HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2025-07-24 MinutesCity of Miami
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, July 24, 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
Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner, District Four
Arthur Noriega, V, City Manager
George K. Wysong III, City Attorney
Todd B. Hannon, City Clerk
City Commission
Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
9:00 AM INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Present: Chairwoman King, Vice Chair Carollo, Commissioner Gabela, Commissioner Pardo
and Commissioner Rosado
On the 24th day of July 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 9:39 a.m.,
recessed at 12:14 p.m., reconvened at 2:59 p.m., recessed at 2:59 p.m., reconvened at 3:07
p.m., recessed at 6:42 p.m., reconvened at 8:02 p.m., and adjourned at 8:59 p.m.
Note for the Record: Vice Chair Carollo entered the Commission chambers at 3: 08 p.m.
Chair King: At this time, we are going to open our meeting in prayer. We are honored to have
today Deacon Charles Wade from Mount Olive to lead us in prayer. Lord knows we need it.
Charles Wade: Good morning. It's indeed an honor to be here this morning.
Invocation delivered.
Chair King: And now for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Pledge of Allegiance delivered.
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PR - PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
PR.1 PROTOCOL ITEM
17952
Honoree
Presenter
Protocol Item
Jesus A. Permuy
Mayor and
Commissioners
Proclamation and
Key to City
Jasmine Perez
Mayor and
Commissioners
Proclamation
FRESU PRESENTED
Chair King: -- commission meeting for July 2024, no, I'm sorry, July 24th, 2025. It's
good to see all of you. Thank you for your advocacy. We are going to get started with
our proclamation portion of the meeting. I'm going to turn the mic over to my
colleague, Commissioner Damian Pardo, to begin.
Presentations made.
1) Mayor Suarez and Commissioners presented a Proclamation to recognize Mr. Jesus A.
Permuy who was born in Havana in 1935 and is a revered Cuban American architect,
urban planner, human rights advocate, art collector, radio host, and community leader
whose steadfast service, moral integrity, and selfless dedication have earned him
respect across political, cultural, and international spheres. While in Cuba, Mr.
Perrnuy was as a leading figure in the resistance to the Castro regime, serving as Civic
and National Coordinator of the Movimiento de Recuperacion Revolucionaria, where
his work played a pivotal role in the lead -up to the Bay of Pigs invasion. After arriving
in the U.S. Mr. Permuy co-founded the historic Permuy Gallery, one of the first Cuban
art galleries in the United States and a vital institution for sustaining Cuban culture
and identity in exile. Among his most celebrated local contributions was the creation of
Jose Marti Park. He was also Chair of the Little Havana Task Force, served on the
Allapattah Advisory Board and on the Urban Development Review Board until 2018.
In 2019, a segment of Brickell Avenue/U.S.-1 was co -designated "Jesus A. Permuy
Street. " As he approaches his 90th birthday, Mr. Perrnuy has woven together political
courage, public service, urban planning, and the arts, leaving a transformative legacy
in Miami and beyond serving as a shining example of leadership rooted in justice,
culture, and human dignity. Elected Officials paused in their deliberations to recognize
and celebrate Mr. Jesus A. Permuy's lifetime visionary contributions to the Cuban
diaspora and his continued service to the City of Miami.
2) Mayor Suarez and Commissioners presented a Proclamation to recognize Jasmine
Perez, the first place winner of the "If I Were Elected Mayor" contest. The Florida
League of Cities and the Florida League of Mayors have joined together to teach
students and other citizens about municipal government through the "If I Were Elected
Mayor" contest. The contest was available statewide to all sixth, seventh and eighth
graders in a Florida school, with more than 1,900 essays from across the state were
received, with only three winners selected from that number. Miss Perez's essay
wonderfully described what she would do to make the community a better place to live
if she was elected Mayor. Her excellent essay provides yet another opportunity to
convey to all the citizens of Florida that they can shape and influence government
through their civic involvement. Elected Officials paused in their deliberations to
recognize and honor Miss Jasmine Perez for her outstanding accomplishment in
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ORDER OF THE DAY
writing an exceptional essay, understanding her community, and shaping the future of
Florida's municipalities.
Chair King: Mr. City Manager. Oh, I'm sorry. Mr. City Attorney, would you please
read your statement for the record?
George Wysong (City Attorney): Thank you, Madam Chair. George Wysong, City
Attorney, City of Miami. 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 online at -- or
online at www.municode.com. Any person making a presentation, formal request, or
petition to the City Commission concerning real property must make the disclosures
required by the City Code in writing. A copy of the City Code section is available at the
Office of the City Clerk or online at www.municode.com. The City of Miami requests
that anyone requesting action by the City Commission must disclose, before the
hearing, any consideration provided or committed to anyone for agreement to support
or withhold objection to the requested action pursuant to City Code Section 2-8. Any
documents offered to the City Commission that have not been provided seven days
before the meeting as part of the agenda materials will be entered into the record at
the City Commission's discretion. In accordance with Section 2-330 and (g) of the
City Code, the agenda and the material for each item on the agenda is available during
business hours at the City Clerk's Office and online 24 hours a day at
www.miamigov.com. The meeting of the Miami City Commission is a limited public
forum. Any person may be heard by the City Commission through the Chair for not
more than two minutes on any proposition before the City Commission, unless modified
by the Chair. Public comment will begin at approximately 9 a.m. and remain open until
public comment is closed by the chairperson. Any person making offensive remarks or
who has become unruly in the Commission chambers will be barred from further
attending City Commission meetings and may be subject to arrest. No clapping,
applauding, heckling, or verbal outbursts in support or opposition to a speaker or his
or her remarks shall be permitted. No sign to placards shall be allowed in the
Commission Chamber. 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 during 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 the city administration up until the chairperson closes
public comment. Public comment may also be provided here live at City Hall located at
3500 Pan American Drive, Miami, Florida, subject to any and all city rules as they
may be amended. If the proposition is being continued or rescheduled, the opportunity
to be heard may be at such later date before the City Commission takes action on such
proposition. When addressing the City Commission, the member of the public must first
state their name, their address, and what item will be spoken about. Any person with a
disability requiring assistance, auxiliary aids, and services for this meeting may notify
the City Clerk. The City has provided different public comment methods to indicate,
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Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
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 an opportunity to provide
public comments during the meeting and within reasonable proximity and time before
the meeting. Please note, commissioners have generally been briefed by City staff and
City Attorney's Office on items on the agenda today. Anyone wishing a verbatim record
of an item considered at this meeting may request it at the Office of Communications or
view it online at www.rniamigov.com. Planning and Zoning. Planning and Zoning
items shall proceed according to Section 7.1.4 of the Miami 21 code -- Zoning
Ordinance. Parties for any easy items including in the 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 286.0115 and Section 7.1.4.5. of the Miami 21
Zoning Ordinance. The order of presentation of PZ (Planning and Zoning) items shall
be as set forth in Miami 21 and in the City Code. Staff will briefly present each item to
be heard. The applicant will present its application or request to the City Commission.
If the applicant agrees with the staff recommendation, the City Commission may
proceed to its deliberation and decision. The applicant may also waive the right to an
evidentiary hearing on the record. For appeals, the appellant will present its appeal to
the City Commission followed by the appellee. Staff will be allowed to make any
recommendations they may have. Please silence all cell phones and other noise making
devices. This meeting can be viewed live on Miami TV, the City's Facebook page, the
City's Twitter page, the City's YouTube channel and Comcast Channel 77. The
broadcast has closed captioning. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Chair King: Thank you. Mr. City Manager -- Mr. City Clerk, I'm sorry, would you
please read your statement, for the record?
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Thank you, Chair. The procedures for individuals who
will be providing testimony to be sworn in for Planning and Zoning items and any
quasi-judicial items on today's City Commission agenda will be as follows: the
members of City staff or any other individuals who are required to be sworn in who are
currently present at City Hall will be sworn in by me, the City Clerk, immediately after
I finish explaining these procedures. Those individuals who are appearing remotely
may be sworn in now or at any time prior to the individual providing testimony for
Planning and Zoning items and/or quasi-judicial items. Commissioners, are you
comfortable with all the notice provisions set forth in these uniform rules of
proceedings we have established for this meeting?
Chair King: Yes.
Mr. Hannon: Chair, may I administer the oath for the Planning and Zoning items?
Chair King: Please.
Mr. Hannon: Thank you, Chair. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. If you will be
speaking on any of today's Planning and Zoning items, the PZ items, may I please have
you stand and raise your right hand?
The City Clerk administered the oath required under City Code Section 62-1 to those
persons giving testimony on zoning items.
Mr. Hannon: Thank you, Chair.
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Chair King: Thank you. Mr. City Manager, are there any items on this agenda that
staff intends to pull, withdraw, defer?
Arthur Noriega (City Manager): Good morning, Madam Chair, Commissioners, Mr.
City Attorney, Mr. City Clerk. At this time, the administration would like to defer
and/or withdraw the following items, there's only two: DI.7, to be deferred to
September 11 th; and PZ.4, to be indefinitely deferred. Those are the only two items.
Chair King: DI.7?
Mr. Noriega: DI.7 to be deferred to September the 11 th and PZ.4 to be indefinitely
deferred.
Chair King: Gentlemen, Commissioner Pardo, are there any items on this agenda that
you would like to withdraw or defer?
Commissioner Pardo: No.
Chair King: Commissioner Gabela?
Commissioner Gabela: No, I'm good.
Chair King: Commissioner Rosado?
Commissioner Rosado: No.
Chair King: Mr. City Clerk?
Mr. Hannon: And Chair, I just have a couple of statements to make. The sponsor for
RE.9 needs to be corrected to reflect Commissioner Pardo as the sponsor.
Commissioner Pardo will be co -sponsoring RE.20 and 21 and Commissioner Rosado
will be co -sponsoring FR.1. Thank you, Chair.
Chair King: Mr. City Clerk, can you say that again slowly?
Mr. Hannon: Yes. The sponsor for agenda item RE.9 needs to be corrected to reflect
Commissioner Pardo as the sponsor. And Commissioner Pardo will be co -sponsoring
RE.20 and RE.21. Commissioner Rosado will be co -sponsoring FR.1.
Chair King: Gentlemen, may I have a motion and a second to set the agenda?
Commissioner Gabela: Motion.
Commissioner Pardo: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: The agenda has been set.
[Later...]
Chair King: Gentlemen, we are at the resolutions. Are there any items that you would
like to pull for discussion? We have RE.1 through 30.
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, I'd like to pull 15, 17.
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Chair King: Hold on one second. Let me --
Commissioner Gabela: 21, 22, and 23.
Chair King: 15, 17, 21, and 23?
Commissioner Gabela: Correct.
Vice Chair Carollo: I'd like to pull 3, 10 (INAUDIBLE) questions. (INAUDIBLE) got a
quick question on 12.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Commissioner, I'm sorry, I cannot hear you.
Vice Chair Carollo: I'm sorry.
Chair King: I'll read them that he -- once he finishes.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, I have on the ones that I have questions on, RE.13, I just
want to ask a quick question on that. 12, another quick question. 10, another quick
question. Then I'd like to pull the RE.3. And let's see what --
Chair King: That's been pulled.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- some of the others that are being pulled are so we can deal with
them.
Commissioner Pardo: RE.30.
Chair King: You want to pull RE.30?
Commissioner Pardo: Yep.
Commissioner Gabela: RE.30 (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Vice Chair Carollo: 17, 20.
Commissioner Gabela: Hang on a minute. Wait a minute. Then 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29.
Vice Chair Carollo: I'm sorry, there's some additional ones you're bringing up?
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah.
Chair King: So, 24 through 30 have been pulled.
Commissioner Gabela: So, we started with -- Carollo's got 3, and then somebody 10,
right? And then 12 --
Chair King: Yeah.
Commissioner Gabela: -- 13 --
Chair King: Hold on. Let me -- I'll tell you.
Commissioner Gabela: -- 15, 17.
Chair King: You have 3, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 21, 23.
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Commissioner Gabela: And 22.
Chair King: You want 22 as well?
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, I said 22.
Chair King: 22.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay, and then 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29.
Chair King: All the way to 30, yes. Commissioner Rosado, do you have any you want
to pull?
Commissioner Rosado: They've all been pulled already.
Chair King: They've all been pulled already.
PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ALL ITEM(S)
DISCUSSION ITEM
17947 PUBLIC COMMENTS SUBMITTED ONLINE BY MEMBERS OF THE
Office of the Cit PUBLIC FOR THE JULY 24, 2025 CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
y
Clerk
RESULT: PRESENTED
i
Chair King: And at this time, I will open the floor for public comment. Anyone who
wishes to speak on items that are before us on this agenda, please step forward, five at
a time so as to not create a fire hazard. Five at a time. Good morning.
John Dolson: I get to lead off. John Dolson, 4205 Lennox Drive, Coconut Grove. Three
items. PH.19, I'd like you to approve the deal and save the Olympia Theater. I want to
tell you, I went to the public meetings, I walked in a skeptic, I listened to the
arguments, and I walked out with a couple of clear thoughts. Number one, everyone
wants the theater saved. The question is how? My fear is that well-meaning opponents
who might be caught up in paralysis by analysis and are rightfully so, I think,
distrustful of the City, may inadvertently kill the golden goose. The Gusman
Foundation wants the deal, the City wants the deal, SLAM! (Sports Leadership, Arts &
Management) wants the deal. SLAM! has a vested interest in money to make it work,
and the City has made it clear it can't fund or manage this. They've failed in the past.
Killing this will potentially leave us with Coconut Grove Playhouse 2, demolition by
neglect. Nobody wants to see that. So, commissioners, you've got a burdened hand. I
don't want you to kill a good private and public partnership. PZ.6 and 7, I still believe
that should be -- the transit zone increase density should be deferred. That's a huge
item, a lot of unanswered questions, and the public deserves a chance to know more.
PZ.12 may sound like a small item, but it isn't. It's to stop an out -of -scale lot split on
2055 Poinciana in the Grove. Miami is already increasing density along the transit
corridor. We don't need to increase density within our residential areas. The neighbors
oppose this. The City has denied this lot split twice and the NCD-3 (Neighborhood
Conservation District) and Miami 21 codes are designed to protect our neighborhoods.
So, let's do that. Don't allow this lot split to go forward. These unwanted lot splits in
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residential areas, by the way, commissioners, are heading to each and every one of
your districts. So, preserve your neighborhoods. Thank you very much.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Elvis Cruz: Good morning. Elvis Cruz, 631 Northeast 57th Street, PH.16. Watson
Island was a gift from the state of Florida to the city of Miami in 1919 to be used in
perpetuity as a public park, but item PH.16 would sell public land on Watson Island to
private developers without competitive bidding so they can build 40-story high-rise
condos. Some will say, but Elvis, the public voted for this. Those developers fooled the
public by spending $500, 000 on an ad campaign to save Watson Island Park, but they
didn't mention high-rise condos. Please listen to this excellent quote from a voter.
"Overly ambitious developers use money and influence to sway politicians, city staff
neighborhood activists, and homeowners. Someone standing to make millions has a
great deal of motivation to manipulate the outcome, the process, and pay off people in
the way. Meanwhile, people's attention spans are filled with work and life. By the time
people in the community feel the effects, it's too late. They would rather believe it won't
affect them, exactly the goals of those developers," Damian. Damian Pardo wrote
those excellent words. Then he became a city commissioner. Please, come back to the
light. Yes, I know the city will get its 30 pieces o.f silver, but it's a horrible deal. Once
that land is sold, it will be gone forever, and those 40-story condos will stand as
monuments to the City of Miami's morally bankrupt mentality for future generations to
see, an enormous stain on all of your legacies. This is your last chance to listen to your
conscience, logic, and reason to protect our precious parkland. Commissioner Pardo
should have never put it on the ballot. He said this is a fantastic transaction. Yes, it's
fantastic for the developers. Please do the right thing and truly save Watson Island
Park by voting no on PH.16. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Debbie Dolson: Good morning. Debbie Dolson, 4205 Lennox Drive, Coconut Grove.
PH.12, lot diminishment. As neighbors for the past 55 years, my family and I have
passed 4055 Poinciana every single day. And now a developer wants to split this
property into three. Lot splitting is a citywide issue. Residents do not support
destroying neighborhoods, increasing density, diminishing tree canopy and adding
traffic to our already busy streets. Lot splitting destroys neighborhoods and not just in
Coconut Grove. Shenandoah, Silver Bluff Little Havana, Flagami, Allapattah, and the
Roads are just a few of the other neighborhoods that are at risk. It's coming to every
neighborhood if it's not there already. Miami 21 and NCD-3 were both created to
protect neighborhoods. A lot split proposal on Avocado Avenue, just a few blocks from
Poinciana, was denied by the City Planning Department, PZAB (Planning, Zoning and
Appeals Board), the Miami City Commission, and lost a challenge in the 11 th Circuit
Court of Appeals. Ironically, Francisco Garcia, now serving as a compensated expert
witness for the developers on Poinciana, was the Planning and Zoning Director
denying the Avocado split based on this quote, "Three lots are entirely too many and
we stand by our record on that." Now as a consultant, his 2025 position has
completely flipped. Apparently, small is good, big is bad. Furthermore, the average lot
size on the Poinciana property is even larger than that in the Avocado decision. So,
please vote to support this appeal. Regarding PH.19, I'm sorry, but the City has failed
as a steward of the Olympia Theater. It's time to pass it on to an organization that will
restore it, educate our children, and make it available to the public. The City does not
have the funds or the will to save this theater. Please vote yes on PH.19. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, I know you are all here standing. It's up
to you. We have the mayor of North Bay Village here that would like to speak. Would
anyone allow her to come forward? Is that okay with you?
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(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Chair King: Okay. Madam Mayor? You missed a fantastic presentation. We honored a
young lady who wrote an essay on becoming the first woman mayor and the League of
Cities recognized her. She got a thousand -dollar scholarship. I wish you were here so
she could have taken a picture with you, but welcome to our home. Thank you for
coming.
Rachel Strettfeld.• Thank you so much, Madam Chair. Good morning, Commissioners.
Thank you for having me. And I am so disappointed to have missed that presentation.
I'm sure I would have been duly inspired. I'm grateful to be here at the invitation of
Commissioner Rosado, who invited me to speak about Discussion Item 9, because it is
a program that we successfully implemented in North Bay Village about a year and a
half ago. North Bay Village is the heart of the Bay, as you all know. We have many
older homes, and our residents are desperately trying to afford to stay in them. And we
figured that one of the best things that we could do for our community was to assist
them in flood proofing and future proofing their homes. And that one of the best ways
that we can do that was by providing a significant discount on their building permits.
So, we are offering -- and this program is still in effect today and it's been incredibly
successful -- we offer residents a 50 percent discount on specific building permit types
and those are for roof repairs and roof replacements, hurricane impact windows and
doors, solar panels, as well as the installation of generators. So, across these four
permit types, our residents are receiving a 50 percent discount. We've saved our
residents -- we're not as big as the City of Miami, so these numbers may not impress
you as much as they've impressed us, but we've saved our residents over $140,000
since April of 2024. We've discounted a total of 106 permits, 32 roof permits, 64
window and door permits, and we've received incredible feedback that our residents
are seeking out this information, they are grateful to receive this discount, and it is
having a meaningful impact on their pocketbooks and incentivizing them to make those
roof repairs, to install those hurricane impact windows and doors. It's going to make
our community safer when it comes time for hurricane season and I encourage you to
consider strongly a proposal like this here in the city of Miami. Thank you so much for
your time and thank you everyone for your patience.
Chair King: Thank you. Good seeing you.
Ms. Strettfeld: Thank you. Good to see you, too.
Chair King: Good morning.
Kristen Browde: Good morning. Kristen Browde, 888 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami. I'm
here on RE.30 urging you to support it. While you would not expect a poll of residents
to support an additional tax that they have to pay, I think that you would find that if we
thought, the residents of downtown thought we were getting value for our money, we'd
support it. Unfortunately, you've heard from the Downtown Neighborhood Association,
you've heard from many residents that we don't think we're getting value for the money.
And we think that this poll will tell you from across a broader spectrum that this is the
case, that we don't support this and would urge you to change it to a business
improvement district that draws its support not from the residents who don't get the
value for the money, but from the businesses who may get the value from the money. I
also want to talk about the Olympia Theater, and I'll run counter to what you've heard
so far. While it is a wonderful thing to restore the theater and it is a wonderful thing to
revitalize the Flagler Corridor, the one thing that SLAM! does not offer is
accountability. We're going to take money from our elected Board of Education. That
Board of Education, which frustrates us immensely with some of their decisions, is at
least accountable to the voters. SLAM! is not. Why take more money from our public
schools, from schools that admit all students, and put it in the hands of a private
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developer who can choose who and who -- choose who not to accept, and take money
and put it into an education system that isn't accountable in any way? So, while ending
litigation is good, restoring the theater is good, giving it to private developers like this
isn't something that I can support. And I urge you to vote against it. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Ana Wenger: Good morning, Commissioners. My name is Ana Wenger, 3553 Palmetto
Avenue, in Miami. I'm here to present a petition supporting PZ.12, the lot split appeal
at 4055 Poinciana Avenue. I'm going to give this to the -- can I read it first? Okay.
"Dear Commissioners of the City of Miami, on behalf of your constituents, we present
the attached petition supporting the appeal of the lot split proposal for 4055 Poinciana
Avenue, PZ.12. As of 5 p.m. yesterday, the petition had reached 421 signatures, and as
of this morning if you go online now, it's up to 426. We respectfully urge the
Commission to vote in favor of the appeal on the grounds that it would adversely
impact the character of our neighborhood, increase congestion, strain existing
infrastructure, negatively affect the tree canopy, and set an undesirable precedent for
future development. Our community values the existing lot sizes, open spaces, and the
established residential density, all of which would be compromised if this lot split
proceeds. We request that the board consider our concerns and take the interests of the
community into account when making its decision. As you know, even though the City
Planning Department twice denied the warrant to split the lot on Poinciana because it
did not satisfy multiple criteria established by Miami 2021 Code and the NCD-3
overlay, the PZAB approved the split at their meeting on June 4th, 2025. Lot splitting
is an issue that affects not just Coconut Grove but every residential neighborhood in
the city of Miami. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. We appreciate
your stewardship on this vote. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Thomas Fawell: Good morning and thank you. My name is Thomas Fawell. I'm a
resident at 801 Brickell Key Boulevard, here in Miami. I'm here to speak in favor of
Resolution 17922, on getting a straw poll for the DDA (Downtown Development
Authority). As a resident -- former resident of Chicago, a refuge of Chicago, I
recognize a political slush fund when I see it and smell it. And therefore, in the
tradition of our founding of our country, where people were only taxed when they had
a voice, I fully support this board's reconsideration of 17922. I do have a question and
that -- and by the way, I think it speaks volumes that citizens of this city are here to
speak, and the absence of the all -- or the commissioners are noted. I do have a
question, as politicians, you all recognize how a straw poll can be shaped and directed
by the language that will be used. So, I would like somebody in this city, perhaps you,
Commissioner Pardo, could take this on as a duty to put on the language so the rest of
us could see that it is an unbiased question in the straw poll, not directed to shape the
result one way or the other. Thank you for your attention.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Katrina Morris: Good morning. Katrina Morris, resident of Coconut Grove and a
homeowner. I've come to speak on two items and more. There's so many. Please do --
first one, please do not proceed with item CA.1. FSU (Florida State University) is not
regionally involved with Miami. FIU (Florida International University) is better
positioned to provide a tree assessment. They actively run Grove Relief a tree
inventory, and they have a relationship with IFAS (Institute of Food and Agricultural
Studies) at OF (University of Florida), which also houses NRLI, the Natural Resources
Leadership Institute, who specializes in natural resource dispute resolution. I also urge
the commission to vote no on PH.19, the giveaway of the Olympia Theater to a charter
school for $10. The City Manager claims we don't have the $40 million to restore the
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theater, even though the money was set aside for just this purpose in the Miami
Forever Bond. Furthermore, right above PH.19 is PH.18, where the City Manager is
giving $80 million to another charter school management company for undisclosed
services, undisclosed services, with no apparent oversight. The City Manager and the
Commission have a fiduciary duty to the residents of Miami. If it is found that the City
waived public bidding arbitrarily or without justification, commissioners' decisions
were motivated by political favoritism or self-interest, heritage and access obligations
are overlooked, then the deal could be considered as lacking due diligence or acting in
bad faith, which violates fiduciary duties. We need oversight now. Why do we still not
have an inspector general appointed, approved by 79 percent of the voters in August
2024, and championed by both you, Commissioner Pardo, and you, Commissioner
Gabela, during your campaigns. The public put its trust in this reform. It's time to
deliver, or is an IG (Inspector General) appointment no longer --
Chair King: Thank you.
Ms. Morris: -- suit your needs? Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Xiana Cox: Good morning. I'm here to speak on PH.19 and RE.30. So, first PH.19, the
city commission wants to hand over the historic Olympia Theater to SLAM! Academy
with a quitclaim deed, no warranties, no public bidding, and zero transparency. And
the price? Just $10. The building is being handed off behind closed doors to a charter
school corporation without the community consent. So, I urge you to please vote no on
that. So, when it comes to RE.30, residents living within the DDA district are being
double taxed to fund an agency with a $21.9 million budget that funnels millions into
corporate giveaways and sky-high salaries. $450, 000 to FC (Futbol Club) Barcelona,
$100, 000 to the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship). Millions more wasted on
bloated salaries, marketing schemes, and outside PR (Public Relations) .firms. Over
half of all residents want the DDA dissolved because they see no benefit, with their
streets go unclean and condo fees rising. I urge you to indefinitely defer or vote no on
PH.19. The community deserves a full, open process, not a rushed giveaway. And I
urge you to vote yes on RE.30 to put the future of the DDA on the ballot. Let the
taxpayers decide if they want to keep getting double taxed. Thank you.
Nicole Ewan (Assistant City Clerk): Chair, may we have the speaker's name for the
microphone, please?
Mr. Cox: Xiani Cox.
Chair King: We didn't hear you.
Mr. Cox: Oh, sorry. Xiani Cox.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Metris Batts: Good morning. My name is Metris Batts. I'm a resident of North Miami,
but I serve and work in Overtown and Edgewater. My name is Metris Batts, I'm
president of the Miami Women's Club, founded in 1900, just four years after the city of
Miami was incorporated, and the executive director of the Overtown Business
Association and the Overtown Main Street District. I'd like to briefly speak about the
historical significance of the Olympia Theater, built in 1926, the same year as the
Miami Women's Club. This landmark remains one of the few surviving cultural venues
from the Miami former years, like way back in the day. Both buildings have served the
public through arts, education, and civic engagement. Both have, at times, faced
uncertain futures. The Miami Women's Club was preserved through a public private
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partnership and support from the Omni CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) for
$4 million, and the advocacy preservation champions like Arva Parks Moore McCabe
[sic], Dolly Maclntyre, Dr. Dorothy Fields, Lorene Timoney, and Linda Joseph. We're
preparing for 125 years, so we're doing our research. Across Miami, Downtown,
Overtown, Brownsville, and Liberty City, historic properties tell the story of who we
are. In Overtown, longstanding landmarks are also at risk and deserve the same,
thoughtful attention and community investment. As conversations continue regarding
the Olympia Theater, it is essential to recognize the historical and cultural
significance. It is one of the last theaters in the country and a rare gem architectural
structure. Like the Miami Women's Club, its function has not just been a building, but a
gathering place for civic, artistic and community life. The decision made about
properties like the Olympia will shape how we honor our past while preparing for the
future. These sites are more than architect; they are storytellers of Miami's history. I
urge continuous transparency, community input and commitment to public benefits as
you consider the theater's future. There was a covenant placed on the Miami Women's
Club that gave the Omni CRA access to the building. It has helped us to deliver more
services and make a building that was once exclusive, inclusive to the organization. I
believe that if a conversation between the potential partners to make sure the
community benefits agreement is enforced, some say oversight, we can be an example
o.f what we need to be to the community. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Federico Baroglio: Good morning, Commissioners. My name is Federico Baroglio. I
live at 465 Brickell Avenue, and I serve on the leadership committee of the BHA, the
Brickell Homeowner Association. I'm here to talk about RE.30. Property owners of
Brickell, property owners of Downtown Miami, and property owners of Edgewater are
levied a special tax to fund the DDA. In these days of increasing cost for all property
owners, with increase the reserve, inflation, and insurance, I think it would be nice not
to be levied this special tax. So, Commissioner Rosado, as newly appointed chairman
of the DDA, please support, you know, this and put the DDA question on the ballot.
Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Marisol Gomez: Hi, good morning. My name is Marisol Gomez. I reside at 1035
Northwest 46th Street. I was born and raised in Miami, and I'm very proud to be a
resident of the city of Miami. I'm here in support of the Olympia Theater revitalization.
I am an educator for 25 years and as such, I think it would be a great thing to have
those opportunities for the students. I also wanted to clarify that charter school
students are public school students, and in that regard, we would be offering this
service for them. Also, I think it would be great to spark some, you know, new jobs in
that area and revitalize the downtown area that needs it so much. It saddens me to see
that the building is so dilapidated. I attended many a concert, and also saw my
children graduate there, and I would love to see that open up again and offer some art
and culture in a much -needed area. So, please vote yes for that. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Jennifer Becerra: Good morning. My name is Jennifer Becerra. I'm a resident at 63rd
Place in South Miami. I'm also speaking in support of PH.19 in support of the Olympia
Theater. I'm representing H&M Communications, a marketing agency that was
established in Miami in 2004. We work with many television and film studios. And over
the last eight years, we've had the privilege of partnering with SLAM! for many
projects. They have consistently opened its doors allowing us to host community events
and student focused programming at their campus. These events not only promote art
projects, but also important -- but more importantly give students from Miami a
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window into the world of arts and entertainment and the opportunities available to
them. Based on that first-hand experience I've had, I can confidently say that SLAM!
understands how to activate spaces in meaningful ways that benefit both students and
the public. They know how to connect culture, education, and community. And that's
exactly the partner that Olympia Theater needs, a partner who can honor its history,
elevate the arts and entertainment, all while opening its -- all while opening its door to
the next generation of students. Thank you for your consideration.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Savannah Smart: Good morning. Savannah Smart of 6610 Southwest 57th Avenue.
Madam Chair and Commissioners, I'm a proponent of CA.3. I'm here today as part of
SA VE's (Safeguarding American Values for Everyone) Advocacy is Pride campaign to
speak up for the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) inclusion,
safety, and equity in our community. We want to express our appreciation for the City
of Miami's continued commitment to equity and inclusion [sic], especially through the
Non -Discrimination Assurance Agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation,
listed under CA.3. Agreements like this are exactly why Miami continues to earn a
perfect 100 on the Human Rights Campaign MIE [sic] score. The score reflects not
only a strong policy, but a dedication to ensuring all residents feel seen, safe and
respected. That said, there are still opportunities for growth, particularly in expanding
inclusive transportation access across underserved communities, improving language
accessibility and transition communications, and increasing community engagement
with LGBTQ riders and riders with disabilities. We're excited to uplift the city of
Miami as a leader in inclusive policy, and we hope to see these values reflected in both
implementation and outcomes. Our goal is to use Miami's model to help shape similar
standards across other municipalities in Miami -Dade County. Thank you.
Chair King: Good morning.
John Snyder: Good morning. Good morning, Commissioners. I'm John Snyder. I live at
3980 Hardie Avenue. I represent the South Grove Neighborhood Association. I'm
asking you to please support the neighborhood conservation districts. Vote to reject lot
splitting. It increases density in single-family residential neighborhoods. PZ.12
represents the effort to convert one site into three. They paid for one site. They want to
sell three sites. 4055 Poinciana was constructed in 1947 on three platted lots. They
were platted over a hundred years ago, when houses were smaller. By Miami 21 law,
it's one lot. That's what the definition of a lot is. If multiple lots are aggregated, it
becomes one lot. They want to build three maxed out multi -million -dollar houses,
eliminating green space. Fifty foot -wide lots with three driveways would most likely
have six to nine automobiles, where formerly there was one car parked in a garage.
The lot coverage, by building 5, 600-square foot houses, three of them, total of 16,800
square feet, will create a situation where little green space will be there. Anything that
needs photosynthesis will die because it will be in the shade. So, the increase in density
and intensity combined resulting from a warrant would be a terrible precedent
creating practical problems as well as destroying a beloved neighborhood.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Tony Tovar: Good morning. Tony Tovar, 1600 Northeast 1st Avenue. Madam Chair,
Commissioners, I'm a proponent of PH. 3. As part of SA VE's advocacy pride campaign,
we encourage this commission to support this item. We appreciate the city of Miami
allocation of housing opportunities for people with AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency
Syndrome). As someone who has worked as a community health worker for over ten
years, I know safe and stable housing is essential for better health outcomes. People
living with AIDS are more likely to be compliant with their care and contribute to a
healthier, more thriving, even more economically stable communities. I love working
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with the aging community. I love playing bingo with seniors. And I can tell you that
currently right now, AIDS is something that actually plagues them. So, I really would
like to encourage you to really look into this. As you all know, a lot of your constituents
are seniors, and let me tell you, it's kind of hard for them to understand what's
happening with these sexually transmitted diseases. Thank you so much.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Wilfredo Curbelo: Good morning. My name is Wilfredo Curbelo, and I am a resident
of 4060 Poinciana. First, I want to thank Commissioner Pardo for sending Javier over
to speak with a group of us that met there. I am also a member of the South Grove
Association. And I have a copy of the letter from Planning and Zoning when the York
family, who were the original owners who built the house in '47, moved. And it
specifically states on there that the purchasers are agreeing to the fact that that is a
single-family home, and because it was built prior to 1972, if you demolish it, you can
only be permitted to put one single-family structure on it. I live directly across the
street from that address. I'm at 4060, that's 4055. My driveway faces their driveway.
They're going to put three more driveways on that parcel. We have a speed hump in
front of my house. The traffic snarls up there regardless. It is as far as I can see. I am a
retired .firefighter, 30 years, medic, and I was an instructor in technical rescue at the
academy that's over in -- by Jefferson. It's unsafe. I have witnessed with my own eyes,
ladies walking with baby carriages, people walking their animals, and the traffic there
is horrible. Increasing the density there, which is very, very clearly stated in the
neighborhood conservation district language that it should not -- any time that a
permit is asked for, it should not negatively impact the community by increasing
density.
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Curbelo: And that is exactly what they're doing.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Stella Santamaria: Hi, good morning, esteemed commissioners and members of the
community. My name is Stella Santamaria, and I live in 61 Northwest 25th Avenue in
Miami. I wanted to take a few minutes of your time to share why I'm so excited about
the idea of bringing the Olympia Theater, which is proposal PH.19, back to life. It's
such a beautiful building and most of the time it's just laying there empty. And it makes
me very sad because I know how much potential it has. I really believe it could be the
heart of our neighborhood, and for the city of Miami, and internationally, of course, in
the future. What makes this proposal different in my eyes is the group that's stepping up
are true stewards. They aren't just patching things up. They have a real plan and
they're not asking taxpayers to foot the bill. So right now, I think it's standing at $50
million. Am I correct? So, I think this is a real investment for the city of Miami and for
our future. I keep picturing how great it would be to actually go to the events again at
the Olympia Theater. And I would love to see children getting to experience the theater
as well and to see downtown buzz with life, people heading to shows and concerts
again. So, thank you for listening and for everything that you're doing for the city.
Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Armando Lopez: Good morning, Commissioners. My name is Armando Lopez, and I
was born, raised, and live here in the city of Miami. As both an artist and a musician, I
want to share what the restoration of the Olympia Theater would mean for people like
me and for the creative community as a whole. This project isn't just about preserving
a historic building; it's about transforming our city's cultural landscape. With this
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group leading the way, the Olympia Theater will become a vibrant home for artists,
musicians, and performers from all backgrounds. For years, we've needed a true stage
in downtown Miami where local talent can shine alongside visiting acts, where young
creatives can find inspiration, and where our community can come together to
celebrate the arts. There's been some confusion out there. What's actually -- there's
been some confusion out there. Some think the plan is to turn the Olympia into a
school, but that's simply not true. What's actually proposed is a collaborative vision.
This group is building genuine partnerships throughout the community and putting
together a team of professionals who can bring a diverse lineup of shows, concerts,
and cultural events to downtown. For artists and musicians like me, this means new
opportunities to perform, to connect, and to contribute to the city's creative life. With
SLAM!, the Olympia has the potential to be the heartbeat of Miami's art scene again.
Thank you for your service and I strongly encourage you to support this proposal
moving forward.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
John Baptist Ducas: Good morning, Commissioner. I'm here on the public notice from
the City of Miami. So, I would like to read first and then ask the question. Zone file ID
17586 location, the property is generally bound by the Northwest 7th Avenue to the
west, Northwest 75th -- 76th Street to the north, Northeast 2nd Avenue to the east, and
Northwest 70th Street to the south. The purpose of this legislation amends the
interpretation of the future land use map to create a new future land use designation of
transit oriented node, which allows maximum densities between 550 and 500 dwelling
units per acre. This legislation also amend the correspondence table to include the new
destination. My question on the notice, I want to know what it's about and then what
benefits we will -- we have as residents.
Chair King: I will have staff address that for you. If you step to the side, Mr. Manager,
would you have staff address these questions, please?
Mr. Hannon: And Chair, my apologies, sir, may I have your name?
Chair King: May we have your name?
Mr. Ducas: John Batiste Ducas.
Chair King: Okay, if you step over by the manager, someone will address your
questions.
Mr. Ducas: Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Yenesis Alvarez: Good morning. My name is Yenesis Alvarez, and I am a proud alum
of Mater Academy Charter High. I am also currently the business teacher and
department chair at Mater Brickell Academy. Last year, I had the desire to expand
business opportunities for our students, but I wanted to expand classroom projects
towards real life scenarios. Therefore, alongside 31 students, the Food Lab, a student -
run business at Mater Brickell Academy was created. Students are in charge of the
marketing, finances, sales, and logistics of the cafe. I was intentional in forming
partnerships with food and beverage companies that were interested in building the
vision of having 16-, 17-, and 18-year-old students know how to manage and take
charge in a business setting. Farm Stores, Bevy, Sushi Sake, Evie the Foodie, a food
influencer, and Toma, Sofia Vergara's company, are the business partnerships we have
formed. These companies not only provide their products to the Food Lab for us to sell,
but valuable partnerships such as Farm Stores have awarded a $1,000 scholarship
award to a graduating senior who worked the Food Lab in our charter school. On top
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of that, these companies have provided paid internships to three students as of today,
one of which is right behind me, and will be providing nine more internships to Mater
Brickell students in the next month. After having gone to Hamilton College in New
York for four years, I came back to Miami -- I was born and raised here -- to teach and
leave a mark on the kind of education students should receive, such as the ones that
Olympia Theater and SLAM! are proposing as of today. Academica and Mater Brickell
have been supportive of innovation and have allowed my students and I to expand
further in the community and create opportunities for these students who are the future
and our legacy. A yes to SLAM! being able to restore the 10-story building and to the
Olympia Theater being restored by us will be a yes to future students having the same
ability to be molded with real world experiences that will give them internships and
community involvement. They will understand the importance of a work ethic through
actual work and professional experience and have memories of the Olympia Theater
being the pathway and the space that allowed them to grow and fulfill their potential. I
can't wait for you to hear about Cesar. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Daniele Macclocchi: Good morning, Chairwoman King. Good morning, Commissioner
Pardo. Good morning, Commissioner Rosado. My name is Daniele Machocchi. I am a
professor at the Miami Herbert Business School at the University of Miami, and I live
on 4050 Poinciana Avenue here in Coconut Grove, and I'm here standing to appeal the
Planning and Zoning Appeal Board's approval of the partitioning of the lot just across
my property into three lots. There's been many of us speaking why this is an
unreasonable split, so I'm not going to repeat their points. I think they're all clear. I'm
just going to add one simple thing. I've been living in that property for 40 years, and in
these 40 years I've seen a tremendous increase in traffic and a tremendous threat for
people walking dogs or for senior people walking, you know, that neighborhood
doesn't have walk sides [sic]. Putting three properties on that lot will make the interest
only on one entity, which is the developer. Your fiduciary duty is for the people of
Miami; it's not for the developer. Please stop this. Thank you very much.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Cesar Lopez: Good morning. My name's Cesar Lopez. I'm going into my senior year at
Mater Brickell Academy. And I've had the chance to serve as treasurer of the Food
Lab. And that role has taught me so much about what it takes to run a real business.
From managing finances, to cutting costs, to keeping prices affordable for customers,
I've learned how to make smart decisions that have helped the Food Lab succeed. This
year alone, we've made over $40,000 in revenue, and we're projected to reach between
$80, 000 to $100, 000 this upcoming year. But none of that would have been possible
without Mater Brickell Academy. Mater Brickell gave me the opportunity to lead, to
work hands-on, and to connect with people in the business world. One of those
connections is with Farm Stores, the leading drive-thru grocery and cafe in the
country. Thanks to Mater Brickell and the Food Lab success, I was offered an
internship with Farm Stores, where I now work with the CEO (Chief Executive Officer)
and also the accounting team and the operations department. During this internship,
I've learned things that most students my age don't usually get to do, such as working
with accounting software, reviewing legal documents, and helping lead the rollout of
point of sales. Right now, I'm working on a project that integrates a point of sales with
artificial intelligence in order to make the business more efficient and more profitable.
What makes all of this even more meaningful is knowing that I've been able to grow
thanks to the opportunities Mater Brickell has created through its support, dedication
to student learning, and through partnerships with businesses that believe in giving
students real experience. The Olympia Theater is a symbol of even greater
opportunities to come. Just like Mater Brickell has opened doors for me, Olympia will
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open doors for so many more students in the future as it will allow them to display their
projects and success. Thank you for your time.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Aaron Brill: Good morning. Good morning, Chairwoman Christine. Good morning,
Commissioners. My name is Aaron Brill. I am a resident of Icon Brickell in Miami,
Florida, 495 Brickell Avenue. And I serve on the board of directors of the Icon Brickell
Tower 2. I'm here to speak on RE.30 and express strong support for ending the DDA
tax. When the DDA was created, it promised to improve Downtown, but many of us see
no tangible benefit. We already pay high city and county taxes, and we are still dealing
with city issues, safety issues, unclean streets, and limited infrastructure investment.
The DDA's efforts often duplicate what other city departments already do. And as a
taxpayer, I don't feel represented, and I don't see where the money is truly going. With
rising costs across the board, from insurance to special assessments, we can't afford to
fund an agency that no longer serves our needs. Please place the DDA question on the
November ballot. Brickell and Downtown want out of the DDA. Thank you very much.
Chair King: Thank you.
Larry Milian: Good morning. My name is Larry Milian. I reside in the city of Hialeah,
and I serve the city of Miami proudly as an educator at SLAM!. Thank you,
Commissioners, for your time today. I'm here to talk about the Olympia Theater and
support the PH.19 project. As a proud educator at SLAM! and the station general
manager of the first ever Sirius XM Radio Station, SLAM! Radio that's operated by
high school students inside of SLAM!, I have had the privilege to work with these
young teenagers. I have seen firsthand how SLAM! is able to open doors and give back
to the community by mentoring, volunteering and performing in the community.
Watching our young broadcasters develop a voice for themselves and having them
realize our freedoms of expression through our proud program, it makes it evident that
SLAM! moves the needle with our youth. Supporting the Olympia Theater in
partnership with SLAM! ensures a pipeline of local youth who will continue to enrich
this proud city. They are the future of Miami and it's important to expose them to the
theater and the arts. I ask you to vote in favor of this moving forward. Thank you for
your time, Commissioners.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Zully Pardo: Good morning. My name is Zully Pardo --
Chair King: Ma'am, hold on one second.
Ms. Pardo: Yes.
Chair King: Our fire department and our sergeant at arms, these children standing up,
blocking the doorway, we have asked that it's only five persons at a time, please do
something about that line.
Ms. Pardo: Would you like me to give them the opportunity to speak first? I would be
more than willing if you wish.
Chair King: I'm not -- if that would help, they could come on up, everyone.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Chair King: She said she'll let them come up now. Okay. So, let our babies come on up.
Come on, everybody.
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Camila (Minor): Hi, my name is Camila and I'm eight years old. I've been going to
Centro Mater since I was three and now my little sister goes there too. She's about to
turn two years old and started when she was just six weeks. Centro Mater is like my
second home. I love it so much. I get to play with my friends. I learn new things every
day. And now that it's summer, I'm in summer camp. Summer camp, it's so much fun.
We go on field trips to the water park, the zoo, the museum, and places like Game
Works and Dave and Buster's. My mom and dad never have to worry because they
know I'm safe and happy at Centro Mater. And my little sister, she loves it too. She
smiles every time she goes to school. She's learning, playing, and even getting yummy
healthy meals every day. I heard that Centro Mater wants to open a new place just for
babies and toddlers. I think that's really, really good. Some kids don't have a chance
like my sister and me to be in a place that's safe, fun, and helps us learn and grow. So,
please, I kindly ask you to help support Centro Mater and make the new building for
babies and toddlers come true. Thank you, Carollo.
Applause.
Chair King: Can you have them -- can you have them come in front of us here? I'd like
everyone to see them, because this supports advocacy. This is what advocacy looks
like.
Commissioner Pardo: Absolutely.
Chair King: This is what we hope to achieve. These are our future advocates.
Commissioner Pardo: Yep.
Chair King: Everyone, come on up, come on up.
Applause.
Chair King: Yay. Yay.
Madelyn Llanes: These kids -- these kids are the future -- are the future of Miami.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Ms. Llanes: Of course.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Ms. Llanes: Her name is Camila.
Chair King: Camila.
Applause.
Ms. Llanes: I'm going to take a picture after. Good morning. Thank you for this
amazing opportunity. My name is Madelyn Llanes and I'm the proud executive director
of Centro Mater. I know that many of you know about Centro Mater, know about our
mission. We have been in the community since 1968. We started as a place to welcome
all the immigrants and we have had the support of the city of Miami since pretty much
our inception, and it is amazing to see what collaboration, good faith, and hard work
and commitment can do to change lives and make everyone's future brighter. I am
here, of course, on PH.121 [sic], which is to allocate $5 million for -- from District 5 --
I mean, I'm sorry, District 3, Commissioner Carollo, to build a state-of-the-art, brand -
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new infant and toddlers program right next to our existing facility. This will serve 48
low-income children of the city of Miami. What I mean by that is that they will come
for free to receive early childhood quality care. As many people in the audience that
are parents know how expensive it is to pay for childcare. And the parents that we help
are the people that are working in our trenches, the people that are in the
supermarkets, in the cafeterias, working at homes. So, we need to give back to these
people that are moving our city. I want to take this opportunity to thank Commissioner
Carollo because with Centro Mater he has been heaven sent. He has been supporting
our mission since he was mayor of the city. And I know that a lot of you also agree with
his support. I kindly ask, please, to consider moving forward item PH.121 [sic] for the
future of Miami and the families that were here. We just have a sample, we have about
1,500 children that we serve yearly, and they go for free, they get breakfast, lunch,
supper, theater, sports.
Chair King: Thank you. Thank you. And I want to tell everyone, when I worked for
Miami -Dade County, I did all of Centro Mater's contracts and amendments with
Community Action Agency. I was the contract officer. So, I know the good work that
they do through Head Start and Early Head Start. And I would like to sponsor this item
as well, Todd. Thank you, guys. Thank you.
Applause.
Chair King: Okay. I don't want to cut any little person short from speaking, so I'm
going to let her speak, but if there's anybody else, we're going to cut you off because I
cut the line to let them speak. But I want to encourage our little people to advocate. Go
ahead.
Genesis (Minor): Good morning, everyone. My name is Genesis [removed], and I'm 11
years old. And I also started Centro Mater when I was three. Ever since I started to
come to Centro Mater, the teachers have always been so nice to me. They've been kind.
They've always helped me with my homework whenever I need help. They've taught me
new things that I never knew. And what I also like is that they give us food. They feed
us well. And the classrooms are always nice and neat. They always help us with things
we don't know yet. And Centro Mater started nine years ago a summer camp called
Theater Camp. Today is my first year, and it's gone really well. We act in front of other
people, and it's not always about just acting and being good, but it's always good to
like have fun while you 're acting. Thank you to Carollo.
Ms. Danes: Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Okay. Now I'm going to let, please, the other person that gave
up her time. You guys are going to have to get in the line, you're older. You guys are
going to have to get to the back of the line. No, no.
Unidentified Speaker: No? Together?
Chair King: No, no.
Unidentified Speaker: Please.
Chair King: Thank you all. Thank you. Good morning and thank you for allowing them
to speak.
Ms. Pardo: My pleasure, of course. Good morning. Thank you for allowing me to
speak. My name is Zully Pardo. I'm a lifetime resident of the greater -- of our beautiful
city, and I reside at 49 Campina Court.
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(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD:
Ms. Pardo: Okay, now? Is that better? All right. I'm here to speak on item PH.19. The
future of the Olympia Theater stands at a critical crossroads. The City of Miami,
having failed in its stewardship of the gifted, fully renovated iconic landmark in 1975,
thanks to the visionary philanthropist Maurice Gusman, now finds urgency in a
manufactured pressure campaign to transfer ownership of the theater to a charter
school and its private for profit management company in a no -bid giveaway. There is
no confusion here. This is very clear. The treasured landmark will be lost to the public
realm, not to mention the loss of millions in valuable development rights. There are no
safeguards or commitments that can justify giving away this valuable resource, which
is an integral part of the historic fiber of this community. I urge you, I challenge you,
do the right thing. Stop this resolution and move forward in good faith with a clear,
transparent public process. Issue a strong request for proposals that include
incentives, the potential of sale of development rights, and the dedicated portion of the
$79 million in cultural funding from the Miami Forever Bond. This is a defining
moment for our city. You have been entrusted to protect and preserve the Olympia,
ensure that the Olympia Theater remains a vibrant, community -serving cultural
institution, not a casualty of political expediency. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Albert Gomez: Good morning. Albert, District 2 resident. Lot splitting for a developer
is just wrong. That should be removed. It just should be removed. Frankly, the RE.30
on giving money to the DDA, where is the DDA on the Olympia Theater? It's in their
district. They should be taking care of that. They are a development authority. That's a
perfect opportunity for them to actually take care of a community theater, the last one
under the City of Miami. If the City of Miami cares about arts, they should at least put
their money and restore the theater and not give it to a private institution to pawn it
off. We're doing that on services across the board. It's littered throughout this agenda.
Park services, we're giving it away instead of parks getting, funded to do that. Process,
process, process. All our process has been putting dedicated maintenance funds into
the general fund and then prioritizing items on what we have money for. It's -- it's --
we cannot keep doing this. We have to understand the assets we have, apply the money
to maintain those assets, and restore the assets, especially like the Olympia Theater,
instead of giving it off to a private entity and saying this is the best choice we have.
Also, the DDA is meeting on this tomorrow. Why are we rushing this vote? Let this go
to referendum. As -- and applying millage from the dais? That should be a referendum
vote. I don't want to be taxed from the dais. I want to vote for that. I want to vote for
the Olympia Theater. Hopefully we'll vote in November. Hopefully. And that way we
can tell you how we feel. Maybe you can have political will and put it on the agenda.
Put it on the agenda, make it a referendum and let us vote for millage. Let us vote for
Olympia Theater. Let us vote for things that matter. And by the way, the trees need to
be saved. Giving money to FSU while we have FIU here is the wrong thing to do.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Mia (Minor): Good morning. I'd like to speak in support of Centro Mater. My name is
Mia, and I'd like to say that from an outside perspective, Centro Mater has become
something that's very special to me and ivy family. My sisters, Camila and Mila, have
been in Centro Mater for basically their entire lives and I have loved to see how
nurturing and safe of a space it has become for them. It's like their second home where
they get to be themselves while being safe and taken care of. It's also been amazing to
see how comfortable my mom is with everything provided by their school. I've loved
seeing her feel secure, that my sisters are in good hands, and being able to see her
blindly trust the amazing people that are part of this community. It has also given me
opportunities that I truly don't see anywhere else with things like volunteering and
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giving me the opportunity to give back to our community. I would love for other kids
and families to be able to experience this and that all starts with this chance being
opened up and expanded to them. Thank you, Carollo, for this opportunity. Thank you
very much.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Sandy Moise: Good morning. Sandy Moise, Morningside resident. Regarding CA.1, the
public has already engaged and made it clear that we do not want to weaken our tree
ordinance, so I'm not really sure why we're pushing it. Regarding the $180,000, if
that's necessary to have a clear and transparent process, I would support it. However,
keep in mind we do not want the tree ordinance to be weakened in any way whatsoever.
I know that is the goal. The City has yet to tell us what's wrong with the ordinance that
they feel so strongly that it needs to be fixed. The City's already cutting down trees on
city property without permits and issuing themselves after -the -fact permits and
sometimes not even an after -the -fact permit, just a regular permit, when caught and
reported, no mitigation, no contribution to the Tree Trust Fund. Speaking of the Tree
Trust Fund report of the receipts and expenditures for this fiscal year, code requires it
to be presented to the commission annually. I hope to see it. Regarding RE.30, the
DDA, put it on the ballot and let the residents decide. I strongly urge you to vote no on
PH.19, this rushed and reckless no -bid giveaway of the Olympia Theater, the adjoining
10-story building and air rights worth approximately $18 million, all just for $10, T-E-
N, $10 to Cham [sic] -- SLAM! Charter School and its for profit operator Academica.
We've been told the City can't afford to restore the Olympia, but $78 million from the
Miami Forever Bond was earmarked for parks and cultural facilities. So where did the
money go? Why wasn't a single cultural facility benefited from the bond? And let's not
forget, Maurice Gusman donated the Olympia Theater to the city for public enjoyment.
Do you honestly believe Mr. Gusman intended for his theater to be handed over to a
private for -profit corporation through a backroom deal? This deal is cooked, it's
dishonest, it's an insult to the public trust. Slow down, open a transparent RFP
(Request for Proposal), and anybody can apply. Restore the Olympia, don't give away
Miami's soul. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Ana Arrezquita: Good morning. My name is Ana, and I'm here because Centro Mater
is like my second family. My daughters Camila and Mila, she is almost two years old,
have a safe place with quality services. That allows me to go out to work and be a
financial support for my home. I'm very grateful and I know that with this proposal,
other, families will be able to benefit from this wonderful center. Thank you so much to
Carollo also.
Anthony Milian: Good morning, Commissioners.
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Milian: Thank you for your time today. My name is Anthony Milian and I'm a
proud SLAM! alumni. I wanted to talk about the PH.19 issue today. SLAM! is a school
and a foundation that changed my life for the better. I thank them for the opportunities
that I received there, and I was able to explore career paths and opportunities that I
never even thought were possible. The age of 17, I was able to graduate early with my
associate's degree. I'm a 20-year-old graduate of college and that's thanks to SLAM!. I
work at one of the 400 best companies in the United States of America with Sirius XM
thanks to SLAM!. All of this is suffice to say that SLAM! is to be trusted with the
preservation of the Olympia Theater. To me, SLAM! is not just a school. SLAM! is not
just a foundation, it is a family. It is rooted in culture and it is rooted in giving back. As
an employee and as a city member and a city resident, I'm honored to represent the
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tradition of SLAM!. I want to thank you all for your consideration and I want you all to
do the right thing and vote yes on the preservation of Olympia Theater. There are so
many examples of SLAM! changing things in the future and changing things for the
better. My life included, thousands of students' lives included, and I promise you with
every fiber of my being that SLAM! can change the city of Miami for the better with the
preservation of the Olympia Theater. Thank you, Commissioners. God bless.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Miguel Soliman: Good morning, Chairwoman, and good morning, Commissioners.
Miguel Soliman, 1436 Southwest 6th Street. I'm here in support of PZ.1, and I'd like to
thank you very much for continuing to -- for ordinances like this and providing the
residents of the city of Miami with public park area. I am also in support of PZ.11 and
also in support of RE.30 for the straw poll. Downtown belongs to all of us. No more
taxes. And of course, in great support of PH.21, Centro Mater, it is an incredible,
incredible cause. And thank you -- thank you all for having this, and thank you for
allowing me to speak.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Barbara Lange: Good morning, my name is Barbara Lange. I live 3901 Braganza
Avenue, Coconut Grove, and there's so many things, bad things on this agenda. I'm
trying to figure out which one I want to speak on, so I'm just going to tell you the ones
that I hate the most. The Olympia Theater going to a private company, the tree
ordinance being weakened, lots in Coconut Grove being split. And the last one was the
zoning where one mile in between the transit. I hope you add that, I know you added
NCD to keep Coconut Grove out of the big high story buildings within a mile, but I
hope you keep historic districts out also. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Jessica Johnson: Good morning. My name is Jessica Johnson. I'm a Morningside
resident and I was born and raised in Coconut Grove. I'm here to speak on PH.19 and
others. My father founded the Miami Jazz Festival at Bayfront Park. I spent my
childhood surrounded by music, art, theater, and a deep sense of creative community.
And then I left, and I moved to New York, like so many creatives do, to be in a place
that truly invests in arts. In New York, I experienced what it means to have a world -
class cultural institutions, and more importantly, what it feels like when your city
values them. Institutions that are preserved, funded, and treated as essential to civic
life. Coming home to Miami was devastating, because I know what this city could be. I
know the brilliance and beauty that exists here, but living in the city of Miami is being
heartbroken over and over again. Because time and time again, we watch you abandon
what matters most. Our shared spaces, our history and historic buildings, our culture
and creativity, our small businesses and homeowners, our trees -- don't weaken the
tree ordinance -- our green spaces, our waterways, all sacrificed in favor of real estate
developers, political favors and money. Beauty and care is bulldozed and covered in
concrete. And now as we gather here, as we speak from the heart, and as we offer real
solutions and plead for fairness, it feels always like we are being met with contempt.
Our protests are brushed off our demands for transparency are met with gaslighting,
blame shifting, cover-ups and lies. We voted for the Miami Forever Bond in 2017 with
hope, with trust. We gave you the tools to protect our future, including $78 million
specifically for cultural facilities. Your own capital improvements director named the
Olympia Theater as one of the deserving sites for Tranche 2. To date, Olympia has
received nothing from that bond, zero, and yet is being offered up in a backroom deal
with no competitive process, no RFP, no commitment to transparency.
Chair King: Thank you.
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Ms. Johnson: This -- thank you.
Chair King: Good morning.
Bob Deresz: Good morning. Bob Deresz, I live at 200 Southeast 15th Road, 33129, on
the water, it's beautiful. I'm very grateful. I've been known to think out of the box.
PH.16, 18, and many more. The sale -- first of all, leases, 75 and 99 year leases,
they're just unreasonable and unpredictable. I know who came up with that idea. And
to speak of PH.16, we've already sold that public land on Watson Island, 5.4 acres, for
$134 million, and $100 million being paid one million at a time for 99 years. I went to
AI (Artificial Intelligence) and I asked them, a million dollars today at 3 percent
increase, as the lease -- as the sales says, what will that be worth in 99 years? They
came up with it will be worth buying power at $54, 000. I don't know who did the math.
And see how suspicious this is? This is just another one of those oops. In fact, I had the
lawyers of the city once quoted in the paper oops when they made a mistake about a
loophole in Monty's lease. Thank you for -- please, see what you can do about that.
PH.18, before you sell public property, public lands, maybe you could go ahead and
change -- give them all zoning variances beforehand so we can get more money for it
instead of selling it cheap and then getting the variance and the property be worth
more. And when properties are for sale, could you make it a little more public, so it
doesn't take, you know, scientists to try to figure out what's available, what's for sale,
and maybe we'd get more money for them too and more people. Last thing,
gentrification. This has to do with public housing and stuff. I know a lot of cities and
counties around the country, here in our city and county, we take the average income
of an individual.
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Deresz: That's $67,000. I'm almost done.
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Deresz: Can we do it just for the people in the community?
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Deresz: There's my paper.
Unidentified Speaker: I'll get your paper.
Chair King: Good morning.
Unidentified Speaker: I'm not manhandling anybody.
Mr. Deresz: It's that paper, the -- you are manhandling me.
Unidentified Speaker: (Unintelligible).
Mr. Deresz: I have to hand this in.
Unidentified Speaker: Go right ahead.
Mr. Deresz: Well, stop pushing me.
Unidentified Speaker: Nobody's pushing you.
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Chair King: Sorry. Sorry. Sorry, sir, he didn 't mean to. Sorry.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Chair King: Good morning.
Alexander Cordovez: Good morning. Good morning, my name is Alexander Cordovez,
400 Northwest 1st Avenue. I come here today to speak as a downtown resident and to
urge you to support the proposal for PH.19. If you attended the last meeting, I spoke
all about the recent changes in downtown and surrounding areas and the direct impact
it's had on my daily life. The investments in safety, preservation, and infrastructure
have made a significant difference in the way we downtown residents live. The
preservation of the Olympia Theater is no different. This project is not just about
saving a building, but an investment in our city's cultural and economic future. In the
last couple of months, I've attended events at the Fillmore, Adrienne Arsht Center, and
even Bayfront Park Amphitheater. But you know where I haven't been? The Olympia
Theater. I have faith that the restoration of this building will change that. We have
already seen some of the positive effects of the restorations on Flagler. Increased foot
traffic and erections of new places to eat, shop, and enjoy. The Olympia Theater will
bring people beyond downtown. Patrons from all over will come to see this historic
building. They will walk past the streets before and after events, shopping, eating, and
drinking at our local mom and pops. The same can be said for the addition of the
SLAM! school next door. As a Mater Academy alum and a partner in this initiative, I
see the positive effects of having a high performing charter school in downtown. Aside
from the symbiotic relationship the school and the theater can have, the surrounding
businesses would also benefit. Living at Parkline, I can personally attest that all the
students who leave New World and Miami Tech end up walking over to the Starbucks
before they catch the train back home. And finally, I'd like to leave off by saying one
thing. I've seen what this non-profit can do. SLAM! is creating the future generation of
this community. I have no doubt that they will be educating them to be good citizens
and patrons of this wonderful theater, to have pride in their school, the Olympia, and
the city they call home. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Carlos Alvarez: Carlos O. Alvarez, principal of SLAM! Miami, 542 Northwest 12th
Avenue, Miami, Florida 33136. There are 16 charters that serve over 7,000 students in
the city of Miami. SLAM! Miami serves over 2,000 students, an A -rated and a high -
performing charter school that stands strong in being a partner with the City of Miami
and the Olympia Theater. Our network of school believes laying and giving back to our
community. I want to be clear. The Olympic [sic] Theater won't be driven by students
in a school. It'll be driven by our community. The passion for bringing back the
performing arts, that same drive will be infused into our classroom and spark curiosity
and passion for students that thrive in the performing arts. So together, we can create
programs and pathways in music, entertainment, arts, audiovisual, with the main
purpose of enabling and empowering students to give back to their community through
workforce development and college readiness. By preserving the Olympia Theater in
partnership with an educational hub, we revitalize this sector of the community. It
comes back to life by providing live entertainment to our residents and investing
through quality educational programs for generations and generations to come. A
community. A city. A school. Together we can make a monumental impact for
generations and generations to come. Preserve Olympia. Reignite this community.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Lissette Deler (as translated by official Spanish interpreter, Irene Orces): Good
morning. My name is Lisette Deler. I am a student and a mother. I have been blessed to
have my children receive the benefits that the commissioner has provided through
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Centro Mater in all areas. During the holidays, we get many donations along with such
caring and wonderful services and unforgettable memories. Our families need
important community centers that support us and help our families grow healthy and
happy. I thank Commissioner Carollo and this amazing center, which forms part of our
family and our community. Thank you.
Chair King: Gracias. Good morning.
Isabella Garibaldi: Good morning, Commissioners. My name is Isabella Garibaldi. I
came here today with the organization SAVE. The most efficient way we can exercise
our freedom is by advocating for minority groups, particularly queer people, as they
are often ostracized and shamed for who and how they show love. If we take steps to
protect LGBTQ youth, it will set an example to this community that we want the best
for future generations. And will advocate and put in the work required to create a safe
space for youth, including queer youth to grow up. We can do this by implementing
youth bullying prevention early on in schools, explaining how shaming someone for
who they love is counterproductive and harmful for everyone in the community, not just
queer people, and will not be accepted, let alone tolerated. We can also advocate by
helping LGBTQ owned/run businesses so that they are aware their community not only
accepts them but is willing to support them. This also provides spaces for queer people
to participate in the economy and therefore stay off the streets, lowering homelessness
and poverty. I hope you will consider this when you make decisions moving forward,
keeping queer people in mind as we strive to establish, through the law, a society that
promotes and accepts love. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Maria Gonzalez: Good morning. Maria Gonzalez, 436 Northeast 77th Street Road. I
am here to urge you to vote no on PH.19 and CA.1. PH.19 gives away the Olympia
Theater from the people to a, for profit entity. It is a genius scheme by Academica to rip
away taxpayers' dollars. So, let's understand this. We are giving the jewel of Miami so
that a for profit entity under the guise of a not -for -profit does not pay their fair share
of taxes because it's a public school. These non-profit public schools are owned by
family, friends and cronies of the umbrella company Academica. Mr. Zulueta and his
brother -- Mr. Zulueta and his brother, and they are making millions of dollars from
U.S. taxpayers. Hence, they are rolling in cash. Who wouldn't want that deal? Truly
genius. Academica, you get an A for swindling the people. Attorney Barket, you have
told the people that you have been looking for a good steward of the gem as Maurice
Gusman, may he rest in peace, would have wanted. Did our manager, Art Noriega,
mention to you during your search that there was a viable group that was working on
an RFP? Mr. Orlando Alonso will share with the audience how he had met with City
Manager Noriega, Commissioner Pardo, and et al for the past few years to put
together a real RFP to revitalize -- you know it, the Olympia. Mr. Noriega, I pulled you
aside at the Olympia Theater last Wednesday to ask you why you were -- you rolled
your eyes after one of our constituents was expressing her sentiments at the podium
outside of the Olympia. You were condescending to me, and your chief of staff can
attest to it.
Chair King: Thank you. Thank you, Maria.
Ms. Gonzalez: Thank you.
Chair King: Good morning.
Marina Braynon: Good morning, Commissioners. My name is Marina Braynon,
advocacy and outreach manager at SAVE, Florida's longest serving LGBTQ+
advocacy organization. I'm here today to speak in support of item PH.3 to expand
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housing opportunities for people with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and
AIDS. As part of SA VE's Advocacy is Pride campaign, we encourage this commission
to support this item because it advances equality for all, and especially for those in the
LGBTQ community through municipal policy. First, I want to commend the City for
scoring a solid 94 and a perfect 100 with FlexPoints in the HRC (Human Rights
Campaign) Municipal Equality Index. The MEI is a nationwide evaluation of 500 cities
based on criteria including the -- including inclusive laws, policies, and services that
are intended to showcase best practices of inclusion and be a blueprint for positive
change at the local level. There is always more to be done to ensure that the LGBTQ
community and all residents and staff feel fully protected, valued, and supported, not
just in spirit, but in tangible policy and practice. This resolution authorizing the
allocation of housing opportunities for people with HIV and AIDS is not a radical idea.
It is a reasonable step towards equity and safety. Passing this resolution will also
surely increase your MEI score for next year. SAVE wants to engage and support this
commission and the City of Miami LGBTQ Advisory Board and make sure that every
aspect of equality, especially in housing, is being addressed. Let's meet, let's
collaborate, and let's make sure that the city of Miami reflects the inclusive values it's
already known for. Please support Resolution PH 3. Thank you for your time.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Rob Piper: Good morning. Rob Piper, 1401 Southwest 17th Terrace. I was outside. I
didn't get a chance to hear what may have been pulled off the agenda, so if I read
something that has been deferred, I apologize. But, yeah, I wanted to come here and
thank you all for considering RE.26. That is the -- the mayor should have the same
rules of transparency that you folks do regarding business before the commission. So,
thank you for that, and I urge you to vote affirmative on that. Also, RE.28, the mayor
should not have a second job while serving the people of Miami. So, I urge you to vote
for that as well. That being said, I would urge you to vote against RE.22 in terms of
transparency. Please give the give the Inspector General enough time to do their job if
they need to investigate elected officials. Seven days is hardly enough time to do so. So,
please vote against that. And regarding PZ.7, regarding transit station neighborhood
development zones, I would ask that please give more, if there have been public
hearings on that to help the public understand what exactly those zones would be and
what that entails, I really haven't seen much about it. So, I would just ask, it's a good
idea in theory, so just please kind of either defer it or to give more public hearing and
take time to get more public input outside of the summer when most people are away,
as opposed to rushing to vote on it today. Thank you very much.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Giovanni Sairras: Good morning, good morning. This public comment concerns
PH.12. My name is Giovanni Sairras. I'm the executive director of Re -Entry One
Incorporated, a grassroots, peer -led non-profit organization based here in Miami. I'm
also -- I also serve as a church person for the Lived Experience Committee for the
Miami -Dade County Homeless Trust. I'm here today to urge the city to allocate
meaningful home ARP (American Rescue Plan) resources to community based
organizations like ours for supportive services. Re -Entry One provides trauma
informed care coordination, peer mentorship, employment training, housing
navigation, and legal advocacy to some of the most vulnerable residents in our
community, including individuals returning from incarceration, parents on probation,
and children of incarcerated mothers. Re -Entry One has served more than 500
participants across Miami -Dade County, FDOC (Federal Department of Corrections)
facilities, probation and parole services, FBOP (Federal Bureau of Prisons), as well as
community programs. Some of our collaborative partners are Miami -Dade
Corrections, Florida DOC and Federal BOP, mobile health care and
telecommunication providers, transitional housing partners, as well as mental health
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and substance abuse service providers. We are prepared to submit provider
qualification packets and comply with all HUD (Housing and Urban Development)
and county program requirements. We also ask that you ensure HomeArts supportive
services funds are accessible to local, lived experience led organizations that are
already doing the work on the ground every day. I thank you for the opportunity to
speak and for the commitment to inclusive housing solutions here in Miami -Dade
County. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Kenneth Haber: Good morning. Thank you. My name is Kenneth Haber. I'm a resident
born on Miami Beach. I've lived in Miami -Dade County for 65 years. I'm here to thank
all the commissioners, especially Joe Carollo, for your continuing support of Centro
Mater. Where I come in, I'm also a member of the Miami Outboard Club. I'm known
there as the golf guy. And we have created a golf tournament that we do yearly, raising
money for Centro Mater. We all know Centro Mater does great things for our
community. I guess what I'd really love to see is the City of Miami put a team together
maybe. If you guys play golf we have a great time. It's for a good cause. Usually -- I'm
used to talking to -- my speeches are usually made to 120 to 150 slightly intoxicated
golfers, but golfers that they like to have fun, they like to have a cocktail, and they like
to raise money for a good cause. Centro Mater is not a good cause; Centro Mater is a
great cause. I'd just like to mention some of the names of our sponsors, if I might. The
Law Offices of John P. Goshgarian, Damian Bertot, with Specialty Adjusting, the
Miami Yacht Club as well, Mercedes Benz of Coral Gables, Mercedes Benz of Cutler
Ridge, U.S. Parts, Firm Tools, MME Distributors, Helm Bank, or the Ortega
Foundation, which is Goya, the Maria Wahlberg family, Gesmac Development, DVG
Construction, Sonoma's Bank, Equitable, United Bank Community Bank, Northmark
Capital, Armando Kar & Larrabee, and actually Miami Dade College put a team
together this year. We'd love to see you guys this year, and again, thank you for your
support of Centro Mater.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Denise Galvez Turros: Good morning. Denise Galvez, 2130 Southwest 20th Street. I
have to say I volunteered at Centro Mater when I was in high school. It's a wonderful
organization. If Carollo was here, he would be, you know, surprised to know that I
often criticize him, but I very much support that funding for Centro Mater. It's a
wonderful program. I've witnessed it firsthand, so please vote yes on the Centro Mater
funding. Most importantly, I want to talk about Olympia Theater because for the last
ten years I've been on the historic board of the City of Miami where for years, on a
monthly basis, we would ask for updates on the Olympia Theater along with Dade
Heritage Trust who's here. We would ask for updates. We knew it was in dire need of
repairs. Nothing was done. And I want to say that a lot of the opposition and the
criticism and the skepticism is not aimed towards Academica. I've seen what they do,
they're a wonderful organization. The opposition and the skepticism is because of our
distrust of the City of Miami, past deals with Melreese, Freedom Park, Marlins Park,
all of those. We've seen how those deals, the devil is in the details. To be honest with
you, I don't trust our city manager to handle that deal at all. He said in public comment
that, oh, historic preservation has never been a priority. It could be. There's other
things that he's made a priority that we spend tons of money on, like a new fleet of cars
and Wagoneers for all the commissioners, unnecessary spending on art in Bayfront
Park. There's lots of money out there that we could go after at the state level through
DeSantis, as a matter of fact, who helped with the Freedom Tower. So, there's other
options, okay? So, this is not about Academica being a bad steward; this is about more
transparency. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
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Kelly Pierce: Good morning. Kelly Pierce, 600 Northeast 36th Street. In fifth grade I
auditioned for Fiddler on the Roof at my school, and I thought I would land the lead
role, but instead I was casted as a townsperson. No lines, no solos, my voice was that
bad and still is. But being in that show sparked something in me, a deep respect for the
hard work behind the curtain. I had fun, but more than that, I learned to appreciate
theater. Because of that one experience in fifth grade, I'm here 30 years later to speak
in support of restoring the Olympia Theater. Restoration is important, but protecting
the legacy is paramount. That legacy can only continue if we expose the next
generation, our children, to the arts, not just by inviting them to sit in the seats, but by
inviting them into the story. That opportunity -- the opportunity to run a professional
theater alongside an educational hub, speaks to legacy, longevity, and love for the arts
that can live beyond our lifetimes. Kids only dream as big as they are exposed to. We
have an opportunity to expose children to the arts, something that may keep them off
the street, pay their way through college, or provide a purpose. And maybe some will
learn, like I did, that performing isn't their gift, but they may grow up to be city
leaders, builders, architects or voters who will fight to keep the arts alive. I pray that's
you today on PH.19. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Orlando Alonso: Good morning. My name is Orlando Alonso, 92nd Southwest 3rd
Street, and I'm here to talk about the Olympia Theater. Commissioners, your manager
says you don't have the political will or the funds to save the Olympia, so we must give
it away. The Gusman attorney says we are not losing the theater because it was never
ours. None of that is true. Chair King, as a lawyer, you know that the Gusmans are just
posturing strength to get us to fold. Commissioners, you have never denied Olympia
funding because it has never been there, and it has never been proposed. The manager
puts the budget together for you to vote. He has never been denied Olympia funds
because he has never asked, for them. The $79 million for parks and cultural assets isn't
.for fire stations. It's for places like the Olympia. How much remains? How much have
we failed to spend? This is not a rhetorical question. You must get this answer before
you give up the Olympia. Commissioner Rosado, you sat on the Miami Forever Bond
Oversight Board when the manager's staff recommended our investment in the
Olympia in Tranche 2 of the bond. You can now realize that as a commissioner. Now
you can do it. This is your moment. Don't be the commission that gave away the
Olympia. Be the one that saved it. If you bring the bond and the air rights, the world
will meet you at the RFP. We are not asking for the City to shoulder the burden. Just
issue a solicitation that brings your dedicated part to the table. Don't give up, don't
give it away, do your part. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Gissell Izaguirre (as translated by official Spanish interpreter, Irene Orces): Good
morning, my name is Gissell Izaguirre. I am a mother at Centro Mater. This program
benefits families in a very purposeful way. The center provides home visitors. They
assist families with major issues regarding educational, social, and medical matters.
They identify psychological and neurological conditions and therefore refer the family
members to the appropriate services. I support our center and I'm asking that you
continue supporting funding. Thank you, Commissioner Carollo.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Danielle Villoch: Good morning. Danielle Villoch, 3044 Orange Street. I'm here to
speak in strong opposition to PZ.7. It is abhorrent and reprehensible that the most
impactful and significant change to Miami 21 is being jammed through in a mere 36
days in the middle of a Miami summer. This ordinance is poorly drafted, even the
substitution is riddled with typos to boot, and clearly meant to give one developer in
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Little River an end around to the city's SAP (Special Area Plan) planning. Why should
this framework be implemented with potential applicability to this entire city affecting
all our residents. In an e-mail from our commissioner yesterday, he explained that
despite a deferral being logical, there is a significant project requiring the creation of
a rail station relying on some of these changes. Why should the needs of one developer
override the 500,000 constituents in the city of Miami which all of you are supposed to
serve. While this should be deferred for further consideration to see how this transit
overlay affects every single district, at a minimum it needs to be further limited to half
a mile and exclude T4 properties to provide for proper transitional zoning abutting T3
properties. With the 24 plus story option being available only with a quarter mile of
rail stations. This is simply a gift to developers and citizens will be left with an
unlivable city and no benefits and developers reaping all the profits. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Gisela Laurie Gie (as translated by official Spanish interpreter, Irene Orces): Good
morning. Hi, my name is Gisela. Centro Mater is a second home to my children. The
love and care that Centro Mater provides is unique and very special. Along with many
more positive reasons, I truly support Centro Mater. Thank you, Commissioner
Carollo.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Lourdes Machado: Good morning. My name is Lourdes Machado and I'm here from
the board of Centro Mater. Centro Mater was started in 1968 to fulfill the need for
childcare in our community, not just childcare, but to help families get on their feet.
And we started in Ada Merritt Park, under a tree, and the mothers needed a place for
their children to feel safe so they could go to work. And that's how Centro Mater
began. Today we serve 1,600 children, over five centers, from ages 6 weeks all the way
to 12 years of age. And our board, the Centro Mater Foundation, is a voluntary board
and a generational board. My grandmother was on the board, my mother was on the
board, and like that there's so many of us that have donated through the years. We've
grown through private donations. The community has given us overwhelming support,
and we've raised millions of dollars through the years. We also have partnerships,
public and private, and have received help from the federal, state, and now hopefully
the local level, thanks to Commissioner Carollo. We're so grateful for this opportunity.
Centro Mater is early childhood, so at six weeks you can leave your child, a fully
accredited preschool, comprehensive after -school programs where you get two meals a
day, sports teams, partnerships with the Marlins, with soccer, theater, you name it,
tutoring. Most parents sometimes don't speak the language to help their children with
homework. And then a full summer camp from beginning of the summer to the end of
the summer. You drop them off all day, they're taken care of But right now, one of our
biggest needs is in early childhood, because most organizations don't want to provide
it. It's very expensive to leave a six -week-old to follow all the regulations of the state in
order to provide this service. So, we want to do that, because our wait lists are around
the corner. When we open up for summer camp, at 5 a.m. there's a line, by 8 it's full,
and the line is still just as long. So, these mothers need to get back to work, and they
can't wait until the child is three years old to get back to work. So, this building that we
are asking for the money for will provide that service. And 48 children, therapy centers
and a huge multipurpose room to be able to provide more family programming --
Chair King: Thank you.
Ms. Machado: -- because our families need that.
Chair King: Thank you.
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Ms. Machado: Thank you.
Chair King: Good morning.
Daniel (Minor) Good morning. My name is Daniel [removed], and I am 15 years old. I
have been a part of Centro Mater since I was 3 years old. And I am now proud to be
back as a volunteer during the summer. Centro Mater has always felt like a second
home to me. It is where I learned to count, to read, to make friends, and to believe in
myself. The teachers here taught us how to grow with love, respect, and confidence.
Lessons which I carry with me every single day. That is why I am here today. Not only
as someone who grew up here, but as someone who cares deeply about the next
generation of children walking through those doors. Centro Mater is in the process of
creating a new infant -toddler building. And it is truly a project of great importance and
significance for the community. Infants and toddlers are in one of the most critical
stages of their development. They need safe spaces, nurturing environments, and
people who see their potential from the very beginning. Now, as a community, we have
the opportunity to ensure that every child receives the care and attention they deserve
from the very start. This new building represents more than just extra space. It
represents the opportunity for more children to be welcomed into a community that
believes in them. It means that working parents can go to work knowing their children
are in the best hands. And it means that 10 or 15 years from now, some of those
children will be standing where I am, grateful and ready to give back. If you help
support this project, you will not only be contributing to a building, you will be
contributing to a future for hundreds of children. Your support helps create brighter
futures for children and families who need it most. Thank you, especially to
Commissioner Carollo, for always helping Centro Mater. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Isabel De Quesada: Good morning, Chairman King, Commissioners. My name is
Isabel De Quesada, 3911 Park Avenue, Miami, Florida. I came from Cuba when I was
five years old. My mother was a stay-at-home mom while my father worked two jobs to
help make ends meet. I'm a product of Miami public schools. Silver Bluff Elementary,
Shenandoah Junior High, and Miami Senior High School, and I was able, with my
parents' support and hard work, obtain a scholarship to go to Tufts University in
Boston. As a former news reporter and executive director of the Mayor's International
Council at the City of Miami, I am proud of what I was able to accomplish. All I only
ask is that we as a community, as a government, as citizens of Miami, afford the faces
you saw earlier this morning the same opportunity to maximize their full potential by
funding PH.21. We're looking at the future entrepreneurs, doctors, social workers,
teachers. And I think they deserve that opportunity to maximize their full potential. We
have a track record of almost 60 years, as Chairperson King acknowledged that she's
familiar with the program in her past work with Dade County. We have a waiting list,
as our board president just said. So please, help us fill that waiting list and uplift these
children so they can again maximize their full potential and become productive
members of our community. Thank you so much for your consideration and time.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Arian Baez: Good morning. Good morning, Commissioners. My name is Arian Baez,
and I've had the privilege of being part of Centro Mater's family since 2016, first as a
volunteer and now as a proud member of the team. Centro Mater is more than a
childcare provider; it is a lifeline for over 1,500 children and their families across
Miami -Dade County. We serve infants as young as 6 weeks to children up to 12 years
old, offering not just care, but the building blocks for a brighter future, especially those
who need it most. Founded more than 50 years ago, Centro Mater continues to carry
out its mission of providing high -quality education and support services to all children,
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regardless of background or income. We do this because we believe, as our founders
did, that love for children brings hope for the future. This proposed award and
investment is not just a donation, it's a commitment to the future of our children, our
families, and our community. On behalf of everyone at Centro Mater, I'd like to thank
Commissioner Carollo, and I respectfully urge your support. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Terrell Fritz: Good morning, Madam Chair, City Commissioners. Terrell Fritz, 111
East Flagler Street, Director of the Flagler BID (Business Improvement District),
speaking on PH.19 and RE.30. Last month the BID requested the Olympia Theater
item be deferred for community discussions. We want to thank Commissioner Pardo,
the City Manager, and the SLAM! group for participating in last week's forums. Our
bottom line has not changed. For the City to agree to convey the Olympia Theater
today without a vote of the City Commission on all final details and at time for full
community review is unthinkable. However, our understanding of the proposal has
evolved, and we now enthusiastically support further negotiation of a purchase and
sale agreement. And we've discussed with the SLAM! group a substitute resolution to
that effect. This is not about a school. It's about a theater. We need to see a cultural
programming agreement, including the possibility of an annual financial contribution
to the theater, zoning provisions that create no distance separations from restaurants
and bars, a preliminary traffic plan for pickup, drop-off, and transportation, an
analysis of the air rights, tax credits, and grants that could support programming and
operations of the theater, including a potential endowment. The BID looks forward to
further negotiation and community review of a final agreement before bringing a PSA
(Professional Services Agreement) back to Commission at a future meeting. Regarding
RE.30, the BID opposes a non -binding straw poll regarding the DDA. This is not a
referendum or a vote. It is nothing more than a logistically challenged non-random
poll. Instead, let's give the newly -appointed DDA Chair, Commissioner Rosado, the
opportunity and time to bring new leadership to the DDA. Thank you, and have a great
August break.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Kristen Torres: Good morning, Commission. My name is Kristen Torres. I'm here
representing Re -Entry One, I'm the operations manager. Earlier, my executive director
spoke, and I just learned for the City Commission ruling, when we're wanting to pass
out literature to explain what we're speaking about, we do give it to the Clerk. So, we
learned something this morning. So, what I want to hand to the Clerk for the record is
a Summarized Capability Statement, according, for the -- the agenda item PH.12 for the
home ARP staffing plan. Real quick summary, Re -Entry One is a peer -led, grassroots,
non-profit organization committed to reducing recidivism and empowering justice
impacted individuals. Our mission is to ensure successful reintegration by providing
holistic, trauma -informed reentry services, including workforce development, peer
mentorship, legal advocacy and housing navigation across Miami -Dade County. We've
been doing this for four years on the ground with minimal funds and we love what
we're doing. We'd like to expand our capacity. We love to hire more people coming out
of the system as well to be in -- on the roots -- on the ground, boots on the ground to
help other people coming into society, to reduce crime, to promote public safety and to
create more taxpaying citizens in our city. Thank you guys so much for your time. I'll
hand this to the clerk.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Matthew Bithle: Good morning. Matthew Bithle, 25 Northeast 2nd Street, Miami,
Florida, 33132. I'm honored to speak today to the Commission and members of public
on behalf of Miami Tech at Mater Innovation Academy, proudly located in the heart of
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downtown on the Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus. We're more than a high
school. We're a bridge between education, innovation, and the opportunity for future
generations. As a proud partner of Miami Dade College in the city of Miami, our
mission is to prepare students from all backgrounds to be college ready, career ready,
and community minded. Our vision is rooted in equity, excellence, and access, and we
see the proposed restoration of the Olympia Theater not just as a historic revival, but
as a transformative step into education and culture in our city. We are thrilled to
support SLAM!'s proposal and the city's vision for this iconic space. It's a powerful
symbol for our students to walk these downtown streets, to learn within the walls of this
-- one of our cherished buildings in our downtown area, and to know that our city are
growing and believes in our students, to invest in their future and their heritage. This is
about stewardship, about honoring the past while shaping the leaders of tomorrow. I'd
like to sincerely thank Commissioner Rosado for visiting our campus and seeing
firsthand the partnership between Miami Dade College and the city of Miami. We're
just more than a building and student stations. We're building civic pride, community
engagement, and a pipeline of talent that will shape our future of our beloved city.
Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Sarah Santaya (as translated by official Spanish interpreter, Irene Orces): Hi, good
morning. My name is Sara Santaya. I want to thank Centro Mater for opening its doors
to me when all other doors were closing on me. Through their generous scholarships,
I've been able to pay for my food, rent, and my medical bills. Thank you, Commissioner
Carollo, for supporting Centro Mater. He's always helping and thinking about our
low-income children.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Douglas Rodriguez: Good morning. Douglas Rodriguez, principal, Mater Brickell in
Miami Innovation Academy, 230 Southwest 17th Road. Thank you to the
commissioners and also to our public here for allowing us to speak. SLAM! and Mater
Academy are very successful large organizations that have not only been successful
and have a huge investment in the city of Miami, but have also been successful
nationally. Frankly, they do what they say they're going to do, and that's why they've
been welcome in so many communities throughout our country and especially in our
city. One of the things that's important to note is you saw a bunch of students here from
Centro Mater talking about their school. You saw students that used to go to SLAM!,
students from Mater Brickell. The reality is we preserve what we love. And in order to
continue to preserve this theater for a hundred more years beyond where it is today,
that really is what needs to be the goal. And you have to teach students about the
cultural history and the preservation of the most important parts of our city and our
cultural history. And we propose doing that in several ways, one of which creating of
course as part of the curriculum within the school, which is separate from the theater,
in order to address cultural arts history of Miami and also the preservation history of
Miami, and that is creating the longevity and the love that it will take to make sure that
this theater is 200 years old one day. In addition to that, I think it's very important to
understand that we have no intention of doing anything but preserving that theater for
the community use what it was intended for. All we're doing today is opening the door
to allow the city manager to negotiate a contract that makes sense for this community,
that makes sense for that theater. I ask the commission today to please make this a win
for our taxpayers, for the theater, for the Gusman family, and for our children. Thank
you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
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Manuel Pozzoti: Good morning. Manuel Pozzoti from Centro Mater, licensed
psychologist. I'm here to briefly tell you what we do at Centro Mater when it comes to
mental health. Just to give you an example, last year we helped over 50 children with
any type of mental health issues. Also, many, many parents who are also suffering from
any type of mental health difficulties. So, I could talk about mental health need in our
community and the services that are needed to help people who are suffering, but I
kindly request to help us help more families, to give us the support that we need. If last
year we helped as many children as we did, next year we will be helping more. So,
please support Centro Mater, support our community, support our state, our country,
and everyone. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Jean Carlos Canela: Good morning. I want to thank you, commissioners, for the
opportunity to speak today. My name is Jean Carlos Canela. To speak not just as a
collaborator with SLAM! on this initiative, PH.19, but as a local, someone that literally
lives two minutes from the Olympia, I walk, jog, drive past it every day. I know how
much it means to this community. It means a whole lot to me. Right now, it's a sleeping
beauty, silent in the heart of downtown, but I promise you, and I know a lot of you are
aware of this, it once was filled with music, with stories, with dreams, and it can be
again. I know because I lived it. I am a proud graduate of New World School of the
Arts. I trained classically. I sung opera for four years in five different languages. I, too,
as many thousands of others, walked across that very stage to receive my diploma. And
I still remember that day like if it was yesterday. The lights, the applause. What I
remember the most of that day is the hope that we felt in that room. That place
mattered. And ladies and gentlemen, we have not had and will not have another
opportunity like the one we do right now to make it matter again. SLAM!'s proposal is
more than a restoration, it's a reinvention. The revival of the Olympia Theater, the
transformation of the adjacent tower to a cutting -edge arts and technology high school
where kids can learn media, music, gaming, animation, and AI right here in downtown.
And I want to emphasize on this because I've heard a lot from our fellow citizens, I've
heard a lot of concerns, you know, I've heard a lot of noise from certain individuals
that I truly question their sources of information, I invite them to question them as well.
This is not a plan to make the Olympia a school theater. It is not. It is not that. It is so
much more than that. We are fully committed to the traditional, rich cultural history of
the Olympia.
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Canela: Thank you very much.
Chair King: Thank you. Can you have your youngsters come so everyone can see
them? Let them come up in front. Mr. Gray, can you start?
Ijamyn Gray: Great rising, kings and queens, my name is Brother Ijamyn Gray. I'm the
CEO of Encouraging Dreamers, Breaking Barriers. We are a second chance youth
escape program. My address is 3520 South Douglas Road, Historic Coconut Grove
Community. So, first off, I want to start off by speaking about PH.19. I think that we
should defer that and get more information because preserving our history that our
ancestors have fought hard for and preserved this historic building for use. I think that
we need to go back to the table for that. On RE.30, for the DDA, I thank you all for
finally hearing their voices and letting the people -- I ask that you put this on the ballot
so that the people voices could be heard. So, like I said, I'm here representing all the
troubled youth and all the underserved youth in our community that doesn't get that eye
candy, that likeness. And so here, right now, I have over 50 kids that's a part of my
summer escape. So, I do summer escapes, spring escapes all year round. And our job is
to create opportunities, create that pathway to prosperity for our youth through our
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car wash initiative. Yes, y 'all look at it as a car wash, but the car wash is like the
vessel to bring our youth in, to be able to mentor them, to be able to create, to be able
to teach them what it takes to be successful in this world. So, I think the missing
ingredients that we're missing is that age group from 15 to 25. I know we glorify those
younger kids, but these are the kids that we're trying to prevent from causing the issues
in our community. So, we ask that to all the commissioners that's up here, I know we've
been up here numerous times and asking, we just ask that you get behind us, give us an
opportunity to excel, to have that pathway to prosperity. And we ain't begging you for
anything. We're asking you to support us like they first did when they told us that they
were sponsoring our initiative. We asked the city manager if he could allow us to detail
the City of Miami vehicles that will help you get up to your procurement goals, our
goals is to collaborate --
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Gray: -- the community with the police.
Chair King: Thank you. I allowed you to speak and the item -- what you're talking
about is not on the agenda, but I don't want to slight the children, but thank you. So
that's why I didn't stop you.
Mr. Gray: I spoke on two items there.
Chair King: You did, but now you started about your --
Mr. Gray: Yes ma 'am.
Chair King: -- your camp and stuff but that's not on our agenda. But it's good seeing
you.
Mr. Gray: Thank you, for your time.
Chair King: Thank you so much.
Mr. Gray: Yes ma 'am.
Chair King: Bye.
Applause.
Chair King: Good morning.
Sasha Torres: Good morning.
Chair King: How are you?
Mr. Torres: Good. My name is Sasha Torres. I am a lifelong Miami resident. I attended
Florida State University where I got a degree in theater. I moved back to Miami in
2011. I opened a stage where we hosted hundreds of artists, the Florida Grand Opera.
In 2017, we opened Bar Nancy in Little Havana, also with the express vision of giving
artists a voice. So, this is an emotional issue for me because we are constantly facing
these existential crisis at our art institutions. So, when we get the chance for an
institution -- an organization like SLAM! that has, you know -- you judge a tree by its
fruits. When you look at the track history of what these people have been able to
accomplish and what we have going on over there right now at the Gusman, I think it's
a no-brainer, it shouldn't be that hard. Thank you very much.
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Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Charles Cutler: Good morning. Charles Cutler, 706 Northwest 4th Avenue. I'm 100
percent service -disabled veteran. I want to speak on the housing piece with the CDBG
(Community Development Block Grant). When I looked at it, I see different programs,
but the housing programs are strong. But I don't see nothing that's available and, you
know, for years for the veterans. Because we have a lot of homeless veterans in this
community, and I think that perhaps in the future, or if at all possible sometime now,
because I think that we need to let the nation know and let this world know, let -- that
Miami care about their veterans. And I served in Vietnam, I got drafted for the war and
I'm 100 percent. Okay, now, on another issue, I came to a meeting with the building
and zoning. And I had to go on the VA (Veterans Affairs), I had to have a procedure, so
when I got out I had to go stay with my son for a while. I had an issue with them; I
came to the meeting. When I came home, they knocked down my house. And now I'm
paying the property taxes. I got the -- they put swamp grass in the yard. I have to get
the swamp grass cut every two weeks. Now the city done throwed a $5, 000 fine on me
from the City's Attorney's Office.
Chair King: Mr. Cutler.
Mr. Cutler: And I got another $9, 000.
Chair King: Mr. Cutler, no, I'm going to have to --
Mr. Cutler: No, I got three minutes.
Chair King: No, you don't have three minutes.
Mr. Cutler: Okay, well, I'm done. I'm done. I'm done.
Chair King: No, wait, let me finish.
Mr. Cutler: I'm done. I'm done.
Chair King: Let me finish. I'm going to have the manager have someone speak to you --
Mr. Cutler: Okay, I'm done.
Chair King: -- about what you're saying so someone can directly address you.
Mr. Cutler: Yes, ma'am.
Chair King: Okay. Thank you, Mr. Cutler. Good morning.
Charles Gibson: Good morning. Charles Gibson, longtime resident, lifetime resident,
3679 Franklin Avenue. Before I begin, I do want to show my support for Centro
Mater item. I am a product of Centro Mater as well. My mother worked for a CAA
(Community Action Agency) for 40 years and I was a student there. Primarily I'm here
to speak on PH.19, the Olympic [sic] Theater item. I'm in support of that. I am truly
saddened by its current condition. It reminds me of the Coconut Grove Playhouse. I
live on Franklin. I'm two blocks away, so I look at the Coconut Grove Playhouse and I
would hate to see that the Olympic [sic] Theater get into that same condition. It is a
jewel, and it is one of the things that we need to preserve. One of the problems -- some
of the problems that we will try to solve is that we have the 40 year certification that's
due. We also have the Gusman lawsuit that's pending, and the obvious is the actual
condition of the property. Unfortunately, the City of Miami has not been able to solve
these issues, and we're not pointing the fingers, but we want to point out that it has not
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been resolved, it has not been preserved. There has been -- people have made
comments that we want to have transparency. The City has proposed a CR -- an RFP
in the past, and there have been no significant responses. Some of the responses that
were done was asking the City to turn over the property and also for the City to give
them money to resolve it. The real solution and why SLAM! is a better fit is that SLAM!
has a track record, they had the capital money to resolve the issue, which no other
developer has agreed to. And they are willing to follow the restoration plan that has
been instituted by the architect that has been working on it for years. And in closing,
there will be a reverter clause in the event that SLAM! does not follow. So, I think this
is the best plan that we have in place for the city. I think the city manager has the
wisdom to guide us, because he's been working on this for years.
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Gibson: Thank you.
Chair King: Good morning.
Michael Green: Good morning. My name is Michael John Green, 200 Southwest 8th
Street, Miami, Florida. I am the chief of economic development and strategy of the
Miami DDA. I'm here to speak on RE.30. The -- I wanted to just talk about a few facts.
I know there were some people saying certain things that they did not see, and they
might not have seen those things because we cleaned them up. Over 30,000 bags of
trash have been picked up by the DDA in the last year. Over 7,000 instances of graffiti
have been cleaned up in the last year. 800 blocks of landscaping have been done, and
over 175 blocks, 107 instances of illegal dumping, have been cleaned up. And so, you
don't see those things because we cleaned them up or got rid of them. The DDA has
helped over 750 residents and businesses in the district with the permit process,
providing additional and more opportunity. Also, we've supported 30 new businesses
opening up in the district as we're all working to get the central business district to get
all the lights on. There's 30 new businesses and the majority of them coming within
that district. Over $1.5 million in the last year has been given to police safety to make
the DDA a safer place. 34 percent of this year's proposed budget goes to support
homelessness. And for all of the people that people do see in the streets in the blue and
orange shirts, all of those folks were once unhoused. And so, the DDA is not only
providing them a job, but also opportunity in getting them off the streets. We welcome
everybody who is here, and we appreciate the residents expressing their opinions and
we look forward to having continued dialogue and I thank you guys for the time.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
June Savage: Good morning. Hi Mrs. King, and hi, Damian, and our city attorney, our
city manager. I would like to defer the item for the Olympia Theater until we can all
review this contract, make sure there are provisions of escrow, make sure there are
provisions that the facade remains the same throughout the lifetime of this, and that
should bring some clarity of our preservation of this beautiful theater. I believe it
should go to a school if it is a feeder program into the arts. I graduated New World
School of the Arts, which was called PA VAC (Performing and Visual Arts Center). So,
I understand. I've also choreographed for the Miami Acting Company. I am your
theater person here. I would love for you to preserve it properly. Send me that
contract, I want to review it. As far as the DDA picking up trash, we have the wrong
receptacles across the city of Miami. We need different receptacles so they're not
picking up so much trash. I think we need to modernize our receptacles throughout the
city. And I'd also like to say regarding our trees and regarding our giveaways to
developers, it needs to stop. I grew up here. We are losing our city. It's becoming hot
and people are calling it climate change, but it's hot because there's more cement and
we're not doing more eco-friendly construction and development. So, I'd love to sit
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down with any one of you. My father was a general contractor with Babcock and I'm a
real estate agent. So, I would love to help you all. Thank you very much and have a
blessed day.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Karina Pavone: Good morning. Good morning, Commissioners. My name is Karina
Pavone. I serve as the CEO of Amigos for Kids, a trusted non-profit that has served
families in the city of Miami for over 30 years. We provide year-round enrichment
programs to more than 260 children, many of whom face economic hardships and
limited access to extracurricular opportunities. I'm here today to express my strong
support for PH.19, which would allow SLAM! to restore the historic Olympia Theater
and activate it through academic programming. I have seen firsthand the power of
education and the arts to transform children's lives. This plan offers an extraordinary
opportunity, not just to preserve a treasured landmark, but to breathe new life into it in
a way that uplifts our community and our youth. Our students don't have the means to
enroll in private performing arts academies, but they have dreams, they have talent,
and they deserve a stage to shine on. This proposal honors our city's cultural legacy
while expanding access to the arts and for every child who needs it most. I truly believe
this is the right path forward, one that protects our history, serves our families, and
gives our children a chance to grow, thrive, and inspire. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good morning.
Melissa Tapanes: Good morning. Melissa Tapanes. I've had the pleasure of being
born, raised, educated in Miami. I never left. I've worked in downtown Miami my entire
adult life. I've had the privilege of now being a business owner in downtown Miami and
I have the pleasure of serving as a board member of the Downtown Development
Authority. I also have the privilege of using my skill and talent pro bono towards the
City of Miami's DDA as chair of the DDA's Urbanism Committee and has served as
chair of the DDA's Downtown Development of Regional Impact Ad Hoc Committee.
I'm here to speak on RE.30, specifically the straw vote in favor of the DDA. What I
think is being missed here is that when I started as an attorney in the early 2000s, we
were here at Miami City Hall arguing for mixed -use development in downtown Miami.
Before then, there were no residents in downtown Miami. The DDA, through the
Downtown of Regional Impact, has planned all the infrastructure, all the services, all
the quality of life that both business owners, workers, and residents, and all of our
patrons that come to downtown Miami, which is the jewel of the entire Miami -Dade
County on a daily basis, enjoy. The DDA is very important. As a District 2 resident, I
can tell you that -- if I may, one more minute, please.
Chair King: That was 30 second --
Ms. Tapanes: Thank you.
Chair King: -- notice.
Ms. Tapanes: If I may, as a District 2 resident, also my entire adult life, I live there
because of its proximity to downtown Miami. And what I think is being missed here is if
you put a straw vote to the property owners within the DDA, many will say yea, nay,
nobody wants to pay taxes. There is a mistrust of all government, not just the city of
Miami, federal, state.
Chair King: Thank you.
Ms. Tapanes: 30 more seconds, please.
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Chair King: No, no, no, do you see James Torres sitting there? If I give you 30 seconds
Ms. Tapanes: Yes, I see Mr. Torres. I see -- thank you so much.
Chair King: Thank you.
Ms. Tapanes: I would ask for the entire city ofMiami --
Chair King: Thank you.
Ms. Tapanes: -- (INAUDIBLE). Thank you.
Unidentified Speaker: Thank you.
Ms. Tapanes: Don't take me away, but thank you. You know what I'm going to say, let
it go to all the city ofMiami residents.
Chair King: Good morning.
Ivonne Berrios: Good morning, Chairwoman King and honorable members of the City
Commission. My name is Ivonne Berrios. I'm the COO (Chief Operating Officer) and
CFO (Chief Financial Officer) for the Miami Downtown Development Authority. I'm
here to speak on behalf of RE.1 and RE.30. On RE.1, the Miami DDA is proposing a
tentative millage of 0.3900 mills for the `25- `26 fiscal year, a 10 percent reduction
from last year. While the property tax base in our district has increased 9.3 percent,
the Miami DDA is cutting back its millage rate because we hear the community
concerns on keeping taxes as low as possible. On RE.30, our doors are always open
and we're open to reform. There are opportunities to be heard at the multiple public
meetings we host or by meeting with us individually. This is the right forum to ensure
that Miami DDA is serving the needs of the community, not through what is being
proposed in R.30 [sic]. This is a costly and time-consuming effort, only distracting
from the important work of the Miami DDA does daily. I want to reiterate that the
Miami DDA is driving real, visible impact in Downtown. In the upcoming fiscal year,
we're dedicating more of our budget to quality of life and security. More than 34
percent of our budget is going toward addressing homelessness, focusing on outreach
assistance and shelter placement. The Miami DDA is part of the solution and future of
Downtown and we're here to do the work. I'm happy to answer any questions on our
millage rate, budget or the impact we're delivering every day. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good afternoon.
Steven Leidner: Good afternoon. Thank you, Commissioners and Chairwoman King
for remaining present and attentive during public -- public speaking. My name is Steve
Leidner, 1130 102 Street, Bay Harbor Islands. Sierra Club opposes the Building
Department's effort to replace the City's current tree ordinance by way of a seemingly
innocent civic minded public process facilitated by FSU. A process co facilitated by an
urban forester with an expansive objective, i.e. 30 percent canopy in all neighborhoods
and districts, especially downtown Miami, because it's unsurvivable because it's so hot.
Yes, an urban forester would provide guardrails and would be so much more palatable
if CA.1 must go forward. FIU certainly has the talent, and the individual I'm thinking
of is Chris Baraloto, comes to mind to facilitate this process. Also, your own CRC, the
Climate Resilience Committee, could facilitate this process. They are an awesome
group of individuals. $182,000 is a waste. Again, the CRC could freely facilitate an
expansive process and make policy recommendations. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you.
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Andy Alfonso: Good morning.
Chair King: Good morning.
Mr. Alfonso: Good morning, Chairman King, Commissioners --
Chair King: Good afternoon.
Mr. Alfonso: My name is Andy Alfonso. I am here in support of PH.19. I'd like to defer
the rest of my time if I may to Mr. Tim Barket.
Chair King: What?
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Chair King: Okay.
Tim Barket: I'm Tim Barket. I represent the Gusman family. I'm the one that filed a
lawsuit against the City of Miami six years ago to try to save the theater. But my
involvement goes way back. It goes back to Regalado and Herman Echevarria, back to
the Friends of the Gusmans in the early 2000s. We've been fighting this fight for a long
time. There's a lot of misnomers here, and I want to mention something. All this praise
for the Mater Academy here today is the Zulueta's family started the Mater Academy,
and you see how it has progressed all these years and all the great praise that we get.
There's a misnomer that SLAM! is a not -for -profit -- is a profit. It's not. It's a not -for -
profit. So, we filed this lawsuit; we've been in this fight for six years now. Another
misnomer is that there has been no RFPs. You know, from August to January of 2003,
an RFP was put out, and not one person submitted a viable -- a viable option for the
City. It's been abundantly clear that the City of Miami does not have the money to take
care of this, and we're the ones that solicited SLAM! to come up to this -- come up to
this fight. It is the best fit for the continuing of arts and education in downtown. A lot of
people express concerns about the theater, the theater, and theater, but yes, there's a
10-story building that's intricately tied to the theater. We just can't deal with the
theater without dealing with the building. So, our proposal when we brought SLAM!
Into this was for the city to deed this to SLAM! With the commitment and the --
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Barket: Did I get deferred some time?
Chair King: No. Oh, he just said he was giving you his time. I didn't understand that.
He was giving you --
Mr. Barket: His time.
Chair King: -- his time and you want your time as well?
Mr. Barket: Yes, ma'am.
Chair King: Okay, I didn't understand that. Did you understand that? No. Because I
didn't allow that for anyone else, and I've been very stern with my -- so thank you.
Mr. Barket: Okay. Can I just say one more thing?
Chair King: One last thing. Not a long thing. One last thing.
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Mr. Barket: If this --
Chair King: Because there's -- because there was confusion, I will allow you to make
one last statement.
Mr. Barket: Thank you.
Arthur Noriega (City Manager): Madam Chair, he's an attorney. I'm not sure he can
say just one thing.
Chair King: I understand that as well. One last sentence, sir, one last sentence.
Mr. Barket: If the Gusman family --
Chair King: It's not extra time.
Mr. Barket: If this commission today does not allow the opportunity for the manager to
negotiate a deal to be approved by you in the September meeting, the Gusrnan family
will proceed with our litigation, and we'll see what happens. I'm very confident in our
case and I really would like the city's involvement in this decision.
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Barket: Thank you.
Chair King: Good morning.
Benedict Kuehne: Good afternoon --
Chair King: Good afternoon.
Mr. Kuehne: -- Commissioners. Ben Kuehne, 100 Southeast 2 Street, Miami, Florida. I
speak in favor of CA.9, Resolution 14845, which is for the provision for attorneys' fees,
and let the Commission know that I will remain during any discussion and am
available for any questions or consultation. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good afternoon.
Jorge Menendez: Good afternoon. Short and sweet. Jorge Suarez Menendez, 1900
Brickell Avenue. I'm here to talk about the DDA and the taxation, over taxation. You
guys are getting worse than the IRS (Internal Revenue Service), which is illegal since
1913, but anyway. I think they should cut out the taxes. Property taxes in Brickell
Avenue are doubling in the last couple of years, and I believe a lot of the money's being
misused by some of the politicians. And I think it's time to stop it, cross the red line,
and let's see what happens. And like they say, election has consequences. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good afternoon.
Brenda Betancourt: Good afternoon. Brenda Betancourt, 1436 Southwest 6th Street. In
support of Mater Academy, I have been part of this program for a long time, even
though (UNINTELLIGIBLE) been there for over three decades in Little Havana only. I
think it's something that is very special. Just confused, we have a lot of different new
resolutions that are being proposed. Drug tests, meetings that cannot be supposedly,
you know, under the table, which I don't understand, because all of you guys are
supposed to have a sunshine meeting, so everybody knows what's going on. Drug test is
excellent, you should do it immediately, don't wait for two weeks so people can get
sober. You know, from everywhere. You know, not just alcohol, other drugs that people
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takes [sic]. So, it would be immediately, it should be right away, don't wait for it. So
that way, if you actually are taking something, then you actually can find out the truth.
Support in the PZ changes that we are doing for setbacks in the houses. And I just want
to keep you aware of the building permits that we have so many issues. So many
employees in the City of Miami is still under COVID because they don't show up to
work. They are work from home. So, you have to wait for a phone call, Zoom meeting.
And I thought that COVID passed already a couple of years back. And if you're not
aware of it, many people from the first floor to the 10th floor in the MRC (Miami
Riverside Center) building, they don't show up to work, maybe one day. So, the
residents, business owners, that we try to make things happen for permits, or any other
new resolution that you guys create, we're not receiving the service that we are being
charged. Plus, we pay for it with our taxes. So, it's lovely to see if you are going to be
actually paying attention to that. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good afternoon.
James Torres: Good afternoon, Chairwoman. James Torres, president of the DNA
(Downtown Neighbors Alliance). I'm here to plead with you today on behalf of the
downtown residents, not the DDA staff, not board members, nor businesses receiving
any type of grant or monies. We have been taxed far too long, decades as it relates to
the DDA tax that has been implemented on Brickell, Edgewater and Downtown. Before
you today, you have Resolution RE.30, which would finally let Downtown, Brickell and
Edgewater residents vote this November on whether we wish to continue paying the
extra tax that's funding the Downtown Development Authority. For 58 years, residents
have carried the additional tax burden, a tax no neighborhood in the city is paying,
despite Downtown, Brickell and Edgewater's representing over $32 billion in taxable
property values and contributing heavily to the Miami tax code. This is about fairness,
this is about democracy. Everyone on here, on this dais, was elected by the people.
Today, we're asking you to give that same right to the residents of Brickell, Downtown
and Edgewater. This resolution does not eliminate the DDA. This doesn't defund the
DDA. It simply asks a simple question. Should we keep paying tax? We're asking to
have that voice on the November ballot. I think it's important to note that the only
opposition that comes here day after day are not residents necessarily, it's DDA staff,
the board members who do not live in the downtown corridor, and businesses that are
lining up to receive grants on a weekly and monthly basis. We're not asking for
handouts, we're asking for our basic right. The freedom to make a choice at the ballot
box. Please support RE.30. Let us be heard. Let the people vote. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good afternoon.
Ariel Trueba: Good morning. Good afternoon. Ariel Trueba, 61 Northwest 37th
Avenue. I'm here to support CA.1. I'm a proud alumnus of Florida State University, go
Noles. I did hear some people would like, you know, more of the regional universities
to support. I think it's great that we are supporting other universities in the state of
Florida, whether that be OF or FSU, or any other. So, I urge you to support this item.
In regards to PH.2 and PH.3, I also would like for you to support accepting these funds
from HUD. There's a lot of individuals living with HIV and AIDS in our community
that need this help and HIV and AIDS doesn't just only affect the LGBTQ+ community,
it also affects everybody else. So, this is great. In regards to PH.19, as a proud resident
of the city of Miami, born and raised, I also went to Miami Senior High School, which
has a beautiful theater. I think we can do the same at the Olympia Theater. I know that
everybody has their own opinions, but I hope that we could move forward with this
because the residents are tired. In regards to RE.20 and RE.21, I'm proud to support
Commissioner Rosado in bringing these reforms forward and that's it for me. Thank
you.
Chair King: Thank you. Is there anyone else?
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Julian Linares: Hi.
Chair King: Good afternoon.
Mr. Linares: Good afternoon. My name is Julian Linares, I am the president of Centro
Cultural Espanol, Spain Cultural Center. We need venues here in the city of Miami. We
need culture here in the city of Miami. If a group wants to put $50 million, that's a [sic]
serious money. So, please say yes, PH.19. Thank you very much.
Chair King: Thank you. Is there anyone else that would like to speak?
Silvio Pupo: Good morning, Chairwoman --
Chair King: Good afternoon.
Mr. Pupo: -- Commissioner Gabela. Good afternoon. Commissioner Rosado. My name
is Silvio Pupo. I'm active in the city. I have a couple of projects that I'm seeing I'd like
to make some comments on today. Starting with the Wynwood Business Improvement
District. I have a proposal, for an augmented reality art walk in the Wynwood area. I'd
like that to be sort of considered. I think that can help drive KPIs (Key Performance
Indicator) for traffic of people in the pedestrian areas of Wynwood. It's very needed.
For RE.7, I also want to propose accepting the DDA grant for the drone first
responder program. Since we started having the incidents last year around the islands,
kind of close to North Bay Village, we've been working to think about how we can
leverage drone technologies for better safety. And anything that's DI.4, CA -- CI.9 [sic]
with storm proofing, DI.8 with traffic studies around schools, also in support of as
well as DI.7, the city proposed parks fund with the Miami Foundation. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Is there anyone else that would like to speak? Seeing none,
public comment period is now closed. Gentlemen, we're short two.
Commissioner Gabela: Yep.
Chair King: What is -- would you like to move forward and clear some of the agenda
or would you like to recess? I believe, and I'm not sure, I'd ask the clerk to advise.
Commissioner Gabela: Madam Chair, in light of the two colleagues that are not here -
Chair King: Right, so --
Commissioner Gabela: -- I think we should break.
Chair King: -- break for lunch?
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, I mean --
Chair King: I agree with you.
Commissioner Gabela: What do you think, Commissioner?
Chair King: I agree. One of our colleagues had a hard stop at 12: 00. I'd like to respect
that and return after lunch. It is now 12: 00, let's say 12: 30. We'll come back two hours
later, 1:30, 2:30?
Commissioner Gabela: Right at 2: 30.
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Chair King: The City of Miami Commission meeting for July 24, 2025 will be in recess
until 2: 30. Thank you all for your advocacy. See you this afternoon.
[Later...]
Chair King: Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome back to the City of Miami
Commission for July 24, 2025. At this time, we are going to recess again and go into
the Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA meeting. And following the Southeast
Overtown/Park West CRA meeting, we will begin the Omni CRA meeting. Both of these
meetings need to occur before we are able to take up items on our agenda. So, we're
going to do that first. Thank you for your indulgence. The City of Miami Commission
meeting for July 24, 2025 is now in recess.
MV -MAYORAL VETO(ES)
There were no mayoral vetoes associated with legislation that is subject to veto by the Mayor.
END OF MAYORAL VETO(ES)
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CA.1
17856
Department of
Building
CA - CONSENT AGENDA
The following item(s) was Adopted on the Consent Agenda
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
LAYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
RESOLUTION Item Pulled from Consen
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION PURSUANT
TO SECTION 18-112 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), APPROVING THE
PURCHASE OF PUBLIC OUTREACH SERVICES IN AN AMOUNT
NOT TO EXCEED ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY THOUSAND TWO
HUNDRED NINETY EIGHT DOLLARS ($180,298.00) FROM
FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY ("FSU") TO SUPPORT OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI'S ("CITY") CONSIDERATION OF REVISIONS TO
THE CITY'S TREE ORDINANCE; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM
THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT'S GENERAL FUND ACCOUNT,
SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS AND BUDGETARY
APPROVAL AT THE TIME OF NEED; AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT, IN
A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, WITH FSU
FOR THE SERVICES FORA TERM OF ONE (1) YEAR; FURTHER
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND
EXECUTE ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING ANY
AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, AND EXTENSIONS, ALL IN FORMS
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, SUBJECT TO
ALLOCATIONS, APPROPRIATIONS, PRIOR BUDGETARY
APPROVAL, AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE
PROVISIONS OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA,
AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), INCLUDING, THE CITY'S
PROCUREMENT ORDINANCE, ANTI -DEFICIENCY ACT, AND
FINANCIAL INTEGRITY PRINCIPLES, ALL AS SET FORTH IN
CHAPTER 18 OF THE CITY CODE, AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH
APPLICABLE REGULATIONS, AS MAY BE NECESSARY FOR
SAID PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0280
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: Direction by the City Commission to the City Attorney to draft
legislation creating an advisory committee consisting of City of Miami residents, with
each City Commissioner appointing two (2) members for a total of ten (10) members,
to assist with the crafting of the new tree ordinance.
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Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number CA.1, please
see "Public Comments for all Item(s)."
Vice Chair Carollo: CA.1. Commissioner?
Chair King: Yes, CA.1, Commissioner?
Commissioner Pardo: So, with CA.1 I want to give a little bit of background to start.
This -- these suggested revisions have been around for kind of years compiling with
staff and I believe Commissioner Gabela, you brought forward a lot of those revisions
initially, and several people reacted to them in many different ways, but a lot of them
were very concerned that we were moving against the tree canopy and passing
basically legislation that was going to hurt our tree canopy and our trees and the
ordinance. So, we did a public meeting, we did a special meeting, we did a public
meeting, we did Zooms, we did forums, and we noticed that really there was not -- we
weren't really able, even though we had a collection of a lot of revisions coming from
the public and from planning, and planning and the staff in building, planning and
natural resources was pretty much unanimous in needing these kinds of changes. So, I
believe the director of building can actually comment a little bit about this. We ended
up going to FSU (Florida State University) for a consensus process. Why? Because
there seemed to be so many biases involved coming from so many places that we
wanted to go to some place that had expertise and almost like a best practice
reputation for being able to run a consensus process. The lack of trust with our city
was obvious in a lot of these interactions. So, what we're trying to do is place it in an
independent place that people will trust, will follow a good process so that we can --
really what we're trying to do here in the end is grow the canopy, preserve our trees,
and preserve private property rights. So, that's been like a major impetus behind all of
this, and I wanted you to comment a little bit about it.
Julia Cerrato (Assistant Director, Building): Good afternoon, Commissioners. Julia
Cerrato with the Building Department. This particular engagement is for public
outreach to address the concerns that have been brought up regarding the tree
ordinance. So, in addition to reviewing potential amendments, the Conflict Resolution
Center at FSU would also be able to gauge stakeholder feedback. This particular
engagement requires that they speak to stakeholders ahead of time to understand what
the issues are throughout the community. We would host five meetings, one in each
district, in two phases. And then the next portion of that would be a report basically
indicating what the findings were. Now, some of the history behind the Consensus
Center. They were established by the state legislature back in 1996 for the purpose of
resolving community disputes in an effort to resolve the disputes in an amicable matter,
improve intergovernmental communications and consensus building, and hopefully
reduce the public and private costs of litigation with these particular controversial
matters. Some of the projects that they've worked on recently. One of them has to do
with the ecosystem and health study for Lake Okeechobee. The other one had to do
with the Wildlife Conservation Commission regarding potential bear hunts in Florida.
So, all of these are projects that they're working on currently. In past projects, they
have worked on building consensus around changes to the Florida Building Code as
well as environmental matters.
Chair King: So, I'd like to add to that because I've spoken to the manager about this
process and from what I understand, FSU's engagement is to facilitate consensus
building. I spoke to the manager about bringing on FIU (Florida International
University), and they agreed with me, because my neighbors talk to me all the time and
I'm maybe a tree person with my neighbors. So, we are going to bring FIU into this
process in addition to, I would like to establish a committee of residents, perhaps each
one of us can appoint maybe one or two persons to be a part of this committee that will
help craft the new tree ordinance, because the fear is that we, the City of Miami,
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without community input will not do the best job possible. So, having a committee of
residents appointed by each one of us will also give the community another layer of
comfort that we are going to do our best in crafting a tree ordinance that makes sense
for the city of Miami. So, I wanted to put that on the record because that's what I've
been working on. We will engage FIU. We will have a committee of residents
appointed by each one of us, whether that be one or two, I think it should be two,
because our districts are fairly big. With FSU being the consensus builder, a neutral
non-party, they just want to make sure that we can get along, a thing that we have a
problem doing.
Commissioner Pardo: And I believe it was also University of Miami, what was the
other -- because we talked about bringing in all of those.
Ms. Cerrato: Yes, we reached out to both.
Commissioner Pardo: Okay.
Ms. Cerrato: So, we're waiting to hear back. We're hoping to include them as subject
matter experts in the stakeholder committee.
Commissioner Pardo: Excellent.
Vice Chair Carollo: Who are you looking forward, if I may, Chair, to include in the
committee?
Chair King: It would be your -- whoever you want to appoint for the committee.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, but you --
Ms. Cerrato: Well, we -- we reached out to FIU and UM (University of Miami) to see if
they have any interest in participating as stakeholders, as subject matter experts, as
part of this process.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. They didn 't have the expertise that you went to FSU for?
Ms. Cerrato: So, in this particular instance, the Consensus Center is specific for that.
We have looked. We did some research on that. We didn't find that there were any
independent organizations, and this one specifically was designated by the state to do
this type of work for public entities. They just happen to be located in FSU.
Vice Chair Carollo: That's fine. Well, my first area of question has been satisfied by all
of your statements. I'd like the Chair's amendment that I think she would want to
include this amendment. My other question has to do with the financing. Where in the
building department that you obviously have a lot of dollars with so many outside
contractors that are not our employees that are hired there and much more, where's
that money coming from? Is it coming from general fund money, or is it coming from
the dollars that people put in or some of the other stuff that doesn't go to the general
fund and stays within your department?
Commissioner Rosado: Could this be paid from the building fund?
Asael Marrero (Assistant City Manager): I think it is my understanding that it is
coming from the building department funds, Commissioner. And, you know, I wanted to
take just a couple of seconds to -- no, not, not --
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, I just wanted, you know, have a clear response. If -- where
in the building department are these funds coming from? Are they coming from those
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funds that developers pay for different aspects in the building department that can't be
used in the general fund.
Mr. Marrero: That is correct.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, that's fine.
Mr. Marrero: Yeah.
Vice Chair Carollo: I'm ready to vote for it, Commissioner Pardo.
Chair King: Commissioner Rosado?
Commissioner Rosado: I -- I have some hesitation. What is the role of FIU and UM
vis-a-vis FSU? How does that affect the amount of the contract and could we not split
this contract? It's two phases. Could we not split into phase one and phase two and see
how phase one performs? I just have sticker shock with this amount and the fact that
we're going to an outside body. When I say outside, an entity that's across the entire
state of Florida, given that we have talented local institutions, it gives me pause.
Mr. Marrero: So, I think we wanted to be very open from day one. In fact, we have the
authority up to 125K, and we could have done this administratively. But I think this is
such a sensitive item that we want it to be open from day one. And what was built into
that contract for $180,000 is flexibility, right? If we want to go ahead and exercise a
second phase, we have the ability to do so. We may very well not need it. We rnayfnd
the required and needed consensus within the phase one, at which point we will be well
within, I believe, first phase, which is approximately $79, 000 to $80, 000. So, there's a
possibility that that contract may not be exercised at its fullest in all of the phases that
are actually built into it but gives the administration and this process the ability to
utilize those tools if indeed they're needed as we, you know, undergo this project.
Commissioner Rosado: I'd -- go ahead. I thought I saw somebody else about to say
something. My hesitation remains. I would like to make a motion to approve phase one
of the contract, which if my math is correct, is $83,464, which already sounds like a
considerable amount of money. And using FSU, UM, and FIU, and well let you sort
that out, with the amendment that the chairwoman made about each of us having
representatives so that you do get public input from each district. That is the motion
that I would be comfortable with at this time.
Vice Chair Carollo: Can I say something, Chair?
Chair King: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: Look, I would love for FIU, where I graduated from, and I have
two degrees from, and I have another major award that I was given, to have been the
one to handle it. I would love UM also to handle it. But from what you told me, it's
clear the area that they have expertise in, and the State has looked at FSU as one that
has that expertise. So, what I would prefer are locals, obviously. I think that this is not
that big of a thing to be able to go to FSU and to finish a process that no one can
doubt, that it was not transparent, that it was not open, that they could not participate.
So, therefore, I like the idea of the addition that the chairwoman is adding to it, makes
it even better. And I brought up the fact of my two degrees there so that it's in the open.
I am a graduate of FIU, in case anybody wants to say, well, are you trying to get them
in there for that? However, I don't have a spouse that works at a FIU. I don't have a
family member that's been given a scholarship there. So, therefore, I would caution
people so that nobody goes out there and says that there could be a potential conflict of
interest in steering anything towards FIU or, for that matter, UM.
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Chair King: Again, I would like to respond to Commissioner Rosado's issues. With
respect to FSU, they are the only qualified entity throughout the state of Florida for
consensus building. Am I correct?
Mr. Marrero: Yes.
Chair King: So that is what FSU's role would be, consensus building, and it would be
short-sighted of us, I believe, to think that we do not need a consensus builder, because
this is a very sensitive issue. The addition of FIU is that they are subject matter experts
in this field. The addition of the committee is because I am trying to do whatever I can
to dispel any hesitancy with the community with respect to us trying to force a thing on
them, not having enough community engagement. This way, our representatives will
hold the city to its word because they will be advocating on behalf of us. And I think
that is the fairest way to approach this issue. Now, with respect to Commissioner -- our
Vice Chair's comments, I'm not sure if that was directed at me, as I am --
Vice Chair Carollo: No, no, no, no, no.
Chair King: -- because I am a professor at FIU, but I teach Miami politics.
Vice Chair Carollo: I wasn't aware.
Chair King: I don't.
Vice Chair Carollo: I thought you weren't there anymore.
Chair King: No, I am. I'm still a professor at FIU, so I want to say that. But I don't
know the tree department. I don't know what division that comes out of It is a
recommendation that I received from my neighbors who told me that FIU is a subject
matter expert on this topic and is why I recommended them. So, I just wanted to put
that -- because we love the trees, again. So, if any -- Commissioner Gabela?
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, I was just going to say that, you know, this thing started
last year with me, I think, right? And I think this would be a good thing. And I
understand your concerns with Commissioner Rosado. But I think this is a good thing
because it would be a third party doing this rather than us, which is the problem that
we had last time. Because it was us and we were accused of all kinds of stuff. And
really, that's what we were trying to achieve is what Commissioner Pardo was saying.
And so, I think it has to be done. The reason being is so we have some credibility that
there was a third party involved, and this isn't something that was done willy-nilly and
we didn't take it -- so, I think it's a good measure. It's money that I'm also concerned
about, but I think at the end we're kind of forced to go that route. So, I'm ready for --
Vice Chair Carollo: But Chair --
Commissioner Gabela: I'm sorry.
Chair King: Hold on one second.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- it was made into the record that the money is coming from a
funding that we can't use in the general fund anyway. We've got plenty of that money
there.
Chair King: Okay. Commissioner Pardo?
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Commissioner Pardo: I just want to say clearly since we started on this, there's a lot of
passion behind it. This is a critical, important issue for our city across all the districts.
I think staff has been very diligent and deliberate and thoughtful as far as the phases.
As they said, they have $125, 000 administrative capacity to do this. So, I would like to
approve it as is and allow for the flexibility in the phases. I think it is important enough
for our city.
Commissioner Gabela: Second.
Chair King: Wait, hold on, hold on --
Vice Chair Carollo: No, no, no.
Commissioner Gabela: Oh, sorry.
Chair King: -- hold on. We have a motion from Commissioner Rosado. I don't have a
second. Will anybody give his motion -- and I see George's hand as well. George?
George Wysong (City Attorney): I just wanted to make a quick recommendation. Since
this resolution is geared towards retaining services of the FSU school, that instead of
amending this to include FIU, direct the administration to come back with an
agreement with FIU. Because we don't know if they're going to accept it or they have
the capacity to do it. So, it would be cleaner if you would recommend, or I'm sorry,
direct that the committee be created and direct that the administration come back with
a contract with FIU or --
Commissioner Pardo: And University of Miami.
Mr. Wysong: Yeah.
Mr. Marrero: Yes.
Chair King: Okay -- so, wait, wait. First, we have to figure out what we're going to do
with Commissioner Rosado's motion. I don't have a second for that. Is there a second?
Seeing no second, that motion fails. Now, may I have a motion to pass --
Vice Chair Carollo: There's a motion with your amendment as the motion was
presented.
Chair King: Right, so I will take out the FIU/UM portion and leave in the committee
portion, which really is already in that agreement. I just wanted to make sure.
Commissioner Pardo: Exactly.
Chair King: I wanted to make sure that that that has been said because I believe the
community would be very glad and I don't know if -- if it's expressly stated that we
would appoint but I know there was going to be a committee, but now it expressly
states that we would appoint. So, if may have a motion for CA.1 as amended.
Vice Chair Carollo: Move.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay, hang on, let's -- just one question. So -- because
Rosado 's -- Commissioner Rosado 's thing was for less money, so we're --
Chair King: But that failed.
Commissioner Gabela: -- amending it with the same amount of money?
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ChairKing: Yes.
Commissioner Gabela: Is that correct?
Chair King: Yes. For what's presented.
Vice Chair Carollo: We're going back to the same original --
Commissioner Gabela: We're going back to the same?
ChairKing: Yes.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay. All right.
Chair King: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: With the exception of what the chair --
Commissioner Gabela: Correct.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- asked to include as an amendment.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay.
Chair King: Yes, for the committee appointed by us, two members each, okay?
Vice Chair Carollo: The -- the only thing I may ask is since you're asking for two
members to be included by each of us, which I think is appropriate. If there has to be
any voting that's going to count, that each member of the committee, their vote will
count as half, because if people are not there, or miss meetings or whatever, I think it
might work out better if we have, you know half votes for each.
Chair King: My intent for the committee also would be to advise -- an advisory, that we
would take their recommendations.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah.
Chair King: So, okay. So, do I have a motion?
Commissioner Pardo: Motion.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes, there's a motion.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair? Chair? So, Commissioner Carollo's amendment
is accepted regarding the vote count? Is that a part of --
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, this is an amendment to her amendment.
Commissioner Pardo: I think that's a direction.
Mr. Hannon: Chair, Mr. City Attorney --
Chair King: Well, it's a -- it would be -- it would be a direction.
Commissioner Pardo: A direction.
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Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah. Okay.
Chair King: It would be a direction.
Vice Chair Carollo: That's fine.
Mr. Hannon: So, then that's not amending the legislation.
Commissioner Pardo: No.
Vice Chair Carollo: No.
Chair King: No.
Commissioner Pardo: No.
Mr. Hannon: So then -- but there is a different amendment for CA.1.
Vice Chair Carollo: No.
Chair King: The amendment is that we're passing CA.1 as is --
Mr. Hannon: Okay.
Chair King: -- with the creation of a committee that each commissioner appoints two
persons to the committee to work with this process.
Mr. Hannon: Understood, CA.1 as is.
Chair King: As is.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Chair King: I have a motion.
Commissioner Pardo: Motion.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes, motion.
Chair King: I have a second.
Vice Chair Carollo: It's a motion.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries.
Ms. Cerrato: Thank you.
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CA.2
17759
Department of
Parks and
Recreation
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT, IN A FORM
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, WITH MIAMI RIVER
FUND, INC., A FLORIDA NOT -FOR -PROFIT 501(C)(3)
CORPORATION, AS THE FINANCIAL AGENCY FOR THE MIAMI
RIVER COMMISSION ("MIAMI RIVER FUND"), TO PROVIDE
LITTER CONTROL SERVICES AND OTHER RELATED SERVICES
TO MAINTAIN VARIOUS CITY -OWNED PARKS ALONG THE
MIAMI RIVER, AS DEPICTED IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED, FOR A TWO (2) YEAR TERM COMMENCING
ON OCTOBER 1, 2025, WITH AN OPTION TO RENEW FOR ONE
(1) ADDITIONAL ONE (1) YEAR PERIOD, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO
EXCEED THREE HUNDRED THREE THOUSAND, THREE
HUNDRED FORTY-THREE DOLLARS ($303,343) PER YEAR,
SUBJECT TO BUDGETARY APPROPRIATIONS AS ALLOCATED
FROM GENERAL FUND ACCOUNT NO. 00001.296001.534000
FOR SAID PURPOSE, SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS
AND PRIOR BUDGETARY APPROVAL; RATIFYING, APPROVING,
AND CONFIRMING THE EXTENSION OF THE AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE MIAMI RIVER FUND ORIGINALLY
AUTHORIZED PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. R-22-0344
THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2025; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL
OTHER DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS,
AND EXTENSIONS, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, AS MAY BE DEEMED NECESSARY FOR SAID
PURPOSE, SUBJECT TO ALL ALLOCATIONS,
APPROPRIATIONS, PRIOR BUDGETARY APPROVALS, AND IN
COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE LAWS, RULES, AND
REGULATIONS, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION,
PROVISIONS OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA,
AS AMENDED; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0272
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number CA.2, please see "End of
Consent Agenda."
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CA.3 RESOLUTION
17758 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Office of E ual ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
q EXECUTE A TITLE VI NONDISCRIMINATION ASSURANCE
Opportunity & AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") AND THE
Diversity Programs FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ("FDOT"), IN A
FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR THE CITY'S
ADOPTION OF AN UPDATED TITLE VI NONDISCRIMINATION
PROGRAM PLAN ("PLAN") AS REQUIRED FOR THE CITY'S
RECERTIFICATION AS A LOCAL AGENCY PURSUANT TO
FDOT'S LOCAL AGENCY PROGRAM FOR FEDERAL AND STATE
FUNDING OF CITY CAPITAL PROJECTS; FURTHER
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL
OTHER AGREEMENTS OR DOCUMENTS REQUIRED, IN A FORM
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR THE CITY'S
COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL
NONDISCRIMINATION LAWS AND AUTHORITIES AS MAY
BECOME NECESSARY.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0273
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number CA.3, please see "Public
Comments for all Item(s)" and "End of Consent Agenda."
CA.4 RESOLUTION
17762 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
Department of Real AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND
p EXECUTE A LEASE AGREEMENT ("LEASE"), IN A FORM
Estate and Asset ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, BETWEEN THE CITY
Management AND TURNBERRY AIRPORT HOLDINGS, LLC, A FLORIDA
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ("LANDLORD"), FOR THE USE OF
APPROXIMATELY 1,260 SQUARE FEET OF A HANGAR SPACE
LOCATED AT THE OPA LOCKA AIRPORT AT 14200 NORTHWEST
42ND AVENUE, OPA LOCKA, FLORIDA 33054, FOR THE
PURPOSE OF STORAGE OF AIRCRAFT FOR THE MIAMI POLICE
DEPARTMENT SPECIAL OPERATIONS SECTION ON A MONTH -
TO -MONTH BASIS FOR A MONTHLY RENT OF SEVEN
THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($7,500), WITH A
GUARANTEE DEPOSIT OF SEVEN THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED
DOLLARS ($7,500), WITH AN INCREASE BY THE GREATER OF
FIVE PERCENT (5%) OR THE THEN CURRENT ANNUAL
INCREASE OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX, IF THE TERM
EXCEEDS ONE YEAR SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL TERMS AND
CONDITIONS AS MORE SPECIFICALLY SET FORTH IN SAID
LEASE; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS,
INCLUDING AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS AND MODIFICATIONS
TO SAID LEASE, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, AS MAY BE NECESSARY.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0274
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number CA.4, please see "End of
Consent Agenda."
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CA.5 RESOLUTION
17736 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION PURSUANT
De artment of TO SECTION 18-111 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
p FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), AUTHORIZING THE
Resilience and PURCHASE OF STORM PIPE INSPECTIONS, CLEANING, AND
Public Works REPAIRS ON AN AS -NEEDED BASIS ("SERVICES") FROM
ATLANTIC PIPE SERVICES, LLC ("CONTRACTOR") UTILIZING
THE VILLAGES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS'
("VILLAGES") REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS NO. 24P-007
("VILLAGES CONTRACT"), AWARDED PURSUANT TO A
COMPETITIVE PROCESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE CITY
LAWS, POLICIES, AND PROCEDURES AS DETERMINED BY THE
CHIEF PROCUREMENT OFFICER, FOR A TERM EFFECTIVE
THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2026, WITH ONE OPTION TO
RENEW FOR AN ADDITIONAL TWO (2) YEAR TERM, SUBJECT
TO ANY RENEWALS OR EXTENSIONS ISSUED BY THE
VILLAGES; ALLOCATING FUNDING FROM VARIOUS SOURCES
WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESILIENCE AND PUBLIC
WORKS OPERATING BUDGET, SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF
FUNDS AND BUDGETARY APPROVAL AT THE TIME OF NEED;
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND
EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE
CITY ATTORNEY, WITH CONTRACTOR CONSISTENT WITH THE
TERMS HEREIN; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER
TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING
RENEWALS, EXTENSIONS, OR AMENDMENTS, ALL IN FORMS
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, SUBJECT TO
ALLOCATIONS, APPROPRIATIONS, PRIOR BUDGETARY
APPROVAL, AND COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE
PROVISIONS OF THE CITY CODE, INCLUDING THE CITY'S
PROCUREMENT ORDINANCE, ANTI -DEFICIENCY ACT, AND
FINANCIAL INTEGRITY PRINCIPLES, ALL AS SET FORTH IN
CHAPTER 18 OF THE CITY CODE, AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH
APPLICABLE LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS, AS MAY BE
NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE; PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0275
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number CA.5, please see "End of
Consent Agenda."
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CA.6 RESOLUTION
17737 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
De artment of ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING THREE (3) RIGHT-OF-WAY
p DEEDS OF DEDICATION ("DEEDS"), AS DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT
Resilience and "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, FOR RIGHT-OF-WAY
Public Works PURPOSES; APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE
RECORDATION OF THE DEEDS IN THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA; FURTHER DIRECTING THE
CITY CLERK TO RETAIN A COPY OF THE DEEDS.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0276
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number CA.6, please see "End of
Consent Agenda."
CA.7 RESOLUTION Item Pulled from Consent
17859 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
De artment of ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
p NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT, IN A
Resilience and FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, BETWEEN THE
Public Works CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY') AND MIAMI-DADE COUNTY ("COUNTY')
REGARDING VEHICULAR TRAFFIC IN THE SILVER BLUFF AREA
NEIGHBORHOOD WITHIN THE CITY OF MIAMI TO RESOLVE A
CONFLICT PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 164, FLORIDA STATUES
(THE FLORIDA GOVERNMENTAL CONFLICT RESOLUTION ACT).
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0281
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Chair King: CA. 7 was pulled by Commissioner Gabela.
Commissioner Gabela: CA --
Vice Chair Carollo: No, CA.9.
Commissioner Gabela: -- 7 or no, 8.
Vice Chair Carollo: 9.
Commissioner Gabela: Yes, 7, correct.
Chair King: 7. No, he --
Vice Chair Carollo: 7?
Commissioner Gabela: 7 and 9. Both.
Chair King: -- 7 and 9 --
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Vice Chair Carollo: Oh, okay.
Chair King: -- are pulled, but he pulled --
Commissioner Gabela: I was briefed --
Chair King: -- 7.
Commissioner Gabela: So, I was -- sorry, with your permission, Madam Chair.
Chair King: Go ahead.
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, so I was briefed, but can you explain it to me one more
time what we're doing here again?
Chair King: Good afternoon, Director.
Juvenal Santana (Department of Resilience and Public Works, Director): Good
afternoon, Madam Chair, good afternoon, Commissioners. CA.7 is a resolution
authorizing the manager to execute an interlocal agreement with Miami -Dade County
for traffic calming and a traffic study that was done in the Silver Bluff neighborhood.
There was a lawsuit that was filed by the County against the City for closures that were
enacted in that and as part of our agreement with them, we did a traffic study.
Recommendations came back from them that's been incorporated into the agreement.
We have a timeline by which we will reevaluate the neighborhood after those
improvements are completed and that basically puts everything in black and white
between us and the county.
Commissioner Gabela: All right. That's all, thank you.
Chair King: This also includes studies for District 5, correct?
Mr. Santana: This is only for the Silver Bluff item. We have another item for what is
happening in District 5.
Chair King: Okay, okay. Any more questions on this item? May I have a motion?
Vice Chair Carollo: Moved.
Commissioner Rosado: So moved.
Chair King: Second. Second.
Commissioner Pardo: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries.
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CA.8 RESOLUTION
17867 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
Office of Ca ital AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND
p EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE
Improvements CITY ATTORNEY, WITH THE MIAMI-DADE WATER AND SEWER
DEPARTMENT ("WASD") TO PROVIDE WATER AND SANITARY
SEWER SERVICES AT THE NEW PARK LOCATED AT 1610
NORTHWEST 6TH AVENUE FORMERLY KNOWN AS RUBEN
DARIO PARK AS PART OF CAPITAL PROJECT NO. 40-B233505;
FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE
AND EXECUTE ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING ANY
AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, AND EXTENSIONS, ALL IN FORMS
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, SUBJECT TO
ALLOCATIONS, APPROPRIATIONS AND BUDGETARY
APPROVAL HAVING BEEN PREVIOUSLY MADE, AND IN
COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THE CODE
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"),
INCLUDING, THE CITY OF MIAMI'S PROCUREMENT
ORDINANCE, ANTI -DEFICIENCY ACT, AND FINANCIAL
INTEGRITY PRINCIPLES, ALL AS SET FORTH IN CHAPTER 18
OF THE CITY CODE, AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE
REGULATIONS, AS MAY BE NECESSARY FOR SAID PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0277
This matter was ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S) on the Consent
Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number CA.8, please see "End of
Consent Agenda."
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CA.9
17845
Office of the City
Attorney
RESOLUTION Item Pulled from Consent
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
AUTHORIZING THE PAYMENT OF ATTORNEYS' FEES AND
COSTS, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED THE FOLLOWING:
SEVEN HUNDRED FIVE THOUSAND FIFTY-FIVE DOLLARS
($705,055.00) TO KUEHNE DAVIS LAW, P.A.; ONE HUNDRED
TWENTY ONE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED TWENTY THREE
DOLLARS AND THIRTY THREE CENTS ($121,723.33) TO SUSY
RIBERO-AYALA, P.A.; EIGHTY SIX THOUSAND AND NINETY-
SEVEN DOLLARS AND FIFTY CENTS ($86,097.50) TO GUNSTER;
NINETY EIGHT THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED AND THIRTY FIVE
DOLLARS ($98,535.00) TO RICHARD DIAZ P.A.; TWO HUNDRED
EIGHT THOUSAND DOLLARS ($208,000.00) TO COLLAZO LAW
FIRM, P.A.; ONE HUNDRED NINE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED
AND TWENTY-SIX DOLLARS AND EIGHTY ONE
CENTS($109,926.81) FOR COSTS AS REIMBURSEMENT FOR
LEGAL FEES AND COSTS IN THE CASE OF THE STATE OF
FLORIDA v. ALEX DIAZ DE LA PORTILLA, ET. AL., CASE NO. F23-
018478; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM ACCOUNT NO.
50001.301001.545014.0000.00000.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: Item CA.9 was deferred to the September 11, 2025, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number CA.9, please
see "Public Comments for all Item(s)."
Chair King: CA.9, who pulled this one?
Commissioner Gabela: Well, I think many of us have questions. I think I'm the one who
pulled it.
Chair King: Okay.
Commissioner Gabela: Does anybody have a question about this?
Chair King: I don't.
Commissioner Gabela: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Chair King: Go. You pulled it.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay. All right so look, it's clear here that we're going to pay,
right? I mean --
Chair King: Yes.
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Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
Commissioner Gabela: -- that's not the question. The question is how much are we
going to pay, and what is fair, and what is inflated? And I think -- I think we shouldn 't
make -- we're not going to be able to make a judgment on this today. What I think
should happen, my personal sense is that we should appoint an attorney or somebody
to kind of examine what has been given to us on the bill and make sure, you know, what
is in there is correct and what is not correct taken out. And then after we get that
report, then we decide on a number. My personal opinion. You gentlemen, ladies, I
don't know.
Commissioner Rosado: I agree with that.
Commissioner Pardo: So do I.
Chair King: I'm sorry, what did you say? Because the city clerk was --
Commissioner Gabela: No, that -- that basically we should -- this isn 't going to be
settled today because they have turned in numbers. It's not a question of whether we're
going to pay or not going to pay, we are going to pay, okay? But it's a question of the
dollar amount that we're going to pay. And so, I think an attorney or somebody we
should appoint to go over the records, what has been submitted to us as billable hours
and such. And then after we get a report from him or them, whoever they may be, then
we can make a determination on what's a fair amount. And just for us and for them.
That's my opinion.
Chair King: I see my colleagues shaking their head. George? How -- okay. One thing I
don't want to see is this thing drag out. Two, I'm satisfied that the bill is fair, but I don't
take issue with having another set of eyes on it, because this was a horrendous
miscarriage of justice. Horrendous. He was not even charged with anything. That -- it
just goes to show what can happen when people overreach. You know, it's one thing if
he had gone to trial and he won, but he was not even charged. So, I don't want this to
linger. I don't want this to linger. So, George, can you give me a --
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, but Madam Chair, we can also just not pay the amount
that they come at this. At one point too --
Chair King: No, but I agree --
Commissioner Gabela: -- and say, oh yeah, we're going to give you the 1.2.
Chair King: -- no, I agree with --
Commissioner Gabela: Because that --
Chair King: I agree with you. I agree with you.
[Later... ]
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Okay, so then we'll need a separate motion, bear with
me
Chair King: Can --
Commissioner Gabela: For the directive?
Chair King: To defer.
Commissioner Gabela: To defer? Okay.
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CA.10
17907
Wynwood
Business
Improvement
District Board
Chair King: Do I have a motion?
Commissioner Gabela: Second.
Chair King: Second.
Mr. Hannon: No, I need a motion. So --
Chair King: So, I have a motion and a second --
Mr. Hannon: -- Commissioner Gabela made the motion --
Commissioner Gabela: Motion.
Mr. Hannon: -- seconded by Commissioner Pardo --
Commissioner Pardo: Second.
Commissioner Gabela: I thought you had motioned, I'm sorry.
Mr. Hannon: -- to defer to the September 11 th meeting.
Chair King: Okay.
Mr. Hannon: And then the vote was unanimous. My apologies, Chair.
Chair King: Correct.
Mr. Hannon: The vote was unanimous.
George Wysong (City Attorney): For the record, District 3 was not on the dais.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPROVING
WILLIAM KELLY AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
WYNWOOD BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT ("WBID"),
PURSUANT TO THE PROPOSED TERMS OF ENGAGEMENT AND
COMPENSATION AS PROPOSED BY THE WBID BOARD;
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE
CITY ATTORNEY.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0278
This matter was ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S) on the Consent
Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number CA.10, please see "End
of Consent Agenda."
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Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
CA.11 RESOLUTION
17880 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
De artment of ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
p ACCEPT A PERPETUAL SIDEWALK EASEMENT, IN
Resilience and SUBSTANTIALLY THE FORM ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED
Public Works AS EXHIBIT "A," FROM GROVE BIZ 2024 LLC, A FLORIDA
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, FOR THE PURPOSE OF PUBLIC
PEDESTRIAN ACCESS TO PORTIONS OF SIDEWALK
CONSTRUCTED ON 4010 PARK AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0279
This matter was ADOPTED on the Consent Agenda.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number CA.11, please see "End
of Consent Agenda."
END OF CONSENT AGENDA
Chair King: Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to the City of Miami Commission for
July 24, 2025. The afternoon session is now begun [sic]. Gentlemen, we have the
consent agenda to consider. Are there any items on the consent agenda that you would
like to pull for discussion?
Commissioner Pardo: CA.1. CA.1.
Chair King: Okay. Commissioner Gabela?
Commissioner Gabela: CA.9.
Chair King: Okay. Vice Chair?
Vice Chair Carollo: I don't believe I have any. I do have a question on CA.1;
Commissioner Pardo took it out. I think it's a simple question that -- I think it'll be a
simple question that should be answered (INAUDIBLE) one more minute, I'll glance at
it and see.
Chair King: Okay, I'll check with your colleague. Commissioner Rosado, do you have
any items?
Commissioner Rosado: I was going to pull two items, but they've already been pulled.
Chair King: Okay.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair, if I may. CA.8 needs to be amended, as well as
CA.10, to be amended.
Chair King: Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: Which ones did you say had to be amended, Mr. Clerk?
Mr. Hannon: CA.8. That's the --
Vice Chair Carollo: Right.
Mr. Hannon: -- okay, that's the WASD (Waste and Sewer Department) agreement with
New Park.
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Vice Chair Carollo: Right.
Mr. Hannon: And then CA.10 is an employment agreement with the Wynwood Business
Improvement District for an executive director.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Mr. Hannon: And CA.10, the resolution, just needs to be amended to reflect that it's not
subject to veto by the mayor.
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, I got one more to pull, I'm sorry, I missed CA. 7.
Vice Chair Carollo: I believe I'm fine with everything, Chairwoman.
Chair King: So, if I may have a motion to --
Vice Chair Carollo: It's a motion.
Chair King: Wait, wait, let me call them out.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Chair King: A motion to approve CA.2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 as amended, 10 as amended, and
11.
Commissioner Gabela: Motion.
Chair King: I have a motion.
Vice Chair Carollo: Move.
Chair King: Second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries unanimously.
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Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
PH.1
15054
Department of
Housing and
Community
Development
PH - PUBLIC HEARINGS
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ALLOCATING THE PUBLIC BENEFITS
CONTRIBUTION RECEIVED FROM SWIRE PROPERTIES INC., A
FLORIDA FOR PROFIT CORPORATION ("SWIRE") IN THE TOTAL
AMOUNT OF ONE MILLION DOLLARS ($1,000,000.00), WITH TWO
HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($200,000.00) BEING
ALLOCATED TO EACH CITY COMMISSION DISTRICT'S SHARE
OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND, AS MORE
PARTICULARLY SPECIFIED IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED, TO ASSIST WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING
PROJECTS; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS
INCLUDING AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, EXTENSIONS, AND
MODIFICATIONS, ALL IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0282
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Chair King: That brings us, gentlemen, to our public hearing items. Are there any
items in the public hearing comment [sic], the PH (Public Hearing) items, that you
would like to pull for discussion?
Commissioner Pardo: PH.16.
Chair King: PH.16.
Commissioner Rosado: PH.19.
Chair King: PH.19. Commissioner Gabela?
Commissioner Gabela: No, I think I'm good.
Chair King: Good? Okay. May I have a motion to pass PH.1, 2, 3 as amended, 4, 5, 6
as amended, 7 as amended, 8 as amended, 9, 10, 11, 12 as amended, 13 as amended,
14, 15, 17, 19 --
Commissioner Rosado: No, 18 --
Commissioner Gabela: No, no, not 19, 18.
Chair King: -- I'm sorry, not 19, 20, 21 and 22.
Commissioner Gabela: Hang -- hang on a minute. You pulled -- you pulled 19, right?
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Chair King: He pulled --
Commissioner Rosado: Yeah, I pulled 19.
Chair King: -- 19, so I didn 't say 19.
Commissioner Gabela: Rosado -- Commissioner --
Chair King: Yes. I didn 't say 19.
Vice Chair Carollo: Which --
Chair King: 16 and 19 are excluded.
Commissioner Pardo: Right.
Commissioner Rosado: Chairwoman, I think you needed 18 also.
Vice Chair Carollo: Chair, which are the ones that were --
Chair King: Pulled?
Vice Chair Carollo: -- pulled?
Chair King: 16, PH.16 and PH.19.
Vice Chair Carollo: And PH.19.
Commissioner Gabela: 16.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, hold on for a minute. Let me --
Commissioner Gabela: 16 and 19 you said?
Chair King: 16 and 19.
Commissioner Gabela: That's it?
Chair King: That's it that were pulled.
Vice Chair Carollo: 16 --
Mr. Wysong: Madam Chair, I think you skipped PH.18.
Chair King: Pardon?
Mr. Wysong: PH.18, I think you skipped.
Chair King: No, it wasn 't pulled.
Mr. Wysong: All right.
Vice Chair Carollo: 19.
Commissioner Rosado: I think 18 needed to be mentioned as being one of the ones that
gets approved if there's a block vote.
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Chair King: This is a block.
Vice Chair Carollo: These are both in District 2? PH.16 and 19?
Commissioner Pardo: Um-hmm.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. You're -- you're popular today.
Commissioner Pardo: District 2.
Vice Chair Carollo: I don 't want to -- I don 't want to throw anymore at you,
Commissioner, but let's see if I can ask for PH.22 to be taken out. I just want to add a
couple of provisions there if I may.
Chair King: Okay. So, with that, again, I'm going to read it through. If I might have a
motion for PH.1, PH.2, PH.3 as amended, PH.4, PH.5, PH.6 as amended, PH.7 as
amended, PH.8 as amended, PH.9, 10, 11, 12 as amended, 13 as amended, PH.14, 15,
17, 18, 20 and 21.
Vice Chair Carollo: Move.
Chair King: I have a motion.
Commissioner Pardo: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries.
Commissioner Rosado: I think -- I think at the end there you -- Chairwoman, I think
you meant to mention 22 instead of 21.
Vice Chair Carollo: 22 --
Chair King: 22 has been pulled.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, it's been pulled. She included 21 as one that we voted on.
Chair King: Yes.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay, so we pulled 16, 19 and 22, is that correct?
Chair King: Correct.
Vice Chair Carollo: Correct.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay.
Commissioner Rosado: Okay.
Chair King: And we passed all of the rest, unanimously.
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Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
PH.2
17744
Department of
Housing and
Community
Development
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION ACCEPTING
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN
DEVELOPMENT ("HUD") ENTITLEMENT GRANT FUNDS, IN THE
TOTAL AMOUNT OF $22,283,189.04 FOR THE FOLLOWING
PROGRAMS IN THE FOLLOWING AMOUNTS: (1) $5,026,283.00
FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ("CDBG")
PROGRAM; (2) 2,919,951.04 FOR THE HOME INVESTMENT
PARTNERSHIPS ("HOME") PROGRAM; (3) $13,889,565.00 FOR
THE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS
("HOPWA") PROGRAM; AND (4) $447,390.00 FOR THE
EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANTS ("ESG") PROGRAM FOR
FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS, IN A
FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR SAID
PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0283
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PH.2, please see "Public
Comments for all Item(s)" and Item Number PH.1.
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Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
PH.3
17754
Department of
Housing and
Community
Development
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF
HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS
("HOPWA") PROGRAM FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF
$13,889,565.00 FOR FISCAL YEAR ("FY") 2025-2026, AND
ADDITIONAL AMOUNT OF $1,400,000.00 FROM PREVIOUS
YEAR'S UNALLOCATED FUNDS, FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF
$15,289,565.00, AS MORE PARTICULARLY SPECIFIED IN EXHIBIT
"A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, TO PROVIDE HOUSING
ASSISTANCE AND HOUSING RELATED SERVICES TO LOW-
INCOME INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS; FURTHER
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND
EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING
AMENDMENTS, EXTENSIONS, AND MODIFICATIONS, ALL IN
FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR SAID
PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0284
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PH.3, please see "Public
Comments for all Item(s)" and Item Number PH.1.
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Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
PH.4
17755
Department of
Housing and
Community
Development
PH.5
17761
Department of
Housing and
Community
Development
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF SECTION 8 HOUSING
PROGRAM FUNDS, IN THE PROJECTED AMOUNT OF
$5,870,196.00 FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE, AND THE PROJECTED
AMOUNT OF $547,012.00 FOR PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION FOR
A TOTAL PROJECTED AMOUNT OF $6,417,208.00 FOR FISCAL
YEAR ("FY") 2025-2026 ANNUAL CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN
DEVELOPMENT ("HUD"); AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, IN A FORM
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, SUBJECT TO ALL
FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAWS THAT REGULATE THE USE
OF SUCH FUNDS, TO IMPLEMENT THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE
ACTUAL AMOUNT OF SECTION 8 HOUSING PROGRAM FUNDS
WHEN MADE AVAILABLE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0285
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PH.4, please see Item
Number PH.1.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, BY A FOUR -
FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, AFTER AN ADVERTISED
PUBLIC HEARING, PURSUANT TO SECTION 2-614 OF THE CODE
OF THE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY
CODE"), WAIVING THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST PROVISIONS
CONTAINED IN SECTION 2-612 OF THE CITY CODE TO ALLOW
LINCO MATHURIN, A CITY EMPLOYEE, TO BECOME A CITY
VENDOR AS THE NEW OWNER OF A PROPERTY LOCATED IN
THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY"), WHICH IS CURRENTLY RENTED TO
A TENANT PARTICIPATING IN THE CITY'S TENANT -BASED
RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ("TBRA"), AND TO RECEIVE
HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS ("HAP") AS LANDLORD
UNDER A VALID EXISTING LEASE AGREEMENT.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0286
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PH.5, please see Item
Number PH.1.
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Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
PH.6
17763
Department of
Housing and
Community
Development
PH.7
17764
Department of
Housing and
Community
Development
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ALLOCATING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
BLOCK GRANT ("CDBG") FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF
$5,026,283.00 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026, AND AN
ADDITIONAL AMOUNT OF $7,258.16 FROM PRIOR YEAR'S
UNALLOCATED CDBG PROGRAM INCOME FOR THE TOTAL
AMOUNT OF $5,033,541.16 TO THE
CATEGORY(S)/DEPARTMENT(S), AS SPECIFIED IN EXHIBIT "A,"
ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, BEGINNING OCTOBER 1,
2025; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY
DOCUMENTS INCLUDING EXTENSIONS, AMENDMENTS, AND
MODIFICATIONS, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0287
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PH.6, please see "Public
Comments for all Item(s)" and Item Number PH.1.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ALLOCATING HOME INVESTMENT
PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM ("HOME") FUNDS, IN THE AMOUNT OF
$2,919,951.04 FOR HOUSING PROGRAMS, FOR FISCAL YEAR
("FY") 2025-2026, AS MORE PARTICULARLY SPECIFIED IN
EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, FOR THE
PROVISION OF DECENT AND SAFE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO
LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING AMENDMENTS,
EXTENSIONS, AND MODIFICATIONS, ALL IN FORMS
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0288
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PH.7, please see Item
Number PH.1.
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Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
PH.8
17765
Department of
Housing and
Community
Development
PH.9
17767
Department of
Housing and
Community
Development
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ALLOCATING EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS
GRANT ("ESG") FUNDS, FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 IN THE
AMOUNT OF $447,390.00, AS SPECIFIED IN THE EXHIBIT "A,"
ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING AMENDMENTS,
EXTENSIONS, AND MODIFICATIONS, ALL IN FORMS
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0289
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PH.8, please see Item
Number PH.1.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY")
LOCAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE PLAN ("LHAP"), ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A," FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY 1,
2025, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2028, FOR THE CONTINUED
PARTICIPATION OF THE CITY IN THE FLORIDA STATE HOUSING
INITIATIVES PARTNERSHIP ("SHIP") PROGRAM; AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT THE LHAP FOR REVIEW AND
APPROVAL BY THE FLORIDA HOUSING FINANCE
CORPORATION; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER
TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY
DOCUMENTS, ALL IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, TO IMPLEMENT THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF
THE LHAP AND THE SHIP PROGRAM.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0290
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PH.9, please see Item
Number PH.1.
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Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
PH.10
17768
Department of
Housing and
Community
Development
PH.11
17769
Department of
Housing and
Community
Development
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF
RECAPTURED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
("CDBG") FUNDS IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $2,049,958.00, TO
BE ALLOCATED FOR ELIGIBLE CDBG ACTIVITIES, AS MORE
PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER
TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ALL THE NECESSARY
DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING AMENDMENTS, EXTENSIONS, AND
MODIFICATIONS, ALL IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, SUBJECT TO ALL FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL
LAWS THAT REGULATE THE USE OF SUCH FUNDS, FOR SAID
PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0291
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PH.10, please see
"Public Comments for all Item (s) " and Item Number PH.1.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY")
ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR ("FY") 2025-2026,
ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A"; AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT THE ANNUAL ACTION PLAN
FOR FY 2025-2026 TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT ("HUD") FOR REVIEW
AND APPROVAL; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER
TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, IN A
FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR SAID
PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0292
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PH.11, please see Item
Number PH.1.
City of Miami Page 71 Printed on 09/09/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
PH.12
17778
Department of
Housing and
Community
Development
PH.13
17828
Department of
Housing and
Community
Development
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF HOME
INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP-AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ("HOME -
ARP") FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $19,032.00 FROM THE UNITED
STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN
DEVELOPMENT ("HUD"); AUTHORIZING A SUBSTANTIAL
AMENDMENT TO THE ANNUAL ACTION PLAN OF FISCAL YEAR
2021-2022, TO ACCURATELY REFLECT THE AMOUNT OF HOME -
ARP FUNDS THE CITY OF MIAMI ("MIAMI") IS LEGALLY ENTITLED
TO RECEIVE, AS SPECIFIED IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER
TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS
INCLUDING AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, EXTENSIONS, AND
MODIFICATIONS, ALL IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0293
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PH.12, please see
"Public Comments for all Item (s) " and Item Number PH.1.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION,
AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF STATE HOUSING
INITIATIVES PARTNERSHIP ("SHIP") FUNDS, IN THE AMOUNT OF
$2,083,953.00 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026, FOR THE
STRATEGIES UNDER THE CURRENT SHIP LOCAL HOUSING
ASSISTANCE PLAN ("LHAP"); FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS INCLUDING EXTENSIONS,
AMENDMENTS, AND MODIFICATIONS, ALL IN FORMS
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0294
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PH.13, please see Item
Number PH.1.
City of Miami Page 72 Printed on 09/09/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
PH.14
17756
Department of
Housing and
Community
Development
PH.15
17760
Department of
Housing and
Community
Development
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF
UNALLOCATED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
("CDBG") PROGRAM INCOME FUNDS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS
IN THE AMOUNT OF $130,563.62 FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ("HCD") TO THE
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION ("PARKS
DEPARTMENT") TO BE UTILIZED FOR CDBG ELIGIBLE PARK
IMPROVEMENTS FOR RUBEN DARIO PARK IN DISTRICT 3, AS
SPECIFIED IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED;
FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE
AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS,
INCLUDING AMENDMENTS, EXTENSIONS, AND MODIFICATIONS,
ALL IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR
SAID PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0295
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PH.14, please see Item
Number PH.1.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ALLOCATING ADDITIONAL FUNDS, USING THE
SALE PROCEEDS INCOME GENERATED FROM THE SALES OF
INFILL TWIN/SINGLE FAMILY HOME UNITS LOCATED IN
DISTRICT 5, IN THE AMOUNT OF $313,778.00 TO COVER
ADDITIONAL PROJECT COSTS, AS SPECIFIED IN EXHIBIT "A,"
ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING AMENDMENTS,
RENEWALS, EXTENSIONS, AND MODIFICATION, ALL IN A FORM
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0296
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PH.15, please see Item
Number PH.1.
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
PH.16 RESOLUTION
17246 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
De artment of Real ATTACHMENT(S), BY A FOUR -FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE
p VOTE, PURSUANT TO SECTION 29-C OF THE CHARTER OF THE
Estate and Asset CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, WAIVING COMPETITIVE
Management BIDDING AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE
AND EXECUTE A PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT WITH
ECORESILIENCY MIAMI, LLC ("DEVELOPER") FOR THE SALE,
UPON SATISFACTION OF CERTAIN CLOSING CONDITIONS, OF
+5.4 ACRES OF THAT CERTAIN PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1111
PARROT JUNGLE TRAIL ("PROPERTY") FOR RESIDENTIAL AND
COMMERCIAL USES, IN EXCHANGE FOR CANCELLATION OF THE
EXISTING LEASE AND CONSIDERATION EQUAL TO OR GREATER
THAN FAIR MARKET VALUE OF ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-FIVE
MILLION DOLLARS ($135,000,000.00), INCLUDING DEVELOPMENT
OF A NEW +13.3-ACRE PUBLIC WATERFRONT PARK ON THE
REMAINDER OF PROPERTY ATACOSTTO DEVELOPER OF
THIRTY SEVEN MILLION DOLLARS ($37,000,000.00), PAYMENTS
TO CITY OF TEN MILLION DOLLARS ($10,000,000.00) AT CLOSING
AND ONE MILLION DOLLARS ($1,000,000) PER YEAR PER PHASE
WITH ANNUAL ESCALATIONS OF THREE PERCENT (3%) AND A
PRESENT VALUE OF ONE HUNDRED TEN MILLION EIGHT
HUNDRED SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND AND TWENTY-FOUR
DOLLARS ($110,875,024) OVER NINETY-NINE YEARS), AND
CERTAIN COMMUNITY BENEFITS VALUED AT THIRTY-FOUR
MILLION SIX -HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($34,600,000),
INCLUDING PAYMENT TO THE CITY OF FIFTEEN MILLION
DOLLARS ($15,000,000.00) FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND
INFRASTRUCTURE; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A PARTIAL RELEASE
AND MODIFICATION OF THE DEED RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN
DEED NO. 19447 BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE STATE OF
FLORIDA INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT TRUST FUND ("STATE");
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A QUIT -CLAIM
DEED TO DEVELOPER, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY; PROVIDING, THAT SUCH SALE AND CONVEYANCE
BE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL AND EXECUTION OF AN
AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE THROUGH THE STATE OF
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION;
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND
EXECUTE OTHER ANCILLARY DOCUMENTS AND AMENDMENTS
REQUIRED TO EFFECTUATE THE SALE AND DEVELOPMENT OF
THE PROPERTY AS SET FORTH IN THE PURCHASE AND SALE
AGREEMENT, ALL IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0297
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
City of Miami Page 74 Printed on 09/09/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
PH.16 RESOLUTION
17246 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
De artment of Real ATTACHMENT(S), BY A FOUR -FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE
p VOTE, PURSUANT TO SECTION 29-C OF THE CHARTER OF THE
Estate and Asset CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, WAIVING COMPETITIVE
Management BIDDING AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE
AND EXECUTE A PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT WITH
ECORESILIENCY MIAMI, LLC ("DEVELOPER") FOR THE SALE,
UPON SATISFACTION OF CERTAIN CLOSING CONDITIONS, OF
+5.4 ACRES OF THAT CERTAIN PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1111
PARROT JUNGLE TRAIL ("PROPERTY") FOR RESIDENTIAL AND
COMMERCIAL USES, IN EXCHANGE FOR CANCELLATION OF THE
EXISTING LEASE AND CONSIDERATION EQUAL TO OR GREATER
THAN FAIR MARKET VALUE OF ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-FIVE
MILLION DOLLARS ($135,000,000.00), INCLUDING DEVELOPMENT
OF A NEW +13.3-ACRE PUBLIC WATERFRONT PARK ON THE
REMAINDER OF PROPERTY ATACOSTTO DEVELOPER OF
THIRTY SEVEN MILLION DOLLARS ($37,000,000.00), PAYMENTS
TO CITY OF TEN MILLION DOLLARS ($10,000,000.00) AT CLOSING
AND ONE MILLION DOLLARS ($1,000,000) PER YEAR PER PHASE
WITH ANNUAL ESCALATIONS OF THREE PERCENT (3%) AND A
PRESENT VALUE OF ONE HUNDRED TEN MILLION EIGHT
HUNDRED SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND AND TWENTY-FOUR
DOLLARS ($110,875,024) OVER NINETY-NINE YEARS), AND
CERTAIN COMMUNITY BENEFITS VALUED AT THIRTY-FOUR
MILLION SIX -HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($34,600,000),
INCLUDING PAYMENT TO THE CITY OF FIFTEEN MILLION
DOLLARS ($15,000,000.00) FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND
INFRASTRUCTURE; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A PARTIAL RELEASE
AND MODIFICATION OF THE DEED RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN
DEED NO. 19447 BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE STATE OF
FLORIDA INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT TRUST FUND ("STATE");
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A QUIT -CLAIM
DEED TO DEVELOPER, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY; PROVIDING, THAT SUCH SALE AND CONVEYANCE
BE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL AND EXECUTION OF AN
AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE THROUGH THE STATE OF
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION;
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND
EXECUTE OTHER ANCILLARY DOCUMENTS AND AMENDMENTS
REQUIRED TO EFFECTUATE THE SALE AND DEVELOPMENT OF
THE PROPERTY AS SET FORTH IN THE PURCHASE AND SALE
AGREEMENT, ALL IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0297
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
MOTION TO: Reconsider
RESULT: RECONSIDERED
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Christine King, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
PH.16 RESOLUTION
17246 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
De artment of Real ATTACHMENT(S), BY FOUR -FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE
p VOTE, PURSUANT TO SECTION 29-C OF THE CHARTER OF THE
Estate and Asset CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, WAIVING COMPETITIVE
Management BIDDING AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE
AND EXECUTE A PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT WITH
ECORESILIENCY MIAMI, LLC ("DEVELOPER") FOR THE SALE,
UPON SATISFACTION OF CERTAIN CLOSING CONDITIONS, OF
+5.4 ACRES OF THAT CERTAIN PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1111
PARROT JUNGLE TRAIL ("PROPERTY") FOR RESIDENTIAL AND
COMMERCIAL USES, IN EXCHANGE FOR CANCELLATION OF THE
EXISTING LEASE AND CONSIDERATION EQUAL TO OR GREATER
THAN FAIR MARKET VALUE OF ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-FIVE
MILLION DOLLARS ($135,000,000.00), INCLUDING DEVELOPMENT
OF A NEW +13.3-ACRE PUBLIC WATERFRONT PARK ON THE
REMAINDER OF PROPERTY ATACOSTTO DEVELOPER OF
THIRTY SEVEN MILLION DOLLARS ($37,000,000.00), PAYMENTS
TO CITY OF TEN MILLION DOLLARS ($10,000,000.00) AT CLOSING
AND ONE MILLION DOLLARS ($1,000,000) PER YEAR PER PHASE
WITH ANNUAL ESCALATIONS OF THREE PERCENT (3%) AND A
PRESENT VALUE OF ONE HUNDRED TEN MILLION EIGHT
HUNDRED SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND AND TWENTY-FOUR
DOLLARS ($110,875,024) OVER NINETY-NINE YEARS), AND
CERTAIN COMMUNITY BENEFITS VALUED AT THIRTY-FOUR
MILLION SIX -HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($34,600,000),
INCLUDING PAYMENT TO THE CITY OF FIFTEEN MILLION
DOLLARS ($15,000,000.00) FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND
INFRASTRUCTURE; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A PARTIAL RELEASE
AND MODIFICATION OF THE DEED RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN
DEED NO. 19447 BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE STATE OF
FLORIDA INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT TRUST FUND ("STATE");
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A QUIT -CLAIM
DEED TO DEVELOPER, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY; PROVIDING, THAT SUCH SALE AND CONVEYANCE
BE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL AND EXECUTION OF AN
AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE THROUGH THE STATE OF
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION;
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND
EXECUTE OTHER ANCILLARY DOCUMENTS AND AMENDMENTS
REQUIRED TO EFFECTUATE THE SALE AND DEVELOPMENT OF
THE PROPERTY AS SET FORTH IN THE PURCHASE AND SALE
AGREEMENT, ALL IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0297
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number PH.16, please
see "Public Comments for all Item(s)."
Chair King: PH.16 was pulled for discussion.
Commissioner Pardo: Yes.
Chair King: Okay.
Commissioner Pardo: Yes. I really wanted to clarify because this has been a lot of
misinformation, particularly from a couple of people, which is -- couldn't be more
wrong. So, I wanted to give the background. When this transaction first came to us, we
insisted that the development team, and I would say this is probably one of the best
development teams I've ever experienced in terms of doing what they set out to do. Go
to the community, meet with all the community groups, make sure you explain, if you
get any pushback or we have to change anything, you might as well learn it there
before coming to us. They did outstanding work on outreach, they came back to us, and
it has been said that this is public land that the City is giving away. It's a public park
and they're giving it to developers. I want to make it very clear why I think this is a
fantastic transaction. First of all, there was an existing lease that started in 1997,
which if you go to Jungle Island, that's what you're going to see there right now, that
lease. That lease potentially could be there the way you see it right now in Jungle
Island for another 80 years, just the way it is right now. This transaction, which
includes the original leaseholder that was holding that lease, basically gives the city a
13.3-acre park, public park, passive public park, that we don't have for immediate use.
It takes what is a currently private beach and makes it a public beach. It takes 5.4
acres and gives it to a developer for the development of two condo towers, which are
luxury condos which will increase the tax base of the city of Miami. What was
supposed to go there was a hotel, which had a lot more traffic, much less desirable on
that property. There is $15 million coming out of this transaction for affordable
housing. There is supposed to be a terminal with a ferry that connects the PAMM
(Perez Art Museum Miami) and the Frost with this passive park to provide all kinds of
educational programming and school programming. There's $700, 000 committed to a
marine facility. There is $5 million committed to the building of a new fire station.
There's $700,000 committed to the Japanese garden, and $500, 000 for a master plan of
what's there on Watson Island. The idea of being able to enjoy a 13.3-acre park with a
public beach, with programming that connects the urban core to Watson Island, with
luxury condos that increases our tax base, gives $15 million for affordable housing,
deals with a lot of our issues as far as marine patrol and setting up a marina, which I
think that was another $500,000 or so, and a fire station. We have tremendous public
benefits in this deal, and we should be grateful that we're not just sitting here with that
island the way it currently is for another 80 years. So, it's really important that this
information, and that's why I wanted to go through it, is on the record because when
someone goes out there and says, oh, you know, they gave it away; it's public property.
It's -- it's completely wrong and very disingenuous and very misleading, so thank you
for giving me the opportunity just to clarify that.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Is there a motion?
Chair King: Is there a motion?
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
Commissioner Pardo: Motion.
Commissioner Gabela: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries.
[Later...]
Chair King: Mr. Manager?
Mr. Noriega: I don't have anything else.
Chair King: I believe you have -- you want to --
Mr. Noriega: Oh, but I don 't think we -- oh, we're going to come back to 16? Okay. I
know we haven't done 22 yet either. Like to have, if you're amenable, a
reconsideration of PH.16. There was some conversation and direction I think the
chairwoman wanted -- had given us during the briefing, and I think we failed to
incorporate it into the -- into the approval, so if --
Vice Chair Carollo: 16?
Commissioner Pardo: A motion to reconsider.
Mr. Noriega: 16.
Chair King: Second.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Commissioner Gabela: What -- I'm sorry. I'm in Lalaland right now.
Chair King: Bringing back --
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, what are we doing?
Chair King: -- PH.16.
Commissioner Pardo: Apparently, there was something to incorporate that wasn't
incorporated.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay.
Commissioner Pardo: So, we're going to bring back PH.16.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay.
Chair King: There's a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries.
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Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
Commissioner Rosado: And what was the item that needed to be inserted?
Mr. Noriega: It's a reconsideration of P --
Commissioner Rosado: No, no, no, no, no, I understand the item, but what was --
Mr. Noriega: The chairwoman will --
Commissioner Rosado: -- what was missing?
Mr. Noriega: -- will bring it forward.
Chair King: Okay, so in my discussions with respect to this item, we talked about the
community benefits. And when the item first came before us, one of my concerns was
affordable housing. And this is a very lucrative project for the developers, but what
about our districts? We have an affordable housing crisis. Commissioner Gabela, you
have an affordable housing crisis.
Commissioner Gabela: Yes, ma 'am.
Chair King: So, I spoke to administration, and I would like to propose the following,
that through various measures, the end result would be $7 million per district for
affordable housing. Now, I'm not clear how I need to spell this out. Do I need to go
how we discussed it, line by line?
Mr. Noriega: Yeah, (INAUDIBLE).
Chair King: So --
Mr. Noriega: We identified that the proceeds from this transaction really accounted for
$47 million worth of total value.
Chair King: Correct.
Mr. Noriega: We talked about a $35 million of that coming in the form of a direct
allocation to each district, and then the remaining balance of $12 million, what I
requested from the chair when we talked was to allocate it towards public safety
equipment --
Chair King: So, let me --
Mr. Noriega: -- vehicles and trucks, and fire equipment.
Chair King: Let me proffer the recommendation. The split of the $47 million would be
$15 million divided by five districts, $20 million of the cash at closing divided by five
districts, the remaining $12 to be continued to the capital fund for public safety
vehicles, and that results in $7 million per district for affordable housing and $12
million to public safety -- to the Public Safety Capital Fund.
Commissioner Pardo: Can I have one little amendment to that? Can you say affordable
housing or infrastructure?
Chair King: We could say affordable housing --
Commissioner Pardo: Okay.
Chair King: -- and/or infrastructure.
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Commissioner Pardo: I'm good.
Chair King: So, may I have a motion?
Commissioner Pardo: Motion.
Commissioner Gabela: Second.
Commissioner Rosado: So moved.
Vice Chair Carollo: Can we go over that? I need un --
Chair King: So, I have a motion and a second.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah.
Chair King: We can continue for discussion. Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, I just need to know exactly what is being spelled out.
Chair King: Okay. So, the developer is obligated to pay $15 million affordable house --
$15 million in affordable housing contributions --
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes.
Chair King: -- $10 million cash at closing, $22 million pay off the City's HUD
(Department of Housing and Urban Development) loan, which is a total of $47 million.
And the recommended split is $15 million by the five districts, split $20 of the cash at
closing by five districts, the remaining $12 of that monies would be contributed to the
capital fund for public safety vehicles and equipment. The end result would be $7
million per district for affordable housing and/or infrastructure, and $12 million to
public safety capital for the purchase of vehicles and/or equipment.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, I don 't think we should limit ourselves to vehicles or
equipment. It should also be personnel. Remember that we approved in the resolution
300 more officers for the next three years. So, we should be flexible enough where we
go.
Mr. Noriega: The request, Commissioner, and the reason why it's requested that way,
it's a one-time payment, it's not a recurring revenue stream.
Vice Chair Carollo: I understand that.
Mr. Noriega: So, that's why we allocate it towards equipment.
Vice Chair Carollo: I understand that, but it should be flexible enough for what you
have for that one-time payment. That's all that I'm saying.
Commissioner Pardo: I'm okay with the way the chair said it, because I agree it's a
one-time payment.
Vice Chair Carollo: I don 't want to --
Chair King: Well, I know we are in dire need to replace vehicles and equipment for
both police and fire, and this was an opportunity to do that. I would leave it --
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Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, if you're including that then we're going to need -- just for
100 cops, you know, that amount is going to be hefty in the police vehicles so that
would help, so that's fine.
Chair King: Okay, so I have a motion and a second for the additions that I'm investing
and the clerk mentioned that I need to include the substitution memo of --
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Dated July 17, 2025.
Chair King: -- dated July 17, 2025. I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries unanimously. Thank you, gentlemen.
PH.17 RESOLUTION
17817 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
De artment of ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING THE PLAT TITLED "MCID 3," A
p REPLAT IN THE CITY OF MIAMI OF THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED
Resilience and IN ATTACHMENT "1," SUBJECT TO SATISFACTION OF ALL
Public Works CONDITIONS REQUIRED BY THE PLAT AND STREET
COMMITTEE AS SET FORTH IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED, AND THE PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN
SECTION 55-8 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA,
AS AMENDED; ACCEPTING THE DEDICATIONS SHOWN ON THE
PLAT; AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER AND
CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE THE PLAT AND CAUSE THE
RECORDATION OF THE PLAT IN THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0298
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PH.17, please see Item
Number PH.1.
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Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
PH.18 RESOLUTION
17689 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Office of Grants ATTACHMENT(S), BY A FOUR -FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE
VOTE, AFTER AN ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING, RATIFYING,
Administration APPROVING AND CONFIRMING THE CITY MANAGER'S
RECOMMENDATIONS AND WRITTEN FINDINGS, ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "A," THAT COMPETITIVE
NEGOTIATION METHODS AND PROCEDURES ARE NOT
PRACTICABLE OR ADVANTAGEOUS PURSUANT TO SECTION
18-85(A) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS
AMENDED; WAIVING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR SAID
PROCEDURES; ALLOCATING AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
EIGHTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($80,000.00) TO EXCEPTIONAL
CONSULTING EDUCATIONAL LEADERS, INC., A FLORIDA FOR -
PROFIT CORPORATION, FOR EDUCATION INITIATIVES WHICH
WILL PROVIDE INSTRUCTION, FAMILY ACTIVITIES, MENTORING,
COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS AND OTHER SUCH ACTIVITIES IN
CONJUNCTION WITH PARENTING SERVICES AT VARIOUS
SCHOOLS AND CHILDCARE CENTERS WITHIN THE CITY FOR
THE FAMILIES FIRST PARENTING PROGRAM ("PROGRAM");
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND TO
EXECUTE ANY NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING
AMENDMENTS, EXTENSIONS AND MODIFICATIONS, ALL IN A
FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR A PERIOD
COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2025, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30,
2026, WITH THE OPTION TO RENEW FOR UP TO THREE (3)
ADDITIONAL SIMILAR PERIODS, SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY
OF FUNDS, AT THE SAME NOT -TO -EXCEED AMOUNT UNDER
THE SAME TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR THE PROGRAM;
PROVIDING FOR THE INCORPORATION OF RECITALS AND AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0299
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PH.18, please see
"Public Comments for all Item (s) " and Item Number PH.1.
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PH.19 RESOLUTION
17745 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Department of Real ATTACHMENT(S), BY A FOUR -FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE
p VOTE, AFTER AN ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING, RATIFYING,
Estate and Asset APPROVING, AND CONFIRMING THE CITY MANAGER'S
Management FINDINGS PURSUANT TO SECTION 18-182(C) OF THE CODE OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, AND WAIVING THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR SAID PROCEDURES; AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER, PURSUANT TO SECTION 29-B(C) OF THE
CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TO
NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A PURCHASE AND SALE
AGREEMENT ("AGREEMENT") BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI
("CITY") AND SPORTS LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT, INC., A
FLORIDA NOT -FOR -PROFIT CORPORATION ("SLAM ACADEMY")
TOGETHER WITH A QUITCLAIM DEED ("DEED"), IN FORMS
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, CONVEYING, WITH
RESTORATION REQUIREMENTS, USE RESTRICTIONS, AND
REVERTER PROVISIONS, THE CITY -OWNED PROPERTY
KNOWN AS THE OLYMPIA THEATER, LOCATED AT 174 EAST
FLAGLER STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA, AND LEGALLY DESCRIBED
IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED, (THE
"PROPERTY") TO SLAM ACADEMY FOR THE REHABILITATION
AND UTILIZATION OF THE PROPERTY EXCLUSIVELY FOR
PUBLIC EDUCATION PURPOSES, WITH TERMS AND
CONDITIONS TO BE MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN THE
AGREEMENT; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS,
INCLUDING AMENDMENTS, EXTENSIONS, AND MODIFICATIONS
TO THE AGREEMENT AND DEED, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE
TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, AS DEEMED NECESSARY TO
CONSUMMATE THE CONVEYANCE FOR SAID PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0300
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PH.19, please see
"Public Comments for all Item(s)."
Chair King: PH.19 was pulled for discussion.
Vice Chair Carollo: Can I ask some questions? I didn 't pull it. I don't know who did.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): And Chair, again, PH.16 was as amended --
Chair King: As amended.
Mr. Hannon: -- pursuant to a substitution memo dated July 17th, 2025.
Vice Chair Carollo: Chair?
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Commissioner Pardo: And I'm happy to open on it if you want me to.
Commissioner Rosado: Is -- is --
Chair King: Who -- who's the one that pulled this --
Commissioner Rosado: I -- I pulled it. Is there a presentation from the administration
or the proposers?
Arthur Noriega (City Manager): They are certainly prepared to make a presentation if
you need it.
Vice Chair Carollo: I would like to ask some questions before any presentation.
Chair King: Before a presentation?
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes.
Unidentified Speaker: Of course.
Chair King: Go right ahead.
Vice Chair Carollo: I'm -- leave it open if I need to ask more after --
Chair King: Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- but Mr. Manager, what is the square foot -- square feet of the
size of the -- the square feet of the size of the parcel of land that we have this property
on?
Mr. Noriega: I'll get that for you. I don't know what the footprint of the property itself
is. I'll get it for you.
Vice Chair Carollo: Can we get it --
Mr. Noriega: Yeah.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- right away?
Mr. Noriega: Um-hmm.
Vice Chair Carollo: Have we done any appraisal on the property the last few months?
Mr. Noriega: We haven't.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. So, we don't even know what the property will be worth.
And that's why I was asking you the size -- square foot of the land, because property in
downtown is very expensive.
Mr. Noriega: We can certainly get you the square footage, just keep in mind that this is
a historically designated theater and building, so the land value is sort of warped by
that.
Vice Chair Carollo: I understand that, but if nobody would put a penny into it and it
would just fall apart, then it wouldn't be historical anymore. The land would be worth
a lot.
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Mr. Noriega: True.
Vice Chair Carollo: Do we know the potential worth, financial worth of air rights?
And if they could be transferred, what would that be worth?
Mr. Noriega: Yeah, the TDRs (Transfer of Development Rights) and TDDs (Transfer of
Development Density), the range for those given the most recent market would
probably be anywhere from $12 to $15 million, roughly.
Vice Chair Carollo: 12 to $15 million?
Mr. Noriega: Yeah, it's driven by the market.
Vice Chair Carollo: I understand that. But do we have anything in writing that has
given you that amount?
Mr. Noriega: No, it's just based on comps that have occurred in recent history.
Because there isn't a set number. It's based on comparables.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, I understand, that could vary from time to time. But the --
Mr. Noriega: I can certainly send you the email that I got from --
Vice Chair Carollo: The latest one that we have, as to the best --
Mr. Noriega: -- Planning.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- comps that we have, is what I'd like to see, because I'm -- look, I
stated already at the last meeting that the people that have made this proposal to us,
every business they've gotten into, they made it work. So, I'm not concerned with them
being able to make something work, nor their ability to accomplish what they have
stated in the record that they would do with the property. That's not the issue. I have a
responsibility to ask the questions that you're asking -- rather that I'm asking, because
I really need to take this into the full calculation of what we're being offered. This is a
business transaction, and it should be dealt with like a business transaction. The -- the
other areas that this is more to George, and he might not want to get into it, but, you
know, I keep -- you know, I hate having to be told that you have to work on something
because someone is putting a gun to your head. I want to know the reality of you
know, maybe you can't do it up here, you don't want to, for legal reasons that I
understand, but personally I need to know what I've heard up here and in other places
on the lawsuit that we're facing. Is that something we could speak on up here, George,
or is that something that is going to have to be done one on one?
George Wysong (City Attorney): Yeah, as you know, we're in active litigation, and we
actually had a shade meeting a couple of months ago on this topic. So, I would
discourage us from --
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. All right.
Mr. Wysong: And you heard from their counsel earlier who said --
Vice Chair Carollo: All right, so that will be privately.
Mr. Wysong: Yeah. Yeah, so we'll meet with you.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, the other question that I have is from the manager, once
Larry is done. Mr. Manager, what year was it that the Off -Street Parking Authority,
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and I believe you were the executive director there, that gave the theater to the city? I
don't remember how far back it went.
Mr. Noriega: So, the City always owned the theater. The City took ownership of the
theater in the late `70s. Maurice Gusman transferred it to them. The Department of
Off -Street Parking at the time had management oversight of it. That was part of the
negotiated deal between Maurice Gusman and Mitchell Wolfson.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, so you put in the record something that I think needed to be
said. The City had ownership of it from the beginning.
Mr. Noriega: Correct.
Vice Chair Carollo: However, the management was given in the original papers to Off -
Street Parking.
Mr. Noriega: Correct.
Vice Chair Carollo: So, let me rephrase my question. When did Off -Street Parking give
the management of the theater to the City? What year was that?
Mr. Noriega: Actually, it was transferred to a nonprofit that, at the time, was chaired
by Herman Echeverria, and I think that was 2011. Is that what's in the file, correct? If
I'm right, I think it was 2011.
Vice Chair Carollo: Approximately 2011 --
Mr. Noriega: Correct.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- to that nonprofit. None of us were here then so, it's why we need
to get this information. And then when did that nonprofit give it back to the City of
Miami to manage?
Mr. Noriega: I'd have to check that. I'll have to look into that.
Vice Chair Carollo: These are important areas to know because --
Mr. Noriega: Yeah, I just don't remember off the top of my head.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- I also want to find out if this non-profit ever put any money in
maintaining or refurbishing the theater or any parts of it.
Mr. Noriega: Yeah, I'm unaware that they did anything to the building.
Vice Chair Carollo: And then how much and when did the City spend money in
refurbishing the theater? Because there was work done and I don't know how much
money we spent, but there was money spent. So, based upon what I'm hearing from
you, it appears that it was the City of Miami that did that because -- or did you do
anything up to 2011 from the Off -Street Parking?
Mr. Noriega: Yeah, there were small projects done, but mostly through state grants
and some county grants as well, minor repairs, I think we had done a bunch of interior
work, but nothing substantial.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, can -- can you get the history of it from the Off -Street
Parking?
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Mr. Noriega: Sure.
Vice Chair Carollo: How much money, whether through grants or what have you, on a
yearly basis was put into it? Then, if there was any money whatsoever put by this non-
profit, and then when the non-profit gave it to the City, if the City put any money
towards it and do you remember what year the non-profit gave it back to the City to
manage it?
Mr. Noriega: I'm going to get that information for you as well. For --
Vice Chair Carollo: And do you know why the non-profit gave it back to the City
versus bringing it back to the Off -Street Parking?
Mr. Noriega: Well, I -- if I recall, the reason why it was transferred back to the City at
the time was because I think there was an intent to issue an RFP (Request for
Proposal) and actually engage in a process, which we did. And it was better suited at
the time because of the transfer in terms of management control went from Off -Street
to the nonprofit. The request to have that management control reverted was done so
and initiated by the City.
Vice Chair Carollo: But you don't remember the year.
Mr. Noriega: I don't -- I don't recall off the top of my head, I'd have to go back and
look. I don 't remember the exact time it -- it took place. I do have the square footage of
the lot.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah. How much is it?
Mr. Noriega: 21,477 square feet.
Vice Chair Carollo: That's approximately --
Mr. Noriega: Half an acre.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- half an acre. Could somebody, off the top of their heads, maybe
you could call DDA (Downtown Development Authority), they should have that
information, right off the top of their hands, what is the square footage of raw land in
Downtown Miami these days, I'd just like to know. Since already you told me that the
air rights are $12 to $15 million, what they're worth. And for the record, I'll state that
what happened with this nonprofit that we gave this to, I have no doubt will never
happen with the people that have given us the proposal to take it over. Make sure
you're not going to the same guy that gave us the worth of our administrative building
downtown when we sold it, minus my vote.
Mr. Noriega: No, we're going to have to do some research, and we can do that between
now and when the item, I think, comes back.
Vice Chair Carollo: Don't you think that that's something that we should have had
from the start, Mr. Manager, frankly?
Mr. Noriega: The value of the land?
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah. The value of everything, so we know what deal we need to
make. I'm not questioning the ability of the people that are proposing this to us on one,
that they'll make it work; two, that they got the money, they could get the money to
make it work, which is very important. You know, there's a lot of talk in this town by
many people but then, when you've got to put up the money, you know, not that many,
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you know, know where the beef is or bring the beef And -- but at the same time, we
need to be transparent to our residents in the kind of deal that we're making. We have
to show them that, you know, we're dealing with this like Donald J. Trump would, in a
business manner. It's not about anything else but making sure that we're going to save
that structure in the way that we want it. And I think Mr. Gusman wanted it for the
city's future. But at the same time, it's going to be done in a fashion that we're not
going to be looked at like we're chumps in business, like we usually do business with.
For instance, the one that we just voted on, on Watson Island, on the land there. You
remember, Mr. Manager, because you were here? How many times the people that
sold that land now to the ones that are buying it came before us and you have to take
millions out of what we owe you, otherwise we're going to go into bankruptcy and
you're not going to get anything, and this project is going to go out the door. And each
time they came I warned this commission when I voted against it not to do it. And I said
they're going to come back for another one and they did. And now they sold it. They
make a heck of a profit that wouldn't have been anywhere near as big if we hadn't
given them all that because the developer that's buying from them would have had to
pay us that. And we lost out because we believed --
Commissioner Pardo: The developer is part of the deal.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, I understand that. I'm not questioning that. I'm questioning
the people that sold it to the developer. And, in fact, I'm not even blaming them.
Because they got the right lobbyists. I'm blaming the people up here that voted for that
at the time. They bought the whole hook and bait that they threw at us. And we lost
millions more that we would have made in this deal. But we couldn't claim it now
because we waived millions of dollars to the original -- well, not even the original, the
owner at the time that sold this project. You're a financial planner, you understand
what I'm saying. So, I want to make sure that as we go forward in whatever we do here
is going to be in a sound financial business transaction, that we all know what this is
really worth. We all know the potential in consequences that we could be facing
potentially in court. I want to hear from our attorneys. Maybe I want to hear from an
outside attorney also on this. And the other aspect of it, I'm not concerned. Again, the
people that are proposing this deal have the financial ability to make it happen. Two,
they also have a track record that have shown that everything they have touched, they
do real good in, beyond expectations. But we need to get all the facts so we can make
sound judgment, not one in emotions.
Commissioner Gabela: Yes, ma'am.
Chair King: Commissioner Gabela.
Commissioner Gabela: So, I -- I agree with some of the things the commissioner said.
I've got a couple of questions, but one of them is, number one, there's been a lot of talk,
and I want to establish that the reason for a no -bid, and this is to you, George. Correct
me if I'm wrong, but this is -- this deal, if this should happen, isn't -- wouldn 't this be
classified as a government -to -government deal?
Mr. Wysong: Yes, sir. So, 29-B of the City Charter says that in order to sell city
property, you have to go through three bids and fair market value and all that stuff.
However, it has an exemption. The above provisions and any other city requirements
for competitive bidding shall not apply when B) -- no, I'm sorry, C) conveying property
to implement projects of any governmental agency or instrumentality. And SLAM!
being a charter school under the Florida Statutes is considered a governmental
agency, and that's how --
Commissioner Gabela: So, we can safely establish that's the reason why there's no bid.
Okay.
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Mr. Wysong: That's exactly the reason why there's no bid.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay, but I wanted to put that out there because there's been
talk, you know, that we're kind of doing this like the commissioner says, you know, and
we've got to be right on this. Number two, let's say that, and I understand where the
commissioner is rightly going with this, let's say that for the sake of argument, you
know, you took the $12.5 mil on the air rights and let's say the land is worth another
$50 mil, to say just a number, while get that number, Mr. City Manager, and let's say
at the end of the day this property is worth from $75 to $100 mil, just for the sake of
argument. At the end of the day, we couldn't sell that land, because I'm pretty sure that
the Maurice Gusman people gave it to be used as a public use and not -- you know, if
not, they could have done that themselves and sold it themselves. So, the point is, even
if we arrive at a number, okay, we cannot sell that land, can we? If we were to go that
route.
Mr. Noriega: We couldn't -- currently couldn't sell it unless we had a settlement of
litigation.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay.
Mr. Noriega: That's a given. I think that for purposes of full clarity and transparency,
to follow through on Commissioner Carollo's exercise, we'll engage in evaluation of
the property. I'm pretty certain it's going to come out almost negative given the capital
requirements, it has a historic designation. It -- the property and as it stands right now
as a historic building in the current condition it's in is probably going to have pretty
close to a negative value. But I'm going to go through that exercise --
Commissioner Gabela: No, no, I got it.
Mr. Noriega: -- so everybody can see it because I want everybody to be comfortable.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay. Thank you. Number three, you know, it's got a reverter
clause. It's got a reverter clause that if they don't do what they say that they are going
to do, we will get that property back. Am I correct to assume this?
Mr. Noriega: That's currently written into the purchase and sale agreement.
Commissioner Gabela: And I understand that in the contract it also says that you must
-- you cannot just get rid of the theater, you must, you know, improve the theater, you
must rebuild the theater. Is that also --?
Mr. Noriega: No, there's a full scope of work also attached, which has to be met. It
includes the renovation of the theater and the building. There is a very specific scope
and standard set to that, very detailed drawings. There's a full detailed permitted set of
plans that go with that. So, that gets attached as an exhibit. And inclusive of that will
be ultimately to recertify the building in terms of its 40-/50-year recertification.
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, my point is there's plans in place and certain procedures
have to be followed, okay? If not, it won't work out and we're entitled to take the
property back.
Mr. Noriega: Correct.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay, so I don't think that the people that are going to be doing
the business with us, you know, are going to engage in that kind of you know,
behavior. And rightly so, like the commissioner said, that he trusts them because
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they've done this before. So, really, it's a question, at the end of the day, and I agree
with the commissioner, I mean, we have to know at the end of the day how much this
thing is worth or not. But here's the thing, we continue to talk, we continue to push this
thing down the road and then my fear is nothing is done, and we'll have another
conversation, another one year, two years, three years, and the place will still be the
same. And I'd rather, you know, as for me, you know, if all these guardrails, if all these
safety measures to ensure that the people that are concerned with the historic value of
the theater are taken care of that the building is renovated, which is not being done
now, and that it goes to a good use, which is to help students. I've had a conversation.
They've been in my office, by the way, and I have had a conversation with the
gentleman on the other side. Let me disclose that. And I asked him, okay, what are the
benefits that we are deriving from? And as I see it, there are a lot of benefits. They're
going to help a lot of students out, including students from my district and all the
districts. So, you know, I see this, and we have to answer all these questions to do this
responsibly, correctly. I agree wholeheartedly.
Vice Chair Carollo: That's all that I'm saying.
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, no, no, no. I agree with you wholeheartedly,
Commissioner Carollo. But at the end of the day, I think that we must make a decision
on this, you know, I think sooner rather than later, because we don't want to lose the
momentum, you know. Because this has gone backwards and forwards, backwards and
forwards for many years now. And the building continues to dilapidate. And that's what
I don't want to see happen. So, having heard all the concerns, this is just what I wanted
to put out there. I am -- whenever you, ladies and gentlemen, commissioners, you're
ready to vote, I'm ready. I'll end it with that. Go ahead.
Commissioner Pardo: Okay.
Chair King: I have a couple of concerns. When this came before us before, there was
conversation about community partners. I mentioned Miami Dade College, that there
was some talk about that, but there was not an agreement in place necessarily that
Miami Dade College would be a partner. I want to make sure that the community
partners are solidified, that we aren't just using the name Miami Dade College to make
this more palatable to the community. I understand, Mr. Manager, this gives you the
authority to negotiate those community benefits, correct? Because I want to see that
this space is used for what it was intended and that the entirety of the community
benefits. I also want to ensure that students from District 5 are able to attend this
school and to have the benefit of what I have heard is a magnificent school. I want
assurances in writing that students from my district will also be able to attend this
school.
Mr. Noriega: So, to speak to the issue of community partners, in particular Miami
Dade College, so that's a condition precedent to executing the agreement. So, the
agreement doesn't get executed, nor does the property transfer until the city satisfied
that an agreement has been reached between Miami Dade College and SLAM!
Academica. So, I think that some of what you're requesting, we could certainly work
into the PSA (Professional Services Agreement) between now and when we bring it
back to the commission for approval and we'll add some more detail to it. There are
some additional elements that were a result of the public meetings, such as how many
days the theater would be made available to -- for public access and public events.
That's also worked in there as well. So, you know, there's -- I'd say the agreement is
about 80 percent of the way there in terms of the draft. And I think, you know, the time
we have from now until our next meetings in September, well have an opportunity to
finalize all of that. And in addition, bring back, as Commissioner Carollo requested, an
evaluation so that the Commission as a whole is fully aware of what the actual current
value would be and can make a more informed decision.
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Chair King: Commissioner Pardo?
Commissioner Pardo: Yeah. I agree that it's probably negative and I know that it's very
difficult to value because of the historic nature. And what are the cash flows currently
on that building?
Mr. Noriega: Well, I mean, you're going to evaluate it based on a cash flow basis as
well as the actual, you know, value of the asset itself
Commissioner Pardo: Exactly.
Mr. Noriega: It's a 99 plus year -old asset with about $50 million worth of liability in
terms of capital expense. And a very hard cap on what you can build there. So, the only
real value is the TDDs and TDRs, right?
Commissioner Pardo: Yeah.
Mr. Noriega: I mean, that's the value, which would be applied towards, you know, any
valuation, obviously. So, we'll put all that together and come back.
Commissioner Pardo: Yeah. I do want to say that I'm very optimistic and excited about
this transaction. To think that there's $50 million that could be -- and I would prefer
that there would be a structure that would segregate whatever that number is, maybe
kept in trust separately or dedicated and set aside from anything else so that we would
know that in fact that is there and it's going to be restored and it's going to happen.
That would be, I think, super important to the community. Aside from that, I really
want to commend Tim Barket and the Gusman family for their legacy and their
generosity in having donated this to the city of Miami. But not only for that, I take
great comfort in your role as watchdogs over this transaction. I know that SLAM! and
the group is very credible and do excellent work. It's not to say that you don't, but I
think the community, especially in Miami, has seen so many things not go the way that
they should have gone, that it's a very nice thing to know that you will always be there
kind of shepherding that. So, I agree we need a lot more details. I'm looking -- very
much looking forward to seeing those details come back, and I'm generally very
supportive of the transaction.
Chair King: One other question. They cannot tear down the theater, correct? They
have to renovate it; they have to restore the theater.
Mr. Noriega: It's historically designated at the national level.
Chair King: I understand.
Mr. Noriega: It's a national historic property.
Chair King: Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: I have a couple more follow-up questions and statements to make.
The appraisal on the property -- and we should get some certified appraisal companies
that I would get the top ones that do appraisals in downtown -- has to be done in two
ways, not just one that will show -- will probably show a very low worth. That one is --
would be based on historic theater that we can 't do anything else with it, et cetera, et
cetera. That's if you want to bring the price down. But the other appraisal has to be
made -- and I'll explain why when I tell you what the other appraisal should be made --
on the best and highest use, how many stories we could go up, what is the density that
you could build. And why do I say that? I'm going to give you some reasons. One, we
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live in Miami. You don 't know if this might be the year, next year, or 10 years, 20 years
from now or more, Andrew's going to come down downtown. And if you no longer
have a historic building because it got torn down by a hurricane, now you could build
as high as you want, as dense as the zoning allows. Two, you never know. Hopefully,
never would happen, but a fire could take out a structure like that. And there are other
reasons. I haven 't even heard what engineering work has been done to assure us that
this place is sound and it could be kept that way. I'm sure from what I hear that it is,
but I haven 't seen anything in writing. And then last but not least, I don 't know if in
parts of it or in most of the building, you can't build a new structure that would enclose
this one in the bottom as you build over it and go high. That might be a possibility. I
don 't know. But I will say this, that once we get those appraisals, one of the conditions
that has to be put in the contract, and I'm not even going to deal with the $12 to $15
million that you told me that you estimate the air rights might be worth. Maybe they're
worth more, I don't know. But putting that aside, because that is something that we got
to discuss again once we see the appraisals, I want a guarantee in the contract that if
for any reason they make monies on any sales, any addition on any of the areas that I
described here in any other way on that building outside of the inside and the school, et
cetera, the theater, that the City participates in those profits. If the building is no
longer there for any reason, it's going to be sold or developed for another skyscraper
downtown, now that's going to be worth a heck of a lot more, and we should be able to
participate in those profits. What the amount should be off the start, we could discuss it
once this comes back to us. And last but not least, we have to have, even for individuals
like this that are serious, that have the funding, and could get funding if they need to,
we have to have a guarantee in the contract that the amount that is agreed upon that
they are going to spend to refurbish that -- and the amount I've been hearing is $50
million versus $40 million -- that they guarantee us that in a financial way somehow. It
could be a bond, but that always costs additional dollars, but it could be in other
potential ways that the City would be guaranteed that this will always go forward and
it would not be -- there would not be any potential of a 2011 nonprofit deal like we had
back then. Now, I've heard from others that have come all of a sudden, but you know,
ideas are wonderful. Many people have great ideas. The problem is if you don 't have
the financing to make the ideas work or go forward, they're not worth anything either.
They have the financing to make it work. They have an idea and a proposal that will
benefit the city in many ways. It will be multiplied in the positive in many ways beyond
keeping this beautiful, unique theater. So, those are the main areas that to me are a
must to having a contract, Mr. Manager. I understand that would be the second phase.
And look, we could agree or disagree on a lot, but I think we all can agree on doing
things in the best business -like manner to protect the financial interests of our city and
to make sure that anyone that's looking at this would, in good faith, is going to see that
what we're doing would make sense and is transparent in the way we're doing it.
Chair King: Mr. Manager, did you get all of that?
Mr. Noriega: (INAUDIBLE).
Chair King: You got my --
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, he's got a way of saying yes and then he forgets right away.
So, make sure you keep reminding him.
Mr. Noriega: I'll show it to you when we're done.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah.
Chair King: Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: Can I pin it on you, Mr. Manager?
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Commissioner Rosado: Chairwoman, I have a number of questions as well. I'm happy
to go last, but I do have a number of questions.
Chair King: You are last.
Commissioner Rosado: Okay. Everybody else is more or less done?
Chair King: Yes, I believe we have all spoken.
Commissioner Rosado: Several items I was going to ask about have already been
addressed, including the valuation of the property, factoring in the value of the TDRs,
the cost estimate for the repairs, because we've seen a range, but it would be great if
that number would be tightened up. We've seen 30 to $50 million. It would be good to
have a tighter estimate of what the repairs are, because I think ultimately what it's
going to end up showing is that this is, as an asset, a very beautiful but expensive to
repair and maintain asset, and it would be good to know what that is. And my
suspicion is that, in many ways, it's actually a liability for the City. I have questions
about signage and aesthetics. Given that it's a historic building, we're going to have a
use moving in, I just want to know what the outside of it is going to look with regard to
signage. You know, plenty of respect for the entity that's planning on taking it over, but
it's the Olympia. You know, I'm curious to know what changes they can make with
regard to the aesthetics, the appearance, signage, et cetera.
Mr. Noriega: None. You can't make any changes to the exterior. It's historic.
Commissioner Rosado: Could you explain the unsolicited proposal process? And I
mention this because I've received lots of feedback, lots of questions about this
particular item, right? This is a sort of enduring item. Whatever decision we end up
making is going to have implications for a number of years. And Florida has an
unsolicited proposal process. So, beyond the RFP that was done a few years ago, could
you talk about the unsolicited proposal process more generally? Because it's
something that folks maybe are not that familiar with.
Mr. Noriega: With regards to, and I'll use this project as an example, certainly
anybody could have come to the City with a proposal. There is a deposit that's
required with that presentation. The next step would be to be internally evaluated. And
obviously, in most cases like that, we socialize with our elected offices and the district
commissioner if it's a project based within their district, to really explore whether
there's any interest in moving forward with a project of any type, specifically
addressed to a particular asset or piece of land. And then if there is interest, then a
solicitation is then moved forward and that initial proposal becomes sort of the
baseline of a future RFP or some type of solicitation. But an unsolicited proposal does
not preclude a process. There's still a process on the back end of it.
Commissioner Rosado: What proposals have we received over the years? So, I
watched the Zoom meeting that took place last, I think it was last Thursday was the
date of the meeting. In it you all described a little bit of the history. That's why I was
hoping there was a presentation that would address some of these things for those that
maybe weren 't able to attend or weren 't able to watch it. Who has submitted proposals
over the years, whether solicited or unsolicited?
Mr. Noriega: There's been discussions. I mean, most of them predate me, so I don't
really have a sense of specifically what was discussed with the City at the time. None
materialized into anything substantial, right? There have been discussions with
regards to repurposing the apartments. You know, Related at one point, approached
the City to convert what was then a tax credit apartment building, which was the tower,
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and repurpose them again for affordable -- once again, that project, for some reason,
and again, I wasn 't directly involved, but never -- never rose to any substantial level,
where I didn 't think it was ever even considered by the City Commission. There was a
solicitation, there were no proposals received. That was done in 2022. There have been
a number of other just informal discussions, various groups that have come to the City,
expressed interest. There's been some that have toured the facility, done some
preliminary due diligence, but in the end, none really materialized in any type of really
formal offer for which the -- would have risen to the level where the commission would
have evaluated it.
Commissioner Rosado: Could you talk about the Miami Forever Bond, the funding that
was allocated for recreation and cultural improvements? What was the amount? What
were the eligible uses? I've gotten lots of questions about that. And what the money has
been spent on thus far?
Larry Spring (Assistant City Manager): Through the Chair, I'll have to get expenditure
-- Larry Spring, chief financial officer. Specifically, we had $15 million that would
have been allocable to this project. When we hadn't moved forward with that, that
money was reallocated, prorated to each of the districts for parks, parks -related
projects. So, that's the answer to that question.
Commissioner Rosado: Because the overall category was parks and cultural
programming.
Mr. Spring: Correct.
Commissioner Rosado: Okay. What is the impact of the proposed use on other
businesses? I've received -- some of the business owners in the area have asked me,
you know, if they have a liquor license, if they have certain hours of operation, like
how does moving this entity in, if they were to be moved in, how does it affect the
operations of other businesses in downtown?
Mr. Noriega: My understanding is that there's a very specific process that would allow
for an exception, but I want to let our Zoning -- Planning and Zoning staff speak to the
specifics of that. It will -- it should not have an impact.
Commissioner Pardo: Your mic.
Mr. Noriega: Shouldn't have an impact on it, the establishment of the school.
Commissioner Rosado: While we wait, I guess Mr. Snow is going to be joining us. Is
that what we're waiting for? While we wait for him, we can move on. I have a few
more questions. Is there a plan for addressing traffic concerns? We've received
questions about school drop-off in the morning, school pickup later in the day, and
how it might affect rush hour traffic. We have residents in the area. We have folks, you
know, leaving their businesses.
Mr. Noriega: We could certainly request a transportation plan, a management plan,
something they engage in quite regularly. It came up during the public meetings. They
addressed it in those public meetings because it's something they do on a very regular
basis for all of their schools. And so, we certainly could work with them to put
something together.
Commissioner Rosado: Okay. I think they're gathering their thoughts, so we'll give
them another moment. Is there the possibility of office space for the City as part of the
new project, or perhaps office space downtown in relation to the project?
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Mr. Noriega: We hadn 't contemplated that. The space in the building is very limited,
and the retail is very, very small. So, I -- you know, I don 't know how much really we
get -- we garner out of that given the really limited amount of space there. I mean, if
they're going to activate it as a school, especially the tower, when you've walked that
building, it's a very tight building and the retail is really, really small. Those retail
tenants are all in the, you know, 500 to 800 square foot range. They're tiny.
Commissioner Rosado: Right now, the City has a -- like a permitting --
Mr. Noriega: Correct.
Commissioner Rosado: -- office for downtown residents and businesses. And my
understanding is that will be allowed to remain. I think that's considered a valuable
amenity for folks in the area.
Mr. Noriega: Yeah, I mean, we could certainly explore it. We hadn 't really discussed
it, that it would remain. We've been at -- we activated that more on an interim basis,
not -- not -- wasn't intended to be permanent.
George Wysong (City Attorney): And Commissioner Rosado --
Commissioner Rosado: Yes.
Mr. Wysong: -- I can help out with the question about the distance requirements. The
Gusman Center is located in the Flagler Specialty District, and there's special rules in
the Flagler Specialty District. There's no cap to establishments; it's by right. And there
shall have no distance separation requirements from a school or religious facility. So,
there's no distance requirements in an adjacent area.
Commissioner Rosado: So, it shouldn't have any impact on downtown businesses?
Mr. Wysong: So, it wouldn 't have -- and even if they existed, our code generally
provides that if you're an existing, you know, alcohol service establishment and a
church or school moves in, you 're not affected.
Commissioner Rosado: You're grandfathered in essentially?
Mr. Wysong: Essentially.
Commissioner Rosado: Okay. And then my final question is, is there any thought -- I've
received lots of questions on this one. Is there any thought to some sort of an Arts
Advisory Council component, right? I think this issue has brought out a lot of folks that
aren 't necessarily engaged on other city issues, but they clearly are part of our sort of
arts and cultural community in Miami -Dade. I have had -- go ahead, and then I'll say
something else.
Mr. Noriega: They've already agreed to that. They had already agreed to a structure
that would incorporate that into their future operation.
Commissioner Rosado: And I have -- and I'll send it through the city clerk, but I've
been in touch with the Knight Foundation. So, the Knight Foundation has offices in a
few dozen cities, but their headquarters happens to be just a few blocks from the
Olympia, and their vice president of the arts nationally is located here in downtown
Miami. And so, what we're circulating is an email that I received last night, which is
why I hadn 't been able to share it previously, from their vice president of the arts, and
she's got some recommendations for how to establish an arts advisory council that,
you know, we're not trying to put the burden on the potential proposer, but rather
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create a structure that is able to help program the theater. I know there have been lots
of questions about when it'll be available. Certainly, we want to democratize the arts
and get folks from downtown and throughout the city in there as much as possible. So,
this is, you know, just some key points. I don 't know that we have to go through it now,
but it provides a basis for creating such a structure.
Vice Chair Carollo: Are you done, Commissioner?
Chair King: Okay.
Commissioner Rosado: I am done.
Chair King: Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: Can I come back just for a couple of quick --
Chair King: Three minutes.
Vice Chair Carollo: That's sufficient.
Chair King: Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: Look, all these wonderful people that want to come now, it's great,
including other institutions, but where's the money? You know, everybody wants to
participate, but I'm only hearing one source coming up with the money. So, I would
suggest politely that if others want to participate so much and have such great ideas,
they should follow through with some dollars also. Having said that, there was a point
that you made, Commissioner, that it's a reality. It's a reality today and it will be more
so in the future. Traffic, we can't get away from that in our city. And the solution to
solving a traffic problem cannot be mousy tunes from China, where everybody had a
Chinese bicycle. And it's not practical, certainly not in Miami. So, one of the areas that
this city has to concentrate on, not just with ideas, but putting the ideas to work and
getting the monies, which means we have to partner up with the County, with the State,
and frankly, the one that can come in big time, if we have the connections, is
Washington, the new administration. We haven't done practically anything to extend
Metrorail the way it should have been and that it was planned. The people mover is
great, but we haven 't extended anywhere else. And the solution for traffic in Flagler
when I came back as a commissioner, I couldn't believe it, to begin with, back when
Miami was being planned, Mary Brickell, that sold the land to Flagler, told him,
Henry, Henry, you 're building the roads too narrow, you got to make them wider. And
of course, like most men, they don 't want to listen to the women and look what
happened. He built streets extremely narrow. And I know what she told him. I was
there; I heard it. No, just kidding. I've been around a while, but not that far back. So,
what I found when I came back was that instead of the three lanes, were very narrow
and were nowhere near enough for a major downtown into the future, they made one
into a bike lane. Well, stand there and see how many bikes you see go by every day.
Sometimes you have a better shot at winning the lottery than finding even one bike
going by. And then the other lane, another great idea, only for buses. And you know
how efficient our bus service is in Miami. They're supposed to come every half hour or
so. Get your watch and see how long it takes. So, you 've taken out another lane for
cars also, and you 've ended up in what is unbelievable, the only downtown in America
of a major city that its main thoroughfare only has one lane for traffic. And that has to
be changed now, but even more so if this goes forward into the future, because
obviously if you're going to have 2,000 plus people, students, faculty, et cetera, going
there, you 're going to have more traffic. Even though if we further do our work like we
should, we will have more connections into the future with people mover, Metrorail
built, so that there could be more connections, and that's the way you keep more cars
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off the street. You don 't resolve it by putting bike trails to nowhere, particularly when
nobody uses them and you 're taking lanes away that you need for cars. So, having said
that, Mr. Manager, I trust that you're going to negotiate in the fashion that I said. And
what I want to make sure is that what we are -- what we have before us to approve is
only the workings of a contract, that nothing here will be finalized until it comes back
to this Commission. Is that correct, Mr. Manager?
Mr. Noriega: That is correct, sir.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, so I will gladly make the motion.
Chair King: I have a motion. Do I have a second?
Commissioner Pardo: Second.
Vice Chair Carollo: With the conditions that I stated before.
Commissioner Pardo: Yeah, second. Absolutely agree.
Chair King: All in favor?
Mr. Hannon: Sorry, Chair, so but this is as is. These conditions aren 't amending.
Chair King: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah.
Chair King: It's a directive to the manager.
Commissioner Pardo: Correct.
Vice Chair Carollo: And let me be clear, if you don 't come back with a contract that's
a business sense contract for us, not for them, you're not going to have my vote then.
Chair King: Nor mine.
Vice Chair Carollo: I'm here --
Commissioner Pardo: I think we're all --
Vice Chair Carollo: -- no matter how much I might like these people, how great I think
they are, I don 't work for them. I work for the residents of Miami, and those are the
ones that I have to look out for, like all of us here. So, I expect that it's done in that
fashion. And I expect, Mr. Manager, that we get appraisals in the form that I requested
and is incorporated into this resolution, along with the other statements that were
made that you said that you would bring the value of the TDRs, including the 12 to $15
million or more on the value of the air rights, et cetera, and the two types of appraisals
on the property. And I would like to have a minimum. From my talks with you, you
were more leaning on the $40 million. From what I heard in the one meeting that I had
with their side, was that it was more in the neighborhood of $50 million. And we all
know how construction costs go up and how cost estimates sometimes are lower than
higher. So, it could be even more than your $40 million, it could be more than their
$50 million, but we need to have a guarantee on a number that makes sense, and it
might be more in the $50 million range than the 40 that we have a guarantee on.
Whether it's a bond if they want to, but it's more expensive, so I don 't want to throw
more expense on them than we have to. It might be in the form of property or other
assets that they would put to guarantee this, but it's up to them.
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Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Commissioner Rosado: Madam Chair?
Mr. Noriega: So, Todd --
Mr. Hannon: And for the record --
Mr. Noriega: So, Todd, for purposes of just clarity, okay, the reso gets modified to
eliminate the execute portion of the reso.
Mr. Hannon: So, as amended.
Mr. Noriega: As amended. You're removing the execution part.
Mr. Wysong: There's also a thing about --
Vice Chair Carollo: The --
Mr. Wysong: -- together with the quitclaim deed, so that'll be taken out.
Mr. Noriega: Yeah, yeah. That gets taken out as well.
Vice Chair Carollo: We're the ones who are going to execute in a final vote here in the
contract when it comes back. When do you anticipate that this will come back, Mr.
Manager?
Mr. Noriega: Either the first or second meeting in September.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. I think that's fair. And you should have plenty of time,
particularly if you don 't take a long vacation. Thank you.
Commissioner Rosado: Madam Chair?
Chair King: Hold on a second. Mr. City Clerk?
Mr. Hannon: And again, just for the record, the motion was adopted as amended
unanimously 5-0.
Commissioner Rosado: Madam Chair, I'd also like to recommend, or rather request
from the administration that an FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) sheet be put
together because we've received just a barrage of questions on this item. I think there's
been a lot of confusion, so I think we spelled out a lot on the record, but if we could
have all this as one document that the City could put out that we could each share, that
would be very helpful.
Mr. Noriega: I think if you'll indulge this, I think once we finish the negotiation on the
PSA (Professional Services Agreement), we'll do an abstract from that that
summarizes everything that we addressed and that was requested here and highlights it
as per the PSA. That way you can certainly communicate that to anybody that has an
inquiry.
Commissioner Rosado: My concern though would be that there's a number of things
that aren 't necessarily going to be spelled out in the PSA, like the impact on other
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businesses, some of the signage things. There may be things that aren 't covered in
there because they're not specific to the entity, but they're the kinds of things that the
general public or downtown residents, downtown businesses, et cetera, are interested
in. I want to make sure that that information is readily available so there's not a
burden on us to be responding to individual questions all the time, but rather that we
have everything in one place that we could put out. Maybe things that you're not
covering in the contract that we're being asked about.
Commissioner Pardo: Just to help with that, they do have a website for this, Preserve
Olympia, and it's supposed to hold all the question and answers, the plans for
development from Richard Heisenbottle for the restoration, as well as whatever
transaction gets ultimately drafted. So, it's a resource for all residents. If they want
more information, that's a great place to go, and I think it's preserveolympia. com,
right, or dot org?
Chair King: Thank you.
PH.20 RESOLUTION
17863 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Department of Real ATTACHMENT(S), PURSUANT TO SECTION 29-B(C) OF THE
p CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED,
Estate and Asset AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND
Management EXECUTE THREE (3) GRANT OF EASEMENTS ("EASEMENTS"),
IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, TO THE
FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT COMPANY, A FLORIDA PROFIT
CORPORATION ("FPL"), ON CERTAIN PORTIONS OF CITY OF
MIAMI ("CITY") OWNED PROPERTY IDENTIFIED BY FOLIO
NUMBERS 01-3231-061-0010 AND 01-3231-061-0040, MIAMI,
FLORIDA (COLLECTIVELY "PROPERTY"), CONTAINING A
COMBINED TOTAL SIZE OF APPROXIMATELY EIGHTEEN
THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED SEVENTY-NINE (18,879) SQUARE
FEET ("EASEMENT AREAS"), AS MORE PARTICULARLY
DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A", ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED,
FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION, AND
MAINTENANCE OF OVERHEAD AND UNDERGROUND ELECTRIC
UTILITY FACILITIES, INCLUDING CABLES, CONDUITS,
APPURTENANT EQUIPMENT, AND APPURTENANT ABOVE
GROUND EQUIPMENT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS AND
CONDITIONS OF THE EASEMENTS, WITH THE RIGHT TO
RECONSTRUCT, IMPROVE, AND REMOVE ALL OR ANY OF THE
FACILITIES WITHIN SAID EASEMENT AREAS LOCATED AT THE
PROPERTY.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0301
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PH.20, please see Item
Number PH.1.
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PH.21
17815
Commissioners
and Mayor
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), PURSUANT TO SECTION 18-85(A) OF THE
CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, BY A
FOUR -FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, AFTER AN
ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING, RATIFYING, APPROVING, AND
CONFIRMING THE CITY MANAGER'S FINDING(S), ATTACHED
AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "B," THAT COMPETITIVE
NEGOTIATION METHODS AND PROCEDURES ARE NOT
PRACTICABLE OR ADVANTAGEOUS FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI
("CITY") AND WAIVING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR SAID
PROCEDURES; AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS
FROM THE DISTRICT 3 SHARE OF THE CITY'S MIAMI FOR
EVERYONE ("MFE") PROGRAM, ON A LUMP SUM BASIS, IN A
TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED FIVE MILLION AND 00/100
DOLLARS ($5,000,000.00) ("FUNDS") TO CENTRO MATER
FOUNDATION, INC, A FLORIDA NOT FOR PROFIT
CORPORATION ("CENTRO MATER"), IN ORDER TO CONSTRUCT
AND COMPLETE A NEW EARLY CHILDCARE FACILITY AT THE
CENTRO MATER OWNED PROPERTY LOCATED AT 411 SW 4TH
STREET ("PROJECT") WHICH WILL, UPON COMPLETION,
PROVIDE HIGH -QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE FOR
FORTY-EIGHT (48) LOW-INCOME CHILDREN FROM THE
COMMUNITY, IMPROVING THE EDUCATIONAL, SOCIAL, AND
EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING OF INFANTS AND TODDLERS WHO
WOULD OTHERWISE LACK ACCESS OF QUALITY CARE,
SUBJECT TO ALL FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAWS THAT
REGULATE THE USE OF SUCH FUNDS FOR SAID PURPOSE;
FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE
AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY, ALL IN
FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR SAID
PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0302
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PH.21, please see
"Public Comments for all Item (s) " and Item Number PH.1.
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PH.22
17909
City Manager's
Office
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION BY A FOUR -
FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, AFTER PUBLIC HEARING,
PURSUANT TO SECTION 2-614 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), MAKING
FINDINGS, AND WAIVING THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST
PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN SECTION 2-612 OF THE CITY
CODE, TO ENABLE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN
EXPERT CONSULTING AGREEMENT WITH LARRY M. SPRING,
JR., TO TRANSACT BUSINESS WITH AND FOR THE CITY OF
MIAMI; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0303
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Rosado
ABSENT: Pardo
Chair King: The next item was PH.22, was pulled.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes. Mr. Manager?
Arthur Noriega (City Manager): Yes, sir.
Vice Chair Carollo: I think there should be a provision here on two areas. One, that it
would be a six months contract, renewable, and bringing it back to the Commission for
additional six months as needed, but bringing it back to the Commission. Two, we need
to spell out the amount that is going to be given once we approve it. Do you have an
amount? You have to have an amount already if you're thinking about --
Mr. Noriega: Well, the way -- I hadn't really finalized the dollar amount yet because I
didn't really have a waiver, but what we've been talking about is an hourly rate
because specifically the tasks that are involved are budget and specific project related.
I'm happy to bring back a dollar amount.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, my --
Mr. Noriega: This isn 't for the agreement. This is actually just for a waiver to allow for
him to continue to work as a consultant for the foreseeable future.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Mr. Noriega: We can certainly build those parameters around it.
Vice Chair Carollo: It's for a waiver. I just want you to, if you're going to pay him
hourly, then you have to have a cap, because I don't want this to be like other
professionals that charge us hourly. It gets really expensive. So, whether it's hourly or
one shot, it's fine, but if it's hourly, there should be a cap on the amount for the six
months so we know the maximum that we will be exposed to.
Mr. Noriega: Okay.
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Vice Chair Carollo: The --
Mr. Noriega: Are you comfortable with a $60,000 cap for six months?
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah. In a six-month period --
Mr. Noriega: Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- I would be fine with it. It's $10,000 per month.
Mr. Noriega: Yeah.
Vice Chair Carollo: How much does Larry make now?
Mr. Noriega: Way more than that.
Vice Chair Carollo: You sure?
Mr. Noriega: Yeah, I'm positive.
Vice Chair Carollo: Larry, what do you make? I -- he's not going to tell me the truth.
You will.
Mr. Noriega: Larry, he asked you a question. Trying to -- just low ball it, Larry. Round
down.
Larry Spring: Through the Chair, Larry Spring, Chief Financial Officer.
Commissioner, I make just under $300, 000 a year.
Vice Chair Carollo: Under 300?
Mr. Spring: Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, so we're getting --
Mr. Spring: So, you're getting a great discount.
Vice Chair Carollo: And that doesn 't -- that doesn 't include the benefits, right?
Mr. Spring: That is correct.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, so we got a deal.
Mr. Spring: You got a good deal.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Mr. Spring: Thank you.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you.
Chair King: Do I have a motion to --?
Commissioner Gabela: Motion.
Vice Chair Carollo: There's a motion. You'll bring them back the six months provision
and the ten per month max.
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Mr. Noriega: Yeah, we'll move forward under those guidelines.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, that's fine.
Chair King: I have a motion. Do I have a second?
Vice Chair Carollo: Second. Motion.
Chair King: Wait a minute. I think we have four, but just in case somebody says --
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, we got four.
Chair King: But just in case somebody says no.
Vice Chair Carollo: If you want we'll wait for him.
Chair King: I mean, I don 't want --
Vice Chair Carollo: Want to make sure --
Chair King: Right, I want to make sure we have the votes.
Commissioner Gabela: Well, I'm a yes, you're a yes, Carollo's a yes --
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes.
Commissioner Gabela: -- and the gentleman down there, he's a yes.
Chair King: Okay. Well, I didn 't want to say that. You dropped something. Okay, so all
in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): As amended.
Chair King: As amended.
END OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
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RE.1
17721
Downtown
Development
Authority
RE - RESOLUTIONS
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION COMPUTING
A PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE FOR THE DOWNTOWN
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
("MIAMI DDA") FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1,
2025, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2026; AUTHORIZING THE
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
MIAMI DDA TO SUBMIT SAID PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE OF
0.3900 MILLS AND STATUTORILY DEFINED ROLLED -BACK RATE
OF 0.4053 TO THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PROPERTY
APPRAISER AND TAX COLLECTOR TOGETHER WITH THE
DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS, OR VIRTUAL MEETINGS FORMAT
OF THE PUBLIC HEARINGS AT WHICH THE CITY COMMISSION
WILL CONSIDER THE PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE, THE MIAMI
DDA'S TENTATIVE BUDGET, THE TENTATIVE MILLAGE, FINAL
MILLAGE, AND FINAL BUDGET FOR SAID FISCAL YEAR.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0271
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number RE.1, please
see "Public Comments for all Item(s)."
Vice Chair Carollo: What's left that we have, Chair, or Clerk?
Chair King: Okay. What is left --
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, of the ones we could vote as a bulk, yeah.
Chair King: -- to be considered? RE.1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7.
Commissioner Gabela: No, 5 was deferred.
Chair King: I'm sorry, 5 was deferred.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, so 1 --
Chair King: RE.1, 2 --
Vice Chair Carollo: -- 2 --
Chair King: -- 4 --
Vice Chair Carollo: -- 4 --
Chair King: -- 6 --
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Vice Chair Carollo: -- 6 --
Chair King: -- 7 --
Vice Chair Carollo: -- 7 --
Chair King: -- 8, 9, 11, 14, 18, 19, 20.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, if I could just glance at it and make sure that --
Arthur Noriega (City Manager): 16 was not pulled.
Chair King: 6 -- I didn 't say 16?
Mr. Noriega: No.
Chair King: 16.
Vice Chair Carollo: 16 was not pulled, okay.
George Wysong (City Attorney): Madam Chair, 21, because the charter questions
come in twos, so 20 and 21 are together. So, I think 21 was pulled, but not 20.
Chair King: So, 20 would have to be pulled?
Mr. Wysong: I'm assuming you'd want to discuss that one if the 21 was pulled. So,
yeah, I would pull that for discussion.
Commissioner Gabela: Where are we again? No, 21 was pulled. I pulled 21.
Mr. Noriega: Yeah, but 20 goes --
Chair King: We need to pull 20 and 21 because they're --
Mr. Wysong: 20 is related to it, so you might as well do both of those.
Chair King: -- together.
Commissioner Gabela: 20 is pulled. Who pulled 20?
Chair King: Nobody pulled. He's saying we should.
Commissioner Gabela: No, nobody pulled 20.
Chair King: He said we should.
Mr. Noriega: No, but 20 -- 20's related to 21 --
Commissioner Gabela: Oh, okay.
Mr. Noriega: -- so you should probably pull it.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, that's fine.
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Chair King: Okay, gentlemen. May I have a motion for RE.1, 2, 4, 5, 6 --
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Sony, not 5, Chair.
Chair King: I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Let me draw a line through that so I won 't keep
saying it.
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, deferred.
Chair King: Okay. It was deferred. May I have a motion for RE.1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11,
14, 16, 18 as amended, 19 as amended.
Mr. Hannon: And my apologies, Chair. RE.8 and 9 will be as amended, as well as
RE.11.
Chair King: RE.8, 9, and 11 as amended. May I have a motion?
Commissioner Rosado: So moved.
Commissioner Pardo: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries.
Commissioner Gabela: Can we --? I think --
Chair King: I am going to move --
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah.
Chair King: Yeah, I'm going to go --
Commissioner Gabela: I just want to scratch it out. RE.1.
Chair King: RE.1, 2 --
Commissioner Gabela: Okay.
Chair King: -- 4 --
Commissioner Gabela: 4.
Chair King: -- 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 19.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay.
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RE.2 RESOLUTION
17746 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION COMPUTING
of A PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY")
Office
Mana oand FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2025, AND
g ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2026; AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING
Budget THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT BOTH SAID PROPOSED
MILLAGE RATE OF 7.3900 MILLS AND THE STATUTORILY
DEFINED ROLLED BACK MILLAGE RATE OF 6.6015 TO THE
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER AND THE MIAMI-
DADE COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR TOGETHER WITH THE DATES,
TIMES, AND LOCATION OF THE CITY'S PUBLIC BUDGET
HEARINGS AT WHICH THE CITY COMMISSION WILL CONSIDER
THE PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE AND THE CITY'S TENTATIVE
BUDGET FOR SAID FISCAL YEAR.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0304
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number RE.2, please see Item
Number RE.1.
RE.3 RESOLUTION
17391 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Office of ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING APPROPRIATIONS RELATING TO
Mana ement and THE 2024-2025 FISCAL YEAR ADOPTED OPERATING BUDGET
g PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. R-24-0389 ADOPTED ON
Budget SEPTEMBER 26, 2024, AS AMENDED, THE FIVE-YEAR
FINANCIAL PLAN, THE STRATEGIC PLAN, AND THE MULTI-
YEAR CAPITAL PLAN PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. R-24-
0328 ADOPTED ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2024, AS AMENDED
(COLLECTIVELY, THE "BUDGET"), AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO MAKE ANY NECESSARY CHANGES TO ADJUST,
AMEND, ALLOCATE, AND APPROPRIATE THE BUDGET, AND
ANY PART THEREOF, REGARDING CITY OF MIAMI SERVICES
AND RESOURCES AS NECESSARY AND LEGALLY ALLOWED;
RATIFYING, APPROVING, AND CONFIRMING CERTAIN
NECESSARY ACTIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER AND
DESIGNATED OFFICIALS AND DEPARTMENTS TO UPDATE THE
RELEVANT FINANCIAL CONTROLS, PROJECT CLOSE-OUTS,
ACCOUNTING ENTRIES, AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS IN
CONNECTION THEREWITH AND FOR GRANTS AND OTHER
FUNDING SOURCES IN PROGRESS AND FOR NECESSARY
RELATED DOCUMENT NEGOTIATIONS AND EXECUTIONS, ALL
IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY; PROVIDING
FOR APPLICABLE EFFECTIVE DATES.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0305
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MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
NAYS: Carollo
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number RE.3, please
see "Order of the Day."
Chair King: RE.3 was pulled for discussion. I don 't remember who pulled it.
Commissioner Carollo, I believe he's coming. Is the CFO (Chief Financial Officer)
around? Madam Manager? Vice Chair, I believe you pulled RE.3, the adopted budget
midyear amendment for discussion?
Vice Chair Carollo: Chairwoman, I haven't had the time to go through this with
anyone from the administration. We're talking about a midyear, but this is not
midyear. We're at the tail end. You know, we have approximately two more months
before we start the new fiscal year's budget. And a lot of what I see that's here should
be looked at in the coming fiscal year's budget, because what I'm seeing that's
happening here, and I've seen it throughout the years, and I've seen it last year, and
I've seen it this fiscal year's budget. The minute we have any kind of money that it's
available, we're running to take it and spend it and blow it away. And what I'm seeing
is, look at the situation in the Olympia Theater. Because of stuff like this throughout the
years. We approved 300 more officers each year, that it might take four, but we're
going to have a lot of money to come up with if we're going to meet that. 300 more
police officers and we're not planning for it. We, I think all of us, approved it and
would like to see it, give a sizable discount at the very least, if not fully, which might be
hard to accomplish, in the property taxes that our seniors pay so we could give them a
rebate. The way that we're spending the money, we're not going to be able to do any of
that. And I'm just not in a position to be voting in midyear, for another 25 plus million
dollars here, even though maybe 10 is new money, but that could just be rolled over for
the fiscal year that's coming up. We didn 't have to put that here. And $5 million
particularly is for, while something that will be good for the community, we as a city
already have paid a big chunk. And why am I saying that? Because the County has
given the soccer association, FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football
Association), 40 plus, maybe more, maybe it's even 50 plus million dollars. What
percent, Larry, of our property taxes are paid to the County? It's close to 30 percent,
isn't it?
Larry Spring: Through the Chair, Larry Spring, Chief Financial Officer. Based on the
millage, it's about a 60-40 split, so 40 percent. There's a --
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, you got the School Board so --
Mr. Spring: Yeah, and well, that's in addition. The School Board will be in addition to
that.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, but in property taxes --
Mr. Spring: 37.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- out of each dollar that each one of our property owners pays
that goes to School Board, County, City, what percentage of that dollar goes to the
County?
Mr. Spring: 37.
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Vice Chair Carollo: 37 percent?
Marie Gouin (Director, Office of Management and Budget): No, 37 comes to us. So,
the rest goes to the County and the School Board.
Mr. Spring: Oh, so it's opposite.
Ms. Gouin: Yeah.
Mr. Spring: 37 goes to us, 63 goes to the School Board and the County.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, but what of that goes to the County?
Ms. Gouin: 29 cents, I believe.
Vice Chair Carollo: It's less than the School Board, but it's still high as heck.
Ms. Gouin: 29 cents goes to the County.
Vice Chair Carollo: 29?
Mr. Spring: Yeah.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, so I was right. It's right around 30 percent. That's a lot of
money.
Mr. Spring: Yeah.
Vice Chair Carollo: And they're coming back to us for more. You know, I'm sorry, but
I can 't vote for this now knowing that you guys haven 't shown me. We voted upon this
meetings ago for the administration to come back to us and show us where you're
going to find suggestions in getting the money for 100 more cops. Even if we could only
hire, you know, and by the time the year's over, only 50 would have been paid. But
then the following year will be the 100, and the 100, so you might go to a fourth year
for another 50. To rebate our senior citizens so they don't have to be thrown out of
their homes or have to sell it and move somewhere else, you guys haven 't come up with
anything either. But you're going to come up and give me all kinds of more money to
spend, including $5 million with an organization that, frankly, has got so much money.
And yes, it will bring a lot of notice worldwide to the city of Miami, and it will bring
people to spend money in Miami and all that. But as I stated, we've already paid a big
chunk through what the County has paid with our own money. So, why are they coming
to us for another $5 million? I'm not going to give $5 million to that, that I'm going to
need to put more cops in the streets and I'm going to need to give a rebate to senior
citizens in the tremendously high taxes that they're paying in their property, in their
homestead. So, you know, I haven 't even gone through carefully with some of the rest
of it, but this is something that the administration should have just made sure that you
would sit down with each of us, go through it clearly? You know, outside of the review
that we all get, you know, an hour and a half or so, I haven 't had anything else. And
you know, on that one, as you all know, I couldn 't be pressing for that. I had to deal
with some other issues. But you should have all met with me even before this Tuesday.
So, that's where I'm at. You know, I respect everybody else, but I'm not voting for
anything here.
Chair King: Okay.
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Vice Chair Carollo: That could be rolled over into the September first budget meeting
that we have, so that we could see what you 're proposing for additional police and
rebates to senior citizens on their homesteads.
Chair King: Is there anyone else that would like to make any comments? May I have a
motion?
Commissioner Pardo: Motion.
Chair King: Second?
Commissioner Gabela: I'm ready.
Chair King: Second?
Commissioner Gabela: Second.
Chair King: Motion and second. All in --
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair, just briefly, RE.3 needs to be amended pursuant
to a substitution memo dated July 18, 2025.
Chair King: I have a motion and a second for RE.3 as amended. All in favor?
Commissioner Gabela: Aye.
Commissioner Pardo: Aye.
Chair King: Aye.
Vice Chair Carollo: Nay.
Chair King: 4-1.
Vice Chair Carollo: Where's that substitute memo? Is it the same one I have here or is
it a different one? If you could just give me a copy so I can see. And I want to make
sure that I end up with the right one. See if it's more or less. Thank you.
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RE.4 RESOLUTION
17865 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
Office of Ca ital AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT, ALLOCATE,
p AND APPROPRIATE A CULTURAL FACILITIES GRANT FROM
Improvements THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION ("FDEP") IN A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
ONE MILLION TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS
($1,200,000.00) FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO ROBERTO CLEMENTE
PARK AND BASEBALL FIELD, OFFICE OF CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT NUMBER 40-B203505; ALLOCATING
FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND
DOLLARS ($800,000.00) FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI'S REQUIRED
MATCHING FUNDS FROM LEGALLY AVAILABLE FUNDING
SOURCES; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT, IN A FORM
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, WITH FDEP FOR SAID
PURPOSE; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL OTHER NECESSARY
DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING AMENDMENTS, EXTENSIONS, AND
MODIFICATIONS, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, NECESSARY FOR THE ACCEPTANCE AND
COMPLIANCE WITH SAID GRANT..
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0306
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number RE.4, please see Item
Number RE.1.
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RE.5 RESOLUTION
17688 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, PURSUANT
Commissioners TO SECTION 14 OF THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TO ISSUE A SUBPOENA TO WILLIAM
and Mayor ORTIZ, CHIEF OF STAFF FOR COMMISSIONER JOE CAROLLO,
TO APPEAR BEFORE THE CITY COMMISSION ON JUNE 12,
2025, FOR THE PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATING OFFICIAL ACTS
AND CONDUCT OF A CITY OFFICIAL.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: Item RE.5 was deferred to the September 11, 2025, City
Commission Meeting.
Chair King: Commissioner Carollo, do you have any more that you want to pull that
have not been pulled?
Vice Chair Carollo: (INAUDIBLE) pull for discussion RE. 5.
Commissioner Gabela: R -- you know what, RE.5, I'm going to defer that. You don 't
need to --
Chair King: Can I have a motion to defer RE.5?
Commissioner Gabela: Motion.
Commissioner Pardo: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair, to which meeting?
Chair King: To which meeting?
Commissioner Gabela: The next meeting in September.
Chair King: September?
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah.
Chair King: First meeting in September.
Mr. Hannon: September 11 th.
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RE.6 RESOLUTION
17848 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Commissioners ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE AN INDEMNIFICATION AND HOLD
and Mayor HARMLESS AGREEMENT ("AGREEMENT"), IN A FORM
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, BETWEEN BH3 IG
DEVELOPER LLC, IG PARKING LLC, IG RETAIL, LLC, ISLANDS
GARDENS DEEP HARBOUR LLC, ALL DELAWARE LIMITED
LIABILITY COMPANIES, AND THE CITY OF MIAMI, A MUNICIPAL
CORPORATION OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA ("CITY" OR
"PROPERTY OWNER"), AND BH3 IG DEVELOPER LLC, IG
PARKING LLC, IG RETAIL, LLC, ISLANDS GARDENS DEEP
HARBOUR LLC HEREINAFTER COLLECTIVELY DESIGNATED AS
THE ("DEVELOPER"), WHICH SHALL BE BINDING ON THE
PROPERTY OWNER AND DEVELOPER, ALL HEIRS,
SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES,
MORTGAGEES, LESSEES, AND AGAINST ALL PERSONS
CLAIMING BY, THROUGH OR UNDER THEM, WITH AND IN
FAVOR OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION
OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS
("COUNTY"), AND THE MIAMI-DADE WATER AND SEWER
DEPARTMENT, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS,
HEREINAFTER DESIGNATED AS ("WASD"); FURTHER
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND
EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING
AMENDMENTS AND MODIFICATIONS TO SAID AGREEMENT, IN
A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, AS MAY BE
NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE SAID AGREEMENT.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0307
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number RE.6, please see Item
Number RE.1.
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RE.7 RESOLUTION
17858 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Commissioners ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
ACCEPT A GRANT FROM THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT
and Mayor AUTHORITY OF MIAMI ("MIAMI DDA"), IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO
EXCEED $150,000.00, TO THE CITY OF MIAMI TO UNDERWRITE
COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PURCHASE, INSTALLATION,
OPERATION, MAINTENANCE, AND ALL RELATED EXPENSES OF
THE DRONE FIRST RESPONDER PROGRAM ("DFR PROGRAM")
WITHIN THE MIAMI DDA BOUNDARIES; FURTHER
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN
AGREEMENT AND ANY AND ALL OTHER NECESSARY
DOCUMENTS, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0308
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number RE.7, please see Item
Number RE.1.
RE.8 RESOLUTION
17861 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
Commissioners AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT, BUDGET,
and Ma or ALLOCATE, AND APPROPRIATE FUNDS FROM SOUTHEAST
y OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY ("SEOPW CRA"), IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
THREE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS
($3,500,000.00), PURSUANT TO THE SEOPW CRA'S
REDEVELOPMENT PLAN, REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE
LOCAL FUNDING MATCH TO BE UTILIZED FOR THE PROJECT
COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEVELOPMENT,
COORDINATION, AND COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT OF OPEN
SPACE RUNNING THROUGH THE SEOPW CRA
REDEVELOPMENT AREA OF THE CITY, UNDERNEATH THE
INTERSTATE 395 ("1-395") BRIDGE, COMMONLY REFERRED TO
AS THE REVEREND EDWARD T. GRAHAM HERITAGE TRAIL
PROJECT, LOCATED BETWEEN NORTHWEST 3RD AVENUE
AND BISCAYNE BAY, MIAMI, FLORIDA, WHICH IS VITAL AND
URGENT FOR OUR COMMUNITY; AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, ALL IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO
THE CITY ATTORNEY, TO EFFECTUATE THE ACCEPTANCE
AND ADMINISTRATION OF SAID FUNDS PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0309
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MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number RE.8, please see Item
Number RE.1.
RE.9 RESOLUTION
17862 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
Commissioners AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT, BUDGET,
and Ma or ALLOCATE, AND APPROPRIATE FUNDS FROM OMNI
y REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY ("OMNI CRA"), IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
THREE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS
($3,500,000.00), PURSUANT TO THE OMNI CRA'S
REDEVELOPMENT PLAN, FOR COST ASSOCIATED WITH THE
DEVELOPMENT, COORDINATION, AND COMMUNITY
ENHANCEMENT OF OPEN SPACE RUNNING THROUGH THE
DOWNTOWN AREA OF THE CITY, UNDERNEATH THE
INTERSTATE 395 ("1-395") BRIDGE, COMMONLY REFERRED TO
AS THE REVEREND EDWARD T. GRAHAM HERITAGE TRAIL
PROJECT, LOCATED BETWEEN NORTHWEST 3RD AVENUE
AND BISCAYNE BAY, MIAMI, FLORIDA; AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL
NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, ALL IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO
THE CITY ATTORNEY, TO EFFECTUATE THE ACCEPTANCE
AND ADMINISTRATION OF SAID FUNDS PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0310
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number RE.9, please see "Order
of the Day" and Item Number RE.1.
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RE.10
17881
Commissioners
and Mayor
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHEMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ("MOU")
WITH 50A DEVELOPER, LLC, A DELAWARE FOR PROFIT
CORPORATION, TO FACILITATE THE SIMULTANEOUS
REHABILITATION AND REPAIR OF THE BRICKELL KEY BRIDGE
AND THE REDEVELOPMENT OF PROPERTIES LOCATED ON
BRICKELL KEY; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER
TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS, IN
A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR SAID
PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0311
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number RE.10, please
see "Order of the Day."
Chair King: I have RE.10 was pulled. I'm not sure which commissioner pulled RE. 10.
You?
Commissioner Pardo: No.
Chair King: No? Commissioner Rosado, did you pull RE.10?
Vice Chair Carollo: Hold on. Let me --
Chair King: Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: Let me go to it, please. Yes, I did pull it.
Chair King: Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: I got a couple of questions on the Brickell Key Bridge. And the
reason I have questions is that it's a fairly new bridge. And I remember how new it was
because I cut the ribbon for it when I was mayor. And while time passed, it's going to
be 24 years since November I left the mayorship, but I did that -- I don 't remember
when, maybe it was in '99, 2000. So, that bridge is maybe 25 years old, and it's in this
much disrepair? Did they build it wrong from the beginning? I mean, what is --
number one, what is the problem with the bridge? Two, is it a bridge that belongs to
the City and we're responsible for the upkeep, or is that part of what belongs to the
Key? It's ours you're saying? Okay, all right. So, that answers one question that it
belongs to us. You 're shaking your head so --
Juvenal Santana (Director, Department of Resilience and Public Works): Yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: The -- what is the problem with that?
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Mr. Santana: So, good evening, Commissioner. Juvenal Santana, Director, Department
of Resilience and Public Works. So, the bridge is approximately 50 years old.
Vice Chair Carollo: But I just told you, we opened it up and refurbished it back then.
Mr. Santana: That's correct. And again, around the year 2012, the bridge was
rehabilitated at that time as well. So, the repairs that are going on now are just
continual maintenance items that a structural bridge of this nature needs work on. The
bridge gets inspected every two years by the Department of Transportation. Based on
their findings and our inspections, a repair program was put together, and that is what
we're effectuating now in addition to widening the sidewalks that are on both the north
and south side of the bridge.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. What is the projected cost amount?
Mr. Santana: So, right now, the approximate cost of the repairs are about $4.6 million.
Vice Chair Carollo: That's the approximate amount, 4.6?
Mr. Santana: Yes, yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: And we're using a Delaware corporation to do it?
Mr. Santana: No, the agreement -- the Delaware company is the -- the Swire entity that
we're entering into agreement for, for their contributions along with other things that
are in the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding). We have a contractor that is a city
contractor that's doing the repairs.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. That makes it a lot clearer. All right.
Chair King: Do I have a motion?
Vice Chair Carollo: You have a motion.
Chair King: Second?
Commissioner Pardo: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): RE.10 will be amended pursuant to a substitution memo
dated July 22nd, 2025.
Chair King: Thank you.
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RE.11
17888
Commissioners
and Mayor
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DIRECTING
AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ESTABLISH A NEW
SPECIAL REVENUE ACCOUNT TITLED "DORSEY PARK
IMPROVEMENT AND RESTORATION PROJECT"; ACCEPTING,
BUDGETING, APPROPRIATING AND ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM
THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("OMNI CRA") IN AN AMOUNT NOT
TO EXCEED TWO HUNDRED SEVENTEEN THOUSAND FIVE
HUNDRED AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($217,500.00) ("FUNDS"), TO
BE USED EXCLUSIVELY FOR IMPROVEMENTS AND
RESTORATION AT DORSEY PARK LOCATED AT 1701 NORTH
WEST 1ST AVENUE MIAMI FLORIDA, WITHIN THE CITY'S
DISTRICT FIVE AND THE OMNI CRA'S REDEVELOPMENT AREA,
CONSISTENT WITH THE 2019 REDEVELOPMENT PLAN OF THE
OMNI CRA; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE
AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, ALL IN
A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, WITH THE
OMNI CRA TO EFFECTUATE THE ACCEPTANCE AND
ADMINISTRATION OF SAID FUNDS; PROVIDING FOR THE
INCORPORATION OF THE RECITALS AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0312
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number RE.11, please see Item
Number RE.1.
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RE.12
17889
Commissioners
and Mayor
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
AUTHORIZING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PROPERTY
LOCATED AT 3431 NORTHWEST 6 AVENUE, ORIGINALLY
SELECTED TO BE DEVELOPED AS AN AFFORDABLE TWIN
HOME IN DISTRICT 5, WITH THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1755
NORTHWEST 2 COURT IS AUTHORIZED ("UPDATED PROJECT");
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND
EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS INCLUDING
EXTENSIONS, AMENDMENTS, AND MODIFICATIONS, ALL IN
FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR SAID
PURPOSE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0313
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number RE.12, please
see "Order of the Day."
Chair King: RE.12 was pulled for discussion.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes, I did also. The switching of lots.
Chair King: It's because the original lot is an irregular lot --
Vice Chair Carollo: Right.
Chair King: -- and it was cost prohibitive to build. So, we are switching the lot out to
give the developer a lot that is buildable.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Chair King: That's why.
Vice Chair Carollo: That's fine.
Chair King: May I have a motion?
Vice Chair Carollo: Move.
Chair King: Second?
Commissioner Pardo: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
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RE.13 RESOLUTION
17866 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Office of Ca ital ATTACHMENT(S) AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
p ACCEPT, BUDGET, ALLOCATE, AND APPROPRIATE FUNDS
Improvements FROM THE OMNI REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("OMNI CRA") IN AN AMOUNT NOT
TO EXCEED THREE HUNDRED TWENTY THOUSAND SEVEN
HUNDRED 00/100 DOLLARS ($320,700.00) TO UNDERWRITE
THE COST FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND OVERSIGHT OF THE
CONSTRUCTION PROJECT FOR THE DESIGN, FURNISHING,
AND INSTALLATION OF A GREASE TRAP IN THE RESTAURANT
LOCATED AT 1401 NORTH MIAMI AVENUE AS PART OF OFFICE
OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT NO. 40-B253106
("PROJECT"); FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY
DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING AMENDMENTS, EXTENSIONS,
RENEWALS, AND MODIFICATIONS THEREOF, ALL IN A FORM
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR THE PURPOSE
STATED HEREIN; PROVIDING FOR THE INCORPORATION OF
RECITALS AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0314
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number RE.13, please
see "Order of the Day."
Chair King: RE.13.
Vice Chair Carollo: That's one that I pulled out. I'm not sure if I know the answer for
this. I think I might, but if it could be explained to me by Commissioner Pardo because
this is a CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) -- Omni CRA issue. Is this that
restaurant that we ended up with, not because we wanted to, but we basically had to?
Commissioner Pardo: Correct.
Vice Chair Carollo: So, in order -- did we ever get anybody to come in there or is
going to come there?
Commissioner Pardo: Well, actually, Isiaa, you're back there, you can give the best
information.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah.
Commissioner Pardo: No, not that I know of but we're working on it, I think, and the
grease trap is part of it.
Isiaa Jones (Executive Director, Omni CRA): Through the Chair, we are working on
an RFP (Request for Proposals) for that building, but we do need to complete the
grease trap for it.
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Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, but my question to you is, do you have anybody who's going
to come in and rent the space?
Ms. Jones: Currently no, but we are looking for people, and we'll put out an RFP.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, but normally, and I can tell you that because when I owned
restaurants and I'd lease from the place, I had to put the grease trap. That's the way it
works. Why can't that be part of the negotiations with whomever is going to come there
that they pay for the grease trap?
Ms. Jones: Well, we tried that the first time and the restaurant was not open for over
10 years. They were unable to move forward. So, we said, you know, as a city entity, as
the CRA, let us try to do it ourselves and then re -approach the situation.
Vice Chair Carollo: Number one, I can tell you, even though a lot of time has passed
since I owned restaurants, $130,000 is a hell of a grease trap. One big, humongous
grease trap. Why is it costing so much?
Ms. Jones: So, we did put it out to bid, and we got a number of responses. And we --
it's not just the grease trap itself It's a purchase of the grease trap, the construction of
it. My understanding is that because --
Vice Chair Carollo: Well --
Ms. Jones: -- it's a historical property, they're going to have to do some excavation on
the outside of the building and inside.
Vice Chair Carollo: Normally, if you're going to put a grease trap, you got to buy the
grease trap, so, you know, it goes hand in hand. But, the grease trap goes outside, not
inside. I still cannot understand why it's such a high, high number. Is it being put
pretty far away from the restaurant or what is the issue? Why is it so expensive?
Jose Perez: Good evening. Through the Chair, Jose Perez, Director of the Office of
Capital Improvements. Commissioner, the item covers for the general contractor to
take over for the existing permits and contractor that's out. The amount that's on the
item covers for him, that company, to take over the whole entire scope of the project.
It's not just a grease trap, the work that needs to be done outside, the plumbing
connections on the inside of the building that wasn't done properly, so this contractor
is going to fix that --
Vice Chair Carollo: That's beyond --
Mr. Perez: -- including the electrical.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- that's beyond the grease trap.
Mr. Perez: That's correct, sir.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, so --
Mr. Perez: He's just taking that responsibility for the whole entire project.
Vice Chair Carollo: Alright, so that's where I was getting to. It didn 't make sense to
me that this would be just for a grease trap. Do you know how much the grease trap
and the installation of it is costing out of the 130?
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Mr. Perez: For that --
Vice Chair Carollo: I'm just curious.
Mr. Perez: -- the grease trap is not just the grease trap. The amount is about $72,000,
but that is to do the work outside, but we're going to have to do some repairs inside the
building. All that plumbing is already on the ground, poured concrete. So, we're going
to have to cut that and reconnect all the plumbing lines inside the building.
Vice Chair Carollo: I just hope you guys take all this into consideration once you find
someone that's going to come and operate it. How large of a space is it in square feet
for the restaurant?
Mr. Perez: The restaurant's approximately 6,500 close to 7,000.
Vice Chair Carollo: It's a huge --
Mr. Perez: It's a pretty big space.
Vice Chair Carollo: That's a good space.
Mr. Perez: Yeah.
Vice Chair Carollo: You could put 200 seats there maybe. So, okay, you're going to
have a larger grease trap for something that big.
Mr. Perez: Yes, sir.
Vice Chair Carollo: Still a lot of money, but at least I just somehow thought it was a
small place, 20, 30 seats, but no, this is going to be a big one. Okay. I, you know,
would do it a little different, but if you got so much other problems in the building and
so on, hopefully you get somebody that you're going to get a good run from. That's all
I can say.
Chair King: Do I have a motion?
Commissioner Pardo: I'll make a motion.
Vice Chair Carollo: Motion, yeah.
Chair King: I have a motion. Do I have a second?
Commissioner Rosado: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Item passes.
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RE.14
17898
Commissioners
and Mayor
RE.15
17904
Commissioners
and Mayor
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DIRECTING
THE CITY MANAGER TO COMMENCE THE PROCESS FOR THE
ROAD CLOSURES URGED BY THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ("COUNTY"), PURSUANT
TO RESOLUTION R-203-25, FOR CITY OF MIAMI OWNED AND
MAINTAINED ROADS LOCATED BETWEEN NORTHWEST 46
STREET AND NORTHWEST 50 STREET AND BETWEEN
NORTHWEST 7 AVENUE AND NORTHWEST 12 AVENUE AS
DIRECTED HEREIN; FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER
TO REPORT BACK TO THE CITY COMMISSION WITHIN NINETY
(90) DAYS TO PROVIDE STATUS.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0315
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number RE.14, please see Item
Number RE.1.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPROVING
THE APPOINTMENT OF ANTONIO G. DIAZ AS INDEPENDENT
INSPECTOR GENERAL ("INSPECTOR GENERAL"), PURSUANT
TO SECTION 52 OF THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, AS
AMENDED, AND SECTION 2-160 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), WITH THE EFFECTIVE
DATE OF SAID APPOINTMENT TO BE THE DATE THE CITY
COMMISSION APPROVES THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S
CONTRACT BY SEPARATE RESOLUTION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 2-160(C) OF THE CITY CODE; PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0316
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number RE.15, please
see "Order of the Day."
Chair King: RE.15 was pulled. I'm not sure who pulled RE.15.
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, RE.15. Well, this is the appointment of the new --
Commissioner Pardo: IG (Inspector General).
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Commissioner Gabela: -- IG, yeah.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes.
Commissioner Gabela: And I thought we had some questions.
Chair King: I don't have any. You?
Commissioner Gabela: You don't have any questions?
Chair King: Not at all.
Commissioner Gabela: Does anybody else have any questions?
Vice Chair Carollo: I would make the motion. We had a committee of I think fairly
prominent individuals in the area that I picked in. I'm not going to second guess them.
I don't know whom some of the others were. They were in the finalists. But I'm going to
go along with the process that we established. Now, what the Manager has to do in this
resolution, he has to establish -- and where's the Manager by the way?
Chair King: There she is right there.
Vice Chair Carollo: No, no, no, no.
Natasha Colebrook -Williams (Deputy City Manager): The Manager had to leave for
the evening, sir.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, he's pulling an Emilio Gonzalez. Well, at least he doesn 't
leave by one in the afternoon. That's good, okay. The -- this is going to come back to
us, correct? And we will be the ones approving the final contract.
Ms. Colebrook -Williams: Correct.
Vice Chair Carollo: The Manager will negotiate it in the best way, but I think that one
of the things that the Manager has to keep in mind that while this is an important
position and should be compensated as such, it should be within reason. You know, it's
not an opened wallet, you know, to give Larry's former salary to him. Now that Larry's
left, that's why I'm saying that. So, I make the motion.
Commissioner Pardo: Second it.
Chair King: All in favor?
Commissioner Rosado: Madam Chair, I was actually going to ask if we could hear
from Mr. Diaz.
Vice Chair Carollo: That's appropriate.
Antonio Diaz: Good evening.
Chair King: Good evening.
Mr. Diaz: Good evening, Antonio Diaz. Sorry, Commissioner, I thought you were
going to ask me questions, but I'll introduce a little bit about myself.
Vice Chair Carollo: We could if you like.
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Mr. Diaz: Well, that's what I'm here for.
Vice Chair Carollo: We don't want to -- we don't want to disappoint you, Mr. Diaz.
Mr. Diaz: I'm a 33-year veteran of the city of Miami with the police department. I
retired recently on June 23rd. I always worked with purpose. And the reason I want
this position and I'm interested in this position is really to make a difference. And if
you all know about my work product and my history is that my investigation is always
going to be based on facts and not influence. I want to be clear about that. I am not
going to intertwine this office with any politics. I'm going to do the right thing. And I'm
going to do the right thing not just for you, but for the citizens of Miami.
Vice Chair Carollo: I'm glad you've made that statement and I applaud you for those
words. But remember, your ultimate bosses are the citizens and residents of Miami. So,
thank you.
Mr. Diaz: Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. May I have a motion?
Commissioner Rosado: So moved.
Commissioner Pardo: So moved.
Vice Chair Carollo: I made it.
Commissioner Gabela: Motion.
Vice Chair Carollo: I made it.
Chair King: Oh, I had a motion.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, you had it.
Chair King: All in favor?
Vice Chair Carollo: I made a motion.
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Mr. Diaz: Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Congratulations.
Vice Chair Carollo: By the way, we made this motion even though Ernesto was sitting
next to you. Just kidding. Just kidding.
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RE.16 RESOLUTION
17879 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Department of ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
p EXECUTE A MAINTENANCE MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
Resilience and ("MMOA") BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") AND THE
Public Works STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
("DEPARTMENT") FOR LIGHTING IMPROVEMENTS ON STATE
ROAD 90/UNITED STATES ROUTE 41/SOUTHEAST 8TH STREET
FROM SOUTH MIAMI AVENUE TO BRICKELL PLAZA, MIAMI,
FLORIDA.
RE.17
17908
Commissioners
and Mayor
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0317
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number RE.16 please see Item
Number RE.1.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DIRECTING
THE CITY MANAGER TO ANALYZE THE MOBILITY FEE PAID TO
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY; TO SEEK STRATEGIES TO ENSURE
THAT THE MOBILITY FEE MONIES COLLECTED FROM
DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN THE CITY OF MIAMI ARE USED FOR
IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN THE CITY OF MIAMI; AND TO REPORT
BACK TO THE CITY COMMISSION WITH FINDINGS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS WITHIN 120 DAYS.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0318
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number RE.17, please
see "Order of the Day."
Chair King: Someone pulled RE.17. Let me see if that was me or not. Let me go to 17.
Commissioner Gabela: So, that one's actually mine, but I don't know if I pulled it or
somebody else pulled it.
Vice Chair Carollo: I think you did, you said. I --
Chair King: I didn 't pull it.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- would vote for it ifyou like.
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Commissioner Gabela: Did anybody pull it?
Vice Chair Carollo: You did.
Chair King: Somebody pulled it.
Commissioner Gabela: I did?
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah.
Commissioner Gabela: Basically, what it is, I just want to explain to you guys, it's a
study how to -- would you --? I'm sorry, where's Axel? Axel, would you elaborate a
little bit more on what we're trying to do here with the mobility --?
Vice Chair Carollo: Look, it's a good motion. I'll second it for you. You should make it
because you put it.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay, so you guys don't have a problem?
Chair King: I don 't have a problem.
Commissioner Gabela: Oh, okay. All right.
Vice Chair Carollo: I'll second the motion.
Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Are we done with the REs (Resolutions) ?
Chair King: Nope.
Vice Chair Carollo: Are there any --?
Chair King: RE.20, 21, 22 --
Vice Chair Carollo: Oh, I'm sorry.
Chair King: -- 23.
Vice Chair Carollo: I forgot about those.
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RE.18
17910
City Manager's
Office
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DIRECTING
THE CITY ATTORNEY TO PREPARE AN AMENDMENT TO THE
CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED
("CHARTER"), FOR CONSIDERATION AT THE SPECIAL
ELECTION TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 4, 2025, PROPOSING,
UPON APPROVAL OF THE ELECTORATE, TO AMEND SECTION
29-B OF THE CHARTER, TITLED "CITY -OWNED PROPERTY
SALE OR LEASE GENERALLY," TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY
COMMISSION TO APPROVE THE SALE OR LEASE OF CITY -
OWNED NON -WATERFRONT PROPERTY BY A FOUR -FIFTHS
AFFIRMATIVE VOTE IF FEWER THAN THREE PROPOSALS ARE
RECEIVED FOLLOWING PUBLIC NOTICE SOLICITING
PROPOSALS, PROVIDED ALL OTHER SAFEGUARDS,
INCLUDING FAIR MARKET VALUE AND VOTER APPROVAL FOR
WATERFRONT PROPERTY, REMAIN IN EFFECT.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0319
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number RE.18, please see Item
Number RE.1.
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RE.19
17911
City Manager's
Office
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING, SETTING FORTH, AND
SUBMITTING TO THE ELECTORATE A PROPOSED AMENDMENT
TO THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS
AMENDED ("CHARTER"), KNOWN AS CHARTER AMENDMENT
NO. ; AMENDING SECTION 29-B OF THE CHARTER, TITLED
"CITY -OWNED PROPERTY SALE OR LEASE GENERALLY," TO
AUTHORIZE THE CITY COMMISSION TO APPROVE THE SALE
OR LEASE OF CITY -OWNED NON -WATERFRONT PROPERTY BY
A FOUR -FIFTHS AFFIRMATIVE VOTE IF FEWER THAN THREE (3)
PROPOSALS ARE RECEIVED FOLLOWING PUBLIC NOTICE
SOLICITING PROPOSALS, PROVIDED ALL OTHER
SAFEGUARDS, INCLUDING FAIR MARKET VALUE AND VOTER
APPROVAL FOR WATERFRONT PROPERTY, REMAIN IN
EFFECT; CALLING FOR A REFERENDUM AND PROVIDING THAT
THE CHARTER AMENDMENT WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE
ELECTORATE AT THE REFERENDUM SPECIAL ELECTION
SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 4, 2025; DESIGNATING AND
APPOINTING THE CITY CLERK AS THE OFFICIAL
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CITY COMMISSION WITH RESPECT
TO THE USE OF VOTER REGISTRATION BOOKS AND
RECORDS; FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO CAUSE
A CERTIFIED COPY OF THE HEREIN RESOLUTION TO BE
DELIVERED TO THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS OF MIAMI-
DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA NOT LESS THAN FORTY-FIVE (45)
DAYS PRIOR TO THE DATE OF SUCH ELECTION; AND
PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE FOR THIS
RESOLUTION.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0320
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number RE.19, please see Item
Number RE.1.
City of Miami Page 129 Printed on 09/09/2025
City Commission
Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
RE.20
17912
Commissioners
and Mayor
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DIRECTING
THE CITY ATTORNEY TO PREPARE A PROPOSED AMENDMENT
TO THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS
AMENDED ("CHARTER"), FOR CONSIDERATION AT THE
REFERENDUM SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON
NOVEMBER 4, 2025; PROPOSING, UPON APPROVAL OF THE
ELECTORATE TO REQUIRE THAT THE CITY COMMISSION
ESTABLISH A CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION WITHIN ONE (1)
YEAR AFTER THE CERTIFICATION OF EACH FEDERAL
DECENNIAL CENSUS; DIRECTING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO
DRAFT THE CORRESPONDING BALLOT LANGUAGE AND
CHARTER TEXT; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0321
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number RE.20, please
see "Order of the Day" and "Public Comments for all Item (s). "
Chair King: Someone pulled RE.20.
Commissioner Rosado: I'm not sure who pulled it, Madam Chair, but 20 and 21 are
my items. I mentioned this at the last meeting where I requested that we adopt this by
ordinance. And the idea is that right now we don't have a requirement to do charter
review at all as a city or as a local government.
Vice Chair Carollo: Make the motion, I'll second this. This is -- the way it's worded,
it's good government. So, make your motion unless anybody else wants to talk about it.
Commissioner Rosado: I move to add the creation of a charter review commission as a
charter question to the November ballot.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Commissioner Pardo: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
RE.21
17913
Commissioners
and Mayor
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING, SETTING FORTH, AND
SUBMITTING TO THE ELECTORATE A PROPOSED AMENDMENT
TO THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS
AMENDED ("CHARTER"); CREATING NEW SECTION 46 OF THE
CHARTER, TITLED "CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION," TO
REQUIRE THE CITY COMMISSION, WITHIN ONE (1) YEAR
AFTER CERTIFICATION OF EACH FEDERAL DECENNIAL
CENSUS, TO ESTABLISH A CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION TO
REVIEW THE CHARTER, ENGAGE THE PUBLIC, AND REPORT
RECOMMENDED CHARTERS AMENDMENTS THE CITY
COMMISSION; PROVIDING FOR CREATION AND RECURRENCE,
COMPOSITION, STAFFING, POWERS AND DUTIES,
DISSOLUTION AND RE, APPOINTMENT, DUTIES, TIMETABLE,
DISSOLUTION, AND IMPLEMENTING LEGISLATION; CALLING
FOR A REFERENDUM AND PROVIDING THAT THE CHARTER
AMENDMENT WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE ELECTORATE AT
THE REFERENDUM SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON
NOVEMBER 4, 2025; DESIGNATING AND APPOINTING THE CITY
CLERK AS THE OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CITY
COMMISSION WITH RESPECT TO THE USE OF VOTER
REGISTRATION BOOKS AND RECORDS; FURTHER DIRECTING
THE CITY CLERK TO CAUSE A CERTIFIED COPY OF THE
HEREIN RESOLUTION TO BE DELIVERED TO THE SUPERVISOR
OF ELECTIONS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA NOT LESS
THAN FORTY-FIVE (45) DAYS PRIOR TO THE DATE OF SUCH
ELECTION; PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE FOR
THIS RESOLUTION.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0322
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner
SECONDER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number RE.21, please
see "Order of the Day" and "Public Comments for all Item (s). "
Vice Chair Carollo: 21 is the --
Commissioner Rosado: Companion item.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah.
Commissioner Rosado: So, same thing. I move.
Chair King: Motion.
Vice Chair Carollo: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
RE.22
17914
Commissioners
and Mayor
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): As amended.
Chair King: As amended.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DIRECTING
THE CITY ATTORNEY TO PREPARE AN AMENDMENT TO THE
CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED
("CHARTER"), FOR CONSIDERATION AT THE SPECIAL
ELECTION TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 4, 2025, PROPOSING,
UPON APPROVAL OF THE ELECTORATE, TO AMEND SECTION
16 OF THE CHARTER, TITLED "SAME — POWERS AND DUTIES,"
TO REQUIRE THE CITY MANAGER TO INVESTIGATE NON -
FRIVOLOUS COMPLAINTS WITH SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE OF
VIOLATION OF THE CITY CODE AGAINST A CITY ELECTED OR
APPOINTED OFFICIAL, AND WHICH ALSO MEETS THE
REQUIREMENTS OF LAW, WITHIN SEVEN (7) DAYS; FURTHER
PROVIDING THAT THIS AMENDMENT WILL BE EFFECTIVE
IMMEDIATELY UPON APPROVAL BY THE ELECTORATE ON
NOVEMBER 4, 2025.
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: MOTION DIES FOR LACK OF SECOND
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number RE.22, please
see "Order of the Day" and "Public Comments for all Item (s). "
Chair King: Who pulled RE.22?
Commissioner Gabela: I believe that's --
Vice Chair Carollo: It was pulled -- yeah, mine. But let me say this, because I don 't
want to be here all day, and you know, none of us want to be here all night. The items
that I put here, I'm not going to get into discussion, argument. If there's a question, I'll
gladly answer it. I'm putting them because I think it's good government, and it's all
into the future. I'm not looking at anyone now because this is for the future. Who
knows who's going to be the mayor years from now and this is going to have to be for
everyone that's mayor into the future and I've done it in a way that that is fair. If the
mayor's going to be working full-time, no outside employment, he should be
compensated more.
Commissioner Gabela: But you're -- Carollo, Carollo, you're -- you're --
Chair King: Is that 22?
Commissioner Gabela: This is the one --
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah.
Commissioner Gabela: -- that has to do with code.
Vice Chair Carollo: Oh, yeah, right, code.
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
Chair King: Okay, so let's --
Vice Chair Carollo: There's quite a few of them. This one here --
Chair King: Right, let's go in order.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- is one that I think is for good government. It would apply not
just to elected officials, but it would apply to all city officials if there's legitimate, not
frivolous, but legitimate signed complaints like the law requires. Maybe seven days for
Code to send someone might be a little too quick. I don 't know if that wants to be
expanded into more time. I don't care. But it's being put down for the future to apply to
everyone in the future that works for the city. And it's not being done with the intention
of any one person or not.
Commissioner Gabela: Can I --?
Vice Chair Carollo: This could apply to me. This could apply, you know, to anyone.
Commissioner Gabela: So, pertaining to -- just some clarification here. You know, if
you remember, we passed a resolution because you had wanted the city manager to
investigate my properties when I have zero -- and I stated here I have zero violations.
And so, I don 't think we should be in the business -- and that's why specifically with
your help, with everybody's help here, passed a resolution that when something comes
up that I think you've got a problem, or you think I've got a problem, it shouldn 't be us
that investigate, it should be the third party, the county, and that's what that -- this
right here makes you feel that you're targeting me again, you know what I mean? Now
correct me if I'm wrong, maybe I'm wrong.
Vice Chair Carollo: I've stated it as clear as I can, Commissioner. I don't want to
waste your time. If you --
Commissioner Gabela: No, no (UNINTELLIGIBLE) way.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- the body wants to vote against it, so be it. It's fine.
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, I'm not voting for this.
Vice Chair Carollo: But --
Commissioner Gabela: That's all I (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Vice Chair Carollo: -- the problem is that that resolution, the city manager could not
enforce it because nobody wanted to come in here, in our city, and do our job for us.
Simple as that. So, this resolution will establish a process that doesn 't name you,
doesn 't name me, doesn 't name anybody here, or any of our employees. It's a process
that we're establishing. Because nobody else has been willing or wanting to come into
the city to do our job.
Chair King: Do I have a motion?
Vice Chair Carollo: There's a motion.
Chair King: Do I have a second? Motion fails for lack of second.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
RE.23
17915
Commissioners
and Mayor
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING, SETTING FORTH, AND
SUBMITTING TO THE ELECTORATE A PROPOSED AMENDMENT
TO THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS
AMENDED ("CHARTER"), KNOWN AS CHARTER AMENDMENT
NO. ; AMENDING SECTION 16 OF THE CHARTER, TITLED
"SAME — POWERS AND DUTIES," TO REQUIRE THE CITY
MANAGER TO INVESTIGATE NON -FRIVOLOUS COMPLAINTS
WITH SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE OF VIOLATION OF THE CITY
CODE AGAINST A CITY ELECTED OR APPOINTED OFFICIAL,
AND WHICH ALSO MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF LAW,
WITHIN SEVEN (7) DAYS; CALLING FOR A REFERENDUM AND
PROVIDING THAT THE CHARTER AMENDMENT WILL BE
SUBMITTED TO THE ELECTORATE AT THE REFERENDUM
SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 4, 2025;
DESIGNATING AND APPOINTING THE CITY CLERK AS THE
OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CITY COMMISSION WITH
RESPECT TO THE USE OF VOTER REGISTRATION BOOKS AND
RECORDS; FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO CAUSE
A CERTIFIED COPY OF THE HEREIN RESOLUTION TO BE
DELIVERED TO THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS OF MIAMI-
DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA NOT LESS THAN FORTY-FIVE (45)
DAYS PRIOR TO THE DATE OF SUCH ELECTION; PROVIDING
AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE FOR THIS RESOLUTION.
MOTION TO: Withdraw
RESULT: WITHDRAWN
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
NAYS: Carollo
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number RE.23, please
see "Order of the Day."
Vice Chair Carollo: The next one.
Chair King: So, wait a second.
Vice Chair Carollo: We don't --
Chair King: Todd?
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): If there could be a motion to withdraw RE.23, that's a
companion to RE.22.
Chair King: Do I have a motion to withdraw RE.23?
Commissioner Pardo: So moved.
Commissioner Gabela: Second.
Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
RE.24
17916
Commissioners
and Mayor
Commissioner Gabela: Aye.
Commissioner Pardo: Aye.
Chair King: Aye.
Vice Chair Carollo: Nay.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DIRECTING
THE CITY ATTORNEY TO PREPARE AN AMENDMENT TO THE
CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED
("CHARTER"), FOR CONSIDERATION AT THE REFERENDUM
SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 4, 2025,
PROPOSING, UPON APPROVAL OF THE ELECTORATE, TO
AMEND SECTION 4(C) OF THE CHARTER, TITLED "FORM OF
GOVERNMENT; NOMINATION AND ELECTION," TO PROVIDE
THAT CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION MAY
VOLUNTARILY SUBMIT TO AND VOLUNTARILY DISCLOSE
PUBLICLY THE RESULTS OF A DRUG TEST WITHIN TWO (2)
WEEKS AFTER QUALIFYING; FURTHER PROVIDING THAT
CANDIDATES ELECTED TO THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR OR AS
A CITY COMMISSIONER MAY VOLUNTARILY SUBMIT TO AND
VOLUNTARILY DISCLOSE PUBLICLY THE RESULTS OF A DRUG
TEST WITHIN TWO (2) WEEKS AFTER THE CANVASS OF THE
VOTE BY THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS AND THE
DECLARATION OF THE RESULT OF EITHER THE GENERAL
MUNICIPAL ELECTION OR RUNOFF ELECTION, OR A SPECIAL
ELECTION; FURTHER PROVIDING THAT CURRENT ELECTED
OFFICIALS MAY VOLUNTARILY SUBMIT TO AND VOLUNTARILY
DISCLOSE PUBLICLY THE RESULTS OF SAID DRUG TEST
WITHIN TWO (2) WEEKS OF THE ADOPTION OF THIS
AMENDMENT, THE AMENDMENT WILL BE IMMEDIATELY
EFFECTIVE; FURTHER PROVIDING THAT THIS AMENDMENT
WILL BE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY UPON APPROVAL BY THE
ELECTORATE ON NOVEMBER 4, 2025.
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: MOTION DIES FOR LACK OF SECOND
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. We're now at 24. This is a simple resolution for a charter
amendment. If we require all our employees to take drug tests, we should voluntarily
take it, and it's being done and presented here in a way that's being very watered down
to meet every provision of the law. And again, let's not spend a lot of time in it. This is
not targeting anyone because this is -- when you put a charter amendment, this is for
anybody that will serve here long after all of us are gone from here. So, whatever the
will of the Commission is, let's vote for it.
Chair King: Do I have a motion?
Vice Chair Carollo: It's a motion.
Chair King: Do I have a second? Dies for lack of second.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
RE.25
17917
Commissioners
and Mayor
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING, SETTING FORTH, AND
SUBMITTING TO THE ELECTORATE A PROPOSED AMENDMENT
TO THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS
AMENDED ("CHARTER"), KNOWN AS CHARTER AMENDMENT
NO. ; AMENDING SECTION 4(B) OF THE CHARTER, TITLED
"FORM OF GOVERNMENT; NOMINATION AND ELECTION," TO
REQUIRE THAT CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION MAY VOLUNTARILY SUBMIT TO AND
VOLUNTARILY DISCLOSE PUBLICLY THE RESULTS OF A DRUG
TEST WITHIN TWO (2) WEEKS AFTER QUALIFYING; FURTHER
PROVIDING THAT CANDIDATES ELECTED TO THE OFFICE OF
THE MAYOR OR AS A CITY COMMISSIONER MAY VOLUNTARILY
SUBMIT TO AND VOLUNTARILY DISCLOSE PUBLICLY THE
RESULTS OF A DRUG TEST WITHIN TWO (2) WEEKS AFTER
THE CANVASS OF THE VOTE BY THE SUPERVISOR OF
ELECTIONS AND THE DECLARATION OF THE RESULT OF
EITHER THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION OR RUNOFF
ELECTION, OR A SPECIAL ELECTION; FURTHER PROVIDING
THAT CURRENT ELECTED OFFICIALS MAY VOLUNTARILY
SUBMIT TO AND VOLUNTARILY DISCLOSE PUBLICLY THE
RESULTS OF A DRUG TEST WITHIN TWO (2) WEEKS OF THE
ADOPTION OF THIS AMENDMENT; CALLING FOR A
REFERENDUM AND PROVIDING THAT THE CHARTER
AMENDMENT WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE ELECTORATE AT
THE REFERENDUM SPECIAL ELECTION SCHEDULED FOR
NOVEMBER 4, 2025; DESIGNATING AND APPOINTING THE CITY
CLERK AS THE OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CITY
COMMISSION WITH RESPECT TO THE USE OF VOTER
REGISTRATION BOOKS AND RECORDS; FURTHER DIRECTING
THE CITY CLERK TO CAUSE A CERTIFIED COPY OF THE
HEREIN RESOLUTION TO BE DELIVERED TO THE SUPERVISOR
OF ELECTIONS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA NOT LESS
THAN FORTY-FIVE (45) DAYS PRIOR TO THE DATE OF SUCH
ELECTION; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE
FOR THIS RESOLUTION.
MOTION TO: Withdraw
RESULT: WITHDRAWN
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
NAYS: Carollo
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number RE.25, please
see "Order of the Day."
Chair King: Do I have a motion to withdraw RE.25?
Commissioner Pardo: So moved.
Chair King: Second?
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
RE.26
17918
Commissioners
and Mayor
Commissioner Gabela: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
Commissioner Pardo: Aye.
Commissioner Gabela: Aye.
Vice Chair Carollo: Nay.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DIRECTING
THE CITY ATTORNEY TO PREPARE AN AMENDMENT TO THE
CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED
("CHARTER"), FOR CONSIDERATION AT THE REFERENDUM
SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 4, 2025,
PROPOSING, UPON APPROVAL OF THE ELECTORATE, TO
AMEND SECTION 4(G) OF THE CHARTER, TITLED "FORM OF
GOVERNMENT; NOMINATION AND ELECTION/POWERS AND
DUTIES OF MAYOR," TO PROVIDE THAT ALL MEETINGS AND
COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSIONERS, RELATED TO A MATTER OF OFFICIAL CITY
BUSINESS OR WHICH WILL FORESEEABLY COME BEFORE THE
CITY COMMISSION, SHALL ONLY OCCUR AT A PUBLICLY
NOTICED MEETING, OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AT ALL TIMES, AND
MINUTES OF THE MEETING MUST BE TAKEN AND PROMPTLY
RECORDED; FURTHER PROVIDING THAT THIS AMENDMENT
WILL BE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY UPON APPROVAL BY THE
ELECTORATE.
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: MOTION DIES FOR LACK OF SECOND
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number RE.26, please
see "Order of the Day" and "Public Comments for all Item (s). "
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, let's go to the next one that we have. Which next one we
have?
Chair King: Sunshine requirement for the mayor.
Vice Chair Carollo: What number is that?
Chair King: RE.26.
Vice Chair Carollo: 26, okay. This is for any future mayor that the city has beginning,
if this is passed by the voters, this November. It has nothing to do with the present
mayor, because he will be term limited out. I think it's good policy in your highest
office of this city to have a full-time mayor that will not have any outside employment
where there could be --
Chair King: This is sunshine.
Vice Chair Carollo: Oh, on the sunshine. Okay.
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Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
RE.27
17919
Commissioners
and Mayor
Chair King: This is sunshine.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, let me go back in this one. This has to do with the mayor,
any future mayor, not this mayor because he would be term limited out, would have to
abide by the same sunshine rules and regulations that we have to live with in not being
able to talk to one another. Where he, whoever he or she, the mayor might be, would
not be able to speak to any of us about anything that will come or could perceivably
come before this commission. And again, let's vote it up or down unless there's any
further questions.
Chair King: Do I have a motion?
Vice Chair Carollo: A motion.
Chair King: Do I have a second? Motion fails for lack of second.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING, SETTING FORTH AND
SUBMITTING TO THE ELECTORATE A PROPOSED CHARTER
AMENDMENT AMENDING SECTION 4(G) OF THE CHARTER OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CHARTER") TO
PROVIDE, UPON ADOPTION BY THE ELECTORATE, THAT ALL
MEETINGS AND COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE MAYOR
AND CITY COMMISSIONERS, RELATED TO A MATTER OF
OFFICIAL CITY BUSINESS OR WHICH WILL FORESEEABLY
COME BEFORE THE CITY COMMISSION, SHALL ONLY OCCUR
AT A PUBLICLY NOTICED MEETING, OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AT
ALL TIMES, AND MINUTES OF THE MEETING MUST BE TAKEN
AND PROMPTLY RECORDED; CALLING FOR AND PROVIDING
THAT THE CHARTER AMENDMENT BE SUBMITTED TO THE
ELECTORATE AT THE REFERENDUM SPECIAL ELECTION
SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 4, 2025; DESIGNATING AND
APPOINTING THE CITY CLERK AS THE OFFICIAL
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CITY COMMISSION WITH RESPECT
TO THE USE OF VOTER REGISTRATION BOOKS AND
RECORDS; FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO CAUSE
A CERTIFIED COPY OF THE HEREIN RESOLUTION TO BE
DELIVERED TO THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS OF MIAMI-
DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA NOT LESS THAN FORTY-FIVE (45)
DAYS PRIOR TO THE DATE OF SUCH GENERAL ELECTION;
PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE FOR THIS
RESOLUTION.
MOTION TO: Withdraw
RESULT: WITHDRAWN
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
NAYS: Carollo
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number RE.27, please
see "Order of the Day."
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
RE.28
17921
Commissioners
and Mayor
Chair King: Do I have a motion to withdraw RE.27?
Commissioner Pardo: So moved.
Chair King: Second?
Commissioner Gabela: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
Commissioner Pardo: Aye.
Chair King: Aye.
Commissioner Gabela: Aye.
Vice Chair Carollo: Nay.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DIRECTING
THE CITY ATTORNEY TO PREPARE AN AMENDMENT TO THE
CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED
("CHARTER"), FOR CONSIDERATION AT THE REFERENDUM
SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 4, 2025,
PROPOSING, UPON APPROVAL OF THE ELECTORATE, TO
AMEND SECTION 4 OF THE CHARTER, TITLED "FORM OF
GOVERNMENT; NOMINATION AND ELECTION," SPECIFICALLY
BY AMENDING SECTIONS 4(G) AND 4(H) TO ESTABLISH THE
OFFICE OF MAYOR AS A FULL-TIME POSITION, FIXING THE
SALARY OF THE MAYOR TO MATCH THE COMPENSATION FOR
UNITED STATES CONGRESSPERSONS UNDER 2 U.S.C. § 4501,
AS AMENDED AND RENUMBERED FROM TIME TO TIME, AND
PROHIBITING THE MAYOR FROM ENGAGING IN OUTSIDE
EMPLOYMENT EFFECTIVE UPON APPROVAL OF THE
ELECTORATE; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: MOTION DIES FOR LACK OF SECOND
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number RE.28, please
see "Order of the Day" and "Public Comments for all Item (s). "
Chair King: RE.28 is salary and outside employment for the mayor.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah. The mayor of the city, whoever he or she might be into the
future, should be a full-time position where they do not have any outside employment
that could have the potential of being a conflict directly or indirectly through the
potential of it. I think this is good government, and we have included in this that
obviously the mayor should receive a different salary than he does now, or she will or
he will into the future. But I've also made sure that it's not in the way that it is now that
the commission controls the salary. They conceivably can say a dollar a year, and
you've got to work full-time and no outside employment. So, we safeguarded this by
including a change that whoever the mayor might be will receive the same salary and if
there are increases in the future, obviously, those increases will follow, of a
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
RE.29
17920
Commissioners
and Mayor
congressperson. A congressperson has a population in their district that is slightly
bigger than the city of Miami. And the mayor will be compensated at a reasonable
amount, not as much as Larry, but a reasonable amount. And then if you include the
benefits that the mayor receives, it will be something that someone that wants to serve
and took the position to serve can certainly live on. And live on where they don't have
to eat McDonald's all the time. So, that's what it is, and it's something into the future.
Chair King: I have a motion.
Vice Chair Carollo: A motion.
Chair King: Do I have a second? Motion dies for lack of second.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING, SETTING FORTH, AND
SUBMITTING TO THE ELECTORATE A PROPOSED AMENDMENT
TO THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS
AMENDED ("CHARTER"), KNOWN AS CHARTER AMENDMENT
NO. ; AMENDING SECTION 4 OF THE CHARTER, TITLED
"FORM OF GOVERNMENT; NOMINATION AND ELECTION,"
SPECIFICALLY BY AMENDING SUBSECTIONS SECTION 4(G)
AND (H) TO ESTABLISH THE OFFICE OF MAYOR AS A FULL-
TIME POSITION, FIXING THE SALARY OF THE MAYOR TO
MATCH THE COMPENSATION FOR UNITED STATES
CONGRESSMEN UNDER 2 U.S.C. § 4501, AS AMENDED AND
RENUMBERED FROM TIME TO TIME, AND PROHIBITING THE
MAYOR FROM ENGAGING IN OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT
EFFECTIVE UPON APPROVAL OF THE ELECTORATE; CALLING
FOR A REFERENDUM AND PROVIDING THAT THE CHARTER
AMENDMENT WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE ELECTORATE AT
THE REFERENDUM SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON
NOVEMBER 4, 2025; DESIGNATING AND APPOINTING THE CITY
CLERK AS THE OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CITY
COMMISSION WITH RESPECT TO THE USE OF VOTER
REGISTRATION BOOKS AND RECORDS; FURTHER DIRECTING
THE CITY CLERK TO CAUSE A CERTIFIED COPY OF THE
HEREIN RESOLUTION TO BE DELIVERED TO THE SUPERVISOR
OF ELECTIONS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA NOT LESS
THAN FORTY-FIVE (45) DAYS PRIOR TO THE DATE OF SUCH
ELECTION; PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE FOR
THIS RESOLUTION.
MOTION TO: Withdraw
RESULT: WITHDRAWN
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
NAYS: Carollo
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number RE.29, please
see "Order of the Day."
Chair King: May I have a motion to withdraw RE.29?
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RE.30
17922
Commissioners
and Mayor
Commissioner Pardo: So moved.
Chair King: Second?
Commissioner Gabela: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
Commissioner Rosado: Aye.
Commissioner Pardo: Aye.
Commissioner Gabela: Aye.
Vice Chair Carollo: Nay.
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), DIRECTING AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER AND THE CITY CLERK TO CONDUCT A STRAW POLL
OF THE PROPERTY OWNERS LOCATED WITHIN THE
BOUNDARIES OF THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA ("MIAMI DDA"),
TO DETERMINE IF THE PROPERTY OWNERS WISH TO
CONTINUE TO BE TAXED BY THE MIAMI DDA; AUTHORIZING
AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER, THE CITY CLERK, AND
ALL OTHER NECESSARY CITY OFFICIALS, AFTER
CONSULTATION WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY, TO UNDERTAKE
ALL NECESSARY ACTIONS AND PROCEDURES TO
ACCOMPLISH THE PURPOSE AND INTENT SET FORTH IN THIS
RESOLUTION; PROVIDING THAT THE CITY MANAGER AND THE
CITY CLERK SHALL COMMENCE THE STRAW POLL NO MORE
THAN FORTY-FIVE (45) CALENDAR DAYS AFTER THE
ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION ("COMMENCEMENT DATE"),
AND THE STRAW POLL SHALL CONCLUDE NO MORE THAN
FIFTEEN (15) CALENDAR DAYS AFTER THE COMMENCEMENT
DATE.
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: MOTION DIES FOR LACK OF SECOND
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number RE.30, please
see "Order of the Day" and "Public Comments for all Item(s)."
Chair King: RE.30.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yes. This, again, we could discuss it if you like, but what I'm going
to propose is very simple, and it could be voted up or down, but if there's discussion, I
don 't mind discussing it. This is not taking sides with anyone or coming here to speak
against the DDA (Downtown Development Authority). The bottom line is that
Downtown Miami belongs to the whole city of Miami. Not so that only residents of
Downtown and Brickell have to be the ones paying extra money for benefits for
Downtown. They have a right to express themselves in a straw ballot question for what
they feel so you could get the real sentiment, not what a handful of people from one
side or the other side will tell you. Now, I'm being told, I don't know if it's true, that if
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we do it the way that I thought would be appropriate and have it only property owners
vote, residential property owners, that that might be a fair way of doing it. But then I'm
hearing that somehow it's going to cost the city all kinds of money to do that. I don 't
think it will, but I'll make it sweet and nice. Even though people who rent also are not
property owners, they pay more, property owners pay more. So, they're also affected.
So, if I'm going to be told that it's going to cost more money and we shouldn't do it
because of more money, then just put it as a ballot question so that the residents that
have a vote in Brickell and Downtown can express their feelings on this. And then this
Commission could decide whatever it wants to keep on doing after you see the results,
or you could throw it in the garbage can if you like. But the bottom line is that we are
charging residents, property owners, in a limited area of Miami for something that's
citywide and it's not fair, and they don 't even have a say so on this. By doing this,
you're giving them a say-so of what they want to do. I believe that it's the obligation of
the City of Miami's general fund to take care of any needs in Downtown. If they want
to do it through the DDA as an arm of our city, I have no problem with that. What I
think is wrong is to be taking money from our residents when they've never had a say-
so in it. And we're talking about times that property taxes are higher than ever. That's
why so many people are living in our city. Insurance rates, it's like having a second
mortgage. And then on top of that, apartment buildings, condominiums are getting hit
by all kinds of additional fees. So, the bulk of the residents of Downtown and Brickell
pay even more taxes before you get to the extra tax to the DDA than our other residents
pay because our other residents don't have to be worried about all the additional fees
for a condominium or paying higher rent because of the fees and costs in an apartment
building. So, that's where I'm at. We could vote it up or down. It's fine with me, but I
felt that I had an obligation to bring this. This is not, again, taking sides with anyone,
what's being said if the DDA has done a good job or not, or anything like that. The --
simply being we're giving the people that are paying a voice. And I think that's what
our country was founded on.
Chair King: I have a motion.
Vice Chair Carollo: It's a motion.
Chair King: One thing I would like to say. I don 't agree with this, but I do agree that
there needs to be dialogue with what happens with the DDA downtown. I understand
from staff that this would be a logistical nightmare on trying to get this straw poll
done, but I do think something needs to be done.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, can we do it in the fashion that I said and substitute the
wording in this resolution so instead of mailing it to property owners, voters can come
and vote for it?
Commissioner Gabela: So, I also agree that there's a problem here, but this is going to
be a disaster. This is not the way it's been explained to me.
Chair King: I think --
Commissioner Gabela: It's a disaster.
Chair King: -- I think we should be a little more --
Commissioner Gabela: It's going to cost money and it's not going to --
Chair King: -- thoughtful on the process.
Commissioner Gabela: -- resolve anything.
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Vice Chair Carollo: How is it going to cost money when you've got an election that's
being paid for already and you're just putting another question in the referendum?
Chair King: I don't think --
Commissioner Gabela: It's not that simple.
Chair King: -- I don't think it should be a ballot question. I think first we need to have
more dialogue from both sides. We have now a new chair for the DDA, and it's just
rushed. I think it's rushed. I think we need a little more time and to be more thoughtful.
I'm cognizant of the neighbors having to pay. I'm also cognizant of the good work that
they are doing. I just think we collectively, the staff the DDA, you need like a think
tank, like a think tank. And not just, not just completely do away with it or this straw
ballot. You can 't because you have property owners who don 't live here, who are
renting their property. There are a lot of considerations that are going to go into this.
So, I do support something. I just think this is --
Commissioner Gabela: Not the way to go.
Chair King: It's not all the way baked yet, is what I feel. So, I won 't be voting in favor
of this.
Commissioner Pardo: And Madam Chair, I echo everything you said. And I think with
the new D4 (District 4) commissioner, it's a great opportunity to dialogue, to get
feedback and follow the structure within the DDA first where they -- go to the
committees, go to the board, sit with you. I have a lot of confidence in dialogue and in
reaching out to residents and businesses.
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, no one here is saying that you can 't have any dialogue. No
one here is saying that this is binding. I made it clear it's a straw ballot question, so
you could have all the dialogue you want afterwards. Although we're saying here, hear
from the people that are being taxed on a special tax for this on something that the
whole city should share the burden, not just two key neighborhoods of the city.
Commissioner Pardo: I think what we're saying is that this isn't the vehicle to do that
because of the complications involved --
Vice Chair Carollo: What complications?
Commissioner Pardo: -- between business owners and residents.
Vice Chair Carollo: Excuse me?
Commissioner Rosado: I was going to say, I have a procedural question for the
attorney and the clerk. I'm not sure who's sort of best equipped to answer, but could
you explain how a straw poll would work, either of you or both of you?
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): So, Commissioners, essentially you're looking at
approximately 40,000 property owners within the DDA boundaries. The closest model
that I could find when it comes to conducting a straw poll that involves polling
property owners would be a model along the lines of what we use for the business
improvement districts. And so, essentially, you would probably have a mail -out of
roughly 40,000 pieces of mail sent domestically and internationally using certified
mail. The mail -out would need to include a letter containing instructions for voting, a
ballot, an affidavit, and a business return envelope. A property owner would be
required to complete the affidavit and include the affidavit with the ballot. I think it
would be better for maybe the city attorney to speak to the challenges associated with
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the joint ownership of properties, trustees that own properties, corporations, when it
comes to potentially filling out the affidavit and including it with the ballot. So, I'll just,
you know, defer to Deputy City Attorney Xavi Alban.
Xavier Alban (Deputy City Attorney): Good evening, Commission. Deputy City
Attorney Xavier Alban. So, one of the concerns when we met -- once this item was
drafted, we met with the City Clerk, City Administration to see how is the best way to
move forward. And one of the concerns was making sure that the integrity of the straw
poll, right, because any poll, what's necessary is the integrity that, you know, is done
in a fair way that nobody can question. So, one of the things here is that many of these
properties are owned by, you know, corporations or investment entities, and we ran
into this issue when we did it with the business improvement districts where you have
multiple owners on one, owning it, right, 33 percent, or you know, different
percentages. So, you have to make sure you get all of them to have one ballot. So, that
was a challenge to make sure we can get everybody involved. So, there are some issues
where you have to review all these things and make sure that they're done correctly.
But that was one of the concerns, just making sure this was a legitimate poll and
nobody can question the integrity.
Chair King: Thank you. And again, I don 't think that this is a bad idea. I just don 't
think in the form that it's presented is the right way to go. I think we should be a little
more thoughtful. I think that we should allow the new executive director to come up
with some ideas, present it to us. But I do want to hear from more of the community
than just what comes here, because being honest, as many people were in favor of that
were against. Yes, it was, because I sit and count and I do stick figures. There were
several people that came in support of -- no, not just employees, not just employees.
And the number of people that came against wouldn 't support just throwing it out. So, I
-- what I'm saying -- what I'm saying is that there should be a process that we would
have more input. I just don 't think this is it. So, I'll be voting against it. Do I have a
motion?
Vice Chair Carollo: It's a motion for it. As is.
Chair King: As is. I have a motion. Do I have a second? Motion dies for a lack of
second.
Vice Chair Carollo: Ok, so let me do another motion to put it in the ballot this
November instead of having a mail out to property owners so that all voters in the
DDA district can have it to vote in this election. Everything else would be the same as
what is in the original resolution.
Chair King: I have a motion. Do I have a second? Motion dies for lack of second.
Commissioner Rosado: Madam Chair, if I could add something. I -- you know, I've met
with different stakeholders. I know they have concerns. I think a lot of their concerns
are legitimate. I have my first DDA board meeting in 12 hours approximately, and I'm
going to be proposing some items there. I think, you know, hearing the things that folks
have brought up, I think there's two sets of concerns is the way I've categorized them.
There are concerns about governance and representation. That is one column of
concerns. I think there should be resident seats that are explicitly for residents. Right
now, the way the bylaws are written, you have to be a downtowner, whether it's living
there or working there, and that's not quite good enough. That means folks that live
downtown but work somewhere else are not necessarily adequately represented. So,
I'm going to come up with, you know, amongst, you know, not just that one, but have
several sort of governance bylaw proposed changes that I think there should be some
support for. I think there's also concerns about the way that dollars are spent and what
priorities have been, and I think that's a reflection of the way it's been led for some
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time, and I have pause with the way that some dollars have been spent as well. I've
taken a stab at revising the budget so that it's something that I'm comfortable with
bringing to you all in September. So, I know tomorrow morning we're going to have a
discussion on these things, and I would not -- I would be very supportive once we put
some things in place, taking a survey of residents, a survey. That's slightly different.
So, we do a random sample survey --
Vice Chair Carollo: Random?
Commissioner Rosado: -- of folks that are paying into it to see if they think that revised
priorities are satisfying their needs or not. Obviously, we haven't made any changes. I
haven't had my first meeting, but I hear folks loud and clear, and I think there's
definitely room for improvement, and I'm going to be pushing for that. And then we'll
sort of take it on a roadshow with Downtown residents, as you're suggesting, and get
additional feedback. I think we can do better by them.
Commissioner Pardo: And anywhere where we can help, please rely on it. I love it. I'm
very supportive.
END OF RESOLUTIONS
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SR - SECOND READING ORDINANCE
SR.1 ORDINANCE Second Reading
17606 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
Commissioners CHAPTER 2/ARTICLE IV/DIVISION 2 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), TITLED
and Mayor "ADMINISTRATION/DEPARTMENTS/PLANNING, BUILDING AND
ZONING DEPARTMENT," MORE PARTICULARLY BY AMENDING
SECTION 2-211, TITLED "DENIAL OR REVOCATION OF
CERTIFICATE OF USE," BY RESTRICTING CHAPTER 10 OF THE
CITY CODE VIOLATIONS FROM CAUSING A DENIAL OR
REVOCATION OF A CERTIFICATE OF USE IN LIMITED
CIRCUMSTANCES; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE;
AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: 14383
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Chair King: I'm going to move along, gentlemen, to second reading. Mr. City Attorney,
would you please read the title in the record?
Vice Chair Carollo: For?
George Wysong (City Attorney): Yes, Madam Chair. For second reading --
Chair King: Second reading, SR.1.
Vice Chair Carollo: SR (Second Reading) ? Okay.
Chair King: SR.1.
Mr. Wysong: SR.1, second reading ordinance.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Chair King: Gentlemen, do I have a motion?
Vice Chair Carollo: I'd like to get some explanations on this, and I think
Commissioner Pardo was the sponsor.
Chair King: No, I am.
Commissioner Pardo: No, I'm not.
Vice Chair Carollo: Oh, you 're not?
Chair King: This is --
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Vice Chair Carollo: SR.1?
Chair King: Yes, SR.1. This is with respect to the feasibility study, the independent
feasibility and impact study for housing. We're requesting a temporary moratorium
because it has been brought to my attention that the fees are exorbitant, the studies are
Commissioner Pardo: No, SR.1, SR.1.
Chair King: SR.1. Oh, I'm sorry.
Commissioner Pardo: No, that's correct.
Chair King: Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I flipped the wrong page. Okay.
Commissioner Pardo: I did the same thing.
Chair King: This is denial revocation of a certificate of use issue. That is
Commissioner Pardo 's.
Commissioner Pardo: Yeah.
Vice Chair Carollo: If you could just explain, Commissioner, because I -- maybe I'm
not grasping what you're trying to accomplish, what is it that you're trying to
accomplish here? And so, I could understand it better.
Commissioner Pardo: Absolutely. In fact, I'll have staff go ahead because --
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you.
Asael Marrero (Assistant City Manager): Good afternoon, Commissioner, Ace
Marrero. What we're trying to accomplish with this legislation here is to align with the
building -- with the Florida Building Code and unsafe structures. What's happening
right now is that if you have a property that's going through the recertification
process, and it's found to be in violation, under the county code and Florida Statutes,
you are allowed to submit a letter stating that the property is in -- it's essentially in
good conditions for its continued use and occupancy. So, therefore, with that letter
from a structural engineer, we allow properties to continue their recertification
process, which sometimes may take a long period, you know, one to a year, especially
if you have major remodelings to be done. Our code is not aligned with that process for
CUs (Certificates of Use). And what happens is a lot of these properties get caught up
in that process and are not able to maintain and renew their CUs. So, you have a
property that's able to be occupied in terms of occupancy, but our code does not allow
for the CU to be issued. So, we have right now, I think a volume of in excess of
thousands of CUs that have not been able to be issued because of that.
Vice Chair Carollo: That many?
Mr. Marrero: Yes, that many. So, with this process, once you obtain that letter and
indeed the property is able to be occupied, that only will be okay with building. We
also want to make sure that we're able to issue those CUs. This is that fix right now.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. How can the City make sure that whoever is the private
entity that is going to sign off and said that it's all hunky-dory, that what we're getting
is truthful. We already have had the experience in the past of finding people that have
given us testament from third parties, not city personnel, not state personnel, and they
weren 't that truthful.
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Mr. Marrero: Well, these are licensed professionals, especially --
Vice Chair Carollo: And so were the other --
Mr. Marrero: -- you know, a licensed structural engineer.
Vice Chair Carollo: So were the others that we had in the past.
Mr. Marrero: Right. So, the protocols are that if you submit a letter that is false, what
we will do and what we do today is we will submit that letter to DBPR (Department of
Business and Professional Regulation) for pro -- you know, for license investigation,
which could lead up to revocation of your license. So, you know, these are, you know --
Vice Chair Carollo: Have you ever done that before --
Mr. Marrero: Yes, we have.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- in people that you've found?
Mr. Marrero: Yes, we have.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Would it be more appropriate or approve it, and then in a
year's time, this comes back to see how it went? If it helped the progress along a lot
more, if it worked.
Mr. Marrero: We can certainly --
Vice Chair Carollo: I'm not saying that it was not done.
Mr. Marrero: -- we can certainly come back
Vice Chair Carollo: Just to bring it back in a year's time.
Commissioner Pardo: You mean like a pilot?
Vice Chair Carollo: Well, I'm not even calling it a pilot. We approve it, but with
instructions to the administration that, in one year's time, they bring this back and give
us a report how it's worked. If it's worked, then there's no need to do anything else.
But if there have been problems, then maybe we could correct them, and that would
make, I think, sense to keep on top of it.
Mr. Marrero: Absolutely. We can come back within a year's time and provide a very
detailed report.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay, all right. You're going to make the motion, I suspect. I'll
second it if we -- if you are fine with putting the motion that the administration would
bring this back in a year's time.
Commissioner Pardo: It's a big problem, especially downtown. Absolutely, we can
have him report back in a year.
Vice Chair Carollo: All right.
Chair King: Do I have a motion?
Vice Chair Carollo: Second.
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Commissioner Gabela: Second.
Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): As amended.
Chair King: As amended.
END OF SECOND READING ORDINANCE
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FR - FIRST READING ORDINANCES
FR.1 ORDINANCE First Reading
17816 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
Commissioners ESTABLISHING A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON
and Ma or ENFORCEMENT OF SECTION 62-2.2 OF THE CODE OF THE
y CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TITLED
"INDEPENDENT FEASIBILITY AND ECONOMIC IMPACT
STUDIES," OF THE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES, AS AMENDED,
FOR A PERIOD OF TWELVE (12) MONTHS, FURTHER
RECOMMENDING TO THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
PROVIDING FOR EXTENSION AND/OR TERMINATION OF SAID
MORATORIUM BY RESOLUTION; PROVIDING FOR THE
TREATMENT OF PENDING APPLICATIONS; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE
EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading
RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
FR.1 ORDINANCE First Reading
17816 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
Commissioners ESTABLISHING A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON
and Ma or ENFORCEMENT OF SECTION 62-2.2 OF THE CODE OF THE
Y CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TITLED
"INDEPENDENT FEASIBILITY AND ECONOMIC IMPACT
STUDIES," OF THE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES, AS AMENDED,
FOR A PERIOD OF TWELVE (12) MONTHS, FURTHER
RECOMMENDING TO THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
PROVIDING FOR EXTENSION AND/OR TERMINATION OF SAID
MORATORIUM BY RESOLUTION; PROVIDING FOR THE
TREATMENT OF PENDING APPLICATIONS; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE
EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Reconsider
RESULT: RECONSIDERED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
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FR.1 ORDINANCE Emergency Ordinance
17816 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
Commissioners ESTABLISHING A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON
and Ma or ENFORCEMENT OF SECTION 62-2.2 OF THE CODE OF THE
y CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TITLED
"INDEPENDENT FEASIBILITY AND ECONOMIC IMPACT
STUDIES," OF THE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES, AS AMENDED,
FOR A PERIOD OF TWELVE (12) MONTHS, FURTHER
RECOMMENDING TO THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
PROVIDING FOR EXTENSION AND/OR TERMINATION OF SAID
MORATORIUM BY RESOLUTION; PROVIDING FOR THE
TREATMENT OF PENDING APPLICATIONS; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, AND PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE
EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: 14390
MOTION TO: Adopt as an Emergency Measure
RESULT: ADOPTED AS AN EMERGENCY MEASURE
MOVER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: Item FR.1 passed as an Emergency Ordinance with two roll
calls. For the first roll call, a motion was made by Commissioner Ralph "Rafael"
Rosado, seconded by Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela, and was passed
unanimously. The second roll call to pass FR.1 as an Emergency Ordinance is
reflected above in the vote result box located underneath the enactment number.
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number FR.1, please
see "Order of the Day."
Chair King: Mr. City Attorney, would you please read the titles for the first reading
ordinances.
George Wysong (City Attorney): First reading ordinances. Yes, Madam Chair. First
reading ordinance, FR.1.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Mr. Wysong: FR.2, first reading ordinance.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Vice Chair Carollo: Move.
Commissioner Pardo: Second.
Commissioner Rosado: Actually, I was hoping to discuss both the items.
Chair King: Of course, go ahead.
Commissioner Rosado: So, on the first one, I was actually not only going to support
your request here, Chairwoman, but I was actually going to propose that we eliminate
this requirement altogether. I mean, one of the things that I campaigned on was
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affordability, and I know that this is something that just creates a financial hurdle to
creating new units, and ultimately, those costs are passed on to the end user, which are
folks that either are trying to buy a condo, or they're trying to get an apartment at an
affordable rate. As I understand it, these reports cost somewhere between 50 and
$70,000, and nobody is reading them, and no action is being taken as a result of this.
So, I don't know if this could -- if accepted, if this could be amended.
Chair King: So, it would. It would because that was Commissioner Gabela's idea, but
the problem with that was in between the time that the staff could bring the legislation
forward, they're still require --
Commissioner Rosado: They're still required.
Chair King: -- projects would still require that they do this. So, this stops that
requirement --
Commissioner Rosado: Okay.
Chair King: -- until we could go ahead and vote to eliminate altogether this
requirement.
Commissioner Rosado: So, then I can support your motion, and I'd like to add that we
add an item for first reading at the next meeting to eliminate this requirement
altogether.
Chair King: Okay.
Commissioner Pardo: Can we hear from staff on that?
Chair King: Is this -- it's -- yes, we should. It's the same thing -- it -- this is just moving
it so that while we're trying to do the elimination, they're not required -- they would
have to wait to submit something because it's still required now.
Commissioner Rosado: That makes perfect --
Commissioner Pardo: And it'll be on the next agenda, so we could wait.
Commissioner Rosado: -- makes perfect sense.
Chair King: Yes, yes, so we're just trying to move it along so that no one is stuck in
limbo and have to do it per the code.
George Wysong (City Attorney): I just wanted to make everybody's clear that the
moratorium doesn't go into effect until it's adopted on second reading, which will be
September llth.
Chair King: Right. So, that's why, because it would come first reading, they would still
be stuck, because it wouldn 't be -- and this is the last meeting, so it wouldn 't be able to
come forward until --
Commissioner Gabela: September.
Chair King: -- September, and then it'd have to go to second reading, so which is why
we're doing it, because in September, second reading, it's moratorium, and then we
can move forward, and that's why. But we are doing that okay.
Commissioner Rosado: Okay, perfect.
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Commissioner Gabela: So, it takes effect when, after the second reading?
Chair King: After the second reading it passes.
Commissioner Gabela: September, 10 days after unless --
Chair King: Right.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay.
Chair King: So, I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: And FR.2 as amended.
Arthur Noriega (City Manager): So, Mr. City Attorney, we have 10 projects queued up
right now. Could we, as an emergency, do the second reading now?
Mr. Wysong: It's not been advertised as an emergency. I mean, if I -- let me check with
Todd.
Chair King: Mr. --
Mr. Wysong: I believe if there's a finding of an emergency, we --
Chair King: Mr. City Clerk.
Mr. Wysong: The question is could we convert FR.1 to an emergency ordinance and do
the second reading today? It's not on the agenda as an emergency ordinance nor
would -- but then an emergency ordinance dispenses with the advertising.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Correct, so I would need to review the statute, but you
know, my understanding would be, at least from a ministerial standpoint, that it would
be acceptable.
Mr. Wysong: Give us one second. Okay, so the statute says a governing body of a
municipality may, by a two-thirds vote, enact an emergency ordinance without
complying with the requirements of Section 166.041. So, as long as we have a finding
of emergency with a sufficient number of votes, two-thirds, which would be four -fifths,
we can move forward.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Chair King: About the moratorium, we would make it an emergency so we can have
first and second reading today, so then it's in the moratorium. There are 60 projects in
the hopper. It wouldn 't be able to have second reading until September when we come
back. This will dispense with that and start the moratorium.
Commissioner Gabela: So, we need a new motion? We need a new motion? So, motion
to --
Chair King: Wait, hold on.
Mr. Hannon: Motion to reconsider.
Chair King: May I have a motion to --
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Commissioner Gabela: Motion to reconsider.
Chair King: -- reconsider FR.1?
Commissioner Gabela: Motion to reconsider.
Commissioner Rosado: So moved.
Commissioner Pardo: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
[Later...]
Chair King: Now, Todd, can you walk us through?
Mr. Noriega: How to do it as a second reading.
Mr. Hannon: Yes. So, we'll start with FR.1 first. FR.1 can now -- there'll be two
readings, so you're going to have two votes. So, Mr. City Attorney, just to ensure that
we at least comply with the reading of the title, if you could read the title again for the
first vote.
Mr. Wysong: Yes, sir. Emergency Ordinance 1, first --
The Emergency Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City
Attorney.
Chair King: May have a motion?
Commissioner Rosado: So moved.
Chair King: And a second?
Commissioner Gabela: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion passes unanimously.
Mr. Hannon: Now the title --
Chair King: Title read a second time.
Mr. Hannon: -- will be read for the second vote.
Mr. Wysong: Right.
The Emergency Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City
Attorney.
Chair King: May I have a motion?
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Commissioner Rosado: So moved.
Commissioner Gabela: Second.
Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries.
Mr. Hannon: Now we'll address FR.2.
Chair King: But he doesn't need to read FR.2 again.
Mr. Hannon: I would in abundance of caution because the reconsideration completely
reset --
Chair King: Okay, okay.
Commissioner Rosado: Madam Chair, just for my understanding, so we've now
implemented --
Chair King: Yes.
Commissioner Rosado: -- the moratorium immediately, but we would still need an item
on the next agenda --
Chair King: To eliminate --
Commissioner Rosado: -- to eliminate it altogether.
Chair King: Yes, so it can come in September.
Commissioner Rosado: Would that also be done -- could it be done procedurally at the
September 11 th meeting, where you have first and second reading or --?
Chair King: Well, we wouldn 't have to do it like that because --
Commissioner Rosado: Okay.
Chair King: -- it's already --
Commissioner Rosado: Now we can spread it out.
Chair King: -- there's a moratorium, so they're safe for now.
Mr. Noriega: It also needs to go before PZAB, Planning and Zoning Advisory Board.
Commissioner Rosado: Got it.
Mr. Noriega: So, yeah.
Chair King: Okay.
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FR.2 ORDINANCE First Reading
17556 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
Commissioners CHAPTER 35/ARTICLE I OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), TITLED "MOTORIZED
and Mayor VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC/IN GENERAL," SPECIFICALLY BY
AMENDING SECTION 35-1 OF THE CITY CODE, TITLED
"DEFINITIONS," TO PROVIDE A DEFINITION FOR A HOMESTEAD
PROPERTY, AND BY ESTABLISHING A NEW SECTION 35-11 OF
THE CITY CODE, TITLED "PARKING FOR HOMESTEAD EXEMPT
PROPERTY," PROVIDING FOR CERTAIN ALLOWABLE PARKING
ON A HOMESTEAD; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE
AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading with Modification(s)
RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
FR.2 ORDINANCE First Reading
17556 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
Commissioners CHAPTER 35/ARTICLE I OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), TITLED "MOTORIZED
and Mayor VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC/IN GENERAL," SPECIFICALLY BY
AMENDING SECTION 35-1 OF THE CITY CODE, TITLED
"DEFINITIONS," TO PROVIDE A DEFINITION FOR A HOMESTEAD
PROPERTY, AND BY ESTABLISHING A NEW SECTION 35-11 OF
THE CITY CODE, TITLED "PARKING FOR HOMESTEAD EXEMPT
PROPERTY," PROVIDING FOR CERTAIN ALLOWABLE PARKING
ON A HOMESTEAD; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE
AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Reconsider
RESULT: RECONSIDERED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
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FR.2 ORDINANCE First Reading
17556 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
Commissioners CHAPTER 35/ARTICLE I OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE"), TITLED "MOTORIZED
and Mayor VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC/IN GENERAL," SPECIFICALLY BY
AMENDING SECTION 35-1 OF THE CITY CODE, TITLED
"DEFINITIONS," TO PROVIDE A DEFINITION FOR A HOMESTEAD
PROPERTY, AND BY ESTABLISHING A NEW SECTION 35-11 OF
THE CITY CODE, TITLED "PARKING FOR HOMESTEAD EXEMPT
PROPERTY," PROVIDING FOR CERTAIN ALLOWABLE PARKING
ON A HOMESTEAD; 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: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo
NAYS: Rosado
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number FR.2, please
see Item Number FR.1.
Chair King: So, Mr. City Attorney, would you please read FR.2?
George Wysong (City Attorney): FR.2.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Chair King: May I have a motion for FR.2, as amended?
Commissioner Pardo: So moved.
Commissioner Gabela: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
Commissioner Rosado: Actually, I have some concerns about FR.2. So, I received a
number of calls from folks in District 4 who have requested that they be exempt from
this, that the district be exempt from this.
Chair King: I don 't have an issue with the district being exempt. We can 't do that?
Mr. Wysong: We -- yeah, we --
Chair King: Okay, well we can 't do that.
Commissioner Rosado: So, this would -- the idea is that --
Chair King: So, but if the residents in your district don 't want to participate, they don 't
have to. This is specifically for an issue that is occurring in District 5, which is why I
brought it. My residents, my neighbors, are being cited, getting violations for parking
their car at their residence. And this allows them to park their car on their grass. Most
people do it anyway, but there are one or two folks that may call, and it would cause a
hardship. And it is cause -- in today's society, children are moving back in with their
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parents. So, it's a more than one car property, more than one vehicle is with the
property. So, this is what I'm trying to do to alleviate this burden on the residents in my
district.
Commissioner Rosado: And I can understand the concern, but there is concern from
folks in assorted neighborhood associations in District 4 that they're worried that this
would open up a sort of Pandora's box of cars being parked on the grass in front of the
homes so --
Chair King: Well, it's not cars, it's limited, and I understand your concerns. Do
anyone else have a concern, or are you ready?
Commissioner Gabela: No, I kind of have your same issue, by the way --
Chair King: I know.
Commissioner Gabela: -- in my district.
Vice Chair Carollo: The problem that we have in our city is that we don 't have enough
parking spaces. You know, any single-family residence is going to have at least two
cars and maybe more. You could go through any of the streets in Little Havana,
Allapattah, and you're going to see it. Cars are all over the street because there's not
enough parking. This is why I've taken issue of us amending and amending and
amending in taking out requirement of parking spaces in new construction because this
is what happens. So, I'm fine with this.
Commissioner Rosado: Chairwoman, you mentioned limited, but I'm not sure I
understood what that referred to.
Chair King: You can 't park 10 cars in the yard.
Commissioner Rosado: So, you're saying that because there's a maximum of two cars
that could be on the grass?
Chair King: Yes.
Commissioner Rosado: Got it.
Chair King: Mm-hmm. So, and the staff was very thoughtful in creating this legislation.
We talked about it, we went back and forth with it, and this was the best compromise
we could come up with for everyone. So, if I have a motion?
Commissioner Pardo: Motion.
Vice Chair Carollo: Move.
Commissioner Gabela: Second.
Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
Commissioner Pardo: Aye.
Vice Chair Carollo: Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries.
Commissioner Rosado: I'm a no on this one, unfortunately.
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Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): As amended.
Chair King: As amended, 4-1.
END OF FIRST READING ORDINANCES
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AC.1
17892
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 JULY 24, 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 JORGE M. PEREZ ART MUSEUM OF MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY, INC., D/B/A PEREZ ART MUSEUM V. CITY OF MIAMI,
CASE NUMBER 2024-012120-CA-01, PENDING IN THE
ELEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY, TO WHICH THE CITY IS PRESENTLY A PARTY AND
HAS FILED A COUNTERCLAIM AGAINST JORGE M. PEREZ ART
MUSEUM OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, INC., D/B/A PEREZ ART
MUSEUM. 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, VICE-CHAIRMAN JOE CAROLLO,
COMMISSIONERS MIGUEL ANGEL GABELA, DAMIAN PARDO,
AND RALPH "RAFAEL" ROSADO; THE CITY MANAGER, ARTHUR
NORIEGA V; THE CITY ATTORNEY GEORGE K. WYSONG III,
DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY KEVIN R. JONES; DEPUTY CITY
ATTORNEY XAVIER E. ALBAN, ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY
SUPERVISOR ERIC J. EVES, ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEYS
MARGUERITE SNYDER AND NICHOLAS BASCO. 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
J
Chair King: At this time, I will recess the City of Miami Commission meeting. George,
do you have to read a statement?
George Wysong (City Attorney): I have to read the script for the --
Chair King: First, we have to read a statement.
Mr. Wysong: -- statement, yeah.
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Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
The Attorney -Client Session was read by title into the public record by the City
Attorney.
Mr. Wysong: Thank you, Madam Chair.
Chair King: Thank you. And at this time, the City of Miami Commission meeting for
July 2024 -- Jesus, I don't know what day or time it is -- July 24, 2025 is in recess until
the end of the attorney -client session. We will resume after that.
[Later...]
Chair King: Good after -- good evening, everyone. Welcome back to the City of Miami
Commission meeting for July 24, 2025. We are going to pick up where we left off. I
believe we are on RE.3, which was pulled for discussion.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): And Chair, briefly, the city attorney will just state that
the attorney -client session is concluded.
Chair King: Yes.
Mr. Wysong: That's what I --
Chair King: Go ahead.
Mr. Wysong: Yes, the attorney -client session in relation to the PAMM (Perez Art
Museum) Jorge M. Perez Art Museum case has been concluded, and we're back to the
regular agenda. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you.
END OF ATTORNEY -CLIENT SESSION
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BU.1
17038
Office of
Management and
Budget
BU - BUDGET
BUDGET DISCUSSION ITEM
QUARTERLY REPORT I SECTION 2-497 OF THE CITY CODE
OF ORDINANCES (RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DIRECTOR OF
MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET) II SECTION 18-502
(CITY'S ANTI -DEFICIENCY ACT) IIISECTION 18-542 (FINANCIAL
INTEGRITY PRINCIPLES)
FRESULT: DISCUSSED
Chair King: Okay, moving right along. Gentlemen, do you need a report for the
budget, or did you read your report? I read my report.
Commissioner Gabela: No, I got mine.
Chair King: Everybody read theirs?
Vice Chair Carollo: We're talking about what now?
Chair King: It's BU.1, status of the FY '25 quarterly and FY `26 proposed budgets. Do
you need --?
Commissioner Gabela: By the way, Chair --
Vice Chair Carollo: We could bypass that.
Commissioner Gabela: -- D3 [sic], D4 [sic], D5 [sic], my -- I'm going to defer that.
It's too late in the game to take that up. There's no need.
Chair King: Thank you.
Vice Chair Carollo: What items are you waiving?
Commissioner Gabela: I've got three items there, D3 [sic], D4 [sic], and D5 [sic].
Vice Chair Carollo: Three, four, and five.
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay.
Commissioner Gabela: I'm going to defer that.
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Let me look at these.
Commissioner Rosado: These are deferred?
Commissioner Gabela: We don 't need to hear this today. It's late in the game and
everybody's tired, yeah.
Commissioner Rosado: These items are deferred to the next meeting?
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Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah.
Chair King: Wait, let me make a statement first. We still have the budget, B U.1, status
of the Fiscal Year '25 quarterly report and FY `26 proposed budgets. Do you want to
have someone come up and speak on that, or did you read your report and you're
okay?
Commissioner Gabela: I read my report.
Chair King: I read my report.
Commissioner Pardo: I read, I'm okay.
Chair King: I don't need a --
Commissioner Pardo: I don 't either.
Commissioner Rosado: Yeah, I'm good.
Chair King: Okay.
END OF BUDGET
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Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
DI - DISCUSSION ITEMS
DI.1 DISCUSSION ITEM
16950 A DISCUSSION REGARDING THE ANNUAL REVIEW
Office of the City OF THE TERMS OF ELECTED OFFICIALS AS
Clerk MEMBERS OF VARIOUS TRUSTS, AUTHORITIES,
BOARDS, COMMITTEES, AND AGENCIES PURSUANT
TO CITY OF MIAMI CODE SECTION 2-35.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: Item DI.1 was deferred to the September 11, 2025, City
Commission Meeting.
Chair King: Now, do you guys want to hear any of these discussion items --
Vice Chair Carollo: No.
Chair King: -- right now?
Vice Chair Carollo: No, I think --
Commissioner Gabela: I just got one question. I'm just interested -- the -- this is
Commissioner Rosado. The loop, what is that, the loop?
Chair King: The Miami Loop.
Commissioner Gabela: You've had me intrigued, you know.
Chair King: Okay, wait, wait. I need a motion to defer -- wait, do we want to defer all
of them, or do we want to defer just Commissioner Gabela's D3 [sic], 4 and 5? D3
[sic], 4 and 5.
Vice Chair Carollo: We could defer everything. I mean, there's not much left.
Chair King: Okay. All right.
Vice Chair Carollo: It's a motion to defer.
Chair King: So, do I -- ? I have a motion to defer all of the discussion items to the first
meeting in September.
Commissioner Rosado: Is it, I'm sorry, for all discussion items?
Chair King: All.
Commissioner Pardo: I'll second it.
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Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
Chair King: I got a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: But be mindful, guys, I'm going to update my chair's memo to discuss the
number of discussion items we can place on an agenda per commission.
Vice Chair Carollo: I didn 't have any.
Chair King: Okay.
Commissioner Rosado: I accept, I am guilty as charged as well. There's only one item
that I think, so it's a pocket item?
Chair King: Okay, that --
Commissioner Rosado: Because it is --
Chair King: So, now --
Commissioner Rosado: There's only one that's time sensitive.
Chair King: So, is that time sensitive? Because one, we do not allow -- the reason why
we frown upon pocket items is because the community doesn 't have an opportunity to
have that information beforehand so they can have comments on it.
Commissioner Rosado: It'll take me all of 30 seconds. I think you may --
Chair King: But that's not --
Commissioner Rosado: Sure.
Chair King: The problem is that they --
Vice Chair Carollo: Not at this time in a meeting like this where we deferred stuff.
Chair King: -- don 't have --
Commissioner Rosado: Okay.
Chair King: You know, we didn 't bring it for public comment. We -- so --
Commissioner Gabela: So, no pocket items?
Chair King: No, not --
Vice Chair Carollo: Okay. Thank you, Chair.
Chair King: And discussion items should never be a pocket item. Okay. So, at this time,
we will conclude the City of Miami Commission meeting for July 24, 2025. Thank you
all for your advocacy. Thank you for sticking around `til 9 o 'clock.
Vice Chair Carollo: Thank you, Chair.
Chair King: See you in September.
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Commissioners
and Mayor
DI.4
17692
Commissioners
and Mayor
DI.2 DISCUSSION ITEM
17686 A DISCUSSION REGARDING THE ANNUAL REPORTS OF
Cit Mana er's BOARDS/COMMITTEES.
y g
Office
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: Item DI.2 was deferred to the September 11, 2025, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number DI.2, please see Item
Number DLL
DI.3 DISCUSSION ITEM
17641 A DISCUSSION ITEM REGARDING THE USE OF CITY FUNDS
OUTSIDE OF COMMISSIONERS DISTRICTS.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: Item DI.3 was deferred to the September 11, 2025, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number DI.3, please see Item
Number DI.1.
DISCUSSION ITEM
A DISCUSSION ITEM REGARDING ELECTRIC VEHICLES.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: Item DI.4 was deferred to the September 11, 2025, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number DI.4, please see "Public
Comments for all Item(s)" and Item Number DL1.
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Commissioners
and Mayor
Commissioners
and Mayor
DI.6
17868
Commissioners
and Mayor
DI.5 DISCUSSION ITEM
17691 A DISCUSSION ITEM REGARDING THE BUILDING COLLAPSE AT
3129 NW 7 AVE.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: Item DI.5 was deferred to the September 11, 2025, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number DI.5, please see Item
Number DI.1.
DISCUSSION ITEM
A DISCUSSION REGARDING THE MIAMI LOOP.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: Item DI.6 was deferred to the September 11, 2025, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number DI.6, please see Item
Number DI.1.
DI.7 DISCUSSION ITEM
17869 A DISCUSSION REGARDING THE CITY'S PROPOSED PARKS
FUND AT THE MIAMI FOUNDATION.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
ABSENT: Carollo
Note for the Record: Item DI. 7 was deferred to the September 11, 2025, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number DI. 7, please see "Order
of the Day" and "Public Comments for all Item(s)."
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DI.8 DISCUSSION ITEM
17876 MAY BE WITHDRAWN
Commissioners
and Mayor
A DISCUSSION REGARDING THE TRAFFIC STUDIES AROUND
PARKS AND SCHOOLS.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: Item DI.8 was deferred to the September 11, 2025, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number DI.8, please see "Public
Comments for all Item(s)" and Item Number DL1.
DI.9 DISCUSSION ITEM
17878 MAY BE WITHDRAWN
Commissioners
and Mayor
A DISCUSSION ITEM REGARDING STORM PROOFING HOME
UPGRADE INCENTIVES.
MOTION TO: Defer
RESULT: DEFERRED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: Item DI.9 was deferred to the September 11, 2025, City
Commission Meeting.
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number DI.9, please see "Public
Comments for all Item(s)" and Item Number DI.1.
END OF DISCUSSION ITEMS
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Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
PART B: PZ -PLANNING AND ZONING ITEM(S)
PZ.1 ORDINANCE First Reading
17804 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
De artment of ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 10544, AS
p AMENDED, THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP OF THE MIAMI
Planning COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN, PURSUANT TO SMALL
SCALE AMENDMENT PROCEDURES SUBJECT TO §163.3187,
FLORIDA STATUTES, BY CHANGING THE FUTURE LAND USE
DESIGNATION FROM "DUPLEX — RESIDENTIAL" TO "PUBLIC
PARKS AND RECREATION" OF THE ACREAGE DESCRIBED
HEREIN OF REAL PROPERTY AT 3691 SOUTHWEST 1 AVENUE,
MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN THE
ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED EXHIBIT "A"; MAKING FINDINGS;
CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading
RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Pardo, Rosado
ABSENT: Gabela
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number PZ.1, please
see "Public Comments for all Item(s)."
Chair King: Gentlemen, let's go to the PZ (Planning and Zoning) items. And then after
the PZ items, I would like for us to go to the attorney -client session, if that's amenable
to everyone.
Vice Chair Carollo: Whatever you say, Chair.
Chair King: I love that. Okay.
Vice Chair Carollo: Listen, you 've been getting some really hot publicity lately.
Chair King: I have?
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah, Guyana.
Chair King: Oh, I didn 't --
Vice Chair Carollo: All the wonderful things the country has to offer, you know. I'm
impressed in how much money they're making from oil and how much they're giving it
to the people and helping out. It's impressive. No wonder that old nasty Maduro wants
to take the country over.
Chair King: Exactly.
Vice Chair Carollo: Yeah.
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Chair King: Won 't happen. Mr. City Attorney, would you please read the titles of the
Planning and Zoning items into the record?
George Wysong (City Attorney): Yes, Madam Chair. PZ.1, first reading ordinance.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Mr. Wysong: PZ.2, first reading ordinance.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Mr. Wysong: PZ.3, first reading ordinance.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Mr. Wysong: PZ.6, an ordinance, second reading.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Mr. Wysong: PZ. 7, second reading ordinance.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Mr. Wysong: PZ.8, second reading ordinance.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Mr. Wysong: PZ.9, second reading ordinance.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Mr. Wysong: PZ.10, second reading ordinance.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Mr. Wysong: PZ.11, second reading ordinance.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by the City Attorney.
Mr. Wysong: And that's the end of the ordinances in the PZ section, Madam Chair.
Chair King: Thank you, Mr. City Attorney. Gentlemen, are there any items that you
would like to pull for discussion. Commissioner Rosado?
Commissioner Rosado: Yes.
Chair King: PZs.
Commissioner Rosado: PZ. 6 and 7.
Chair King: Vice Chair?
Vice Chair Carollo: Not just now, but (INAUDIBLE) blindsided one more time, make
sure that there's nothing there, but I don't believe so right now.
Chair King: Commissioner Gabela?
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Commissioner Gabela: I'm good.
Chair King: Commissioner Pardo?
Commissioner Pardo: PZ.3 and PZ.12.
Chair King: 3 and?
Commissioner Pardo: And 12.
Chair King: 3 and 12. Okay. I'll wait for the Vice Chair.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): And Chair, while we're waiting, just for the record,
PZ.10 will need to be amended pursuant to a substitution memo dated July 23, 2025.
Chair King: PZ.10?
Mr. Hannon: PZ.10.
Chair King: Okay. I have PZ.4, 10, and 12 as amended. Is that correct?
Mr. Hannon: 4 was -- PZ.4 was indefinitely deferred, and PZ 12, you're correct, will
be amended but has been pulled from the block vote.
Chair King: PZ.4 has been indefinitely deferred?
Mr. Hannon: Yes, ma 'am.
Chair King: Okay, and what -- something about a block vote?
Mr. Hannon: Oh, PZ.12 was pulled from the block vote.
Unidentified Speaker: Yeah, it was. It was.
Chair King: Oh, yes, it's pulled for discussion.
Vice Chair Carollo: I'm fine, Chair.
Chair King: Okay.
[Later...]
Chair King: So, gentlemen, may I have a motion to pass PZ.1, 2, 5, 8, 9, 10, and 11?
Vice Chair Carollo: So moved.
Commissioner Rosado: So moved.
Commissioner Pardo: Second.
Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries.
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PZ.2 ORDINANCE First Reading
17808 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
De artment of ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING THE ZONING ATLAS OF ORDINANCE
p NO. 13114, THE ZONING CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA,
Planning AS AMENDED ("MIAMI 21 CODE"), BY CHANGING THE ZONING
CLASSIFICATION FROM "T3-O," SUB -URBAN TRANSECT ZONE —
OPEN, TO "CS," CIVIC SPACE TRANSECT ZONE, FOR THE
PROPERTY GENERALLY LOCATED AT 3691 SOUTHWEST 1
AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED
IN THE ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED EXHIBIT "A"; MAKING
FINDINGS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading
RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Pardo, Rosado
ABSENT: Gabela
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.2, please see Item
Number PZ.1.
PZ.3 ORDINANCE First Reading
17323 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
De artment of ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
p OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("MIAMI 21 CODE"),
Planning SPECIFICALLY BY AMENDING ARTICLE 3, SECTION 3.16 OF THE
MIAMI 21 CODE, TITLED "WORKFORCE HOUSING SPECIAL
BENEFIT PROGRAM SUPPLEMENTAL REGULATIONS," TO
INTRODUCE A NEW WORKFORCE HOUSING PROGRAM WITHIN
THE CITY OF MIAMI; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
MOTION TO: Pass on First Reading with Modification(s)
RESULT: PASSED ON FIRST READING WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number PZ.3, please
see Item Number PZ.1.
Chair King: PZ.3 was pulled for discussion.
Commissioner Pardo: Yeah, I pulled it for discussion just because there's a lot of
concern among residents, and I know that this is an existing program. This is an
amendment to an existing program, and the concern is the additional density and what
it would do and how that kind of plays out in it. I thought you could address it.
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David Snow (Director, Planning): So, Commissioner, so PZ.3 is specific to the
Workforce Housing Program, Special Benefit Program. So, as you mentioned today,
we do have that program that exists today within Miami 21. This is an expansion to
that. That expansion is mainly dealing with additional setback and setback flexibility
for the towers for workforce housing projects. So, what this does is now allow for a
project to come in when abutting T4 to setback at the ground floor at 18 feet and then
go 18 feet straight up, as opposed to setback an additional 26 feet, which it has today.
That's really going to help out with workforce housing projects. In addition to that,
we've --
Commissioner Pardo: In what way, by adding more units and being able to --?
Mr. Snow: So, it allows the tower to be more effectively designed to accommodate -- it
will accommodate more units, but also, it'll make the cost of the construction much
more less as well. And of course, your density is -- controls how many units you can
build. We're not modifying the density specifically for this amendment. The other
component of this is, of course, the definition of workforce housing. Today, our
workforce is at 100 percent AMI (Area Median Income) or less. This allows for a
tiered -- a tiered mechanism so that 50 percent of the units that are within these
projects are, one, at 15 percent between 60 percent AMI or less, at 20 percent of the
units are at 100 percent AMI or less, that's the sweet spot, and then allowing for the
120 AMI at 10 percent of the units, which is comparable to what we're seeing with
local projects. So, that's essentially what this amendment does.
Commissioner Pardo: Thank you very much, appreciate it.
Chair King: Do I have a motion?
Vice Chair Carollo: Move.
Commissioner Pardo: Second.
Chair King: I have a motion, second. All in favor?
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair, PZ.3 needs to be amended pursuant to a
substitution memo dated July 22nd, 2025.
Chair King: I have a motion and a second for PZ.3 as amended. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries unanimously.
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PZ.4
15466
Office of Zoning
PZ.5
17709
Department of
Planning
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: Indefinitely Defer
RESULT: INDEFINITELY DEFERRED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
ABSENT: Carollo
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.4, please see "Order
of the Day."
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING WITH CONDITIONS, PURSUANT TO
CHAPTER 55, SECTION 55-15 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TO CLOSE, VACATE, ABANDON,
AND DISCONTINUE FROM PUBLIC USE A TWENTY FIVE FOOT (25')
UTILITY EASEMENT GENERALLY BOUNDED BY NORTHWEST 20TH
STREET, NORTHWEST 3RD AVENUE, NORTHWEST 22ND
STREET, AND NORTHWEST 4TH COURT, WITH AN ADDRESS OF
2000 NORTHWEST 3RD AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, SPANNING IN A
NORTH -SOUTH DIRECTION, WITH SUCH UTILITY EASEMENT
MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN THE ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED EXHIBIT "A"; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0323
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MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Pardo, Rosado
ABSENT: Gabela
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.5, please see "Public
Comments for all Item(s)" and Item Number PZ.1.
PZ.6 ORDINANCE Second Reading
17586 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
De artment of ORDINANCE NO. 10544, AS AMENDED, THE MIAMI
p COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
Planning FLORIDA, PURSUANT TO THE EXPEDITED STATE REVIEW
PROCESS SUBJECT TO SECTION 163.3184, FLORIDA STATUTES,
BY AMENDING THE INTERPRETATION OF THE FUTURE LAND USE
MAP AND THE CORRESPONDENCE CHART TO CREATE A NEW
FUTURE LAND USE DESIGNATION CALLED "TRANSIT ORIENTED
NODE"; AMENDING APPENDIX LU-1; AMENDING POLICY LU-5.1.3
AND POLICY LU-5.2.1; AND AMENDING THE FUTURE LAND USE
DESIGNATION OF THE PROPERTIES GENERALLY BOUNDED BY
NORTHWEST 7TH AVENUE TO THE WEST, NORTHWEST 76TH
STREET TO THE NORTH, NORTHEAST 2ND AVENUE TO THE EAST
AND NORTHWEST 70TH STREET TO THE SOUTH IN MIAMI,
FLORIDA, APPROXIMATELY 143.75 ACRES, AS MORE
PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN THE ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED IN EXHIBIT "A," FROM "GENERAL COMMERCIAL,"
"LIGHT INDUSTRIAL," "MEDIUM DENSITY MULTIFAMILY
RESIDENTIAL," "MEDIUM DENSITY RESTRICTED COMMERCIAL,"
AND "MAJOR INSTITUTIONAL, PUBLIC FACILITIES,
TRANSPORTATION AND UTILITIES" TO "TRANSIT ORIENTED NODE
— 1" AND "TRANSIT ORIENTED NODE — 2"; PROVIDING FOR
TRANSMISSION; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: 14384
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number PZ.6, please
see "Public Comments for all Item(s)" and Item Number PZ.1.
Chair King: PZ.6 was pulled for discussion?
Commissioner Pardo: Yeah. PZ.6, and actually, PZ. 7 along the same lines.
Chair King: Umm-hmm.
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Commissioner Pardo: I just want to make clear again, we had a lot of concerned folks
weighing in on this. We also -- thank you, Planning, for the Zoom that was done.
Because of the requirements for noticing and everything else, it wasn 't able to be an
open forum or as open as we would have liked it to be and the questions, you know,
weren't taken. So, we plan to actually do another Zoom on this topic anyway, but it's
important for people to understand that the NCDs (Neighborhood Conservation
Districts) are excluded from this. It doesn't include areas like Coconut Grove. It does
not include the historic districts.
Chair King: I'd like staff to say that on the record.
Commissioner Pardo: Yeah.
Chair King: I have requested that it is conspicuously written into the legislation, which
means that it will be a bigger font and bold that it will not -- this could not occur in
historic districts. You know, my neighbors are very concerned about that. I have said it
already in the first reading that we had, but again, I want to assure everyone that this
will not occur in historic districts, correct?
David Snow (Director, Planning): That is correct. And we have it at a 25 point font, so
it's very large, you can see it.
Commissioner Pardo: And also, they had asked about T4s, and why you were including
T4s, and it's the transition -- well, go ahead.
Mr. Snow: Right, so we do have a presentation prepared to walk through the steps of
this, to give some background and also to go through the amendments. So, if you wish,
we can go through that as well.
Commissioner Pardo: Yes.
Mr. Snow: Okay.
Commissioner Rosado: And one question while she is loading that up. So, it's not just
NCDs, but also properties adjacent to NCDs, right? Like my neighborhood, many of
my residents or my neighbors --
Mr. Snow: Yes, abutting.
Commissioner Rosado: -- in particular asked about that --
Mr. Snow: Correct.
Commissioner Rosado: -- 3 7th Avenue Coral Way.
Mr. Snow: Correct. That is also in there. So, just to walk through this and kind of give
you a background on how we got here. So, in 2024, we adopted -- the City adopted the
update to our comprehensive plan, which was through the EAR (Evaluation Appraisal
Report) process, which is required by the state to do that every 10 years. One key
component of that update was to look at our land use policies and looking at that
around -- development around transit. And so, this particular policy that stands out is
that, you know, development of transit supported land uses are encouraged around
fixed rail stations to create well -designed pedestrian -oriented neighborhoods for
living, working, shopping, and recreation. Makes a lot of sense. And then, of course,
there's the policies that are associated with that, but this is kind of what state -- kind of
started the groundwork. So, if you go to the next slide. So, in addition to that, we're
also in a world of you know, competitive preemption and RTZ (Rapid Transit Zone),
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right? And we've heard a lot about this and the pressures that we're experiencing. But
in any case, you know, it's important that we align ourselves with what's out there. So,
this slide shows, you know, on the left-hand side, which is what we are known as TOD
(Transit Oriented Development) areas. So, that's that half mile, mile radius around
each of our stations that exist in the city today. There's roughly 16 stations. On the
right-hand side is the RTZ. And you can kind -- you can see how that map is not
entirely clear as far as where those layers are going and where the boundaries are
defined by RTZ. And beyond just the stations themselves with RTZ, it also -- RTZ
allows for their smart corridors, as they call them, and they also apply to bus stations.
So, we know that there's some challenges to that as well. But in any case, you can see
that now our densities, the TOD nodes are aligned with what the county has as far as
their community, metropolitan, and regional densities. Go to the next slide. So, looking
at comparison of this new TSND (Transit Station Neighborhood District) program and
what RTZ provides and what our other programs provide. So, those check boxes are
reflective of the different components of the program. So, with the TSND , it requires
the master plan for the enhanced -- it's required to be around fixed rail, it has a
concurrency analysis associated with the FLUM (Future Land Use Map) amendment.
A traffic study is required, and there are public benefits associated with it. And of
course, there's outreach meeting as well, outreach as well that are included with the
public hearing. RTZ gets around fixed rail, bus, and then public benefits, we're not
quite sure about. There's been some improvements. There's been really non -
improvements beyond their standard improvements requirement. Also, housing.
Housing's still the big question mark about how RTZ is really, you know, making the
mark for housing in our community. And of course, outreach has been very limited with
RTZ, very limited. Sevanne, you go to the next slide.
Commissioner Pardo: Live Local you had in there too.
Mr. Snow: Live Local, yeah, correct. So, right, in Live Local you're getting housing,
but again, there's no real interaction with the community on where those projects are
going. They're as of right, they're moving very quickly. So, looking again at the
housing component of RTZ and TSND, you can see that with RTZ, you 're getting 140
percent AMI level. That's market rate, high market rate almost. So, that's a concern.
With the enhanced and with general TSND, you're getting a breakdown of 60 percent
AMI, 100 percent AMI, and 120 percent AMI. So, you're really getting that good mixed
income development through this program. So, I'm going to walk through the process
of what the TSND process looks like. So, Step 1 and 2 -- you can go to the next slide --
so, this is establishing the TOD areas, which is done actually by the TPO, okay, our
Transportation Planning Organization by the county. So, all of these spots -- you can
go to the next slide. All these spots are current fixed rail transit areas. So, before you
even consider TSND, you have to be within one of these areas. Now, the first area that
we're having the land use part is the Little River area. That's the area -- the red arrow
that's pointed on top. So, the next part of this is Step 3 and 4, which is establishing the
FLUM. So, in the Little River area, we've now established Node 2 and Node 1. Okay,
so those are the new density areas that are reflective of the transit nodes for that area.
There's a future station that will be built as a component of the Victory Village housing
development that is the first piece that's coming into this area. So, new transit, you
know, we heard about, you know, transit not being expanded today. This is the first
opportunity for transit to be expanded in the city. So, we're excited about that. And of
course, housing. The next slide. Step 3 and 4 also has significant outreach components.
So, with the Little River piece, in addition to what was done for the county and the
housing component of the county project, we had two meetings with the Little Haiti
Trust. Little Haiti Trust is an area that's representative of the Little River District. We
also had a PZAB (Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board) discussion item. So, there was
no recommendation that night, it was just simply to go through the item, go through the
changes that were being contemplated within the Little River neighborhood, as well as
the TSND program. And then, of course, we have the public hearing components that
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were part of the amendment of the FLUM and the TSND. And also, it was mentioned
that we did have another Zoom meeting. We did have one that we provided additional
information for. Step 5, so this is once you have the land use identified, the TSND
requires an exception to be done with a master plan. And this is for the enhanced
TSND components. So, the highest density you can get requires the master plan. The
master plan requires all of these components. So, an area plan, an open space
diagram, a civic space diagram, frontage diagram, streetscape, calculation diagram,
you have mobility amenity diagram, massing, architecture, parking layout,
landscaping, traffic analysis, development program summary, and a public benefit
summary. All of that is required for that master plan component that then goes to
PZAB for their approval. So, the last -- oh sorry, before I jump to that, just to walk
through what those public benefits are. So, improvements both to an -- could be to an
existing train station or providing a new station. In this particular case in Little River,
they're providing a brand-new station. The second part that's required is
neighborhood enhancements. They have to show that they're doing either streetscape
improvements, open space improvements, enhancements to bike ped mobility within the
neighborhood. That is required. And then I mentioned affordable housing, but we can't
say it enough. Both programs, both the general TSND and the enhanced TSND, require
affordable housing and workforce housing. In the general example, it requires 20
percent of the units to meet that AMI breakdown that I just walked through. Small
business development is also a component to this. So, now these developers are
required to put together a small business development program for the neighborhoods
that they're impacted. So, that can be anything from an incubator space to small micro
retail spaces that small businesses can get going. And then finally, there's also other
enhancements that they can provide, whether it's a contribution to the historic
preservation contribution, green building, public art contribution, that's all part of the
public benefit program. Step 6, that's the PZAB adoption of the master plan. So, those
are the steps. I do want to walk through the changes that we talked about in addition to
the historic preservation modifications. So, the first part is that we did make the
change from -- on the general program -- and this was PZAB's recommendation -- to
go from a warrant to an exception process. So, that's now in there. So, everything
requires an exception essentially, unless you're utilizing your existing zoning today.
And that's the T4, T5, T6. Properties within a mile of the TSND cannot exceed T6-8, so
that, again, provides that balance, that transition into the higher density levels. We
mentioned the exclusion of NCDs and abutting NCDs. So, that's in there. We've made
that modification. I'm going to make sure this is very clear to Madam Chair. The
removal of historic districts is done and requiring an exception approved by City
Commission for locally and individually designated properties. Individually designated
properties within a historic district may be placed within a TSND through an exception
approved by city commission. So, that is the language that we have in there. And then
we -- I mentioned, again, the modification of the workforce housing tiered program
that actually we worked with Miami Homes for All on that. So, they're very excited
about that. We have some additional text cleanups, crossing Ts, dotting Is, that we
worked with Legal on. We have the flexibility of lot area through a warrant process.
We've added that, and then we've made very specific criteria for the master plan
process. It's very important that we have that clear criteria for that development. So,
those are the changes that we've added. That completes my presentation. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you, David. Does anyone have any other questions, or are we ready
to vote?
Commissioner Pardo: Yeah, we're ready to vote. The only reason I hesitate is because
a lot of the people that were contacting us was about PZ. 6 and PZ. 7, and part of it is --
and I understand that they wanted to know more, and so I was balancing that with the
reality where we do have projects that -- where we need to kind of move this forward.
And I was hoping that you could shed light on the PZ.7project that is on that node with
affordable housing.
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Mr. Snow: Right. So, right, so you're talking the Little River project.
Commissioner Pardo: Yes, the Little River project.
Mr. Snow: Right, so which is, again, if approved today, would be the first TSND area,
right? So, that is an affordable housing project that's coming through, that actually
went through a county RFP (Request for Proposals) process to start.
Chair King: It is raising the public housing that is now known as Victory Homes, and
each unit must be replaced two to one. And it is a public housing development that is
sorely in need of updating.
Mr. Snow: 100 percent. So -- couldn't have said it better. But also, this is now an
opportunity for this project to again partner through the City, come through the City's
process to assure the success of not just the affordability in that project, but the
neighborhood as a whole.
Commissioner Pardo: Right. And I wanted you to talk about it because a lot of people
don 't understand the pressures that RTZ has in these situations. But what --
Chair King: Miami -Dade County's RTZ.
Commissioner Pardo: Exactly, Miami -Dade County's RTZ because what could they
have done with RTZ here?
Mr. Snow: Yeah, they could have gone right to the County, kind of removed us out of
the process. There would be really no assurance about, you know, those elements of
protecting the neighborhood, making sure those benefits and those additional
amenities are there for the surrounding area. You know, we've seen the RTZ projects
come in, pop in, and have zero consideration for the surrounding area. So, this is a --
Chair King: With no RTZ.
Commissioner Pardo: Right.
Mr. Snow: Right.
Commissioner Pardo: Thank you. Thank you very much.
Chair King: So, gentlemen, may I have a motion for PZ. 6 and 7?
Commissioner Pardo: So moved.
Commissioner Gabela: Second.
Chair King: All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair?
Chair King: As -- 7 as amended.
Mr. Hannon: 7 as amended. For PZ. 6, backup documents to be submitted in the record
pursuant to a memo dated July 24, 2025 that were distributed at 2.19 p.m. The backup
documents do not amend the ordinance. Thank you, Chair.
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Chair King: Thank you.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Chair King: So, I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries unanimously.
PZ.7 ORDINANCE Second Reading
17599 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
De artment of ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
p OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, BY AMENDING ARTICLE 3,
Planning TITLED "GENERAL TO ZONES," SPECIFICALLY BY ADDING
SECTION 3.19, TITLED "TRANSIT STATION NEIGHBORHOOD
DEVELOPMENT," TO ESTABLISH CRITERIA FOR TRANSIT
ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT WITH DESIGN FLEXIBILITY AND
PUBLIC BENEFITS; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: 14385
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.7, please see "Public
Comments for all Item(s), " Item Number PZ.1 and Item Number PZ.6.
PZ.8 ORDINANCE Second Reading
17652 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
De artment of ATTACHMENT(S), AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 10544, AS
p AMENDED, THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP OF THE MIAMI
Planning COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN, PURSUANT TO SMALL
SCALE AMENDMENT PROCEDURES SUBJECT TO §163.3187,
FLORIDA STATUTES, BY CHANGING THE FUTURE LAND USE
DESIGNATION FROM "RESTRICTED COMMERCIAL" TO "GENERAL
COMMERCIAL" OF THE ACREAGE DESCRIBED HEREIN OF REAL
PROPERTY AT 1930, 2000, AND 2060 NORTHEAST 2 AVENUE; 64,
97, 106, 120, 146, AND 160 NORTHEAST 20 STREET; AND 135
NORTHEAST 19 TERRACE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS MORE
PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN THE ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED EXHIBIT "A"; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: 14386
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Pardo, Rosado
ABSENT: Gabela
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.8, please see Item
Number PZ.1.
PZ.9 ORDINANCE Second Reading
17653 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), PURSUANT TO ARTICLES 3 AND 7 OF
Department of ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
Planning OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("MIAMI 21 CODE"), AMENDING
THE MIAMI 21 CODE TO ADD APPENDIX Q, TITLED "BRAMAN
MIAMI CAMPUS SPECIAL AREA PLAN" ("BRAMAN SAP");
AMENDING THE ZONING ATLAS OF THE MIAMI 21 CODE TO
REZONE APPROXIMATELY 12.9 ACRES OF PROPERTY
CURRENTLY ZONED T6-36A-O, T6-36B-O, T6-12-0, AND T6-8-O TO
INCLUDE A "BRAMAN SAP" ZONING OVERLAY DESIGNATION FOR
THE PROPERTIES LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 2020 AND 2060
BISCAYNE BOULEVARD; 2001, 2010, AND 2060 NORTHEAST 2ND
AVENUE; 94, 106, 114, AND 246 NORTHEAST 20TH TERRACE; AND
111,120, AND 137 NORTHEAST 20 STREET, AS MORE
PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN THE ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED EXHIBIT "A"; AND AMENDING THE MIAMI 21 CODE
TO INCORPORATE THE "BRAMAN SAP" REGULATING PLAN,
ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "B," AND THE
"BRAMAN SAP" CONCEPT BOOK, ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "C," INTO APPENDIX Q, WHICH
PROPOSES NEW DEVELOPMENT AND ADDS AN AUTO -RELATED
COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENT TO THE "BRAMAN SAP"; MAKING
FINDINGS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: 14387
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Pardo, Rosado
ABSENT: Gabela
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.9, please see Item
Number PZ.1.
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
PZ.10 ORDINANCE Second Reading
17658 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
De artment of ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT,
p PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 163, FLORIDA STATUTES, AND
Planning AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND
EXECUTE SAID DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, IN A FORM
ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, A DRAFT OF WHICH IS
ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "B," BETWEEN 120
NE 20TH STREET, LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY
COMPANY ("120 STREET"); 2020 BISCAYNE BLVD, LLC, A
DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ("2020 BISCAYNE");
2060 BISCAYNE BLVD, LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY
COMPANY ("2060 BISCAYNE"); 2060 NE 2ND AVE., LLC, A
DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ("2060 NE"); 246 NE
20TH TERRACE, LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY
COMPANY ("246 NE"); BRAMAN HYUNDAI, INC., A FLORIDA
CORPORATION ("BRAMAN HYUNDAI"); BRAMAN LEIBOWITZ GAS
STATION, LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
("BRAMAN GAS"); BRAMAN LEIBOWITZ SERVICE AND PARTS,
LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ("BRAMAN
SERVICE"); BRAMAN LEIBOWITZ TEMPLE LOTS, LLC, A
DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ("BRAMAN TEMPLE");
BRAMAN-LEIBOWITZ MIAMI DOWTOWN PROPERTIES I, LLC, A
DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ("BRAMAN
PROPERTIES I"); BRAMAN-LEIBOWTIZ MIAMI DOWNTOWN
PROPERTIES II, LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
("BRAMAN PROPERTIES II"); BRAMAN-LEIBOWITZ PARKING
GARAGE, LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
("BRAMAN PARKING"); AND N.B. LEASING, INC., A FLORIDA
CORPORATION ("N.B. LEASING") (COLLECTIVELY, "APPLICANT")
AND THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA ("CITY"), GOVERNING THE
PROPERTIES GENERALLY LOCATED AT 2020 AND 2060
BISCAYNE BOULEVARD; 2001, 2010, AND 2060 NORTHEAST 2ND
AVENUE; 94, 106, 114, AND 246 NORTHEAST 20TH TERRACE;
AND 111,120, AND 137 NORTHEAST 20 STREET, MORE
PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN THE ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED EXHIBIT "A", SUCH DEVELOPMENT
AGREEMENT WOULD ALLOW DEVELOPMENT, AS DESCRIBED IN
THE FOLLOWING PHASES: PHASE 1A INCLUDES AN 11-STORY
AUTO -SERVICE BUILDING WITH 339 SERVICE BAYS, 620
PARKING SPACES, CONSISTING OF 1,176,000 SQUARE FEET;
PHASE 1B, DEVELOPMENT OF A WOONERF OF 29,160 SQUARE
FEET ALONG NORTHEAST 20TH TERRACE BETWEEN
NORTHEAST 2ND AVENUE AND BISCAYNE BOULEVARD; PHASE
2, A 60-STORY MIXED -USE BUILDING OF 1,300,000 SQUARE
FEET AND 624 DWELLING UNITS; PHASE 3, A 60-STORY MIXED -
USE BUILDING OF 825,000 SQUARE FEET AND 550 DWELLING
UNITS; AND PHASE 4 IS THE RENOVATION OF A GAS STATION
OF 4,000 SQUARE FEET; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: 14388
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Pardo, Rosado
ABSENT: Gabela
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.10, please see Item
Number PZ.1.
PZ.11 ORDINANCE Second Reading
17651 AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AMENDING
Commissioners ORDINANCE NO. 13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
and Ma or - PZ OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("MIAMI 21 CODE"), BY
y AMENDING ARTICLE 4, TABLE 4, TITLED "DENSITY, INTENSITY
AND PARKING," TO MODIFY FOOD SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS
PATRON LIMITATION; FURTHER AMENDING ARTICLE 5, SECTION
5.4, TITLED "GENERAL URBAN TRANSECT ZONES (T4)," TO
INTRODUCE A FLEXIBLE LOT COVERAGE PROGRAM, TO ADJUST
THE MAXIMUM LOT AREA, TO UPDATE ROOF ELEMENTS
STANDARDS, AND TO MODIFY SIDE AND REAR SETBACKS;
MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: 14389
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Joe Carollo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Pardo, Rosado
ABSENT: Gabela
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item Number PZ.11, please see
"Public Comments for all Item (s) " and Item Number PZ.1.
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
PZ.12
17810
Department of
Planning
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION GRANTING THE
APPEAL FILED BY W. TUCKER GIBBS, P.A., ON BEHALF OF
ALEXANDRA P. LUMPKIN ("APPELLANT"), REVERSING THE MIAMI
PLANNING, ZONING, AND APPEALS BOARD'S DECISION AS SET
FORTH IN RESOLUTION NO. PZAB-R-25-030 THAT REVERSED THE
CITY OF MIAMI PLANNING DEPARTMENT'S DENIAL OF WARRANT
NO. PZ-23-17396, AND THEREBY DENYING WARRANT NO. PZ-23-
17396 PURSUANT TO APPENDIX A, SECTION A.3.6(G)(1), AND
ARTICLE 7, SECTIONS 7.1.1.2 AND 7.1.2.4 OF ORDINANCE NO.
13114, THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, ("MIAMI 21 CODE") TO DIMINISH A LOT
LINE/BUILDING SITE THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION OF MORE THAN ONE SINGLE-FAMILY
RESIDENCE ON A PARCEL ZONED "T3-R," SUB -URBAN TRANSECT
ZONE - RESTRICTED WITH THE "NCD-3," COCONUT GROVE
NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT OVERLAY,
GENERALLY LOCATED AT 4055 POINCIANA AVENUE, MIAMI,
FLORIDA; MAKING FINDINGS; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0324
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Damian Pardo, Commissioner
SECONDER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
AYES: King, Carollo, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item Number PZ.12, please
see "Public Comments for all Item(s)."
Chair King: Last item is PZ.12, gentlemen. Someone pulled that. I'm not sure who.
George Wysong (City Attorney): It's an appeal, so it requires contestants.
Chair King: Okay.
Mr. Wysong: PZ.12, Tucker. You 're on cue.
Chair King: PZ.12. Good afternoon. How are you today?
Tucker Gibbs: Oh, good afternoon. My name is --
Chair King: At 6 o'clock, I'll say evening.
Mr. Gibbs: Yes, good evening. My name is Tucker Gibbs. I'm an attorney with offices
at 3835 Utopia Court in Coconut Grove. I am here representing Alexandra Lurnpkin
who owns property at 4066 Poinciana Avenue, which is across the street from the
property at issue. Before I get going, I have a question for the -- or I have a request for
the chair, if I might. I'd like to, one, reserve two minute -- three minutes for rebuttal.
And I also, as part of my presentation, have three people -- three of my clients here
who will, if I get your permission, would speak on their issues individually. And it may
be for -- and I say we could do it for no more than three -- three minutes each, if that's
possible.
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Chair King: Two minutes.
Unidentified Speaker: That's fine.
Mr. Gibbs: Two minutes is fine. And I'm going to ask for -- I'm going to ask also for
five minutes.
Chair King: You may have that (INAUDIBLE).
Mr. Gibbs: Okay, thank you very much. By way of background, I want to talk to you all
about the background. I don 't know how familiar you are with this, but the applicant
who is -- the applicant who owns the property at 4055 Poinciana Avenue sought a
warrant from the Planning Department to allow it to transform a 21, 000-square foot
building site in a residential -- single-family residential neighborhood into three 700-
square-foot building sites at 4055 Poinciana. In a thorough 10 page review and
analysis, the Planning Department denied that warrant. The applicant then filed an
appeal in the Planning Department -- Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board, which
after two hearings, voted to grant the applicant's appeal and then approved the
warrant. My client, who opposes the PZAB approved warrant, filed this appeal
because she and her neighbors support the Planning staff's rejection of the
transformation of the 21, 000-square foot building site into three smaller sites. Your
review of this is governed by NCD (Neighborhood Conservation District) 3, which is a
neighborhood overlay district in Coconut Grove established by the City. Section 3.6 of
the NCD-3 regulations explains that the district was created to protect low -density
residential and dominant tree canopy and to prevent additional density. That's very
important. Furthermore, and importantly, the NCD section 3.6 also says, all T3 single-
family residential zoning regulations shall apply to the NCD single-family district,
except as modified. And it says the modification is if such requirements conflict, NCD-3
requirements shall apply, which means the NCD applies over Miami 21 regulations
when dealing with a warrant. And that's really critical in this. The below modifications
include -- which -- excuse me, the below modifications that they talked about are in
Section 3.6.G and further beyond that. And it says that no building site in existence
before September 2005, like this property, is subject to the cri -- shall be diminished
except by warrant, subject to the criteria in Article 4, Table 12. That's the design
review criteria that's in your -- it's in Miami 21, but it is the only, it's the only criteria
that is used for this warrant is just that design review criteria. So, if you look at the
design review criteria, any argument that this warrant, which was approved by the
Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board, reinforces and enhances the neighborhood
pattern and scale would fail because those are require -- that's a requirement in the
design review criteria. And it would fail where the Planning staff analysis of properties
within a quarter mile of this property, 4055 Poinciana found, quote, "The proposed
lots are smaller than the average size of the properties in the surrounding block." That
size is 11,712 square feet. That is the size of the area in the surrounding block. The
proposal therefore, according to the city staff, does not reinforce spatial
characteristics or development pattern of the neighborhood, and therefore is in
violation of those design review standards. An argument that replacing the 21,000-
square-foot building site with three 700 -- 7,000 building sites ensures the project is
contextually sensitive, which is another requirement of the design review standards.
That's refuted by the staff report and warrant findings by the staff that the existing lot,
the 21, 000-square foot lot, has been historically used for only one building site since
1947 and where the NCD Section 3.2 states that the character of Coconut Grove is,
excuse me, derived from the unique property sizes and shapes of the of lots. Further the
existing distinctive lot size of 21,000 square feet contributes to the neighborhood
character, making the warrant inconsistent with the design review standards that is the
requirement. Finally, any argument that the proposed transformation of the building
site with three building sites, smaller building sites, would minimize the impact of
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parking and loading in the adjacent streets and properties. But this fails also where the
proposed diminishment would allow three driveways from three houses, which doesn't
minimize the impact on the street and adjacent properties. In fact, testimony earlier
today in the public hearing process showed otherwise, talking about safety and traffic
safety issues in particular. Your professional planning staff in its 10-page denial of a
warrant to diminish the building site and the staff's testimony in the record via
PowerPoint is fact -based, competent, substantial evidence as required by Florida case
law. The staff did not -- does not represent the property owner or the neighbors. It
reviews the application and presents to you a professional unbiased decision. This is
their report. Their report is what is the cornerstone of our position. Their report said
this warrant should be denied. And my client urges you to base your decision on the
competent and substantial evidence presented in the warrant report of March 25th,
2025. Grant the appeal and reject the diminution of this over 70-year single-family
building site.
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Gibbs: Thank you.
Chair King: Good evening.
Mr. Gibbs: Oh, I'm -- yeah. Yes.
Chair King: Do you want --?
Mr. Gibbs: My client would like to speak first, and she'll --
Chair King: Before we hear?
Mr. Gibbs: Well, if she wants to --
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Mr. Gibbs: She'd like to speak.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Mr. Gibbs: Yeah, you can speak now.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Mr. Gibbs: Yeah, she should speak now. This is part of the three people who are
speaking with two minutes each.
Chair King: Okay, two minutes.
Alexandra Lumpkin: Thank you. Good evening. My name is Alexandra Lumpkin, and I
live at 4066 Poinciana Avenue. I've lived there for 15 years, and I'm appealing the
Planning and Zoning Board's approval of the diminution of the 21, 000-square foot lot
into three 7, 000-square foot lots of 4055 Poinciana, which is across the street from
where I live. I received mailed notice regarding today's hearing of my appeal. The
PZAB approval of the 4055 owner's request fails to meet the applicable NCD-3
regulations as set forth in the Planning Department's denial in the property owner's
warrant application. So, a single-family home at 4055 Poinciana was built over three
lots in 1947. This is pretty common in the way the South Grove was developed. The
code states that if there was an existing single-family home in place prior to 2005, like
in this case, then only one building can exist on the site, even if it's on one or more
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plotted lots, except by warrant. To have a warrant approved, it must be consistent with
NCD-3, which says the single-family district is intended to protect the low -density
residential and dominant tree canopy characteristics of Coconut Grove and prevent
intrusion of additional density, uses, and height. The developer requested a warrant
that's not consistent with these rules, and the staff at the City of Miami Planning
Department at the city knew this and denied it twice. The staff in their analysis for the
warrant of lot diminishment, listed a number of adverse effects if the warrant were
approved. They determined that it will increase the neighborhood's density, fail to
enhance or preserve the existing neighborhood, increase vehicular activity on
Poinciana Avenue, and result in increased conflict with neighborhood pedestrians,
meaning it's very dangerous. If you've ever been down Poinciana, it's already backed
up with traffic. It's hard to walk down the street. There's no room for additional
parking. The only person that would benefit from this, from this lot split, is the
developer who has a short-term financial interest, solely a short-term financial interest
in this. I respectfully request that you uphold the law, do not allow any lot splitting,
and do what is in the best interest of the Coconut Grove community, the neighbors who
have been there for years and years, and preserve the historic nature of Coconut
Grove. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you.
Miriam Morejon: Good evening. I am Miriam Morejon, 4060 Poinciana. I live right in
front of the property of 4055. And I'm going to try to just keep this pretty simple. Just
respect the community's desire to keep this property as a single-family home. The
density in the area will be clearly impacted. There'll be three driveways versus one.
My driveway faces right in front of their driveway. Also, there are six --
Chair King: If I may, as I understand, this is not three lots. It's going to be split into
two lots?
Ms. Morejon: No, three because --
Chair King: No, that's not what staff told me.
Ms. Morejon: They decided on three.
Ms. Lumpkin: It is three.
Mr. Snow: We -- so the application was for three. We denied the application for three.
We're in favor of two lots.
Chair King: Okay, because that was my agenda briefing.
Mr. Snow: Right.
Chair King: Two lots, not three.
Mr. Snow: We're -- right, we would be supportive of two --
Chair King: Oh, I see.
Mr. Snow: -- because it would be more -- yeah.
Chair King: Okay, all right, go ahead.
Ms. Morejon: Okay, so it would be -- my understanding is that they approved three
properties, and they're going to be as tall as the code allows, I'm sure. So, these
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people are going to be staring right into my kitchen. I have one floor, home, right
across the street. The other issue is there's six trees in the soil, so I don't know how
you're going to put three driveways there. You're going to have to eliminate the trees.
The other issue is I look at this and -- as my home and I take this to heart. I want to feel
safe and secure in my home. This does not give me that, because for one thing, the
density on the street will be highly impacted. Right now, if you're not familiar with
Poinciana Avenue, I'm going to tell you, it's from 37th Avenue to Le Jeune Road, 37th
to the east to Le Jeune Road on the west. People use it as a way to avoid US -I, and
then you cross Le Jeune, you go into what Gables calls Miller Drive all the way to
Riviera, and it's just to avoid Dixie Highway. So, at rush hour if you get out of my
house, there's nothing but cars right there. I can't get out of my house. Okay, so this is
already impacting the way we live. Now, you're going to add three more homes with --
yeah, as Commissioner Carollo said, it's not going to be two cars in a three-story
home, 70,000 feet -- square feet home. They're going to have more than two cars. So,
what happens now? Then the parking, when people come to visit, where are they going
to park? There's no parking, there's no sidewalks where I live. So, I ask you to put
yourself in my shoes and think of how you would feel if this is what's happening in
front of your home and what kind of an impact that you're going to have in my lifestyle.
Now, my husband 's also a retired firefighter, and he's always telling me, what happens
if there's an emergency on this street. Because right now when the lawn garden people
park, you can 't even get through. Right now, when we were coming over here, we
couldn 't get through because there was lawn garden people parked there. So, again,
please consider what the community wants. You stated earlier that you wanted to listen
to the community, your community. Well, please listen to what our community wants.
Right now, there's over 400 petitions online saying they're against this. Thank you for
your time.
Chair King: Thank you.
Wilfredo Curbelo: Thank you, thank you. My name is Wilfredo Curbello, and I spoke
earlier today. I am Miriam's husband. I am a retired firefighter, and yes, I believe that
it's terribly dangerous to have to back out into that traffic, but that's not really why I
wanted to address you. I want to plead with you not to victimize us, the people who are
longtime residents of that community, who enjoy the privacy and the character that
that area of Miami has that is unparalleled. There is nothing else like it. The natural
surrounding, the winding streets, the heavy vegetation and the canopy. And one of my
jokes was, you know, when I drive home from golf, the last mile and a half of my drive
is in the shade. That's not just a joke. That's an absolute blessing. Please don't deny us
that by creating more density in our neighborhood, which is not necessary. And like
was already stated, the only reason for the developer to push for that is for a monetary
gain. They don 't live there. They don 't care about that community. You guys do. I have
been listening to you guys all day today, and you guys in earnest are doing the very
best that you can to protect our community, to prevent people from profiteering off of
us, to prevent people from cheating us. I spent 30 years of my life protecting my
community, okay? Please, please don't let us down on this. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you. Good evening.
Mark Grafton: Good evening, Madam Chair and members of the Commission. My
name is Mark Grafton. I'm representing the appellee with Shubin Law Group, located
in Downtown Miami. I'm joined today by my client, Marvin Collegial. I'm also joined
by Francisco Garcia, a former longtime planning director for the City of Miami, and
currently a principal of the Euclid Group. As many of you know, he has a long history
with the City of Miami. He was a co-author of Miami 21. And just for the record, I'm
going to introduce a copy of his CV (Curriculum Vitae) as an expert tonight and also
have a copy of this presentation that I'll introduce. So, let's see if this comes up. I'm
connected. Thank you. It's connected. Do I need to do anything?
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(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
Mr. Grafton: So, I'm being advised that there is an alternative. Madam Chair, we are
ready. I'm sorry about that.
Chair King: Okay, go right ahead.
Mr. Grafton: Okay, alright, so I'm going to provide just a few minutes of background,
and then I'm going to hand it over to my colleague, Francisco Garcia, to walk you
through the relevant criteria. I really do apologize about that delay, but we will get
right to it. Okay, so this property was purchased in 2023. This is what it looked like at
the time of the acquisition. It really was here's nothing remarkable. Nobody was in
despair about the loss of this home or anything about this property. It's not a Coconut
Grove gem by any means. What was special about the property was that it was three
platted lots. Since 1925, the original plat has always had this property as three platted
lots. There's been references to this being a lot split. This is not a lot split. We'll get
into what this is. It's a warrant, but this is three separate lots. There are three folios,
Miami -Dade County issues three tax bills. And so, the fact that the properties were
combined at some point and made one home does not change the fact that it is and
always has been three lots. Okay, so following the acquisition, my client applied for
and obtained a demolition permit approved by the City. The current condition is shown
in this photograph. It's -- you know, there are some trees there, including a mature oak
tree in the rear of the property, but it's certainly not Fairchild Tropical Gardens. It
needs quite a bit of additional landscaping, and that's what we intend to provide. If you
were thinking about this property as some kind of beautifully landscaped existing
condition, it is certainly not. So, I mentioned this is not a lot split. What this is, is
there's a relatively obscure provision that relates just to NCD-3 that talks about
building sites. When you have one building site and you want to make it more than one
building site, there's not a prohibition on that. There's not -- you don't have to get a
variance, you don't have to get a special exception or anything like that. There's a
warrant process, which by default should be approved unless safeguards and
conditions cannot address any reasonable concerns. And so, that was applied for, and
Planning staff denied that application, as you heard. So, as part of the warrant
process, you end up at Planning and Zoning Board. And as you all know, the Planning
and Zoning Board is comprised of professionals with design, development, planning
experience, as well as community leaders. And so, at that first hearing before PZAB,
there was significant discussion, and ultimately, it was deferred to allow the applicant
the opportunity to return with staff and evaluate whether there were additional
safeguards and conditions that could be agreed upon that would make the application
a better fit for the community. So -- and PZAB also asked staff to provide additional
data about lot sizes in NCD-3. And so, we came back to PZAB a second time with that
additional data that staff looked at and additional conditions and safeguards that were
responsive to what we heard during the first meeting. And those conditions, which
we'll talk about now, were two proffers that we made in front of PZAB. The first one
was to, in response to questions -- to comments about we're losing our trees, we need
more trees, we need more canopy, we said, okay, what's -- how can we fit within the
regulatory framework that exists, the code doesn 't regulate canopies. What it does is it
says each lot has a minimum requirement when you 're -- when you 're building on a
new lot, it has a minimum requirement of three trees that have to be added. So, we
think that that is wholly insufficient for Coconut Grove, and we have every desire to
make this a lushly landscaped development. And so, we said no, no, we can do
significantly more than that. We'll commit to 18 trees for this property. So, by right, if
this is developed as one 21, 000-square foot lot, the result is a requirement of three
trees. Three trees. That's all that your code requires for this. So, we said, okay, we can
do 18. The next proffer, again, in response to comments that were received from the
neighbors, is they're just going to put concrete everywhere and it's -- you know,
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Coconut Grove is losing all of its green space. So, we said, okay, we'll address that as
well. Your code has a minimum requirement of 25 percent. We looked at what was
capable -- what we were capable to do, and we came up with a proffer of 40 percent.
In addition to those two proffers, there were additional data that were provided at that
second PZAB meeting, and we've talked a little bit -- we've heard about average lot
sizes. We can get into the data, but the averages can be deceiving. And so, it's
important to look at not just averages, but medians and also a mode, which is what is
the most frequently occurring lot size in NCD-3, single-family T3-R? It's 7,000 square
feet exactly. So, when you're talking about fitting into the fabric of the neighborhood,
the mode is actually more important than the average, which loops in outliers and
really large properties. So, that's not necessarily the best data point. And again, the
median is at a little over 8,000. So, we're right within range when you look at those
data points. Hearing -- and this is just a backup of some of the analysis that we
provided to PZAB. So -- and ultimately, taking that into consideration, PZAB after a
really long hearing where they heard from a lot of neighbors that were concerned
about this, PZAB granted our appeal and approved the warrant. As a final aside before
I hand it over to Francisco to walk you through the criteria, I'm a native Grovite. I am
a sixth -generation Miamian. I love Coconut Grove. This is the street that I grew up on,
Chucunantah Road. I grew up on a sub 7,000 square foot lot. There are -- on this
street, there are large lots and small lots. What ended up happening, and what's
happening right now in this neighborhood is that a lot of the larger lots are being
redeveloped with significantly larger massive homes in ways that often overwhelm the
1926 Dade County pine cottage that I grew up in, for example. And so, the
neighborhood context is really being supported more by the smaller lots than the
larger lots. And the larger lots are the ones that are being disruptive to what I love
about Coconut Grove, which is it's people scaled, it's quaint, it is not grandiose in this
-- so one block away from this house, right now, this property is under development.
This is on a 16, 000-square foot lot.
Chair King: Sir, you 've exceeded your five minutes, and you have someone else that's
going to speak?
Mr. Grafton: Am I limited to five minutes?
Chair King: He was limited five minutes. He went over one minute. I've given you a
couple more over that.
Mr. Grafton: Okay.
Chair King: Are you close to wrapping up?
Mr. Grafton: I'm actually done.
Chair King: Okay, (INAUDIBLE).
Mr. Grafton: I'm handing it over -- I'm handing it over to Francisco.
Chair King: Okay.
Mr. Grafton: And he's going to walk through some of the criteria.
Chair King: Okay.
Mr. Grafton: Thank you.
Chair King: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
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Francisco Garcia: Madam Chair, Commissioners, Francisco Garcia for the record,
principal at the Euclid Group with offices at 100 Southeast 2nd Street in Miami. It's
been five years. Happy to be back in this hallowed place where there are so many
friendly people. So, I will be brief I know the night is long, and you've been here a
long time. And I think I can address these issues rather swiftly. First, let me say, for
those of you who don't know me, I am not an attorney. I work with them and respect
them highly, but I am not an attorney. I work with them and respect them highly, but I
am not an attorney. What I am is a planner, and the matter before you today is
squarely and properly a planning matter. I say this because attorneys, for good and
bad both, I suppose, tend to see things in black and white. Well, this is not a black or
white matter. This is not a clear-cut issue. This ultimately is subject to some subjective
interpretation as planning matters usually are. And ultimately the intent is to find a
good fit, right? To make whatever the proposal is, whatever results as an approval, be
contextually appropriate and a good fit for the neighborhood. And we are here before
you today to tell you that we think this proposal is actually a good fit, a much better fit
than the single lot being developed as a single-family residence, and I'll show you why.
First, because one has to be mindful of the technical aspects, I'll walk through quickly
the criteria that apply in this particular matter. The criteria apply because this went
through a warrant process, as described previously, and what the warrant process is
intended to do is to establish a conversation between the applicant and the City so that
to the extent that the project can be optimized to be a good fit, the right conditions can
be found to adjust it so that it is a good fit. And so, here are the criteria. Criterion 1,
the application shall be reviewed for compliance with the code. I don 't think this is
contested, even by the appellants. This proposal complies with the code full stop. The
lots are larger than the 5,000 square foot minimum required, and they are exactly 50
feet in width, which again, renders them compliant with the code. Criterion 2, the
review shall consider the intent of the transect. Well, the intent of the transect is that
the project itself be mindful of the character and legacy of Coconut Grove. And I'm
here to suggest to you that the character of Coconut Grove is not monumental, it is
actually quite the opposite. It's quaint, humanly scaled, and if anything, verdant and
lush, which is exactly what our proposal intends to accomplish, and I'll show you how.
Criterion 3, the review shall consider the guiding principles of Miami 21. So, among
the principles of Miami 21, there are many. Miami 21 encourages infill, especially in
centrally located areas, such as Coconut Grove. This project accomplishes that. And it
further states that within neighborhoods, a range of housing types and price levels
should accommodate diverse ages and incomes. I'm not here to tell you that the
resulting development here will be affordable necessarily, but certainly, three single-
family residences opposed to one will render them slightly more accessible, let's say.
Criterion 4, the review shall consider the manner in which the proposed use will
operate given its specific location and proximity to less intense uses. Well, forcing a
single-family residence to be developed on this lot creates a disproportion in terms of
scale that we feel would have a significant impact, and I think my colleagues showed
you an example of it, and I'll show you others, that will certainly sort of impose upon
the smaller scale residences across the way. Criterion 5, reinforce and enhance the
neighborhood pattern and scale of lots, blocks and open spaces. I'll show you exactly
how this proposal does that. Here is a map of the general area and this is the very
image and the very analysis that the Planning Department conducted as appropriate,
and what you see here is, again, the layout of the lots and the pattern of the lots in the
vicinity of the subject property which is in the dark blue, kind of in the middle of that
circle. Here are the properties in question, again, one unified lot in terms of how it's
been developed but three platted lots as has been described. Well, here are the lots
nearby that are greater than 18,000 square feet. The subject property is 21,000 square
feet as unified. These are the lots nearby that are over 18,000, so a little bit smaller,
some of them, and some a little bit larger. As the 18, a former protective layer that I
don't have time to go into, but I'll happily answer in terms of any questions you may
have, as the 18, a proper protective layer under the previous zoning ordinance
established a minimum requirement for lot size that has since gone away, but it shows
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you where it is intended to protect and it shows you also that the lot in question is
outside of that, is the 18 protective zone. So, here are the three lots that are before you
today for the return to the original platting pattern. Here are other lots in the
immediate vicinity, including those across the street that are equal or lesser in size.
And here are all the lots within the circle that are of lesser or equal size to the lot in
question. I'll close quickly. I know the time is up. Here are the choices. This is the lot
in question. And I ask you to please take a quick look at this image. This is the lot in
question, and this is what a single-family residence that would be allowed by right
would look like here. And I don 't pull this off my hat. I am referencing a property
developed about five blocks from here in 2022. This is what would likely happen or
something like it. Now, I ask you to look at this image and consider for yourselves
whether this is really the appropriate scale in the neighborhood. And I ask you to
instead consider what it would look like if development that is closely positioned to the
subject property of a scale that fits in the area would be moved onto the property in
question. This, I would submit to you, is in keeping with the character of the
neighborhood. This is what we are proposing, and this is what the result would be
should you today basically uphold the decision of the Planning, Zoning, and Appeals
Board. The property I showed you, the single-family residence in the South Grove,
surrounded by largely bigger residences. This is what it looks like. Again, approved in
2022. And I'll leave you with some images of some of the properties in the very vicinity
of the subject property that have been developed as we are proposing it be developed,
and there is nothing objectionable to these properties, very much in keeping with the
character. If you take that into consideration, along with what I think are generous
proffers that have been made with the applicant to provide six more times the trees
required, and 60 percent more of the open space required on a per lot basis, I think
that is worthy of at least your consideration. And I think, and I hope, that that to some
extent puts to rest some of the concerns the neighbors have. The last thing I'll tell you
is this. Parking and impact. One single-family residence will have the required two
parking spaces by code. Three single-family residences will have six parking spaces
minimum. I ask you to consider what is the size of the parties or the entertainment that
the single-family residence, the one single-family residence is likely to have, that's
likely going to be disproportionately more and larger, and there will be less space to fit
those cars. Thank you, and I'll happily answer any questions.
Chair King: Thank you. Your rebuttal?
Mr. Gibbs: Yeah, I want to know if I have a little extra time for my rebuttal because
this -- I would just like to have a little extra time.
Chair King: You had yours plus three.
Mr. Gibbs: That's right. And it was --
Chair King: So, they only had two.
Mr. Gibbs: And how much time was that?
Chair King: Not a lot. They stuck to 5 and 5, 10. You had --
Mr. Gibbs: That was 10 minutes. I didn't have 10 minutes.
Chair King: You had over 5 plus 6, at least 11. I'm not trying to --
Mr. Gibbs: Okay.
Chair King: -- nickel and dime you with time, but don 't tell me that you had less time
than them because I'm being fair to everybody and I wouldn't stop you --
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Mr. Gibbs: I'm not saying you're unfair. I'm not.
Chair King: -- if I didn 't before.
Mr. Gibbs: Yeah, I'm not saying that.
Chair King: So, okay.
Mr. Gibbs: I wanted to say a couple of things. The key issue here is the design review
criteria. The code is -- the code in NCD-3 specifically says that no building sites in
existence prior to September 24th, 2005 shall be diminished in size except by a
warrant. And then it says subject to the criteria specified in Article 4, Table 12. Not
one mention by the applicant tonight was about the design review criteria and how
they met it. They did not meet it. The staff report that was done for the original --33 the
original staff report that rejected the three -- the three lots back in March specifically
talked about the design review criteria and how it wasn't met, and that's the problem.
And I would like to say that I'm having my rebuttal. This is not surrebuttal. So, if
they're -- if they want to talk, then I want to talk again. So, I just think that that's
inappropriate for their attorney to get up.
Chair King: Thank you for telling me what my rules are.
Mr. Gibbs: Oh, no, no, I'm just telling you what I'm -- I'm just telling you my thoughts.
Chair King: You are telling me what my rules are. I didn 't acknowledge him. I didn 't
say that he would get another chance to speak, but thank you for telling me --
Mr. Gibbs: I apologize.
Chair King: -- what my rules will be.
Mr. Gibbs: I apologize because I didn 't mean to do that.
Chair King: You should finish your presentation --
Mr. Gibbs: Okay, I will.
Chair King: -- and not worry about them.
Mr. Gibbs: Okay. Again, a warrant is not a conversation. That's how it was described.
It's just a conversation. NCD-3 doesn 't say it's just a conversation. It says you have to
meet those particular standards that they never mentioned. In addition, the three
avocados lawsuit that the City won was on the same exact issue as this. It was a
warrant application for a 21,000-square-foot lot in Coconut Grove. And that -- they
wanted to get three houses on that lot, on that building site, that's how it's described.
Not described as lots, but as a building site. They wanted three. And then they said
when they realized the commission, this was in 19 -- in 2017, they realized, oh, we have
a problem here. We'll go with two. And the city commission said no to the two, for the
same reason that we're asking you all to say no to it, because they didn't meet the
requirements, and that's the problem here. They're trying to tell you -- they're trying to
use stuff about lot -- about platting and about lots and about what their tax code --
their tax material says. That's not the issue. The issue is a building site. A building site
is defined as a property. Well, anyway, I'll leave it at that. It's defined as the building
site of a property that's been in existence since 2005. So, it's 21,000 square feet that
includes three platted lots. Guess what? It's for only one -- it only allows one -- one
house on that -- on that 21,000 lots -- 21,000-square-foot lot. So, that's where I'm
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coming from, and that's where my clients are coming from. We'd like you to follow
precedent in the three avocados case is very clear, and I'll be happy to show you all a
copy of it if it matters.
Chair King: Thank you.
Mr. Gibbs: Thank you.
Chair King: Commissioner Pardo?
Commissioner Pardo: No, I mean, I don 't know if you all want to continue discussing. I
have an opinion on it, so.
Chair King: Okay.
Commissioner Gabela: I'd like to -- okay, so let's get this straight. Is it -- it's three
lots, three folio numbers, three plats. Can they build on each lot, or can they not? Is it -
- which one? Because I'm confused here.
Mr. Snow: So, currently the site is considered a building site, one building site. But
that building site has three platted lots on it, right? So, when it was originally
constructed back in 1945, it was considered one building site. So, in order for them to
construct on those individual lots, they're having to go through this warrant process to
do that.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay, and where -- so in other words, if they wanted to
construct one dwelling in each lot, they had to go through that process, and where did
they not meet that process? Where did they fail to meet that process?
Mr. Snow: Right, so in our analysis, it came down to, you know, the character of the
block size along that street. We looked at that specifically, we looked at those
dimensions and the square footage, okay. The average size is a larger size, it's roughly
11,000 square feet in size. Those individual 7,000-square-foot lots would not meet that,
so it would be out of that character.
Commissioner Pardo: And just as somebody that knows that street very well, it's
enormously trafficked and it's just -- I think it's not appropriate for that neighborhood
or that street.
Commissioner Gabela: You know, we get people here sometimes that don 't want the
big house, the other way around. They don't want the -- so my question is, so where
are we? Are we at two? What are we doing here?
Commissioner Pardo: I mean, I'm not in favor of the lot splitting, so I would vote to
grant the appeal, but I just don't think three lots should be there, and I don't think they
should be split. And if you know -- if you go by that area a lot, or if you go on
Poinciana and you look -- and I believe, Commissioner Carollo, you live nearby that
area.
Vice Chair Carollo: Poinciana? No.
Commissioner Pardo: No, you 're not --
Vice Chair Carollo: I'm pretty far from Poinciana.
Commissioner Pardo: Okay, well you're in the Grove.
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Vice Chair Carollo: (INAUDIBLE).
Commissioner Pardo: In district --
Vice Chair Carollo: I'm in the cheaper part of the Grove.
Commissioner Pardo: In District 2. But anyway, long story short, I just don't think it's
appropriate. I know that the community has spoken out on this. They don't think it's
appropriate. I think that specific neighborhood has felt a deterioration in the character
of their neighborhood. I agree with that. And actually, we're looking to strengthen the
NCDs in that area. So, personally, I think a lot of the neighbors, a lot of the residents
have reached out, and I agree with them as well to grant this appeal and not split the
lots.
Chair King: Do I have a motion?
Commissioner Rosado: Madam Chair, I was going to ask for the summary of the staff
recommendation again, which sounds like a sort of split the baby option, which is two.
Mr. Snow: Was that a question of staff? Can you repeat that?
Commissioner Rosado: Could you restate your recommendation, the staff
recommendation on this?
Mr. Snow: Right, so the recommendation was the denial, but we would be more in
favor of two lots on that property, okay, because it would be closer to that average lot
size along the block. So, those two lots would be roughly 10,000 and change.
Challenge is that that would also require another step of replatting that. So, now they
would have to go through a replatting process to take those three parcels into two
parcels. So, just keep that in mind.
Chair King: So, do I have a motion?
Commissioner Pardo: Motion to grant the appeal.
Chair King: Do I have a second?
Commissioner Gabela: I'll second.
Chair King: I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair King: Motion carries unanimously.
Unidentified Speaker: Thank you.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): As amended.
Chair King: As amended.
Unidentified Speaker: Thank you very much.
Unidentified Speaker: Thank you for listening.
(COMMENTS MADE OFF THE RECORD)
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Chair King: Gentlemen, that concludes our PZ (Planning and Zoning) items.
END OF PLANNING AND ZONING ITEM(S)
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NA.1
17950
City Commission
NA- NON -AGENDA ITEM(S)
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DIRECTING
THE CITY ATTORNEY TO RETAIN QUALIFIED OUTSIDE LEGAL
COUNSEL ("FEE EXPERT") TO REVIEW THE REASONABLENESS
OF ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS BILLED IN THE MATTER OF
STATE OF FLORIDA V. ALEX DIAZ DE LA PORTILLA, CASE NO.
F23-018478; PROVIDING THAT THE FEE EXPERT SHALL
PROVIDE A WRITTEN REPORT OF FINDINGS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CITY COMMISSION UPON
COMPLETION OF THE REVIEW AND PRIOR TO THE
SEPTEMBER 11, 2025 CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-25-0325
MOTION TO: Adopt
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Miguel Angel Gabela, Commissioner
SECONDER: Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, Commissioner
AYES: King, Gabela, Pardo, Rosado
ABSENT: Carollo
Commissioner Gabela: And listen, I don't want to make -- I don't want to make a
political -- you know, whether he was charged. Look, understand that I didn 't even talk
about that. I'm just talking about the dollar amount that I think we should, you know,
examine it, you know, and listen, as for me, I'm not trying to stall. But I just think today
we cannot make a judgment on this because of the --
Chair King: No --
Commissioner Gabela: -- the reasons I've stated. That's all.
Chair King: I -- I did not accuse you of that.
Commissioner Gabela: For me, it's not a question whether he was right, wrong, who
was -- you know, I'm not even touching that. And I said he's entitled.
Chair King: Yes, but the only thing I'm saying is I don't want staff to drag their feet on
this.
Commissioner Gabela: The problem --
Chair King: I want them to look at the bill is what I'm saying.
Commissioner Gabela: No, no, no. I understand.
Chair King: Okay.
Commissioner Gabela: And you're correct also. But from my standpoint, I'm tired of
you know, since I've gotten here, you know, of paying attorney's fees left and right, left
and right, left and right. And I'm not going to say -- you know, I'm just going to leave it
at that, okay, so we don't get into another issue. I'm sure there'll be plenty more time to
get into that, you know, and every time you see this kind of stuff, it's like the city of
Miami, like you say on the other side, it's a little pinata that everybody wants -- I
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wonder who's making a referral fee here. I mean, if we want to talk, let's talk, you know
what I mean? So, that's all I'm saying. This should be examined because at the end of
the day, it's the taxpayer that's footing the bill, you know. This isn't coming personally
out of our pockets or their pockets. It's a taxpayer at the end of the day, and that's all
I'm saying, and I'll leave it there. But I understand the concern.
Chair King: George.
George Wysong (City Attorney): Okay, so first I just want to confirm that caselaw
provides a public officer is charged with misconduct while performing his official
duties and while serving a public purpose, the public has a primary interest in such
controversy and should pay the reasonable, reasonable and necessary legal fees
incurred by the public officer in successfully defending against unfounded allegations
of official misconduct. This common law doctrine applies to criminal proceedings. This
case is eligible for reimbursement. And I hear what you're saying, Commissioner
Gabela. And what we will do is we'll -- I'll take it as a direction to hire independent
counsel to review the bills, come back with a -- like they do in a fee hearing, an
attorney fee hearing, come back to you in the first meeting of September with a
recommendation of how much to pay based on a thorough review of the bills, if that's
what you're seeking.
Commissioner Gabela: That's fine with me. So, a motion to --
Mr. Wysong: Direct us to --
Commissioner Gabela: -- to direct you -- gave you a direction and we'll visit this item
in September --
Mr. Wysong: And bring it in September.
Commissioner Gabela: -- is the first meeting in September good for you?
Commissioner Rosado: Second.
Chair King: So, I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): So, that was for the direction.
Mr. Wysong: Right, so then --
Mr. Hannon: CA.9 is a completely separate item. So, CA.9 is going to be deferred?
Mr. Wysong: To the first meeting of September.
Chair King: September.
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NA.2
17951
Office of the City
Clerk
DISCUSSION ITEM
DISCUSSION BY THE CITY COMMISSION REGARDING THE
ORDER OF CHARTER AMENDMENT QUESTIONS THAT WILL BE
PLACED ON THE BALLOT FOR THE NOVEMBER 4, 2025
REFERENDUM SPECIAL ELECTION.
RESULT:
Chair King: R --
DISCUSSED
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair, my apologies for the interruption. Currently, we
have four charter amendment questions that have been passed to be placed on the
November special election, and so I would like to ask for direction as to the order of
the ballot questions. The four questions that are currently in play: lifetime term limits,
GRACE (Grove Rights and Community Equity) settlement, city -owned non -waterfront
property, and the Charter Review Commission. So, I would just respectfully request
direction from the Commission as to the order that you'd like to -- the order in which
you would like the questions to appear on the ballot.
Chair King: Alphabetical by the first letter of the first word in the sentence.
Vice Chair Carollo: Besides the GRACE and the term limits, which are the other two?
Mr. Hannon: City -owned non -waterfront property, that passed today, and the Charter
Review Commission. Those are the four.
Vice Chair Carollo: And non -city --
Commissioner Gabela: That was Rosado today.
Vice Chair Carollo: -- waterfront property.
Mr. Hannon: Yes, yes.
Vice Chair Carollo: I'm fine anyway you put it.
Chair King: Alphabetical.
Mr. Hannon: Alphabetical it shall be. Thank you.
Chair King: Thank you.
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NA.3
17973
City Commission
DISCUSSION ITEM
DISCUSSION BY CHAIRWOMAN KING REGARDING HER INTENT
TO UPDATE THE COMMISSION PROCEDURES MEMO ISSUED
BY THE CHAIR OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION THAT WILL
LIMIT THE NUMBER OF DISCUSSION ITEMS THAT CAN BE
PLACED ON AN AGENDA BY A CITY COMMISSIONER TO TWO
(2) DISCUSSION ITEMS PER CITY COMMISSIONER AND IF THAT
DISCUSSION ITEM IS NOT HEARD AT THE MEETING THE
DISCUSSION ITEM IS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD, THE
DISCUSSION ITEM WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE AGENDA
AND CANNOT BE CONTINUED, DEFERRED, OR INDEFINITELY
DEFERRED.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
Chair King: So, with respect to discussion items, I'm going to update my memo, my
chair memo on discussion items. We have currently nine discussion items. I would like
to limit the number of discussion items a commissioner can place for one meeting. And
also, if a discussion item is not heard the day of commission meeting for the agenda
that it's placed on, then that discussion item is removed from the agenda and not
passed along to the next one and the next one and the next one. Nine discussion items
and this is only like two commissioners with discussion items; one has four -- one has
five, one has three. I want to limit our discussion items per commission to two items
per commissioner. So, that would be a number of ten if we all had two commission --
two items. So, max would be ten.
Commissioner Gabela: Guilty as charged.
Commissioner Rosado: Yeah.
Chair King: Right.
Commissioner Rosado: Same over here.
Chair King: Okay. So, when we have a discussion item, it will be thoughtful because
you want to put it, and if it doesn 't go, it goes away. You can have another discussion
item.
Commissioner Gabela: But notice that I volunteered because I understand --
Chair King: Yes, it's --
Commissioner Gabela: -- it's late in the game.
Chair King: Yes, yes.
Commissioner Gabela: I'm being a gentleman. D3 [sic], D4 [sic], D5 [sic], you know,
take them --
Chair King: We're going to withdraw those, and then you can decide.
Commissioner Gabela: No, no, no. Defer, defer.
Chair King: No, well, I'm going to put --
Commissioner Gabela: Yeah, but you just --
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City Commission
Meeting Minutes July 24, 2025
ADJOURNMENT
Chair King: -- I'm going to make a memo --
Commissioner Gabela: -- put that rule, so you can 't impose that rule until that rule
takes effect.
Chair King: No, actually, the Chair can update her memo.
Commissioner Gabela: Does the Chair make her rules as she goes along?
Chair King: As the situation requires.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay.
Chair King: So, but that memo will be in place for September, and you know, if you
like, we can defer these to the first meeting in September.
Commissioner Gabela: 3, 4, 5, I'm deferring.
Chair King: Okay. So, then, my memo goes into effect September.
Commissioner Gabela: Got it.
Chair King: So, after the first meeting in September --
Commissioner Gabela: Got it.
Chair King: -- it won 't be.
Commissioner Gabela: Okay.
The meeting adjourned at 8:59 p.m.
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