HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemorandumCITY OF MIAMI
OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY
MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: George K. Wysong III, City Attorney klifrs,t2z-
DATE: October 9, 2025
RE: City Commission Meeting — October 9, 2025
Proposed Settlement — Albert Steve Sandlin, Andrew Biess v. City of Miami,
pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
Case No.: 1:25-CV-22310-MD
File No.: 18202
The proposed Resolution seeks authorization for the settlement of the pending lawsuit of
Albert Steve Sandlin, Andrew Biess v. City of Miami, in the amount of $45,000.00 ($22,500.00
per plaintiff), exclusive of attorneys' fees and costs, in the matter of Albert Steve Sandlin,
Andrew Biess v. City of Miami, pending in the United States District Court for the Southern
District of Florida.
The Office of the City Attorney has investigated and evaluated this case and has
approved the recommendation of this settlement. Funds in the above amount will be paid from
the General Liability Account No. 50001.301001.545010.0000.00000.
Attachment(s)
cc. Art Noriega, V, City Manager
Miriam M. Santana, Agenda Coordinator
GKW/BLF
City of Miami
Legislation
Resolution
Enactment Number: R-25-0418
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
File Number: 18202 Final Action Date:10/9/2025
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR
OF FINANCE TO PAY ALBERT STEVE SANDLIN AND ANDREW BIESS, WITHOUT
ADMISSION OF LIABILITY, THE TOTAL SUM OF $45,000.00 ($22,500.00 PER
PLAINTIFF), IN FULL AND COMPLETE SETTLEMENT OF ANY AND ALL CLAIMS
AND DEMANDS, EXCLUDING ALL CLAIMS FOR ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS,
AGAINST THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") AND ITS OFFICERS, AGENTS, AND
EMPLOYEES IN THE CASE STYLED ALBERT STEVE SANDLIN AND ANDREW
BIESS V. CITY OF MIAMI, PENDING IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA, CASE NO. 1:25-CV-22310-MD,
UPON THE EXECUTION OF A GENERAL RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS AND
DEMANDS BROUGHT UNDER 42 U.S.C. § 1983 AND STATE LAW PENDING IN
FEDERAL COURT AND A DISMISSAL OF THE CITY AND ITS OFFICERS, AGENTS,
AND EMPLOYEES WITH PREJUDICE; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM ACCOUNT NO.
50001.301001.545010.0000.00000.
WHEREAS, Albert Steve Sandlin and Andrew Biess, were arrested pursuant to Section
37-6 of the Code of the City of Miami, Florida, as amended ("City Code"), titled "Aggressive or
Obstructive Panhandling Ordinance"; and
WHEREAS, Albert Steve Sandlin and Andrew Biess and the City of Miami ("City"), are
engaged in litigation in United States District Court in the Southern District of Florida, Case No.:
1:25-CV-22310-MD concerning claims for alleged violations of Civil Rights related to same; and
WHEREAS, the City Attorney's Office has investigated these claims and the lawsuit
pursuant to Sections 18-221 through 18-232 of the City Code, and recommends that said claims
and lawsuit be settled for the total aggregate sum of $45,000.00 ($22,500.00 per plaintiff),
excluding claims for attorneys' fees and costs;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are
adopted by reference and incorporated as fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. The Director of Finance is authorized' to pay Albert Steve Sandlin and
Andrew Biess, without admission of liability, the total sum of $45,000.00 ($22,500.00 per
plaintiff) in full and complete settlement of any and all claims and demands, but excluding all
claims for attorneys' fees and costs, against the City and its officers, agents, and employees in
the case styled Albert Steve Sandlin and Andrew Biess v. City of Miami, pending in the United
States District Court in the Southern District of Florida, Case No.: 1:25-CV-22310-MD, upon the
1 The herein authorization is further subject to compliance with all legal requirements that may be
imposed, including but not limited to, those prescribed by applicable City Charter and City Code
provisions.
execution of a general release of all claims and demands brought for alleged violations of civil
rights, pending in federal court and a dismissal of the City and its officers, agents, and
employees with prejudice.
Section 3. Funds to be allocated from Account No. 50001.301001.545010.0000.00000.
Section 4. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
ge Wy j ng III, C y ttor -y 9/29/2025