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File ID: #4616
Resolution
Sponsored by: Mayor Francis Suarez
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING,
SETTING FORTH AND SUBMITTING TO THE ELECTORATE A PROPOSED CHARTER
AMENDMENT AMENDING THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS
AMENDED ("CHARTER") TO CHANGE TO A STRONG MAYOR -COMMISSION FORM OF
GOVERNMENT; REPLACE CITY MANAGER WITH THE MAYOR; MAYOR SERVES AS
NONVOTING, NON-MEMBER COMMISSION CHAIR; GRANT MAYOR POWER TO APPOINT
AND REMOVE CITY ATTORNEY, CITY CLERK, POLICE AND FIRE CHIEF, DEPARTMENT
DIRECTORS AND EMPLOYEES; CHANGE FILLING MAYORAL VACANCY AND PAY
FORMULA; ADOPT STATE RECALL PROCEDURE; PROVIDE OTHER MAYORAL AND
COMMISSION POWERS AND CHANGES; AND MAKE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY; MORE
PARTICULARLY BY AMENDING SECTIONS 4, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29A,
36, AND 51 OF SAID CHARTER; CALLING FOR AND PROVIDING THAT THE CHARTER
AMENDMENT BE SUBMITTED TO THE ELECTORATE AT A SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE
HELD ON NOVEMBER 6,2018; 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 SPECIAL
ELECTION; PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE FOR THIS RESOLUTION.
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S),
APPROVING, SETTING FORTH AND SUBMITTING TO THE ELECTORATE A
PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENT AMENDING THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CHARTER") TO CHANGE TO A STRONG
MAYOR -COMMISSION FORM OF GOVERNMENT; REPLACE CITY MANAGER WITH
THE MAYOR; MAYOR SERVES AS NONVOTING, NON-MEMBER COMMISSION
CHAIR; GRANT MAYOR POWER TO APPOINT AND REMOVE CITY ATTORNEY,
CITY CLERK, POLICE AND FIRE CHIEF, DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS AND
EMPLOYEES; CHANGE FILLING MAYORAL VACANCY AND PAY FORMULA;
ADOPT STATE RECALL PROCEDURE; PROVIDE OTHER MAYORAL AND
COMMISSION POWERS AND CHANGES; AND MAKE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY;
MORE PARTICULARLY BY AMENDING SECTIONS 4, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 24,
25, 26, 27, 29A, 36, AND 51 OF SAID CHARTER; CALLING FOR AND PROVIDING
THAT THE CHARTER AMENDMENT BE SUBMITTED TO THE ELECTORATE AT A
SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 6, 2018; 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 SPECIAL
ELECTION; PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE FOR THIS
RESOLUTION.
WHEREAS, the City of Miami ("City") was incorporated by the Florida Legislature in
1896 and operates pursuant to the Charter of the City of Miami, Florida ("Charter"); and
WHEREAS, the Charter has been amended from time to time as the governance of the
City has evolved; and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendment to the Charter shall become effective immediately
upon approval by the electorate at a Special Election to be held on November 06, 2018; and
WHEREAS, an initiative petition proposing amendments to the Charter to change to a
strong -mayor form of government has been certified by the Miami -Dade County supervisor of
elections as having obtained the requisite number of signatures; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission wishes to submit the above-mentioned proposed
amendments to the electorate, for approval or disapproval, at a Special Election to be held on
November 6, 2018;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA:
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City of Miami
City Hall
IISl1,I ATt°
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Legislation
3500 Pan American Drive
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Miami, FL 33133
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Resolution
www.miamigov.com
Enactment Number: R-18-0355
File Number: 4616
Final Action Date:8/14/2018
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S),
APPROVING, SETTING FORTH AND SUBMITTING TO THE ELECTORATE A
PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENT AMENDING THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CHARTER") TO CHANGE TO A STRONG
MAYOR -COMMISSION FORM OF GOVERNMENT; REPLACE CITY MANAGER WITH
THE MAYOR; MAYOR SERVES AS NONVOTING, NON-MEMBER COMMISSION
CHAIR; GRANT MAYOR POWER TO APPOINT AND REMOVE CITY ATTORNEY,
CITY CLERK, POLICE AND FIRE CHIEF, DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS AND
EMPLOYEES; CHANGE FILLING MAYORAL VACANCY AND PAY FORMULA;
ADOPT STATE RECALL PROCEDURE; PROVIDE OTHER MAYORAL AND
COMMISSION POWERS AND CHANGES; AND MAKE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY;
MORE PARTICULARLY BY AMENDING SECTIONS 4, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 24,
25, 26, 27, 29A, 36, AND 51 OF SAID CHARTER; CALLING FOR AND PROVIDING
THAT THE CHARTER AMENDMENT BE SUBMITTED TO THE ELECTORATE AT A
SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 6, 2018; 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 SPECIAL
ELECTION; PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE FOR THIS
RESOLUTION.
WHEREAS, the City of Miami ("City") was incorporated by the Florida Legislature in
1896 and operates pursuant to the Charter of the City of Miami, Florida ("Charter"); and
WHEREAS, the Charter has been amended from time to time as the governance of the
City has evolved; and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendment to the Charter shall become effective immediately
upon approval by the electorate at a Special Election to be held on November 06, 2018; and
WHEREAS, an initiative petition proposing amendments to the Charter to change to a
strong -mayor form of government has been certified by the Miami -Dade County supervisor of
elections as having obtained the requisite number of signatures; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission wishes to submit the above-mentioned proposed
amendments to the electorate, for approval or disapproval, at a Special Election to be held on
November 6, 2018;
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 if fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. The Charter is proposed to be amended in the following particulars:'
"CHARTER AND RELATED LAWS
SUBPART A. THE CHARTER
Sec. 4. - Form of government; nomination and election.
(a) General description. The form of government of the City of Miami, Florida, provided for
under this Charter shall be known as the "ma„nr ^ity nnmmissssinRoStrong Mayor -
Commission plan.,"-atet The city commission shall consist of five citizens, who are
qualified voters of the city and who shall be elected from districts in the manner
hereinafter provided. The city commission shall constitute the governing body with
powers (as hereinafter provided) to pass ordinances adopt regulations and exercise all
powers conferred upon the city except as hereinafter provided. The mayor shall exercise
all powers conferred herein and shall appGin+ as preyidead- in SeaGti„n 4(g)(6) of +hiss
(`harter a nhief ad-Miniitrat�o effin�- to ho Lnn�nin as the °pity rnaRagor
v�crr -a-cnT zrarrrrrrr rcr c-vrrrc �mvwrr-cr rr�. vrcy-�rrariugci .
(b) Election of mayor and city commission; terms of office; recall. There shall be elected by
the qualified electors of the city at large a mayor who shall be a qualified elector residing
within the city at least one (1) year before qualifying and must maintain a residence in the
city for the duration of his or her term. The mayor shall not serve as a member of the city
commission.
The city commission shall consist of five members who shall be elected from districts
within the city, numbered 1 through 5. All persons desiring to run for the office of city
commissioner shall file in the district, numbered 1 through 5, for which they are qualified
as provided in subsection (c) of this section of the Charter. City commissioners in districts
numbered 3 and 5 shall be elected at the general municipal election or runoff election to
be held in the year 2001 and at the general municipal election or runoff election each four
years thereafter. City commissioners in districts numbered 1, 2, and 4 shall be elected at
the general municipal election or runoff election to be held in the year 2003 and at the
general municipal election or runoff election each four years thereafter.
The mayor shall be elected at large by the electors of the city and shall hold office for a
term of four years.
The mayor and all city commissioners [are] to hold office from twelve o'clock noon five
days after the canvass of the vote by the supervisor of elections and the declaration of
the result of either 1) the general municipal election or 2) runoff election and until their
successors are elected and qualified. Commencing with the election to be held in
November 2001, and all elections subsequent thereto, no mayor or city commissioner
elected and qualified for two consecutive full terms under this or any preceding form of
government shall be eligible for reelection in the next succeeding term. The mayor and all
ether members of the city commission shall be subject to recall in accordance with the
municipal recall procedures set forth in Section 100.361, Florida Statutes. V,^e
' Words and/or figures stricken through shall be deleted. Underscored words and/or figures shall be
added. The remaining provisions are now in effect and remain unchanged. Asterisks indicate omitted and
unchanged material.
Commission vacancies shall be filled as provided in section 12H of ##e -this Charter.
If a candidate for office of mayor or city commissioner receives a majority of votes in the
general municipal election for that office, the candidate shall be considered elected upon
and after the canvass of the vote and the declaration of the result of the election as
provided. If no candidate receives a majority of the votes for that office, the two
candidates for the respective office who received the greatest number of votes for that
office in the general municipal election shall be placed on the ballot at the runoff election.
The candidate receiving the greatest number of votes in the runoff election, shall be
considered elected to the office for which the candidate has qualified.
(c) Qualifications of mayor and city commission; mayor, city commissioners, and other
officers and employees not to be interested in contracts, etc.; franks, free tickets, passes
or service. Candidates for mayor shall be residents of the city for at least one (1) year
immediately prior to qualifying and shall be electors therein, and shall maintain continuous
residence in the City for the duration of their term in office. Further, candidates for the city
commission shall have resided within the district at least one (1) year immediately before
qualifying and be electors in that district, and shall maintain continuous residence in that
district for the duration of their term of office. The mayor, city commissioners, and other
officers and employees shall not be interested in the profits or emoluments of any
contract, job, work or service for the municipality. The mayor or any city commissioner
who shall cease to possess any of the qualifications herein required shall forthwith forfeit
his or her office, and any such contract in which any member is or may become
interested may be declared void by the city commission.
No mayor, city commissioner, or other officer or employee of said city shall accept any
frank, free ticket, pass or service directly or indirectly, from any person, firm or
corporation upon terms more favorable than are granted to the public generally. Any
violation of the provisions of this section shall be a misdemeanor. Such prohibition of free
service shall not apply to police or fire personnel in uniform or wearing their official
badges, where same is provided by ordinance.
(d) City commission to be judge of its own elections; neither mer city commission nor
any committees nor members thereof #e may dictate appointments by or interfere with
the mayor. The city commission shall be the judge of the election and
qualifications of the mayor and its own members, subject to review by the courts. Neither
the mayor R^F t4& city commission, nor any committees nor members thereof shall direct,
request, take part in, or dictate the appointment or removal of any person in office -or
employment by the Gity FnaRageF mayor or subordinates, or in any manner interfere with
the Gity FnaRageF mayor or prevent the Gity FnaRageF mayor from exercising his/her own
judgment in the appointment of officers and employees in the administrative service.
geReFal, either publi ly „r pFivately. This restriction does not apply for the purpose of
communicating and making written inquiry to the administrative services for the purpose of
transmitting constituent inquiries or assisting any city commissioner in the exercise of their
authority as set forth in this Charter or as may be necessary as provided in section 14.
Except as provided elsewhere in this Charter, neither the city commission nor any
committees nor members thereof shall give orders to any of the subordinates of the
mayor, city attorney, city clerk, and independent auditor general, either publicly or
privately. Any such dictation, prevention, orders, or other interference or violation of this
section on the part of the mayor er a member of the city commission or committees shall
be deemed to be a violation of the Charter, and upon conviction before a court of
competent jurisdiction any individual so convicted shall be subject to a fine not exceeding
five hundred dollars ($500.00) or imprisonment for a term of not exceeding sixty days or
both, and in the discretion of the court shall forfeit his or her office. Any willful violation of
the provisions to this section by the mayor er any city commissioner shall be grounds for
his or her removal from office by an action brought in the Circuit Court by the state
attorney of this county.
(e) Appointments by mayor; election of officers by city commission; rules of city
commission; quorum. The ^ity ^nmmiccinn mayor shall elest appoint a city clerk and a
city attorney. No member of the city commission or the mayor shall be chosen as Got-y�
maRageFer as a member of the civil service board or appointed to any other city office or
employment. The Mayor shall not be a member of the commission or be counted for
quorum, but shall serve as the city commission chair without a vote. The provisions of
Florida's Government in the Sunshine Law shall not apply to the mayor meeting or
communicating with members of the city commission. The city commission shall elect its
vice -chair by majority vote, who shall perform the duties of the chair in the absence or
incapacity of the chair. Any member of the city commission may be selected by the city
commission to preside over city commission meetings in the absence of the chair or vice -
chair. The city commission may determine its own rules of procedure, may punish its own
members for misconduct, and may compel attendance of members. The city commission
may organize itself into standing committees or special committees. Upon formation of
any such committees, the city commission may appoint its members or authorize the
chair to appoint committee members. Standing or special committees of the city
commission shall mean those comprised of city commission members only. A majority of
all the members of the city commission shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a
smaller number may adjourn from time to time.
(f) Meetings of city commission; ordinance to be read by title only. At +,A,ei„e A'de^U PAPA nn
the day the mayer GF Got, Pears taakea GffiGe, th y shall meet at the Gity
TherF, tThe city commission shall meet at such time and place as may be prescribed
by ordinance or resolution. The meetings of the city commission and all sessions of
committees of the city commission shall be public. Ordinances shall be read by title only.
No member shall be excused from voting except on matters involving the consideration of
his or her own official conduct, or where his or her financial interests are involved.
(g) Powers and duties of mayor. The mayor shall serve as the chief executive and
administrative officer and head of the city government with the following speGif+E powers
and duties:
(1) The mayor shall be the nresidiRg effi^er chair of the city commission with the right to
attend city commission meetings, speak and take part in the discussion, and to
recommend to the city commission the adoption of such measures as may be
necessary or expedient „ therity +e de^ig Rate ,r^+hor member of the ^i+„
(2) The mayor shall be recognized as the official head of the city for all ceremonial
purposes, by the courts for the purpose of serving civil process, and by the governor
for military purposes. The mayor shall be responsible for the management of all
administrative departments of the City, for carrying out ordinances, resolutions,
policies, and other measures adopted by the city commission, and seeing that all
laws and ordinances are enforced. The mayor, or such other persons who may be
designated by the mayor, shall execute contracts and other instruments, and sign
bonds and other evidences of indebtedness.
(3) The mayor shall serve as the head of the City for emergency management
purposes. In time of public danger or emergency, the mayor may declare a state of
emergency as provided in state law and may with the consent of the city
commission, take command of the police and maintain order and enforce the laws.
(34) The mayor may appoint administrative aides to have such duties as the mayor may
determine and to serve at the mayor's pleasure. The mayor's administrative aides
shall be excluded from the civil service provisions of the Charter and Ordinances of
the City of Miami.
(35) Unless otherwise provided by this Charter, the mayor shall have the power to appoint,
reprimand, and remove all department directors and all subordinate officers and
employees in the departments in both the classified and unclassified service of the
administrative departments of the City. The mayor's power to reprimand and remove
does not extend to the staff of the city commission. All appointments shall be upon
merit and fitness alone, and in the classified service, all appointments and removals
shall be subject to the civil service provisions of this Charter. Appointment of
department directors shall become effective unless disapproved by a 4/5ths
affirmative vote of those city commissioners then in office at the city commission's
next regularly scheduled meeting. Such vote shall be final and the mayor shall be
prohibited from reappointing the disapproved department director. The police chief
and fire chief shall be appointed by and subject to the supervision of the mayor. All
administrative functions not otherwise specifically assigned to others by this Charter
shall be performed under the supervision of the mayor. The mayor shall have the
right to suspend, reprimand, remove, or discharge any administrative department
director, the police chief, and the fire chief, with or without cause.
(46) During the voluntary temporary absence er dim, the mayor shall appoint a
member of the city commission to perform the duties of the mayor. HGWeVeF in +ho
eyeaAt th�a tth ayerrdeeas A A -t A-F-0si ,A� ;;h -ie tA- m;;Lo ci inh r7ocir Rat0Gn, +ho G#
Vn+o of +ho pity nnmmiccinnorc +hon in nffino
(57) The mayor shall, within ten days of final adoption by the city commission, have veto
authority over any legislative, quasi-judicial, zoning, master plan or land use
decision of the city commission, including the budget or any particular component
contained therein which was approved by the city commission; provided, however
that if any revenue item is vetoed, an expenditure item in the same or greater dollar
amount must also be vetoed. The city commission may, at its next regularly scheduled
or special meeting after the veto occurs, override that veto by a four-fifths vote of the
city commissioners present, notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained
in the Charter and city code. Said veto power shall include actions pursuant to
sections 29-B through 29-D of the Charter. The mayor may not veto the selection of
the vice -chair of the commission, the enactment of commission committee rules, the
formation of commission committees, or the appointment of members to commission
committees.
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The mayor shall keep the city commission fully advised as to the financial condition
and needs of the City.
(99) The mayor shall prepare and deliver a report on the state of the city to the people of
the city between November 1 and January 31 annually. Such report shall be
prepared after consultation with the city commissioners and the Gity maRager.
(910) The mayor shall prepare and deliver a budgetary address annually to the people of
the city between July 1 and September 30. S Gh roper+ shall be prepared after
rend lt4atinn �niith the pity manager.
(�)11) The mayor may, without notice, cause the affairs of any department or the conduct
of any officer or employee to be examined. Any person or persons appointed by the
mayor to examine the affairs of any department or the conduct of any officer or
employee shall have the same right to require the attendance of witnesses and
production of books and papers and other evidence as is conferred upon the mayor
and city commission by this Charter.
(912) The mayor shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by this Charter or
be required by the mayor or ordinance or resolution of the City Commission.
(913) All references to the city manager in the Charter and City Code of Ordinances shall
be amended to substitute the word "mayor."
(h) Vacancy in the office of mayor.
(1) Permanent vacancy resulting from death, resignation, recall, court order, or other
lawful action. If the office of the mayor becomes permanently vacant by reason of
death, resignation, recall, or other lawful action, such vacancy shall be filled with a
member of the administration designated by the mayor upon assuming office or prior
to the vacancy, with notice having been given to the city commission in writing in
advance of the vacancy, unless the designee is disapproved by a 4/5ths affirmative
vote of those city commissioners then in office at the next regularly scheduled
meeting. Such vote shall be final and the mayor shall be prohibited from re -
designating the disapproved member of the administration. The designee shall
exercise all authority of the office of mayor and shall perform the duties and assume
the responsibilities of that office, except for exercising a mayoral veto, until a special
election which shall be held no more than 90 days after the vacancy is created.
(2) Temporary vacancy resulting from disability, suspension, court order, or other lawful
action. If the office of the mayor becomes temporarily vacant by reason of disability,
suspension, court order, or other lawful action, the temporary vacancy shall be filled
with a member of the administration designated by the mayor upon assuming office
or prior to the vacancy, with notice having been given to the city commission in
writing in advance of the vacancy, unless the designee is disapproved by a 4/5ths
affirmative vote of those city commissioners then in office at the next regularly
scheduled meeting. Such vote shall be final and the mayor shall be prohibited from
re -designating the disapproved member of the administration. The designee shall
exercise all authority of the office of mayor and shall perform the duties and assume
the responsibilities of that office, except for exercising a mayoral veto, for up to 120
days. If the temporary vacancy exceeds 120 days, a special election shall be held no
more than 90 days after the expiration of the 120 -day period. Provided that if the
mayor who is the subject of the temporary vacancy is later absolved of the allegations
of wrongdoing or otherwise recovers from the disability during the term of office to
which elected, the mayor shall be entitled to resume the office for the remainder of
the unexpired term, if any. The term of the individual who assumed or was elected in
the special election to the position previously temporarily vacated by the mayor shall
automatically terminate upon the restoration to office of the original seat -holder.
If the elected mayor is returned to office, the mayor will automatically resume the
duties of the office of mayor for the balance of the term to which elected. The
existence of a disability incapacitating the elected mayor from performing the duties
of the office shall be determined by an affirmative vote of at least five (5) city
commission members based upon competent, substantial medical evidence.
(#�i Salaries of the mayor and commission. Effective on November 4, 2003, there shall be
paid to the city commissioners the sum of $58,200, which is equal to sixty percent of the
mayor's salary in effect on July 16, 2003. Such salary shall be paid per year for each
commissioner, in twelve equal installments. The compensation of the mayor shall be
determined by the commission, and in no event shall be less than 75% of the
compensation to the Miami -Dade County Mayor.
(i) Effective date of Strong Mayor -Commission form of government. Notwithstanding any
other provision of this Charter, the Strong Mayor -Commission form of government is
effective and implemented immediately upon approval by a majority of the electors of the
city voting at an election called for the purpose of voting on the amendment. In order to
implement this Charter amendment, the current elected city officials constitute the initial
mayor and city commissioners identified in Section 4(a) through the expiration of their
current terms of office.
Sec. 12. - Filling vacancies for mayer and commission.
(a) A vacancy on the city commission ^r in +ho nffiGe of mayor caused by death, resignation,
forfeiture, suspension, removal, or other action or causes shall be filled within ten days
after such vacancy occurs by a majority of the remaining city commissioners. The person
appointed must meet the qualifications of the office as required in section 4 of this
Charter. The term of office of the person so appointed, except in the circumstances
detailed in section (c) below, shall be until the successor in office is elected and qualified at
whichever of the following occurs first:
(1) the odd -year general municipal election for FnayeF and city commissioners held
pursuant to section 4 of the Charter, or
(2) the even -year State of Florida general election, at which election national, state and
county offices are filled,
The candidates for such election shall be qualified as provided in section 4 of this Charter
and the qualifying period and requirements for such election shall be as provided in section 7
of this Charter. The person elected as provided in (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this Section shall serve
for the remainder of the unexpired term of that office.
(b) If the remaining city commissioners shall fail or refuse to fill such vacancy within ten days
after it occurs, as provided herein, the city commission shall call a special election to fill
the vacancy to be held at a date not less than thirty-eight or more than forty-five days
after the expiration of the ten-day period and the five day qualifying period. The qualifying
period for such special election shall be for the five days not including Saturday, Sunday
or legal holidays before the thirty-eighth day before the date of the election and the
procedure for the election not otherwise provided for in this section shall be as provided
in section 7 of this Charter. Except in the circumstances detailed in section (c), effective
November 7, 2017, the person who receives the greatest number of votes for the office in
said special election is elected to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term
of that office.
(c) If a vacancy in any elected commission office is caused by forfeiture, suspension, or
removal, the vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as described in sections (a) and
(b) above, provided that if the elected official who has so vacated his or her seat is later
absolved of the allegations of wrong- doing, that elected official shall be entitled to
resume his or her elected position for the remainder of the unexpired term, if any. The
term of the individual who assumed the position previously vacated by that elected official
shall automatically terminate upon the restoration to office of the original seat- holder.
(d) If the city commissioners shall fail to comply with their duties as set forth in this section,
then, and in that event, the court is hereby empowered and authorized to enforce
compliance with this act or to call an election itself to fill such vacancy or vacancies on the
city commission er in the nffine nfmayer
Sec. 14. - Commission may investigate official transactions, acts and conduct.
The mayor, city commission, or any committee thereof may investigate the financial
transactions of any office or department of the city government and the official acts and
conduct of any city official, and by similar investigations may secure information upon any
matter. In conducting such investigations the mayor, city commission, or any committee
thereof, may require the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers and
other evidence, and for that purpose may issue subpoenas which shall be signed by the
mayor, the presiding officer of the city commission, or the chair of such committee, as the
case may be, which may be served and executed by any police officer.
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Secy. Same PeweFs and dAtie .
The hewers and duties of the Gigs Fna Raney
Sec. 20. - Directors of departments.
The Gity maRager mayor shall appoint a director for each department and, in the G4Y
maRager mayor's discretion, may consolidate two or more departments under one director.
Each such director shall serve until removed by the ^i+„ maRager mayor or until a successor
has been appointed and qualified, shall conduct the affairs of his or her department in
accordance with rules and regulations made by the G4y maRager mayor, shall be responsible
for the conduct of the officers and employees of his or her department, for the performance of
its business, and for the custody and preservation of the books, records, papers and property
under its control, and, subject to the supervision and control of the eity rnaRager mayor in all
matters, shall manage the department. None of the provisions of this section, however, shall
be applicable to the depar+mor+ of yaw, Gity Gle* er office of independent auditor general.
Sec. 21. - Department of law.
The city attorney shall be the director of the department of law and an attorney-at-law
admitted to the practice in the State of Florida. The city attorney shall be the legal advisor of
and attorney and counsel for the city, and for all officers and departments thereof in matters
relating to their official duties. The city attorney shall prosecute and defend all suits for and in
behalf of the city, and shall prepare all contracts, bonds and instruments in writing in which
the city is concerned and shall endorse on each approval of the form and correctness thereof.
The city attorney shall be the prosecuting attorney of the municipal court. The city
attorney shall have such number of assistants as the city commission by ordinance may
authorize. The city attorney shall prosecute all cases brought before such court and perform
the same duties, so far as they are applicable thereto, as are required of the prosecuting
attorney of the county.
When required to do so by the resolution of the city commission, the city attorney shall
prosecute or defend for and in behalf of the city all complaints, suits and controversies in
which the city is a party, and such other suits, matters and controversies as he shall, by
resolution or ordinance, be directed to prosecute or defend.
The mayor, city commission, the Gity maRageF the director of any department, or any
officer or board not included within a department, may require the opinion of the city attorney
upon any question of law involving their respective powers and duties.
The city attorney shall be a full-time governmental employee; shall not engage in the
private practice of law; and upon hic nr hor talon+inn by the Gity nnmmiccinn appointment by
the mayor shall serve until the time for the election of the Gity effiGials mayor specified in
section 4 of the Charter which follows the next general municipal election, subject to the
provisions of section 4(g).
Sec. 24. - Department of public safety.
The head of the department of public safety shall be known as the director of public safety.
Subject to the supervision and control of the Gity maRager mayor in all matters, the head
of the department of public safety shall be the executive head of the division of police and fire.
He or she shall be the chief administrative authority in all matters pertaining to the erection,
maintenance, repair, removal, razing, occupancy and inspection of buildings under such
regulations as may be ordained by the city commission.
(a) Division of police. The police force shall be composed of a chief and such officers
and other employees as the Gity maRager mayor may determine. The chief of police
shall have the immediate direction and control of the police force, subject to the
supervision of the director of public safety, and to such rules, regulations and orders
as the said director may prescribe, and through the chief of police, the director of
public safety shall promulgate all orders, rules and regulations for the government of
the police force. The chief of police shall devote his or her entire time to the discharge
of his or her official duties and shall not be absent from the city except in the
performance of his or her official duties, unless granted a written leave of absence by
the Gity maRager mayor. His or her office shall be kept open at all hours, day or night,
and either the chief of police or a subordinate shall be in constant attendance. In
case of the disability of the chief of police by reason of sickness, absence from the
city or other cause, the director of public safety shall designate one of the captains or
lieutenants of police to act as chief of police during such disability, and the officer so
designated shall serve without additional compensation. The members of the police
force, other than the chief, shall be selected from the list of eligibles prepared by the
civil service board, and in accordance with such rules as the said board may
prescribe; provided, that in case of riot or emergency, the director of public safety
may appoint additional patrolmen and officers for temporary service, who need not be
in the classified service. Each member of the police force, both rank and file, shall
have receive a warrant of appointment signed by the Gity FnaRageF mayor, in which
the date of the appointment shall be stated, and such shall be that member's
commission.
No person, except as otherwise provided by general law or this Charter, shall act as
special police or special detective except upon written authority from the director of
public safety. Such authority, when conferred, shall be exercised only under the
direction and control of the chief of police and for a time specified in the
appointment.
The members of the police force of said city shall be invested with all the power and
authority necessary for enforcing the ordinances of said city.
The chief of police or any police officer of the City of Miami, may arrest without
warrant, any person violating any of the ordinances of the city committed in the
presence of such officer, and when knowledge of the violation of any ordinance of
said city shall come to the said chief of police or police officer, not committed in his or
her presence, he or she shall make affidavit before the judge or clerk of municipal
court against the person charged with such violation, whereupon, said judge or clerk
shall issue a warrant for the arrest of such person.
(b) Division of fire. The fire force shall be composed of a chief and such other officers,
firemen and employees as the Gity manager mayor may determine. The fire chief shall
have immediate direction and control of the said department, subject to the supervision
of the director of public safety and to such rules, regulations and orders as the said
director may prescribe and through the fire chief the director of public safety shall
promulgate all orders, rules and regulations for the government of the fire department.
The members of the fire department, other than the chief, shall be appointed from
the list of eligibles prepared by the civil service board and in accordance with such
rules and regulations as may be prescribed by said board; provided, that in case of
riot, conflagration or emergency, the director of public safety may appoint additional
firemen and officers for temporary service who need not be in the classified service.
The chief of the fire department and his or her assistants are authorized to exercise
the powers of police officers while going to, attending or returning from any fire or
alarm of fire. The fire chief and each of his or her assistants shall have issued to him
or her a warrant of appointment signed by the Gity mana`rer, mayor, in which the date
of his or her appointment shall be stated, and such warrant shall be his or her
commission.
Whenever any building in said city shall be on fire, it shall be lawful for the chief of
the fire department to order and direct such building or any other building which he
or she may deem hazardous and likely to communicate fire to other buildings, or any
part of such buildings, to be pulled down or destroyed and no action shall be
maintained against said chief or any person acting under his or her authority
therefor.
Sec. 25. - Supervision in divisions of police and fire.
The chief of police and fire chief shall have the right and power to suspend any of the
officers and employees in their respective division who may be under their management and
control for incompetence, neglect of duty, immorality, drunkenness, failure to obey orders
given by proper authority, or for any other just and reasonable cause. If any officer or
employee be suspended as herein provided, the chief of the division concerned shall
forthwith in writing certify the fact together with the cause of suspension, to the director of
public safety, who shall render judgment thereon, which judgment, if the charge be sustained,
may be a reprimand, fine, suspension, reduction in rank or dismissal.
The director of public safety in any investigation shall have the power to administer oaths
and secure the attendance of witnesses and the production of books and papers.
The employee shall be allowed the same appeal procedure as set forth in section 36(f) of
the Charter, pFeyided, heweyer' OR the odeRt the effines of pity maRager and diFenter of p blip
safety are held by the same pe FSG , the Gity maRag,eF diFe Gt r of p blip safety, befero passiRg
i POR the g lilt er IrlrleGeRGe of the perseR si ispeRded0 may ai etherize the niVil seFViGe heaFd to
si isp SOOR nhaFg pFeferred by the nhiefs of fire er reline and to
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repert i+s flr,l'iiRgs and renemmeRdatiGRs hank to said pity rmrraaRageF direct r of p blip safety.
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Sec. 27. - Finance, department of finance.
(a) Department director. Subject to the supervision and control of the Gity maRager mayor,
the director of finance shall have charge of the department of finance and shall administer
the financial affairs of the city, including the keeping and supervision of all accounts, the
levy, assessment and collection of revenues, the making and collection of special
assessments, the custody and disbursement of city funds and monies, the control over
expenditures, and such other duties as the Gity maRager mayor may direct.
(b) Form and manner of keeping accounts and making reports. Accounts shall be kept by the
department of finance showing the financial transactions of all departments and offices of
the city. The forms of all such accounts and the financial reports rendered to or by the
department of finance shall be prescribed by the director of finance with the approval of
the Gity maRager mayor. The accounts and accounting procedure of the city shall be
consistent with the pronouncements of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board
and accounting principles as generally accepted in the United States.
Sec. 29-A. - Contracts for, unified development projects, and real property; safeguards.
(a) Unified development projects. A unified development project shall mean a project where
an interest in real property is owned or is to be acquired by the city, is to be used for the
development of improvements, and as to which the city commission determines that for
the development of said improvements it is most advantageous to the city to procure
from a private person, as defined in the Code of the City of Miami, one or more of the
following integrated packages:
(1) planning and design, construction, and leasing; or
(2) planning and design, leasing, and management; or
(3) planning and design, construction, and management; or
(4) planning and design, construction, leasing, and management.
So long as the person from whom the city procures one of the above-mentioned
integrated packages provides all of the functions listed for that package, such person
need not provide each listed function for the entire unified development project nor for the
same part of the unified development project.
As many members of the public having expertise in the field of real estate development
or in other relevant technical areas or who reside within the vicinity of a proposed unified
development project site as deemed appropriate by the mayor shall be
invited by the mayor to provide input during the preparation of documents
for competitive processes of the unified development project.
If deemed appropriate by the mayor, the unified development project
process shall include a request for qualifications process prior to the issuance of a
request for proposals. Qualifications shall be evaluated by the mayor or
designee(s) and only those deemed qualified in accordance with the specified evaluation
criteria shall be invited to participate in the subsequent request for proposal process for
said unified development project.
Requests for proposals for unified development projects shall generally define the nature
of the uses the city is seeking for the unified development project and the estimated
allocations of land for each use. They shall also state the following:
(1) the specific parcel of land contemplated to be used or the geographic area the city
desires to develop pursuant to the unified development project;
(2) the specific evaluation criteria to be used by the below -mentioned certified public
accounting firm;
(3) the specific evaluation criteria to be used by the below -mentioned review committee;
(4) the extent of the city's proposed commitment of funds, property, and services;
(5) the definitions of the terms "substantial increase" and "material alteration" that will
apply to the project pursuant to subsection (e)(4) hereof; and
(6) a reservation of the right to reject all proposals and of the right of termination
referred to in subsection (e)(4), below.
After public notice there shall be a public hearing at which the commission shall consider:
(1) the contents of the request for proposals for the subject unified development project;
(2) the selection of a certified public accounting firm, which shall include at least one
member with previous experience in the type of development in question; and
(3) the recommendations of the Gity maRager mayor for the appointment of persons to
serve on the review committee. Said review committee shall consist of an
appropriate number of city officials or employees and an equal number plus one of
members of the public, whose names shall be submitted by the Gity maRager mayor
no fewer than five days prior to the above-mentioned public hearing.
At the conclusion of the public hearing the city commission shall authorize the issuance
of a request for proposals, select a certified public accounting firm, and appoint the members
of the review committee only from among the persons recommended by the Gity maRager
mayor.
The procedure for the selection of an integrated package proposals shall be as follows:
(1) all proposals shall be analyzed by a certified public accounting firm appointed by the
commission based only on the evaluation criteria applicable to said certified public
accounting firm contained in the request for proposals. Said certified public
accounting firm shall render a written report of its findings to the Gity FnaRageF mavor.
(2) the review committee shall evaluate each proposal based only on the evaluation
criteria applicable to said review committee contained in the request for proposals.
Said review committee shall render a written report to the mayor of its
evaluation of each proposal, including any minority opinions.
(3) taking into consideration the findings of the aforementioned certified public
accounting firm and the evaluations of the aforementioned review committee, the G+ty
FaRager mayor shall recommend one or more of the proposals for acceptance by the
city commission, or alternatively, the Gity FnaRageF mavor may recommend that all
proposals be rejected. If there are three or more proposals and the Gity rnaRageE
mayor recommends only one, or if the mayor recommends rejection of all proposals,
the Gity FnaRageF mayor shall state in writing the reasons for such recommendation.
In transmitting his or her recommendation or recommendations to the commission,
the Gi4y aRager-mavor shall include the written reports, including any minority
opinions, rendered to by the aforementioned certified accounting firm and review
committee.
(4) all contracts for unified development projects shall be awarded to the person whose
proposal is most advantageous to the city, as determined by the city commission.
The commission may accept any recommendation of the Gity maRager mayor by an
affirmative vote of a majority of its members. In the event the commission does not accept a
proposal recommended by the Gity manage mayor or does not reject all proposals, the
commission shall seek recommendations directly from the aforementioned review committee,
which shall make a recommendation or recommendations to the commission taking into
account the report of the aforementioned certified public accounting firm and the evaluation
criteria specified for the review committee in the request for proposals.
After receiving the direct recommendations of the review committee, the commission shall,
by an affirmative vote of a majority of its members:
(1) accept any recommendation of the review committee; or
(2) accept any previous recommendation of the ^i+„ maRager mayor; or
(3) reject all proposals.
All contracts for unified development projects shall be signed by the Gity maRager
mayor or designee after approval thereof by the commission. The Gity manager mayor or
designee shall be responsible for developing a minority procurement program as may be
prescribed by ordinance and permitted by law in conjunction with the award of contracts for
unified development projects. The provisions of this charter section shall supersede any other
charter or code provision to the contrary.
(b) Sales and leases of real property, prohibition. Except as otherwise provided in this
section, there shall be no sale, conveyance, or disposition of any interest, including any
leasehold, in real property owned by the city, the department of off-street parking, or the
downtown development authority, unless there has been prior public notice and a prior
opportunity given to the public to compete for said real property or interest. Any such sale,
conveyance, or disposition shall be conditioned upon compliance with: the provisions of
this section; such procurement methods as may be prescribed by ordinance; and any
restrictions that may be imposed by the city, the department of off-street parking, or the
downtown development authority, as appropriate. Further, no right, title, or interest shall
vest in the transferee of such property unless the sale, conveyance, or disposition is
made to the highest responsible bidder, as is determined by the city commission, or the
off-street parking board, or the downtown development authority board of directors. The
city commission or the off-street parking board or the downtown development authority
board of directors, as appropriate, may by resolution waive the requirement of sale,
conveyance, or disposition to the highest responsible bidder by means of the following
procedure: the Gity FnaRagep mayor, the director of the off-street parking authority, or the
director of the downtown development authority, as appropriate, must make a written
finding that a valid emergency exists, which finding must be ratified by an affirmative vote
of two-thirds of the city commission after a properly advertised public hearing. When the
requirement of sale, conveyance, or disposition to the highest responsible bidder is
waived, other procurement methods as may be prescribed by ordinance shall be followed.
The city or the department of off-street parking or the downtown development authority
shall have the power to reject all offers. All invitations for bids, requests for proposals, or
other solicitations shall contain a reservation of the foregoing right to reject all offers. This
section shall not apply to transfers to the United States or any department or agency
thereof, to the State of Florida, or to any political subdivision or agency thereof.
(c) Safeguards.
(1) All persons contracting with the city under this section shall be required to certify their
compliance with the antitrust laws of the United States and of the State of Florida
and to hold harmless, defend, and indemnify the city for any noncompliance by said
persons with the above laws.
(2) All persons contracting with the city under this section shall be obligated to pay
whichever is the greater of the following: (i) all applicable ad valorem taxes that are
lawfully assessed against the property involved or (ii) an amount to be paid to the city
equal to what the ad valorem taxes would be if the property were privately owned and
used for a profit-making purpose. Such taxes shall not be credited against any
revenues accruing to the city under any contract that may be awarded under this
section.
(3) Any proposal by a potential bidder or contractor that contemplates more than the
estimated extent of the city's proposed commitment of funds, property, or services
shall be ineligible for acceptance by the city commission.
(4) Any substantial increase in the city's commitment of funds, property, or services, or
any material alteration of any contract awarded under subsection (c) of this section
shall entitle the city commission to terminate the contract after a public hearing. Prior
to such public hearing, the city commission shall seek and obtain a report from the
Gity maRager mayor and from the review committee that evaluated the proposals for
the project, concerning the advisability of exercising that right.
Sec. 36. - Civil service.
(a) Creation of board; appointment; terms of office; vacancies; rules and regulations. A civil
service board of the city is hereby created and established. There shall be five members
constituting the said civil service board. Three shall be appointed by the city commission,
and two shall be elected by the employees of the city with civil service status, from said
employees with such civil service status. The two so elected shall become members of the
board when confirmed by the city commission. All members of the said civil service board
shall serve for two years, and they shall take office as soon as appointed and qualified. The
city commission may remove any member of the board for cause, upon stating in writing
the reasons for the removal, after allowing him or her to be heard by the city commission
in his or her own defense. Any vacancy shall be filled by the city commission for the
unexpired term. The Gity maRageF mayor shall be authorized to prescribe the rules,
regulations, and procedure for the holding of election for the purpose of electing the two
members of the civil service board by the city employees with civil service status.
(b) Chairperson; examiner; subordinates. Immediately after appointment, the board shall
organize by electing one of its members chairperson. The board shall appoint a chief
examiner who shall be a member of the board and who shall also act as secretary. The
board may appoint such other subordinates as may by appropriation be provided for.
(c) Unclassified and classified service. The civil service of the city is hereby divided into the
unclassified and the classified service.
(1) The unclassified service shall include:
(A) The Gity maRager mayor, his or her assistants, and secretarial staff;
(B) The heads of departments, members of appointive boards, judges of the city
court, the city clerk, chief of police, chief of fire division, and the superintendent of
communications division;
(C) Assistants to department
heads: Assistant chiefs of the
police division;
All ranks in the police division above the classified position of police
captain; Assistant chiefs of the fire division;
Chief of fire prevention;
Director of training in the fire
division; Battalion chiefs;
Chief of fire rescue;
Assistant to the superintendent of the division of
communications; Director of corrections.
(D) All attorneys employed by the city. The city attorney shall be the supervisor of
all attorneys employed by the city. The city attorney shall have exclusive
authority regarding, but not limited to appointment, removal and salary as to
assistant city attorneys. The foregoing provisions of subsection (D) shall not
apply to those attorneys in the classified service of the city on November 1,
1972.
Attorneys with permanent civil service rights appointed by the city attorney to any
applicable unclassified position above, shall retain civil service rights in the
position from which selected as may have accrued.
(E) All employees employed by the City and working within the Office of the
Independent Auditor General. Personnel with permanent civil service rights
appointed by the ^i+„ manager mayor to unclassified positions shall retain said
civil [service] rights in the position from which selected as may have accrued.
(2) The classified services shall include all positions not specifically included by this
Charter in the unclassified service. There shall be in the classified service three
classes, to be known as the competitive class, noncompetitive class, and labor
class.
(A) The competitive class shall include all positions and employment for which it is
practicable to determine the merit and fitness of applicants by competitive
examinations.
(B) The noncompetitive class shall consist of all positions requiring peculiar and
exceptional qualifications of a scientific, city managerial, professional, or
educational character, as may be determined by the rules of the board.
(C) The labor class shall include ordinary unskilled labor.
(d) Rules; examinations; eligible lists; certification of vacancies. Subject to the approval of
the city commission, the board shall adopt, amend, and enforce a code of rules and
regulations which shall have the force and effect of law providing for appointment and
employment in all positions in the classified service, based on merit, efficiency, character,
and industry; shall make investigations concerning the enforcement and effect of this
article and of the rules adopted; and shall make an annual report to the city commission.
The chief examiner shall provide examinations in accordance with regulations of the
board and maintain lists of eligibles of each class of the services of those meeting the
requirements of said regulations. Positions in the classified service shall be filled from
such eligible lists upon requisition from and after consultation with the Gity maRager
mayor. When positions are filled, the employment officer shall so certify, by proper and
prescribed form, to the director of finance and to the director of the department in which
the vacancy exists.
(e) Promotion. The board shall provide uniform rules for promotion to all positions in the
classified service.
(f) Power of suspension, removal, fine, or demotion.
(1) Any officer or employee in the classified service may be removed, suspended,
fined, laid off, or demoted by the Gity maRager mayor or by the head of the
department in which such person is employed, for any cause which will promote the
efficiency of the service; but such person must be furnished with a written statement
of the reasons therefor within five days from the date of the removal, suspension,
fine, layoff, or demotion, and be allowed a reasonable time for answering such
reasons in writing, which answer shall be made a part of the records of the board,
with the suspension to take effect as of the date that such written statement is
furnished. No trial or examination of witnesses shall be required except in the
discretion of the Gity maRager mayor or the head of the department. Any employee in
the classified service who deems that he or she has been suspended, removed,
fined, laid off, or demoted without just cause may, within 15 days of such action,
request in writing a hearing before the civil service board to determine the
reasonableness of the action. The board shall, within 30 days after appeal of the
employee disciplined, proceed to hear such appeal. After hearing and considering
the evidence for and against the employee, the board shall report in writing to the s+tY
maRager mayor its findings and recommendations. The Gity manager mayor shall
then sustain, reverse, or modify the action of the department director. Any member of
the civil service board and the director of personnel may administer an oath to
witnesses appearing before said board or before said director in an investigation,
disciplinary or appeal proceedings, and they shall have the power to issue witness
subpoenas and to compel the attendance of witnesses.
(2) The civil service board shall also have the right to remove or demote any official or
employee in the classified service upon written charges of misconduct made by any
citizen, but only after reasonable notice to the officer or employee and after a full
hearing. It shall also be the duty of the board to fix a minimum standard of conduct
and efficiency for each grade in the service. Whenever it appears from the reports of
efficiency made to said board for a period of six months that the conduct or efficiency
of any employee has fallen below such minimum standard, that employee shall be
called before the board to show cause why he or she should not be disciplined.
If upon hearing no reason is shown satisfactory to the board, the employee shall be
removed, suspended, or demoted, as the board may determine.
(g) Present employees. All persons in the employ of the city holding positions in the classified
service, as established by this Charter, at the time it takes effect, shall, unless their
position is abolished, retain same until discharged, demoted, promoted, or transferred, in
accordance herewith.
(h) Certificate of board on payroll account necessary before payment of classified service
member. The treasurer or other public disbursing officer shall not pay any salary or
compensation for service to any person holding a position in the classified service unless
the payroll or account for such salary or compensation bears the certificate of the board,
by its secretary, that the persons named therein have been appointed or employed and
are performing service in accordance with the provisions of this Charter and of the rules
established thereunder.
(i) Investigations and hearings. In any investigation conducted by the board, it shall have
the power to subpoena and require the attendance of witnesses and the production
thereby of books and papers pertinent to the investigation and to administer oaths to
such witnesses.
Q) No discrimination in classified service. No person in the classified service or seeking
admission thereto shall be appointed, demoted, removed, or in any way favored or
discriminated against because of political opinions or affiliations. No person holding a
position in the classified service shall take part in political management or affairs or in
political campaigns during city working hours or with personal property belonging to the
city.
(k) Penalties. The civil service board, subject to the approval of the city commission, shall
determine the penalties for the violation of the civil service provisions of this Charter.
(1) Salaries of board and employees. The salaries of the civil service board and its
employees shall be determined by the city commission, and a sufficient sum shall be
appropriated each year to carry out the civil service provisions of this Charter.
Sec. 51. - Civilian investigative panel.
The city commission shall, by ordinance, create and establish a civilian investigative panel
to act as independent citizens' oversight of the sworn police department, to be:
(A) Composed of: (i) twelve (12) civilian members who shall be nominated by the
civilian investigative panel and approved by the city commission and (ii) a thirteenth
(13th) member who shall be an appointee of the Chief of Police who is not a City of
Miami Police Officer;
(B) Staffed with professional personnel, including but not limited to: (i) an executive
director who shall serve as chief executive officer and (ii) an independent legal
counsel who is an experienced and competent member of the Florida Bar with at
least seven years membership in the Florida Bar and is generally knowledgeable in
municipal law, both of whom shall be appointed by and subject to removal by the
panel with the approval of the City Commission;
(C) Operated on an annual budget established by the City Commission, by ordinance,
that will allow the panel to maintain its independence and perform its Charter
mandated functions, with sufficient professional staff, while taking into account the
mayor's declaration of a fiscal emergency, a financial urgency, or
financial emergency in the City;
(D) Authorized by vote of the CIP and in "consultation" with the state attorney of Miami -
Dade County, to issue subpoenas for allegations which are criminal in nature,
provided that the CIP may not confer immunity and must advise all city employees
appearing before it that no adverse employment consequences will result from the
valid exercise of their right to be free from self- incrimination, and, further, that no
actions of the CIP may interfere with any pending or potential criminal investigation
or prosecution; and
(E) Authorized to:
(1) Conduct independent investigations of allegations of police misconduct and
police uses of force resulting in death or great bodily harm to a person;
(2) Conduct independent investigations of other matters pertaining to repeated
issues of conduct by City of Miami Police Officers;
(3) Review police department policies and practices; and
(4) Make written requests and recommendations regarding the CIP's reviews and
investigations to the ^i+„ rnaRageF mayor and the police chief, to which the
Police shall issue a written response within forty-five (45) days.
*„
Section 3. In accordance with the provisions of the Charter, as amended, §6.03 of the
Miami -Dade County Home Rule Charter, and Section 2-112 of the Code of the City of Miami,
Florida, from 7:00 A.M. until 7:00 P.M., on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, a Special Election will
be held for the purpose of submitting to the qualified electors of the City for their approval or
disapproval of the measure.
Section 4. The Special Election shall be held at the polling places in the precincts
designated, all as shown on the list attached hereto and made a part hereof and referred to as
Exhibit No. 1 or as may be designated by the Supervisor of Elections of Miami -Dade County,
Florida ("Supervisor'), in conformity with the provisions of the general laws of the State of
Florida ("State"). The Precinct Election Clerks and Inspectors to serve at said polling places on
said Special Election date shall be those designated by the Supervisor for such purpose in
accordance with the general laws of the State. A description of the registration books and
records which pertain to Special Election precincts wholly or partly within the City and which the
City is adopting and desires to use for holding such Special Election is all voter information
cards, registration books, records, and certificates pertaining to electors of the City and
established and maintained as official by the Supervisor in conformity with the provisions of the
general laws of the State are hereby adopted and declared to be, and shall hereafter be
recognized and accepted as, official voter information cards, registration books, records, and
certificates of the City.
Section 5. In compliance with Section 100.342, Florida Statutes (2018), regarding any
Special Election not otherwise provided for, there shall be at least thirty (30) days' notice of the
Special Election by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the City. The City Clerk
is authorized and directed to publish notice of the adoption of this Resolution and of the provisions
hereof at least twice, once in the fifth week and once in the third week prior to the week in which the
aforesaid Special Election is to be held, in newspaper(s) of general circulation in the City which
notice shall be substantially in the following form:
NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION
TO AMEND THE MIAMI CITY CHARTER TO BE HELD ON
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018
IN THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. 18-0355
A Special Election will be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 from 7:00 A.M
until 7:00 P.M. in the City of Miami, Florida at the polling places in the several
Special Election precincts designated by the Miami -Dade County Supervisor of
Elections as set forth herein unless otherwise provided by law and submitting to
the qualified electors of the City of Miami, Florida, the following question:
Shall the Miami Charter be amended to change to a strong mayor -commission
form of government; replace city manager with the mayor; mayor serves as
nonvoting, non-member commission chair; grant mayor power to appoint and
remove city attorney, city clerk, police and fire chief, department directors and
employees; change filling mayoral vacancy and pay formula; adopt state recall
procedure; provide other mayoral and commission powers and changes; and
make effective immediately?
By order of the Commission of the City of Miami, Florida.
Section 6. The official ballot to be used at said Special Election shall be in full
compliance with the laws of the State with respect to vote -by -mail ballots and to use of the
mechanical voting mechanics or the Computer Election System and shall be in substantially the
following form:
"Official Ballot"
Special Election
Miami, Florida
November 6, 2018
Change to Strong Mayor -Commission Form of Government.
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Shall the Miami Charter be amended to change to a
strong mayor -commission form of government;
replace city manager with the mayor; mayor serves
as nonvoting, non-member commission chair; grant
mayor power to appoint and remove city attorney,
city clerk, police and fire chief, department directors
and employees; change filling mayoral vacancy and
pay formula; adopt state recall procedure; provide
other mayoral and commission powers and
changes; and make effective immediately?
Yes
No
Section 7. The form of the ballot shall be in accordance with requirements of general
election laws. Electors desiring to vote in approval of the Question described above shall be
instructed to vote their selection next to the word "YES" within the ballot frame containing the
statement relating to the Question. Electors desiring to vote to disapprove the Question shall be
instructed to vote their selection next to the word "NO" within the ballot frame containing the
statement relating to the Question. Once individuals are satisfied with their choice, they shall
press the "Vote" button and the ballot shall be cast.
Section 8. The City Clerk shall cause to be prepared vote -by -mail ballots containing the
Question set forth in Section 6 above for the use of vote -by -mail electors entitled to cast such
ballots in said Special Election.
Section 9. All qualified electors of the City shall be permitted to vote in said Special
Election and the Supervisor is hereby requested, authorized, and directed to furnish, at the cost and
expense of the City, a list of all qualified electors residing in the City as shown by the registration books
and records of the Office of said Supervisor and duly certify the same for delivery to and for use
by the election officials designated to serve at the respective polling places in said special
election precincts.
Section 10. For the purpose of enabling persons to register who are qualified to vote in
said Special Election on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, and who have not registered under the
provisions of the general laws of the State and Chapter 16 of the Code of the City of Miami,
Florida, as amended, or who have transferred their legal residence from one voting precinct to
another in the City, they may register Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. at the
Miami -Dade County Elections Department located at 2700 Northwest 87th Avenue, Miami, Florida
within such period of time as may be designated by the Supervisor. In addition to the above place
and times, qualified persons may register at such branch offices and may also use any mobile
registration van for the purpose of registration in order to vote in the herein described Special
Election during such times and on such dates as may be designated by the Supervisor.
Section 11. Todd B. Hannon, the City Clerk, or his duly appointed successor, is hereby
designated and appointed as the official representative of the City Commission in all transactions with
the Supervisor related to matters pertaining to the use of the registration books and the holding
of said Special Election.
Section 12. The City Clerk shall deliver a certified copy of this Resolution to the
Supervisor not less than forty-five (45) days prior to the date of the Special Election.
Section 13. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption
and signature of the Mayor.Z
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
2 If the Mayor does not sign this Resolution, it shall become effective at the end of ten (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.