a lot of media coverage, particularly from a couple of media outlets, one being our local tabloid that started it. They've been quite aggressive. The problem that I see is that this is a prime example of disinformation. The monies that years back were pledged here, and Mr. Mayor, Mr. Manager, Mr. City Attorney, all three of you, please hear me. If I am wrong in what I'm saying, correct me please and guide me the right way. What we wrote in the contract, that money -- Chair King: Mr. Vice Chair. Vice Chair Carollo: -- that money -- City of Miami Page 74 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Chair King: -- are you speaking on RE.13? This is just the CDD issue. We're not on 14 yet. Vice Chair Carollo: Oh, I thought we were. Chair King: No, no, no. We're on 13. Do you have any issue with 13, the CDD, the creation of the CDD? Vice Chair Carollo: Uh, for -- Commissioner Gabela: This is the instrument, if you will, that they're going to use -- Chair King: To collect taxes. Commissioner Gabela: Exactly. Vice Chair Carollo: No, no, no, no, no, no, no. No. Not in that -- Chair King: Okay. Commissioner Reyes -- Vice Chair Carollo: -- I think it's needed. Yes. Chair King: -- do you have an issue with RE.13? Commissioner Reyes: I -- I want to know if this is going to be -- the funds are going to be used for maintenance and repair. Only for the whole park. Chair King: For RE.13? Commissioner Reyes: Yes, I'm talking about 13. And also, who going to control those funds? It's going to be controlled by the City, or it's going to be controlled by the owner of the land, which are the Mas brothers at this moment. I rather see the City be -- it is tax money, because what they're doing is, it's additional tax and I believe the City must be in control of those funds and how they're going to be used. But I don't agree on using those funds, you see, that additional tax for construction and 1 want to make it clear. Chair King: Okay. Staff? Mr. Mayor? Mayor Suarez: Yeah, I mean, I can take a stab at the question. Chair King: Okay. Mayor Suarez: CDDs could theoretically borrow on a tax exempt basis when they have a resident -based board. In this case, the property does not allow there to be residents. There's no allowance for housing on the property because it's next to the airport, and therefore they're not going to be allowed to borrow on a tax free basis, number one. Number two, there was another concern expressed to me about what would happen in the event of a default if they did borrow funds. And CDDs do not impact the City in terms of -- it's not a lien against the City property; it would be a lien against the leasehold interests that are on the property. And the tenant, essentially, who is here, has requested this in part because they want to contribute to the operation and maintenance of the park. Now, understand that that is not a requirement that they have under the lease. They're giving us $20 million. They're giving us $5 million for a bay walk, they're City of Miami Page 75 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 giving us fair market value rent, they're paying us taxes and they're privately financing the stadium. There is no stadium deal that I'm aware of in the world that does that. So, in addition to that and for reasons that are obvious, they want to make sure that the park, which is adjacent to their property, is kept up and maintained in the best condition. And so, instead of, you know, sort of letting it fall on the City, which could have good years, it could have bad years, it could have years where it maintains it well or years where it maintains it poorly, they're taking on that additional obligation, which makes the deal frankly even better. And so, if the number that they've thrown about, they can talk about it because they have to tax their own development, is somewhere in the vicinity of $500,000 a year. Obviously, over 100 years, that's, you know, $50 million. At a growth rate of 6 percent, that's much, much, much more than that in terms of what their contribution would be to operation and maintenance of the park, assuming that that's how they taxed their development. Commissioner Gabela: I'd like to add to that that this is going straight -- this is not going to the stadium, this is not going anywhere else. This is going for the maintenance of the park, pure and simple. And I think it's to everybody's advantage. If not, I wouldn't be voting for it. After all, I am the DI (District 1) commissioner, and I'm going to take some heat if things go wrong. So, believe me, I would not be voting for this if f it wasn't that way. I think the story that's been, you know, circulated in the Herald is incorrect on both RE.13 and RE.14, because this is just going to be a tax to be used, the way it was explained to me, purely on the maintenance of the park that they will hand over the 59 acres that they are going to hand over to us on that one. Very simple. Chair King: Commissioner Reyes, did he answer your question? Commissioner Reyes: No, I don't see where it says or where it stipulates that there's going to be only for maintenance and repair. You see, the way it is -- it's been written, they can -- this is the financial mechanism, they can issue bonds, they can issue bonds, and the proceeds from the CDD will pay for those bonds. Those bonds could be -- you cannot have housing there, that's true, but you can have office buildings that they're going to have, and they are building also a hotel, a couple of hotels, and they are building also a shopping center. And what I want to see is that any proceeds from that special tax assessment, that it will go to the area for only for maintenance and repairs. That's it. Mayor Suarez: Madam Chair, ifI may? Chair King: Mr. Mayor. Mayor Suarez: 1 would just say that they already have the right under their agreement to borrow against the property. Obviously, they're borrowing money to finance the stadium. They have that unequivocal right to borrow money against the property. What a CDD would allow you to do in some circumstances, which it does not allow you to do in this circumstance because you can't have a resident represented board, for example, you could do that in areas like Midtown, as it would potentially allow you to borrow on a tax-free basis. They cannot do that under this CDD, because by definition, there are no residents to encompass the board that would allow them to do it under that circumstance. So, they're not getting any benefit from having the CDD from that perspective. The only benefit from the CDD is to the City that they can tax their residents and pass it through to their tenants, and then they can maintain our facility. So, that's a benefit to us. They're not required to do that. They're not obligated to do that. They're doing it for obvious reasons, because they want the park to look good on day -- year -- five years, ten years, fifteen years, twenty years. And they want to make sure that City of Miami Page 76 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 they can control that outcome as opposed to leaving it up to the City, which as we said, could have a financial crisis, it could have a situation where it can't maintain the park up to the standard of a billion -dollar development that's going next to it. Commissioner Gabela: I'm ready for a motion if you guys are. Chair King: Hold on, let me -- Commissioner Reyes? Commissioner Reyes: Yes, 1 just want to know that if there is a representative from the developers that can assure that the proceeds are going to be only Jro maintenance and repairs. Chair King: I believe that's what the mayor just confirmed, that the proceeds are solely for maintenance of the park. Mayor Suarez: Let me be clear. Right now they have the right to borrow money against the property to build infrastructure, to build a stadium, to do whatever they can. They have that under the lease. This does not change that right. They still have the right under a CDD to do that. What they can't do is avail themselves of one of the mechanisms of the CDD, which is to borrow on a tax-free basis. They can't do that because -- Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Mayor Suarez: -- under state statute, the board that manages the CDC [sic] would have to be composed of residents. And of course, you cannot have any residents on that property because it's next to the airport, and that's not allowed - - an allowed use. So, if you want our city attorney to confirm that, that's fine, but that's what the Florida Statute says. Commissioner Gabela: Can I just say -- Commissioner Reyes: Okay, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and it is not because I was a -- I was a no vote. It is because I believe that I'm afraid what those funds are going to be used, who's going to control it, and if it's going to be used for development, construction, or it's going to be set aside only for maintenance and repairs. And also, who is going to control those funds, you see? Commissioner Gabela: Is there a possibility -- Commissioner Reyes: -- and what are the limits of those funds? Commissioner Gabela: He's got a good question. Is there a possibility? Because, you know, on 14, I'm doing it, but I also want to create a trust, and we've had conversations about this. Can that be done? Can a trust also be done for the CDC [sic] or cannot? George Wysong (City Attorney): So, I just wanted to say, RE. 13 is simply this City Commission supporting the petition of the property owner to go to the County to request the creation of a community development district under Chapter 190. So, Chapter 190 will control everything, and essentially it will be like your familiarity is probably with bid boards and things like that. It will create -- they'll have an election of property owners that will create a board, and the board will determine where those funds are used, and that board determines where those either assessments or tax dollars are to be used, and ultimately the develop -- well, that board will be in control of those funds. City of Miami Page 77 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Mayor Suarez: Yeah, but -- Commissioner Reyes: Mr. Wysong -- Mayor Suarez: -- to your point, Commissioner. Commissioner Reyes: Through the Chair, Mr. Wysong, you're talking about there's going to be -- a board that's going to be formed with property owners. There's only one property owner. Unless it's going to happen what 1 predicted, that it's going to be subleased to other entities. 1 mean, a hotel that could be built, the land will be subleased for 99 years, et cetera, et cetera. You see, that's different. But now, there is only one property owner. Mayor Suarez: Yeah, and I would just -- I think there's two different issues here. One of them is the control of the City park and what kind of management structure would be there. Commissioner Reyes: The City park -- the City park, my dear mayor, I believe that we have to follow the -- I mean, the (INAUDIBLE) -- Vice Chair Carollo: We lost you again. Commissioner Reyes: Yeah. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, you're back. Commissioner Reyes: Hello? Vice Chair Carollo: You're back, you're back. (COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD) Commissioner Reyes: You see, $20 million is a different question. This is a question that concerns me and -- and you going to call (UNINTELLIGIBLE) if you have the (UNINTELLIGIBLE), fantastic, okay? Chair King: Thank you, Commissioner. Mayor Suarez: Yeah, and just to finish, I think, just to finish my statement, I think the two things are separate, right? The control and operation of the park is separate from a CDD. They already have the right -- Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Mayor Suarez: -- they already have the right to borrow money. What the CDD does is allow them to tax, right, and use that tax -- Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Mayor Suarez: -- to do things with it. Right now, they're under no obligation to do that. So, this is just a benefit to the City, it's not complicated. Of course, they have control of those funds because they are taxing themselves. And so, their board will be themself,' right? Because they are taxing themself.' So that makes sense. But it's for our benefit. And they don't have -- they don't -- they're no obligation -- they have no obligation to do that. So, this is like found money. This is money that they were not obligated to pay in any respect in any part of the City of Miami Page 78 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 RE.14 17219 Commissioners and Mayor deal. So, it's just going to go to our -- it's going to make the deal better than what it was. Chair King: Do I have a motion? Commissioner Gabela: Motion. Chair King: Do I have a second? Vice Chair Carollo: Second. Commissioner Pardo: Second. Chair King: All in favor? Commissioner Pardo: Aye. Vice Chair Carollo: Aye. Chair King: Aye. Commissioner Reyes: No. Chair King: Recorded as one no. Thank you. RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DIRECTING AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ESTABLISH A NEW SPECIAL REVENUE ACCOUNT TITLED "PARK FUND FOR MIAMI FREEDOM PARK"; APPROPRIATING AND ALLOCATING FUNDS TO BE USED EXCLUSIVELY FOR IMPROVEMENTS AND MAINTENANCE OF THE FIFTY-EIGHT (58) ACRE PUBLIC PARK TO BE DEVELOPED BY MIAMI FREEDOM PARK, LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ("MFP") LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 1550 NORTHWEST 37TH AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, IN THE AMOUNT OF TWENTY MILLION AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($20,000,000.00), CONSISTING OF TWO (2) TEN MILLION AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($10,000,000.00) PAYMENTS FROM MFP, PURSUANT TO THAT CERTAIN GROUND LEASE FOR SOCCER STADIUM, THAT CERTAIN GROUND LEASE FOR MIAMI FREEDOM PARK COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT, AND CERTAIN RELATED EASEMENT AGREEMENTS WITH THE CITY, ALL DATED AS OF FEBRUARY 9, 2023, GOVERNING MFP'S USE OF THE LEASED PROPERTY (COLLECTIVELY, "LEASE AGREEMENT"), AND PURSUANT TO THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND MFP REGARDING APPROVAL OF THE MIAMI FREEDOM PARK SPECIAL AREA PLAN AND RELATED DEVELOPMENT; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0040 City of Miami Page 79 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s) RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S) MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Reyes NAYS: Pardo Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item RE.14, please see "Order of the Day" and "Public Comment For Allltem(s)." Chair King: RE.14. Mayor Suarez: Thank you, Madam Chair. You asked me to appear here on RE.14 and sort of walk you through the process because I was here from the beginning, negotiating this, and bringing it to the commission, and ushering it through a public vote, which was over 60 percent. And the referendum language was very clear that one of the provisions was that $20 million was going to a 58-acre park or other green space. The reason why there was -- so again, let me just be very clear. The referendum was clear that the $20 million was going to go to the 58- acre park. It created an or, which is an opening, other green space. The reason why that was done is because this is a constitutional question. When you put something on the ballot, it's constitutional. So, you want to have some wiggle room in case the body itself wants to deviate from what the voters have expressly requested. There was a question at the time that we took it to the ballot about how we would comply with a concept called no net loss, meaning that if we zone the property for something commercial, we would have to replace it with equivalent public space. At three years later, so nothing happened for three years, three years later, when the lease was negotiated, there was never, as part of the negotiations of the lease, a discussion to defund the $20 million, or a portion of the $20 million. Because what ultimately happened was, right here from the dais, right from that spot, a commissioner, and every commissioner has a right to do this, and I can understand why it was done at the time, because again, no net loss had not been disposed of The zoning had not been done, decided to say, hey, why don't we take seven -and -a -half of the $20 million, there's been people out there saying that this item takes $20 million of funds from parks across the city and reallocates them to this park. That's false. There have been people that have said, this is going to the developer, this is for the developer's benefit. That is also false. This is a City park that the residents voted in favor of allocating $20 million to. By the way, in 2018 dollars, we're in 2024, six years later, $20 million, which was what was allocated, to do that project is not the same as $20 million today. You know, it's like giving, you know, the Underline, a haircut of $20 million or the Underdeck, which we're getting $60 million for, right? They had a budget, and that's what the budget was for. The commission, three years later, and understandably, because the no net loss issue had not been resolved by then, said, hey, why don't we take -- why don't we carve out, because you do have this little ability to do that, why don't we carve out seven -and -a -half of the $12 million and allocate them to three districts. Commissioner Reyes, as you remember, yours was not one of them, right? So, let's allocate them to three districts at the tune of two -and -a -half million dollars per district, and in case we need it for no net loss, which is very reasonable. Four months later, the property was rezoned. The no net loss issue was disposed of in the rezoning. It could not have been rezoned without dealing with no net loss, and so therefore, my position is that money should be restored based on what the voters voted on and the will of the voters. Having said all of that, I understand that maybe a voter or a resident in District 2 or a resident in District 5 or a resident in District 3 might say, hey, well, what about the two -and -a -half million dollars that were supposed City of Miami Page 80 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 to come to me? So, what I'm requesting is that an amendment be made to the resolution, that the manager come in the mid -year and also allocate $7million to those funds, and -- so that no one, no resident, you know, in the city can say that they feel in any way, shape, or form, disenfranchised by the fact that we're fully funding our park, one of our largest parks in our portfolio, right? We have Bayfront Park, we have Maurice Ferre Park, we have Virginia Key, and this is one of the large -- 60 acres, one of the largest parks. Vice Chair Carollo: The second largest. Mayor Suarez: Second largest, right? In our portfolio, in 2018 dollars, by the way. And so -- and we're still going to at the same time do right by the residents and find the funds to make sure that no district is negatively impacted that was impacted by the decision at the lease statement before no net loss to defund a portion of the $20 million and spread it around the city. Thank you. Arthur Noriega (City Manager): Madam Chair, if I may. Commissioner Reyes: Okay. Mr. Noriega: Mr. Mayor, if7could. Mayor Suarez: Sure. Mr. Noriega: In light of that modification, could I request that we take that direction that you've incorporated and do it in the year-end as opposed to the mid -year? Mayor Suarez: No. Mid -year is in April. And by the way, I would add that if we do it in April, if we do it in April, the second payment, which is due in the summer, those districts would get those funds prior to that second payment being made and then receiving those funds. So, they're actually going to get the funds faster. Vice Chair Carollo: Chair? Chair King: Yes? Mayor Suarez: But I think we can do it in the mid -year. Vice Chair Carollo: Let me make sure I understood what you said, Mr. Mayor. You're saying that the manager is going to find those finds to give to each of the three districts before the end of the year? Mayor Suarez: In the mid year. Chair King: Mid -year. Vice Chair Carollo: Mid -year, excuse me. Okay, well, if I may suggest this to you, let me work with the manager because I believe I could find the fund for the three districts, because one was getting more, and find sufficient funds to give Commissioner Reyes his $2.5 million also for his district. Mayor Suarez: I have no problem with that. Vice Chair Carollo: So, if you would allow me that, I will work the manager, and I will show him fairly quick where the money could be found. City of Miami Page 81 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Mayor Suarez: And ifI can add, Mr. Commissioner, 1 have no problem with that. Obviously, I'm working with Commissioner Reyes on another project in his district that I'm very passionate about, where I was intending to help him in the mid -year anyways, not necessarily related to this. But I'm happy to do that, and I would just say that we amend this resolution to require that to happen. And the only reason why is, understandably, look, I've been to some of my colleagues, and I said, trust me, you know, I give you my word. And apparently, understandably, we live in a different world and a different age where trust me, I give you my word is not unfortunately the same as putting it in a resolution where it's binding. And I understand that. And I'm fine with that. So, I would just request that that happen. Vice Chair Carollo: Commissioner Reyes, are you find with me doing that? Commissioner Reyes: Well, I -- anything that you can send to my district, I will take it. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Alright. Commissioner Reyes: But the most important thing about this resolution is that it is respecting the will of the people. The referendum read that $20 million was going to be used to build a 58-acre park. And I think that's what the mayor wants to do, and I will support that because that's the will of the people. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Commissioner Gabela: Madam Chair. Vice Chair Carollo: Madam Chair. Commissioner Gabela: Madam Chair. Chair King: Hold on a second. Vice Chair. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Let me go and try to -- I think we've reached consensus. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. That was a very good speech, one of the best I've seen you give, explanation. Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Vice Chair Carollo: You're impressing me, you know, you might make a top attorney the way you're going. But -- Chair King: Mr. Mayor, I think there are a couple of questions. Commissioner Gabela had a question. Vice Chair Carollo: But I think there's been so much disinformation thrown out there that -- Mayor Suarez: There really has. Vice Chair Carollo: -- we also need to clear that up. Mayor Suarez: It's sad. City of Miami Page 82 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Vice Chair Carollo: At no time, and again, you're here, the manager, the city attorney, correct me if I'm wrong, at no time have we been speaking about that this project, the Mas brothers, Beckham, are not going to pay us the $20 million. They're going to somehow do a switch and bait and use it to redo -- or do the project or use that money to build a park. That's not the case at all. The half million dollars that we were talking about that might be derived approximately from the CDD that we were just talking about and voted upon, it's not going to be enough to keep the maintenance of 58 acres. There's no way. It will probably be at the very least double that, if not more. And I can tell you, because I know the cost of what it costs us at Bayfront Park and Maurice Ferre Park. And this is going to be a very used park. So, what was being talked about here was that that money was going to be put into a fund, as I understood it, so that it could be used for the yearly maintenance, for the upkeep of that park to be joined by this other half million or whatever amount of dollars they would derive by taxing themselves. The bottom line is that whether we send those $20 million there or we keep it for our parks over here, we're going to be spending that money here and there. Commissioner Reyes: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Vice Chair Carollo: Because if we don't -- let's say we take it, spend it in our districts, then we're going to have to, yearly, in our general fiend budget, make up for the deficit that the new CDD will not bring in for another half million or more dollars to maintain that park that would be our obligation. So, I hope I'm being clear in what I'm saying, that either we pay by maintaining Freedom Park or we pay over here, use that money in our districts, and then pay for Freedom Park. And if we bring that money for the future maintenance of Freedom Park, hopefully with the idea that I'm going to provide and the suggestion that the mayor had, we will have the additional dollars for the districts involved. I don't think there was any talk of the other 10 million that would be going to District 1. That's -- Mayor Suarez: Right now, $12.5 million are going and then $5 million are going to District 2 through the bay walk. Vice Chair Carollo: Very good. Chair King: Commissioner Gabela? Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you. Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, okay. So, 1 want to say a couple of things. So just to reiterate what everybody said so far, and I think that Carollo is right, 1 mean, either way you slice it, it's going to go into parks. What I was going to say, number one, my district is the second district with less park space in the city. Man.olo's, I understand, is number one. Commissioner Reyes is number one that has less parks. Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, mine. Commissioner Gabela: Mine is number two. So, you know, it kind of does make sense. The other thing is, I want to make clear, the money, the $20 million, is not going to the stadium. I want to reiterate that again, to build the stadium, or for infrastructure. The money is going toward the maintenance of the 59-acre parcel that the stadium was going to turn over to us, okay, with greenery and with a walkway, and then the $20 million is supposed to be used to either improve that and as a maintenance. If you break it up, the 59 acres into $20 million, you're City of Miami Page 83 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 talking about $339k roughly per acre. That's not a lot of money. When you consider, you know, in lighting, and this and that, it goes. But that's the thing. You know, the story that the Herald wrote is incorrect because they were making it, you know, look like the money is going to help build the stadium or that nature, and it is not. If not, I wouldn't be voting for this. And the other thing is, I'm doing it, and the only condition I'm setting, and I think we've agreed to this, is that we, after we take this vote and this becomes effective, that we're going to form the mechanism or the instrument of a trust, like Bayfront Trust, for example, and why am I worried about that and why am I doing it? It's because I don't want it to land up in the Parks budget and then somehow years later on, what the referendum, and the voter, you know, voted for. In other words, we need to have the $20 million there because it's in everybody's interest that that park is well maintained, you know. One way or the other, good or bad, I'm going to get the brunt of the situation for the next, you know, three years when that park is built. So, I want to assure myself and my residents, you know, and the taxpayer that this money is indeed what they voted on and it's going to go strictly to that parcel. I cannot stress enough. If not, I wouldn't be doing this. I wouldn't be, you know, voting for it, but I am convinced that they have the best intentions in the world, that they are truthful in this, and that the $20 million is going to be set aside for this and not for anything else. And therefore, I'd like to see Mr. City Manager, Mr. Wysong, City Attorney, the creation of the trust along the lines of a Bayfront Trust, or something of that nature, where the money is locked into those operations. Thank you. Mayor Suarez: Just to be clear, that's not part of this resolution. Commissioner Gabela: Sorry? Mayor Suarez: That's not part of this resolution. That will be something that -- Commissioner Gabela: No, no, yes. Mayor Suarez: -- in the future. Chair King: I believe Commissioner Pardo. Commissioner Pardo: Yes, I just wanted to say I'm very much in favor of the public park and I want to thank you, Mayor. I want to thank you, Commissioner Carollo, for working to find the monies, the two -and -a -half million from the districts that you're looking to find. With that said, I've reviewed minutes, I've reviewed video, there's a lot of conflicting information l haven't been able to verify. I was hoping for a deferral in this case, but I see that there's pretty much consensus, so I'll be voting against. Mayor Suarez: Okay, thank you. Commissioner Pardo: That's my rationale. Vice Chair Carollo: Commissioner Pardo, through the Chair, you will accept the two -and -a -half million that I'm going to find, right? Commissioner Pardo: Of course, yeah. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, one condition, you don't give any to Billy over there. Commissioner Gabela: I'm ready for a motion. City of Miami Page 84 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Chair King: Hold on. 1--1-- Commissioner Gabela: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) gentlemen, Commissioner Reyes is ready and you guys are ready -- Chair King: -- I have some comments to make. I'd like, for the record, based on what Commissioner Pardo has said, the minutes to be read because there's a lot of information going out that said $20 million, $20 million. I have the most parks in the city in District 5. And my parks, while I have done a pretty good job of restoration of parks, 1 don't know why it is, but the city of Miami has these assets, and they don't take care of them until the playground equipment is just completely falling apart instead of just regular maintenance. So, while you're concerned about a park that's coming online, I'm concerned about parks that I have. And I am not willing to relinquish not one penny of any money, but I want to make it clear on the record because this is what I was told and the reason why our residents don't trust us is because we may take one measure, and then later when they've forgotten, we do something else. Staff has advised me that on the minutes, it was never $20 million that was coming to parks. It was twelve -and -a -half that was going -- Commissioner Gabela: Correct. Chair King: -- and then the rest was split up amongst the three. And I just want assurances that that is correct., and I understand it's in the minutes, but I'd like, you know, someone to go through that and that yes, I will get for my parks the money that was intended for us to get because there's a lot of work that needs to be done in the District 5 parks. And I cannot support this if I'm going to lose one penny. I might need 10 cents on my 1 penny back. Mayor Suarez: So, Madam Chair, this was debated on April 28th of 2022, about two years ago, and on Page 72 of the minutes, which conclude on Page 74, there's the recitation of how that is broken down. And it was twelve -and -a -half million that was allocated to that park, and the balance, which was seven -and -a - half million, was allocated to three districts. Zero to District 4, two -and -a -half million to District 2, two -and -a -half million to District 3, and two -and -a -half million to District 5. Vice Chair Carollo: And now I'm going to be looking for another two -and -a -half million for District 4. Mayor Suarez: Right. Right, and I think that's the right thing to do because that should have never happened to begin with, but it happened. Commissioner Reyes: I was punished, Mr. Mayor, I was punished. Mayor Suarez: You were punished, you were. Commissioner Reyes: By your good friend. And I want to stress out that this was a discussion. It was never -- we never voted on this, you see. It was a discussion trying to -- how to divide the pie, you see, I take this part, and you take the other part, blah, blah, blah. Manolo didn't vote for this, he doesn't deserve it. That's fine with me. I knew that there were going to be consequences. But as I stated before, if by doing what you're doing now, we are going back to the original question that was in the ballot, which I think that we should -- we owe them respect, we owe respect to the voters that direct the question in the ballot, and voted 60 percent in favor of it. Who are we to change it just because I won $2.5 million and the other commissioner won $2.5 million? The -- the language stated City of Miami Page 85 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 clearly that there were going to be $20 million for the creation of Freedom Park, 58 acres of park, and I respect that. Commissioner Gabela: By the way, let me just add, like you, Chairwoman, that I have assurances that we will create a trust because I am also worried, like you, that the money ends up -- so that's why I'm going along, and I heard what you said, Mayor, but I'm going along under the circumstances that a trust will be created after we put this through to safeguard that money and make sure it goes to the maintenance and capital improvements to that park only. And one more thing, we're missing another five. That 2.5 has already been deposited, and that's for the bay walk. I understand, nobody spoke about that, but in reality, I think it's 25, not counting your 7, and you guys, and the other, you know, just want to put - Vice Chair Carollo: Seven -and -a -half million. Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, yeah. So anyway -- whenever you ladies and gentlemen -- Mayor Suarez: I think we're ready. Chair King: Okay, so do I have a motion? Commissioner Gabela: Motion. Chair King: I have a motion. Do I have a second? Vice Chair Carollo: Second. Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair. So, Mayor Suarez did suggest an amendment. However, I need the mover to accept the amendment that was proffered by Mayor Suarez, and that's seven -and -a -half million divided equally amongst Districts 2, 3, and 5, to be -- to be done through a mid year budget amendment. Mayor Suarez: No. So, my amendment was amended, which is 2, 3, 5, and 4, $2.5 million, which is $10 million total, to be identified in the mid -year by the city manager to be brought to this commission. Unidentified Speaker: And now -- Vice Chair Carollo: I see a happy smile from Commissioner Reyes. I'm glad. Commissioner Reyes: Well, what can I do? I was left out. I expected it, that I was going to be punished. Mr. Hannon: Commissioner Gabela, you're the maker of the motion. Commissioner Gabela: Yes, with the clear understanding, that's apart from the 20 mill that's going there, that is not part of the 20 mill. Mayor Suarez: Correct. That's correct. Chair King: Correct. So I have a motion and a second for RE.14, as amended. All in favor? Commissioner Gabela: Aye. City of Miami Page 86 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Vice Chair Carollo: Aye. Chair King: Aye. Commissioner Reyes: Aye. Commissioner Pardo: No. Mayor Suarez: Passes, 4-1. Chair King: 4-1. Mayor Suarez: Can I just be recognized for a point of privilege? Chair King: Please. Mayor Suarez: Thank you. I just want to say that I'm still waiting for someone to bring me a sports deal where the City pays zero, that's over $2 billion in revenue, $20 million for the second largest park in its inventory, $5 million for a bay walk, and now they're going to pay for the operation and maintenance that they weren't even required to do in the first place. So, anyone who says that this is not a better deal or that this is some sort of a bait and switch, at the very best, they're misinformed. At the very worst, I won't even say what they are, because they're being disingenuous and fooling the public. And that, frankly, is sad, but unfortunately, it's oftentimes expected here in this place. And it's, you know, I just wanted to clam that, because there has been, for whatever reason, every time we do an MFP (Miami Freedom Park) item, there's all these conspiracies, and we're trying to benefit this person and that person, and you know everyone comes out of the woodwork What? Unidentified Speaker: Developers. Mayor Suarez: Yeah, developers, and it's our property. We're getting the money into our property. This is a -- you know that I still haven't found a deal and no one has shown me one where a city is not just not giving any money, right? Most of the deals, Buffalo I think is getting a billion dollars, Tennessee's getting over a billion dollars, the Titans the Buffalo Bills, the -- you know Los Angeles Raiders are getting over a billion dollars. So, I still haven't found one where the city's not giving anything and they're getting money. And yet, when we allocate our own funds to our own parks, we get criticized by people who say that it's a bad deal, which makes absolutely no sense because it doesn't even change the deal at all. We're actually getting an even better deal today. And we're finding the money that was deviated, in my opinion, improperly, but now has been restored properly. And we're also giving it all back to our residents. Plus, we're righting a wrong which was that Commissioner Reyes' district was unfairly targeted and defunded. Thank you. Vice Chair Carollo: Madam Chair, real quick, 30 seconds. Mayor, I think what will say it very clearly and quick is that when the Miami Heat deal was done, they pay no property taxes. When the Marlins deal was done, they pay no property taxes. Mayor Suarez: And $400 million in subsidies. Vice Chair Carollo: When the Inter -America deal was done, Inter -Miami deal was done, they pay taxes. What more can I say? City of Miami Page 87 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Mayor Suarez: Thank you. Chair King: Thank you. END OF RESOLUTIONS City of Miami Page 88 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 SR - SECOND READING ORDINANCES SR.1 ORDINANCE Second Reading 16842 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING City Manager's CHAPTER 2/ARTICLE XI/DIVISION 2/SECTION 2-887 OF THE CODE Office 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,TO MAINTAIN CONSISTENCY WITHIN THE CITY CODE, AND ALIGN THE CITY CODE WITH CURRENT STANDARDS AND PRACTICES; 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/ 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/STARS 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 EFFECTIVE DATE. City of Miami Page 89 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 ENACTMENT NUMBER: 14351 MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s) RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S) MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item SR.1, please see "Public Comment For All Item(s)." Chair King: Are there any of the SR (Second Reading) items that anyone wants to pull for discussion? Commissioner Pardo: I did want to pull SR.1. Chair King: SR.1. Yeah, I want to pull that too. SR.1. Anything else? Mr. City Attorney, would you please read for the record the titles of the SR items, 1, 2, and 3? George Wysong (City Attorney): Yes, Madam Chair. SR.1. It's a long one. The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney. Mr. Wysong: SR.2. The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney. Mr. Wysong: And SR.3. The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney. Mr. Wysong: That is the end of the SR items. Chair King: Thank you. May I have a motion for SR.2 and 3? Commissioner Gabela: Motion. Chair King: I have a motion. Commissioner Reyes: Move it. Chair King: I have a second. All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair King: Motion carries unanimously. [Later...] Chair King: Right now, SR.1, Commissioner Gabela, I think you had -- you pulled this. Commissioner Gabela: SR.1? Where are we at? City of Miami Page 90 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Chair King: SR.1. Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair, it was Commissioner Pardo. Commissioner Pardo: Yeah. Chair King: Oh, Commissioner Pardo? Okay. Commissioner Pardo: And I think Todd had my questions answered, which were, they mentioned a few of the committees. I wanted to make sure we talked about it in public. Overtown, the status of the Commission of Status of Women, Community Relations, and these have all been inactive boards, correct? Mr. Hannon: Yes, sir. Commissioner Pardo: So, they've been inactive for a very, very, very long time. Mr. Hannon: Yes, sir. Commissioner Pardo: Okay. So, in the case for these folks that came during public comment and said they were interested in these issues, they can still come back, and we can start one of these once there are people, you know, actually interested in showing up and working on them. Mr. Hannon: Yes, sir. There may be a 2.0 Version needed. Some of these boards were created to address 20th century issues. Now that we're in the 21st century, some of it may need to be updated. I'm just saying. Commissioner Pardo: Excellent. Excellent. Thank you. I'm done. Chair King: Mr. City Clerk, is one of the hoards, the Commission on the Status of Women and Quality of Life Committee? Mr. Hannon: Yes, ma'am. Chair King: That's one that's going to be taken away? Because I just appointed someone to that board. Mr. Hannon: There are still a number of vacancies and they have not met. George Wysong (City Attorney): Since 2019. Chair King: Okay because a public commenter did come up and -- so maybe we can revamp that board. Commissioner Pardo: Five years they haven't met. Chair King: Five years, okay. Mr. Hannon: And commissioners, you know, full disclosure it's not easy in this day and age to find board members. I mean privacy is a major concern I think of most just citizens in general. You have financial disclosure, gift disclosure, Sunshine Law training, now you can be held accountable to Sunshine Law violations, you have ethics training, you have employment restriction forms, residency requirement forms. So, there's a lot involved or there's a lot being asked, I think, from someone who just wants to serve on an advisory board when it comes to the City of Miami Page 91 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 number of disclosures that are required. So, just making sure that the record's clear. Commissioner Pardo: And the cost to maintain. Mr. Hannon: Yes, 171 let the city manager and the city attorney explain the resources. Arthur Noriega (City Manager): One thing is for certain, I won't use that quote in a fitture PSA (Public Service Announcement) to recruit people for boards because Todd just -- Todd just gutted any future recruitment. Chair King: Now, I understand that, you know, the boards that are proposed to be eliminated, but one resident did say that the Overtown Advisory Board is required by the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) and I'm not sure if that is the case or not. But if that is the case -- Mr. Hannon: We could amend SR. 1 and just exclude that from the others. Chair King: Well, if that is the case, I would like to, I'm sorry, Mr. -- Mr. Wysong: I'll double check to make -- I don't believe that's true -- Chair King: Okay. Mr. Wysong: -- but we'll look into it and make sure that we're in compliance with the CRA requirements. Chair King: You're going to do that now? Because I know they haven't met for a number of years. Mr. Wysong: 2018 was the last time they met. Chair King: 2018. Mr. Hannon: But again, they can be excluded from the others and it could always be revisited. So, if that's something that's -- Chair King: Okay, so let's take -- let's exclude -- Mr. Hannon: Overtown Advisory Board. Chair King: Yes, please. Commissioner Gabela: So, what are we doing? Chair King: So -- Mr. Hannon: It'll be a motion as amended. Chair King: A motion as amended. Do I have a motion? Commissioner Gabela: What are we doing? Are we abolishing or are we --? Chair King: Some boards. Commissioner Gabela: Okay. City of Miami Page 92 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Chair King: Yes, the ones that have not met for many, many years. Commissioner Gabela: Okay, so motion. Chair King: I have a motion. Do I have a second? Commissioner Pardo: Second. Chair King: 1 have a motion and a second. All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair King: Motion carries unanimously. SR.2 ORDINANCE Second Reading 15956 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING Wynwood CHAPTER 62/ARTICLE XIV/SECTION 62-644 — 62-645 OF THE Business CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TITLED Improvement "PLANNING AND ZONING/PUBLIC BENEFITS TRUST FUND/NRD- District Board 1 PUBLIC BENEFITS TRUST FUND; INTENT." AND "PLANNING AND ZONING/PUBLIC BENEFITS TRUST FUND/ESTABLISHED," TO PROVIDE FOR THE TRANSFER OF NRD-1 PUBLIC BENEFITS TRUST FUNDS COLLECTED BY THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") FINANCE DEPARTMENT ("FINANCE") TO A QUALIFIED PUBLIC DEPOSITORY HELD BY THE WYNWOOD BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT ("BID"), ALLOWING FOR THE INVESTMENT OF NRD-1 PUBLIC BENEFITS TRUST FUNDS COLLECTED PURSUANT TO THE CITY'S INVESTMENT POLICY AND SECTION 218.415, FLORIDA STATUTES, PROVIDING FOR THREE (3) YEAR TERMS FOR NRD-1 PUBLIC BENEFITS TRUST FUND COMMITTEE MEMBERS, CLARIFYING THAT THIRTY-FIVE PERCENT (35%) OF TOTAL NRD-1 PUBLIC BENEFITS TRUST FUNDS COLLECTED SHALL BE ALLOCATED TOWARDS AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND LIMITING FUNDING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS WHERE AT LEAST FIFTY- ONE PERCENT (51%) OF THE UNITS PROVIDED ARE RESTRICTED TO A PERSON OR HOUSEHOLDS WITH INCOME AT OR BELOW EIGHTY PERCENT (80%) OF THE MEDIAN INCOME FOR MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, AS DETERMINED BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: 14352 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes ABSENT: Carollo Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item SR.2, please see Item SR.1. City of Miami Page 93 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 SR.3 ORDINANCE Second Reading 17006 Commissioners and Mayor AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING CHAPTER 38/ARTICLE I OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TITLED "PARKS AND RECREATION/IN GENERAL," BY CREATING SECTION 38-35, TITLED "NAMING OF CHILDREN'S PARK," TO PROVIDE FOR THE NAMING OF THE PARCEL OF LAND CONSISTING OF APPROXIMATELY 16,222 SQUARE FEET LOCATED AT 1320 SOUTHWEST 12 AVENUE, 1330 SOUTHWEST 12 AVENUE, AND 1211 SOUTHWEST 14 STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA AND OTHER CONTIGUOUS PARCELS THAT MAY BE ADDED IN THE FUTURE AS "CHILDREN'S PARK"; FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO TAKE ANY AND ALL ACTIONS NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THE NAMING OF THE PARK; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: 14353 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes ABSENT: Carollo Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item SR.3, please see Item SR.1. END OF SECOND READING ORDINANCES City of Miami Page 94 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 FR - FIRST READING ORDINANCES FR.1 ORDINANCE First Reading 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 OF MIAMI FOR PICK UP OF BULKY WASTE TO KEEP IN LINE WITH CURRENT NEEDS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE. MOTION TO: Defer RESULT: DEFERRED MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes Note for the Record: Item FR.1 was deferred to the February 27, 2025, City Commission Meeting. Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item FR.1, please see "Order of the Day." FR.2 ORDINANCE First Reading 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. MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading with Modification(s) RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING WITH MODIFICATION(S) MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes ABSENT: Carollo Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item FR.2, please see "Public Comment For All Item(s)." Chair King: Are there any FR (First Reading) items that you guys would like to pull for discussion? Oh, wait, we're going to -- let's go back. Let's go back to RE.3. RE.3 for discussion. Commissioner Pardo: Or are we leaving that for the afternoon? City of Miami Page 95 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Chair King: You want to leave it for the afternoon? Commissioner Pardo: Well, because it involves one of the biggest lawsuits. Chair King: I understand. Okay. All right. Let's -- all right. Items to be pulled for FR. I would thinkFR.6 pulled for discussion. And you guys have any? FR -- Commissioner Pardo: I don't. Chair King: But the FR.6, yes? Commissioner Pardo: Yes, I agree. Chair King: Pulled for discussion. Anything else? No, that seems okay. Mr. City Attorney, would you read the titles for the FR items into the record? George Wysong (City Attorney): Yes, Madam Chair. Okay, the first one we have is FR.2. 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: RE (Resolution) -- I'm sorry, FR.4. The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney. Mr. Wysong: FR.5. The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney. Mr. Wvsong: FR.6. The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney. Chair King: Thank you. May I have a motion for FR.2, 3, 4, and 5, and with FR.2 and 3 as amended. Commissioner Pardo: So moved. Commissioner Gabela: One question. Commissioner Reyes: Second. Chair King: Go ahead. Commissioner Gabela: One question. FR.3, okay, is this going to be moved that we, the commissioners, the chairwoman, the commission is going to decide, or the administration is going to decide? Because I'm not clear on this. Mr. Wysong: The waivers? Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, on FR.3. City of Miami Page 96 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Mr. Wysong: So, the -- Commissioner Gabela: Pertaining to FR.3. Mr. Wysong: FR.3 is the codification of special events in Chapter 52 and all the power to waive would be still with the City Commission. I think you're talking about the noise one, which is FR.4. Commissioner Gabela: Well, FR.4, we already know, right? It's us. I mean, the City Commission. Mr. Wysong: Yeah. Commissioner Gabela: FR.3, I just can't -- can you --? Mr. Wysong: There's no waiver of noise for the administration in FR.3. It reverts back to Chapter 36, which would rest with the City Commission. Commissioner Gabela: Okay. Chair King: So, I have a motion and a second. All in favor? Commissioner Gabela: Sorry, one more. Chair King: Take your time. Commissioner Gabela: Okay, I'm sorry. So, City Manager, on the FR.1, weren't we going to defer that? Chair King: FR.1 is -- it was deferred to February 27th. Commissioner Gabela: Okay, that's what 1 thought. Sorry, 1 got it wrong. So, we're doing 2, 3 -- Chair King: 4 and 5. Commissioner Gabela: 4 and 5, that's fine with me. Chair King: So, I have a motion and a second. All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair King: Thank you, Commissioner Reyes. Mr. Wysong: Mr. City Clerk, I believe FR.2 was -- there was a substitution, so that would be a substitution. Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): The Chair -- Chair King: I said that. Mr. Wysong: Oh, I'm sorry. Chair King: Okay. City of Miami Page 97 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 FR.3 ORDINANCE First Reading 16978 Commissioners and Mayor AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION ESTABLISHING CHAPTER 52 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), TITLED "SPECIAL EVENTS," TO PROVIDE A CHAPTER DEDICATED TO SPECIAL EVENTS, UPDATING DEFINITIONS AND REGULATIONS TO SUCH SPECIAL EVENTS, AND CONSOLIDATING REGULATIONS CURRENTLY IN CHAPTERS 54 AND 62 OF THE CITY CODE; FURTHER AMENDING CHAPTER 54/ARTICLE 1 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), TITLED "STREETS AND SIDEWALKS/IN GENERAL" TO DELETE REGULATIONS RELATED TO SPECIAL EVENTS TO BE CODIFIED IN CHAPTER 52 OF THE CITY CODE AND CLARIFYING DEFINITIONS; FURTHER REPEALING CHAPTER 62/ARTICLE XIII/DIVISION 1 OF THE CITY CODE, TITLED "PLANNING AND ZONING/PLANNING AND ZONING APPROVAL FOR TEMPORARY USES AND OCCUPANCIES; PERMIT REQUIRED/TEMPORARY EVENTS," TO DELETE REGULATIONS RELATED TO SPECIAL EVENTS REGULATIONS AND TEMPORARY EVENT PERMIT TO BE CODIFIED IN THE CHAPTER 52 OF THE CITY CODE; 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: Damian Pardo, Commissioner SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes ABSENT: Carollo Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item FR.3, please see "Public Comment For All Item(s)" and Item FR.2. City of Miami Page 98 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 FR.4 ORDINANCE First Reading 16979 Commissioners and Mayor AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING CHAPTER 36/SECTION 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," TO PROVIDE FOR CITY COMMISSION WAIVER FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS AND OCCASIONS ON CITY OWNED, OPERATED OR LEASED PROPERTIES AND FACILITIES; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes ABSENT: Carollo Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item FR.4, please see "Public Comment For Allltem(s)" and Item FR.2. FR.5 ORDINANCE First Reading 17214 Commissioners and Mayor AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION RENAMING THE CITY OF MIAMI OWNED PARK CONSISTING OF APPROXIMATELY 155,700 SQUARE FEET, CURRENTLY KNOWN AS HENDERSON PARK, AND LOCATED AT 971 NORTHWEST 2 STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, FOLIO NO. 01-4138-003-0690 AS "RUBEN DARIO PARK"; AMENDING CHAPTER 38/ARTICLE I OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TITLED "PARKS AND RECREATION/IN GENERAL," BY CREATING SECTION 38-38, TITLED "NAMING OF RUBEN DARIO PARK"; FURTHER REPEALING CHAPTER 38/ARTICLE I/ SECTION 38-29 OF THE CITY CODE, TITLED "NAMING OF RUBEN DARIO PARK" TO REMOVE DUPLICATIVE PARK NAMINGS; FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO TAKE ANY AND ALL ACTIONS NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THE NAMING OF THE PARK; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE. MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes ABSENT: Carollo Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item FR.5, please see "Public Comment For All Item(s)" and Item FR.2. City of Miami Page 99 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 FR.6 ORDINANCE First Reading 17215 Commissioners and Mayor AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION REPEALING CHAPTER 38/ARTICLE III OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), TITLED "PARKS AND RECREATION/BAYFRONT PARK MANAGEMENT TRUST" IN ITS ENTIRETY TO ABOLISH THE BAYFRONT PARK MANAGEMENT TRUST ("TRUST"); AMENDING CHAPTER 38 OF THE CITY CODE, TITLED "PARKS AND RECREATION" TO ESTABLISH A NEW ARTICLE III, TITLED "DIVISION OF BAYFRONT PARK AND MAURICE FERRE PARK" CREATING A DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION AND PROVIDING FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") TO MAINTAIN, OPERATE AND MANAGE THE BAYFRONT PARK AND MAURICE FERRE PARK; FURTHER AMENDING CHAPTER 2/ARTICLE XI/DIVISION 2 TITLED "ADMINISTRATION/BOARDS, COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS/STANDARDS FOR CREATION AND REVIEW OF BOARDS GENERALLY" TO REMOVE REFERENCES TO THE TRUST; FURTHER AMENDING CHAPTER 18/ARTICLE III/SECTION 18-72 TITLED "FINANCE/CITY OF MIAMI PROCUREMENT ORDINANCE/APPLICATION AND EXCLUSIONS" TO REMOVE REFERENCES TO THE TRUST; FURTHER AMENDING CHAPTER 54/ARTICLE I/SECTION 54-9 TITLED "STREETS AND SIDEWALKS/IN GENERAL/ PLACING SIGNS, ADVERTISEMENT, OR DISPLAYS ON ANY PORTION OF PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY, STREET OR SIDEWALK SURFACE" TO REMOVE REFERENCES TO THE TRUST; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE. MOTION TO: Deny RESULT: DENIAL PASSED MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item FR.6, please see "Public Comment For All Item(s)" and Item FR.2. Chair King: Which takes us to FR.6, Chapter 38, Abolish the Bayfront Park Management Trust. Commissioner Gabela: So, I'm against this. Commissioner Pardo: Same. Commissioner Gabela: That's all I'm going to say. Chair King: Okay. Commissioner Gabela: And by the way, one of the reasons is, I've been told by the administration, this is not a good idea to do. It's kind of like the same line that we've been talking about here with the Freedom Park, that that board, you know, with all its problems, and you know, it shouldn't be now, after many years, all of City of Miami Page 100 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 a sudden, you know, you want to abolish the Bay:front Park Management. So, I am against this. Chair King: I see that there's going to be a presentation. Vice Chair Carollo: No, not -- Chair King: Okay. Vice Chair Carollo: Not for this. Chair King: Do you -- Vice Chair Carollo: This is -- but I -- if you want, I could do a presentation. Frankly, I don't know why the DIs (Discussion Items) items that were carried over from the last meeting are put behind new items on the agenda when we should always include the items that are carried over as the first items in the next agenda, and then new items should be the ones that come after. But look, this was an idea that I got from Commissioner Pardo. Commissioner Pardo: No, that wasn't my idea. Vice Chair Carollo: No, yes, it was, partially. Commissioner Pardo: No. Vice Chair Carollo: You have -- Commissioner Pardo: No, no, it was separating Maurice Ferre. Vice Chair Carollo: You had -- that's right, you had -- Commissioner Pardo: Don't say what my ideas are, please. Vice Chair Carollo: -- you had -- I said I got it from you. Commissioner Pardo: You didn't. Vice Chair Carollo: You had Maurice Ferre Park that you wanted to bring back to the city, but it didn't make sense, whatsoever, because Maurice Ferre Park would be a financial burden to the city, it doesn't generate the money to maintain itself. We would be in the situation that we were looking at and we just discussed at Freedom Park. The only way that it would make sense would be by bringing both parks, the trust, into the City, into the Parks Department, but as a separate entity where you would separate its funding, its functions. But this is something that is entirely up to this board. If there's no appetite for it, I have no problems in tabling it if that's the will of this body. Commissioner Gabela: Motion to deny. Commissioner Pardo: Second. Chair King: I have a motion and a second to deny FR.6. All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Vice Chair Carollo: I will then go along with it if there's no appetite for it. City of Miami Page 101 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Chair King: Okay. Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): And so I did see Commissioner Reyes, I believe he voted aye, so it's unanimous, 5-0. Chair King: Okay. Yes. Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Vice Chair Carollo: We lost him somehow, but he's there. Chair King: He's here, he's there but not here. Vice Chair Carollo: Oh, okay. Chair King: Oh, because that -- Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, we lost him here. Commissioner Reyes: Why don't you turn around and you take a good look at me? Vice Chair Carollo: They -- they shut you off from our videos here, so I don't know what happened. Commissioner Reyes: That's right. Chair King: Okay. END OF FIRST READING ORDINANCES City of Miami Page 102 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 AC.1 17196 Office of the City Attorney AC - ATTORNEY -CLIENT SESSION ATTORNEY -CLIENT SESSION UNDER THE PARAMETERS OF SECTION 286.011(8), FLORIDA STATUTES, A PRIVATE ATTORNEY -CLIENT SESSION WILL BE CONDUCTED AT THE FEBRUARY 13, 2025, MIAMI CITY COMMISSION MEETING. THE PERSON CHAIRING THE CITY COMMISSION MEETING WILL ANNOUNCE THE COMMENCEMENT OF AN ATTORNEY -CLIENT SESSION, CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC, FOR PURPOSES OF DISCUSSING THE PENDING LITIGATION IN THE MATTER OF WILLIAM O. FULLER, MARTIN PINILLA, II, THE BARLINGTON GROUP, LLC, CALLE OCHO MARKETPLACE, LLC, YO AMO CALLE SIETE, LLC, LITTLE HAVANA ARTS BUILDING, LLC, LITTLE HAVANA ARTS BUILDING TOO, LLC, TOWER HOTEL, LLC, BRICKELL STATION, LLC, PIEDRA VILLAS, LLC, FUTURAMA, LLC, EL SHOPPING, LLC, BEATSTIK, LLC, VIERNES CULTURALES/CULTURAL FRIDAYS, INC., LITTLE HAVANA BUNGALOWS, LLC, AND LHAB TREST, LLC V. CITY OF MIAMI, JOE CAROLLO, IN HIS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, ARTHUR NORIEGA, IN HIS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, VICTORIA MENDEZ, IN HER INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, RACHEL DOOLEY, IN HER INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, ASAEL MARRERO, IN HIS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, DANIEL S. GOLDBERG, IN HIS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, WILLIAM ORTIZ, IN HIS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, LUIS TORRES, IN HIS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, ADRIAN PLASENCIA, IN HIS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, RENE DIAZ, IN HIS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, IVONNE BAYONA, IN HER INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, JOHN DOES 1-20, CASE NO. 23-CV-24251-RAR, PENDING IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT, SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA, TO WHICH THE CITY IS PRESENTLY A PARTY. THE SUBJECT OF THE MEETING WILL BE CONFINED TO SETTLEMENT NEGOTIATIONS OR STRATEGY SESSIONS RELATED TO LITIGATION EXPENDITURES. THIS PRIVATE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT APPROXIMATELY 10:00 A.M. (OR AS SOON THEREAFTER AS THE COMMISSIONERS' SCHEDULES PERMIT) AND CONCLUDE APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR LATER. THE SESSION WILL BE ATTENDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COMMISSION, WHICH INCLUDE CHAIRWOMAN CHRISTINE KING, COMMISSIONERS MIGUEL ANGEL GABELA, DAMIAN PARDO, AND MANOLO REYES; THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, LARRY M. SPRING, JR.; CITY ATTORNEY GEORGE K. WYSONG III; CHIEF DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY JOHN A. GRECO; DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY KEVIN R. JONES; ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY SUPERVISOR ERIC J. EVES; ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY MARGUERITE SNYDER; AND OUTSIDE COUNSEL RAQUEL A. RODRIGUEZ ESQ., ANGEL CORTIIVAS, ESQ., AND JONATHAN KASKEL, ESQ. A CERTIFIED COURT REPORTER WILL BE PRESENT TO ENSURE THAT THIS SESSION IS FULLY TRANSCRIBED AND THE TRANSCRIPT WILL BE MADE PUBLIC UPON THE CONCLUSION OF THE LITIGATION. AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE ATTORNEY -CLIENT SESSION, THE REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING WILL BE REOPENED AND THE PERSON CHAIRING THE COMMISSION MEETING WILL ANNOUNCE THE TERMINATION OF THE ATTORNEY -CLIENT SESSION. City of Miami Page 103 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 MOTION TO: Defer RESULT: DEFERRED MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes Note for the Record: Item AC.1 was deferred to the February 27, 2025, City Commission Meeting. Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item AC.1, please see "Order of the Day." END OF ATTORNEY -CLIENT SESSION City of Miami Page 104 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 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 105 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 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 106 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 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 Miguel Angel Gabela Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Manolo Reyes Commissioner Christine King Commission -At -Large Commission -At -Large City of Miami Page 107 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 BC.5 15417 Office of the City Clerk RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A CERTAIN INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE CLIMATE RESILIENCE COMMITTEE FOR A TERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN. APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY: Grant Musser City Manager Arthur Noriega, V ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0042 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes ABSENT: Carollo Chair King: Okay, now we have -- do we have any board appointments, Mr. City Clerk? Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Yes, ma'am. BC.5, Climate Resilience Committee. City Manager Noriega will be appointing Assistant Fire Chief Grant Musser to the Emergency Management category. Chair King: Do you need a motion? Mr. Hannon: Yes. Chair King: Motion? Commissioner Gabela: Motion. Chair King: Second? Commissioner Pardo: Second. Chair King.• All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. City of Miami Page 108 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 BC.6 17052 Office of the City Clerk BC.7 15122 Office of the City Clerk RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN. APPOINTEES: (Alternate At -Large Member) RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN NOMINATED BY: Commissioner Damian Pardo Commissioner Joe Carollo Commission -At -Large RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A CERTAIN INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE COMMERCIAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR A TERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN. APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY: RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN Commission -At -Large City of Miami Page 109 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 BC.8 16511 Office of the City Clerk RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN AND QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN. APPOINTEES: RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN NOMINATED BY: Mayor Francis Suarez Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela Commissioner Damian Pardo Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Manolo Reyes Commission -At -Large Commission -At -Large City Manager Arthur Noriega, V City of Miami Page 110 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 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 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 Pagel]] Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 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 112 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 BC.11 17000 Office of the City Clerk BC.12 7963 Office of the City Clerk RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN. APPOINTEES: RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN NOMINATED BY: Mayor Francis Suarez Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela Commissioner Damian Pardo Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Manolo Reyes Commissioner Christine King RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE HEALTH FACILITIES AUTHORITY BOARD FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN. APPOINTEES: RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN NOMINATED BY: Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela Commissioner Damian Pardo Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Manolo Reyes Commissioner Christine King City of Miami Page 113 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 BC.13 16055 Office of the City Clerk BC.14 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 Miguel Angel Gabela 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 114 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 BC.15 15421 Office of the City Clerk BC.16 16648 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 RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A CERTAIN INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE MIAMI FOREVER BOND PROGRAM CITIZENS' OVERSIGHT BOARD FOR A TERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN. APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY: Nelson Canizares Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0043 City of Miami Page 115 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner SECONDER: Christine King, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes ABSENT: Carollo Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): BC.16, Miami Forever Bond Program Citizens Oversight Board. Commissioner Gabela will be appointing Nelson Canizares. Chair King: Have a motion? Commissioner Gabela: Second. Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Mr. Hannon: That concludes the boards and committees. Thank you, Chair. Chair King: Thank you. City of Miami Page 116 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 BC.17 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 117 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 BC.18 17053 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 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 Commissioner Christine King City of Miami Page 118 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 BC.19 3693 Office of the City Clerk BC.20 16286 Office of the City Clerk RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE STARS OF CALLE OCHO WALK OF FAME COMMITTEE FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN. APPOINTEES: RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN NOMINATED BY: Mayor Francis Suarez Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Joe Carollo Commission -At -Large Commission -At -Large Commission -At -Large RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AS MEMBERS OF THE URBAN DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD (UDRB) FOR TERMS AS DESIGNATED HEREIN. APPOINTEES: NOMINATED BY: Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela Commissioner Damian Pardo Commissioner Damian Pardo Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Joe Carollo Commissioner Manolo Reyes Commissioner Christine King City of Miami Page 119 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 BC.21 16056 Office of the City Clerk RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING A CERTAIN INDIVIDUAL AS A MEMBER OF THE VIRGINIA KEY ADVISORY BOARD FOR A TERM AS DESIGNATED HEREIN. APPOINTEE: NOMINATED BY: RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN END OF BOARDS AND COMMITTEES Mayor Francis Suarez City of Miami Page 120 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 BU - BUDGET BU.1 BUDGET DISCUSSION ITEM 17036 MONTHLY REPORT Office of I SECTION 2-497 OF THE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES Management and (RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DIRECTOR OF MANAGEMENT AND Budget BUDGET) II SECTION 18-502 (CITY'S ANTI -DEFICIENCY ACT) III SECTION 18-542 (FINANCIAL INTEGRITY PRINCIPLES) RESULT: DISCUSSED Chair King: And we can accept the budget, the status of the FY-25 current budget. Does anyone need any discussion on that? Okay. It doesn't require a motion. Commissioner Gabela: Nothing's changed, I was told. Chair King: No, but our director is here if you have any questions. No? Okay, we're good. END OF BUDGET City of Miami Page 121 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 DI.1 17035 City Manager's Office DI - DISCUSSION ITEMS DISCUSSION ITEM A DISCUSSION ITEM REGARDING THE 2025 AGENDA DEADLINES. MOTION TO: Defer RESULT: DEFERRED MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner SECONDER: Christine King, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo ABSENT: Carollo, Reyes Note for the Record: Item DI.1 was deferred to the February 27, 2025, City Commission Meeting. Chair King: Welcome back to the City of Miami Commission meeting for February 13th, 2025. At this time, we're going to take up DL1, the 2025 agenda deadlines. Mr. Manager. Hello? Arthur Noriega (City Manager): (INAUDIBLE). Chair King: No, because 1 need a full board for the other items. Why do you need time? Mr. Noriega: (INAUDIBLE). Chair King: Okay, may I have a motion to defer DI. I? Commissioner Pardo: So moved. Chair King: Second. All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair King: Defer until what date, Mr. Manager? (COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD) Chair King: Deferred until February 27th. Vice Chair Carollo: What did we defer? Chair King: The agenda item deadline to February 27th. City of Miami Page 122 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 DI.2 DISCUSSION ITEM 17017 A DISCUSSION ITEM REGARDING THE MARINE PATROL ACTION Department of PLAN FOR THE MIAMI RIVER AREA. Police RESULT: DISCUSSED Chair King: Next item, DI 3. Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair, DI.2 -- Chair King: DL2, I'm sorry. DL2 is in play. Commissioner Gabela: Motion. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, let me -- hold on. Through the Chair. Chief, thank you for coming back for the action plan that I asked you through this body. The Miami River is extremely important to our economy and to the enjoyment and peace of our residents. And I think you have something solid to lay a foundation to begin with it and see if it's going to be sufficient or we're going to have to keep adding. Manny Morales (Chief of Police): So, good afternoon,, Commissioners, Chair, Vice Chair, Manny Morales, Miami Police Department, 400 Northwest 2nd Avenue. The plan that we put forward that I kind of briefed everybody on the agenda briefing I think is sufficient for now. There will be -- we're at 16 officers, 2 sergeants and 1 lieutenant as of today. At the end of the month on February 25th, we'll add 2 more. So that will give me seven-day coverage from 5: 00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. on the river, and then it will give me two additional officers from 6 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon on Friday', Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. So, we will cover the bulk of the time. In addition to that, we've installed a camera. We're able to put a camera right by the Icon on the Brickell side that's aiming right at the mouth of the river. So, we'll be able to monitor any traffic that's coming in or out, whether they're violating the idle zone, or whether they're playing loud music. So, we are able to have the officers, whether they're inside the river patrolling it closer to 12 and 17 Avenue, they'll be able to respond as well. Vice Chair Carollo: Chief through the Chair, is there a possibility that in that camera we could have some kind of lighting so that they can see it at night that there is a camera, and you know, hopefully, there'll be a little more respect f they know they're being watched? Mr. Morales: Absolutely, Vice Chair. We can add red and blue strobes to it, so it can be visible, and they can recognize it as a police camera. In addition to that, 1 believe two weeks ago we received our 11 th boat. So, we have 11 vessels at this time. We have Our of the safe boats, two of the inner bay boats that are hardened, two contenders, and I want to say two flat water boats. So, we're -- we got a good combination of different types of vessels that will allow us to go just about anywhere. So, we should be good to go. Our performance has improved as well from last year. So, we're making a lot more loud music stops, which has been the synonymous complaint throughout the river. So, we believe that with the changes and the addition, we should be hitting the mark and getting some folks a little bit of relief the ones that are being impacted on the river while still respecting boaters' rights. I know -- I don't know if you saw it, but we'll be City of Miami Page 123 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 talking with legal about some of the proposals that the state has with the right to boat, which limits some of our ability to do the safety inspections. 1 don't know if you guys saw Governor DeSantis did approve some measures that he's putting forward, so we'll see how that impacts our ability to enforce, but regardless of what it is, we'll ensure that the river is still calm. Vice Chair Carollo: Can you publicly tell us what that is that the governor put forth? Mr. Morales: 1 know that it does impose some limits on our ability to make a maritime vessel stop for the sake of a safety inspection, which is quite a few of our interactions, our safety inspections, whether you have fire extinguisher, whether you have enough life vest on board. In lieu of that, there will be, from what I understand, a decal that's affixed to the vessel that annotates whether the occupants in the vessel have gone through the inspection cycle and are in compliance with the maritime laws. So, we'll see how that kind of impacts us. I haven't looked at the whole breadth of the legislature, but well brief with our legal eagles. George Wysong (City Attorney): Yeah, basically I think it, from what I see, a proposed change would stop boat inspections without suspicion, so you would need an elevated reason to stop the vessel versus just stopping the vessel to perform a safety check to make sure they have all their equipment. It's a proposed revision, so it's just words now, but it's probably working through the legislature. Mr. Morales: And that wouldn't stop us from approaching a vessel that's violating the noise ordinance or the speed ordinance, so we should be able to still do some enhanced enforcement on the river. Commissioner Gabela: This is kind of like the seatbelt, you know, you can stop somebody for a lack of wearing a seatbelt, and now in this one you're taking it off Mr. Morales: When it moved to a primary violation that we could stop it. It may have to be a secondary before, now it's a primary, yes. Commissioner Gabela: But I didn't get that part. How is it that you're going to guarantee, or not guarantee, but how is it that you're going (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the safety issues to make sure that you've got flares, life savers, you know, how are we going to address that? Mr. Morales: 1 believe that the legislature proposes that the vessel have a sticker that says that they're in compliance. Commissioner Gabela: Oh, so like a decal. Mr. Morales: Yeah, there will be a decal -- Commissioner Gabela: So, you've got to have a decal -- Mr. Morales: -- on the vessel next to the hull number that annotates whether you've been through the safety inspection that should -- Commissioner Gabela: So, it's going to be like an inspection? City of Miami Page 124 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Mr. Morales: Like the old inspection stickers, they used to get here when you got your muffler, and your exhaust system checked and your headlights and more or less. Chair King: Thank you, Chief. Anything else from anyone else? Vice Chair Carollo: No. I appreciate how quickly you attended to this request. Mr. Morales: You're welcome, sir. Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you. Chair King: Thank you. Vice Chair Carollo: One thing I'd like to ask you is, once it's fully implemented, if you could give us weekly reports on what actions, what tickets are being issued, what action is taken, and on Tuesdays would be good, so this way you could bring it up to Sunday and it gives you Monday to do it. Mr. Morales: We can include that on our weekly Tuesday reports, along with the HEAT (Homeless Empowerment and Assistance Team) numbers and the traffic enforcement numbers that we already provide some of the districts. If there's any other information that you would like on a weekly report, please just let me know and we'll make sure that we address that and get that information out to each of the district offices. Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you, Chief. Commissioner Pardo: One quick question. Mr. Morales: Sir. Commissioner Pardo: Did you figure out the docking for that site or you're still looking for --? Mr. Morales: We have a couple of locations that we're working on. Commissioner Pardo: Okay. Mr. Morales: We're going to be working with DREAM (Department of Real Estate and Asset Management) to make sure that we get them. Commissioner Pardo: Thank you very much. You know, you can count on us to continue looking and really, you've been a great partner, especially with everything dealing with the river. Thank you. Mr. Morales: Thankyou, Commissioner. I appreciate your sentiments. Chair King: Thank you, Chief. Mr. Morales: Thankyou. Commissioner Reyes: Thank you, Chief Good job. City of Miami Page 125 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 DI.3 DISCUSSION ITEM 17179 Commissioners and Mayor A DISCUSSION ITEM REGARDING THE APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRPERSON OF BAYFRONT PARK. LIRESULT: DISCUSSED Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item DL3, please see "Public Comment For All Item(s)." Chair King: DI.3. Chair King: Okay, I'll start with DI.3. As a courtesy to Commissioner Pardo, when he had his accident, we deferred all chair issues to the March agenda. 1 don't like piecemealing. We're taking out one, but this is a discussion item, so we're going to hear, but I just wanted to say that that's my position. We are going to take up all the chairmanships in March. We have all agreed to it. Commissioner Reyes wasn't here that day. Commissioner Pardo wasn't here. And we agreed to take up the chairmanships in March. All of them. I'm not clear what spurred this on, that it has to be taken up today versus when we take them all up in March, but it's a discussion item, so let's move, forward with discussing it. Commissioner Gabela: No, I'm calling for a vote. I'm calling for a vote, Madam Chair. Chair King: Okay, well -- Commissioner Gabela: After we -- after we discuss it. Chair King: -- after you discuss -- Commissioner Gabela: Of course. Chair King: -- in your discussion. Okay. Commissioner Gabela: Because all sides need to say their side. Chair King: Yes, everybody -- Commissioner Pardo: You want to go? Commissioner Gabela: No, you guys; I'm going to go last. Commissioner Pardo: Well, I 'll go. Vice Chair Carollo: You're -- you're the one that put this item up. Commissioner Gabela: Yes, I did. Vice Chair Carollo: You should start. Commissioner Gabela: Okay, I'll go first. I will go first. Chair King: Okay. City of Miami Page 126 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Commissioner Gabela: And I'll tell you why I did it. Number one, as 1 remember last year, okay, there have been -- as you know, there have been a lot of issues with the Bayfront Trust since 1 got here and before that. Mainly having to do with you and the Bayfront Trust. Vice Chair Carollo: Issues that have been created, sir. Commissioner Gabela: No, no. I'm sorry? Chair King: Wait, don't interrupt. Let him speak. Vice Chair Carollo: You're right, Madam Chair. You're right. Commissioner Gabela: No what did you say, Carollo? I'm sorry. Vice Chair Carollo: I said issues that have been created. Commissioner Gabela: Okay, let me get to that. And listen I understand that in these kind of situations, there's two sides to the story. I wasn't there and I don't know what happened or didn't happen, okay? And I can tell you that I know you've done some good things in the park. I'm not one of those that's going to tell you everything you did is bad in the park, okay? But here's the thing, you know, this is getting out of hand, you know, and listen, you can't tell me that I don't try to be fair, because for example, the gym equipment. The gym equipment, I started out voting out with him and then you took it to a referendum, and when the people spoke, I said, you know what, now I'm with you. And I helped you open the gym equipment because I thought enough is enough, and we had beaten that horse to death. So, I think I'm fair with all sides, no matter what our differences here -- there are here, sometimes I try to, you know, be professional and do the business at hand. Last year, you know, with all these issues, you proffered, you know, you said I'm going to step down in January. That's what you said. I didn't say that. He didn't say that. You said that, okay? And I took you at your word. And what I said to myself was, you know, these things are happening, I'm not there, you know, I don't know if it's true or not true, or whatever, you know, but you know what, let him finish his thing, he proffered that he was going to -- he's stepping down in January, you know, and let him do his Christmas party, whatever he does, and then in January, somebody else will take over. That's the impression that you gave, you know. And then, when you gave that impression, 1 said -- and then you didn't do it, I said to myself, you know, the problem is going to be, you're termed out in November, like the law says, so you're not going to be there anymore in November, at least as a commissioner, okay? If somebody were to take that board over, November or October, it's not fair to the person that's taking that board over because, you know, you've been there for eight years. 1 haven't been there for one iota, you know? And so, whoever takes it over, whether it be me, him, her, whoever, okay, I think it wouldn't be fair for that person. I'm trying to do this as diplomatically as I can. I am not doing this out of spite with you or the differences that we had. That I can assure you. I am not here to tear your projects down, what you have had. That isn't me. I try to keep away from that. Sometimes we fall into that, and we shouldn't be falling into that. I've said many times before to the Herald and to everybody else, sometimes I vote with you, and they've accused me. Now you're aligned with Carollo. Sometimes 1 vote with you, and you go -- and I'm aligned now with the Pardo, no. I vote for the project, I vote for the merits, and if you happen to be there, I'm going to vote with you, sir, and if you happen to be there because it's good, I'm going to vote for you. And when my, priorities for my district, for my residents don't align, then I won't be voting with you guys. But nobody can accuse me that I'm taking sides or I'm in this gang over here or that over there. No, that isn't me. And I'm not doing City of Miami Page 127 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 this because of that. But 1 think we need to end this. Also, in November, when you are termed out as commissioner, okay, as commissioner, you know, again, it wouldn't be fair for the person taking over. Number two, okay, you have a budget, I understand a budget that you have to turn in by April, or should be turned in by April, okay, and wouldn't be fair also, you know, to pick a chairman after that? I think it should be done before, you know, and then after all, in January is when we pick the boards. I think last June you were supposed to be ratified, we kept going, you know, and I didn't make it personal, man. I mean, I heard what everybody had to say. I'm a commissioner, elected by the people that I represent, District 1, and 1 listen to everybody, you know. But I think enough is enough, with all due respect. And you did proffer that you were going to step down. So let somebody else take over, you know. And listen, I realise that if him, me, or whoever it is, the minute I don't do something, okay, that some of these people are not in agreement with, I'm going to have a problem. I realize that. I'm under no illusion here. If I were to be picked as the chairman, I'm under no illusion here. Because you can't please everybody all the time like the saying goes. But., you know, this needs to be addressed. And yes, I think there's an urgency to get it done now because I remember a very short story when the gym equipment and the last vote that you got mad at your fellow commissioner because you thought he was delaying that vote so you could have your back [sic] equipment on. And I voted for you so you could have your equipment back. Well, this is the same thing that you're doing to us now. You said in January you're stepping down and now you want to prolong it. And that's what we're saying, no, we're not going to do that. You're a man of your word, keep your word, okay? And I can tell you, the only thing I can tell you, that if I am elected to be that chairperson, I am not out here to destroy your work. And I believe that some of your work has been good. Let me just tell you that, okay? I try to be even-handed. And I'll end it with that, and you, now it's -- Chair King: Commissioner Reyes? Commissioner Gabela: We can't hear him. Chair King: We can't hear you. Commissioner Reyes: That we -- I agree with Commissioner Gabela and everybody knows that it was Commissioner Carollo who made a commitment to step down in January. But 1 think it's about time that we have a change of guard because this is going out of hand. We have a scandal after another scandal, another scandal, and I think it is -- it is about time that we stop it and we don't get any more black eyes, and whoever will be selected, will be selected. Commissioner Carollo has done an excellent job. That fountain, it is fantastic. The park, has kept it pristine, and all the art that he have brought to the park, it is fantastic, but there is a time that -- for a change, and I think this is the time for change. I will agree that we make some changes in the Bayfront Park Trust. [Later...] Chair King: And the last item is the Bayfront Park Management Trust New Year's Eve 2024 and end of year discussions. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Five minutes. Chair King: Five minutes. Okay, it's a discussion item. Vice Chair Carollo: Can we -- City of Miami Page 128 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Commissioner Gabela: Notice that he continues, and 1 haven't answered him back and then when 1 do say something, then I'm accused that I'm screaming. He accused me of serious allegations. Chair King: Do you want to be recognized? Commissioner Gabela: Sorry? Chair King: I thought you didn't want to say anything else because you called the question. Commissioner Gabela: We've taken our vote. I'd like to answer -- Chair King: Okay. You are -- Commissioner Gabela: -- all the allegations, part of the allegations that he's talking about. Chair King: -- you are recognized. You are recognized, sir. Commissioner Gabela: Okay. So, with all due respect, I have no idea what the hell he's talking about, okay? Vice Chair Carollo: Oh, sure. Yeah. Commissioner Gabela: Period. End of story. That man over there, Manny Prieguez, okay, what you're talking about, never once -- Vice Chair Carollo: Excuse me, Chairwoman? Commissioner Gabela: Let me finish. There he goes again. Vice Chair Carollo: Can that clown there, that's screaming loud, be shut down or get him out of here? Commissioner Gabela: Get him out of here what? What have they done? Vice Chair Carollo: This one right here, he's laughing out loud. Nobody's supposed to do that here. Commissioner Gabela: Let me -- look, Commissioner, okay, let me say this to you as politely as 1 can with all the stuff that you said about me, okay? Never once have him and that man discussed what you're talking about. 1 don't know about the rest, but him and I -- Manny Prieguez: Not once. Commissioner Gabela: -- not once -- Vice Chair Carollo: Sure. Commissioner Gabela: -- let me tell you that. Vice Chair Carollo: Sure. Commissioner Gabela: Not once, okay? And, sure, and on top of that, okay, on top of that, okay, you -- okay, I think, okay, there's only, one word to say this and City of Miami Page 129 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 I'm going to end it here. Your problem is that you're like Maduro, you don't want to leave, you know, that's all I get to say to you, I'm done. That's it, 1'll end it there, 1 don't want more trouble. I'm done. DI.4 DISCUSSION ITEM 17007 Commissioners and Mayor A DISCUSSION REGARDING THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY RAPID TRANSIT ZONE. MOTION TO: Withdraw RESULT: WITHDRAWN MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item DL4, please see "Order of the Day." DI.5 DISCUSSION ITEM 17022 Commissioners and Mayor A DISCUSSION ITEM REGARDING BAYFRONT PARK MANAGEMENT TRUST MIAMI NYE 2024 AND END OF YEAR DISCUSSIONS. RESULT: DISCUSSED Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item DL5, please see "Public Comment For All Item(s)." Chair King: Okay, go ahead. At this time, an audiovisual presentation was made. Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you, Chair. Chair King: Thank you. At this time, the City of Miami Commission meeting for February 13th, 2025 is now concluded. Thank you all, for coming. DI.6 DISCUSSION ITEM 16179 Commissioners and Mayor A DISCUSSION REGARDING THE LACK OF PROTECTION OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY FROM COMMERCIAL AND BUSINESS INTRUSION. MOTION TO: Defer RESULT: DEFERRED MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes Note for the Record: Item DL6 was deferred to the February 27, 2025, City Commission Meeting. City of Miami Page 130 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Chair King: Okay, the last thing. Vice Chair Carollo: My problem is I'm not a thug or a criminal. That's where my problem is. Chair King: The last thing is the DI.5. Do you have a presentation? Do you want to defer that, or do you want to go? That's the last thing on the agenda. Hold on, Todd. Vice Chair Carollo: DI (Discussion Item) -- Todd B. Hannon: DI.6, 7, and 8 are also still in play. Vice Chair Carollo: Well, I have -- Chair King: I have a motion -- Vice Chair Carollo: Excuse me. DI.5 is the one we're waiting for. It's five minutes. Chair King: Yes, but hold on. Vice Chair Carollo: Under five minutes. Chair King: Do I have a motion to defer DI6, 7, and 8? Vice Chair Carollo: Yes. Commissioner Gabela: Motion. Chair King: 1 have a motion and a second. All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair King: We'll defer that to the next commission meeting, February 27th. Mr. Hannon: Understood. DI.7 DISCUSSION ITEM 16942 Commissioners and Mayor A DISCUSSION ITEM REGARDING LOST INCOME TO THE CITY WITH VOTE FOR SOLUTION. MOTION TO: Defer RESULT: DEFERRED MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes Note for the Record: Item DI.7 was deferred to the February 27, 2025, City Commission Meeting. Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item DI.7, please see Item DI6. City of Miami Page 131 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 DI.8 DISCUSSION ITEM 16910 Commissioners and Mayor A DISCUSSION ITEM REGARDING A REPORT ON LABOR CONDITIONS IN SOUTH FLORIDA CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY. MOTION TO: Defer RESULT: DEFERRED MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes Note for the Record: Item DL8 was deferred to the February 27, 2025, City Commission Meeting. Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item DL8, please see Item DL6. END OF DISCUSSION ITEMS City of Miami Page 132 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 PZ.1 17073 Department of Planning PART B: PZ - PLANNING AND ZONING ITEM(S) RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING AN EXCEPTION WITH CONDITIONS TO ALLOW UP TO A ONE HUNDRED PERCENT (100%) PARKING REDUCTION IN THE TOTAL NUMBER OF REQUIRED PARKING SPACES FOR A STRUCTURE WITH A FLOOR AREA OF TEN THOUSAND (10,000) SQUARE FEET OR LESS LOCATED WITHIN A TRANSIT CORRIDOR AREA PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 4, TABLE 4 (T6) AND ARTICLE 7, SECTION 7.1.2.6, OF ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION GENERALLY LOCATED AT 1445 NORTHWEST 16 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: Defer RESULT: DEFERRED MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes ABSENT: Carollo Note for the Record: Item PZ.1 was deferred to the February 27, 2025, City Commission Meeting. Chair King: Mr. City Attorney, could you read for the record --? Commissioner Reyes: Thank you, Madam Chair. Chair King: Welcome. PZ -- the titles for the PZ items. George Wysong (City Attorney): Yes, Madam Chair. PZ.1 is a resolution. PZ.2, ordinance. The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney. Mr. Wysong: PZ.3, second reading ordinance. The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney. Mr. Wysong: PZ.4, first reading ordinance. The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney. Mr. Wysong: PZ.5, first reading ordinance. The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney. City of Miami Page 133 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Mr. Wysong: PZ.6. The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney. Mr. Wysong: And that's itfor the PZ items. Chair King: Okay. No one wanted to pull a PZ item, correct? Commissioner Reyes: Yes, ma'am. Chair King: Oh, you want to pull? Which one would you want to pull? Commissioner Reyes: Yes, I want PZ.1. ChairKing: PZ. I. Commissioner Reyes: PZ.1. Chair King: You want to pull PZ.1? Commissioner Reyes: PZ.4. Chair King: PZ.4. Commissioner Reyes: PZ.6. Chair King: And PZ. 6? Commissioner Reyes: To be voted individually. Chair King: To he voted individually? Commissioner Reyes: That's right, because -- Chair King: Okay, that's okay. Commissioner Reyes: I have my questions, and it will determine -- the answers 1 get, it will determine which way I'm going to vote. Chair King: Okay. So, Commissioner Reyes would like to -- well, let's -- okay, let's take up the ones that have not been pulled. May I have a motion for PZ.2, 3, and 5? Commissioner Gabela: Motion. Chair King: I have a motion and a second. Commissioner Reyes: Second. Chair King: All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair King: Now -- Commissioner Gabela: I'm sorry, that was 5, 2, and 3. City of Miami Page 134 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Chair King: It was 2, 3, and 5. Commissioner Gabela: Okay. [Later...] Chair King: And at this time, it is afternoon. Do you want to break for lunch? Take a break jbr lunch and come back and take up the rest of -- what is the pleasure of this body? Commissioner Reyes: Well, ma'am, if -- Chair, if you want to take the PZs that we pulled (INAUDIBLE). Commissioner Gabela: Can't hear. Chair King: Can't hear. Can't hear (INAUDIBLE). Arthur Noriega (City, Manager): I think what he's saying -- and I was going to make that recommendation too, since the PZ (Planning and Zoning) items are not in any way controversial per se, because it's not an issue of having a commissioner missing, you could probably take those three items up and then maybe breakjor lunch. Chair King: That's fine with me. I'm asking. Commissioner Pardo: I'm good. Chair King: You're good? You're good with that? Okay, PZ.1, Commissioner Reyes had issues. Commissioner Reyes: That's right. My -- you know that 1 always been against parking exceptions and is this a hundred percent parking exception? Hello? David Snow (Director, Planning): Yes, through the Chair, this is an exception, for a reduction of parking. The request is Jro-- to provide 5 spaces of which 28 spaces are required. Commissioner Reyes: Well, you know how I feel about it. It is 100 percent parking reduction. That's what it is. Mr. Snow: So, the permit is the 100 percent request. They are not reducing 100 percent. The developer is looking to provide five spaces, of which -- Commissioner Reyes: How many spaces? Chair King: Five. Mr. Snow: They're providing five. Commissioner Reyes: Five. Wow. How generous. You know how I feel about it and the way that I -- and you can go vote on it, and the vote is going to be no. Mr. Snow: So, just to provide some additional context, Commissioner, they are eligible to request this given the proximity to transit. So, they are within the Culmer Station. Culmer Station is within half a mile of this property. This is what they're requesting. City of Miami Page 135 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Commissioner Reyes: Yes, and I do understand that the philosophy is if you are close to any -- Culmer Station or any other station, then by logic, the people that live close to it, they are going to take the mass transit instead of parking or owning an automobile, which I don't believe that would be the case, because I have seen it. I've seen it in downtown Miami, and I've seen it in other areas. Miami is an automobile -oriented city, and I think that a total reduction of parking is not a -- it -- I'm going to be consistent in the way that I have been since day one, okay? So, if you want to call -- Commissioner Gabela: Can I just -- Commissioner Reyes, can I just chime in real quick since it is in my district? You know, I kind of agree with you, as I was just talking to Frank. I kind of agree with you. I've been told the reason is it's a small building, but maybe we should defer this because I kind of do agree with you that, you know, no parking at all. Can you hear me? Chair King: Yes. So, Commissioner Gabela in his district would like to defer it to get more information. Do I have a motion? Commissioner Gabela: Motion. Commissioner Reyes: Move it. Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair King: Item is deferred -- Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Madam Chair? Chair King: -- until when? Commissioner Gabela: Until the next meeting so we can learn more why is it that they're asking. Commissioner Reyes: Absolutely. Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, because he's right and I am also concerned. Chair King: Okay, until February 27th. Commissioner Gabela: That's fine. Chair King: Alrighty. Mr. Hannon: And that was unanimous. Commissioner Reves: Thankyou, Commissioner. Chair King: That was unanimous. Commissioner Reyes: Thank you, Commissioner. Commissioner Gabela: Thankyou, Commissioner. City of Miami Page 136 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 PZ.2 ORDINANCE Second Reading 16869 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH Department of ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE Planning ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, MORE PARTICULARLY BY AMENDING ARTICLE 1, TITLED "DEFINITIONS," TO ADD A DEFINITION OF PORTICO; 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; AMENDING ARTICLE 4, TITLED "STANDARDS AND TABLES," TO UPDATE SETBACK REQUIREMENTS FOR INGRESS CONTROL DEVICES; 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 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. ENACTMENT NUMBER: 14354 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes ABSENT: Carollo Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PZ.2, please see Item PZ.1. PZ.3 ORDINANCE Second Reading 14139 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH Department of ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS Planning 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. ENACTMENT NUMBER: 14355 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner SECONDER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes ABSENT: Carollo Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PZ.3, please see Item PZ.1. City of Miami Page 137 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 PZ.4 ORDINANCE First Reading 17018 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"), BY AMENDING ARTICLE 1, TITLED "DEFINITIONS," TO UPDATE THE DEFINITIONS OF ANCILLARY DWELLING UNITS AND RELATED STRUCTURES; BY AMENDING ARTICLE 3, TITLED "GENERAL TO ZONES," TO INTRODUCE ANCILLARY DWELLING UNIT REGULATIONS AND DESIGN STANDARDS; BY AMENDING ARTICLE 4, TITLED "STANDARDS AND TABLES," TO CLARIFY THE TRANSECT ZONES AND RESIDENTIAL TYPES THAT ALLOW FOR ANCILLARY DWELLING UNITS, TO CLARIFY PARKING REQUIREMENTS, AND TO UPDATE RELATED ILLUSTRATIONS; BY AMENDING ARTICLE 5, TITLED "SPECIFIC TO ZONES," TO CLARIFY BUILDING DISPOSITION AND BUILDING CONFIGURATION STANDARDS AND TO UPDATE RELATED ILLUSTRATIONS PERTAINING TO ANCILLARY DWELLING UNITS AND OTHER RELATED STRUCTURES; BY AMENDING ARTICLE 6, TITLED "SUPPLEMENTAL REGULATIONS," TO UPDATE ANCILLARY DWELLING UNIT MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM UNIT SIZES AND APPLICABLE WAIVER PROCESSES; BY AMENDING APPENDIX A, TITLED "NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT," SECTION A.2., TITLED "VILLAGE WEST ISLAND DISTRICT AND CHARLES AVENUE (NCD-2)," AND SECTION A.3., TITLED "COCONUT GROVE NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT NCD-3," TO CLARIFY REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO ANCILLARY DWELLING UNITS AND RELATED STRUCTURES; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MOTION TO: Defer RESULT: DEFERRED MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes ABSENT: Carollo Note for the Record: Item PZ.4 was deferred to the February 27, 2025, City Commission Meeting. Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item PZ.4, please see Item PZ.1. Chair King: Okay, PZ.4. Commissioner Reyes. Commissioner Reyes: This is the answer, by dwelling units. And I have a question here. I've been asking, you see, because I have a concern for the single-family homes and the neighborhoods. You see, what I don't want, I want to see legislation that will limit this ancillary, units to certain, I would say certain instances or certain cases. And because what I'm afraid of is that many people will come buy a house, buy a house and then start either dividing it or building 800 square feet if they have the space, you see. And the -- one of the -- one of my City of Miami Page 138 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 concerns is that it could be used and abused. And 1 would like to see some legislation that will stop that. Chair King: Okay. So, this is my item, and let me -- I received a text on this item that's not agreeing with it. What is -- the intent of the item is for single family properties -- correct? -- for single-family properties. We already have an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) code on the books where you could build up to 750 feet? David Snow (Director, Planning): So, yes, today under T3-L, you could build an ADU that's 750 square feet in size. Chair King: So, we're adding 100? Mr. Snow: 50. Chair King: 100 and -- Mr. Snow: No, no, no. We're adding -- Chair King: 100, Mr. Snow: So, the total that is allowed is 800 under this legislation. Chair King: Okay. Mr. Snow: So, 50 square feet. Chair King: Oh, so we're adding 50 square feet. So, the concern is that somebody would go and tear down their house and build two duplexes or something like that. But that's not the intent of this legislation or it's not as I understand it. This is to build like in-law quarters. Commissioner Reyes: Okay. Chair King: And we're just adding 50 feet to the existing code. Mr. Snow: So, there are additional criteria -- Madam Chair, if 1 may. There are additional criteria that we have added to kind of alleviate some of those concerns as it relates -- Chair King: Right, safeguards. Mr. Snow: -- to the setback, as it relates to the height, the percentage of lot that these can be placed on, parking requirements, the entrances of these spaces, if they are attached to the single-family residence. So, we have added that criteria that does not exist today. Chair King: Okay, so we've added safeguards. It's increasing by 50 feet. Does it apply to T3-O? Commissioner Gabela: But this is for like an in-laws, right? Isn't this --? This is not -- doesn't apply to -- this is only for single, right? Chair King: Right. Commissioner Gabela: Homestead properties. City of Miami Page 139 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Chair King: Homestead prop -- and it's for homestead properties, correct? Mr. Snow: So, if you are to rent these out, it is for homesteaded properties. Chair King: Homesteaded properties. Now, does it apply to -- Commissioner Reyes: Only homesteaded properties, right? Chair King: Only homestead properties. Does it apply to T3-O? Mr. Snow: So, this change would expand it. Today it's only allowed in T3-L. It would expand it to T3-R, L, and 0, as well as T4, T5, and T6. Chair King: Okay. But it has -- Commissioner Reyes: These additional units, they could be rented, right? Mr. Snow: Yes, they could be rented if the property is homestead. Commissioner Reyes: It is not the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) flat that we have been talking about all the time, right? Chair King: But only if the property is a homestead property. Commissioner Reyes: And what happens when that property is sold? I just want to know. Chair King: What happens when the property is sold? Commissioner Reyes: If the property is sold and the person that buys the property, doesn't want it, is not going to homestead it, but he already has the unit and the house or whatever; and the building. Mr. Snow: Right, so that's an enforcement issue. So, if the new buyer is not willing to homestead the property, they're not eligible to rent that out as a separate unit. You know, the -- Commissioner Reyes: Who 's going to police that, sir? Who's going to police that? Mr. Snow: The compliance office would be responsible for that. Commissioner Reyes: You sure? Because, you see, one question that I had for a long time is who is policing all the apartments that have been, I would say that have been profit to the city in exchange for additional units or additional density, and those apartments, they're supposed to be 80 percent or 60 percent AMI (Area Median Income). Who's policing that? Chair King: So, that's a valid concern, I think though, but the neighbors would -- the neighbors could report it. I brought this -- Commissioner Reyes: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Chair King: Right, but I brought this forward because I had a constituent come to me who would like to build an ADUfor her daughter, who is -- she's a president of a non profit, she's not making a lot of money. She's making a decent salary, City of Miami Page 140 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 but not enough to buy a home in Miami in this housing crisis that we have. It was not intended or not my intent for it to be some kind of boon for people to go tear down their home, build duplexes or anything like that. It's not that. 1t was 50 additional feet and all of the other safeguards that Director Snow talked about so that she could build this accessory dwelling unit for her daughter and her grandson, that they could -- a decent space for them to live. It's not -- it's 800 feet. It's not, you know -- Commissioner Reyes.. Madam Chair -- Chair King: -- a huge, huge space. Commissioner Reyes: Madam Chair, I agree with you. I think it's an excellent idea. But this is not limited to family members, that you can rent it to a family member. You can rent it to anybody. And also, another question that 1 have is if a person wants to divide their homes, and has a T3, he wants to divide it, according to this, they can do it. Chair King: So, that wasn't my intent either, to divide a home. Director Snow, does it allow to -- Commissioner Reyes: That's what I want, clarification. Chair King: -- to divide a home? Commissioner Reyes: And also -- Mr. Snow: So, we -- part of this legislation -- Commissioner Reyes: I think the idea is great, as long as we keep it in -- I mean, we have the reins of it, you see, because if not, knowing my people, I know that it's going to be a free-for-all in some areas. Mr. Snow: So, Commissioner, also part of this legislation is that we've cleaned up our definition of what an ancillary dwelling unit is, you know, also the other structures that would be related. So, a single family structure, so that we understand the distinction between the two, so it's clear. We don't have that clarification today. So, from an enforcement perspective, it makes the enforcement officers' lives much easier. Commissioner Pardo: And you can't have like an Airbnb and stuff like that? Mr. Snow: Well, so this legislation does not promote the Airbnb. That may be a state thing that the City Attorney's Office may want to talk about, but this does not create a mechanism for Airbnb for ADUs. Commissioner Reyes: And it doesn't prevent it either. Mr. Snow: So, you can rent it out. Like there's no restriction for 30 days. As far as short-term versus long-term, we don't specify that here. Chair King: It has to be a homestead property though. Commissioner Pardo: Right, but they could still rent out the ancillary -- Mr. Snow: So -- City of Miami Page 141 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Chair King: You can rent it out, but it has to he your homestead property. Mr. Snow: Right. Right. You know, the other side with the conversation regarding Airbnbs is that, you know, these are very small units. So, they're not going to create the problem, an Airbnb problem like you have with the larger houses, the party houses, right? You know, you may have somebody that's renting it for the weekend, one person or a couple, right? But in any case, you know, the short- term conversation, you know, it's very specific to just rental only. Commissioner Reyes: I don't have anything against the idea. 1 think it's a wonderful idea that could help a lot of retirees that they are now struggling with their taxes and all the insurance, home insurance and all of that. Yes, it could be very helpful for them. But I think that we have to really, really constraint them and define what uses and how they're going to -- if the property is sold, how are we going to treat it? Because if we are now treating only the homesteaded properties, if that property is sold and the person doesn't want to homestead it, it still will have -- be able to rent it, the additional unit or the auxiliary unit and nothing happens. And that's -- those were the questions, Madam Chair. I don't want you to think that I want to rain in your parade. But those are the kind of questions that I ask, and I never got any answer about it. And that's why I feel like this. I think that it is a great idea, but it has to be constrained. Chair King: So, did they answer your questions appropriately? Have your questions been answered? Commissioner Reyes: No, ma'am. Mr. Snow: Sony, Commissioner, as far as the question regarding the rental aspect, is that the question that you have? Chair King: Would you --? Commissioner, would you like staff to meet with you during the break to talk about this and we can take it up after the break? Commissioner Reyes: Ma'am, if you want to take the votes now, if you have the vote, fantastic. But I'm here expressing my concerns. Chair King: Okay. So, I have a motion. Commissioner Reyes: If you want to take the vote, fantastic. Mr. Snow: Madam Chair, sorry. Just as a point of clarification on the size aspect. Today ADUs are 450 square feet. We're adding a maximum allowance of 800, but it's based on a percentage of your lot. Most of our single-family lots in the city of Miami are 5,000 square feet; 10 percent of that would get you 500 square feet. So, that's -- majority of these would be about 500 square feet in size. So, I just wanted to clarify that. Chair King: Up to the max of 800. Mr. Snow: Correct. Chair King: It can't go over 800. Mr. Snow: Correct. So, if have a larger lot, you could do 800. Commissioner Reyes: Listen, in Flagami, for example, it will be just like if you have an addition because most of those houses, they have a -- not by renting the City of Miami Page 142 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 part of the house, but you would be able to do it, 500 or 400, and be able to rent it. And that's something that is true, you know. Most of the houses there, they have efficiencies. And efficiencies, they've been used to subsidize the rents and subsidize the mortgages. Commissioner Gabela: Okay, so, you know, look, I'm going to be voting, I think we should defer, is what I think, until he, until the Commissioner, Commissioner Reyes has more information. So, you know, that's what 1 think. My two cents. Chair King: Want to defer it? Commissioner Gabela: Yeah. Chair King: It's fine with me. Commissioner Gabela: Is that okay with you? Chair King: That's fine with me. So, may I have a motion to defer? Commissioner Gabela: Motion. Chair King: All in -- Commissioner Reyes: Second. Chair King: Okay. All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair King: Item will be deferred until the February 27th meeting. Commissioner Reyes: Madam Chair, 1 am requesting a meeting with the Planning Department and try, to answer the questions that I have. I like the idea. I like the idea and I know that it's going to help a lot of people, particularly elders that they have -- (UNINTELLIGIBLE). They are in fixed income, and they're struggling to pay the taxes and the insurance, if they can get insurance. Chair King: Okay. You had a question on PZ. 6? Commissioner Reyes: Okay, thank you. Thank you, Mr. Gabela. Chair King: Thank you. Commissioner Gabela: Thank you, Commissioner. City of Miami Page 143 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 PZ.5 ORDINANCE First Reading 16955 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"), BY AMENDING ARTICLE 7, SECTION 7.2, TITLED "NONCONFORMITIES: STRUCTURES; USES; LOTS; SITE IMPROVEMENTS; AND SIGNS," TO PROVIDE FOR REESTABLISHMENT OF SPECIFIC -PURPOSE DESIGNED STRUCTURES THAT ARE LOCALLY DESIGNATED HISTORIC SITES OR CONTRIBUTING STRUCTURES IN A HISTORIC DISTRICT FOR THE USES IN WHICH THEY WERE DESIGNED BY WARRANT AND FOR REESTABLISHMENT OF SPECIFIC -PURPOSE DESIGNED STRUCTURES THAT ARE 50 YEARS OLD OR OLDER BY PROCESS OF EXCEPTION; 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, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes ABSENT: Carollo Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PZ.5, please see Item PZ.1. PZ.6 ORDINANCE First Reading 17025 Commissioners and Mayor - PZ AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, BY AMENDING ARTICLE 5, TITLED "SPECIFIC TO ZONES," TO ALLOW INCREASED HEIGHT FOR SOLID WOODEN FENCES IN THE FIRST LAYER FOR PROPERTIES IN THE "T3," SUB -URBAN TRANSECT ZONE; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MOTION TO: Defer RESULT: DEFERRED MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner SECONDER: Christine King, Commissioner AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes Note for the Record: Item PZ.6 was deferred to the February 27, 2025, City Commission Meeting. Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item PZ.6, please see Item PZ.1. Chair King: What about PZ. 6? You pulled PZ.6 for discussion. Commissioner Gabela: You know, I'm actually against PZ.6 because I think you guys recommended the denial. City of Miami Page 144 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Commissioner Pardo: They recommended denial. I think we're all against it. Chair King: Okay. Commissioner Reyes: Yeah, I agree with -- Chair King: Okay. Commissioner Reyes: -- Commissioner Gabela. And I don't know how police feel about this. 1 have heard that the police department, they have an issue with it. Chair King: So -- Commissioner Reyes: The issue is that they don't have a clear view -- Chair King: Well, PZ.6 is sponsored by -- Commissioner Reyes: -- of the frontage of the house. Chair King: PZ.6 is sponsored by -- Commissioner Reyes: I am going to join my -- Chair King: Commissioner Reyes, Commissioner Reyes. Commissioner Reyes: -- with Commissioner Gabela. I'm going to vote against. Chair King: Commissioner; PZ.6 is sponsored by Commissioner Carollo, so we'll just wait until after lunch to take that -- Commissioner Reyes: Okay, that's fine. Chair King: -- when he comes back. Okay, so at this time, I'm going to recess the City of Miami Commission meeting for February 23, 2025 until 2:30. Commissioner Gabela: Okay, can I just say -- Chair King: Absolutely. Commissioner Gabela: So, I'd like to thank you, Commissioner Reyes, fbr making the effort to attend. And 1'd also like to thank Commissioner Pardo for making the extra effort to attend with the problem he has with, you know, his leg. Commissioner Pardo: Thank you. Commissioner Gabela: And I hope we can take all this up. Chair King: Okay. Commissioner Reyes: Thank you, Commissioner. And I don't have -- I mean, I want to tell you that I haven't been there in person because I was on a strict order from my doctor to try to stay away given the epidemic of flu and all the other respiratory diseases that I stay away from crowds and just for a little while. Chair King: That's good, smart advice. See you back at 2: 30. Commissioner Reyes: Thank you. Thank you. City of Miami Page 145 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 PZ.7 15466 Office of Zoning [Later...] Chair King: Commissioner, we have PZ.6 is -- you were sponsoring that, PZ.6. We didn't take it up before lunch because you weren't here. Vice Chair Carollo: Chairman, if we could defer that for the next meeting. Chair King: Okay. Chair King: Can I have a motion to defer? Commissioner Gabela: Motion. Vice Chair Carollo: Move. Chair King: Second. All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair King: It's deferred until February 27th. RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION GRANTING / DENYING THE APPEAL FILED BY THE CITY OF MIAMI'S ZONING DEPARTMENT REVERSING /AFFIRMING THE PLANNING ZONING AND APPEALS BOARD'S DECISION AS SET FORTH IN RESOLUTION NO. PZAB-R-23-117 REVERSING THE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR'S REVOCATION OF A CERTIFICATE OF USE PURSUANT TO SECTION 2-211 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE") AND SECTION 7.1.2.1 OF ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("MIAMI 21 CODE"), FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 5830 NORTHWEST 12 AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA ("PROPERTY"), AND REVERSING / UPHOLDING THE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR'S REVOCATION OF THE CERTIFICATE OF USE NO. 1402000285 FOR THE PROPERTY; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MOTION TO: Defer RESULT: DEFERRED MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes Note for the Record: Item PZ.7 was deferred to the July 24, 2025, City Commission Meeting. Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item PZ.7, please see "Order of the Day." END OF PLANNING AND ZONING ITEM(S) City of Miami Page 146 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 FL.1 17023 Department of Planning FL - FUTURE LEGISLATION ORDINANCE 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 APPENDIX P - WYNWOOD NORTE NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION DISTRICT 2 ("NRD- 2"), BY AMENDING SECTION 2, TITLED "PURPOSE AND INTENT," TO REPLACE THE T4 DEMOLITION BOND REQUIREMENTS WITH A NEW PROCESS, BY AMENDING SECTION 4, TITLED "STANDARDS AND TABLES," TO CLARIFY PARKING AND LOADING REQUIREMENTS, AND BY AMENDING SECTION 5, TITLED "SPECIFIC TO ZONES," TO UPDATE DESIGN STANDARDS RELATING TO LOT COVERAGE, BALCONIES, FLOORPLATES, MINIMUM BUILDING HEIGHT, CROSS -BLOCK PASSAGES, AND ARCHITECTURAL REQUIREMENTS; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. rRESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN END OF FUTURE LEGISLATION City of Miami Page 147 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 NA.1 17256 City Commission NA - NON -AGENDA ITEM(S) RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION URGING PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP AND THE UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY TO MAINTAIN TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS (TPS) DESIGNATIONS FOR LAW-ABIDING NATIONALS OF CERTAIN COUNTRIES; CALLING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF CONDITIONS IN TPS- DESIGNATED NATIONS BEFORE ANY POLICY CHANGES; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A CERTIFIED COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO CERTAIN OFFICIALS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0044 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes ABSENT: Carollo Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item NA.1, please see "Order of the Day" and "Public Comment For Allltem(s)." Chair King: Mr. City Attorney, would you please read for the record the PZ (Planning and Zoning) items? Commissioner Reyes: Madam Chair? Chair King: Yes, sir. Commissioner Reyes: Can we do also the pocket items? Chair King: Are there any pocket --? Okay, we can. Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): PL1 through PI.4. Chair King: May I have a motion for PL 1 through PL 4? Commissioner Pardo: So moved. Chair King: I have a motion. Commissioner Reyes: Second. Commissioner Gabela: Sorry, PZ or --? Chair King: PI, the pocket items. Commissioner Gabela: Oh, pocket items. Chair King: I have a motion. Second? City of Miami Page 148 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 NA.2 17258 City Commission Commissioner Gabela: Second. Chair King: All in favor? The Commission (Collectively): Aye. Chair King: Pocket items passed. RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT ("AGREEMENT"), IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") AND MARIA M. HERNANDEZ AND TERESITA HERNANDEZ, AS TRUSTEES OF THE JOSE R. HERNANDEZ, FAMILY TRUST, ("SELLER"), FOR THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY IDENTIFIED AS FOLIO NUMBER(S) 01-4103-014-0010 AND 01-4103-014-0020, LOCATED AT 1702 AND 1714 W FLAGLER STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA (COLLECTIVELY "PROPERTY"), FOR A PURCHASE PRICE OF FIVE MILLION DOLLARS ($5,000,000.00); FURTHE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING AMENDMENTS AND MODIFICATIONS TO SAID AGREEMENT, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE SAID ACQUISITION; FUNDING FOR THE ACQUISITION SHALL NOT EXCEED FIVE MILLION ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($5,175,000.00) WITH FUNDS BEING ALLOCATED, APPROPRIATED, AND AWARDED FROM THE MIAMI FOR EVERYONE PROGRAM FUNDS AND A NEW DISTRICT 3 PARK ENHANCEMENTS AND EXPANSION CAPITAL PROJECT NUMBER 40- B253502 IN A COMBINED TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED FIVE MILLION ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($5,175,000.00), TO COVER THE COST OF SAID ACQUISITION, INCLUSIVE OF THE COST OF SURVEYS, ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTS, TITLE INSURANCE, DEMOLITION, SECURING THE PROPERTY, PROJECT SIGNAGE AND ALL RELATED CLOSING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID ACQUISITION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE AGREEMENT; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO MAKE ANY CHANGES TO ADJUST, AMEND, AND APPROPRIATE THE CITY'S OPERATING BUDGET, FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN, STRATEGIC PLAN, AND MULTI -YEAR CAPITAL PLAN, AS NECESSARY AND APPLICABLE, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS RESOLUTION; AUTHORIZING, RATIFYING, APPROVING, AND CONFIRMING CERTAIN NECESSARY ACTIONS BY THE CITY MANAGER AND THE DESIGNATED CITY DEPARTMENTS TO UPDATE THE RELEVANT FINANCIAL CONTROLS, PROJECT CLOSE-OUTS, ACCOUNTING ENTRIES, AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS IN CONNECTION HEREWITH. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0047 City of Miami Page 149 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 NA.3 17257 Office of the City Clerk MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes ABSENT: Carollo Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item NA.2, please see "Order of the Day" and Item NA.1. RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION URGING PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP AND THE UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY TO MAINTAIN TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS (TPS) DESIGNATIONS FOR LAW-ABIDING NATIONALS OF CERTAIN COUNTRIES; CALLING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF CONDITIONS IN TPS- DESIGNATED NATIONS BEFORE ANY POLICY CHANGES; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A CERTIFIED COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO CERTAIN OFFICIALS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0045 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes ABSENT: Carollo Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item NA.3, please see "Order of the Day," "Public Comment For All Item(s)," and Item NA.1. City of Miami Page 150 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 NA.4 17259 City Commission RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), PURSUANT TO SECTION 29-B(C) OF THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A GRANT OF EASEMENT ("EASEMENT"), IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, TO THE FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT COMPANY, A FLORIDA PROFIT CORPORATION, FOR A PERPETUAL, NONEXCLUSIVE EASEMENT TO ONE (1) AREA CONTAINING A TOTAL SIZE OF APPROXIMATELY ONE HUNDRED (100) SQUARE FEET ("EASEMENT AREA") OF CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") OWNED PROPERTY LOCATED AT 7121 SOUTHWEST 3RD STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA (FOLIO NO. 01-4002-004-0350) ("PROPERTY"), AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION, AND MAINTENANCE OF UNDERGROUND ELECTRIC UTILITY FACILITIES, INCLUDING CABLES, CONDUITS, APPURTENANT EQUIPMENT, AND APPURTENANT ABOVE GROUND EQUIPMENT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE EASEMENT, WITH THE RIGHT TO RECONSTRUCT, IMPROVE, AND REMOVE ALL OR ANY OF THE FACILITIES WITHIN SAID EASEMENT AREA LOCATED AT THE PROPERTY. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0046 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Reyes ABSENT: Carollo Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item NA.4, please see "Order of the Day" and Item NA.1. City of Miami Page 151 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 NA.5 17254 Office of the City Clerk DISCUSSION ITEM UNDER THE PARAMETERS OF SECTION 286.011(8), FLORIDA STATUTES, A PRIVATE ATTORNEY -CLIENT SESSION WILL BE CONDUCTED AT THE FEBRUARY 27, 2025, MIAMI CITY COMMISSION MEETING. THE PERSON CHAIRING THE CITY COMMISSION MEETING WILL ANNOUNCE THE COMMENCEMENT OF AN ATTORNEY -CLIENT SESSION, CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC, FOR PURPOSES OF DISCUSSING THE PENDING LITIGATION IN THE MATTER OF WILLIAM O. FULLER, MARTIN PINILLA, II, THE BARLINGTON GROUP, LLC, CALLE OCHO MARKETPLACE, LLC, YO AMO CALLE SIETE, LLC, LITTLE HAVANA ARTS BUILDING, LLC, LITTLE HAVANA ARTS BUILDING TOO, LLC, TOWER HOTEL, LLC, BRICKELL STATION, LLC, PIEDRA VILLAS, LLC, FUTURAMA, LLC, EL SHOPPING, LLC, BEATSTIK, LLC, VIERNES CULTURALES/CULTURAL FRIDAYS, INC., LITTLE HAVANA BUNGALOWS, LLC, AND LHAB TREST, LLC V. CITY OF MIAMI, JOE CAROLLO, IN HIS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, ARTHUR NORIEGA, IN HIS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, VICTORIA MENDEZ, IN HER INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, RACHEL DOOLEY, IN HER INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, ASAEL MARRERO, IN HIS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, DANIEL S. GOLDBERG, IN HIS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, WILLIAM ORTIZ, IN HIS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, LUIS TORRES, IN HIS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, ADRIAN PLASENCIA, IN HIS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, RENE DIAZ, IN HIS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, IVONNE BAYONA, IN HER INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, JOHN DOES 1-20, CASE NO. 23-CV-24251-RAR, PENDING IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT, SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA, TO WHICH THE CITY IS PRESENTLY A PARTY. THE SUBJECT OF THE MEETING WILL BE CONFINED TO SETTLEMENT NEGOTIATIONS OR STRATEGY SESSIONS RELATED TO LITIGATION EXPENDITURES. THIS PRIVATE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT APPROXIMATELY 10:00 A.M. (OR AS SOON THEREAFTER AS THE COMMISSIONERS' SCHEDULES PERMIT) AND CONCLUDE APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR LATER. THE SESSION WILL BE ATTENDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COMMISSION, WHICH INCLUDE CHAIRWOMAN CHRISTINE KING, COMMISSIONERS MIGUEL ANGEL GABELA, DAMIAN PARDO, AND MANOLO REYES; THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, LARRY M. SPRING, JR.; CITY ATTORNEY GEORGE K. WYSONG III, CHIEF DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY JOHN A. GRECO; DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY KEVIN R. JONES, ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY SUPERVISOR ERIC J. EVES, ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY MARGUERITE SNYDER; AND OUTSIDE COUNSEL RAQUEL A. RODRIGUEZ ESQ., ANGEL CORTINAS, ESQ., AND JONATHAN KASKEL, ESQ. A CERTIFIED COURT REPORTER WILL BE PRESENT TO ENSURE THAT THIS SESSION IS FULLY TRANSCRIBED AND THE TRANSCRIPT WILL BE MADE PUBLIC UPON THE CONCLUSION OF THE LITIGATION. AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE ATTORNEY -CLIENT SESSION, THE REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING WILL BE REOPENED AND THE PERSON CHAIRING THE COMMISSION MEETING WILL ANNOUNCE THE TERMINATION OF THE ATTORNEY -CLIENT SESSION. RESULT: DISCUSSED City of Miami Page 152 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Chair King: So, we have 1, 4, and 6 has been pulled, and PZ.7 was deferred until Commissioner Reyes: Was deferred. Chair King: Okay, future legislation. Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): It 's only on there for notification purposes. Chair King: So, we have said future legislation is only there for notification purposes. It is now -- George Wysong (City Attorney): Madam Chair? Chair King: Um-hmm. Mr. Wysong: Unfortunately, I have a script. We're moving the attorney -client session to the next meeting, so I have to read the script for that. Chair King: Okay, could you read your script, please? Mr. Wysong: Thank you so much. Madam Chairwoman and members of the City Commission, pursuant to the provisions of Section 286.011(8) Florida Statutes, I am requesting that, at the City Commission meeting of February 27, 2025, an attorney -client session closed to the public be held for purposes of discussing the pending litigation in the matter of William O. Fuller, Martin Pena, II, the Barlington Group, LLC (Limited Liability Company), Calle Ocho Marketplace, LLC, Yo Amo Calle Siete, LLC, Little Havana Arts Building, LLC, Little Havana Arts Building 2, LLC, Tower Hotel, LLC, Brickell Station, LLC, Piedra Villas, LLC, Futurama, LLC, El Shopping, LLC, Beatstik, LLC, Viernes Culturales, Cultural Fridays, Inc., Little Havana Bungalows, LLC, and LHAB Trust, LLC versus City of Miami, Joe Carollo, in his individual capacity, Arthur Noriega, in his individual capacity, Victoria Mendez, in her individual capacity, Rachel Dooley, in her individual capacity, Asael Marrero, in his individual capacity, Daniel S. Goldberg, in his individual capacity, William Ortiz, in his individual capacity, Luis Torres, in his individual capacity, Adrian Plasencia, in his individual capacity, Rene Diaz, in his individual capacity, Yvonne Bayona, in her individual capacity, John Does 1-20, Case Number 23-CB24251RAR, pending in the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida, to which the City is presently a party. Subject of the meeting will be confined to settlement negotiations or strategy sessions related to litigation expenditures. This private meeting will begin at approximately 10 a.m. or soon thereafter as the commissioners' schedule permit and conclude approximately one hour later. The session will be attended by the members of the City Commission, which include Chairwoman Christine King, Commissioners Miguel Angel Gabela, Damian Pardo, and Manolo Reyes, the Chief Financial Officer, Larry M. Spring, Jr., City Attorney George K. Wysong, III, Chief Deputy City Attorney John Greco, Deputy City Attorney Kevin R. Jones, Assistant City Attorney Supervisor Eric Eaves, Assistant City Attorney Marguerite Snyder, and outside counsel Raquel A. Rodriguez, Esquire, Angel Cortinez, Esquire, and Jonathan Caskill, Esquire. A certified court reporter will be present to ensure that the session is fully transcribed and the transcript will be made public upon the conclusion of the litigation. At the conclusion of the attorney -client session, the regular commission meeting will be reopened and the person chairing the commission meeting will announce the termination of the attorney -client session. Thank you, Madam Chair. City of Miami Page 153 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 NA.6 17253 Office of the City Clerk Chair King: Thank you. RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPOINTING COMMISSIONER MIGUEL ANGEL GABELA AS CHAIRPERSON OF THE BAYFRONT PARK MANAGEMENT TRUST. ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0041 MOTION TO: Adopt RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner AYES: Gabela, Pardo, Reyes NAYS: King, Carollo Commissioner Gabela: Should we call the question? Chair King: Vice Chair? Vice Chair Carollo: Let Mr. Pardo speak. Chair King: Commissioner Pardo? Commissioner Pardo: I also want to add that I'm not opposed to the projects that you've been working on or where you've been successful. But District 2 represents the residents that are complaining and that don't seem to come to any resolution. If I were to say there was one problem at Bayfront Park Trust, its that. The division between the Trust and the residents. Commissioner Gabela has shown an ability to listen and to act based on the information he's getting. That would be very important to me, and I would certainly support you in that role. Probably the biggest thing I had the problem with were the audited statements, the last two sets of audited statements. I mentioned that here on the dais previously. They both had two deficiencies that I consider, as a financial person, very important. One was the inability to reconcile your bank statement, and the other one was the inability to be able to prove who was approving disbursements. That's huge when you're talking about cash that is 10, $16 million, $18 million in cash. So, we actually had the conversation with the auditors in our office and the auditors said, listen, all good points, we haven't been able to clear those deficiencies, but there's been a constant turnover in executive directors. And I think, you know, just given the constant turnover, given the issues that are already happening, given the way the residents feel in this district, our office does not stop dealing with this issue. And I've met it -- said it on the dais before, nothing goes away. You know, you said, oh, with the gym equipment, this is all going to go away. No, no, it didn't go away. A new one came in, or a list of them came in. So, I mean, I'm in agreement with my, colleagues and I would move to have Commissioner Gabela to chair the Bayfront Park Trust. Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Is that a motion? Commissioner Pardo: That's a motion. Vice Chair Carollo: Hold on -- Commissioner Gabela: Second. City of Miami Page 154 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Vice Chair Carollo: -- (UNINTELLIGIBLE)1 do have a right to speak, correct? Commissioner Gabela: Yes, you do. Chair King: Absolutely. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Chair King: I have a motion and a second and Commissioner Carollo is going to speak now. Vice Chair Carollo: If you could hold on for a minute. (COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD) Vice Chair Carollo: Is Larry Spring here? Larry Spring: Yes, Larry Spring, Chief Financial Officer. Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, let me begin by having you answer one area that I do want to focus on. The financial statements from Bayfront Park, how many times do they get audited and by whom? Mr. Spring: The Bayfront Park Management Trust gets audited annually. They get a financial audit annually every year. Vice Chair Carollo: The park itself gets a financial audit every year. Mr. Spring: Yes. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, and then once we give it to the City, does it get another financial audit? Mr. Spring: It is incorporated into the City's financial statement audit as well. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. So -- Mr. Spring: So that -- Vice Chair Carollo: -- once it gets to the City, I am correct in saying that incorporated -- Mr. Spring: It's incorporated, yes. Vice Chair Carollo: -- it gets a second financial audit. And this is what -- Mr. Spring: Well, let me, can I make a very -- Vice Chair Carollo: Yes. Mr. Spring: -- nuanced point? It is incorporated into the City's financial statement audit, and our audit, the City's financial statement auditor, relies on the opinion provided by the Bayfront Management Trust audit. But they still sign both collectively. Vice Chair Carollo: Right. City of Miami Page 155 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Mr. Spring: Yes. Vice Chair Carollo: But nevertheless, Bayfront Park is audited before it gets to the City, and then you have an overall audit based on that. Mr. Spring: Sign off: Yes. Yes. Vice Chair Carollo: And if there would be any questions on the Bayfront Park audit, the City's auditor would certainly ask them. Mr. Spring: They would ask again, yes. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. This was an email sent from Jose Suarez on November 25th to my chief of staff to be given to me that, according to him, had been sent to Commissioner Pardo, in answering Commissioner Pardo's questions back in the October meeting. And it says, deficiencies in 2022 and 2023 financial statements found in journal entries in bank reconciliation. These are merely issues that should be improved upon and not a finding of wrongdoing, et cetera. Based upon what you have seen from the Bayfront Park Trust, is this an accurate statement or not? Mr. Spring: Well, having read the opinion of the auditors, they have identified, I'll call them mistakes, or -- Commissioner Pardo: Serious deficiencies. Mr. Spring: Well -- Vice Chair Carollo: All minor, not what he's trying to make it that there was all this stuff there. Mr. Spring: I71 answer. 171 answer both. They've identified process and issues that they've denoted in the management letter comments as things that need to be addressed, but they did not rise to the level that it required the auditors to issue a modified opinion, which means the financial statements that are attached to that opinion are -- fairly present the financial position of the Bayfr•ont Management Trust. So, it's what is denoted as a clean audit. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, Mr. Spring: But with a clean audit, you can still have management letter comments, say, clean this process up, reconsider doing this, et cetera, et cetera. Vice Chair Carollo: So, then Mr. Suarez was correct in what he wrote on November 25th, unlike what you read in the lawsuit, that there was no finding of wrongdoing by the auditors. Mr. Spring: That is technically correct. Vice Chair Carollo: Now, let me go back. Gentlemen, I have no illusion of reality. I've always been a realist. And if something that I do know is how to count, and I've always counted, even before I came into this meeting today. One of the worst things in life is to succeed so much that you have to be killed at the end for succeeding so much. Envy is one of the worst things that a human being could have, because it eats you up from the inside. But at the same time, I ask this, other boards, don't they have the same criteria that before someone ends the City of Miami Page 156 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 board, they should be gracious enough to leave beforehand to try to help someone else ahead, like 1 stated, that I would be willing to do coming this year. Now, 1 hear all of a sudden: scandals, black eyes, everything else. The worst, lowest accusations that could be launched against individuals, have been launched against myself and my wife, in her case because she's married to me, and she volunteers for the City. In my case, because they haven't been able to beat me in two elections and a recall, and they're frustrated every time they go at me. And I made it clear that I wasn't going to bow down and roll over and give any bar owners tens of millions of dollars for the latest of the same type of lawsuits that they have against the City. Commissioner Gabela. Commissioner Gabela: Yes, sir. Vice Chair Carollo: What no one has asked me is, before you went to the radio, before you went to the Herald and made some pretty strong statements against a guy that was really your biggest supporter here and Allapattah's biggest supporter, and you went blasting without coming to this board to see what my intentions were. Commissioner Gabela: But you made it clear, you weren't stepping down. Vice Chair Carollo: I'm a man of my words. But you should also be a man of your word. On the last commission meeting that we had, when you already knew this lawsuit, it had been filed two days before, they had a press conference before we came to this meeting. They had the same characters that you have here come and talk about it and scream at me about it here. Mr. Pardo, if you want to say something to Commissioner Gabela, please say it in the mic. Commissioner Gabela: He's saying call the question. You know what? I'm going to say call the question too. Lets call the question. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, so -- Chair King: No. No. Vice Chair Carollo: -- you want to have a kangaroo -- Chair King: 1 allow -- (MULTIPLE PARTIES SPEAKING IN UNISON) Chair King: Stop it. Stop it. Stop it. Commissioner Gabela: But you're getting into stuff -- Chair King: I allow everybody -- Vice Chair Carollo: You want to have a kangaroo here. Chair King: Commissioner, don't raise (MULTIPLE PARTIES SPEAKING IN UNISON) Vice Chair Carollo: You scared to hear the truth? Commissioner Gabela: No, yeah, go ahead. City of Miami Page 157 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Chair King: Commissioner, don't -- you don't have to raise your voice. Commissioner Gabela: Did 1 interrupt you? I didn't interrupt you. Chair King: But you're interrupting him now. Allow him to speak. I allowed you to speak. Commissioner Gabela: But I have -- I have the right -- (MULTIPLE PARTIES SPEAKING IN UNISON) Commissioner Gabela: -- to call the question. Chair King: You have -- Commissioner Gabela: I have the right to call the question per Robert's Rules. Chair King: When he finishes. When he finishes. Commissioner Gabela: Okay. Chair King: When he finishes. Commissioner Gabela: Let him finish. Chair King: Go ahead. Okay. Commissioner Gabela: I'm not scared of what -- what he's about to say. Chair King: Listen. Commissioner Gabela: He can finish all day long. Chair King: Stop. Stop. Stop. Stop. Commissioner Gabela: Keep going. Chair King: Stop. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Chair King: When he finishes, you can call the question. Commissioner Gabela: No, when he finishes, I'm going to answer to what he's saying and then I'll call the question. Chair King: You can -- Vice Chair Carollo: Let -- Chair King: You can -- Vice Chair Carollo: That's fine. Chair King: -- respond to what he says when he finishes. Commissioner Gabela: Absolutely. City of Miami Page 158 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Chair King: But let's all -- Commissioner Gabela: Nobody is (UNINTELLIGIBLE) -- Chair King: -- we don't have to raise our voices, and we don't have to talk over each other. Commissioner Gabela: Okay. Chair King: He was speaking, let him -- allow -- I allowed you to speak, let him finish, and then I believe Commissioner Pardo wanted to say something. No, you're finished. Okay. All right. Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you, Chairwoman. If I'm going to be thrown to the dirt for so-called colleagues who try, to humiliate me for only giving my best and everything that I have to this city and to this trust, then I better be given the right to answer. Commissioner Gabela. Commissioner Gabela: Yes, sir. Vice Chair Carollo: I had every intention; this is why I made sure that the fountain will be done by the end of the year. This is why I made sure that we would have the best New Year's Eve celebration that we could possibly have. I had every intention to do what I said that I was going to do. However, it was you that was here, and Mr. Pardo by Zoom, that voted with the other two that were here, one of them being myself, to bring all the boards to the March 13th meeting. You voted for that. I took you on your word Commissioner Gabela. Commissioner Gabela: And you know, and I reconsidered, like I have the right to do, like you accused him one day when he wasn't here for the referendum -- Vice Chair Carollo: Listen, I'm speaking now. Chair King: Don't -- don't -- Commissioner Gabela: And I'm answering because -- Chair King: No, when he finishes -- Vice Chair Carollo: No. Answer when I'm done, sir. Chair King: Please stop screaming at each other. Commissioner Gabela: I'm not screaming. I'm not screaming. I am not screaming, for the record. Chair King: Let him finish. But let him finish. Commissioner Gabela: No, but he's going to say 10 things -- Chair King: When he finishes -- when he finishes -- Commissioner Gabela: Can I just say, he's going to say 10 things at me and then I've got to write them down -- Vice Chair Carollo: No, but listen -- City of Miami Page 159 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Chair King: Okay, okay -- Vice Chair Carollo: -- these guys -- (MULTIPLE PARTIES SPEAKING IN UNISON) Commissioner Gabela: Are you screaming? Vice Chair Carollo: -- they want to have their cake and eat it too. Chair King: Lower your voice. Commissioner Gabela: Are you screaming? Vice Chair Carollo: No. Chair King: You know what? Commissioner Gabela: See who's screaming? Chair King: I have to go to the bathroom. The meeting is in recess. [Later...] Chair King: -- resumed. Commissioner Carollo, I think you were speaking. Vice Chair Carollo: (INAUDIBLE), Madam Chair. I hope that (INAUDIBLE) have some rules here. I said I hope that we still have some rules here that people have a right to defend themselves. Let's get to the bottom line of how all this scandal, this black eyes started. It didn't bother Mr. Pardo nor Mr. Gabela when they voted at the last meeting to bring this all hack to March 13th, where I would have gladly said at that meeting that I didn't want Bavfront Park again, that I want to be taken out of being the acting chairman of Midtown, like I had said before, there was an entail that was sent by the assistant to Commissioner Pardo directly to the police chief. Not to the manager, like the Charter would say, but to the police chief where the subject was a case number that he had already, and he could have only had it in two ways. Either someone in the police department would have given it to him, but that didn't happen because I asked for a public records request of everyone that had gone through a police computer to have searched for that case number, and nobody did. So, it was clear that that could have only come either directly or indirectly from Mr. Jose Suarez. The email was asking for a copy of the report and additional information as to what happened. Soon after, there was a second, after several other emails, there was an additional email from Mr. McKnight to the police chief again, saying: `Per the Commissioner's request, we would like to call for a formal investigation." Would like to call. That, in the English language, means, I want you, as close as you can get to ordering, without saying I'm ordering an investigation "through Internal Affairs of the reference case and inventory of all materials held in property. We have received complaints and questions regarding potential malfeasance and nefarious activities surrounding the city board entry relating to the acquisition of these supplies." They're talking about medical supplies. Well, the Police Internal Affairs Unit, in their final report dated 12/12/24, stated that on October 22, '24, Sergeant Shirley August of the Internal Affair Section emailed Mr. McKnight to obtain a sworn audio recording statement to clarify the complaint. Mr. McKnight replied in the email on October 26, saying, two days later, our office received calls, and we have been told in person at community meetings by residents that City of Miami Page 160 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 have questions surrounding the Bayfront Park Trust acquisition of veterinary supplies. Mr. McKnight also replied with a list of questions that if the commissioner wanted to have the Internal Affairs asked of employees of the park. So not only were they calling and demanding the investigation, but they already had the questions written out for our police department. And this is all behind the city manager's back, going directly to the police chief. Again, on October 31st, 2024, Sergeant August again emailed Mr. McKnight to see his availability to obtain a sworn audio recorded statement of his complaint to no avail. He advised that he had no information in addition to the anonymous complaints received by the District 2 Office. This started when someone that Mr. Pardo was going to originally hire as chief of staff and had been in constant communications with him since he was hired by us, Mr. Suarez, called the police chief so that police officers could come to the Bayfront Park Trust, and they came at 8. 30 at night or so, after hours, to take medical supplies that had been left in a veterinarian truck that we, the Trust, had approved as a board, following all the criteria that the City had. The manager was aware of it. In fact, they sent someone from the motor pool to check it out. They sent a veterinarian to check the equipment out because it was just more than a veterinarian truck, it was a full truck to be able to operate. So that the citizens and residents of Miami that cannot afford to pay for vaccines, that cannot afford to pay for spaying or neutering their dogs or cats, could have a free service from the City through the Trust. The date that Mr. Suarez asked the police to come in, because he didn't feel comfortable with these medical supplies, and he claimed he had not gone through any of the boxes, so he didn't know what was in it, was April 30th. The report from that day states non- criminal information, meaning non -criminal report, and it says closed on that same day. This is only open because Mr. Pardo abused his power, abused his office, by doing what the Charter says he cannot do, going directly to the police chief, calling for an investigation of the Trust, and falsely claiming that he had anonymous people calling, people that went up to them in community meetings on this. The invoice here, when the pet mobile was bought, clearly states, not included in the sale were pharmaceuticals. Not included. The lady, the vet, that sold this to the Trust, had moved to Europe. She wasn't able to sell vet supplies that were within the truck, and she left them there. When the truck was driven to the Trust, we found them, an inventory was made of those supplies that proved even more that no one in the Trust, no employee, had any intent of any wrongdoing with any medication that was there. The final closeout report on December 12, '24, finishes by saying, Ms. Shelton, who works for the police department in the property room, stated she was present at the property room when this incident happened, when the property was destroyed, and recalled destroying a lot of items by hand. She stated a lot of items were veterinary equipment and that every item was destroyed one by one. She stated most of the items destroyed were new and included dog tags, needles, glass, and plastic vials. Ms. Shelton stated all the vials were discarded and not smashed because they were empty glass. She stated had any of the vials contained narcotics or liquid, the procedure would have been to contact her immediate supervisor, Mr. Dolehead [sic], and inform him of such. Ms. Shelton stated that she does not recall how many vials were discarded. However, reassure that all the vials were empty and did not include any liquid, did not include any liquid and/or narcotics. She stated every item in this incident was destroyed and it was documented in the system once the destruction was completed. On November 20, 2024, Sergeant Alexis Valdez emailed Ms. Stephanie De La Cruz and requested her to contact him. Ms. De La Cruz was the veterinarian that sold the vet mobile to the Trust. Ms. De La Cruz -- Chair King: Excuse me, Mr. Commissioner. I've been advised by the city attorney that some of what you're saying is part of litigation and they don't necessarily want us discussing that ongoing litigation. City of Miami Page 161 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Vice Chair Carollo: Well, this is public record that I'm reading from. Kevin Jones (Deputy City Attorney): I understand. Vice Chair Carollo: Ms. De La Cruz stated that no pharmaceuticals and no -- and/or medicine was included in the sale. She stated that she provided, within the vet mobile, several vials, however, reiterated, that all the vials were empty. The last sentence of the report states, no evidence of a crime or intent to commit a crime was discovered during this investigation. As such, this case is now closed and will be classified as an internal affairs information -only case. Now, I've gone through that area, but let me get to the bottom. And gentlemen, let me be very clear. You could get a pound of flesh today, but the laughing is not going to go for months and months like you think. And as I stated last year, as I've stated now, it was my full intent, everything that I did, was to finish with the trust at the end of last year. But it was these two gentlemen that voted here to bring everything up again on March 13. And then, immediately after that, Mr. Gabela goes on a radio program, goes to the Herald, trying to put my face into the dirt and to try to humiliate me. I took him at his word from March the 13th. Commissioner Gabela: I changed my mind. Call the question. Vice Chair Carollo: Now, let me get to the bottom line of why -- Commissioner Gabela: Call the question. Vice Chair Carollo: -- why Mr. Gabela is doing this. It's not for all the reasons that he said. He voted at the last meeting to bring it to March the 13. But his handlers got a hold of him right away and were the ones that told him what to do. Number one, the video cameras that we have here in the audience, behind the lady in the orange outfit, the gentleman that's looking down with the glasses, if you could put the cameras to him. This is Manuel Prieguez. Now, why would Mr. Manuel Prieguez be one of a handful of people who's here tonight, so late? Well, he's here to make sure that they go after me. And why does he want me out of the Trust? Well, here he represents, that he signed up in May 13 of the last year to be a lobbyist for a corporation called Loud and Live. For what? For the RFP (Request for Proposal) for the Miami Marine Stadium that will be coining in the near future. Manuel Prieguez: That is correct. Vice Chair Carollo: And what does this have to do with Bayfront Park? Well -- Mr. Prieguez: Nothing. Vice Chair Carollo: -- the -- oh, yeah, nothing. Mr. Prieguez: Nothing. Vice Chair Carollo: Well, I'm going to tell you, and you know well what it's going to do. This is why you got Mr. Gabela to move forward in this. Commissioner Gabela: Listen, my only -- Vice Chair Carollo: Loud and Live -- Commissioner Gabela: Listen, my, only -- City of Miami Page 162 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Vice Chair Carollo: Listen, let me finish. Commissioner Gabela: My only handler is my wife. Vice Chair Carollo: Let me finish. Chair King: Okay. Okay. Commissioner Gabela: That's who handles me. Vice Chair Carollo: You're not a tough guy. Commissioner Gabela: No, I'm not -- (MULTIPLE PARTIES SPEAKING IN UNISON) Vice Chair Carollo: Let me finish. Chair King: Hold on. Hold on. Commissioner Gabela: Listen, we've been at this for 12 minutes. Vice Chair Carollo: No, Commissioner Gabela: Call the question. Chair King: Hold on. Hold on. Vice Chair Carollo: All of you had a more time than I did. Chair King: Hold on. Hold on. Vice Chair Carollo: It's 3 on 1, so I get equal time and more. Commissioner Gabela: Point of order. You're raising your voice. I'm talking normally. Chair King: Thank you. Point of order. Commissioner Gabela: The only person that handles me is my wife, for the record, okay? Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah. Commissioner Gabela: And I'd like to call the question. Vice Chair Carollo: No, now listen -- (MULTIPLE PARTIES SPEAKING IN UNISON) Vice Chair Carollo: You keep interrupting, interrupting, interrupting me. Commissioner Gabela: I'm not interrupting you. I heard you for 12 minutes. Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, well -- City of Miami Page 163 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Chair King: Commissioner. Vice Chair Carollo: -- that's fine, then you're going to hear it the last part. Commissioner Pardo: It's been called. Chair King: Commissioner. Commissioner. Commissioner Gabela: Yes, ma'am? Chair King: Not -- I was speaking to him. I'm looking in this direction. Commissioner, two of the colleagues have called for question. The clerk -- Vice Chair Carollo: Chairman -- Chair King: Just let me finish. Vice Chair Carollo: Chairman. I need to finish this. Chair King: Let me finish what -- Vice Chair Carollo: Why are they so afraid of what I'm going to say? Chair King: I don't -- let me finish what I was going to say. The clerk has advised me that when members of the body have called for question, that I should be wrapping up. You've spoken, so we're going to let you wrap up what you have to say. I'm not stopping you from saying what you have to say, but there have been call for questions and it is appropriate for me to respond. Vice Chair Carollo: Then let me wrap up in a few minutes. Chair King: Go right -- go right ahead. Vice Chair Carollo: Okay? Chair King: Go ahead. Vice Chair Carollo: Loud and Live, through their representative, Tony Albelo, did the VIP (Very Important Person), the food, alcohol for the New Year's Eve fbr three years, and how much have they paid the Trust in three years? Zero. Not a penny. When 1 went to Mr. Suarez so he could ,finish what the previous executive director had started, in trying to collect from him, he was appalled. He went at them with the assistant attorney that we had there. They claim that they forgot, but they wanted to pay. And then finally, after three years, they were saying only $50,000, which Mr. Suarez felt like I did at the time anyway, that it wasn't enough, that we should take them out of being able to bid, be involved in anything with the City of Miami, because of what happened there. Three years they didn't pay. All of a sudden, it appears someone got a hold of Mr. Suarez, and he didn't want to talk about that anymore. Well, I'm going to tell you why. Because Mr. Prieguez wants Mr. Gabela there as chairman, so he could bring Loud and Live to run New Year's, to bring that Christmas Wonderland in Tropical Park, something like that, to Bayfront Park also, so they could push the firm that we have there handling concerts in the big concert area that we have there out, and that they can control all concerts, who goes in and out of Bayf ont Park. But beyond that, why did Mr. Suarez sue? Well, Mr. Suarez sued because they went and got a hold of him and offered Mr. Fuller and Mr. Pinilla's attorney. And what is Mr. Gabela going to do when he gets there? He's going to City of Miami Page 164 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 tell the insurance company that, hey, he wants this to be settled right away, so Suarez gets his money and so on, and we don't get to go to court and throw it out in this way. Commissioner Pardo: Are we wrapping up? Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah. Commissioner Gabela: Listen, listen. Chair King: Don't -- no -- no -- Vice Chair Carollo: And last but not least -- Commissioner Gabela: He's accusing me -- Chair King: Okay. I'm going to allow you -- (MULTIPLE PARTIES SPEAKING IN UNISON) Commissioner Gabela: How many times do I have to call the question? Chair King: I'm going to allow you to speak when he finishes. Commissioner Gabela: But when's he going to finish? Chair King: He said last but not least. Commissioner Gabela: When, tomorrow are we going to finish? Chair King: He said last but not least. Vice Chair Carollo: Last but not least -- Commissioner Gabela: He's accusing me -- (MULTIPLE PARTIES SPEAKING IN UNISON) Chair King: I'm going to allow you to answer him. Commissioner Gabela: Okay. Vice Chair Carollo: Last but not least, both of these gentlemen it's a 60th birthday party, and Pardo at Ball and Chain, campaign events at Ball and Chain, both of them, through PACs (Political Action Committees) that they claim that we don't take money, getting monies from the firms from these people, that's the other reason they're coming at me, because I told, through my attorneys, to their attorney, that I would not vote to give them a penny here in the case that they have that's the same case that was against me, and it's going to be thrown out against everybody in the City that they've sued, and the City of Miami too, and they want these two guys in the shade meeting that we were supposed to have today, to start the wheels so we could pay millions of dollars and they would leave me alone if I would go along with it. How nice. These are the reasons why they did this, because it was clear I was going to leave the Bayfront Park Trust. Frankly, I don't have the time for that any longer. And they didn't want me to leave with my head up. They wanted to see how they could drag me through the mud, insult me, and create doubt on me. City of Miami Page 165 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Commissioner Gabela: Called the question four times. Vice Chair Carollo: My dear friend Manolo, you were part of the Fridays in La Havana. You and your wife went there scores of times. Scores of times. Do you really think that I or my wife were taking kickbacks from artists that appear there? Did any artist ever say anything to you, anybody. And this is part of their lies. Commissioner Reyes: Commissioner. Chair King: Commissioner, we have to wrap it up now. Thank you. Commissioner Reyes: Let me -- Chair King: Commissioner Gabela -- oh, I'm sorry. Commissioner Reyes: -- let me ask you a question. Commissioner Gabela: Call the question. Chair King: Wait, Commissioner Reyes is speaking, Commissioner Gabela: Call the question. Chair King: Commissioner Reyes is speaking. Commissioner Gabela: Oh, I'm sorry, Commissioner. I didn't hear you. I apologize. Commissioner Reyes: They're claiming that you're taking any money, or your wife. My position is that it is time for a change. And that's it. Commissioner Gabela: Call the question. Chair King: Okay. We have a motion and a second. All in favor? Commissioner Gabela: Aye. Commissioner Pardo: Aye. Vice Chair Carollo: No, for the reasons that I stated last. 1 don't want to be part of it, but this gentleman is going in there not for the right reasons. Everything that's wrong, he's going in there for. Chair King: Motion passes. The last thing -- Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Sorry, Chair, is that 4-1? Chair King: 3-2. Mr. Hannon: 3-2. Vice Chair Carollo: If I could make an additional -- Commissioner Gabela: You see, he keeps talking, and I haven't talked yet. All I -- let me know when you're done so then I can answer. City of Miami Page 166 Printed on 03/25/2025 City Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 ADJOURNMENT Chair King: Do you want to --? Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, just this is real quick. Commissioner Gabela: No, let me know. Let me know. Vice Chair Carollo: I'd like a motion -- Commissioner Gabela: No, no, we took a motion already. We took a motion already and it passed. Vice Chair Carollo: Here's a motion -- Commissioner Gabela: Period, end of story. We took a motion. Chair King: Hold on, hold on. Stop it, stop it. Commissioner Gabela: Don't start with that. Chair King: Stop it. Stop it. Vice Chair Carollo: I don't want to be chairman of the Midtown board. Chair King: We're not taking up Midtown. Vice Chair Carollo: Take that too if you want. Chair King: Midtown is not on the agenda right now. Vice Chair Carollo: Well, I want out of that. The meeting was adjourned at 6:12 p.m. City of Miami Page 167 Printed on 03/25/2025