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File ID: #1192
Resolution
Sponsored by: Mayor Francis Suarez
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, BY A FOUR-FIFTHS (4/5THS)
AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, SETTING FORTH A NEW RESOLUTION, DUE TO THE SUNSETTING
OF RESOLUTION NO. 15-0465, ADOPTED OCTOBER 22, 2015, EXTENDING THE CITY OF
MIAMI CHARTER REVIEW AND REFORM COMMITTEE, TO CONTINUE THE REVIEW OF
THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, AND CONTINUE TO
RECOMMEND CHARTER PROPOSALS AND AMENDMENTS NECESSARY TO UPDATE
THE CHARTER; STATING THE COMMITTEE'S PURPOSE, POWERS, DUTIES,
COMPOSITION, APPOINTMENT QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR
MEMBERSHIP; PROVIDING FOR OFFICERS, RULES OF PROCEDURE, MEETINGS,
QUORUM, LEGAL AND STAFF SUPPORT, ASSIGNMENT OF PERSONNEL, WAIVERS,
WAIVER OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST, AND PUBLIC NOTICE; AND REAPPOINTMENT OF
CURRENT MEMBERS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, BY A FOUR-FIFTHS (4/5THS)
AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, SETTING FORTH A NEW RESOLUTION, DUE TO THE
SUNSETTING OF RESOLUTION NO. 15-0465, ADOPTED OCTOBER 22, 2015,
EXTENDING THE CITY OF MIAMI CHARTER REVIEW AND REFORM COMMITTEE,
TO CONTINUE THE REVIEW OF THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA,
AS AMENDED, AND CONTINUE TO RECOMMEND CHARTER PROPOSALS AND
AMENDMENTS NECESSARY TO UPDATE THE CHARTER; STATING THE
COMMITTEE'S PURPOSE, POWERS, DUTIES, COMPOSITION, APPOINTMENT
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP; PROVIDING FOR
OFFICERS, RULES OF PROCEDURE, MEETINGS, QUORUM, LEGAL AND STAFF
SUPPORT, ASSIGNMENT OF PERSONNEL, WAIVERS, WAIVER OF CONFLICT OF
INTEREST, AND PUBLIC NOTICE; AND REAPPOINTMENT OF CURRENT
MEMBERS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of Miami ("City") was incorporated by the Florida Legislature in
1896 and operates pursuant to its City Charter; and
WHEREAS, the City Charter of the City of Miami, Florida, as amended, (City Charter')
has been amended from time to time as the governance of the City has evolved; and
WHEREAS, from time to time and when the City Commission deems it necessary, the
City Commission has established a Charter Review and Reform Committee ("Charter Review
Committee" to conduct a comprehensive charter review to update the City Charter; and
WHEREAS, the last Charter Review Committee was formed in 2003; however, no
reforms were approved by the residents of the City; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission has determined that the City Charter presently
contains provisions that would benefit from review; and
WHEREAS, the Charter Review Committee is empowered to conduct a comprehensive
review of the City Charter and propose amendments to the City Charter; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission re-established a Charter Review Committee to
address these concerns by adopting Resolution No. 14-0293 on July 24, 2014; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission further intended to update the waiver provisions,
member composition, and extending member appointment deadlines within the Charter Review
Committee, by way of rescinding Resolution No. 14-0293 and adopting Resolution No. 14-0357
on September 11, 2014; and
WHEREAS, on September 29, 2014, the City Commission requested additional time to
appoint members, to create a window of time during which an initial meeting may held, to clarify
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City of Miami
City Hall
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Legislation
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Miami, FL 33133
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Resolution
www.miamigov.com
Enactment Number: R-16-0527
File Number: 1192
Final Action Date:10/27/2016
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, BY A FOUR-FIFTHS (4/5THS)
AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, SETTING FORTH A NEW RESOLUTION, DUE TO THE
SUNSETTING OF RESOLUTION NO. 15-0465, ADOPTED OCTOBER 22, 2015,
EXTENDING THE CITY OF MIAMI CHARTER REVIEW AND REFORM COMMITTEE,
TO CONTINUE THE REVIEW OF THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA,
AS AMENDED, AND CONTINUE TO RECOMMEND CHARTER PROPOSALS AND
AMENDMENTS NECESSARY TO UPDATE THE CHARTER; STATING THE
COMMITTEE'S PURPOSE, POWERS, DUTIES, COMPOSITION, APPOINTMENT
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP; PROVIDING FOR
OFFICERS, RULES OF PROCEDURE, MEETINGS, QUORUM, LEGAL AND STAFF
SUPPORT, ASSIGNMENT OF PERSONNEL, WAIVERS, WAIVER OF CONFLICT OF
INTEREST, AND PUBLIC NOTICE; AND REAPPOINTMENT OF CURRENT
MEMBERS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of Miami ("City") was incorporated by the Florida Legislature in
1896 and operates pursuant to its City Charter; and
WHEREAS, the City Charter of the City of Miami, Florida, as amended, (City Charter')
has been amended from time to time as the governance of the City has evolved; and
WHEREAS, from time to time and when the City Commission deems it necessary, the
City Commission has established a Charter Review and Reform Committee ("Charter Review
Committee" to conduct a comprehensive charter review to update the City Charter; and
WHEREAS, the last Charter Review Committee was formed in 2003; however, no
reforms were approved by the residents of the City; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission has determined that the City Charter presently
contains provisions that would benefit from review; and
WHEREAS, the Charter Review Committee is empowered to conduct a comprehensive
review of the City Charter and propose amendments to the City Charter; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission re-established a Charter Review Committee to
address these concerns by adopting Resolution No. 14-0293 on July 24, 2014; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission further intended to update the waiver provisions,
member composition, and extending member appointment deadlines within the Charter Review
Committee, by way of rescinding Resolution No. 14-0293 and adopting Resolution No. 14-0357
on September 11, 2014; and
WHEREAS, on September 29, 2014, the City Commission requested additional time to
appoint members, to create a window of time during which an initial meeting may held, to clarify
that the Section 4 waiver provisions will be by a four-fifths (4/5ths) majority vote, and to clarify
the appointment of a vice-chairman; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission adopted Resolution No. 14-0396 on October 9, 2014
rescinding Resolution No. 14-0357, and re-establishing the Charter Review Committee,
intending to amend its minimum attendance requirements, waiver provisions, member
composition, extending member appointment deadlines, and extending the deadline for
establishing a time, date, and place for its initial meeting; and
WHEREAS, on October 9, 2014, the City Commission requested to clarify the Section 4
removal provision and the Section 4 vacancies provision; and
WHEREAS, on October 22, 2015, the City Commission adopted Resolution No. 15-0465
and extended the term of the Charter Review Committee to November 5, 2016; and
WHEREAS, the Charter Review Committee has held numerous public meetings,
conducted a comprehensive review of the City Charter, and has recommended that the City
Charter be streamlined, updated, and amended to meet the current needs of the City and its
residents; and
WHEREAS, on July 13, 2016, the Charter Review Committee presented its final report
and recommendations to the City Commission at a public meeting; and
WHEREAS, Resolution No. 15-0465 states that the Charter Review Committee's
responsibility shall be deemed completed upon submission of its written recommendations and
after a public meeting before the City Commission; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission believes that the City may benefit from further review
of the City Charter; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission wishes to set forth this new resolution due to the
sunset of Resolution No. 15-0465 and extend the term of the Committee to May 5, 2017 should
it be its responsibilities be deemed to be completed; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission wishes to reappoint the current members of the
Committee; and
WHEREAS, with the extension of the Charter Review Committee, any proposed
amendments to the Charter shall be presented to the City Commission for approval by May 5,
2017;
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. By a four-fifths (4/5ths) affirmative vote, the Miami City Commission sets
forth a new Resolution, extending the Charter Review and Reform Committee, to continue the
review of the Charter of the City of Miami, Florida, as amended, and continue to recommend
Charter proposals and amendments necessary to update the Charter for a term ending on May
5, 2017 and which time may be extended by the City Commission, if necessary. The current
Committee members shall be reappointed. The Charter Review Committee's responsibility shall
be deemed completed upon submission of its written recommendations and after a public
meeting before the City Commission. With the extension, the Charter Review Committee shall
present any proposed Charter amendments to the City Commission for approval by May 5,
2017.
Section 3. Purpose, Powers, and Duties. The purpose, powers, and duties of the
Charter Review Committee are:
(1) To review the Charter of the City of Miami, Florida, as amended ("Charter"), and any
changes to the Charter suggested by the Mayor or any of the five (5) members of the City
Commission;
(2) To hold public hearings to receive public input, assuring that such hearings are
conducted sufficiently prior to the sunset of the Charter Review Committee, so as to receive
public input in a timely manner for consideration of such input;
(3) To issue a final written report to the City Commission; and
(4) To serve in an advisory capacity to the City Commission and recommend, in writing, any
amendments necessary to reform or update said Charter, providing, however, that any member
of the Charter Review Committee may present an alternative recommendation regarding any
specific Charter change proposal.
Section 4. Membership; Composition, Appointments, Qualifications, Minimum
Attendance Requirements, Removal, and Appointment to Fill Vacancies.
(a) Composition, Appointment, and Qualifications.
The Charter Review Committee shall consist of thirteen (13) regular voting members, and a
Commission appointed member of the Commission who shall serve as Chairman and be a non-
voting member of the Charter Review Committee. All voting members shall be invested in the
City and serve without compensation. Each member shall have an interest in, or experience
relating to, the City Charter, City Code, or governmental procedures and processes. Members
shall be appointed as follows:
(1) Each of the five (5) City Commissioners shall appoint two (2) persons to serve as voting
members of the Charter Review Committee. A City Commissioner may be appointed to the
Charter Review Committee as one of the voting members. Any such voting member shall be a
City resident, work in the City, or own real property in the City;
(2) Two (2) persons shall be appointed by the Mayor, one (1) of whom may be the Mayor,
and/or the other(s) shall be a City resident, work in the City, or own real property in the City; and
(3) One (1) person shall be appointed by the City Manager. Such person shall be a City
resident, work in the City, or own real property in the City.
(4) No alternates shall be appointed.
(5) The City Clerk was to be notified of all appointments by October 9, 2014. Any new
appointments must conform with Section 4(d) below.
(6) An appointee who may be currently serving as special counsel to the City performing
basic non -litigation legal services for the City may continue to do so and receive an automatic
waiver from the Commission to sit on the Charter Review Committee and continue assisting the
City pursuant to City Code Sections 2-612 and 2-614.
(7) The City Commission continues to appoint Commissioner Francis Suarez as the
Chairman of the Charter Review Committee. As Chairman of the Charter Review Committee,
Commissioner Suarez shall not vote on any matter before the Committee. Commissioner
Suarez shall retain the right to appoint two (2) voting members to serve as members of the
Charter Review Committee as provided for in Section 4(a)(1) of this Resolution.
(b) Minimum Attendance Requirements.
It is expected that appointed citizen members of the Charter Review Committee attend each
meeting. Unless otherwise excused, pursuant to the discretion of the Chairman as described
below, any member of the Charter Review Committee, other than the Mayor or City
Commissioner, who is absent from more than three (3) meetings, shall automatically be deemed
to have vacated his or her position. The Chairman of the Charter Review Committee, may at
his discretion, determine if an absence is excused for the purpose of avoiding the automatic
vacating of said member's position.
(c) Removal.
The City Commission shall have the power to remove any citizen member, for cause, as
articulated by the City Commission, by four-fifths (4/5ths) vote of its membership or an
unanimous vote of the quorum that exists because of either abstentions or vacancies resulting
from resignation, death, suspension, or physical incapacitation.
(d) Vacancies.
In the event a vacancy occurs on the Charter Review Committee, whether automatically, by
vote of the City Commission, or by resignation of the member, the Mayor, the City Manager, or
City Commissioner who appointed the vacating member, may, subject to ratification by the City
Commission, appoint a qualified person to fill the remaining term of the vacant position. The
appointment may be made at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the City Commission or
as soon as practicable thereafter. Such appointment shall be consistent with the residency
requirements stated in Section 4(a) of this Resolution.
(e) Waiver.
The City Commission shall have the power to waive any of the requirements of Section 4 of this
Resolution by four-fifths (4/5ths) vote of its membership or an unanimous vote of the quorum
that exists because of either abstentions or vacancies resulting from resignation, death,
suspension, or physical incapacitation.
(f) Waiver of Conflict of Interest.
The City Commission hereby waives any conflict of interest of members of the Charter Review
Committee to transact business with the City pursuant to Sections 2-612 and 2-614 of the Code
of the City of Miami, Florida, as amended, and to appear before the City Commission and other
boards for future lobbying activity pursuant to Section 2-11.1.2 of the Code of Miami -Dade
County, Florida
Section 5. Officers.
The Charter Review Committee shall have its first meeting within thirty (30) days of the final
appointment of all Charter Review Committee members. At the initial organizational meeting,
the members of the Charter Review Committee shall select and designate a Vice -Chairperson
from among the members of the Committee who shall serve at the pleasure of the Charter
Review Committee. The Chairperson shall reserve the right to appoint an executive committee
and to delegate tasks to various subcommittees of the whole. Decisions of the executive
committee and subcommittees are subject to ratification by the full Charter Review Committee.
Section 6. Meetings and Quorum.
All meetings of the Charter Review Committee shall be noticed and open to the public. The
public shall be encouraged to submit oral and written comments to the Charter Review
Committee. A minimum of fifty percent (50%) plus one (1) of the Charter Review Committee's
total members shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of convening any meeting. An
affirmative vote of not less than fifty percent (50%) plus one (1) of the members present and
voting at any meeting is required for any action to be taken by the members.
Section 7. Rules of Procedure.
The Charter Review Committee may adopt its own order of business and rules of procedure
governing its meetings, and take actions on matters within its jurisdiction, not inconsistent with
the provisions set forth herein, which rules of procedure shall be filed with the City Clerk. The
Charter Review Committee and any executive committee or subcommittee, if applicable, shall
comply with all requirements of Chapters 119 (Public Records) and 286 (Sunshine Law), of the
Florida Statutes. The minutes of each meeting shall be promptly made available by the City
Clerk and such records shall be open to public inspection. Copies of minutes of all Charter
Review Committee meetings shall be furnished to the Mayor, City Commissioners, City
Attorney, and City Manager.
Section 8. Legal Counsel.
The City Attorney shall serve as legal counsel to the Charter Review Committee and shall
provide legal advice on all matters considered by the Charter Review Committee. The City
Attorney or designee shall provide legal support to the Charter Review Committee and attend
Charter Review meetings accordingly.
Section 9. City Manager.
It shall be the duty of the City Manager to provide full cooperation and sufficient personnel for
administrative necessary support to the Charter Review Committee, including assignment of a
particular person to act as liaison and Secretary to the Charter Review Committee. The City
Manager may participate in deliberations of the Charter Review Committee and may give
technical and policy advice to the Committee as requested.
Section 10. City Clerk.
It shall be the duty of the City Clerk to provide the services of an individual to keep minutes of
meetings, maintain Charter Review Committee correspondence and public input, update the
City website with Charter Review Committee information, post meeting notices, file reports, and
perform all other necessary support functions in compliance with applicable laws related to
public notice and recordation of meetings.
Section 11. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption and
signature of the Mayor'
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
1
Un ndez, City Attor iey 10/17/2016
' } If the Mayor does not sign this Resolution, it shall become effective at the end of (10) calendar days
from the date it was passed and adopted. If the Mayor vetoes this Resolution, it shall become effective
immediately upon override of the veto by the City Commission.