HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2019-09-26 MinutesCity of Miami
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3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
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Meeting Minutes
Thursday, September 26, 2019
5:05 PM
Second Budget Hearing
City Hall
City Commission
Francis Suarez, Mayor
Ken Russell, Chair
Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Vice Chair
Joe Carollo, Commissioner, District Three
Manolo Reyes, Commissioner, District Four
Keon Hardemon, Commissioner, District Five
Emilio T. Gonzalez, City Manager
Victoria Mendez, City Attorney
Todd B. Hannon, City Clerk
City Commission Meeting Minutes September 26, 2019
SECOND BUDGET HEARING
Present: Chair Russell, Vice Chair Gort, Commissioner Carollo, Commissioner Reyes, and
Commissioner Hardemon.
On the 26th day of September 2019, the City Commission of the City of Miami, Florida, met
at its regular meeting place in City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive, Miami, Florida, for
its second budget hearing session. The meeting was called to order by Chair Russell at
5:44 p.m., and adjourned at 9:53 p.m.
Note for the Record. Commissioner Reyes entered the Commission chambers at 5:46 p.m.,
Vice Chair Gort entered the Commission chambers at 5:48 p.m., Commissioner Carollo
entered the Commission chambers at 5:51 p.m., and Commissioner Reyes entered the
Commission chambers at 5:54 p.m.
ALSO PRESENT.
Emilio T. Gonzalez, Ph.D., City Manager
Victoria Mendez, City Attorney
Todd B. Hannon, City Clerk
Chair Russell: Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the Second Budget Hearing of the 2019-
2020 season.
ORDER OF THE DAY
Chair Russell: We don't have a quorum yet, but we can get started on a couple of
Administrative items. Ms. Jackson, do you need to read something?
Robin Jones -Jackson (Assistant City Attorney): I do, sir. Good evening, ladies and
gentlemen, Chair, and members of the Commission, Mr. Mayor, and the
Administration. I'm reading the City Attorney statement for the Second Budget
Hearing. This evening the City is holding its second budget meeting and related
hearings for the purposes of fixing the final millage rate and to adopt a final budget.
Any person who is a lobbyist, pursuant to Chapter 2, Article 6, of the City Code,
must register with the City Clerk and must comply with related City requirements for
lobbyists before appearing before the City Commission. A person may not lobby a
City official, board member, or staff member until registering. A copy of the Code
section about lobbyists is available in the City Clerk's Office or online at
www.municode.com. Any person making a presentation, formal request or petition
to the City Commission concerning real property must make the disclosures required
by the City Code in writing. A copy of this Code section is available in the City
Clerk's Office or online at www.municode.com. The material for each item on the
agenda is available during business hours at the City Clerk's Office and online 24
hours a day at www.miamigov.com. Anyperson may be heard by the City
Commission through the Chair for not more than two minutes on any proposition
before the City Commission, unless such time limit is modified by the Chair. If the
proposition is being continued or rescheduled, the opportunity to be heard may be at
such later date before the City Commission takes action on such proposition. The
Chair will advise the public when the public may have the opportunity to address the
City Commission during thepublic commentperiod. When addressing the City
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Commission, the member of the public must first state his or her name, his or her
address, and what agenda item he or she will speak about. A copy of the agenda
items titles is available at the City Clerk's Office and at the podium for the public's
reference. Pursuant to Florida Administrative Code, Rule 12(D)-17.005, anyone
wishing to appeal any decision made by the City Commission for any matter
considered at this second budget meeting does not need a verbatim record of the
item. A video of this meeting will be requested at the Office -- may be requested at
the Office of Communications or viewed online at www.miami.gov.com [sic]. No
cell phones or other noise -making devices are permitted in the City Commission
chambers, so please silence those devices now. Thank you. No clapping,
applauding, heckling, or verbal outburst in support or opposition to a speaker or his
or her remarks shall be permitted. Any person making offensive remarks or who
becomes unruly in the City Commission chambers will be barred from further
attending City Commission meetings and may be subject to arrest. No signs,
banners, or placards shall be allowed in the City Commission chambers. Any person
with a disability requiring assistance, auxiliary aids and services for this meeting
may notify the City Clerk. The meeting will end either at the conclusion of the
regularly scheduled second budget meeting agenda, or as continued or rescheduled
by the City Commission. Please note that the City Commissioners have generally
been briefed by City staff and the City Attorney on items on the agenda today. Thank
you all very much.
Chair Russell: Thank you very much.
PUBLIC COMMENT FOR BUDGET ITEM(S)
Chair Russell: All right. Anyone here who would like to speak on the overall budget
of the City, the millage of the City, the budget, and millage of the Downtown
Development Authority, or the budget of the Southeast Overtown/Park West, please
approach both of the lecterns. You'll be given two minutes to speak. Just state your
name, which budget you'd like to speak toward, and you get two minutes to speak.
You'll hear a beep right around the 30-second point to please try to wrap it up.
Everyone is very welcome. Any -- is this it for everyone who'd like to speak on the
budget? Please come to both lecterns; all the way up, and then we'll go from there.
How are you?
Nejla Calvo: Good evening, Commissioners, Mayor. I'm here because of the
Paradise Mobile Home Park. I represent the Mobile Homeowners Association there,
and all of these folks are residents of that mobile home park. They're all about to
lose their homes. The City of Miami Unsafe Structures Panel has issued notices to
repair or demolish, and the inspector is going to, on October 4, recommend to the
Panel that all of the homes in the park be demolished. That's next Friday. We --
these folks are going to speak about their issue. I'm here to provide information.
Something needs to be done. There is no plan for these 35 homes and over a
hundred people that are about to become homeless in the City of Miami. There's a
homelessness crisis in the City. There's a extremely low-income housing crisis in the
City, and now we're about to face a crisis of displacement of a hundred people.
Chair Russell: One hundred residents. What's the address at Paradise?
Ms. Calvo: 2750 Northwest South River Drive.
Chair Russell: And is there a budgetary concept that you have in mind that might be
able to address this issue?
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Ms. Calvo: I'm not providing any recommendation, but -- well, there's CDBG
(Community Development Block Grant) funds. There's different funds, and perhaps,
there could be the development of new funds that could assist in the replacement of
homes or the relocation of the homeowners, but nothing has been put on the table as
a solution; only the threat of eviction of all of these folks.
Chair Russell: So -- yes, and I appreciate you coming. And if there's a way we can
work on this together, this is urgent. And we're seeing more and more of this
throughout the City. As fast as we can create affordable housing, or even preserve
affordable housing, people are losing affordable housing at the same rate or greater.
And so, I definitely would love to help work with you on this issue in my ojTce, and
with the Administration and the Mayor. I know there's an interest, but I'm sorry I'm
not familiar with the situation at this point.
Ms. Calvo: Okay.
Chair Russell: So if I could, I'll direct you to the City Manager.
Ms. Calvo: Yes.
Chair Russell: Are you speaking -- --
Vice Chair Gort: Mr. Chairman?
Chair Russell: -- on their behalf, or they would like --
Vice Chair Gort: Mr. Chair?
Chair Russell: -- to speak, as well?
Ms. Calvo: I'm speaking on behalf, but if two residents could speakjust to provide
their insights, since I'm here to only provide information, then I think that would be -
Chair Russell: Just a moment.
Vice Chair Gort: My understanding --
Chair Russell: Vice Chairman Gort.
Vice Chair Gort: -- this is a trailer park, where they rent out of the trailer park.
Now, the trailer park, according by State law, they're supposed to be helping them to
be removed. If they need to be removed, they're supposed to be helping you.
Chair Russell: Be relocated.
Vice Chair Gort: Okay?
Unidentified Speaker: They're supposed to be relocated.
Vice Chair Gort: Now, we'll sit down, and we'll work out something with you,
because that's in my district, so that's --
Ms. Calvo: Yes.
Vice Chair Gort: -- been a problem for a long, long time.
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Ms. Calvo: Thank you, Commissioner Gort.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair, if I could get the speaker's name?
Chair Russell: Ma'am, just a moment, please. Ma'am, if you could give your name
for the record? Miss?
Ms. Calvo: Sorry. My name is Nejla Calvo.
Chair Russell: Thank you.
Ms. Calvo: And if we could have an interpreter so the two residents could speak,
please?
Chair Russell: Thank you. Dos, minutos.
Juan Carlos Lopez (as translated by official Spanish Interpreter Alfredo Varola):
Good afternoon, gentlemen. My name is Juan Carlos Lopez, with all your respect,
and also to the Mayor and all the Commissioners of the City, 144 -- 27th Northwest
South River Drive. We're here for the trailer park in that address. That trailer park
has been therefor more than 50 years, established in that area; and I, myself, have
been living therefor 18 years in that park. We received some letters from the
inspectors. We were advised that we needed to relocate, because there's a plan to
demolish, but there's been no inspection for each trailer. We have understood that
the City wants to maintain -- they want to continue having the parks within the parks
in the areas of Miami. So we'd like the assistance of the Mayor and also the
Commissioners of the City so that they can help us in this matter. But without any
type of inspection, they wanted us to relocate. And it's also understood that the
owners of the park and also the land are okay with us staying in that area. We need
the cooperation of the Commissioners and also of the Mayor, please. Thank you
very much.
Chair Russell: Thank you.
Carlos Gonzalez (as translated by official Spanish Interpreter Alfredo Varola):
Good afternoon. My name is Carlos Gonzalez. I've been a resident of the trailer
park since -- I've been there since 1989. So we've had other occasions where the
City's come to us and explained to us maybe about now seven years ago that they
expressed to us that we needed to leave, but we were able to have an attorney, and
they were able to defend us, and we were able to stay. That's seven or eight years
now. And now some months have gone by, and they've told us that we need to leave,
because they're going to destroy the trailers. The majority of us are retired people,
and we live in that area, and we don't have the possibility or the option to move out
of that area. Myself and I -- for instance, my wife and I are retired, and we're able
to live off of that, but how are we going to be able to move without finding a home
that's more expensive, living off of our retirement?
Chair Russell: Momento. Vice Chairman Gort, please.
Vice Chair Gort: Let me ask you a question. I'm going to ask you if -- I'll do the
translation. I'm going to ask him if they own or they rent. (Comments in Spanish).
Mr. Gonzalez: (Comments in Spanish not translated).
Vice Chair Gort: (Comments in Spanish not translated).
Unidentified Speaker: They pay $600 a month allotment for the land.
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Vice Chair Gort: Right. Okay.
Unidentified Speaker: But they own their home.
Vice Chair Gort. Thank you.
Mr. Gonzalez (as translated by official Spanish Interpreter Alfredo Varola): The
house is mine.
Vice Chair Gort: (Comments in Spanish not translated). In other words, I've been
talking to the Manager; the Manager is going to meet with the attorneys, and he's
going to try to work out something. Okay? (Comments in Spanish not translated).
They've been working for years. We've had a lot of problems in the trailer park for
many, many years. We're aware of it. We have been working with the property
owner, but it's their responsibility also. Okay?
Mr. Gonzalez (as translated by official Spanish Interpreter Alfredo Varola): You're
right, that there's a lot of delinquency in that area, but those aren't people that are
living there; they're people that are coming from outside and coming into that area.
The reason is completely correct with what you're saying, yes, but we're all hard-
working people. I worked for 22 years. I did my job working.
Chair Russell: Thank you.
Mr. Gonzalez (as translated by ojFcial Spanish Interpreter Alfredo Varola): I've
been living therefor a long time, and I helped and trained men and women.
Chair Russell: Thank you.
Mr. Gonzalez (as translated by official Spanish Interpreter Alfredo Varola): God
bless you all.
Chair Russell: Thank you, sir.
Mr. Gonzalez (as translated by official Spanish Interpreter Alfredo Varola): Thank
you for helping me.
Chair Russell: So, Mr. Manager, I know that the Commissioner is working on this
already, and I'm glad it's been brought to our attention, because we're dealing with
this in every district. When the Building Department or when inspection slabs are
repaired, demolished, noticed, it starts a chain reaction that sometimes we can't stop
that leads to evictions. And so, I'd like for us to work on this holistically, because we
don't want people to be afraid of reporting slum conditions; not that there are slum
conditions there, but sometimes that's what leads to the repair/demolish that leads to
the evictions, but if we know there's a situation, we can start working on it before
slapping that on the structures, because I've seen that happen, and it really makes it
difficult to help the people in the time frame that's given to make those repairs or
demolitions.
Emilio T. Gonzalez (City Manager): Sir, I'm going to meet with Ms. Calvo -- we just
had a conversation here -- on Monday to address this particular issue, and I'll bring
in the Building Director; see if he'd have a holistic answer for you.
Chair Russell: Thank you.
Mayor Suarez: Mr. Chair, if I may?
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Chair Russell: Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Suarez: Yeah, and I'll just reiterate that. She had a good idea, which is using
CDBG funds. Commissioner Gort --
Chair Russell: Yeah.
Mayor Suarez: --just established a half -a -million dollar CDBG fund for people to
come into compliance with properties that are not in Code compliance, so situations
that are similar to these.
Chair Russell: And those fund -- many times they're past their 40 year; they can't be
brought back there in such condition. Those CDBG funds could also be used for
Carrfour, for relocation, and there are opportunities. So there is a budget element to
this, so I do appreciate you coming tonight, and that's something we're addressing.
So thank you all. Thank you for coming. Good evening, sir.
Jim Fried: Hey, Mr. Commissioner, how are you? Mr. Mayor, Commissioners. My
name is Jim Fried. I live at 555 Northeast 34th Street. I'm unable to attend the full
budget hearing tonight, because of a prior commitment. I would ask that you all
show your respect for our taxpayers and for our stakeholders. Please do not
increase taxes and fees. Please further reduce the millage rate. Please do not vote
to approve another $40 million tax increase. Please endeavor to do more with less.
Thank you so much.
Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments. Who's our next speaker? Ms.
Omega, how are you?
Courtney Omega: Hello, Commissioners. Thank you so much for again allowing me
the time to speak in regards to the budget. As you know, I was here at the last
budget meeting -- the budget gathering. I again want to make known that this is
imperative; that we figure out something that we can do in regards to our affordable
housing, in regards to our anti poverty trust, as well as to our job training. I work
on a daily basis with youth and with young families here in the Coconut Grove area.
I've had literally about six hours' notice of two of my families being evicted over the
past 24 hours. We have a young family living with four children out of their car as
of last night. We also have a divorced father of three that is scrambling to find
quality housing so that he can continue to be a great parent for his children. We are
up against such a crisis. And I, of course, attend -- I am a due diligent attender of
these meetings. I am an advocate for figuring out how we can become a little bit
more proactive. I'm at the point where I'm asking you all --I'm pleading for --
please, let's establish, let's cut aside something specifically from these three budgets
that I recognize, being the anti poverty, the job training, and the affordable housing,
to specifically work with this Coconut Grove area. I think on paper, we continue to
look as though we are thriving and that we have such sustainable and available
housing for those that can't afford it, but we are continuously and consistently
overlooking the culture of our Coconut Grove community that does not have that;
that do not have the employment rate to keep up with workforce housing, let alone
affordable housing. So I am available. I would love to meet with any one of you, all
of you, to say how can we come up specifically. I represent a couple of
organizations in the Coconut Grove area, and I have yet at this point been able to
have a meeting outside of, of course, our standing Commissioner, Commissioner
Russell, in regards to -- and this is not just a District 2 problem. This is an all -of -
City -of -Miami problem. I would love to meet with either one of you, all of you at any
point in time to discuss how we can specifically start to address this in our young
families. The future of Miami -Dade depends on it.
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Chair Russell: Thank you.
Ms. Omega: Thank you.
Chair Russell: Thanks for your comments. Either side. Mr. Althabe.
Andres Althabe: Yeah. Andres Althabe, 1900 North Bayshore Drive; just wanted to
make a couple of quick points about the budget. One would be more support for the
Police Commander of Edgewater that is in need of a couple more patrol officers and
definitely an unmarked car. It is very difficult for them to control, break into cars, in
patrol cars; an unmarked car would definitely help. The second point that I would
like to make is support for the Omni CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency)
budget that contains two points that are very important for the neighbors of
Edgewater. One is the Crescent parks on Northeast 18th Street, and the other one,
the traffic circle on 17th Terrace and North Bayshore Drive. I would like to also
express that it would be very important that Capital Improvements support the
schedule of these projects that the Omni CRA put in motion. They're going to make
several thousand people in Edgewater happy. Thank you.
Chair Russell: Thank you very much. We'll continue on this side, please.
Pat Gajardo: Good evening. Pat Gajardo, 1432 Northwest 28th Street. I came here
to talk about a couple of things. I wanted to make sure that moving forward, funds
are being allocated for the parks in my community. I know there's been discussion of
building a rec center and so forth, and just wanted to make sure that that would
come to fruition. I also didn't come with the intention of piggybacking off of what
this gentleman just said, but we do need more resources in Allapattah, as well. Code
Enforcement, Code Compliance, police officers, whatever resources they need, we'd
like to see them have it. Thank you for your time.
Chair Russell: Thank you. Mr. Fales.
Herbert Gordon Fales: Good evening. My name is Gordon Fales. I live at 6815
Palazzo Street, in the Gables, and I'm representing Plymouth Church, which is at
3400 Devon Road, in the Grove. I'm the current -- currently on the board of the
Thelma Gibson Health Initiative, and Chairman of the Board of the Collaborative
Development Corporation. And I'm here to advocate for adequate funding for the
Virrick Park Pool. I've been a member of that committee until I retired two years
ago, since its founding in 1998. And over the years, we've come close a number of
times to getting pipes fixed, and the basics, and just the appearance to go along with
the park, and I ask that you seriously consider that we do that and we start work
soon as possible. Thank you.
Chair Russell: Thank you very much. Ms. Williams.
Linda Williams: Good afternoon. I'm here -- Linda Williams. I live at 3523 Charles
Avenue; temporarily at 3517 Hibiscus Street. I'm here as a resident, born and
reared, Coconut Grove, and I'm here to advocate for the Virrick Park Pool. We've
been trying to get a new pool for some time now. At the age of 10, believe it or not, I
was an avid swimmer, and swam on the pool's -- or the local community swim team.
Our concession stand cook was our diving coach; just to give you a little
background. The pool is very important to our community. We grew up learning to
swim, enjoying to swim, and I continued to swim there until my early adulthood. I'd
like to seethe pool revitalized, rebuilt. We've been waiting along time. And I'd like
future generations to enjoy what I enjoyed. So with your support, finding the funding
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for this initiative, its value to our community and an uplift, and something nice for
our kids to grow. Thank you.
Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments. Ms. Ewing.
Ruth Ewing: Hi. Ruth Ewing, 3620 Percival Avenue. I'm the current President of
the Elizabeth Virrick Park Committee, and I'm here to speak on behalf of the Virrick
Park Pool, the reconstruction of the pool. We've -- as Gordon mentioned, the
committee has been working very hard to help with promoting. We've done the
community meetings to have the community come out and participate in the needs
that we would like to see incorporated into the pool. And at this point, since 2010,
we've conducted these meetings periodically. The architect came out and worked
with us. We have the building designs. We had a budget. It gets --finds all these
shortfalls. And at this juncture, we need these kinds ofprograms in order to allow
children the safety instruction for swimming. We're going to lose our pool, and if it's
not built, we're going to just have a patch of grass. And we need to be able to have
these kids learn how to swim this close to water; also, the opportunities that
swimming provides as far as health, exercise, and the opportunities to participate in
scholarship activities -- swimming scholarships -- by being on community teams;
water polo. These are the opportunities that people in the community -- these
children in the community need, and we need this community pool to be funded, built
by next summer, 2021 at the latest, because this is something we've been waiting for;
since 2010, it has been promised. We've been denied. We've been asked to wait.
Chair Russell: We're almost there.
Ms. Ewing: We can't wait anymore.
Chair Russell: We're almost there.
Ms. Ewing: Thankyou.
Chair Russell: Thank you.
Kiandra Rhaney: Good evening. My name is Kiandra Rhaney, and I'm hereon
behalf of the Virrick Park Committee, and we need the pool. We really need the
pool. Like Ruth said, it promotes a lot of physical fitness by swimming, health and
wellness, and it stops our kids from trying to go elsewhere when they can enjoy
swimming activities in the community. So, yeah --
Chair Russell: Thank you --
Ms. Rhaney: --please help us.
Chair Russell: -- for your comments. Hello, Constance.
Constance Collins: Hello. Good evening. Constance Collins with the Lotus House
Women's Shelter, 217 Northwest 1 Sth Street. As you know, last time we -- I
appeared, we requested $450,000 in the budget to support at least 50 beds in our
shelter for women and children from the City of Miami who are fleeing, or have
histories of domestic violence. Last time, I spoke about the dire shortage of shelter
beds for women, and the fact that virtually all -- 99 percent -- of the 724 women we
sheltered over the last 18 months have trauma histories, including domestic violence,
violent crimes, and human trafficking. This time I want to talk about the 700
children who accompanied those mothers. 476 or 68 percent were newborns to the
age of five; 140 were age six to 10; and 84 were]] to 17, with steadily increasing
signs of trauma. Homelessness, and particularly violence leading up to it, are
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devastating for children and youth; so is the hunger of children experiencing
homelessness; they're four times more likely than their housed counterparts to know
what it means to go hungry at night. Children who experience domestic violence and
other traumas left untreated face lifelong adverse consequences in their mental
health, in their cognitive development, their ability to learn and thrive in school,
health, and life, if they survive. The Miami -Dade Domestic Violence Fatality Review
Team cites the following sobering facts: An estimated 3.3 million children are
exposed to violence every single year against their mothers or female caretakers
here in the US (United States). In homes where partner abuse occurs, children are
1,500 times more likely to be abused. One study showed that 27 percent of all
domestic homicide victims are children. When children are killed during a domestic
dispute, 90 percent are under the age of 10; 56 percent are under the age of two.
Without access to shelter and supportive services, women are forced to stay in or
return to abusive relationships to keep a roof over their children's heads. Violence
escalates, and too often becomes deadly. While homelessness itself is traumatic for
children, Lotus House, providing deep therapeutic supports for both children and
mothers, provides an opportunity to transform trauma into a window of opportunity
for children to heal, learn, grow, and thrive. We do so with individual needs
assessments, evidence -based therapies, maternal counseling, education, job training,
and programming so that these fragile families stay together, heal and play together,
achieve greater financial self-suff ciency, and transition to their new homes. 68
percent of the women we shelter experienced abuse in their childhoods, with 46
percent having been sexually abused as children themselves. It's time to break the
cycle. If you're not willing to fund the beds for their mothers, we ask you to find the
funds to shelter our children. These are children of the City of Miami. At $23.50 a
day, this would provide over 19, 000 supporting shelter beds for children who want to
grow and blossom into who they are meant to be. For a child, prosperity begins with
safety; a bed to sleep in at night; food to nourish bodies and minds; a place to call
home; and in times of transition, shelter with deep protective factors. Prosperity for
all means nothing if it does not protect our most sacred treasure as a community --
our children. We ask each of you to please protect our children, because they are all
divinely inspired and created, and they are our future. Thank you.
Chair Russell: Thank you very much. Next speaker, please.
Julie Grimes: Thank you, Commissioners. My name is Julie Grimes, 1717 North
Bayshore Drive, Miami. I'm here to support the request for funding additional beds
at Lotus House. Lotus House and the work that Constance Collins does there is
absolutely a divine mission. This place has become a sacred pillar in our
community, and we must all stand alongside Constance and the efforts of all the folks
at Lotus House to do everything we can to support the most vulnerable women and
children in our community. You know, we're being asked -- as we rightly should,
each one of us -- to identify victims of human trafficking. But what happens when we
identify these victims? Once they escape their terrible misery, where do they go?
Many show up at Constance's door. She wants to take them all in, but she can't; she
doesn't have enough funding for the beds that she has capacity for. So I appeal to
the City to find it in your hearts and your heads to set aside funding for this critical
mission that we should all be so grateful for that she has undertaken on our behalf,
and bears witness every day to those tragedies and horrors that we do not see.
Thank you.
Chair Russell: Thank you, Ms. Grimes. And if I could just say I know that there's no
one on this dais or Administration who would ever say, "Not my department, " but the
truth is there's so many major problems to be solved that are not within our
wheelhouse from transit, yet we do; from school safety, yet we do; and the
homelessness situation, yet we do. Other agencies have the budgets -- but maybe not
the will -- to spend in the way that may be needed to do this, and we just don't see a
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choice. And so, I'm very thankful to the Mayor for bringing part of this change
memo that's coming tonight. But just like your motto, it takes a village, because as
it's not in our wheelhouse, we can't carry it -- the burden -- on our own. So as the
Chair of the DDA (Downtown Development Authority) and the CRA (Community
Redevelopment Agency), I've directed our staff there to meet with you to see if we
can help from our side in both of those agencies, and hopefully, we can come close
to the goal that you're needing to use those beds in an appropriate way. Thank you.
Please, please continue.
Marya Meyer: Good evening. My name is Marya Meyer, 1781 Opechee Drive,
Miami, Florida. I'm here to add my voice to those who have come before me, and
especially to the survivor/leaders, many of whom we see here sitting. I thank you for
your leadership. I am the coordinator for Miami for a global grassroots movement
called One Billion Rising, which addresses gender violence across the globe,
because over a billion women and girls will be raped or beaten in her lifetime; that's
a year-end statistic, and many of us live here. We need to do something about it
locally. We think globally; we act locally. I serve on the board of the Women's Fund
of Miami -Dade, and I also have the honor to serve, as many of us are serving here,
in many capacities on the official Stop Sex Trafficking Campaign of the Miami Super
Bowl Host Committee, in conjunction with the State Attorney's Office and Women's
Fund, Miami -Dade. The Super Bowl is coming to Miami. I'm excited. Sex
trafficking is not coming to Miami; it's here. Domestic violence is already here; it's
not the NFL's (National Football League) fault. We have a capacity as a community
-- and I know I have a short time, but I will promise you, there are many of us
working in this community, and you can all be proud. We've got great things coming
on. So I add my voice, and I would say I came here to work in the business world to
oversee marketing for Polygram Universal Records in Latin America. I worked with
U2 and Sting, and Sheryl Crow, and I've never seen a star shine as brightly as this
representative of our community, and all the people that she serves. If we're really,
really smart, we'll stand on their shoulders and ask for their help resolving the
problems. Instead of them asking us for help, I think we should accept theirs and
fund it to our maximum capacity. Thank you very much.
Chair Russell: Thank you for your comment. Hello.
Beatrice Gonzalez: Hi. Beatrice Gonzalez, Community Outreach Director for Lotus
House at 217 Northwest 15th Street. Mayor Suarez, Chairman Russell, Miami
Commissioners, we're here to request more funding for emergency shelter and
supportive services for women and children. You should begetting a copy of the
petition that I'd like to read for you tonight, of which we've received 9, 037
signatures; of those, 2, 000 just in the last 60 days alone. Violence is a leading cause
of homelessness for women. Women, young and old, who are homeless and alone,
survive by being invisible. Staying awake through the night out of fear, they sleep on
buses and in airports, hospitals, abandoned buildings, backyards, and alleyways, in
a desperate attempt to find shelter each night, without being detected. They are
forced to bathe in public restrooms, and eat from garbage cans, to go unnoticed.
But, of course, they cannot hide forever, especially from predators. Physically
vulnerable women and youth without a place to stay are at a heightened risk of
sexual assault, human trafficking, and violence in its many forms. All too often,
impoverished women and their children are forced to remain in abusive
relationships because they lack a safe place to go. Tonight, hundreds of women and
children in our community need supportive emergency shelter, and support to take
back their lives; and yet, Lotus House, one of the largest shelters in the country for
women and children, is forced to leave more than 150 beds empty tonight, because
we lack sufficient funding. Lotus House currently shelters 400 plus women and
children nightly in our new home, Lotus Village, with additional capacity to shelter
up to 550. 95 percent of the women we shelter report histories of violence, many
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starting with victimization as children. This includes the following harrowing
statistics: 72 percent of our mothers report a history of domestic violence, sexual
assault, or violent crime; 67 percent of mothers report being sexually molested,
abused, or neglected in their childhoods, because violence against women in
intergenerational. Shelters must be trauma -informed, and address the unique needs
of women and their children, who have survived violence in order to break the cycle.
This requires the support that Lotus House provides: Intensive child and family
therapies; access to physical, medical, dental, and mental healthcare; educational
assistance; job readiness training; childcare; even (UNINTELLIGIBLE) activities,
so women and children can heal and rebuild their lives. Without money to help fund
these beds and supportive services, women and children will be forced to continue to
survive by being invisible; suffering needlessly from violence, abuse, hunger, mental
health issues, and continued homelessness. Thank you.
Chair Russell: Thank you for your comments. Is this our last public speaker for the
budget? If there's anyone else who'd like to speak on the City's budget or the agency
budgets being dealt with tonight, please come on up to the lecterns. Good evening,
sir.
Russ Gordon: Yes, sir. Russ Gordon, 1031 Southwest 139th Street, Miami; proud,
long-time native resident of Miami and Dade County for 68 years. In the last two
years, all of my family, including my son, daughter-in-law, and my seven -year -old
and three -year -old grandchildren have become proud supporters of Lotus House,
and I have learned they really do the work of God. And I know the dollars are
tough; I know that. I've seen that many times before, being a long-time resident.
This was built with private dollars from giving philanthropists that all of you know,
and they have major corporations. You read the wall when you walk into the lobby.
But this needs to continue. They take broken homes and they bring the mothers and
the children in, put a roof over their heads. We had a Valentine's Day celebration
with about a thousand supporters, and we really saw the love. And I hope you can
see your way to find the dollars to support. Thank you.
Chair Russell: Thank you. Should we close public comment? Is there anyone else
who'd like to speak on the City budget, the DDA budget, the Overtown/Park West
CRA budget? Seeing none, I will close public comment and see if we have a motion
on BH3 and BH4. This is the Downtown Development Authority final millage and
budget.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): Chair, just so you know, B113 is a four -fifths.
Chair Russell: Oh. Then we'll table that. But BH.4 is not, correct?
Mr. Hannon: Yes, sir; that's correct.
Chair Russell: But we need to pass the millage before the budget. All right. So
we'll take --
Cristina Crespi: Correct. And I need just to read something into the record.
Chair Russell: Well, we need to table it until we have four anyway --
Ms. Crespi: Okay.
Chair Russell: -- so why don't we hold. And then for Overtown/Park West, we have
-- our Chairman is not on the dais yet, so I'll hold for that item.
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BH - BUDGET HEARING
BH.1 DISCUSSION ITEM
fib all l4[4l9]I0-161W-I.-I IQ 0 to]; W_11019= IJh061009a= WATA=1019L'\I0[071[1J971010
Office of PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE CITY'S PROPOSED FY 2019-20 MILLAGE
Management and RATE AND FINAL BUDGET
Budget
RESULT: DISCUSSED
Chair Russell: And now we're going to move to public comment. We have two
sections of public comment, and then one, two, three, four, five, six items that we
need to pass, including some of the agencies, as well as the multi year plan -- capital
plan -- our millage for the City, and our annual budget. We do now have a quorum.
If you'd like to address the dais, Mr. Rose, and then we'll open public comment for
anyone who'd like to speak on the City s budget or any of the other agency budgets
that are listed on the agenda tonight. Microphone; sorry.
Christopher Rose (Director): Good evening, Commissioners. Chris Rose, Office of
Management and Budget. I have some words that I'm required to read into the
record by State law; that is, the proposed general operating millage rate is 7.5665
mills for the City of Miami for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2019 and ending
in September 30, 2020. That operating millage rate is 4.59 percent higher than the
State -defined rollback rate of 7.2341 mills. Thank you, Commissioners.
Chair Russell: Thank you, Mr. Rose.
BH.2 DISCUSSION ITEM
6533 A DISCUSSION OF FINAL MILLAGE RATE AND FINAL BUDGET FOR THE
Downtown MIAMI DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.
Development
Authority
SULT: DISCUSSED RE
Chair Russell: Why don't we go ahead and start then? Is there a motion on the
Multi -Year Capital Plan, BH.6? That is the City's Multi -Year Capital Plan for 2019-
2020.
Mayor Francis Suarez: Why don't you adopt the millage? And adopt the millage;
that might be easier.
Chair Russell: You'd prefer the millage first? BH. 7 is the millage.
Mayor Suarez: You need four on the millage. Sorry.
Chair Russell: Why are you saying four?
Christopher Rose (Director, Office of Management and Budget): You need four
votes --
Chair Russell: On the millage, as well?
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Mr. Rose: Yes, sir.
Chair Russell: Well, we got it.
Mr. Rose: There you go.
Chair Russell: So we're going to back up a little bit now that we have four, and
we're going to go back to the Downtown Development Authority, 1311.3. Ms. Crespi.
Cristina Crespi: Hello. Good of -- well, good evening, Commissioners. Cristina
Crespi, Miami Downtown Development Authority, Deputy Director. 1311.3, the
proposed general operating millage rate for the Downtown Development Authority
is 0.4681 mills for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2019, and ending in
September 30, 2020. That operating millage rate is 4.23 percent higher than the
State -defined rollback rate of 0.4421 mills.
Chair Russell: Thank you. Is there a motion on BH.3? It's been moved by
Commissioner Hardemon; second by the Chair. Is there any further discussion? All
in favor, say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Russell: Any opposed?
Ms. Crespi: Thank you.
Chair Russell: Motion passes.
Vice Chair Gort: Great presentation.
Chair Russell: Thank you.
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BH.3
RESOLUTION
6534
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Downtown
ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING AND ADOPTING BY A FOUR-
Deveiopment
FIFTHS (4/5) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE AN ADDITIONAL FINAL
Authority
MILLAGE RATE FOR AD VALOREM TAXATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 200.065, FLORIDA STATUTES; DEFINING AND
DESIGNATING THE TERRITORIAL LIMITS OF THE DOWNTOWN
DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT ("DISTRICT") OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA ("CITY') AS DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A" ATTACHED
AND INCORPORATED; LEVYING AN ADDITIONAL AD VALOREM
TAX ON ALL REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY IN THE DISTRICT
AT THE RATE OF 0.4681 MILLS ON THE DOLLAR OF TAXABLE
VALUE OF SUCH PROPERTY IN SAID DISTRICT FOR THE
PURPOSE OF FINANCING THE OPERATION OF THE MIAMI
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA ("MIAMI DDA") FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2019 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30,
2020; PROVIDING THAT SAID MIAMI DDA MILLAGE SHALL BE IN
ADDITION TO THE MILLAGE ADOPTED BY THE CITY
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO ARTICLE VII, SECTION 9 OF THE
FLORIDA CONSTITUTION AND SECTION 166.211, FLORIDA
STATUTES, AS WELL AS ANY SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS
IMPOSED BY THE SAME; PROVIDING THAT THIS RESOLUTION
SHALL NOT BE DEEMED AS REPEALING OR AMENDING ANY
OTHER RESOLUTION OR ANY ORDINANCE FIXING MILLAGE OR
LEVYING TAXES, BUT SHALL BE DEEMED SUPPLEMENTAL AND
IN ADDITION THERETO; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE;
AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION TO:
Adopt
RESULT:
ADOPTED
MOVER:
Keon Hardemon, Commissioner
SECONDER:
Ken Russell, Commissioner
AYES:
Russell, Gort, Reyes, Hardemon
ABSENT:
Carollo
Note for the Record: For minutes referencing Item BH 3, please see item BH 2
Citv ofMiami Page 14 Printed on 1211712019
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BHA
RESOLUTION
6535
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Downtown
ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE FINAL ANNUAL
De eiopment
BUDGET OF THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ("MIAMI
Authority
DDA") OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA ("CITY"), ATTACHED AND
"A",
INCORPORATED AS COMPOSITE EXHIBIT IN THE TOTAL
AMOUNT OF $12,698,087.00, AND MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FROM
THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT AD VALOREM TAX LEVY
AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS INCOME FOR THE MIAMI DDA, FOR
THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2019 AND ENDING
SEPTEMBER 30, 2020; AUTHORIZING THE MIAMI DDA TO MAKE
TRANSFERS BETWEEN ACCOUNTS FOR NECESSARY AND PROPER
PURPOSES; AUTHORIZING THE MIAMI DDA TO INVITE AND
ADVERTISE REQUIRED BIDS; PROVIDING THAT THIS RESOLUTION
BE DEEMED SUPPLEMENTAL AND IN ADDITION TO THE RESOLUTION
MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING
OCTOBER 1, 2019, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2020, FOR THE
OPERATIONS OF THE CITY.
MOTION TO:
Adopt
RESULT:
ADOPTED
MOVER:
Keon Hardemon, Commissioner
SECONDER:
Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner
AYES:
Russell, Gort, Reyes, Hardemon
ABSENT:
Carollo
Chair Russell: BH 4, the budget for the Downtown Development Authority.
Cristina Crespi: The final Miami DDA (Downtown Development Anthoriiv) budget
for fiscal year 2019-2020 is based on the estimated ad valorem of $9.9 million. This
represents an increase in ad valorem revenue of $800, 000 over the last fiscal year.
Chair Russell: All right. Is there a motion on BH 4, please? It's been moved by the
Vice Chairman; second by Commissioner Hardemon. Any further discussion? All in
favor, say "aye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Russell: Any opposed? Motion passes on BH 4.
Ms. Crespi: Thankyou very much.
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BH.5
RESOLUTION
6325
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
ATTACHMENT(S), ACCEPTING AND ADOPTING THE ANNUAL
Southeast
GENERAL OPERATING AND TAX INCREMENT FUND BUDGET OF
Overtown/Park
THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY
West CRA
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("SEOPW CRA"), ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED AS COMPOSITE EXHIBIT "A", IN THE AMOUNT OF
$66,273,241.00, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1,
2019 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2020, AS APPROVED BY THE
SEOPW CRA'S BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-19-0373
MOTION TO:
Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT:
ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER:
Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER:
Keon Hardemon, Commissioner
AYES:
Russell, Gort, Carollo, Reyes, Hardemon
Chair Russell: The Southeast Overtown/Park West budget, BH S.
Miguel Valentin: Good evening, Commissioners. I have the good fortune of
presenting for your approval and adoption the CRA (Community Redevelopment
Agency) budgetfrom 2019 to 2020 annual budget in the amount of 66,273,241.
Chair Russell: Thankyou. Is there a motion on BHS?
Commissioner Hardemon: Is your Executive Director here?
Mr. Valentin: Yes, he is around.
Commissioner Hardemon: Where is he?
Chair Russell: This is the Overtown budget.
Mr. Valentin: No, he's here.
Commissioner Hardemon: He's somewhere? Here he comes.
Mr. Valentin: He was telling me to do it on his behalf.
Chair Russell: Elvis is in the house.
Commissioner Hardemon: I just want to see your handsome face.
Cornelius Shiver (Executive Director, Southeast Overtown/Park West Community
Development Agency): He didn't get the number right?
Commissioner Hardemon: Tell its who you are.
Mr. Shiver: He didn't get the numbers right?
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Commissioner Hardemon: Tell us who you are.
Mr. Shiver: Neil Shiver, Executive Director of you all best performing Southeast
Overtown/Park West CRA --
Commissioner Hardemon: Don't lose your votes now.
Mr. Shiver: -- in the country.
Commissioner Hardemon: Don't lose your votes.
Mr. Shiver: In the country. This is my board. This is my leadership. How could I
lose the votes?
Commissioner Hardemon: So moved.
Mr. Shiver: Thank you.
Mayor Francis Suarez: That's a good point.
Chair Russell: Sorry. We had a motion from Commissioner Reyes. Who's the
second?
Commissioner Hardemon: I'll second it.
Chair Russell: Commissioner Hardemon.
Robin Jones -Jackson (Assistant City Attorney, Supervisor): Mr. Chair?
Chair Russell: Yes.
Commissioner Hardemon: Oh; subject to the approval -- of course, the motion is
subject to the approval of the Southeast Overtown/Park West budget when they meet,
which will be soon.
Chair Russell. So retro.
Ms. Jones -Jackson: Correct.
Commissioner Hardemon: Right.
Ms. Jones -Jackson: So there will be a condition subsequent to City Commission
approval, which would be the board approval.
Chair Russell: Very good.
Ms. Jones -Jackson: As modified.
Mr. Shiver: That's my understanding. Thank you.
Chair Russell: We have a motion and we have a second. Is there any further
discussion? All in favor, say "aye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Russell: Any opposed? Motion passes.
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Ms. Jones -Jackson: As modified.
Chair Russell: Thank you very much.
BH.6
RESOLUTION
6292
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Office of
ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING THE CITY OF MIAMI'S ("CITY")
Management and
FISCAL YEAR 2019-20 MULTI -YEAR CAPITAL PLAN TOTALING
Budget
$654,242,000 WITH $25,418,000 NEWLY APPROPRIATED,
"A"
ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS COMPOSITE EXHIBIT
("PLAN"), AS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO THE COMMUNITY
PLANNING ACT, SPECIFICALLY SECTIONS 163.3161 AND
163.3177, FLORIDA STATUTES (2019), AND CHAPTER 18/
ARTICLE IX/ DIVISIONS 1 AND 2 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, TITLED "FINANCIAL/ FINANCIAL
POLICIES/ ANTI -DEFICIENCY ACT/ FINANCIAL INTEGRITY
PRINCIPLES," TO SET FORTH THE CITY'S FISCAL NEEDS FOR
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS, SUBJECT TO AN ANNUAL PLAN
REVIEW, TO DETERMINE PROJECT PRIORITIES, TO ADD NEW
CAPITAL PROJECTS, TO CLOSE OUT COMPLETED PROJECTS,
AND TO APPROPRIATE, RE -APPROPRIATE, AND MODIFY
FUNDING ALLOCATIONS AS NECESSARY; RATIFYING,
APPROVING, AND CONFIRMING CERTAIN NECESSARY ACTIONS
OF THE CITY MANAGER AND DESIGNATED CITY OFFICIALS IN
ORDER TO UPDATE THE RELEVANT CAPITAL PROJECTS,
FINANCIAL CONTROLS, PROJECT CLOSE-OUTS, COMPLETED
PROJECTS, ACCOUNTING ENTRIES, AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS
IN CONNECTION THEREWITH AND FOR GRANTS IN PROGRESS;
PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION OF SUBSEQUENT
AMENDMENTS TO THE PLAN; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: R-19-0374
MOTION TO: Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT: ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER: Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
SECONDER: Keon Hardemon, Commissioner
AYES: Russell, Gort, Carollo, Reyes, Hardemon
Chair Russell: We now have the Multi -Year Capital Plan, 2019-2020.
Christopher Rose (Director): Good evening, Commissioners. Chris Rose, Office of
Management and Budget. The Capital Plan is before you, as amended by the
Change Memo. I'm going to take these and hand them to the Clerk. You all received
them via email a few days ago, but all the amendments are therein.
Commissioner Reyes: No, they're not.
Chair Russell: Well, there may be some more. Why don't we start, though, with a
motion? Is there a motion? And then we'll start with discussion.
Commissioner Reyes: I move it.
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Chair Russell: All right; seconded by the Chair, and we're open for discussion.
Commissioner Reyes: We have -- Mr. --
Chair Russell: The actual Multi -Year Capital Plan; not the full budget of the annual
budget, but the Multi -Capital Plan.
Commissioner Reyes: Mr. Chair?
Chair Russell: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Reyes: I have -- that's right. I have some amendments; the same
amendments that we had -- I had last time, and I am going to list them. It is going to
be -- this is from -- this is going to be $350, 000 for BRF Number 0197, Fairlawn
Mini Park, for Master -Planning in the site. The Administration should create a "B"
number, specifically for Fairlawn. I want to -- I want you to know that we have the
land already. We already purchased the land, and we have to start going. I also --
my second request is $550, 000 for Project Number 40-B193522.
Chair Russell: How much?
Commissioner Reyes: 550,000, Silver Bluff Mini Park and Dog
(UNINTELLIGIBLE) Park, construction and expansion so that we can fully fund
these two projects. Another one is 750,000 for Project Number 40-B303048,
Shenandoah Park enhancement, to complete the funding of the Shenandoah Master
Plan, and fully fund this project. I was going to include additional funds for West
End Park, but I don't want to be greedy, and I want to leave something for my fellow
Commissioners. Now, I also have another -- Can we vote on this motion, or what?
Chair Russell: I'd say let's put everything on the table.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay. Well, then, we found out that Miami Sports and
Exhibition Authority -- MSEA -- they had a Special Revenue Account. They had
around $16, 000 left; isn't that right?
Mr. Rose: Yes, sir. That would be in the operating budget --
Commissioner Reyes: In the operating budget of MSEA, that it was left. I would like
to move that to Special Revenue Account for the Latin Jazz in the Park in
Shenandoah that we are -- we did it last year. I want it -- that event. I want to keep
on doing it every year.
Chair Russell: Just a moment. Vice Chairman.
Vice Chair Gort: What's the fund available from MSEA?
Mr. Rose: Well, we're mixing -- through the Chair.
Vice Chair Gort: Yeah.
Mr. Rose: Chris Rose, Office ofManagement and Budget. That would be amending
BH.8, the operating budget.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
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Mr. Rose: Okay. So the first ones you read are on BH.6 that we're currently on
right now. The last one you read --
Commissioner Reyes: It is going to be --
Mr. Rose: -- is more properly BH.8.
Commissioner Reyes: -- BH.8, but I'm -- still will request it. Don't let me forget it.
Okay.
Chair Russell: Vice Chairman.
Vice Chair Gort: My question hasn't been answered. What's the total currently left
in MSEA?
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Mr. Rose: There is $16,000 left in MSEA. The MSEA money that came over, we
allocated it in the proposed budget --
Vice Chair Gort: I understand. But my understanding is, it's 800-and-some-
thousand dollars.
Mr. Rose: Yes, sir. About 500,000 of that -- about 600,000 of that was allocated in
the proposed budget. There is 250 that is a deposit that is on file that we need to
keep. The remainder after all of that is $16,000 left.
Vice Chair Gort: I understand, but the $600,000, my understanding, is a special --
Mr. Rose: It was put in the Special Revenue Account per the City Commission's
direction. And in the new budget that is proposed --
Vice Chair Gort: Right.
Mr. Rose: -- about that -- 16,000 left of that is --
Vice Chair Gort. I understand about the 16,000. I want to know how you're going
to spend the 600, 000.
Mr. Rose: It is in Non -Departmental. It goes towards the parades and events that
were added at the second budget hearing last year. The ones that come to mind are
Blacktop Basketball. We had a hundred thousand in District 3.
Vice Chair Gort: So it's already been --
Mr. Rose: We had a Fourth of July Party --
Vice Chair Gort: -- you spent it already?
Mr. Rose: Yes, sir. It is allocated in the proposed budget.
Vice Chair Gort: In the proposed budget? Okay.
Mr. Rose: Yes, sir.
Chair Russell: Right. But that's for the other item. It's still --
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Commissioner Reyes: That's the other item.
Chair Russell: You had other items for capital?
Commissioner Reyes: No; so far, so good.
Chair Russell: All right.
Vice Chair Gort: I got a question.
Chair Russell: Yes, Vice Chairman.
Vice Chair Gort: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). My understanding is certain commitment --
you just heard someone from my neighborhood asking for the parks and that
building we're going to be having in Curtis Park. My understanding, the funding is
going to be for that one, right?
Mr. Rose: And I believe what Commissioner Reyes was talking about was
reallocating from the Citywide --
Commissioner Reyes: Citywide.
Mr. Rose: --Land Acquisition Fund, which is funded with Parks impact fees. In the
proposed budget, in the Capital Book -- yellow book -- on Page 27, the Park impact
fees are laid out. District I Parks are Sewell Park, for 719; Sewell Park walkway,
for 600; and Grapeland Park new outdoor fitness center -- fitness area -- for
250, 000.
Vice Chair Gort: Right. Back to Curtis Park Recreation Building that you and I had
discussed quite a bit.
Mr. Rose: We discussed that being in the next tranche of the bond, or a future
tranche of the bond. That's what -- the Miami Forever Bond.
Vice Chair Gort: We've already allocated funds to do the design, my understanding.
We're already working on design, so I want to make sure of this, because I'm going
to be leaving here in two months, so I want to make sure it gets done.
Mr. Rose: Yes; in the first tranche of the bond.
Vice Chair Gort: Right. I just want it on the record. Thank you.
Chair Russell: Thank you very much.
Commissioner Reyes: Is this -- this is a motion, right?
Chair Russell: Not yet -- yes. We have a motion; we have a second, and we're
working on amendments at this point.
Commissioner Carollo: Well, hold on. On the 16, 000 from MSEA --
Commissioner Reyes: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: -- I normally wouldn't have any problems with you getting
it, but the MSEA bylaws state that if there are any final funds of 50,000 or less,
whoever was the last Chairman that served the most time, the most years gets to get
it.
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Chair Russell: We might need a legal opinion on that one.
Commissioner Carollo: I'm the former Chairman of MSEA for six years or more, so
that should come to me.
Commissioner Reyes: And who was the last one? Who was the last one?
Commissioner Carollo: No, those are the bylaws.
Chair Russell: Oh, Regalado was the last.
Commissioner Hardemon: Regalado was the last one, and I sat --
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, but he's not here.
Commissioner Hardemon: -- on the board for six years.
Commissioner Carollo: But he's not here, so according to those bylaws -- no, no,
I'm teasing you.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay. I know.
Commissioner Carollo: I'm teasing you, Commissioner.
Commissioner Reyes: I know. I'm willing to split it, though.
Commissioner Carollo: No, no, there are no bylaws. You get it.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Commissioner Carollo: I'm pulling a -- whatchamacallit -- Bayside on you.
Commissioner Reyes: Yeah.
Mr. Rose: Could I clarify, through the Chair?
Chair Russell: Yes.
Mr. Rose: So these are no longer MSEA funds. These are funds that we took from
MSEA when it was dissolved, put it in a Special Revenue Account --
Commissioner Reyes: Yeah.
Mr. Rose: -- and in the new proposed budget, we're allocating the majority of it.
There is 16, 000 left. It's in the second Change Memo, listing out that 16.
Chair Russell: Let's table that for BH.8, and let's just work on capital for right now.
Mr. Rose: Yes, sir.
Chair Russell: If I could hear from the Capital Improvements Director or the Parks
Director with regard to Virrick Park Pool. It's my understanding that, barring the
short fund, we are ready to go on that pool, with potential groundbreaking in
January; potential of being ready for summer 2021, and I just wanted clarification
on that.
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Steve Williamson: Steve Williamson, Capital Improvements Director. We are
currently at about 98 percent design. With an additional 2.5 million, 2.7 million, I
believe we can then go into bidding. Bidding usually takes between four to six
months.
Chair Russell: Yeah.
Mr. Williamson: And then at that point, we'd be ready to go into groundbreaking.
Commissioner Carollo: Well --
Chair Russell: This plan has gone through the -- through such a public process,
working with Capital -- with the County, even -- and it's going to be an incredible
amenity for the West Grove and the City of Miami. That pool services the swimming
lessons for four surrounding parks. Is everybody okay?
Unidentified Speaker: Yeah.
Chair Russell: And we already have an agreement with Ransom Everglades.
Through the SAP (Special Area Plan) extension that they got, they're offering to take
up -- use -- let us use their pool for the swimming lessons every summer while our
pool is out of commission during this construction. But that has some time issues, so
we're really trying to get going, and I would love for the support of this board to help
me get there. We're about 1 million short to get to this point of getting ready to
ground -break, and so --
Commissioner Carollo: Well, but I'm confused.
Chair Russell: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: I thought the remaining money that we had there, we were
going to use it for the joint parks for -- that we have.
Chair Russell: Yes. And so, I think we need to talk about how we can split all this
up and work together. There's 2.89 available in Park impacts fees, if I'm not
mistaken. Yeah. So let's talk turkey.
Commissioner Reyes: Less than; 1.65.
Chair Russell: 1.6?
Commissioner Reyes: 1.65.
Chair Russell: How much did you need, Commissioner Carollo, for the Southside?
Commissioner Carollo: We needed 1.5, about.
Chair Russell: I thought it was closer to 1.
Commissioner Carollo: No. It was closer to 1.5. And by the way --
Chair Russell: Yeah.
Commissioner Carollo: -- the monies that the County offered us on the other park,
that was confederate money.
Chair Russell: Confederate money?
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Commissioner Carollo: Yes; no good.
Chair Russell: So I had heard the same thing. So it is on us if we want to see it
happen now.
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah.
Chair Russell: But I'd love to hear the exact number from Capital and/or Parks with
regard to the meeting we had -- the sunshine meeting that Commissioner Carollo
and I had on the -- not Simpson Park, but the Underline section behind Simpson
Park. I thought I remembered it being closer to a I million number.
Commissioner Carollo: No.
Mr. Rose: I don't know.
Chair Russell: I could be wrong.
Mr. Rose: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Let me research that. My recollection is 1.3 was
the previous design number. Give me a moment and I'll look for it.
Commissioner Carollo: The previous --
Chair Russell: 1.3 was what you were looking for, right?
Commissioner Carollo: -- which has gone up.
Commissioner Reyes: No, it was (UNINTELLIGIBLE) -- 1.6 something.
Commissioner Carollo: And that wouldn't even leave us --
Commissioner Reyes: You are the one that --
Chair Russell: I kept inflating it accidentally; that's right.
Commissioner Carollo: -- any money for Southside. And we could have those
groundbreakings, you know, right away.
Chair Russell: Well -- you know, because that one's also close to done; 96 percent
ofplanning is done.
Commissioner Reyes: No, no, let me explain this. You see, we -- Shenandoah Park
is ready to go, and we didn't ask for Shenandoah; we asked for West End and instead
of -- we left West End out, and we included -- because Shenandoah is ready to go.
Commissioner Carollo: Well, if you guys would listen to me, on the Bayside wheel
deal, we'd have plenty of more money to cover all these parks right now, but you
want to give it away; that's another story.
Chair Russell: I know we all have some pretty significant projects we're trying to
accomplish within our districts. Vice Chairman, sorry.
Vice Chair Gort: Let me ask a question. You mentioned Fern Isle. Do we have all
the funding for Fern Isle or -- I understand we're short about 365?
Unidentified Speaker: 350.
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Vice Chair Gort: 365, 000.
Mr. Williamson: Steve Williamson, Capital Improvements. Through the Chair, it's
395,000 that they're short on Fern Isle, DDA (Downtown Development Authority).
Chair Russell: Yeah.
Mr. Rose: And in answer to Commissioner Gort's previous question, on Page 71 is
the 400, 000 for Jerry Curtis Park from Miami Forever --
Vice Chair Gort: Okay, thank you.
Mr. Rose: -- the first tranche. You're welcome. I am searching for that original
number. I had it the day of the sunshine meeting, but -- I'm looking for a particular
email.
Chair Russell: We're almost there; find a good solution that fits everyone.
Mr. Rose: The original estimate was in "B" Number 40355A, and it was 1.314661.
Chair Russell: Right; 1.3.
Mr. Rose: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: (UNINTELLIGIBLE)?
Mr. Rose: 1.314; yes, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: (UNINTELLIGIBLE)?
Mr. Rose: $1,314,661.
Commissioner Carollo: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Chair Russell: Is your mike on?
Commissioner Carollo: That was an old estimate.
Mr. Rose: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: It doesn't include some of the additional stuff that they had
put on there, so that's why I'm saying 1.5. And that's not even touching Southside. I
might have to do another sunshine meeting, so you and I could work that one out.
Chair Russell: And I think we need to. I'd like to continue helping find funds for
both Southside and at Simpson Park, but we're going to have to work together on
this. I've -- recognizing the needs for parks in other districts, I've taken a back seat
for District 2 with regard to Park impact funds for the last couple of years, to the
tune of a lot. District 4 has had millions and millions of dollars in the last two years,
and it's very good, because we're getting new parks where they're absolutely needed.
But I cannot neglect the pool in the West Grove, and what that provides for children
learning to swim there. If you go there in the summer and see the joy in that pool,
it's amazing. And we're so close. We've already put together millions for this
project. We just need to cap it off, and we can hit the ground in the next few months.
Commissioner Carollo: Well --
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Chair Russell: So my recommendation -- it's just my recommendation, and we can
all talk it out. If we were to split this three ways -- what's available, the 2.8 -- that'd
bring us to 9.6 apiece, and that would get Commissioner Reyes two of the three
projects he's trying to do; both the 350 and the 550, and even then some; he'd have a
little bit above that, but he wouldn't be able to do the 750 one.
Commissioner Reyes: I need a little bit more than that, because you have -- you
need a pool, too. But I need a pool, also, on West End, and I'm not including it in
here.
Chair Russell: That's -- right. And so --and --
Commissioner Reyes: Okay? I'm not including -- so I -- last time, I asked for 1.3,
right? And then you started maneuvering, and you said, "Well, don't worry about it.
It's just" -- "don't worry. Next time, you'll get it. " And I, being such a trust -- person
that I trust everybody, I trusted you. And now, you're taking money away from me,
man, and -- going to be the last time, you see?
Chair Russell: I will continue to help you fund the projects and parks that serve
your district --
Commissioner Reyes: Well, you know --
Chair Russell: -- as it serves the City.
Commissioner Reyes: -- let's do one thing, you see? The last request was 1.3
million. We work like that. Let's do it.
Chair Russell: Right.
Commissioner Reyes: You see, instead of 750 for the Shenandoah Park, let's do 550,
and I'll give you $200, 000 more that you can split.
Commissioner Carollo: Well, the --
Commissioner Reyes: But I need it. I need it.
Chair Russell: Let me just --
Commissioner Carollo: Normally, Commissioner --
Chair Russell: Chris, could you tell us?
Commissioner Carollo: -- normally, I would jump in and say, "That's fine," but
here's the point: One, you have the most parks and the best parks of all districts.
Two, the last -- or the first time that we've gotten money out of the bond issue, you
took the lion's share, by far --
Commissioner Reyes: Yes, he did.
Commissioner Carollo: -- by far. My district, District 3, that has the least amount
of parks --
Commissioner Reyes: Yep.
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Commissioner Carollo: -- and had been in the worst condition of any district was
given the least amount.
Commissioner Reyes: Yeah.
Commissioner Carollo: Now, I know why that was done; that's fine. So, you know,
we have to have some balance. You can't have every park perfect, the way you want
it, and then I go to my district, and I see the state that some of the parks are in. We
got to have a balance.
Chair Russell: No, understood. And I've been --
Commissioner Reyes: Absolutely, and the same goes for me.
Chair Russell: Mr. Rose, how much has District 2 gotten in Park impact fees in the
last two years; approximate?
Mr. Rose: I'm going to turn to the second Change Memo that was sent out to
everyone.
Commissioner Carollo: While he's looking for that, let me say, Commissioner, that
I'm playing big-time catchup in my district --
Chair Russell: I agree.
Commissioner Carollo: -- because my district don't have parks, like yours; or,
frankly, like the rest of the districts. So I'm playing catchup. One of the biggest
parks we had was three acres; baseball field, beautiful park on 17th Avenue and by
3rd Street. You know what happened to it? A previous Commissioner and Mayor
gave it away to the Marlins in the big Marlins deal. Now I have to make up for that
park, and land is expensive. I'm trying to put about an acre and a half together to
make up for it a few blocks down. I've had to buy parks in many different parts,
because we do not have the parks that other areas have. And we got to have a
balance; not everything can be the way we want it immediately, you know. And I say
this to you again, and I mean this sincerely. This deal with the wheel, everybody
would be happy tonight; everybody would have the money that they need for the
parks we're talking about now. But you guys don't want to look at it. You want to
give them a sweetheart deal.
Commissioner Reyes: Yeah.
Commissioner Carollo: And, you know, we need to revisit that. Frankly, in my
district, the north end of Little Havana needs parks more than for me to refurbish
Southside or to do the new Underline behind Simpson Park.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: But I'm doing that because I want to work with you. I know
that part of your district in Brickell doesn't have the parks, and I think those people
need to have the kind ofparks that we're talking about for them.
Chair Russell: Agreed.
Commissioner Carollo: So I'm sacrificing one area in my district to help you out in
your area, also.
Commissioner Reyes: And I want to --
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Chair Russell: I appreciate that, but that was your ask; not mine. And I'm glad to
be there with you on it, but I cannot neglect certain parts of my district that had been
very, very neglected.
Commissioner Reyes: Mr. Chair, you are asking for the last two years. How about
the first tranche? Who got the lion's share of it?
Commissioner Reyes: Well, let him answer this first one, and then we'll go --
Commissioner Reyes: No, and also, I only been here two years. Let's go back four
years and see who have gotten the most and the best parks in the whole City of
Miami; the best equipment --
Chair Russell: Parks impact fees.
Commissioner Reyes: -- was -- is in District 2. And my parks, they need -- they
really need to be -- they -- I have to redo two parks, major parks. I don't have a pool
in West End, see?
Chair Russell: Thank you. Mr. Rose.
Mr. Rose: Through the Chair. What was moved from the Citywide Land Acquisition
Project, none of it went to District 2. In last year's adopted budget, none of it went
to District 2. In this year's proposed budget, there is 500, 000 for Morningside Park
General Plan; Alice Wainwright, creation of a natural area, 500,000, and that is it
for District 2.
Commissioner Reyes: That's land acquisition only.
Chair Russell: Now, can you tell me about the other districts, same thing; Park
impacts fees the last two years?
Mr. Rose: Okay. So let me first tell you what's in the proposed Capital Plan as it
stands. District I has Sewell Park -- we already talked about it -- 719, 000; has
Sewell Park walkway, 600,000, and Grapeland new outdoor fitness area, 250. In
District 2 -- we just talked about -- Morningside General Plan, 500; Alice
Wainwright natural area, 500. In District 3: Riverside Park synthetic turf, a
million; West End Park enhancements -- now we're into District 4. West End Park
enhancements, a million. District 5: Roberto Clemente Park, 500,000; Athalie
Range Pool chiller, 100,000 and Athalie Range new recreation building planning,
500, 000. That's what's in the proposed budget.
Chair Russell: I'm just looking for the flat number for the last two years for each
district; rough, just average; doesn't have to be to the penny.
Commissioner Reyes: Correction, sir, if I may. Why don't we do four year, when
you were getting all the money for Douglas Park and everything, while West End
and the other parks weren't getting anything?
Mr. Rose: It's going to take a little time to pull the information together the way
you're asking for it, Commissioners. I can --
Chair Russell: Park impacts fees by district isn't pretty cleanly split?
Mr. Rose: Not in that way, no. I could go add it up. We can get it done.
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Chair Russell: Would you say that District 2 has gotten 50 percent as much as the
other districts in terms of Park impacts fees over the last two years?
Mr. Rose: I would be speculating, but, no; I don't think District 2 got --
Chair Russell: 20 percent?
Mr. Rose: I couldn't tell you, sir.
Chair Russell: I'm telling you, I have been very patient and generous to help with
the other parks. So for me to ask for West Grove to get a swimming pool is not
embellishing, where District 2 has been taking the lion's share. These are Park
impacts fees. We're meant to work together, and that's why I'm proposing a split
amongst us, so you can get two out of the three you're looking for right now. The
Commissioner can almost fund completely the one in Simpson or Southside, and I
will continue to help you find the finishing funds --
Commissioner Carollo: Can --
Chair Russell: --but I've got to start this pool this January.
Commissioner Carollo: --you tell us, Chris --
Mr. Rose: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: -- how much each of the districts, beginning with District 2,
got for the Parks money for the bond issuance?
Mr. Rose: I can get that, -just a moment.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. We got to measure apples to apples --
Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: -- oranges to oranges.
Mr. Rose: Actually got that back in the room back here.
Commissioner Reyes: And I want to also include on that, when you were dividing
the first tranche money for Parks, I had to really come strong in order to get some
money from you, and you were so generous --
Chair Russell: Always.
Commissioner Reyes: -- that you gave me 500, 000, in order to start working and --
because out of the 10 millions [sic] that you got, you gave me around S.
Chair Russell: Because we're Commissioners for the City.
Commissioner Reyes: That's -- absolutely; we're Commissioners for the City; that's
why I want my share; that's why I want my parks to look as good as yours.
Chair Russell: I agree, and I do, as well.
Commissioner Reyes: You see, your parks are beautiful.
Chair Russell: But when we --
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Commissioner Reyes: I mean, you did it; more power to you.
Chair Russell: We have 2.8 to work with right now.
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Chair Russell: And so, to take 1.6 of it off the top is very difficult for the rest of us to
get done what has to be done.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay; 1.3, and that's it.
Chair Russell: While they're looking that up --and I don't mean to open another can
of worms -- are we all pretty satisfied with the rest of the Change Memo based on
what Mr. Rose has tried to work on from what we asked last time?
Commissioner Carollo: I need to go through it a little more here --
Chair Russell: Thank you.
Commissioner Carollo: -- because we recently got that, and I need to be clarified on
certain areas.
Commissioner Reyes: And I also have some --
Commissioner Carollo: You said we had 2.8, Chris, or is it a little closer to 2.9?
Mr. Rose: $2.890 million.
Commissioner Carollo: $2.890 million. Okay; closer to 2.9, like I said. Let me see
what -- Gentlemen, since I'm the one that came up with the small idea, the audacity
of asking Bayside for a bigger split of the share --
Chair Russell: Doubled our revenue.
Commissioner Carollo: -- but you know what that 6 percent extra they offer us
comes to?
Chair Russell: I haven't found out yet.
Commissioner Carollo: Well --
Commissioner Reyes: Going to get more --
Commissioner Carollo: --you might be surprised. You could fund your pool with
that. So maybe that's one thing we have to look at to see how much more this
Commission is willing to go. And remember, we have the option to make even more
and give the Ferris wheel operator a heck of a deal. We'll only charge him 30
percent, you know, since they said that, you know, the deal won't work if they -- we
ask them anything more. We could bring it to Bayfront. That's a --you know -- few
feet over, and we'll still make more money with 30 percent of the gross than we
would make even with 50 percent of the half that Bayside gets, believe it or not. So I
hope you guys could chew that a little bit, that --
Chair Russell: It'll be back before us in a bit.
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Commissioner Carollo: -- and this would be recurring revenue every year; every
year. So imagine how much we could do with that; parks and more for our districts.
Chair Russell: Well, my proposal is to split it three ways, and I'll continue to work
to help find the balance for all three projects that we're trying to accomplish. It
won't be very much, but we'll all be pretty close to where we're trying to get to, and
we could issue another tranche of the bond pretty soon. I think the Administration
wants to do it a little slower than we do --
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, but --
Chair Russell: -- but we can work on it.
Commissioner Reyes: Are you going to get the lion's share again?
Commissioner Carollo: Well, I want to find out from Chris what the numbers were,
so we could refresh our memories.
Mr. Rose: We're adding it up right now.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. And that's very important.
Chair Russell: Yeah. All of the kids in the West Grove utilize this program to learn
to swim, which is a prerequisite for them to participate in all of the charitable
programs that are offered at the waterfront throughout the City and the Grove, from
the Outboard Club to the sailing clubs, where they teach underprivileged kids for
free, but they must know how to swim --
Commissioner Reyes: Sir --
Chair Russell: --and Virrick Park has been the place for that for this community.
Commissioner Reyes: -- I don't -- we don't have any water around Shan -- I mean
West End. The only water we have is on a canal by the Palmetto, so we need a pool
there.
Chair Russell: I agree.
Commissioner Reyes: You see, they don't have the other activities that you can have
while you are in Coconut Grove, that you can go and -- to one of those clubs, and
they accept -- every year, they accept underprivileged children. We don't have that.
Chair Russell: I get it --
Commissioner Reyes: I don't have that.
Chair Russell: -- and I'm -- I --
Commissioner Reyes: But the only thing that I have in Flagami, it is in the
backyards. We don't have one in -- on Robert King High, and the one on West End,
it is all messed up.
Chair Russell: I want to get you --
Commissioner Reyes: So we need a pool, too.
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Chair Russell: -- there, but let me tell you how. How long has the Shenandoah Park
been in design and planning, and how long has the Virrick Park Pool been trying to
come together? We're talking -- the Virrick Park Pool is so long overdue. Years and
years and years, we've been scraping together the funds, putting together the design,
having the community meetings. The folks that came to speak tonight were very
sincere about this. This is something -- it serves the whole City. It happens to be in
the West Grove, and it's a very important amenity for this community.
Commissioner Reyes: I know they have (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Commissioner Carollo: Let me see if I could --
Commissioner Reyes: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) have some votes there, right?
Commissioner Carollo: -- as Chris is looking for that; throw some food for thought.
Chair Russell: All right.
Commissioner Carollo: So I won't call it "negotiating. " I need another major park
space that could be combined with other activities. 4 million that I'd gotten before
from impact is going to go to that purpose; might take me maybe another million to
cut the deal to finish it. However, since we're living in the land of the hogs -- not the
pigs -- and hogs get slaughtered, these are people that don't live here. They live in a
not -so -nice country these days --
Chair Russell: Who?
Commissioner Carollo: -- you know -- off of the Caribbean; a place called
Venezuela. So I don't think they have much of an interest in all the tens of millions
they invested in Miami. And they bought a nice parcel. I know they're not going to
give it to us at the deal that they gave to one of their good buddies there on 8th Street
when they bought a parcel for 1.7, and then five months later, sold it to their buddy
for 700, 000. But they paid 4.1 or something like this, which they way overpaid. And
we need to acquire that land, but we keep getting "no, " because they want to be hogs
and asking prices that the market doesn't hold, and we could show that; not just from
what we've already bought, but from what others have paid. I need to do an eminent
domain. This is not a homestead property. These are people that don't even live
here. And would I receive support from this Commission for that?
Chair Russell: Eminent domain to create a park?
Commissioner Carollo: Yes, sir.
Chair Russell. Wow.
Commissioner Carollo: Park, and maybe some additional things
(UNINTELLIGIBLE) part of that --
Commissioner Hardemon: Railroad shop.
Commissioner Carollo: Huh?
Commissioner Hardemon: Railroad shop; that's what happened with Hadley Park.
Eminent domain, black neighborhood; went to park, school for whites.
Commissioner Carollo: Look, the only thing that I will respect are homestead
properties in eminent domain. I will respect homestead eminent domain. But when
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you got investors that want to be greedy and people that don't even have any roots in
their community, and they want to be real greedy, then, you know, you got to take
some actions for the betterment of the community. So I'm floating this around to see
if -- you know -- I can get warmed up some of the other areas. Do you think I could
possibly have the support of you two fine gentlemen, my new Brazilian friend over
there?
Chair Russell: Mr. Min, how is the value for eminent domain calculated?
Barnaby Min (Deputy City Attorney): There is a -- there's no simple answer to that.
There's a whole analysis that has to be done; it's through a court proceeding. There
needs to be --
Chair Russell: But it's a market rate value usually.
Commissioner Carollo: Exactly, exactly.
Mr. Min: It should not be below market rate -- or above market rate, but --
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah.
Mr. Min: -- in that area.
Commissioner Carollo: And look, you know, I will cover what I have, but it's got to
be an eminent domain quick take, which means we get it right away, so we could
start moving. So I -- you know. So I need to see where you stand on that.
Chair Russell: I would love to learn more. I don't know exactly what we're talking
about and who (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Commissioner Carollo: Well, I do, because we --
Chair Russell: But I'll be glad to look.
Commissioner Carollo: -- been looking at it for a long time.
Chair Russell: Sunshine meeting.
Commissioner Carollo: But, you know, that's the route that we might have to take so
that we could really make Miami.
Chair Russell: If nothing else, I love that we're giving each other black eyes over
how to make more green space and parks. If there's anything to fight over, I'm glad
that that's it, and creative ways to find that park space, I'm always open to exploring.
I know you guys are real big on property rights, so we're going to tiptoe on this --
Commissioner Reyes: Yeah. We are going to --
Chair Russell: -- eminent domain situation very carefully, but I'd love to learn more.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes. And also, new space.
Commissioner Hardemon: We won't win that. I don't think we'll win that.
Commissioner Reyes: I have a long memory.
Commissioner Hardemon: Yes.
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Commissioner Reyes: I do. I won't let you forget.
Commissioner Carollo: I'll just say --
Chair Russell: All right, Mr. Rose.
Mr. Rose: Commissioners, we're ready. Chris Rose, Office of Management and
Budget. So District I had 724, 000; District --
Commissioner Hardemon: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) again?
Chair Russell: Over what period of time?
Mr. Rose: This is Tranche 1.
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Well --
Chair Russell: You're talking about the bond?
Mr. Rose: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Hardemon: What we -- but Tranche --
Mr. Rose: So Tranche 1 of the Miami Forever Bond.
Chair Russell: For the Parks portion?
Mr. Rose: Just the Parks portion, and this is what was approved December 13,
2018.
Commissioner Carollo: 724, District 1.
Mr. Rose: So 724 for District 1; 724,000; for District 2 was 4 million 50, 4.050;
District 3 was 4.430.
Commissioner Carollo: Hold on. District 2 is 4,015, 000 [sic/?
Mr. Rose: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay.
Mr. Rose: District 3 was 4.430; District 4 was 1.750 --
Commissioner Reyes: That hurts. You see?
Mr. Rose: --and District 5 was 8.738.
Commissioner Hardemon: Always telling my business.
Chair Russell: 8.738?
Commissioner Hardemon: You always telling my business. I can explain.
Mr. Rose: Citywide was 5.656.
Commissioner Carollo: Hardemon, give the man his pool.
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Commissioner Reyes: Hardemon?
Commissioner Carollo: Give him his pool.
Chair Russell: Lara, would you mind that --? I have a question about Virrick really
quickly --
Commissioner Carollo: But wasn't--?
Chair Russell: -- such as --
Commissioner Carollo: I'm not convinced --
Commissioner Reyes: 4 million.
Commissioner Carollo: -- that those are the accurate dollars.
Commissioner Reyes: 4 million and --
Commissioner Carollo: Now, there were more dollars.
Commissioner Reyes: 4 million versus I million.
Mr. Rose: That's a total of 25 million, 348.
Commissioner Reyes: I got only one.
Chair Russell: Thank you.
Commissioner Reyes: Hurts.
Chair Russell: Lara, if you wouldn't mind, just a moment?
Commissioner Carollo: It's just that there were more dollars there; that this doesn't
add up.
Chair Russell: Well, let him -- he'll do some more research because --
Commissioner Carollo: Unless these guys gave me some now, because they want to
be nice with me.
Chair Russell: All right. Lara, could you help me? How long has the Virrick --?
Commissioner Reyes: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Willy and I, we don't get any --
Chair Russell: How many kids swim in the Virrick Park Pool every year? What are
we looking at there?
Lara Hamwey (Director, Parks and Recreation): Virrick serves a couple of the
parks within the Grove, so I would say -- a safe number, 400 plus --
Chair Russell: And --
Ms. Hamwey: --from camp.
Chair Russell: Right.
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Ms. Hamwey: Learn to swim would be additional numbers --
Chair Russell: Yes.
Ms. Hamwey: -- that I don't have off the top of my head.
Chair Russell: Right. That's -- and that's significant, as well. And how many years
have we been working on the Virrick Pool Plan?
Ms. Hamwey: That's a good question.
Chair Russell: Someone who spoke earlier said 10.
Ms. Hamwey: It's been a -- so I've been here 15 years, and a good portion of the
time that I've been here, I know we've been discussing a new pool there; a more
concrete number, I would say at least 8.
Chair Russell: The Mayor may remember a swimming competition he and my
predecessor had just to get free dollars for kids to go to that pool. And the condition
that it's in, and the plans, what we have there, the amenity we can offer --
Mayor Francis Suarez: I won the competition.
Ms. Hamwey: That's right.
Commissioner Reyes: I have a question for you, too. How many kids are swimming
in West End right now? And they're -- are they safely -- structurally safe, the pool?
Ms. Hamwey: For that pool to have opened for the summer, it had to be structurally
safe. We do have it currently -- sorry, I'm blanking on the word -- but we had a
structural assessment that had been done there, and then we shored it up --
Commissioner Reyes: You shored it up.
Ms. Hamwey: -- to make sure that we could --
Commissioner Reyes: Every year, you have to do it.
Ms. Hamwey: -- and we have to re -inspect it.
Commissioner Reyes: And re -inspect it. And that's right, you see? And can I hear
that -- you're getting 4 million of the first tranche, and then you're telling me that I'm
getting too much money? Come on, man.
Chair Russell: Look at the impact fees. Look at the (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Commissioner Reyes: So look at the impact fees (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Chair Russell. We're all helping each other. So --
Commissioner Reyes: No, no, no, no. I see why my point --1.3.
Chair Russell: -- the proposal is to split what's available --
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
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Chair Russell: -- three ways for the three projects that are being worked.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay. I want ---
Mayor Suarez: I just --
Commissioner Reyes: -- 1.3.
Mayor Suarez: Mr. Chair?
Commissioner Reyes: That is my motion, that I will get 1.3. Let's vote.
Mayor Suarez: Mr. Chair, if I may?
Chair Russell: The seconder has not accepted your --
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Mayor Suarez: Mr. Chair, if I may?
Commissioner Reyes: Okay. I have anew second.
Chair Russell: I'm the second.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Mayor Suarez: I just want to say that I --
Commissioner Reyes: No. You had -- your second was 1.6. I lowered down to 1.35.
Do I have a second?
Chair Russell: Just a moment. Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Suarez: I think he's looking for a second. Let's see if he gets a second,
because I'm interested. This is exciting for me. I just want to say that --
Commissioner Carollo: Just so you --
Commissioner Reyes: I have a second over -- Commissioner Keon --
Mayor Suarez: -- I won the competition, the swimming competition.
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah.
Mayor Suarez: And I want to say that I was the last Chair of MSEA (Miami Sports
and Exhibition Authority), so.
Chair Russell: That is true.
Commissioner Carollo: You didn't --
Chair Russell: Did you go to any meetings?
Mayor Suarez: I was the last Chair. Yeah.
Commissioner Carollo: --hear what I said.
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Commissioner Hardemon: But you killed it.
Mayor Suarez: No, I -- you said you were the last -- longest Chair ofMSEA.
Commissioner Carollo: No, no, no.
Mayor Suarez: No, I know, I know, I know. I did hear it.
Commissioner Carollo: The last --
Mayor Suarez: I know.
Commissioner Carollo: -- Chair (UNINTELLIGIBLE) served the most years.
Mayor Suarez: (UNINTELLIGIBLE), I know. It all comes back to you. I get it, I get
it. I got it.
Commissioner Carollo: That does --
Mayor Suarez: Of course, it does. It always does.
Commissioner Reyes: We are -- I -- there is a motion, Mr. Chair --
Chair Russell: Wait, wait, wait.
Commissioner Reyes: -- and there is a second; that I'm asking 1.35, and I have a list
here; that instead of --from what I told you, instead of having -- I mean, lowered the
Shenandoah -- I mean the West End Pool -- no -- Shenandoah to 5.5 instead of 7.5.
Chair Russell: All right.
Commissioner Carollo: I'm sorry; how much are you asking for?
Commissioner Reyes: Let me see if I find it. I already lost it.
Chair Russell: All right.
Commissioner Carollo: No, no, hold on. Let me get the exact amount that he's
asking so we could do some quick calculations here.
Commissioner Reyes: I want -- okay. I want 350 for Fairlawn Mini Park Master -
Planning and design; 550 for Project 40-8193522, Silver Bluff Mini Park and boat
ramp.
Commissioner Carollo: Next.
Commissioner Reyes: Next, $500, 000 for Shenandoah Park enhancements.
Commissioner Carollo: 500, 000?
Commissioner Reyes: 500, 000.
Chair Russell: Aren't you at like 1.7 or something?
Commissioner Carollo: So you're at 1.4.
Commissioner Reyes: I said -- okay? -- I don't want it all. I just want that.
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Commissioner Carollo: Okay. And we had 2.890, right?
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Mr. Rose: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: No change?
Mr. Rose: Still hasn't changed.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. He wants 1-4 --
Commissioner Hardemon: Can I have -- the 300, 000 that he left, can I have that for
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. You guys --
Commissioner Reyes: You want me to conclude it here for you?
Commissioner Carollo: -- are going to owe me $10,000 to do the park for the
Commissioner here.
Commissioner Hardemon: We're trying to play baseball at Roberto Clemente Park;
and so, we need additional funds to help fix up the field there. You know they're like
a -- I don't want to misquote myself, but they are --
Commissioner Carollo: $8 million wasn't enough?
Commissioner Hardemon: -- an award -winning team --
Commissioner Carollo: 8 million --
Commissioner Hardemon: --Roberto Clemente.
Commissioner Carollo: -- wasn't enough?
Commissioner Hardemon: No, that wasn't for Roberto (UNINTELLIGIBLE). That
was a park that -- see, actually, that's the park that Commissioner Gort and I almost
have in common; that was Moore Park. They're building an --
Commissioner Carollo: Okay.
Commissioner Hardemon: -- indoor gymnasium. So that border -- it sits right
between us. So technically --
Commissioner Carollo: Well, gentlemen, I think we have two choices: One, we
could go for the one that's recurring revenue, with the wheel, and quit pussy footing
around with 12 percent.
Vice Chair Gort: Listen, bring the wheel back, and tell him we need
(UNINTELLIGIBLE) $2 million a year.
Commissioner Carollo: Second -- Excuse me?
Chair Russell: He's getting to be with you on the wheel now.
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Commissioner Reyes: Yeah.
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Second -- and we should do both, frankly -- get the
Administration -- and we'll put the motion right tonight of the amount that we want
Put out for Parks in the next trump [sic], and let's go over the dollars right now that
each of our districts are getting on that. Forget about which park is ready and the
games they play, and whatever. Let's do it tonight. And I think you'll get what you
want; you guys will get what you want; he'll get what he wants. Maybe I won't get
all I want, but I'll be therefor you guys.
Commissioner Reyes: Well, that is -- I want to get this straight right now, because
we start talking, talking, and then later on, they said, "Oh, okay, let's table this. " No.
Chair Russell: All right.
Commissioner Reyes: You're not going to do this this time.
Chair Russell: It's my recommendation --
Commissioner Reyes: I have -- I'm withdrawing the -- Todd, the motion for 1.6 was
withdrawn, and anew motion for 1.4 --
Chair Russell: For 1.1. You went up to 4 now.
Commissioner Reyes: -- was made with a second Commissioner, Keon -- Mr.
Commissioner -- Attorney and that one point --
Chair Russell: You remember the first budget we ever had together? I had 800, 000
in a District 2 park that I sent over to District S to finish the Dorsey Library.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Once in a while, you give people some change.
Commissioner Hardemon: Wait, wait, wait.
Chair Russell: It was in the -- Chris will tell you right now, it was in the D2 budget,
and I transferred it to D5.
Commissioner Carollo: But he got that back. He got that back.
Mr. Rose: The border was between the two Commission districts, and it did go from
one district to another, yes.
Commissioner Carollo: Well, I did the same --
Commissioner Hardemon: Okay.
Chair Russell: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) don't forget me.
Commissioner Hardemon: In the same spirit, Mr. Chairman, in the same spirit --
Chris, you remember all these things -- I've transferred money from District S into
District 2 for street and road improvements, because at a time, District 2 -- there are
portions of District 5 that were actually in District 2. So before the redistricting --
Chair Russell: Are you talking about Belle Meade and --?
Commissioner Hardemon: -- before the redistricting --
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Chair Russell: That's not D2.
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Chair Russell: That's not D2.
Commissioner Hardemon: No, no, no. But before redistricting, there were dollars
that were set aside for projects in D2. Those projects ended up being D5 projects --
Chair Russell: Yeah.
Commissioner Hardemon: -- because we split the -- split it up, and I sent money to
District 2 to play the same -- in the same spirit. But we must admit, the project for
District --for the Dorsey Library was important to all of us in the City of Miami, and
we shared that importance because it was District 5 in the City, but --
Chair Russell: Omni CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency).
Commissioner Hardemon: -- the Omni CRA.
Chair Russell: Agreed.
Commissioner Hardemon: So I appreciate that.
Chair Russell: Look at how we all work together.
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Commissioner Hardemon: So what --?
Chair Russell: Look at the love.
Commissioner Reyes: Now let's vote.
Chair Russell: Look at the love.
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Commissioner Carollo: When you --
Chair Russell: What I'm recommending is 1.2 for you, and the balance split between
us.
Commissioner Reyes: But who are you to recommend, man? I mean, this is us here.
This -- that's not your money. It is us who decide. Why do you recommend? I mean,
what -- who gave you the authority to recommend?
Chair Russell: I recommend (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Commissioner Reyes: I have -- there is a motion on the floor, with a second. Now
let's vote on it. And later on, if it is voted down, then what we do is we go for
another motion.
Chair Russell: Well, that is only one piece of an entire budget.
Commissioner Reyes: Absolutely. What is -- whatever is left --
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Chair Russell: So there's nothing to vote on yet. There's nothing to vote on yet.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay. Well, then --
Chair Russell: So we're going to work the rest of the amendments.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay, that's right; work it out.
Chair Russell: So you're looking at 1. --
Commissioner Reyes: 4.
Chair Russell: -- 4, which leaves us with --
Commissioner Carollo: 1.490, which is $10, 000 less than what we need --
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Commissioner Carollo: --for that park.
Commissioner Reyes: That's it. What else do you want; (UNINTELLIGIBLE)?
Commissioner Carollo: Your park --
Chair Russell: I want to --
Commissioner Carollo: -- that's in my district, but it's your park.
Chair Russell: If he takes 1.4, I want to split the balance with you, and continue to
find everything we need to get those done.
Commissioner Carollo: No, no, no.
Chair Russell: We can get both our projects started now.
Commissioner Carollo: But I want to finish that, and it could be finished. The
Administration -- in fact, why don't you tell us --
Chair Russell: You're going to leave Virrick Park without a pool for another year.
You guys, come on.
Commissioner Carollo: But listen, I got the bulk in my district --
Chair Russell: Come on.
Commissioner Carollo: -- that don't have any pools. Now, you tell me what the
population is that you're going to serve there, and I'll tell you what the population is
that I got that is not going to be serviced. Gort could tell you the same thing. He
could tell you the same thing.
Chair Russell: I have left --
Commissioner Carollo: You got several pools --
Chair Russell: -- you all to take all the impact fees over the last couple years. Now
I'm asking for help with one pool in a very important part of my district of need.
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Commissioner Reyes: Next tranche, I'll be with -- I need this.
Chair Russell: They are ready to -- if they ground -break in January, they can be
ready for next summer; not this summer, but the next summer.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay. You're going to get some money --?
Chair Russell: But if it delays another six months to the midterm, they lose another
year without the pool.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes, yes. And I know, and I know that -- and there's a lot --
hey, listen. I have pools, too. There is a motion on the floor; there is a second. Let's
vote on that motion that's --
Chair Russell: It's a --
Commissioner Reyes: -- I mean, on that amendment.
Vice Chair Gort: Let me ask a question.
Chair Russell: -- that's a very aggressive way to do it.
Mr. Rose: Could I read the motion back just so --? I want to make sure I've got --
Vice Chair Gort: When are you going for the second tranche of Parks bonds?
Chair Russell: As soon as we want to.
Commissioner Carollo: Well, this is what I'm asking. That's a very good question,
Commissioner Gort. I'm asking that. I'm glad I have a second on that.
Mr. Rose: It is addressed in the second Change Memo, but there is no date. We do
not have that date.
Vice Chair Gort: No, I understand. But we can make a commitment and we can
expedite it if we have all these projects online. Designs already been done or is
being worked on, and then we can go and we can build them within less than three
years. I think you can do the bond issues and make the commitments to fulfill all the
needs for all the parks.
Commissioner Reyes: Yep.
Chair Russell: All right.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay. Let's --
Chair Russell: What I'll do is offer us another amendment, a friendly amendment,
reducing my ask for the Virrick Park Pool to 700, 000. That'll leave another 700-
plus for Commissioner Carollo's project.
Commissioner Carollo: You started with a million for each of us. Now you're
getting (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Chair Russell: He's take -- because he's taking 1.4.
Commissioner Carollo: Well, but --
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Chair Russell: And if you're willing to give him that --
Commissioner Carollo: -- last meeting, you were --
Chair Russell: He's got three projects. We're just trying to do one each.
Commissioner Carollo: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Commissioner Reyes: That's right, because you have done hundreds of them, and
your parks are beautiful. You want to change? I mean, I'll take over -- Can I move
your parks to my district and then you move yours inhere? Come on.
Chair Russell: You're a Commissioner for the City, and these kids --
Commissioner Reyes: I'm Commissioner for the City, and that's why I supported you
a lot.
Vice Chair Gort: Mr. Chairman?
Chair Russell: Vice Chairman.
Vice Chair Gort: What is the project for the next bond issuance?
Commissioner Carollo: Thank you. What is it?
Vice Chair Gort: I mean, we -- you guys can decide when to do it, because more or
less, you have in mind. My understanding is, according to what I'm looking at here,
you got the projects ready to go; you have designs on them.
Mr. Rose: No. There's a lot of shortfalls. No. So not everything is ready to go. I --
that cannot be said, no.
Commissioner Carollo: Well, what are we looking, Chris, to come with at the next
amount?
Mr. Rose: Okay. So in the Change Memo, you read that there are a lot of things
that need to come into play before we get there; one of those is probably that we're
going to have to add staff to the City in the areas of Capital Improvements,
Procurement, perhaps in permitting. There are a lot of moving parts. As far as
financial capacity, we can do that today if you want. The financial capacity is not
the limiting factor, because we could do a few years of interest -only bonds, and
things that ultimately will cost more money, but we could get the money sooner. The
question is, do you want to put the bond out and not be able to get the projects built?
And that's not just -- that is -- there are a lot of things. You need to space it out so
that it moves through the system. So I can't answer the question, but I encourage
you to read what we wrote in the memo.
Commissioner Reyes: Mr. Chair?
Chair Russell: Yes.
Commissioner Reyes: May I interject here? You see, that is -- I have been -- I had a
discussion item, and that has been postponed and postponed, and it is -- basically it
is this: Capital Improvement needs help, you see.
Chair Russell: More capacity.
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Commissioner Reyes: More capacity; that is why -- and that was my discussion
item. Try to find the way that we can help Capital Improvement --I mean, get more
capacity, get more people, get -- to get all these projects going, you see? That will
not -- what Chris is saying is the truth.
Chair Russell: Vice Chair.
Commissioner Reyes: Doesn't do any good to do a tranche now --
Vice Chair Gort: No, no.
Commissioner Reyes: -- and just sit that money since we cannot use it, you see?
Chair Russell: Understood. Vice Chairman.
Commissioner Reyes: And let's try to get Capital Improvement more -- I mean, some
help, more capacity so that we can get all those projects going.
Vice Chair Gort: My understanding in discussion that I've had with staff, they're not
able to hire the professionals they need, because it's not up for competition in the
private sector. The private sector is paying a lot better salaries than the public pay
at this time. So my suggestion is, the economy goes up and down. The request for
new building goes up and down, too. If you hire people, then you got to maintain
them on payroll. My suggestion is, you can oust and you can --
Commissioner Reyes: Omsource?
Vice Chair Gort: -- subcontract, outsource --
Commissioner Reyes: Outsource.
Vice Chair Gort: -- some of the service, like architectures, engineers and design.
Commissioner Reyes: That's --
Vice Chair Gort: And that'll make it a lot easy. And then when the economy goes
down and the projects are not there, then you can get rid of the expense.
Commissioner Reyes: That is an idea, and I think that it is very well thought.
Commissioner Carollo: If --
Commissioner Reyes: And it will be effective, you see. It'll be more effective, and we
can get all these projects going. We can get the next tranche, you see, and keep on
going, keep on going, okay?
Commissioner Carollo: All right. If --
Commissioner Reyes: But still, we haven't voted on this.
Chair Russell: Well, we're voting on the whole budget. So --
Commissioner Reyes: Sir --
Chair Russell: -- you have the amendment.
Commissioner Reyes: -- we can vote on the amendment.
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Commissioner Carollo: If I may suggest something? What is the least that you
would take or need on the pool; 700? He gets his 1.4; you get your 700; I get the
rest that's left for District 3, District 2, District 4. This is what I need your support
in. We've been pussy footing around going on two years now on real affordable
housing, and we're not getting anywhere. We pretend in a big way that we're doing
stuff, and we're not. I've been working at this for quite some time. I remember over
a year ago, I held back Commissioner Reyes when he was demanding from the
Administration to produce a resolution that we all approved that they had to come
back with a solid --
Commissioner Reyes: With a solid plan.
Commissioner Carollo: -- plan. We're still waiting for it. Maybe I was wrong in
saying that, you know, we should wait off on that to him, and not force the
Administration's hand. Chris, Chris, I need you on this one. I'm sorry.
Mr. Rose: Yeah.
Commissioner Carollo: I would like this Commission's help for a pilot program that
will begin with a thousand units, affordable housing to own -- not to rent -- own --
that will be comprised of approximately 700 one -bedroom units and approximately
300 two -bedroom units. The cost that these can be built for and sold will end up
being approximately half the price of the market rate. Now what I'm asking for is
not any monies from the City's budget. What I'm asking for is for a Commission vote
that when we're ready to take off with this in a few months that the City would stand
by the construction loans for the projects. And since this is the first one, I would
want to give us a little more time than usual. In two and a half years at most, the
City will get every penny back on the construction loans. The amount that we're
going to ask for, it might be a lot less than what we need, but I'd rather be safe in
what I'm asking for. And the numbers still work with 175 per square foot, but that
includes parking; that includes other things. The amount that I would like to have
approved is $113,750,000. This is not all going to be coming at one time. This
would be in phases of construction loans. It would be repaid back from the
mortgages that people will get. So instead of building like the County, like the norm
across the country, rental housing, that you got your money stuck there for years,
and people are not going to take care of it, because it's not their own, we're going to
be building in Miami what I think will be a pilot program for the rest of the country;
homes for people to own that'll be affordable, solid, good -built homes. They're just
not going to have all the big foyers, the -- all the other amenities that all these big,
fancy buildings have, but the construction will be the same solid construction. The
difference is that we're not going to let developers be hogs -- not even pigs in this
one. They're going to have to give us prices based on the volume that they're going
to build for us. And there are people that are very much interested in this already to
come and bid for these kind of projects. And frankly, the amounts that I've been told
that they're telling me they could do it for is even much less than what I'm putting
down here. So I will be asking this Commission tonight to approve -- and
understand, this is different than putting something in the budget, because we're not
taking from the budget. This is construction loans that the banks will give it to us
based on how much they feel that our credit is, and how much credibility the City
has.
Chair Russell: They're using the bond?
Commissioner Carollo: No, this is not using bond.
Vice Chair Gort: Pretty good.
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Commissioner Carollo: That's just getting regular construction loans.
Chair Russell: Using general funds.
Commissioner Carollo: Well, it's construction monies that we're getting. There'll be
some interest that would have to be paid until the project is built that's calculated
into the mortgage already, what we're going to charge.
Commissioner Reyes: Mr. Chair?
Chair Russell: Vice Chairman first.
Commissioner Reyes: Oh, not -- okay.
Vice Chair Gort: I'll yield to him. Go ahead.
Chair Russell: Okay. Commissioner Reyes.
Commissioner Reyes: Commissioner, I don't know, but it is my discipline, you see,
as -- I would love to see a project, you see, and I will work with you. I like the idea.
Why don't we sit down and we --just crunch numbers, and we do like -- I mean, a
proposal; a proposal, you see, that everybody can understand. And I'm willing to
work with you and --
Commissioner Carollo: Well, right now --
Commissioner Reyes: -- you see, because --
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah.
Commissioner Reyes: -- what you're saying, it makes a lot of sense. But I would like
to structure it, you see, because that's the way that I -- and we sit down and we work
on it.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Commissioner --
Commissioner Reyes: And that is --
Commissioner Carollo: -- I have no problem in doing that, but what I want to get
today is a commitment that this Commission is going to go forward in a pilot
program, and we're going to approve that we could go out and borrow in a
construction loan the amount that I stated.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Commissioner Carollo: Nothing's going to happen, because we're not going to go
out tomorrow to get it.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay. And I still -- one thing at a time. Let's vote on this, and
then we go on, on the other, okay?
Commissioner Carollo: Well, we could vote on that, but I want to vote on this
tonight, this proposal.
Commissioner Reyes: Well, let's do it.
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Commissioner Carollo: And like I said, there's no harm done, because all that we're
approving is that we can go forward in the future and borrow for construction loans
up to that amount, if needed, and it's not going to be all at one time -- you all know
how that works -- from banks. But I think we need, all of us, to let the people of
Miami know that we're sincere and serious in finding a real solution to the greatest
problem that we have in this city, which is housing, and expensive housing.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes, sir.
Chair Russell: Commissioner Gort.
Vice Chair Gort: Look, I'm a great believer in homeownership, because that's where
I've done all the not -for -profit that I was on the boards. We had quite a few people
that bought homes and they maintain, and they're keeping. I've heard of a plan
where you can use some of the leverage from the bonds money that we have where
you can -- you create some kind of -- like a bank, where the banks gets the -- borrow
the money to go ahead and get the sites built, and then the mortgage is what they'll
pay for it. I think I'm all for it, but I'd like to see more into it, but I think it's a good
project. It's a good. Especially, people need to know, we're all used to these big
houses, big bedroom, porches, and all that. We don't have a problem. So we got to
reduce, like many other countries, where they have so many problems in housing;
they had to reduce, because -- expensive housing.
Commissioner Carollo: Well, we're looking here on bedrooms that would be no less
than 450 to maybe even 500 square feet, each, one bedroom; and two bedrooms that
can be anywhere from 900 to 1,000 square feet, which will be good-sized two -
bedrooms. So all that I am asking is for this Commission to approve this, to go on
record that we're willing to go forward. It's obvious that before we go ahead with
any program, this would have to come back for different approvals. That's it.
Chair Russell: So this would be a direction to --
Commissioner Carollo: No, no; not a direction to the Manager. This is just --
Chair Russell: But we can't pass this tonight. This is a separate resolution on a new
program, right?
Commissioner Reyes: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: Yes.
Chair Russell: I like the concept, and I want to learn more.
Commissioner Carollo: Yes, we could pass it tonight; no reason why we can't pass it
tonight, because this would not have any kind of budget impact --
Vice Chair Gort: Yeah.
Commissioner Carollo: -- on this.
Commissioner Hardemon: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) budget.
Vice Chair Gort: You could pass it tonight, subject that we have to look at the plans,
what's it's going to cost, who's going to be doing it.
Commissioner Reyes: Absolutely.
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Vice Chair Gort: There's a lot of work to be done.
Commissioner Reyes: That's what I'm saying, you know.
Vice Chair Gort: But the plan itself, the concept, it could be approved the way he
wants it to have the --
Commissioner Reyes: That's precisely --
Vice Chair Gort: -- concept approved.
Commissioner Reyes: -- what I'm saying. Let's vote on this. Let's now ask --
Chair Russell: Separate. So, Mr. Mayor.
Commissioner Reyes: -- separately.
Mayor Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Look, I think it's a noble idea. I think,
frankly, homeownership is certainly part of the Affordable Housing Plan that we've
been working on for months, and it's one of the components of the Affordable
Housing Plan that we've been working on for months. I think your idea is a good
idea. I think it requires more thought, because we don't know whether there -- are
they -- whether they're going to be condo units; are they going to be homes; if they're
going to be homes, where are we going to get the land.
Commissioner Carollo: These are all condo units, obviously.
Mayor Suarez: Okay, that's fine. So con -- that's fine. So then we need to find
where the land is going to come from. Are we going to acquire the land? Are we
going to get the land from a separate agency? Because that's going to influence --
Commissioner Carollo: We --
Mayor Suarez: -- how much the money can --
Commissioner Carollo: No --
Mayor Suarez: -- you know, if --
Commissioner Carollo: -- because we're calculating already at $25 a square foot of
the price for land acquisition, and it'll be less than $25; in some cases, we won't
have to, because there's land there already. In some other cases, we do want to
acquire land.
Mayor Suarez: Yeah. I mean, again, I don't have any issue with the concept. I think
it's a good concept, but it's one that we've been working on, and I think it requires us
to flush out the concept a little bit more, as the Commissioner just said.
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Mayor, we're --
Commissioner Reyes: I'm looking forward --
Mayor Suarez: Yeah.
Commissioner Reyes: -- to that, because as -- we all are in agreement that
homeownership, it is very important.
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Mayor Suarez: Critical; it's critical.
Commissioner Reyes: And I'm looking forward, you see.
Chair Russell: So once we're back in the regular agenda, you can bring the item.
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Vice Chair Gort: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Commissioner Hardemon: Mr. Chairman?
Chair Russell: Yes.
Commissioner Hardemon: But right now, we're trying to figure out what we're
going to do with this 2.9 --
Chair Russell: Yes.
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Commissioner Hardemon: -- million dollars, right? So there was a motion and a
second.
Commissioner Reyes: And a second. I think we should —
Commissioner Hardemon: Right. I think there can be some friendly amendments to
the motion, right? So his motion was about 1.3 and 1.4. I asked that we -- that the
$300,000 rough difference, we can put into a Parks project at Roberto Clemente
Park. I would like for that to be a friendly amendment to that motion. And Mr.
Chairman, the reason I'm asking for this friendly amendment, because, you know,
this thing needs to pass, and you need to move on. I know right now -- we look at --
when I look at the -- this same fund from last year, District 3 picked up about $4
million from that fund, correct?
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah; the district that has --
Commissioner Hardemon: No, no, I'm not saying --
Commissioner Carollo: -- the last amount of land for parks.
Commissioner Hardemon: -- right or wrong; I'm not saying right or wrong. I'm
saying there was -- I'm sorry. There was $4 million picked up from that fund. And
so -- it's a significant amount of dollars; that's all I'm saying. Now we have a
significant amount of dollars. We -- significantly less dollars to allocate. So what
I'm saying is that I'd be willing to have a motion that gives the 1.3 so that -- in the
record, we'll make it clear --
Mr. Hannon: 1.4.
Commissioner Hardemon: It was 1.4? The 1.4 that Commissioner Reyes asked for,
$300,000 towards Roberto Clemente Park. And if we can't find consensus into how
the rest of the dollars are spent, I would support trying to figure out which one of
you two gets the rest of that money, that 2.98 -- 2.89 money.
Commissioner Carollo: Well, what I think you're saying is that you want to take
300, 000 from the 1.4 --
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Commissioner Reyes: You want to take 300, 000 --
Commissioner Carollo: -- that Commissioner Reyes --
Chair Russell: No, no; he wants it above the 1.4.
Commissioner Carollo: -- wants. Excuse me?
Chair Russell: He wants it above the 1.4, so it takes up to 1.7, total gone now, which
will leave LI left.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Commissioner Hardemon: That either -- that you could either split, or one
Commissioner can take it, whatever Commissioner needs it, to spend it as quickly as
possible. You guys are going to be here. I'm not going --
Commissioner Carollo: You're --where are you going?
Commissioner Hardemon: -- I'm probably not going to make the next budget
session.
Commissioner Carollo: Where are you going?
Commissioner Hardemon: I'm just saying, we're talking about $300, 000 here. I'm
not going to -- Commissioner Gort and I will most likely not be here the next budget
hearing; that's all we're saying. And so, you know, we have an interest to move
things -- continue to move things forward; not only in the City of Miami, but, of
course, in our districts. And so, I don't think the ask is incredible. And as a matter
of fact, Commissioner Gort has even given us an ask, and I think that's -- you know,
that --
Commissioner Reyes: Commissioner, I --
Chair Russell: All right.
Commissioner Hardemon: -- he's being gracious.
Commissioner Reyes: -- will lower my ask $100, 000 for Clemente; 1.3; and then
$100,000 of the 1.4 will go to Roberto Clemente.
Commissioner Hardemon: No, no.
Commissioner Reyes: So you can get -- leave them a little bit --
Commissioner Hardemon: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Commissioner Reyes: -- because I know what you're doing, and Roberto Clement
Park needs it.
Commissioner Hardemon: Okay. So you're saying that you come down from 1. --
Commissioner Reyes: 4.
Commissioner Hardemon: -- 4 to 1.3.
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Commissioner Reyes: 1.3.
Commissioner Hardemon: And so -- but I still --
Commissioner Reyes: That the rest --
Commissioner Hardemon: 3.
Commissioner Reyes: -- 300 goes to you --
Commissioner Hardemon: And then the rest --
Commissioner Reyes: -- and the rest go to the --
Commissioner Hardemon: -- we'll figure it out.
Chair Russell: What does that come out to, Chris?
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Mr. Rose: So let me read it back and make sure I'm there. So Fairlawn still has
350; Silver Bluff community has 550; Shenandoah now is at 400.
Commissioner Reyes: 400.
Mr. Rose: Okay. And Clemente is at 300.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes, sir.
Mr. Rose: That's a total of $1.6 million, which leaves 1.290 remaining.
Chair Russell: Let's split it; we go. And then I'll support you on the other issue.
Commissioner Reyes: 300 -- out of that, 300 goes -- I mean --
Commissioner Carollo: Okay, on the housing issue.
Commissioner Reyes: -- 300 goes to Clemente.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Now, seriously, guys --
Commissioner Reyes: And now we split it.
Commissioner Carollo: -- we could get all this money back if we vote right --
Chair Russell: On the wheel.
Commissioner Carollo: -- on the wheel.
Commissioner Hardemon: That's true, too.
Commissioner Carollo: There's money there.
Commissioner Hardemon: And you can also get it back when you -- when -- you
know, at a meeting when we're no longer here.
Chair Russell: Yeah.
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Commissioner Hardemon: So.
Commissioner Carollo: And obviously, you guys are going to let me take 50 percent
for District 3 of all the newfound money that we have, right?
Commissioner Hardemon: You can't do it alone.
Chair Russell: And the last vote before they leave office is going to be bringing back
red light cameras, right?
Commissioner Carollo: No.
Chair Russell: No? All right.
Commissioner Carollo: No, that's not.
Chair Russell: 6 million a year?
Mr. Andrews: Not yet.
Chair Russell: All right. So I think we have --
Mr. Rose: I can read it --
Chair Russell: -- we may have a consensus here on an amendment that has been
moved, seconded, and friendly amended.
Mr. Rose: Could I read it back one more time?
Chair Russell: Yes, please.
Mr. Rose: Okay. So the 2.890 million that is currently in the Citywide Land
Acquisition Fund --
Commissioner Carollo: Each of us is going to give a hundred thousand of what we
have. That's what you're saying?
Chair Russell: I've given way more than that from what I wanted.
Commissioner Carollo: A hundred, a hundred, a hundred, to go to the Hardemon
going -away monument.
Mr. Rose: So through the Chair?
Chair Russell: Yes.
Mr. Rose: So of the 2.890 million that is in the Citywide Land Acquisition, we're
going to allocate -- we're going to reprogram that: 350 to Fairlawn, 550 to Silver
Bluff Mini, 400 to Shenandoah, 645 to Virrick Pool, 645 to the park near Simpson
Park on the north --
Commissioner Carollo: No, no, no; District 3, District 3.
Chair Russell: CBD.
Commissioner Carollo: I'm super --
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Commissioner Reyes: Meeting adjourned.
Commissioner Carollo: -- short right now on any of those parks, you know, so if I
can't even finish one of those parks with this money, then I got to see where we could
put it, unless I have the money.
Chair Russell: You can shuffle it again, though. You need a line item for it, though,
right?
Mr. Rose: So to District 3 Parks.
Commissioner Carollo: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) again.
Mr. Rose: And 300,000 to Clemente.
Chair Russell: Yes.
Mr. Rose: Okay. That total is 2.89 million.
Chair Russell: Yes.
Vice Chair Gort: Question.
Commissioner Carollo: Well --
Chair Russell: Vice Chairman.
Commissioner Carollo: -- you got a problem.
Chair Russell: Just a moment.
Commissioner Carollo: You told me you only had 2.890.
Chair Russell: That's what he did. That's what it came out to.
Mr. Rose: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: You're giving 10,000 --
Mr. Rose: No.
Commissioner Carollo: -- of the (UNINTELLIGIBLE)?
Mr. Rose: 2.89 million.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay.
Mr. Rose: And I'll read it back one more time.
Chair Russell: That's all right; we're good.
Commissioner Carollo: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Chair Russell: Vice Chairman.
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Vice Chair Gort: Let me ask you a question. My understanding is CIP (Capital
Improvements Program), at the middle of the year or within a month or two, you can
tell some of the projects that you have funded, but they already have some money left
over, because you complied with it, you finished, and it's money there. How much
money any --? In other words, those projections are going to give you some funds
that can utilize since this project's already going and they began, and they're already
in design and all that, those funds -- surplus -- they can be assigned to those
projects.
Mr. Rose: Yes. While Steve's looking for the number, we will do that. We will work
with each Commissioner to reprogram funds on finished projects. In fact, Items "E"
and 'T" -- Attachments "E" and "E" to the Change Memo are exactly that.
Chair Russell: Yeah. All right. Okay. So we've dealt with Park impacts fees. Are
there other subjects within the Change Memo we would like to deal with?
Mr. Rose: Capital budget.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay. Yes. $16,000 --
Mr. Rose: Capital budget.
Chair Russell: Capital budget only.
Commissioner Reyes: That's capital budget?
Chair Russell: Capital budget only.
Commissioner Reyes: Capital budget. Okay.
Chair Russell: Yeah.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. We -- let's start going in the Change Memo.
Chair Russell: I have brought -- yeah, in the -- I had brought up traffic calming in
South Grove as a big issue during the last meeting, and before. Have we got
anything that can start the testing to get that on the way, just so that I can tell those
residents that it's coming? School season's back in. The cut -through traffic is
incredible. They don't have sidewalks there, so it's very, very dangerous for dogs
and kids. I just need some speed bumps, some speed tables, and that all starts with
some traffic -calming studies. This was a South Grove study I was looking for;
shouldn't be too much.
Mayor Suarez: 10 grand a table.
Commissioner Hardemon: These are hologram images.
Chair Russell: What's that?
Commissioner Hardemon: Have you seen that? In different neighborhoods, they
have these -- I'm not saying to do this, but in different neighborhoods, they have
hologram images that they project a hologram of, say, a dog, a cat, sometimes
children --
Chair Russell: (UNINTELLIGIBLE)?
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Commissioner Hardemon: Exactly, right -- to slow people down. Have you heard of
that before?
Vice Chair Gort: Yeah.
Commissioner Reyes: That is cool.
Commissioner Hardemon: This -- it's --
Chair Russell: Right now, they're --
Commissioner Hardemon: -- troublesome.
Chair Russell: -- putting their garbage cans out to create a obstacle course to slow
down the cars, and it's not very safe. But we've had a lot of animal fatalities;
fortunately, no kids. But school season's back, and it's really bad, so I could use
some help there.
Mr. Rose: Our Capital Improvements Director is looking to see if it's in there
already, but I can tell you there is nothing in the Change Memo that addresses that.
Chair Russell: That's what I thought. I didn't see it.
Vice Chair Gort: I under --
Commissioner Reyes: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Vice Chair Gort: -- it's not going to happen tonight, but it's going to happen within
the next two or three months if we can come up with some numbers. And my
question is -- or what -- I'd like to have those funds be explained through the projects
we've spoke today.
Chair Russell: How's that?
Vice Chair Gort: There can be some funds for the next two or three months.
Chair Russell: Yes.
Vice Chair Gort. The projects that --
Mr. Rose: Reprogramming inside District 1.
Vice Chair Gort: That -- those funds should be programmed -- these projects that
we're discussing today.
Chair Russell: Okay.
Vice Chair Gort. In other words, fill up the -- what's missing.
Commissioner Reyes: Point of order.
Chair Russell: Right. I just want to make sure that we can start the testing while the
school season (UNINTELLIGIBLE) on, or we lose another year, because they won't
test in the summer.
Commissioner Reyes: Point of order, Mr. Chair.
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Chair Russell: Yes.
Commissioner Reyes: We haven't voted on the --
Chair Russell: Correct.
Commissioner Reyes: Please call the roll.
Mr. Rose: So --
Chair Russell: I think we can knock out the entire Capital budget at once; we're real
close.
Mr. Rose: So "B" Number 30836 has $276,539 that is named South Grove Roadway
and Drainage Improvements.
Chair Russell: Roadway Drainage Improvements.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
Chair Russell: And that can't -- and that's not allocated to a project other than
roadway and drainage improvements?
Mr. Rose: Yes.
Chair Russell: All right.
Mr. Rose: It is not allocated to --
Chair Russell: I trust you that it'll work. Thank you. We can get started. Are there
any other Capital budget amendments? All right. I think we're ready.
Commissioner Carollo: Other --
Commissioner Reyes: Vote.
Commissioner Carollo: -- I have amendments, but it's not -- it's on the regular
budget.
Chair Russell: Its on the other -- regular budget. So let's finalize the Capital
budget, as amended. Is there any further discussion?
Vice Chair Gort: Move it.
Chair Russell: All in -- thank you. It's actually already been moved and seconded,
and amended. All in favor, say "aye. "
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Russell: Any opposed?
Commissioner Reyes: None.
Chair Russell: No?
Commissioner Reyes: Nobody opposed.
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Chair Russell: Motion passes, as amended. Thank you. We have a Capital budget.
BH.7
ORDINANCE
6293
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION RELATED TO
Office of
TAXATION, DEFINING AND DESIGNATING THE TERRITORIAL
Management and
LIMITS FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY"); LEVYING AN AD
Budget
VALOREM TAX ON ALL REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY IN THE
CITY AT A TOTAL FINAL RATE OF 7.99000 MILLS ON THE DOLLAR
OF THE TAXABLE VALUE OF SUCH PROPERTY, FOR THE
PURPOSES OF FUNDING THE GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET
AND PAYMENT OF DEBT SERVICE, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2019 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30,
2020; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, AND PROVIDING
FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: 13860
MOTION TO:
Adopt
RESULT:
ADOPTED
MOVER:
Keon Hardemon, Commissioner
SECONDER:
Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner
AYES:
Russell, Gort, Carollo, Reyes, Hardemon
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item BH 7, please see Item
BH.8.
Chair Russell: Now we can take up the millage of the City of Miami for year --fiscal
year '20; BH 7. Mr. Rose.
Christopher Rose (Director, Office of Management and Budget): The millage is
before you as read into the record earlier today.
Chair Russell: All right. Is there a motion on the millage? Moved by the Vice
Chairman; seconded by Commissioner Hardemon. Any further discussion? Second
lowest millage rate in 50 years.
Mayor Francis Suarez: 55.
Chair Russell: 55; first lowest in 10, right?
Mayor Suarez: Yes.
Chair Russell: Does that sound about right? Right. Any further discussion?
Commissioner Hardemon: Want to do better? We could do better.
Mayor Suarez: Wouldn't be a had one.
Chair Russell: All in favor say "aye."
The Commission (Collectively): Aye.
Chair Russell: Any opposed? Motion passes on the millage, BH 7.
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Later...
Ms. Jones -Jackson: Mr. Chair?
Chair Russell: Robin.
Mr. Rose: Thank you, Commissioners.
Ms. Jones -Jackson: We'd also like to read into the record --
Commissioner Carollo: Thank you, Chris.
Vice Chair Gort: Wait a minute; there's a second one.
Ms. Jones -Jackson: --for the ordinance for the millage.
Chair Russell: It's already been passed, but would need --
Ms. Jones -Jackson: Correct.
Chair Russell: -- to read it for the record. Yes, please.
Ms. Jones -Jackson: I need to read the title. Thank you. This is for BH 7.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by Assistant City Attorney
Robin Jones -Jackson.
Ms. Jones -Jackson: Thank you.
Chair Russell: Thank you very much. The budget hear --
Commissioner Hardemon: Mr. Chairman, in an abundance of caution, I would
move to approve BH.7 after she's read it into the record.
Chair Russell: Fair enough. BH. 7 -- we need to vote again then.
Ms. Jones -Jackson: Thank you.
Commissioner Carollo: I think you're right.
Chair Russell: Fair enough. All in favor of BH. 7 --
Commissioner Carollo: Can you call the roll --
Mr. Hannon: Who was the seconder?
Commissioner Carollo: --for the millage again?
Mr. Hannon: I'm sorry. Who is the seconder?
Commissioner Carollo: Call the roll, please.
Commissioner Hardemon: Mr. Vice Chairman --
Chair Russell: Just a moment. What are you saying, Chris?
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Mr. Rose: Forgive me. If we're going to vote on BH.7, I'm going to ask you to vote
on BH.8 one more time --
Commissioner Hardemon: Exactly.
Mr. Rose: -- because State law requires millage to be voted before budget.
Commissioner Hardemon: Right. That's fine.
Mr. Rose: So forgive me. I just --
Commissioner Hardemon: That's fine.
Chair Russell: I believe we're in the clear. She has stated on the record at one
point, even if it was after the vote.
Commissioner Carollo: Well --
Commissioner Hardemon: It takes two seconds.
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Let's humor Chris so we could be on the safe side.
Chair Russell: Wow. Okay.
Ms. Jones -Jackson: Thank you.
Chair Russell: So then let's match the same mover and seconder that we had for
both, please; just keep that on the record as it were, and go ahead and take roll on
both, and we'll be done.
Mr. Hannon: Correct. So this is going to be a motion and a second now on BH.7
and BH.8, with BH.8 being amended.
Ms. Jones -Jackson: Correct.
Commissioner Carollo: Call the roll.
Mr. Hannon: Roll call on BH. 7 and BH.8.
Commissioner Hardemon: Wait.
Mr. Hannon: Commissioner Reyes?
Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
Chair Russell: It's okay; it'll work.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
Mr. Hannon: Commissioner Carollo?
Commissioner Carollo: Yes.
Mr. Hannon: Commissioner Gort?
Vice Chair Gort: Yes.
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Mr. Hannon: Commissioner Hardemon?
Commissioner Hardemon: For.
Mr. Hannon: Chair Russell?
Chair Russell: Yes.
Mr. Hannon: The ordinances pass on second reading, 5-0.
Chair Russell: Thank you. And thank you very much, everyone. The budget hearing
is closed We're going to reset the tape and start back to the regular agenda right
now.
BH.8
ORDINANCE
6294
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH
Office of
ATTACHMENT(S), ADOPTING A FINAL BUDGET AND MAKING
Management and
APPROPRIATIONS RELATING TO OPERATIONAL AND
Budget
BUDGETARY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2019 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30,
2020; RATIFYING, APPROVING, AND CONFIRMING CERTAIN
NECESSARY ACTIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER AND
DESIGNATED CITY OFFICIALS IN ORDER TO UPDATE THE
RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS, FINANCIAL CONTROLS,
COMPLETED PROJECTS, PROJECT CLOSE-OUTS, ACCOUNTING
ENTRIES, AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS IN CONNECTION
THEREWITH AND FOR GRANTS IN PROGRESS; PROVIDING FOR
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ENACTMENT NUMBER: 13861
MOTION TO:
Adopt with Modification(s)
RESULT:
ADOPTED WITH MODIFICATION(S)
MOVER:
Keon Hardemon, Commissioner
SECONDER:
Wifredo (Willy) Gort, Commissioner
AYES:
Russell, Gort, Carollo, Reyes, Hardemon
Note for the Record: For additional minutes referencing Item BH 8, please see Items
BH6and BH7.
Chair Russell: Moving on to BH8, the annual budget, FY '20, City of Miami. Is
there a motion?
Commissioner Carollo: No. We have to go --
Vice Chair Gort: I'll move it for discussion.
Chair Russell: Moved by the Vice Chair; seconded by the Chairman.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay; for discussion.
Christopher Rose (Director, Office of Management and Budget): As amended, with
the Change Memo?
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Chair Russell: Yes; the Change Memo added in, and now we'll see what we can't
mess up.
Commissioner Carollo: Let's go through this for a moment. In this budget, Chris --
Mr. Rose: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: -- how much is Camillus House getting?
Mr. Rose: Camillus House?
Commissioner Carollo: Yes.
Chair Russell: I lost my quorum. This is the last item of the budget hearing, for all
of you who are here for other things. Thank you for your patience. Oh, we do have
quorum. I think Chris is still calculating.
Mr. Rose: So in answer to your question, it's 100, 000 for the day program and
460, 000 for the regular program; total of 560.
Commissioner Carollo: 560?
Mr. Rose: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: How much is Lotus House -- excuse me -- yeah -- Lotus
House getting?
Chair Russell: Change Memo, 100, 000; am I correct?
Mr. Rose: That's correct.
Commissioner Carollo: Well --
Mayor Francis Suarez: Mr. Chair, if I may?
Commissioner Carollo: -- look, I --
Chair Russell: Mr. --
Commissioner Carollo: No„ I'm asking questions. I want to finish in this; I'm sorry.
Lotus House is for women and children. Camillus House, with a fraction of the beds
that they have, not for women and children, we're giving them 560,000. I want to
split the money between both of them, at least. You got 560, plus you got 100; it's
660; go 330 for each of them. We have been overfunding Camillus House for quite
some time, compared to the money that we give other programs, and Lotus House is
one that, to me, is more important than any of the others, because they take care of
women and children. So --
Mayor Suarez: Mr. Chair, if I may?
Chair Russell: Mr. Mayor.
Commissioner Carollo: -- I want to make a motion --
Chair Russell: Well, let's talk it through --
Commissioner Carollo: -- that we --
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Chair Russell: -- let's talk it through --
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah.
Chair Russell: -- because I'd like to show you the counter side to that.
Commissioner Carollo: I want to split those dollars between both of them.
Mayor Suarez: Mr. Chair, if I may?
Chair Russell: Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Suarez: Thank you. Thank you. I think -- and I'll let Mr. Milton Vickers
explain his rationale in budgeting. Obviously, Lotus House needs and deserves more
funding. They came to visit with me, and they visited, I presume, with all of you, as
well. The hundred thousand dollars -- and the reason why it's a hundred in the
budget -- in the Change Memo is because we have received assurances -- and just
today, the Chair of the Omni CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) directed the
Omni CRA to come back with something similar to what they're giving at Camillus,
which I believe is 130, if I'm not mistaken -- somewhere in that vicinity was --
Unidentified Speaker: 60.
Mayor Suarez: --how much they were giving. Okay. They're going to comeback at
the next --
Vice Chair Gort: How about Overtown CRA?
Mayor Suarez: -- and Overtown CRA will --
Chair Russell: And the DDA (Downtown Development Authority).
Mayor Suarez: -- and the DDA --
Vice Chair Gort: And DDA.
Mayor Suarez: -- all three --
Chair Russell: Take care of Lotus.
Mayor Suarez: -- of those additional agencies. But the issue was that -- and I'll let
Mr. Vickers explain his rationale, but I'm obviously in favor of budgeting more
money for Lotus House, because, as you said, it is a critical need in our community,
and as was said earlier, I think, with the Super Bowl coming, even more so. So -- but
I just wanted to clam that they will be getting funding not only from the City, but
also, we put together a package of funds from other agencies.
Chair Russell: Yes. But I -- we cannot defund Camillus right now. If nobody else is
stepping up, whether the Homeless Trust or whoever, we have to continue, because
the homeless situation downtown needs that day program, needs those beds, and we
cannot back off on that. We will find what we need for Lotus, but I do not want to
defund Camillus, please.
Commissioner Carollo: But what I would then suggest is that we split the dollars --
the budget in half, and then all these additional funds that are coming from the
CRAB, the Downtown Development Authority, they split the dollars equally, too --
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Chair Russell: They're already funding Camillus.
Commissioner Carollo: -- to Camillus and to Lotus House. But I don't want to give
Camillus the bulk of the money, give Lotus House a small fraction, and then not have
any solid guarantees, except promises and wishful hoping that they're going to get
their money.
Mayor Suarez: But they're not promises. You sit on the CRA Omni Board, and you
sit on the Overtown Board. So I presume that if you support them in this board,
you'll support them in those boards. So it's not an empty promise.
Commissioner Carollo: Well --
Mayor Suarez: The Chair has --
Commissioner Carollo: -- I'm one vote, and I understand that until you vote and get
a commitment that's voted upon in a resolution, you have nothing guaranteed.
Chair Russell: Right.
Commissioner Carollo: So if it's like you say, then you shouldn't have any problems
with Camillus House getting that money, too.
Chair Russell: Camillus has a very delicate balance that's also been put together
over the years that gets them whole with what they need from the CRAB, the DDA,
and the City of Miami. So I simply cannot support defunding them. I can absolutely
support funding and increased funding for Lotus and others. And we're also
expanding the employment program to Lotus. We are currently in Chapman and
Camillus; now we're bringing it to Lotus, as well. We simply haven't had Lotus at
the table as much as they should have been up to now, and now they are, and we're
going to bring them up to speed. Mr. Vickers.
Milton Vickers (Director, Human Services): Mr. Chair, members of --
Chair Russell: Just a minute. Mr. Vickers has (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Commissioner Reyes: Excuse me, excuse me; just one second. I know that we need
funds, but I'm --just want to ask, what does it take for us to get our share of the -- of
funds from the --
Chair Russell: Homeless Trust?
Commissioner Reyes: -- Homeless Trust? I mean, we have the burden, the main
burden of the homeless. We have it --
Chair Russell: Yeah.
Commissioner Reyes: -- in downtown Miami. And I -- they are getting about $65
million, which the other -- one day, they told me that it was at 60 -- 650 homeless.
That's $100, 000 per homeless, you see? You can house them in Coconut-- I mean in
-- right there in Coconut Grove, or in Coral Gables.
Chair Russell: Mr. Mayor, you have an appointment to the Homeless Trust? I
believe we have a volunteer.
Mayor Suarez: Exactly. I can designate --
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Chair Russell: Either one of these guys.
Commissioner Reyes: No, I --
Chair Russell: We need someone who could take on Mr. Book.
Commissioner Reyes: Listen, I -- what I want is the funds that got to -- I mean, the --
Mayor Suarez: Yeah.
Commissioner Reyes: -- portion of the tax that goes to the Homeless Trust to come
to the City.
Mayor Suarez: Yeah.
Commissioner Reyes: Come to the City so we can administer, and then we can fund
all this and start new projects that -- as it should be done.
Mayor Suarez: And I'll just say --
Commissioner Reyes: You see, new projects that have to be (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Mayor Suarez: -- Mr. Chair, the -- I am a member of the Homeless Trust, and they
have allocated an additional $2 million this year to Lotus House from the -- they
have -- they were funded at 1.2; they're getting an additional 2 million. So they're
now -- they were increased by 63 percent, and that came at -- all funding comes at a
cost of another agency. It came at a cost of Catholic Charities, which was defunded.
So they got a $2 million increase from the Homeless Trust. They got $450,000
additionally from Miami -Dade County last week. They're getting a hundred from the
City. They're going to be getting money from potentially Overtown and Omni, and I
think the issue here is -- the issue is we need to try to get them to the point where
they're at capacity -- right? -- and -- but they're at -- where they --
Commissioner Hardemon: How much money is their budget that they're operating
with?
Mayor Suarez: I couldn't answer that. They --
Commissioner Hardemon: It's obvious (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Mayor Suarez: -- Constance would have to answer. How much is in their budget? I
don't know.
Commissioner Hardemon: How much is the operating --?
Mayor Suarez: I think they're trying to get funding, so that would determine their
budget, I would imagine; right, Constance?
Commissioner Reyes: No. I have another question. Mr. Manager, how much it is,
our contribution to the Homeless Trust?
Emilio T. Gonzalez (City Manager): Sir, the City of Miami is a participant through
F&B (food and beverage) taxes to the Homeless Trust. I believe that we are
probably the largest contributors. But over and above that, we contribute our own
funds, and Mr. Vickers can detail --
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Commissioner Reyes: Yes, sir.
Mr. Gonzalez: We are -- the only way we could -- to answer your question, the only
way we can get out of contributing our F&B taxes is changing State Statute.
Commissioner Reyes: Legislate (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Mr. Gonzalez: There are some communities in South Florida that do not contribute
to the Homeless Trust.
Commissioner Reyes: Have you started the --? I mean --
Mr. Gonzalez: Sir, I have --
Commissioner Reyes: --tried --
Mr. Gonzalez: -- had -- it's -- right now, it is not on our list of priorities for this
session, but I have undertaken that conversation privately with the leadership in
Tallahassee; very supportive. We just have to make sure we do this right.
Commissioner Reyes: Because I, for one, believe that we can start our own
programs, and we can deal with the homeless that we have. Downtown Miami, I
don't care how much -- I mean how beautiful you're going to get Flagler Street.
Whatever you're going to do in downtown Miami, if we don't solve the homeless
problem, downtown Miami is going to be empty at night. I mean, those businesses,
they are not going to flourish. Homeless and parking; you need that in downtown
Miami.
Chair Russell: Yeah.
Commissioner Hardemon: Mr. Chairman?
Chair Russell: Yes, Commissioner.
Commissioner Hardemon: One thing I always want to make sure that I state on the
record is that many times, we use the blanket statement of "homeless," and a lot of
our communities are not necessarily dealing with homelessness.
Commissioner Reyes: Nope.
Commissioner Hardemon: We're dealing with drug users and drug abusers --
Commissioner Reyes: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Hardemon: -- that pose as homeless. What I mean by that is, they
camp out to use drugs, because police don't approach them. So, for instance, in the -
- what I will call the Homeless Assistance Capital of Miami -- place called Overtown
-- right? -- so many different facilities that assist the homeless, including Lotus
House, et cetera, but yet and still, you have these encampments of people that are
stones' throws away from these facilities that -- 7th Avenue and 14th Street, 2nd
Avenue, etcetera --
Chair Russell: 395.
Commissioner Hardemon: -- and what they're doing is using drugs. The -- How do
I know? I'm there. I've witnessed the overdoses. We call the police. Just yesterday,
I believe -- or maybe the day before yesterday -- we were riding, and the guy had the
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crack pipe and the crack in his hand, in his hand. So this is something that we see
every single day. This is where the kids walk; this is where the children over -- takes
the fentanyl and overdose, and die. So what I'm saying to you is that, you know,
these are major issues that we have. And we put a lot of money, sweat, and tears
into fighting homelessness, but we're allowing criminal activity to exist under the
guise of homelessness.
Chair Russell: Yeah.
Commissioner Reyes: Let me ask -- I mean, let me tell you what my idea is. I
remember back when we were trying to get Camillus House out of there for the
Overtown/Park West Redevelopment Project to be a success, and I was in charge of
relocating, trying to find a place to go. And I dealt a lot with the brothers of the
Chairperson, and that's when I learned about the type of homelessness. And correct
me if I'm wrong. We have people that they are homeless because they want to be
homeless. I mean, they -- and it happened before, you see; the hobos and all that.
We have a great amount of them that they are drug addicts, and we have another
group that they have --
Vice Chair Gort: Mentally ill.
Commissioner Reyes: -- mental issues, and a very few that are homeless because of
economical.
Chair Russell: All right.
Commissioner Reyes: But what I'm saying is this: That we could identify them if we
use all our resources and to identify them, try to treat them accordingly, and try to
establish the programs that will get them out of the streets.
Chair Russell: All right.
Commissioner Reyes: That --
Chair Russell: Thank you.
Commissioner Reyes: -- it's totally different, what is being done now, and I think
we'd be more effective. I don't know if you agree with me, Mr. Vickers, but I think
that we would be more effective.
Chair Russell: Of course. Now, we don't need to solve this issue tonight. We need
to allocate the budgets, and I think we have --
Commissioner Reyes: Excuse me.
Chair Russell: -- come to a consensus on the homeless issue with the budget. I'd
like to move on if we can, and address the substance at another time, because we
have not finished one item yet from the regular agenda; not one.
Commissioner Carollo: I'm sorry; what is the consensus that we come in --?
Commissioner Hardemon: What was the consensus about --?
Chair Russell: 100,000 towards Lotus House.
Commissioner Hardemon: That was in the --
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Chair Russell: And then the other balance that she's looking for is coming from the
other bodies that we'll vote over the coming -- at least I can speak for the CRA and
DDA that I will be bringing it to the board --
Commissioner Carollo: Well --
Chair Russell: -- to vote.
Vice Chair Gort: How much?
Chair Russell: 100,000 each, match. I want to match what the City is doing. And --
because their ask was 450 originally, right?
Vice Chair Gort: Yeah.
Chair Russell: So --
Vice Chair Gort: A hundred thousand from the CRA and a hundred thousand from
DDA?
Chair Russell: That's my goal.
Vice Chair Gort: That's 200, 000.
Chair Russell: Plus the three --
Commissioner Hardemon: Plus (UNINTELLIGIBLE) is 300.
Mayor Suarez: Yeah, it's 300, 000.
Commissioner Hardemon: Listen, I'm telling you this.
Vice Chair Gort: 300.
Commissioner Hardemon: I'm trying to --
Vice Chair Gort: 100 to go. 100, we can close. 100.
Commissioner Hardemon: First of all, I want to say this -- right? It's a shame that
we're funding an organization --
Chair Russell: Agreed.
Commissioner Hardemon: We are -- we have a billion -dollar budget, and Miami -
Dade County has an 8-billion-dollar budget. And we're trying to -- we're doing
better -- or just as much as what they're funding. That is not the way that this should
work.
Chair Russell: It's not fair.
Vice Chair Gort: No, I agree.
Commissioner Hardemon: Right? I want to be very clear about this. Second of all,
the City -- Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA, we're trying to finish what we
started, right? We give to a lot of organizations to make -- to bring --put people on
their feet, to rehabilitate people, to build housing; to do all these different things.
And so, it's like at some point, we got to finish the construction and stuff that we need
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to finish in those areas. So, you know, it -- I can't -- you know, we've -- I support
where we are right now. Where are we at; 300?
Chair Russell: Understood. Yes.
Commissioner Hardemon: 300, 000?
Chair Russell: Yes; between the different agencies that have --
Commissioner Hardemon: Plus -- no, plus. It's plus --
Chair Russell: Yeah.
Commissioner Hardemon: -- because they receive 50 or so. How much in the
regular --? In the regular budget, they also receive some funding, Lotus House,
yeah.
Chair Russell: No.
Commissioner Hardemon: It's --yes.
Vice Chair Gort: A hundred thousand.
Commissioner Hardemon: Yes. Yes.
Chair Russell: Nothing.
Commissioner Hardemon: Yes.
Mr. Vickers: Last year, it was 35.
Commissioner Hardemon: But they have some this year.
Mr. Vickers: This year, the recommendation --
Commissioner Hardemon: CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) --
Mr. Vickers: -- that has been changed -- the recommendation in the Change
Memorandum is $100, 000; that's what you have.
Commissioner Hardemon: No, I got that part.
Mr. Vickers: Okay.
Commissioner Hardemon: But then they also get money from CDBG. Isn't -- you're
shaking your head; it's 'yes. " It may be negligible to --
Mr. Vickers: Okay.
Commissioner Hardemon: -- some people, but --
Mayor Suarez: From CDBG?
Commissioner Hardemon: -- it gets you closer to 400, 000.
Mayor Suarez: I don't know if they're getting anything from CDBG. I don't know.
Do they get any CDBG money?
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Unidentified Speaker: Yes.
Mayor Suarez: (UNINTELLIGIBLE), no? Okay.
Mr. Rose: So I do not know about the CDBG. I can tell you that Lotus House is
going from zero to 100 in the general fund.
Chair Russell: Correct.
Commissioner Reyes: Mr. Chair, Mr. Chair --
Commissioner Hardemon: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Well --
Commissioner Reyes: --Mr. Chair?
Commissioner Hardemon: Yes.
Commissioner Reyes: I have a proposition to make. Out of my office account, I am
contributing $10,000 for Lotus House, and I challenge all my fellow Commissioners
Mayor Suarez: I will --
Commissioner Reyes: -- to do the same so we can help them.
Mayor Suarez: -- do 10.
Vice Chair Gort: I already done that.
Mayor Suarez: I will do 10, as well.
Commissioner Reyes: You will do 10, Mr. Mayor?
Mayor Suarez: Yes.
Commissioner Reyes: Now it's up to the rest of you.
Mr. Gonzalez: Mr. Commissioner, I'll --
Chair Russell: API (Anti -Poverty Initiative).
Mr. Gonzalez: -- commit 10 from the Manager's reserves.
Chair Russell: API or --
Commissioner Carollo: API.
Chair Russell: -- office fund?
Mayor Suarez: API, APT
Commissioner Reyes: Whichever account you want.
Mayor Suarez: API --
Commissioner Reyes: Whatever account you want.
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Mayor Suarez: -- or from the office budget, if you got it.
Mr. Gonzalez: Commissioner Reyes, I'll commit to 10 from the Manager's reserve.
Commissioner Reyes: Thank you, sir. Now we got 30 right here.
Vice Chair Gort: You have 30 right there.
Commissioner Hardemon: On some of the CDBG, they have -- on one of the forms
I'm looking at right now, this is about $7, 000. They have another --
Vice Chair Gort: The allocation from CDBG is very --
Commissioner Hardemon: Well, it's CDBG.
Vice Chair Gort: -- (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Commissioner Hardemon: Plus, I have CDBG money that I can make available.
Commissioner Reyes: Fantastic. Now we got 30 and whatever --
Vice Chair Gort: You got 37; 337, 000.
Commissioner Hardemon: Well, that's 37. I'm talking plus.
Mr. Rose: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Commissioner Hardemon: I'm talking beyond that. I'm saying I have --because I
have yet to make my CDBG allocation.
Commissioner Reyes: Absolutely.
Commissioner Hardemon: So I'll commit to that. I think --
Commissioner Reyes: Thank you, sir.
Commissioner Hardemon: -- they're responsible. First of all, I want to make this
very clear. They do a wonderful job. We're not talking about --
Commissioner Reyes: That's right, they do.
Commissioner Hardemon: --you know --
Vice Chair Gort: They're super.
Commissioner Hardemon: -- they do a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, absolutely
wonderful job.
Vice Chair Gort: They give all the service in one.
Commissioner Hardemon: So I'll say that. But we're just talk -- we're talking
budgets., and you -- and everyone understands that. So I know that I need to make
allocations for CDBG, and as a responsible player, I would love to make an
allocation to them there, yeah.
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Chair Russell: I'm sorry --
Vice Chair Gort: How much?
Chair Russell: --I didn't hear the last part.
Commissioner Hardemon: I don't know. I'll have to take a look at what I have,
because I have to take from someone else to give to them.
Vice Chair Gort: How much?
Commissioner Carollo: Well, how much are you committing to them?
Chair Russell: He hasn't said. He's got to figure it out. He's got to do his numbers.
Vice Chair Gort: You'll get to the 400.
Chair Russell: All right. Now, is that something you need to memorialize in this
budget, what -- those things that have been mentioned just now?
Commissioner Hardemon: No. That doesn't qualify --
Commissioner Carollo: Why don't we --?
Commissioner Reyes: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Chair Russell: That's separate.
Mr. Rose: No.
Commissioner Carollo: We need to --
Mr. Rose: In fact, we need to bring in API -- each of these APIs back.
Chair Russell: Agreed. So for now, we are in consensus on the hundred; that's
good.
Vice Chair Gort: Yeah.
Mayor Suarez: No, but we have --
Chair Russell: It changes (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Mayor Suarez: Listen, we have a commitment. You can bring back an API from --
or whatever --
Chair Russell: Exactly.
Mayor Suarez: -- the Commissioner wants, because he may not want it from API.
You can take 10 from my APT
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Mayor Suarez: Right? And you can bring that at the next Commission meeting.
Chair Russell: All right. And --
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Mayor Suarez: You can put that on (UNINTELLIGIBLE)
Chair Russell: -- I'll be good for my 10, as well.
Mayor Suarez: Right.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
Chair Russell: All right. So let's move on.
Commissioner Reyes: And also, I want you to know that I was honored and I was so
lucky that I didn't have any opponent, and out of my campaign account, I'm also
donating -- I'm also giving you --
Chair Russell: Thank you; can't do it here, but we got a consensus and we're going -
Commissioner Reyes: Another --
Mayor Suarez: More money.
Vice Chair Gort: You'll get it.
Chair Russell: That's good. Thank you very much for that. Well done, Constance.
All right. Now, let's move on to the nextparts of this budget.
Vice Chair Gort. Let me give you a suggestion. Anyone that has not been in Lotus
House, I recommend that they go visit it and see the services that are being provided
there.
Chair Russell: It will melt your heart.
Vice Chair Gort: It's for women and kids. And maybe we can get some additional
private individuals that'll make some donation, also.
Chair Russell: It will melt your heart to go to Lotus House and see what they
provide; it's amazing. All right. Let's keep moving now.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay.
Chair Russell: Okay. Other issues in the annual budget --
Commissioner Carollo: Yes, absolutely.
Chair Russell: -- FY'207
Commissioner Carollo: Absolutely. If you think I'm going to vote for a billion plus
dollars and not ask questions, not get into a few areas, then, you know, you're --
Chair Russell: I'm ready for you. Let's go.
Commissioner Carollo: I'm going through now the monies that we're allocating. I'm
going to start there. The Miami Dade College scholarship, is that a yearly 50, 0007
Mayor Suarez: Yeah.
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Commissioner Carollo: Okay. That's fine. Now I have a question, Mr. Manager.
The 50,000 that you and the Mayor went to Miami Dade to allocate, where did that
money come from? Or is it this 50, 000? I thought I asked a simple question.
Commissioner Hardemon: Mr. Mayor, I'm back.
Mayor Suarez: All right.
Mr. Gonzalez: I'm sorry, sir; the Mayor's API, but we'll confirm that, yes.
Commissioner Carollo: No, but I'm talking about you were at Miami Dade with the
Mayor, giving 50, 000.
Mr. Gonzalez: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: Are you saying that came from the Mayor's API fund?
Mayor Suarez: But it's --
Commissioner Carollo: Where did it come from?
Mayor Suarez: Yeah, it's from my current year API.
Commissioner Carollo: Your current year?
Mayor Suarez: This current year API.
Commissioner Carollo: Did we vote on that before?
Mayor Suarez: Not yet; it has not been voted on yet.
Commissioner Carollo: Is it in this agenda to vote on it?
Mayor Suarez: I don't think it's on this agenda, no. It's on -- it'll probably be on the
next agenda, yeah. It takes a little time for -- to process, but, yeah.
Commissioner Carollo: I'm surprised, because, you know, you just needed to put it
on the agenda; that's why I didn't understand it --
Mayor Suarez: It takes a little -- I mean, it's taking a little time to process all the
APIs. It take couple months.
Commissioner Carollo: If it's from your API, I got no problem at all, because, you
know, that's my only question. You have a right to allocate it to whoever you want,
just like all of us do, so that's --
Mr. Gonzalez: Commissioner, I have been in contact with the Miami Dade College
Foundation for several months, and we awarded the money on the date that they
gave us, because they wanted it to happen before Dr. Padron physically left his
charge, so --
Commissioner Carollo: Look, I have no problem. He had his AN money, and he
had a right to give it, so it's not an issue.
Commissioner Reyes: Now that you are --
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Commissioner Carollo: Now, the 50,000 that's here, we need to make it clear that
this is City of Miami funding from everybody. This is all that I want to make sure
that we do; do it the right way.
Mr. Gonzalez: Yes, sir. Those are -- actually, they're City of Miami completion
scholarships, named in honor of Dr. Padron.
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Look, whether we give it in his honor or not, that's a
college that very much deserves it. There's a lot of needy students there, so I have no
problem with that.
Vice Chair Gort: Commissioner
Commissioner Reyes: Vice Chair?
Commissioner Carollo: Yes.
Vice Chair Gort: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: Go ahead.
Vice Chair Gort: He's recognized.
Commissioner Reyes: Now that we are in the Mayor's budget, Mr. Manager and Mr.
Mayor, from what I have here in your budget, operating expenses went 58.1 percent
increase, according to this; according to this page that I have here. The operating
expense for the Mayor's office went -- had an increase of 58.1 percent -- I want to
clarify that -- while the Commissioners' expense went down 1.6 percent. I want to
know, I mean, why that happened and what was -- is that additional salaries, travel,
stamps --
Vice Chair Gort: Okay --
Mayor Suarez: I don't know what he's talking about.
Commissioner Reyes: --food?
Mayor Suarez: I'm not sure what he's referring to.
Vice Chair Gort: Mr. Mayor --
Mayor Suarez: Yeah.
Vice Chair Gort: -- you're recognized, sir.
Mayor Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yeah. I don't think the expenses have gone
up by 50 percent.
Commissioner Reyes: Hold up. This is --
Chair Suarez: I --
Vice Chair Gort: Let him explain it.
Mayor Suarez: Commissioner, I don't -- I mean, you can -- My understanding is
this year's budget, the only difference is that there was the same allocation that all
the Commissioners also received, which was for the increases.
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Commissioner Reyes: Yeah, that's what I saw.
Mayor Suarez: Yeah. And so -- We talked about this at the last hearing. I mean, I
don't know.
Commissioner Reyes: Yeah, but that's what it says here.
Commissioner Carollo: Chris, can you figure that out so that we could understand
it? I got the same thing.
Mayor Suarez: Are you saying a 15 percent increase?
Vice Chair Gort: Commissioner Carollo.
Commissioner Reyes: Operating expenses -- according to --
Mayor Suarez: Are you saying --?
Commissioner Reyes: -- operating expenses, according -- the difference -- it said a
difference of 58.1 percent, and I don't see why.
Mayor Suarez: I think you're talking about -- there's a $50, 000 allocation for
Transit Alliance; is that what you're referring to?
Commissioner Reyes: Well, I thought that it was total --
Mayor Suarez: I'm sorry?
Commissioner Reyes: -- because the only one that has a percentage of difference is
this line here, and I want to know if that's the total, you see? It says here -- the
allocation for the $50, 000, it says it's 1, 666.7 percent --
Mayor Suarez: Right.
Commissioner Reyes: --difference --
Mayor Suarez: Yeah, that --
Commissioner Reyes: -- that increase.
Mayor Suarez: Sure.
Commissioner Reyes: But then at the bottom, when you get all the total -- when you
said operating expenses, then you have all the totals, and the difference is -- it reads
58 -- because it went from 86, 000 to a hundred and --
Mayor Suarez: Now I see what you're saying. I understand what you're saying,
yeah.
Commissioner Reyes: You see? I mean --
Mayor Suarez: That one -- it's that one item (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Commissioner Reyes: Listen, I just want to clarify.
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Mayor Suarez: Understood, and I'll explain. It's the one item, which is the Transit
Alliance, and they're doing an audit on the County's bus system; to redesign the
County's bus system to make it more efficient. If you recall, this Commission voted
unanimously to support the reinstallation of Bus Route Number 6, which -- because
it was discontinued -- affects adversely so many of our elderly and so many of our
vulnerable population. And so, what we did was we put one -- I believe sixth of what
the County put, or one -fifth of what the County put. I believe the County put out 250
and we're putting 50 --
Commissioner Reyes: That's --
Commissioner Carollo: You're talking --
Mayor Suarez: -- for that study.
Commissioner Carollo: Route 6 -- right? -- in District I?
Mayor Suarez: I think it --
Commissioner Carollo: Route 6.
Mayor Suarez: -- crosses four -- three -- at least three Commission districts, if not
more.
Commissioner Carollo: Well, but it begins in Allapattah, I think?
Vice Chair Gort: Yeah.
Mayor Suarez: It does; Allapattah --
Vice Chair Gort: Flagami.
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah.
Vice Chair Gort: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Mayor Suarez: Right, yeah. But that's what that's for, Mr. Commissioner.
Commissioner Carollo: What has the County stated that -- when they're going to --?
Mayor Suarez: They haven't completed their study, and they have not issued their
recommendations, and we're hopeful that they do. I know that the Commissioner has
also been exploring a trolley route along that line, and it's something that I would be
very supportive of, because I think if the County does not do it, then I do think we
should dis -- you know, we should at least discuss the possibility of doing it
ourselves.
Vice Chair Gort: Let me ask you a question.
Mayor Suarez: That's what we've been doing.
Vice Chair Gort: Let me ask a question. I was visited by a group, a not -for -profit of
students, of professionals that are doing the traffic study of all the buses, the public
transportation, along with the trolleys.
Mayor Suarez: That's the -- Yeah.
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Vice Chair Gort: Have they met with you all?
Commissioner Reyes: They met with me, and it wasn't a very friendly meeting, and -
- but I had my differences with them.
Vice Chair Gort: No, I understand. We had -- my differences.
Commissioner Reyes: But they came and they met with me, and --
Mayor Suarez: And Commissioner, I have some differences with them, too, just to be
clear, because --
Commissioner Reyes: Oh, thank you.
Mayor Suarez: -- I do. I do.
Vice Chair Gort: No, no.
Mayor Suarez: So --
Commissioner Gort: Let me tell you, the reasons I'm asking, because my
understanding is, they're going to make the -- I asked them one thing: "Who are
these going to be presented to?" because I looked at all the analysis, all the study,
and -- very complex analysis on rides and what time you ride, who is the one that use
the public systems, and so on. My understanding is they're going to go in front of the
County for approval or for suggestion, and they want us to come in front of the City
of Miami, also.
Mr. Rose: Yes, sir.
Vice Chair Gort: That's why I'm bringing this; for information purpose only.
Commissioner Reyes: No, no, no.
Vice Chair Gort: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Commissioner Reyes: And I could tell you what -- I mean, I'm hoping to let
everybody know what happen.
Mr. Gonzalez: Mr. Chairman, if I may?
Vice Chair Gort: Yes.
Mr. Gonzalez: They came before us. They briefed us, sort of like in a draft form.
They will be coming to this body --
Vice Chair Gort: Right.
Mr. Gonzalez: -- the second meeting in October to give us their full presentation.
Vice Chair Gort: So they are going to come?
Mr. Gonzalez: Yes, sir.
Vice Chair Gort: Okay, perfect. Okay. Commissioner Carollo, are you finished?
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Commissioner Carollo: I have a couple of more questions in this particular area.
Who is the Latin Champions Professional Golf Association that gets 50,000?
Mr. Rose: Yes, sir. That's in Non -Departmental. That's been an annual allocation.
It was added into the budget by the City Commission. It was --
Commissioner Carollo: Who are they? Yeah, but who are they?
Mr. Rose: Who are they?
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. I never heard of them. Who are they?
Mr. Rose: I apologize. I don't know who they are.
Commissioner Carollo: Well, does anybody know who they are?
Mr. Rose: This is the --
Vice Chair Gort: Which one?
Commissioner Reyes: What's the name again?
Mayor Suarez: The Latin American PGA (Professional Golf Association).
Mr. Rose: Yeah.
Commissioner Carollo: Latin Champions Professional Golf --
Vice Chair Gort: Well, that took place. That was no longer established. I mean,
they -- once we gave all of this, they walked out.
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Mr. Rose: Okay.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. So the --
Vice Chair Gort: That -- So you got $50, 000 right there.
Mr. Rose: 50, 000, yeah.
Commissioner Carollo: -- that's $50, 000 that we have in the budget.
Commissioner Reyes: Yeah.
Commissioner Carollo: Any other funds like that, that we have that, you know --?
Vice Chair Gort: Commissioner, allow me a minute. Was that for next year's?
Mr. Rose: Yes, sir.
Vice Chair Gort: They're not coming next year.
Mr. Rose: Okay.
Commissioner Reyes: No.
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Vice Chair Gort: They didn't --
Mr. Rose: Then we have 50,000 extra in our budget.
Vice Chair Gort: And the commitment for last year was paid.
Commissioner Reyes: As a matter of fact, I don't think they came this year.
Vice Chair Gort: No, they didn't. The item didn't come for the last two years.
Commissioner Reyes: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Commissioner Carollo: So we should have two, but you rolled over anything that we
had in this year's budget, right?
Mr. Rose: No, we don't. It goes into the general fund fund balance.
Vice Chair Gort: Okay.
Commissioner Carollo: Oh, when I say, "rolled over" into the general fund.
Mr. Rose: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: That's what I mean.
Vice Chair Gort: But a good suggestion, though, we -- I believe you allocated those
funds for three years in a row; they only used it once, so it should be an additional
$50, 000 from last year and $50, 000 from this year.
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, but the 50 from this year --
Mayor Suarez: It's going to roll. It's going to roll.
Commissioner Carollo: -- and the one from last year, if we don't spend it, it gets
rolled over --
Mayor Suarez: It's going to roll.
Commissioner Carollo: -- into the general fund.
Mr. Rose: It goes into the general fund fund balance.
Commissioner Carollo: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) County --
Vice Chair Gort: Okay, fine. That's an additional -- hey, all I'm getting to, there's a
little bag --
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah.
Vice Chair Gort: -- where you put the money, so this money's got an additional
hundred thousand.
Mr. Rose: Well --
Commissioner Carollo: 50.
Vice Chair Gort: You have to let it go in --
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Mr. Rose: 50 next year; 50 this year. This year --we've only got four or five days
left in the fiscal year. It will disappear into the City's general fund at that time.
Vice Chair Gort: Fine, but you got some additional funds.
Mr. Rose: Yes.
Vice Chair Gort: Okay.
Mr. Rose: 50, 000.
Vice Chair Gort: Thank you.
Commissioner Carollo: How much are you calculating from this year's dollars that
we haven't spent that we're going to have available that's not in this budget that
we're approving for next year's fiscal year's budget?
Mr. Rose: So next year's budget has zero prior year fund balance budgeted for it. It
was --
Commissioner Carollo: And how much are you calculating we're going to have?
Mr. Rose: We're budgeting a nearly break even right now. We're projecting a
nearly break even right now, because, remember, we reached into prior year fund
balance for the labor agreements and the Flagstone settlement.
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, but then Commissioner Gort then is going to be
correct. We haven't accounted for the 50, 000 from last year.
Mr. Rose: So
Commissioner Carollo: So we got 50 from last year and 50 for this year's budget
that we've just taken out. We got a hundred thousand.
Mr. Rose: Yes, sir. Like --
Commissioner Carollo: Correct?
Mr. Rose: -- right now, there's about $36 million of prior year fund balance that
we're using for those two settlements, and we're projecting right around the same
36, 000 of budgeted surplus. So we're going to break even. It may be a little better, it
may be a little worse, but that's our best guess from about a month and a half ago
right now.
Commissioner Carollo: Well --
Mr. Rose: And that 50, 000 would have been in that number; the first 50, 000.
Commissioner Carollo: -- Chris, I'll let you serenade me with that for now.
Mr. Rose: I'm sorry; I didn't hear you, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: I said, I'll let you serenade me with that for now. I don't
think Gort buys it, either, but, you know, what we are all in agreement is that there's
$50, 000 that you had in the budget that we don't need.
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Mr. Rose: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: So we got 50, 000 back. That doesn't mean that we have to
spend it, guys, you know, but don't anybody tell Russell; you know he'll want to take
it. It's just between all of us here tonight.
Vice Chair Gort: I think we lost quorum.
Commissioner Carollo: Let's keep going now.
Vice Chair Gort: No, no, he's here. Okay.
Commissioner Carollo: We have --the Super Bowl Host Committee got 500,000 last
year, in last year's fiscal budget. Now we're putting 3,300,000; that even though it's
being put as in -kind, it's actual money that's going to cost us.
Mr. Rose: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: 3.3 million.
Mr. Rose: That's correct.
Commissioner Carollo: Commissioner, how much are you getting for your pool?
Chair Russell: By the way, I heard you in the bathroom.
Commissioner Carollo: How much are you getting for your pool?
Chair Russell: I'm getting 600 and change.
Commissioner Carollo: 645. And how much do you need for it?
Mr. Rose: 645.
Commissioner Carollo: Huh?
Chair Russell: We needed about a million.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. I got the million for you; maybe 5,000 short, but I
have it for you.
Chair Russell: Is it in the Ferris wheel?
Commissioner Carollo: No, no. The $3,300, 000for the Super Bowl in -kind service -
- let me look. The County is doing a lot, but they're eight times our size, so they
haven't given eight times what we're giving. And the Super Bowl Committee -- and I
mean, I know Rodney -- everybody loves Rodney, but you know what? He needs to
go out and really work. He needs to hit corporate Miami for more funds, not just
depend on government. So I would suggest we cut the Super Bowl in -kind money
that we're giving them to 3 million --
Chair Russell: Don't give it to me; those guys are big. I'm not taking their money.
Commissioner Carollo: --you got 300,000 there. You want your pool? There.
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Mr. Rose: Sir, may I clarify what you're suggesting? It would mean either we would
do that much less in -kind services, or we would charge the Super Bowl for those
services.
Commissioner Carollo: That's right.
Mr. Rose: One or the other.
Commissioner Carollo: We charge them, or we do less if they don't want to pay it,
but, you know, they're going to have to pay. Maybe we could find a way to reduce
the services so we don't have to pay as much. That's always possible. You'll always
have a cushion there, maybe, of 2 to 300, 000, but if not, the Super Bowl people have
to work more to raise a little bit more. I mean, we still would have given them $3.5
million with a billion -dollar budget. Now, the County's got 8 billion, and how much
are they giving them?
Mayor Suarez: I think they're giving them over 8 million, if I'm not mistaken.
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah.
Mayor Suarez: Yeah.
Commissioner Carollo: That's what I thought.
Mayor Suarez: Yeah.
Commissioner Carollo: So here, they got 8 million --
Mayor Suarez: And I think Miami Beach is giving them --
Commissioner Carollo: -- we're giving them three and a half with one billion, which
means that the County should have to give to them -- if we're going to do it apples to
apples -- $28 million, you know?
Mayor Suarez: Look, I think -- I mean, I understand your argument, and it's not a
bad argument. You know, a lot of the activation, if not all of the activation, other
than the game itself, is going to be in the City of Miami. And obviously --
Commissioner Carollo: Well, we're getting very little, really, from what the whole
Super Bowl Show is. What needs to be done is the Manager needs to sit with the off -
duty personnel. They need to refine these numbers. They could work on this and
give us a little less officers -- so can the Fire Department -- and you could probably,
more or less, reach a 10 percent cut there -- or 9-percent cut -- to reach the 3
million -dollar mark.
Mayor Suarez: Go ahead.
Commissioner Carollo: So --
Joseph Napoli (Deputy City Manager): Commissioner, when --
Commissioner Carollo: -- Commissioner Russell --
Mr. Napoli: -- we developed that budget for the in -kind services, we were being not
-- we were being conservative so that we would have some flex in there. We -- that's
the maximum amount we would, based on the worse -case scenario --
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Commissioner Carollo: Right. So, look, I suggest we leave that at 3 million; we
meet with our personnel and cut that back, as far back as we can, while still
providing a safe environment. And if we're a little short, they're going to have to
make it up somehow. And you get 300,000 more for your pool, and I'll put another
50,000 that I found for you, and now you got -- you're short $5,000 instead of the
million. How about that?
Chair Russell: I certainly appreciate that. I just need to understand how that affects
our security situation with Super Bowl.
Commissioner Carollo: Look, you want the pool or you don't want it? I mean, that's
not going to affect our situation at all by putting --
Mayor Suarez: What's that?
Chair Russell: Super Bowl (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Mr. Napoli: Commissioner, if -- like I said, that was a conservative number. If we
come down to that figure, the 3 million figure, and we overspend, then we'll come
back in the midyear if we have to. The issue with the in -kind services is that in the
RIP (Request for Proposals), we're required to provide those in -kind services, so I'm
not sure if we can go back and charge the Super Bowl, but we can --
Commissioner Carollo: In what RFP?
Mayor Suarez: I think what he means in the -- is in the proposal, right?
Mr. Napoli: The proposal.
Mayor Suarez: Yeah, in the Super Bowl bid proposal.
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, but who made the proposal? It was the Super Bowl
Committee.
Mayor Suarez: Right. But we passed a resolution incorporating the proposal, and
saying that we would essentially back the proposal.
Mr. Napoli: But we'll go ahead and bring it down to that figure, Commissioner, and
strive to make it, but I'm just saying we may have to come back in the midyear, but
hopefully, we won't.
Commissioner Carollo: Well --
Chair Russell: The Administration's okay with this?
Mr. Napoli: Yes, sir, we are.
Commissioner Carollo: -- if the Administration would sit down with the Police
Department -- I'm going to tell you what I always have found. No matter how small
or how big the item is, whether it's a concert, whether it's a parade, whatever it is,
they give you a number that's way up here to see if you'll bite at it and take it; if not,
they keep lowering and lowering and lowering until they finally meet the lowest level
that, you know, they will take for it to be safe. I don't think anyone -- no one has
fought for that yet here.
Mayor Suarez: Mr. Chair?
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Chair Russell: Yes.
Mayor Suarez: Yeah. Look, I agree; that's usually the way it works. I just -- I think
we all agree that this is a mega event and that we should not compromise the safety
and security of the people who are here.
Commissioner Carollo: We're not asking for that.
Mayor Suarez: No, and I'm just -- I just want to be clear, because, you know, I think
this is -- we're on the -- we are on the world stage at this event, and, you know,
obviously, the safety of not only the residents of the City of Miami, but obviously, the
tourists that are going to be coming here, and there being a potential for --
unfortunately, for something very catastrophic. It's something that we have --
Commissioner Carollo: How much do we have in overtime funds that we have for
this fiscal year's budget?
Mr. Rose: On Page 304 of the operating -- proposed Operating Book, it is $7.75
million in the general fund, and a million -eight -sixty-two in Special Revenue for
Police.
Commissioner Carollo: Hold on. Start again. 7 point -- 750, 000?
Mr. Rose: 7-7-5-0, yes.
Commissioner Carollo: That's for overtime?
Mr. Rose: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: And then what's the other amount?
Mr. Rose: The other amount is a special revenue, 1.862.
Commissioner Carollo: The special revenue is --
Mr. Rose: Is non -general fund. It's charged, so.
Commissioner Carollo: The one that -- yeah, but that's the one we charge people?
Mr. Rose: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Reyes: Yeah.
Commissioner Carollo: Yep. We can't count that.
Mr. Rose: I'm sorry; I can't hear you. I apologize.
Commissioner Carollo: We really can't count that, because it's --
Mr. Rose: Correct.
Commissioner Carollo: -- money that we're getting.
Mr. Rose: Correct.
Commissioner Carollo: So what we got is 7,750, 000 in overtime?
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Mr. Rose: In the Police Department.
Commissioner Carollo: How much did we spend so far in overtime for this fiscal
year that's almost ending?
Mr. Rose: I don't know the answer. Just a moment.
Commissioner Carollo: Glad I'm not asking you guys any hard questions. You
know, we'd be here for the next week.
Chair Russell: We will be.
Commissioner Carollo: Where's Emilio? I'm sure he's got the answer. There he is.
Chief, thank you.
Jorge Colina (Chief of Police): Commissioner, we're --
Commissioner Carollo: How much money would you estimate -- your best estimate -
- that we have spent in overtime for the Police Department up to now in this fiscal
year that's almost ended?
Chief Colina: We're going to finish about 2 million under --
Commissioner Carollo: Under.
Chief Colina: -- what was budgeted on overtime.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. All right. Thank you. You -- and you had how much
in overtime allocated, if you can remind me, for this last year's fiscal budget? Was it
the same or a little less than what you got now?
Chief Colina: We -- the budget was 9 million for over --
Commissioner Carollo: It was even more. Okay.
Chief Colina: Yeah.
Commissioner Carollo: So you're down at 7 million.
Chief Colina: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: You would end up spending -- excuse me -- about 7 million,
correct?
Chief Colina: We're going to end up spending about 7 million; yes, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. All right. So he had 9 million allocated this fiscal
year. He's going to end up spending about 7 million, which is the number we want to
look at. We have allocated 7,750,000 in overtime for this next fiscal year. Let's say
that he, more or less, stays at the 7 million. We still have a cushion for the Super
Bowl of another 750,000.
Mayor Suarez: That's fine, as long as --
Commissioner Carollo: Russell, do you still want your pool, or do you want me to
use it for something else?
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Vice Chair Gort: We took --
Commissioner Carollo: Thank you.
Vice Chair Gort: --care of the pool already.
Mayor Suarez: Just to be clear, the in -kind stuff is not just the Police Department,
so I just want to --
Commissioner Carollo: Excuse me?
Mayor Suarez: That the in -kind is not just Police Department.
Commissioner Carollo: No, no, I understand.
Mayor Suarez: I just want to be clear.
Commissioner Carollo: It's Fire --
Mayor Suarez: Yeah, yeah, right. It's everything.
Commissioner Carollo: -- it's garbage collection, you know. I haven't gotten to the
Fire Department yet. They're not, you know, off the hook.
Mayor Suarez: Got it.
Commissioner Carollo: I'm going to ask the same questions. But what I want to
show you all is that we could cover this even if the numbers are 3.3 million. You
know, we're in good shape. I think it could be less, and the Chief could be a lot of
help in this, in bringing those numbers down a little bit, and still be safe. But even if
we were at 3.3, we should be okay; just with the Police reserves for overtime; not
even looking -- which we're going to now -- at the Fire Department.
Mr. Rose: And you'll notice, Commissioner -- through the Chair -- that we did
reduce the Police budget from 9 million to 7-7 -- 9.4 to 7.75.
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, because you didn't need all of it last year, obviously.
Mr. Rose: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: And then that makes sense; even though, in all frankness,
Chris, the year you should have put it up and more would have been this year, not
last, but I'm not going there. Ken -- Chairman, do you want me to take the gavel? If
you were hearing what we did, whichever way we cut it, we should be fine on the
Super Bowl for the extra security, Fire -Rescue, collection of garbage, on the $3.3
million. If we go by last year's budget in the Police Department, on the reserves that
we put down for overtime, they only spent 7 million. This coming fiscal year, we're
putting 7,750,000, so we got a wiggle room there of three quarters of a million
dollars.
Chair Russell: Very creative.
Mr. Rose: Remember, salaries go up every year, as well. So the same hours will
cost a bit more. So it's awful close the way we budgeted, sir.
Mayor Suarez: I think the point is made. I think the point is that the $500, 000 of in -
kind can probably be gotten from savings from the departments themselves.
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Commissioner Carollo: Well, 300,000 that we're going to take out.
Mayor Suarez: Right.
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah; 3.3 million.
Mayor Suarez: Fine.
Commissioner Carollo: Now, what I'm going to propose is that the $300,000 that
we're going to have now in newfound savings from the Super Bowl in -kind will be
allocated to District 2 for the pool, the Virrick Gym. And there's another $50, 000
that we found that shouldn't have been here. I'm going to suggest that that be
allocated to Commissioner Reyes' parks, since he now became short $100, 000.
Chair Russell: Yeah.
Commissioner Carollo: So your -- you had 645; now you got 945.
Chair Russell: I'm there.
Commissioner Carollo: You're there. Is that okay?
Chair Russell: So we -- now, I just want to make sure that works. All right. So
thank you very much for --
Mayor Suarez: If we need to come back in the midyear, we'll come back in the
midyear. That's -- I mean, that's --
Commissioner Reyes: Thankyou, Joe.
Chair Russell: So we've already --
Commissioner Hardemon: Mr. Chair?
Chair Russell: -- voted on that Capital budget, though, so how can we allocate that
at this point?
Commissioner Hardemon: Mr. Chairman?
Chair Russell: Yes.
Commissioner Hardemon: Before you move on to that question, I'm trying to
understand. Mr. Mayor, you said if we have to amend the midyear
(UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Mayor Suarez: Yeah.
Commissioner Hardemon: Because I'm trying to understand this. The Super Bowl --
Mayor Suarez: So I'll explain.
Commissioner Hardemon: -- is --
Chair Russell: February.
Commissioner Hardemon: -- early year, right?
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Mayor Suarez: I'll try to explain quickly. There's a -- the Commissioner is trying to
de -allocate $300,000 of in -kind, which is fine. What he's saying is, last year we
didn't spend up to the full amount of our overtime budget in Police. That budget was
reduced by about a million and a quarter from last year, but that still leaves about a
$750,000 wiggle room -- right? assuming that the same -- budget comes in
approximately the same; understanding that the Budget Director said that salaries
will go up and overtime will go up, so the cost will be a little bit higher. We think
that, based on that, and based on potentially surpluses in other departments, like --
because remember, the in -kind is not just Police; it's Police, Fire, Sanitation, et
cetera. So we have to get a little bit from all those budgets that are unspent --
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah.
Commissioner Hardemon: Right.
Mayor Suarez: -- in the hopes that it will make it. If it doesn't make it, that's when
we have to come back.
Commissioner Hardemon: Because my worry is that -- we understand. The Super
Bowl is -- this is a monster thing.
Mayor Suarez: Yeah.
Commissioner Hardemon: We're on the world stage at that point; and so, I would
think that if something happens in the City of Miami during the Super Bowl --
Mayor Suarez: Yeah, that's what I said. Yeah.
Commissioner Hardemon: -- we will equip all the officers that we can --
Mayor Suarez: Right.
Commissioner Hardemon: -- everyone who's in a uniform as possible to respond
and be apart of, you know, taking care of these issues.
Mayor Suarez: Yeah.
Commissioner Hardemon: And my worry is that -- well, I assume that the Chief is
going to spend -- I mean, if he has to come back and say, "I need you guys to ratify,"
that is what it is. But that's something that we have to understand on the dais; that
that will happen. So if we budget it or not, if something goes wrong, he needs to
spend that money, because he has to put his men out there, we have to find a way to
pay for it. And so, no matter if we do this --
Mayor Suarez: That's exactly what I'm saying, Mr. Chair.
Commissioner Hardemon: --we could do this planning now --
Mayor Suarez: Yeah, that's exactly what I'm saying.
Commissioner Hardemon: -- all we want to, but understand that we fully expect -- I
fully expect that that Chief is going to -- and our Fire Chief is going to act
responsibly when and if there is a major issue in the City of Miami.
Mayor Suarez: Precisely. So we budget now for -- beginning in October. The event
is in, I believe, February, if I'm not mistaken.
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Commissioner Hardemon: February.
Mayor Suarez: And then the midyear is in April. So if there's any issue -- and, of
course, we can always bring it earlier -- certainly, we will do that. But what the
Commissioner is trying to do is tighten the belt a little bit in other areas to see if we
can get the same amount of money, which is the same commitment level. We're not
reducing the commitment level. We're just taking the money from other sources if we
have an issue with funding.
Commissioner Carollo: Guys, look, you --
Chair Russell: Just a minute. Vice Chairman.
Commissioner Carollo: -- convinced me. I withdraw my motion of the $300,000 for
Russell and the 50,000 -- well, the 50,000 (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Commissioner Hardemon: Why are you so temperamental? Don't be like that.
Commissioner Carollo: Well, no, no, no. You guys are wearing me down.
Commissioner Hardemon: Come on, Commissioner; just come on.
Chair Russell: Vice Chairman Gort.
Commissioner Carollo: You're wearing me down.
Commissioner Hardemon: We wore you down?
Mayor Suarez: That's awesome.
Chair Russell: Vice Chair.
Mayor Suarez: You got to give it to him, man. You got to give it to him.
Chair Russell: All right. We're already getting giddy, and we haven't even done the
agenda.
Mayor Suarez: We're getting punch drunk.
Chair Russell: Vice Chairman.
Vice Chair Gort: Listen, for the people that are listening in here, I understand the
economic impact of the Super Bowl is how many millions?
Mayor Suarez: It's extraordinary.
Vice Chair Gort: Can you give me a number? 400 million?
Mr. Napoli: Well, 400 to 500 million, Commissioner, based on the previous Super
Bowls; yes.
Vice Chair Gort: Okay. My question is, what is the benefit for the City of Miami?
Let's put it in dollar value, because there's a lot of people here that don't understand
football. They don't know football. They don't know what the Super Bowl is.
Mayor Suarez: I mean --
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Vice Chair Gort: So it's (UNINTELLIGIBLE) for them to understand the impact that
it has economically.
Mayor Suarez: When you put it in the context of our room rates, our room
occupancies, which is our tourist tax, our bed tax, I mean, everything that is spent in
terms of the revenue that comes into the City and the businesses which employ
regular people -- bellmen, busboys, bartenders -- I mean, those are people that, you
know, make -- you know, try to get --
Commissioner Reyes: That is using the multiplier that (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Mayor Suarez: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Vice Chair Gort: That's what I wanted people to understand.
Mr. Rose: Right.
Vice Chair Gort: And at the same time, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the exposure that the
City of Miami will get worldwide, because, let's face it, this is viewed by billions of
people; even the Chinese are watching it.
Chair Russell: All right.
Vice Chair Gort: What do we need?
Chair Russell: The Commissioner is still working. I mean -- I'm sorry. Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) was budgeted in overtime for the Fire
Department?
Mr. Rose: On Page 294 of the proposed Operating Book, budgeted is 1.498 in the
new year. It's the same number in the prior year --current year.
Commissioner Carollo: And how much have they spent so far this year?
Mr. Rose: I'll have to check on that.
Commissioner Carollo: Chief, would you know off the top of your head,
approximately? Out of the one and a half million dollars in overtime you had, how
much have you spent so far this year?
Joseph Zahralban: Joseph Zahralban, Fire Chief, Department of Fire -Rescue. Our
overtime budget has already been exceeded, so there is no savings in the overtime
line item. But with the salary savings from the salary line items, due to attrition, that
offsets our overtime deficit, so we expect to be flush at the end of the year.
Commissioner Carollo: You scared me. I thought you were going to ask Colina for
a loan.
Chief Zahralban: No, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. All right. Let -- Chief Colina, let's get, you know,
one tonight. I asked a question, a very important question, on overtime, and he had
the answers, so that's good, because overtime, particularly the Police Department --
it's our biggest department -- if you're not on top of it, that could really kill a budget.
That's good. Thank you, Chief.
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Chief Zahralban: Thank you.
Commissioner Carollo: No money there.
Commissioner Hardemon: What do you mean, "no money there"?
Chair Russell: From Fire.
Commissioner Hardemon: From Fire.
Commissioner Carollo: The other departments -- well, we got Public Works, in -kind
is -- actually, so you know, out of that 3.3 that they had down that we're bringing it
to 3 million, 2 million is Police; 443,000 is Fire -Rescue; Public Works is 500. Why
is it so high?
Mr. Rose: There are two different numbers for Public Works.
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah.
Mr. Rose: The in -kind services was a good -- basically cleaning and fixing right
before the Super Bowl came, and then there's another number for fee waiver for road
closures. We in the Administration don't have the ability to waive the fees, so we're
setting this money aside for exactly that, in -kind.
Commissioner Carollo: So there could be some savings there, too.
Mr. Rose: There is -- these are our best professional recommendations of what it
will take to get ready for the Super Bowl and to do what we said we would do in the
bid package for the Super Bowl.
Commissioner Carollo: The others are too small to get into them. Solid Waste is
49, 000, and Code Compliance is 8, 000.
Mr. Rose: In fact, at this point, we think Solid Waste and Code Compliance are
going to go up a little bit. In our most recent discussions, the Clean Zone that was
just recently passed by the Commission is going to up that 8,000-dollar number in
Code.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Coconut Grove Business Improvement District --
Mr. Rose: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: -- how much does that generate?
Mr. Rose: How much does that generate?
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah.
Mr. Rose: I don't know the answer to that. We just passed their budget last meeting,
so we could look that up.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. So the 300,000 we're giving them is the parking
surcharge back; is that right, Commissioner Russell?
Mr. Rose: That's right, and that's by stat -- by --
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Commissioner Carollo: Okay. All right.
Mr. Rose: -- ordinance.
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, that's the ordinance that was there. Okay. City
Manager, what have you been using the City Manager's reserves --? -- I hope some
of it was for that Chinese food, but --
Mr. Gonzalez: I'm sorry, sir. Would you say that again, sir?
Commissioner Carollo: I said, what have you been using the Manager's reserves of
125, 000 a year?
Mr. Gonzalez: Sir, the Manager's reserve is being used to cover costs that just are
not normal --
Commissioner Carollo: To cover?
Mr. Gonzalez: Sir?
Commissioner Carollo: To cover what, exactly?
Mr. Gonzalez: To cover costs --
Commissioner Carollo: Costs?
Mr. Gonzalez: --for events. For example, part of that reserve went to cover costs
for this morning's event for Mayor Ferre, to cover costs. I believe we -- I actually
even covered some of your costs early on in your Viernes in Little Havana, the
Martin Luther King Parade --
Commissioner Carollo: Okay.
Mr. Gonzalez: -- so, literally, across the board is what I use that for.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. All right. That's good. Can -- you know, when you
got a chance, if you could send me an accounting of it for this year, so I could see,
but --
Mr. Gonzalez: Yes, sir; happy to.
Commissioner Carollo: -- I'm sure it's fine. Okay. Do you have any monies spare
so far this year or not, or --?
Mr. Gonzalez: I'm going to have a couple of thousand dollars, because I'm also
using the Manager's reserve for an event -- of an event tomorrow with the HUD
(Department of Housing and Urban Development) Secretary, so I may have, I want
to say, maybe 5 or $10, 000. I'll have to ask Chris exactly what --
Commissioner Carollo: What event is that? I haven't been invited to it.
Mr. Gonzalez: There's --
Commissioner Carollo: No, hold on. That's the -- yeah, I think I -- yeah, that's a
different one.
Mr. Gonzalez: Yes, sir; the Opportunity Zone event --
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Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, yeah. That's Friday and Saturday.
Mr. Gonzalez: Correct. So --
Commissioner Carollo: I was; I'll take that back.
Mr. Gonzalez: -- I'm using it for that. Just recently, I'm using it for the event here
this morning. I'm using it to give a grant to the Military Lounge at the airport. I'm
using it, again, across the board for activities that cover the whole City.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. All right. I see that we have a new one; 153,000,
Victims of Crime Act. What is this all about? I haven't seen any money in this fiscal
year for it.
Mr. Rose: You have, sir. The VOCA grant, Victims of Crime, has come before the
Commission in the past.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay.
Mr. Rose: This is what we set aside as grant match --
Commissioner Carollo: Okay.
Mr. Rose: --for when we get it. I'm going to say about two months ago was the last
time that the grant came in front of the Commission, and we do have to match it with
some funds.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. But you did take away one grant of 150,000, so this
kind of equals --
Mr. Rose: Yeah.
Commissioner Carollo: -- the dollars for this year. You didn't take it away from
them; you took it away from somebody else.
Unidentified Speaker: It's eight full-time positions. Yeah.
Chief Colina: Eight full-time positions, six grant -- paid through grant to -- paid
through --
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. That's fine.
Chief Colina: Eight grant funded by (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Unidentified Speaker: Yeah.
Commissioner Carollo: Let me go back to the updated proposed budget with what I
had gone through with department heads last week. Walk me through the additional
dollars that we added, and explain exactly what they are going towards, Chris; Code
Compliance.
Mr. Rose: Okay. So on Page 7 of the information for Second Budget Hearing
Memo, about halfway down, we start making recommendations for changes. The
first one, of course, is the 300, 000 for the Virginia Key Beach Trust; second one is
the hundred thousand for the Lotus House; next one on the next page, Page 8 --
excuse me -- is a hundred thousand, which is 80, 000 for two Code Compliance
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officer positions, funded three-quarters of the year. It will take sometime to fill the
position.
Commissioner Carollo: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Yeah.
Mr. Rose: And another $20, 000 for training. That's a total of a hundred thousand in
Code Compliance. Police --
Commissioner Carollo: This will bring us up to how many Code Officers?
Mr. Rose: I believe it is 61 to 69 Code Officers, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: 61 ?
Mr. Rose: Let me get it.
Commissioner Carollo: I'm saying with the two extras. It's beyond what you --
Mr. Rose: Two additional. Well, we've added a total of 12 positions --
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah.
Mr. Rose: --over the last year now for Code. Let me see. Right. And some of those
positions are not inspectors, so.
Commissioner Carollo: Right. But these two are inspectors, I (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Mr. Rose: These two that we're adding in this memorandum are inspectors; yes, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Mr. Manager, here is the problem that we have
citywide: The Code Inspectors are working banker's hours, Monday through Friday.
Comes weekends, we have a skeleton crew, and at night, even less than a skeleton
crew. Every business practically in Miami knows that we do not have Code
Enforcement Inspectors out on weekends; and all the lounges, bars, all these places -
- like NBC (National Broadcasting Company) 6 had their program last night, and I
suggest you look at it -- know that we don't have Code. How can we go about
shifting shifts so that we equally, seven days a week -- and particularly at night, on
weekends -- have sufficient Code Enforcement people to meet our needs?
Mr. Gonzalez: We will add to the after-hours team, but we have increased not only
the manpower and the budget for Code Compliance; our expectation is, is that we
will soon get the results of our task force, which will point us in the direction where
if we need to add more people to it, we will; if we need to add more technology, we
will.
Commissioner Carollo: I suggested we would and, you know, we only came back
with two more.
Mr. Gonzalez: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: I was willing to, but what I'm not willing to see is that
everybody works banker's hours, and we need them working on weekends. In fact, I
would say that we need as many officers working Saturday and Sundays as you do
during the weekday. And then, where you really need people out is at night, Friday
and Saturdays. I mean, it's a whole different world out there. I know, you know, you
get to bed earlier, but believe you me, it's a whole different world out therefrom one
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part of the City to another. And they know that, you know, we got maybe one Code
Officer for the whole City.
Mr. Gonzalez: Sir, I'll make sure that I have something to you formally in the next
couple of days to show you how we can address these concerns that you have.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. I would appreciate it. Fire -Rescue.
Mr. Rose: Forgive me, sir. I misspoke; it's 10 additional positions. So last year this
time, we approved a budget with 61 positions in Code Compliance. If all these
amendments go through, you'll have 71 positions in Code Compliance.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Out of which those 10 new ones, how many are Code
Enforcement Officers?
Mr. Rose: So these two that we just added -- I know how I can answer that. Full
total? Okay. Four; four more.
Commissioner Carollo: Four?
Mr. Rose: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay.
Mr. Rose: So.
Commissioner Carollo: Fire -Rescue. We got another 431,000 more, which is even
more than the Police Department, so if that could be explained to me --
Mr. Rose: Yes, sir. We are --
Commissioner Carollo: -- whether you do it or the Chief- either one.
Mr. Rose: -- we -- would you like -- either way. No? So we are adding additional
funding to start the Heavy Rescue 6 earlier in the year. When we proposed the
budget, we proposed it on July 1.
Commissioner Carollo: Right.
Mr. Rose: We're moving it back to February 1.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. That's Fine. We had talked about that, Chief, when I
asked you to give me your wish list. Okay.
Mr. Rose: So we were on Page 8. We had covered Code Compliance. Police: We
are adding additional funds for leasing of motorcycles and for training of officers
using the AR-15 rifle. Solid Waste: We are --
Commissioner Carollo: Chris, you explained to me where we're getting additional
AR-1 S rifles, too.
Mr. Rose: Yes, sir. Yes, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: Both.
Mr. Rose: More equipment and more training; you're right.
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Commissioner Carollo: And somewhere in there, it talks about that we're not buying
from Colt; we're buying from someone else, and the AR-1 Ss we're getting are -- I
was told were a lot more expensive than Colt. I don't know if that's accurate or not.
Maybe someone in the Police Department could explain that to me. Military uses
Colt, so I'm just wondering.
Mr. Rose: I don't know the answer, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay.
Chair Russell: I think Colt just stopped production of the AR-15.
Commissioner Carollo: Oh, they stopped production for the civilian; not the
military type and/or for police departments.
Chief Colina: I'm sorry, Commissioner. You're inquiring about the vendor?
Commissioner Carollo: Right, the vendor.
Chief Colina: The vendor is Daniel, and this is a bid that went out. That was the
vendor that was awarded the bid. That's -- so that's who would --
Commissioner Carollo: They were lower than -- Colt was higher than them?
Chief Colina: I'm assuming so, sir. I'm assuming so.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay.
Chief Colina: I don't know what it is right now; it could have changed, because
we're working off the bid that was two years ago, so that could have changed right
now. We can certainly put it out again.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. If you could --
Chief Colina: We can bid it out again.
Commissioner Carollo: Might be helpful, Chief, but, you know, I'm not --
Chief Colina: Yeah.
Commissioner Carollo: -- going to do anything on this. I mean, I'm the one that was
encouraging you.
Chief Colina: Absolutely. No, that's why I'm saying we can bid it and -- but this is
still going to give us a really good estimate of what the cost would be.
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah. Okay.
Chair Russell: Commissioner, one second.
Vice Chair Gort: Let me ask you a question. A lot of times, we look at the RFPs that
have been done, or bids by other -- like Miami -Dade County and some other
municipality.
Chief Colina: To be able to piggyback off a contract?
Vice Chair Gort: Piggyback if the contract is a lot lower.
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Chief Colina: If it's beneficial, it's something we can absolutely consider.
Vice Chair Gort: You can do that?
Chief Colina: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: How many motorcycles are you going to be renting
altogether?
Chief Colina: Well, we're going to increase it by 13, so the total amount of bikes we
would have would be 38; that's counting what we have now, and including the spares
in case repairs, a bike goes down, et cetera. So after augmenting, we would be up to
38 bikes.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. That's a good number to begin with, and as I said to
you, I think we need to be in the 50 range, so next fiscal year's budget, I would
appreciate if you come back and see if we can get it up to 50.
Chief Colina: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: That's good Okay. Thank you, Chief.
Chief Colina: Thank you.
Commissioner Carollo: The Human Resources or -- I don't know where you want to
start off.
Mr. Rose: Sure. Well, the next one would be Solid Waste. We're still on Page 8 of
the Change Memo.
Commissioner Carollo: Yes.
Mr. Rose: We're adding three additional Waste Compliance Inspectors to deal with
illegal dumping.
Commissioner Carollo: Right.
Mr. Rose: So we have six in the current year. We added three in the first Change
Memo and we're adding three more --I'm sorry. We have nine in the current year;
added three more in the first Change Memo, and we're adding three more now, for a
total of 15.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. The cameras, that we asked for additional cameras, I
Mr. Rose: The cameras are also in there. It is 50 additional cameras, at a cost of
275, 000.
Commissioner Carollo: 275, 000?
Mr. Rose: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: That brings us to how many cameras then?
Mr. Rose: I want to make sure.
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Commissioner Carollo: Yeah, Police is using some, so.
Mr. Rose: So today we have 18 right now. We're adding SO in the current year, and
we're adding 50 more next year with this amendment. So it'll go up to --
Commissioner Carollo: 118.
Mr. Rose: -- 118, yes sir.
Commissioner Carollo: Well, that's a good start.
Chair Russell: Vice Chairman.
Vice Chair Gort: Funds are allocated; got some funds to have additional 18 more,
right? Is that part of the numbers you're giving us? Okay.
Mr. Rose: Yeah; in that. The next one in the memo was Fire -Rescue, which we've
already talked about --
Commissioner Carollo: Yes.
Mr. Rose: -- Heavy Rescue 6. We do make a -- an amendment to increase the
reserves that we had taken out in the first hearing to put them back in this hearing,
on the bottom of Page 8.
Chair Russell: Before you do that, since we're on Police, can we go back a minute?
Mr. Rose: Sure.
Chair Russell: Thank you. We increased motormen?
Mr. Rose: We did.
Chair Russell: Did we do that equivalently across the City or not? Because I know I
need more attention --
Chief Colina: I'm sorry, Commissioner; I missed the question.
Chair Russell: The motormen increase.
Chief Colina: Yes, sir.
Chair Russell: Are we getting any of that in D2, and especially in the south end?
Because we've got -- we need some attention there with a lot of --
Chief Colina: Yes. So the idea, without a doubt, is to have at least -- well, now, we
will be able to go up after training, of course, and after getting the bikes, we'll be
able to have two motormen per NET (Neighborhood Enhancement Team) area, and
there -- just be mindful that depending on traffic patterns, complaints, et cetera,
emergencies, you know, sometimes one motorman may be moved from one NET area
to the other, depending on need. But day-to-day, the plan is every NET area will
have two motormen serving that area.
Chair Russell: Its usually a -- not a squeaky wheel situation, but where you hear
there's an issue, it's brought to your attention.
Vice Chair Gort: Yeah.
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Chair Russell: There's a lot of speed in this area or violations in this area --
Commissioner Reyes: Yeah.
Chair Russell: -- you go and spot-check it. That's where the motormen come in.
Chief Colina: That's what they're going to be doing day to day. But just to give you
a random example, let's say that the first day of school --
Chair Russell: Yeah.
Chief Colina: -- let's say there's a NET area that doesn't have any schools, or only
has one school, and another area has five schools. Well, that may be a day where
they have three and somebody has one, for example. So day to day, everybody gets
two.
Chair Russell: But it'll be two per NET area?
Chief Colina: Two per NET area, yes.
Chair Russell: And we'll be able to --
Chief Colina: We have -- we now have 13 NET areas, so it'll be a total of 26 motor
officers.
Commissioner Reyes: Mr. Chair?
Chair Russell: Thank you. Yes, of course.
Commissioner Reyes: Chief, we also asked for a -- trying to use more public service
aide.
Chief Colina: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Reyes: And I can read that there is not recommended for funding and
-- of 15 additional public service aide. Can you at least get some of them, so they
can relieve some of the patrolmen, traffic accidents and things that they are not --
reports, you know, like breaking into vehicles reports? That could be a great relief
for a patrolman -- I mean, for regular police officers, because they -- there's a public
service aide. And we talk about it.
Chief Colina: Yes.
Commissioner Reyes: We talk about it before. And I think that it is a way that we
can relieve our regular officers and into other duties.
Chief Colina: Yes, sir. And we put that in our Change Memo; the adding of the
public service aides. I'll let the Administration or Mr. Rose speak to what was
approved, why, and why not.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes. He said it would be 1.714 million. How about at least
increasing the number of them, so we can relieve --? I would love to have three or
four in my district, at least, in Flagami, a couple of them, and the south side, also.
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Mr. Rose: The proposal that the Administration made does not increase the budget
and does not reduce reserves. There are a lot of things that we would like. The
budget process is that process of choosing --
Commissioner Reyes: But it's not a matter of liking. It's a matter of being more
effective. It's not a matter of liking. I mean, it's not that I like to see those -- them in
a little car drive by, no. I would like -- I'd like to see them writing an accident report
and watching my police officers fight crime, or going and be patrolling, and look out
for the bad guys, or for the people that are real -- speeding or they are breaking law.
It's a matter not of liking; I don't do it out of liking it. I'm -- and I'm requesting this
in order to be more efficient.
Mr. Rose: Is that a --? If that's a motion, we would have to find some other place
from the budget to get there. I don't know if that's a motion.
Commissioner Reyes: Well, I -- how many of -- can you please bring us a -- Chief,
how many you think that could be effective and make a difference? You see, you can
even use them to direct traffic.
Chief Colina: Commissioner, just to give you an idea, the start-up cost for a PSA
(Public Service Aide) upfront, year one, because of training, a vehicle, et cetera, is
about 110, 000; after that, it's about SS, 000 reoccurring cost, salary, benefits, et
cetera. Up front, it's more expensive, obviously, because of the training, vehicle.
That is significantly lower than adding policemen, obviously. So --
Commissioner Reyes: How much is a police officer?
Chief Colina: Up front, a policeman on average -- and I'm giving you an estimate --
about 170 year one; again, because of the extended training, vehicle, equipment,
weapon, et cetera; and then the reoccurring, on the average of about 80.
Commissioner Reyes: About 80. You see, it's still -- the PSA, it is --
Chief Colina: It's a lot less expensive, yes.
Commissioner Reyes: -- it's a lot less expensive, and I think that will be a significant
help.
Chair Russell: Let's look at that for the next round, I think. I mean, it's a good idea.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes. I think we should look into it.
Chair Russell: I think it'll be difficult to find it in this moment --
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Chair Russell: -- but let's look at that.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
Chair Russell: Thank you.
Commissioner Reyes: But what I want you to do is to look into it.
Chair Russell: All right.
Mr. Gonzalez: Commissioner Reyes, I'll get with the Chief and the Deputy Chief --
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Commissioner Reyes: Yes, sir.
Mr. Gonzalez: -- and we'll have some detailed information for you. I understand
your point of view. We want to get as many law enforcement officers doing law
enforcement work --
Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
Mr. Gonzalez: -- and I'll get that information back to you. But I understand what
you're saying.
Chair Russell: All right. I'd like to try to bring this to a close. Are there other
amendments or concerns?
Commissioner Carollo: Well, I need to go through the rest of this list here.
Chair Russell: Let's go.
Mr. Rose: And the final one is on top of Page 9, which is a transfer out of 300, 000 to
Capital for environmental issues that we've identified. I'll put on the record these
are not associated with the Melreese Golf Course. These are just citywide needs for
environmental compliance and monitoring. And that would complete it.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. Anything else that we haven't included that any of
the departments have stated that they do need?
Mr. Rose: We put the departments you asked about --
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah.
Mr. Rose: -- in the memo, so you can see the things that we did and the things they
asked for that are not funded. Yes, every --just about every department -- I'll state
that the Budget Office did not ask for anything additional this year -- but just about
every department has asked for something additional that has not been funded, but it
is a long iterative process, starting in February -- really, January -- and we arrive at
tonight with that process. So, yes, sir; there are plenty of requests that went
unfunded.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. You have another one here that's a million dollars
for the Senior Rental Assistance Pilot Program. How is this going to be named, and
for what? Because the people that vote are up here. We are one city, one
government, and what was given to us originally was the Mayor's money.
Mayor Suarez: Mr. Chair, if I may?
Chair Russell: Yes.
Mayor Suarez: Thank you.
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Man -- well, I'm asking questions still.
Mayor Suarez: Sure. And I'm going to answer.
Commissioner Carollo: Well, that's fine, but I'd like the Manager, who makes the
budget, to --
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Mayor Suarez: No, no, no; the Mayor makes the budget. The Mayor presents the
budget.
Commissioner Carollo: The Manager works with you.
Mayor Suarez: Right.
Commissioner Carollo: You --
Mayor Suarez: Yeah, but I'm not --
Commissioner Carollo: -- on the surface might say, "make it, " but you do not make
the budget, and you know it.
Mayor Suarez: Clearly, I don't, right.
Commissioner Carollo: Thank you. Mr. Manager, how are we going to list this
million dollars?
Mr. Gonzalez: Sir, I'm not sure I follow your question.
Commissioner Carollo: Well, you had it listed originally as the Mayor's million
dollars, to be used for the Senior Rental Assistance Pilot Program. It should be the
City of Miami's --
Mayor Suarez: Mr. Chair?
Commissioner Carollo: -- million dollars. And I'm asking you, why did we have it
listed just the Mayor's when all of us are part of the same City?
Mayor Suarez: May I?
Chair Russell: You're recognized, Mr. Mayor.
Commissioner Carollo: I'm asking the Manager now.
Chair Russell: You can ask the question; I'll decide who answers. Mr. Mayor, you
have the floor.
Mayor Suarez: Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Commissioner Carollo: Now, hold on. If I have to call the question, the
Commission to vote on it, I will. But I'm asking the Manager. I know he appoints
you. I know the major fundraising for you, which is fine. But I want the --
Chair Russell: The Manager doesn't have an answer for you; the Mayor does.
Mayor Suarez: I do.
Commissioner Carollo: He hasn't even finished answering me.
Mayor Suarez: So let me just answer the question. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Commissioner Carollo: Mr. Manager, can you answer the question for me? Why
did it appear this way? You put it down in the agenda this way.
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Mr. Gonzalez: Sir, I put it down on there because that was where the request came
from; very simple.
Mayor Suarez: Thank you. Mr. Chair, if I may?
Chair Russell: Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Suarez: Thank you. The idea in the program was one that I conceived that
we studied. It took many months to put together. It was based on our residents, and
our residents' concerns that their rent, as calculated by AMI (area median income)
calculations that are allowed for tax credit developers to raise rents by that amount,
is approximately, based on our study, a hundred percent greater than the Social
Security increases that the residents are receiving. We designed the plan, we came
up with the plan, and I asked the Manager to put it on the budget as a million -dollar
plan, because, as you said earlier today, affordable housing is a tremendous crisis;
it's not just in homeownership. There's also a crisis in our affordable housing
developments where you have elderly people who can't afford the increases in the
rent. They can't afford to pay their cable bills; they can't afford to pay their
gasoline; they can't afford to go to dinner; they can't -- so a 25- or a $50 increase in
rents is significant for them. And I felt that it was appropriate to develop a plan that
was very targeted. I don't -- I'm not aware of it existing anywhere in the country,
and it's based on those seniors who are cost -burdened, more than 50 percent of their
income is going to pay the rent, and who experience an increase based on the fact
that there is a differential between the expenses that they're paying -- or the rent,
specifically, which is allowed to be increased by the increase in area median income
in a development, and their income, which is only going up slightly through Social
Security, essentially, and this program will pay for that difference. It's a million
dollars -- yes, it's in public housing. It's a million dollars, and it'll be a first -come,
first -served basis. Obviously, depending on what the average differential is, that will
determine how many people we can help, whether it's --you know, if they -- if it were
the maximum amount that was asked for in every single case, which it won't be, it
would be 400 people. If it were significantly less -- if it was a hundred, it would be
800 people, and so on and so forth. And, I mean, that's the answer to the question, I
mean.
Commissioner Carollo: Well --
Chair Russell: All right.
Commissioner Carollo: -- this is, obviously, the million dollars that came from
Ultra.
Mayor Suarez: No, it's not the million dollars that came from Ultra.
Commissioner Carollo: Of course; otherwise, where were we going to get it from
the budget?
Mayor Suarez: We have a billion --
Commissioner Carollo: No. Where are we getting --? This is the million dollars
from the two that was left.
Mr. Rose: No, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: One went to Virginia Key. Where did the other million
dollars for Ultra went, then?
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Chair Russell: Mr. Rose.
Mr. Rose: So the million dollars was in the -- for the Mayor's Elderly Housing
Subsidy Program was actually proposed in the budget on July 3; the Ultra decision
did not happen till after that, and that was actually -- that million was added into the
budget in the first Change Memo. So --
Commissioner Carollo: The --
Mr. Rose: -- it is not the same million.
Commissioner Carollo: Well, Chris, send me all the memos from what dates --
Mr. Rose: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: -- so I could see what was asked --
Mr. Rose: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: -- from all those dates; that even though we voted for Ultra
on one date here, the Ultra $2 million was in the works.
Mr. Rose: I don't mean to disagree with you --
Commissioner Carollo: But show me --
Mr. Rose: I will.
Commissioner Carollo: -- send to me all the memos --
Mr. Rose: Okay.
Commissioner Carollo: -- so I can follow the trail to that. Now, the 400 people that
we might --
Commissioner Hardemon: Wait. Before we move on --
Commissioner Carollo: -- be able to help, maximum 800, I think --
Mayor Suarez: Could be more.
Commissioner Carollo: -- we need to expand that a little more, if we can, by giving
a little less and helping as many as we can.
Mayor Suarez: I don't have a problem. I don't -- listen, I don't have a problem
lowering the cap, which is -- the cap right now is $200. We can lower the cap, and
by lowering the cap, you can potentially help more people. I don't have any issue
with that.
Commissioner Carollo: That's --
Mayor Suarez: That's lowering the cap from 200 to a hundred, and that way, we
can, for sure, help double the amount ofpeople.
Chair Russell: Commissioner Hardemon.
Commissioner Hardemon: So two (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
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Mayor Suarez: I'm okay with that.
Commissioner Hardemon: First, the -- I thought we decided that the new million
dollars that was coming in from Ultra was also being allocated to Virginia Key.
They were have --
Commissioner Carollo: That's the other million.
Mr. Rose: I can explain.
Commissioner Hardemon: Okay. I knew I --
Commissioner Carollo: There's (UNINTELLIGIBLE) this.
Chair Russell: Just a moment.
Commissioner Hardemon: It's there? It is there?
Mayor Suarez: Yeah, yeah.
Commissioner Hardemon: Just yes or no?
Mayor Suarez: Absolutely, yes.
Mr. Rose: Yes. So --
Commissioner Hardemon: Okay. No problem. That's all you have to say.
Mr. Rose: Yes. There were $2 million in the agreement. One went straight to --
Commissioner Hardemon: Got it.
Mr. Rose: -- Virginia Key Beach. A million went in and was in the first Change
Memo.
Commissioner Hardemon: I just wanted to make an understanding of that.
Mr. Rose: Yes, sir.
Chair Russell: Thank you.
Commissioner Hardemon: Two: I consider -- I think the program is good. I
consider that type of program to be an Anti -Poverty Initiative; I'll be honest with
you. And the Mayor -- you receive Anti -Poverty dollars, right? So this is like above
and beyond Anti -Poverty Initiatives. I would agree with Commissioner Carollo that
this program should be more of a -- it should be maybe renamed the Miami City
Commission -- or -- I'm sorry -- the Miami City Elderly Rent Assistance Program.
Mayor Suarez: That's fine. That's fine.
Commissioner Hardemon: Right? I understand that.
Mayor Suarez: That's fine.
Commissioner Hardemon: But also --
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Commissioner Reyes: Yes, sir.
Commissioner Hardemon: -- I want to make sure -- because I want to make sure
residents in my district have an opportunity to apply and be selected. The -- Mayor,
you represent the entirety of the City of Miami; you have electors from all of our
districts, but as you understand --
Mayor Suarez: Chair, I --
Commissioner Hardemon: -- we just want to make sure we have some
representation.
Mayor Suarez: -- I mean Commissioner, I don't care about the title. You know, we -
Commissioner Hardemon: It's just a -- it's -- I -- you have -- the money is there to
help the people; that's what it's therefor.
Mayor Suarez: Yeah, agreed.
Commissioner Hardemon: Understand? But --
Mayor Suarez: And I think it was specifically -- just like the talk about the climate
gentrification part of the Miami Forever first tranche -- right? -- with the $4 million,
which is targeted very specifically to help rehabilitate homes --
Commissioner Hardemon: Right.
Mayor Suarez: -- which is a big initiative of yours.
Commissioner Hardemon: Right.
Mayor Suarez: I mean, this is just a specific group of people that have a specific
need that are -- it's -- you know, specifically designed to help those people. I don't
have a problem lowering the cap, because I do agree that $200 is a little bit --
Commissioner Reyes: Yeah.
Mayor Suarez: -- much. And I don't have a problem changing the name; doesn't
matter.
Commissioner Hardemon: But --
Commissioner Carollo: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Chair Russell: All right. (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Commissioner Hardemon: -- because at the end of the day, we just --
Commissioner Carollo: It's not enough.
Chair Russell: Hold on.
Commissioner Carollo: Frankly, it's not enough.
Chair Russell: So --
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Commissioner Carollo: But if you only got a million dollars --
Chair Russell: Sorry; just a moment.
Mayor Suarez: No, no, no; I agree.
Chair Russell: Please.
Commissioner Carollo: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Mayor Suarez: No, no, no. What I'm talking about is the cap, and I'm not -- I don't
have a problem lowering the cap. I do think, however, just like you were talking
about a pilot program on the construction side, which I agree with, I think this
should be also a pilot program in the sense that --
Commissioner Carollo: Well, it is.
Mayor Suarez: -- it needs to grow.
Commissioner Carollo: It is.
Mayor Suarez: It needs to grow. Right.
Commissioner Carollo: Of course, it is. And that's how I read it.
Commissioner Hardemon: I just want to make sure (UNINTELLIGIBLE) --
Commissioner Carollo: It's a pilot program, and I think that this has to grow by a
lot more --
Mayor Suarez: Agreed.
Commissioner Carollo: -- than we have here.
Chair Russell: All right.
Mayor Suarez: Agree.
Chair Russell: Stop. Vice Chairman, Commissioner Reyes.
Vice Chair Gort: Let me ask you a question. My understanding is, what is your
projection increase on the apartments have been; a monthly increase?
Mayor Suarez: I'm sorry; what was that, Vice Chair?
Vice Chair Gort: What is the average monthly increase on the rental?
Mayor Suarez: So I have it by percentage; not so much by amount. By percentage,
it's a hundred percent differential between the area medium income and Social
Security, okay? So it's a 4 percent increase in Social -- in area median income, and
a 2 percent increase in Social Security. I'm not sure what it comes out to on an
average, but it's probably going to be less than a hundred dollars.
Vice Chair Gort: And you're talking about monthly?
Mayor Suarez: Correct.
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Vice Chair Gort: You're talking for 12 months --
Mayor Suarez: Monthly, correct; that's $1,200.
Vice Chair Gort: -- which is -- $5 is --
Mayor Suarez: It's 5 times 12, right, which is 60.
Vice Chair Gort: Right.
Mayor Suarez: Right. But if it's only a hun --
Vice Chair Gort: But I think it's a little more than that in a lot of the homes.
Mayor Suarez: No, but I think -- I don't think the increase in monthly rent will be
more than a hundred dollars. I think that's fine. If you want to leave it at 150 -- You
know, at the end of the day, the way it works is they have to come;, they have to
prove their income, they have to prove -- they have to bring a lease, so.
Vice Chair Gort: No, I understand all the procedure they have to go through, but at
the same time, this is (UNINTELLIGIBLE) -- it's a pilot program.
Mayor Suarez: Right.
Vice Chair Gort: And we have to see if that has to continue to be our goals for the
future, I mean, because there's going to be a lot of those, because I get a lot of
complaints from individuals where they can't pay the rent.
Mayor Suarez: Right.
Vice Chair Gort: So we get into a deep water there.
Mayor Suarez: Well, look, I think --
Vice Chair Gort: Look, I don't have any problem with this program --
Mayor Suarez: Yeah, right.
Vice Chair Gort: -- but I think we need to analyze it and look into it.
Chair Russell: Commissioner Reyes.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Mr. Mayor, you were asking about -- Commissioner
Gort was asking, and I think that it's a little misunderstanding here -- what will be
the average increase in rent. And when a person is already in one of those units that
they are government units -- and Milo, he is here, and he could vouch for that --
there are certain units that -- it all depends if they have received tax credits and all
of that --
Mayor Suarez: Yeah.
Commissioner Reyes: -- that by law, they increase the rent per year, but it's a
percentage of the rent; not a percentage of the AMI. You see, it's a percentage of the
rent. If it is a percentage of the rent -- let's say that that -- I don't know what was the
percentage increase at Smathers.
Mayor Suarez: But it's based on AMI.
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Commissioner Reyes: No, it's not the AMI. It is the rent. It is the rent. When you
are getting the apartment, I mean, and you are charging, and you said it's going to
be 30 percent of AMI, then at that moment is when you use the AMI. But when the
person is in the room -- in the apartment -- when the person is living in the housing,
then what it is raised is the -- is a percentage of the rent. And you are -- basically,
you are right --
Mayor Suarez: Yeah.
Commissioner Reyes: -- because what it is, the -- those people are on fixed income,
and if they are receiving, let's say, $700 a month, that $700 a month has --
Chair Russell: Very good.
Commissioner Reyes: -- most of the times, it increases by I and I and half, and 2
percent.
Mayor Suarez: Yeah.
Commissioner Reyes: And if you increase the rent by 5 percent --
Mayor Suarez: Exactly.
Commissioner Reyes: -- there is a disparity there.
Mayor Suarez: Exactly.
Chair Russell: Thank you.
Commissioner Reyes: But my problem -- my question is, is that the right amount?
Okay. Now, if -- my question is this. My question is, how are we going to manage
this? How are we going to decide what are going to be the parameters that are
going to be used? Do we have a system in place, or you are going to have -- get a
piece? That is where it is important, because Commissioner Hardemon said, "Okay,
I want my people to participate in it." I know -- I -- personally, I think that
Commissioner Carollo and I are the ones that are going to receive the --
Mayor Suarez: The most.
Commissioner Reyes: -- I mean, the most, because we have a very elderly
population, you see? And you, too. What -- those are the --
Chair Russell: All right.
Commissioner Reyes: --because you have public housing also, you see?
Chair Russell: Understood. Mr. Mensah, before you respond, please, I would like
us to focus our efforts on the budgetary concerns of the program; not the
implementation of the program. We do not need to --
Commissioner Reyes: Well, what's --
Chair Russell: --solve these problems tonight. We need to just know that you trust
the way it's being spent.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay.
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Chair Russell: And then we can work on the details --
Commissioner Reyes: Well --
Chair Russell: -- later.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes, sir.
Chair Russell: We will not get out of here tonight if we try to (UNINTELLIGIBLE)
this item.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay. But, listen, everybody has been asking questions all
around and (UNINTELLIGIBLE) around and around. And now, when it's my turn to
be doing the same thing, now you -- what's the matter with you?
Chair Russell: You'd like to stay all night?
Commissioner Reyes: Well, my God. I don't know. I think this guy doesn't like me
very much, you know.
Chair Russell: I love you.
Commissioner Reyes: Nah, come on. Okay, Mr. --
Vice Chair Gort: Go give him a kiss.
Chair Russell: All right.
Commissioner Reyes: -- Mensah, you have that in -- you have a system in place. I
want -- what I want you to do is please let me know, unless -- let all the
Commissioners know about how that is going to be implemented --
George Mensah (Director, Community and Economic Development): Okay. We will
Commissioner Reyes: -- because -- so we can use it with the senior citizens that we
have.
Commissioner Carollo: But the other thing --
Chair Russell: Thank you.
Commissioner Carollo: -- that I --
Mr. Mensah: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: -- want to make part of this budget amount that's being put
in, that it is to be divided in each district by the percentage of elderly that we have
that are being in Section 8, or some of the other government programs, because, as
Commissioner Reyes says, some of our districts are much more heavily hit by having
people in the dire need like that. For instance, in my district, I have huge areas
along Northwest 7th Street, and in many different pockets in Little Havana.
Commissioner Reyes has a tremendous amount, from Smathers to other areas;
Commissioner Gort has the same; Commissioner Hardemon --
Commissioner Reyes: Commissioner Hardemon also.
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Commissioner Carollo: -- has many.
Mayor Suarez: There's a lot.
Commissioner Carollo: Russell's got less than what he's got. So can --
Mr. Mensah: George Mensah, Director, Department of Housing and Community
Development. Just for clarity, Commissioner, yes; those properties that are elderly
properties, we are aware of them, we know them (UNINTELLIGIBLE) funding, so
we can easily do that. However, there are certain family properties that also have
elderly residents; and so, that's the one that would be difficult to find out exactly the
number.
Commissioner Carollo: Well, but -- what I think we're discussing here, first of all, is
that they do have to be elderly. These are people that are renting.
Mr. Mensah: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: I mean, there's so little here that we don't have enough to
grab everybody. I think we need to limit this to those that are receiving government
housing --
Mr. Mensah: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: --that have very limited amount to pay with.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
Commissioner Carollo: And if we had more, then we could expand it, so I don't
know how you could go about it to identify that per district. This is different than the
other way we look at districts, because what we're doing is different. So my feeling -
- and Commissioner Reyes, if we need to make a resolution on that now, we will -- it
has to be divided up by the percentage of this type of need in housing in each of our
districts.
Mr. Mensah: If it's the will of the Commission, we definitely can be able to find the
population of elderly residents.
Chair Russell: All right, thank you.
Commissioner Carollo: I will make a --
Chair Russell: I think -- let's keep moving.
Commissioner Carollo: -- motion.
Chair Russell: It's -- We're in the middle of an item right now with a motion and a
second. We need to pass this budget, and then we can work on resolutions that have
to do with how to implement it.
Commissioner Carollo: Listen --
Commissioner Hardemon: Can we clarify what the motion and second is? Because
it's been quite a while.
Commissioner Carollo: -- this is a --
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Chair Russell: Mr. Clerk?
Commissioner Carollo: Hold on.
Mayor Suarez: Guys --
Commissioner Carollo: Hold on for a minute. What are we voting on?
Chair Russell: This is BH.8.
Commissioner Hardemon: I wanted to clarify what the motion and the second was.
Chair Russell: We have BH8. Who made the motion? Who made the second?
What time is --?
Commissioner Carollo: But that's for the budget.
Mayor Suarez: Yeah.
Todd B. Hannon (City Clerk): It was a motion by Commissioner Gort; seconded by
the Chair.
Chair Russell: Thank you.
Commissioner Hardemon: So it's not amended; it's as it is right now.
Chair Russell: Correctly --
Commissioner Carollo: What was --?
Chair Russell: -- as of now, we have not made an amendment.
Mr. Hannon: Well --
Commissioner Carollo: Well, we had made amendments.
Mr. Hannon: -- (UNINTELLIGIBLE) is going to be amended with the Change
Memo, Mr. Budget Director.
Mayor Suarez: Yeah. I (UNINTELLIGIBLE) do it.
Commissioner Carollo: The Change Memo and the amendments that we made in
taking the 50, 000 out; we moved the 300, 000 to --
Mayor Suarez: And you're moving it to Capital, to Capital.
Commissioner Carollo: -- your budget for the pool; the other 50, 000 to Reyes'
budget; the --
Commissioner Reyes: We didn't vote on it.
Chair Russell: Those are not -- those are in Capital, so we can't amend that here,
correct?
Unidentified Speaker: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
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Chair Russell: So we can amend the portion that you talked about, but we have not -
- the mover and seconder haven't accepted any amendments yet; we've been talking.
I think we're in consensus. We agree with what you're talking about, but we cannot
amend the Capital budget when we're taking up the annual budget. So -- but I'm
with you. I'm with you. We're not disagreeing here, by the way.
Mr. Rose: Through the Chair, if I may?
Robin Jones -Jackson (Assistant City Attorney, Supervisor): Mr. Chair?
Chair Russell: Mr. Rose.
Mr. Rose: There is actually a clause in the BH.8 item that says if it changes the
Capital budget, the Capital budget is considered amended --
Ms. Jones -Jackson: Correct.
Mr. Rose: -- at that point.
Chair Russell: So we don't have to reconsider it?
Mr. Rose: No, sir.
Ms. Jones -Jackson: No, sir.
Chair Russell: I stand corrected.
Commissioner Carollo: Well, I kept looking at you, but I didn't want to --
Ms. Jones -Jackson: Correct. And it is an ordinance.
Chair Russell: Yes, which we will have to read the title, and we'll get back to that.
Mayor Suarez: Let's do it.
Chair Russell: But I would like to just get all of the amendments together; mover
and seconder will agree, and then we can knock this sucker out. But I think we're
getting a little too into the weeds of implementation and detail. We have so much left
to do tonight; not trying to be rude or cut anyone off. I'm trying to get us home.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay, that's fine.
Chair Russell: So let's go. Fine.
Commissioner Carollo: Its not going to happen, but anyway.
Commissioner Reyes: If I may, now that we are on the budget, I have a question for
the Fire Chief. Where is the Fire Chief?
Mr. Rose: For whom, sir?
Chair Russell: Fire Chief.
Commissioner Reyes: Fire Chief.
Mr. Rose: Fire Chief- sure he's coming.
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Commissioner Reyes: Yes. It is about the -- I requested a Rescue truck for Flagami,
and the -- Chief, let me ask you something. If -- let's say that in Flagami, in the
station that we have on 59th and Flagler, if that unit is attending somebody else -- I
mean, attending; it's on a call -- and somebody calls, how do you replace -- I mean,
who will answer that call?
Chief Zahralban: Chairman, Commissioner, Joseph Zahralban, Fire Chief,
Department of Fire -Rescue. Commissioner, thank you for the question. The short
answer is a neighboring station would come -- would move over into that territory
and respond to that call.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay. And I'm going to -- this is leading to one question that
Commissioner Gort asked the other day. Then somebody else from someplace else
would have to come. How about if that other fire truck -- I mean that Rescue truck --
it is attending somebody, an accident or something, where does that have to come
from?
Chief Zahralban: It really would depend on where the -- you know, where the
second incoming unit was coming from.
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Chief Zahralban: The closest unit would be Station 10, on 42nd Avenue.
Commissioner Reyes: In other words, what you're doing is you're drawing from
somebody else. The response time keep on increasing, right?
Chief Zahralban: That is correct, and let me explain just a little bit.
Commissioner Reyes: Hold on a second, sir; I haven't finished. I haven't finished.
The -- my -- and in Flagami --somebody to ask me a question. What percentage of
the time that we have to use some other station? Because we have -- I have a
significant, significant elder population there, see? And I know that they have a lot
of calls; that's why I don't understand that you have priority -- that truck as the third
priority in your needs. And I think this is a matter of life-saving, because if they have
to call somebody -- some other station; and from that station, if it is not, would come
to another station, that response time keep on increasing, and could be life or death.
How come are we -- we have a lot of truck -- it is -- have a highest priority than a
rescue that is constantly saving lives, you see, and that have a high percentage --
what is the percentage, sir, of drawing from somebody else in my district?
Chief Zahralban: I have somewhat of a longer answer for you, Commissioner, so if
you want to finish with all the questions, I'll answer them all at the same time.
Commissioner Reyes: Go ahead, answer.
Chief Zahralban: Okay. First of all, again, thank you for the question. It is a very
thoughtful question. And a lot of thought goes into our strategic planning process.
Our strategic planning process is very transparent. The plan itself is very
transparent, because we want everybody to understand exactly why we have the
priorities we do. You are correct that the rescue is the third priority. And it's not
just response time that plays into that order of priority; it's a much more involved
process than that. You did mention why a ladder truck is so important. As an
example, a ladder truck is some -- is a vehicle that responds to a major fire, or a
major incident. That ladder truck has the ability to save a number of lives in, as an
example, a multi -story residential. But that does not at all diminish your concerns,
which are having a -- an ALS (advanced life support) truck out in the west end of the
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City. I agree that is a high priority. And even though it is Number 3, I would put
those top three priorities very close together. Also, in answer to your question,
Station 10, which is on 42ndAvenue and Northwest 7th Street, goes into Station II's
territory approximately a thousand times a year. Yes, that is significant. That's
probably about three times a day it goes into another territory. We pay close
attention to donor territories and recipient territories; i.e., what station draws out of
another territory in order to continue to receive assistance. We had this same exact
issue when we asked to place Rescue 23 and Rescue 16, which is Little Havana and
the Brickell area, because we had donor and recipient issues. So, yes, Station 11
West End Flagami, is an area that continues to draw from other areas. If we put a
second rescue in Station 11, we would minimize the donation of resources into that
area; thereby removing resources from another area, as well as increasing the
response time, which is what we see. So, you know, it is a high priority for us. But
we also recognize that the City Commission, the Mayor, the City Administration as a
whole has budgetary constraints. So we continue to submit those priorities. If they
can be funded, great; if they can't, we will try in the midyear, and then we will try in
the next budget cycle. And then as a final point, the -- I want to stress that the --
being Number 3 on the list of priorities, there are a lot of factors that play into that.
I don't necessarily have a problem moving the third priority up to Number I if the
Commission and the City Administration decides that they want to fund that
resource.
Commissioner Reyes: Sir, I have a question. What is the probability of us having --
I mean, I don't remember the last time that we had a major fire in Flagami. I mean,
I think that Lyndon Johnson was the President, or something like that. You see, have
been so many years -- or that you needed ladder and all of that. What is the
probability of you getting a call for a major fire versus the probability that an elder
is having a heart attack; that an elder fell; that an elder is feeling sick? You see, in
my book, I think that you should -- be better for you to draw the ladder truck from
another station than to draw the Fire -Rescue from another station, because that is a
matter -- seconds count on the life of those individuals. You see, that is my point,
and I want you, please, to reconsider. And I know that also, it says here that you
need certain amount ofpersonnel, you see, to man that; so does the ladder truck. So,
I mean, it is -- it needs the personnel, also. I am very concerned about the people in
my district of that area -- in all areas of the City of Miami to that effect, that I'm very
concerned about -- I think one of the best services that your department provides is
rescue. The Department of Rescue is extremely efficient, is extremely good. I want
you, please, to reconsider the need for placing as many -- not only in my -- in that
station; in all of the other stations that are needed. Thank you, sir.
Chair Russell: Thank you, Chief.
Chief Zahralban: Yes, sir. I would like to make one comment relative to the
Commissioner's insightful comments, and that was the response time relative to fires
and the potential for those fires. If you don't see a lot of fires in Miami -- and I get
this question all the time as a Fire Chief. People ask, "Does Miami not have the
amount of fires that it used to have?" And the answer is that is absolutely not true.
The City of Miami has fires occurring practically every single day. But because we
place so much attention on response time, we get to the fire, we extinguish the fire
before the fire gets large enough --
Commissioner Reyes: Yes, sir.
Chief Zahralban: -- to even make the news. And it is response time in both the fire
aspect and the medical aspect that save lives. And you are absolutely correct in that
issue. And again, if the question is, "Can I" -- "Do I support placing an additional
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rescue in Station Hs territory, in Station 11 ?" the answer is "Absolutely." If this
Commission and this Administration can fund it, I can do it.
Commissioner Reyes: No, I -- what -- I'm asking you to reconsider the priority of a
ladder truck over the rescue truck, because I think that -- What's the percentage of
crossover? It's very high. It is very high. And it not only affect my district; affects
your district, because they have to draw from your district; affect your district, and
affect yours, too. Okay?
Chair Russell: All right.
Commissioner Carollo: Well --
Chair Russell: Let's keep moving now.
Chief Zahralban: Absolutely. I agree with that, Commissioner.
Chair Russell: Thank you, Chief.
Commissioner Carollo: -- I do have a follow-up question. The area of Northwest
7th Street, between LeJeune, all the way down to the end of our city, past 57th, it's
full -- Blue Lagoon -- it's full of condominiums, apartment buildings, and with the
approval of one project recently, that's going to increase even more. I mean, it's a
very densely populated area; a tremendous amount of elderly there; Commissioner
Gort's district. Which is the closest station that you have there?
Chief Zahralban: Let me tell you the closest two stations; that would be Station 10
on LeJeune and --just off of LeJeune and 7th Street; and then Station 11, right off of
57th Avenue and Flagler. They would be the two closest stations. I agree with your
comment relative to density. That is the premise behind the request for the aerial in
the south and southwest area of the City. But again, I also can validate
Commissioner Reyes' concerns relative to medical response capability within those
areas.
Commissioner Reyes: Yes. Just to finish this, Mr. Manager, Mr. -- and Chris, Mr.
Budget Director, that I want you to make this one of my priorities at midyear budget.
It's one of my priorities. You see, I want to have all the stations manned to the top. I
mean --
Chair Russell: All right.
Chief Zahralban: Thank you, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: Chief --
Chair Russell: Noted.
Commissioner Carollo: -- before you go, if there is one area of the City that you
could put another station in, where would that be; to make up for coverage, make up
for time, what area would that be?
Chief Zahralban: There are a couple areas that we would look at. I would validate
this particular conversation and say that we'd look at the City -- the western area of
the City as it continues to grow more dense; that would be one area that we would
like to look at more closely and consider placing an additional station.
Commissioner Carollo: More or less where?
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Chief Zahralban: Rather than answer that right now, I'd like to go back and look
closer at the strategic plan, because it contains response times, as well as gaps in
certain areas, and basically, it's a numeric value. The largest response time, the
greatest gap is where I would ask you to identify a station, and I'd rather send that to
your off ce than speculate.
Mayor Suarez: Mr. Chair?
Chair Russell: Mr. Mayor.
Commissioner Carollo: Fair enough.
Mayor Suarez: Thank you. I think we should -- and I'd like to ask the City Attorney
and the City Manager, the Fire Chief to work with my office and with all of us on
some sort of legislation. We created a program which allowed for a density increase
-- opening up a window for a density increase on Coral Way, which allowed for them
-- a developer to essentially get a density increase if they made a public contribution.
And in the particular case, it built afire station, which is being built as we speak.
And so --
Commissioner Carollo: 2nd Avenue. On 2nd Avenue, we did it, too.
Mayor Suarez: Yeah. And so -- but this one's actually being built right now as we
speak, and it will remove the one in Shenandoah, which will free up, I think, about
14 or 15, 000 square feet -- somewhere in that vicinity -- from Shenandoah Park,
which will, you know, take that out. And I love your redesign, by the way; the
redesign of the park. It's beautiful. And it gives basically a free fire station,
essentially. He (UNINTELLIGIBLE) to put a million dollars of the 4 or 5.
Commissioner Carollo: Where is that at?
Mayor Suarez: Right.
Chair Russell: All right. Let's keep moving.
Commissioner Carollo: Where is that at, Chief- that new station?
Mayor Suarez: 31st --
Chief Zahralban: 31stAvenue and Coral Way.
Mayor Suarez: -- and Coral Way.
Chair Russell: All right.
Commissioner Reyes: Oh, yes.
Chair Russell: Are there any more changes --
Commissioner Reyes: Yes, sir.
Chair Russell: --questions for BH.8? Financial --
Commissioner Carollo: Yes.
Chair Russell: -- questions, please.
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Commissioner Reyes: One question. The $16, 000 from Sports Exhibition Authority
Mr. Rose: Could you say that again, Commissioner? I'm sorry.
Chair Russell: MSEA (Miami Sports and Exhibition Authority).
Commissioner Reyes: MSEA --
Mr. Rose: Yes.
Commissioner Reyes: -- has $16,000, and I requested it to be transferred into the
event that we have every year in --
Chair Russell: Latin Jazz.
Commissioner Reyes: -- Shenandoah Park, the Latin Jazz in the Park.
Mr. Rose: I have that written down.
Chair Russell: Thank you.
Commissioner Reyes: Okay. And you're invited to --
Mr. Rose: Thank you, sir.
Commissioner Reyes: -- participate in it. Thank you.
Chair Russell: On that same item, there is an amount allocated for Blacktop.
Commissioner Reyes: That's right.
Chair Russell: I would like to reallocate that over to the Fourth of July Celebration
at City Hall; the Regatta Park Fourth of July, and de fund the Blacktop.
Commissioner Reyes: Can we make a motion?
Commissioner Carollo: What amount, to where?
Chair Russell: We're close. We're close.
Commissioner Carollo: What amount?
Chair Russell: This is a basketball tournament that had been held in my district that
that fund was covering, and I'd like to move that from that tournament over to the
Fourth of July Celebration at City Hall.
Commissioner Carollo: How much money is that?
Chair Russell: Chris?
Mr. Rose: I'm looking.
Chair Russell: I'd bet it's about 25.
Commissioner Carollo: Ouch; a lot of basketball.
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Chair Russell: They didn't do it this year; they let us down.
Commissioner Carollo: You didn't want to put that into the Virrick Gym Pool, so
you could have your full million dollars then?
Chair Russell: The Coconut Grove BID (Business Improvement District) funds the
majority, the lion's share of the Fourth of July Celebration here, but this will really
help embellish it (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Mr. Rose: It's on Page 81 of the proposed book, and it is 15, 000.
Chair Russell: 15; that sounds right.
Commissioner Carollo: 15, okay.
Chair Russell: Thank you. All right. So those are the amendments. Are there any
other amendments to BH.8?
Commissioner Carollo: I have some additional questions that I don't think were
fully answered when they were asked before. Why is, in the budget increases --
First of all, I don't think that Commissioners' budgets should be all lumped together;
they should be separated for the future. But all lumped in together, there's only an
increase in the Commission's budget of 0.16 percent; not even 1 percent increase;
not even a quarter of a percent increase. But in the Manager's budget and in the
Mayor's budget, the Manager has an increase of 11 percent; the Mayor has an
increase of 17 percent. That was asked before, Chris, and I -- the Mayor didn't
understand why; that wasn't quite explained.
Mayor Suarez: I think I did explain it. I explained the last time, as well.
Commissioner Carollo: I mean, there might be a reason; I don't know. I'm asking
the question, so --
Mayor Suarez: I don't know why -- I can't answer the one on the Commission's
budget, but I can answer the one on ours. I've answered it a few times. Go ahead.
Commissioner Carollo: And for me, it's hard to answer the Commission, because
they're a lump sum, lumped together, so.
Mayor Suarez: I understand. I got it. That's fine.
Mr. Rose: For all of these, we took the salary for the Mayor's Office, for each
Commissioner office, and for the City Manager's Office, and frankly, in general,
most other departments, because that's accord -- that's what -- and we gave an extra
7 percent, because that's what's in the AFSCME (American Federation of State,
County and Municipal Employees) --
Commissioner Carollo: We understand that --
Mr. Rose: Right.
Commissioner Carollo: -- but if that's -- you know, down the line, then it should be
more or less the same thing. But why is there such a jump in the Mayor's budget and
the Manager's budget, and there's none in the Commission's budget?
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Mr. Rose: That is in the Commission's budget. So we took the district that had the
largest payroll and we increased that district -- all districts by that amount.
Commissioner Carollo: Well, you're still not answering my question. By how much
then has the Mayor's budget increased? And I'm going to ask you the same question
in the Commission's office altogether, and the Manager's Office.
Mr. Rose: Okay. And so, the -- this is the same thing we did at the first hearing.
The Mayor's -- and they're on Attachment "A" to the Change Memo. So the Mayor's
budget increased 233,000, the Commissioners' budgets total increased 174,000, and
the City Manager's budget increased 221 -- 222,000. Now, I would encourage
Commissioners to look at the -- not look at the cost accounting, because that is
insurance, pension, legacy IT (Information Technology) that has to go across all
departments.
Commissioner Carollo: Well, you got to include everything when you figure out
increases to a budget.
Mr. Rose: Everyone can --
Commissioner Carollo: The amount that I was given was that the Mayor's budget
increased overall by 383,000; 17 percent; while the Commission's budgets -- all of
us together -- increased only by 13,000; 0.16 percent. The Manager's budget
increased by 363,000; 11 percent. Now, I -- you know, what you're telling me
doesn't make sense.
Mr. Rose: The numbers you're referencing also include special revenue. The
numbers I'm giving you are just general fund numbers.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. So the special revenues that -- then could only be
from special revenues that -- this increase in the Mayor's budget and the Manager's
budget, what special revenues are they getting that we're not so special in getting in
the Commission?
Mr. Rose: Well, remember, part of that is the rollover; in each district, it's different.
So if more is being -- if less is being spent in the current year, less is rolling over;
more is rolling over; it varies from district to district. So --
Commissioner Carollo: Well, I haven't traveled anywhere, and the Mayor's traveled
throughout the whole world. So I don't understand why his budget --
Mayor Suarez: Because I don't pay for it.
Commissioner Carollo: -- have more money to --
Mayor Suarez: That's why.
Commissioner Carollo: -- put back into it.
Mayor Suarez: Because I don't pay for it; that's why.
Commissioner Carollo: Oh.
Mr. Rose: The Mayor's travel budget is going from $2, 000 in the current year --
Commissioner Carollo: Are you paying for it, Mr. Manager, from anywhere else in
the City?
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Mayor Suarez: No, no.
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. But all the people you take, that's coming from the
City's budget.
Mayor Suarez: I don't know where you -- all I'm telling you is that --
Commissioner Carollo: Do you agree with that? You take two sergeant -of -arms
[sic], worldwide.
Mayor Suarez: I don't take two sergeant -at -arms worldwide.
Commissioner Carollo: You take other assistants. That's got to be coming from
your budget --
Mayor Suarez: No, it doesn't come from my budget.
Commissioner Carollo: -- or from somewhere. Well, your assistants that you're
taking that work in your office, that's got to come from your office; if not, where does
it come from?
Mayor Suarez: As far as I know, it -- any international travel that I've taken -- I
believe this is an accurate statement -- has been paid for by someone else; it's not
been paid for by the City, and that includes my staff, certainly.
(UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Commissioner Carollo: Okay. So all your staff and everybody else --how about the
sergeant -of -arms [sic]; they included in that, too?
Mayor Suarez: I don't -- that's not my budget. They're not on my budget. They're --
they don't --
Commissioner Carollo: Well, this is the City budget, so you should be
(UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Mayor Suarez: I'm -- you know, I'm the Mayor, and I -- and they have assigned
protection to the Mayor. I mean, I would think that you would agree with that,
having been the Mayor. You had sergeant -at -arms, as well.
Commissioner Carollo: Listen, you're the Mayor, but you're not the Lord Mayor,
like the English had left in Malaysia and a lot of parts of the world.
Mayor Suarez: Okay. I am not --
Commissioner Carollo: I never --
Chair Russell: The budget, the budget.
Mayor Suarez: -- the Lord Mayor.
Chair Russell: The budget.
Mayor Suarez: I agree with that; I'm not the Lord Mayor.
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Commissioner Carollo: I never, nor any other Mayor, including your father, in the
history of Miami has traveled overseas, or all over the United States, with sergeant -
of -arms [sic].
Mayor Suarez: I didn't pay for it, like I said, so --
Commissioner Carollo: Well, you said for your budget.
Mayor Suarez: Exactly.
Commissioner Carollo: But you just said you don't know who paid for the sergeant -
of -arms [sic].
Mayor Suarez: No; I'm saying it's not from my budget; that's what I'm saying. And
I'm saying that when I went on -- and I presume that a lot of times that I went on the
-- I mean, I don't have the numbers with me right here, so.
Commissioner Carollo: But don't worry; I'll get to the bottom of that.
Mayor Suarez: I'm sure you will.
Commissioner Carollo: Yeah.
Mayor Suarez: That's okay.
Chair Russell: All right.
Mayor Suarez: I'm not worried about it.
Chair Russell: More amendments or questions on BH.8? Let's finish up. Hearing
none, let's solidify the amendments. Are we clear?
Mr. Hannon: Mr. Budget Director?
Chair Russell: You're clear. I saw you taking notes.
Mr. Rose: I took some notes. I'd like to read them back just to make sure. So the
first one was the 50, 000 from the Latin PGA (Professional Golf Association), in Non -
Departmental, going to -- a transfer out to District 4, Capital. There's 300,000 that
is -- we're reducing the Super Bowl number by 300,000, and that's going -- that's a
transfer out to Capital for Virrick Park Pool. There is a swap of 15, 000, in --
transfers out for -- the Blacktop Basketball is reduced 15,000, and the City Hall
Fourth of July is increased by 15, 000; and then a transfer out from what was the
MSEA money, from Special Revenue, to the Latin Jazz Program in Non -
Departmental. And I think that's everything.
Chair Russell: All right. That's a -- there's a motion, there's an amend -- There's a
motion, a second, and some amendments. Is there any further discussion?
Mayor Suarez: It's an ordinance.
Ms. Jones -Jackson: It's an ordinance.
Mr. Rose: And also amended by the Change Memo. Forgive me for
(UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Chair Russell: Right. You need to read the titles, please --
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Ms. Jones -Jackson: Thank you, sir.
Chair Russell: -- for both.
Ms. Jones -Jackson: BHB.
The Ordinance was read by title into the public record by Assistant City Attorney
Robin Jones -Jackson.
Chair Russell: Did you need to read the other one, as well?
Ms. Jones -Jackson: Yes, sir.
Chair Russell: Please.
Ms. Jones -Jackson: But I believe that you should vote on this one first, sir.
Commissioner Carollo: Can you call the roll by name?
Chair Russell: Sure. So roll call on BH.8 then, please.
Mr. Hannon: Roll call on Item BH.8. Commissioner Hardemon?
Commissioner Hardemon: For.
Mr. Hannon: Commissioner Carollo?
Commissioner Carollo: While there are many areas of the budget that I don't agree
with, because we're throwing money out the door --for instance, why do any of us
have to have a Communications Director if the City has its own Communications
Department? Why do any of us have to have a legal counsel when the City has its
own Law Department? And I could go on and on and on. I am going to vote for it,
because there's a lot of items here that you've seen me include in the budget. And as
I stated previously, comes January -- the latest, February -- we're going to have a
budget amendment.
Chair Russell: It's a 'yes "?
Commissioner Carollo: Yes.
Mr. Hannon: Commissioner Reyes?
Commissioner Reyes: Yes.
Mr. Hannon: Commissioner Gort?
Vice Chair Gort: Yes.
Mr. Hannon: Chair Russell?
Chair Russell: Yes.
Mr. Hannon: The ordinance passes on second reading, 5-0.
Chair Russell: There's your budget. Thank you very much.
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ADJOURNMENT
END OF SECOND BUDGET HEARING
The meeting adjourned at 9: 53 p.m.
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