City Commission - Regular Meeting

Good evening to all Russian Chabad members.

Good evening, everyone. I'm going to give you a few minutes to settle in. We'll start in just a few minutes.

Before we begin, we're going to play an opening statement, but why don't you just take this opportunity to silence your phones, please.

Good evening, everyone. Welcome to everyone. Thank you for coming. It is 6.32. I'm calling the meeting to order.

If everyone could please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Thank you. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you. We do not have an invocation today. But I do want to welcome everyone before we start. Welcome to our regulars. I see former Mayor Edelkopp and former Mayor Goldman are here. Welcome. And I see Ari Steiger is back, so it's nice to see you somewhere. OK. Mauricio, first item?

Okay, do I have a motion? Motion. Do I need a second? Second. All in favor? Aye. All right, Mauricio?

OK, thank you. I'm just going to add to this like I normally do. The acoustics in this room are great, which means that we hear all your conversations. If you need to speak to your neighbor, please take it outside because it's very distracting to us, plus we hear your entire conversation. So you may not want that. The other thing is that for many of you, this is your first time being here. So I'm going to repeatedly explain the rules, because I want you to be able to participate if you'd like to. In the back, there's public speaking cards. If you choose to speak on an item, go ahead and do tha

Anyone that will be speaking. Just for this item.

Yeah, you can say yes. OK. For this item, yes.

I spoke with the owner, with the applicant.

Thank you. Does the applicant want to say a few words?

OK. Please. There are some extra seats in the front if you'd like to. There's two at least up here if you want to come. There's one. Go ahead. No?

All right. If there's anyone that wants to speak on the item, this is your opportunity before I close the public comment. So you can go ahead and take out a public speaking card on this item. Please go ahead.

We can, but I just want to remind everyone that all your comments are directed towards me, the chair, and we don't go back and forth. So we don't answer questions. You have your three minutes. It's your time to say almost anything you want.

Thank you. Thank you very much. Do we have any other speakers? OK, so I'm closing public comment. Going once. All right. Public comment is closed. I'll take comments or questions from the commission. Commissioner Joseph, go ahead. You have the floor.

Yes, thank you. So I noticed there's a typo at item 5A, Murcio. It shows the address is 17395 Collins Avenue. That's incorrect?

So under what address was the publishing done?

Under what address was the publishing done?

Okay, that's what I wanted to make sure of. Okay, thank you.

That's it? Yes. All right. Commissioner Stubison, any questions?

Well, I don't have any questions per se, but City Attorney, did you have an opportunity to read the letters that were sent to us today or no? I did. Did you have any comment on... I'll tell you my... I guess I do have a question. The... The one from GLG government mentions, let me see. that the conditional approval use solely authorizes Sunny Smart Core to operate the facility and any change of the lease or operator requires a submittal. That's probably addressed within our procedures, but.

No clapping, please. No clapping. Okay. Next item, please.

OK, ladies and gentlemen, there are a lot of you. So even if you're whispering and there's a few of you doing that, it sounds really loud up here, so please. OK, go ahead. Who's presenting?

Thank you. Are there any public speakers?

Thank you. Do we have any more speakers? All right. Public comment is closed. I'll take questions or comments from the commission. Commissioner Joseph, go ahead.

Vice Mayor? I'm okay for now. Commissioner Stevenson? Okay. I'll take a motion.

Ladies and gentlemen, I just want to please remind you, no clapping, please. The rabbi gets clapping, but that's it.

If you could get a little bit closer, please.

Hi, Mike. Your name and address for the record, please.

We have rules of decorum here. We try very hard not to slander anyone, especially when they're not in the audience. You may keep going. Thank you.

No other speakers. OK. I'll take comments or questions from the commission. Anyone? Commissioner Lama?

think the city's been cooperating with the I mean I feel like there's a disconnect here I'm not understanding the issue here to be honest with you I think the city we've been pro this playground from the beginning so Mr. City Manager some negotiations no no I think that you're making a good point because if you can just give a little bit of background to give some context here

and some of the opposition that there was about this project and then how that opposition changed. It would be helpful.

Yeah, yeah, I just wanted to get some context. I didn't understand some of the comments, so that's why. Because I know from the city there was always a willingness to work with the Chabad.

There was an opposition that was sent to FDOT by a neighbor, and that's the reason for it. Thank you. OK, Mr. Joseph, any comments?

No, I'm 100% comfortable with it, 100% for it. And I'm just looking forward to move forward.

OK, thank you. Commissioner Stuyvesant, any comments?

Yeah, I have a few. So I want to start with a timeline. This was brought to us as a discussion item back in January 2023, three years ago. And at that moment, it didn't move forward because we were working in the Park and Recreation Master Plan. Am I right? Go ahead, Miss.

So what was the reason back then not to move forward with this project three years ago?

OK, because then it is a shame that knowing that the community needed this, we didn't do what we could do back then to make sure that this playground, this park, was built. It's been three years. And I can say for myself that I homeschooled my son for two years. So I was an avid user of parks, playgrounds, etc. So I wish this was built before and now. So all the kids had the opportunity to use this for three years. Now, this came as an item back in June of this year. And it was pulled out at the last moment, the day of the meeting, and now it's coming back in August. Can you please tell us the

So also, I saw something. The resolution says that it is allowed to build a playground. However, the contract with FDOT doesn't say that. Actually, it names everything except a playground. And we do need a playground or something like that if this is directed for the children. The resolution said minimal playground equipment, but like I said, in the FDOT-approved use, it doesn't mention the playground. Actually, I think it was taken out.

The resolution says... And the FDOT use agreement doesn't mention.

How can we approve it? We don't have the addendum already of FDOT approved.

And another thing here, it doesn't protect either the Shabbat or the community. Because it says specifically that for any reason, they can terminate this contract within 30 days.

Correct. So precisely. So I do believe completely that we should be building this and that we do need that area and that we need the playground. I just think we are doing this in the wrong process. It should be the responsibility of the city to build it, maintain it, open and close. the rabbi and the community can do a much better use of the money that they're going to be putting to build something that then a different commission, FDOT or whoever, can come and say, you have to vacate in 30 days. So like I said at the very beginning, it's really... It is very unfortunate that if we needed this

Well, it should be finished long time by now. So like I said, I wish my commission can agree to put this as a priority in our budget to make sure that it gets built as soon as possible, and that the Russian Harvard doesn't have to put any money for it. It has to be by the city. Thank you.

I just think for myself that with the Chabad doing the construction, it will take a quarter of the time that it would take the city. Just look at Intracoastal Park.

All right. So for clarification and for the record, there's space in the city that's owned by FDOT. Many of you have probably heard this before. So any plans that we have that anyone has to build anything on FDOT land it's risky because at any point they can come in and say we need the space to do whatever it is we need to do to fix the bridge or just because they want it back. That's why we have not built anything under the William Lehman because that's their land and likewise this is the same thing. Additionally, Because we have a process, and we talked about this actually earlier in the wor

OK. Do we need a new motion based on that? No, we have a motion on the table. We have a second. All in favor?

Anyone opposed? No. And by clarification, we have also built a lot under the causeway. What we are doing wrong right now is that we are making the community pay for something that the city should be paying for. And they should not be responsible or liable for this. OK.

It's not a genuine statement because it's not something that we can agree to tonight. All right, ladies and gentlemen, we're going to take a five-minute break because I know some of you want to leave. I am not encouraging anyone to leave. The item has been approved. I would ask for you to stay because it's good to stay and check it out. But I want to give everyone five minutes so that way it's not disruptive to the process. So we will be back at 7.33. Commissioner Joseph, set a good example by coming back up. All right, gentlemen in the back, if you're staying, please have a seat. Okay.

Okay, very dramatic. All right, we are back on. Mauricio, next item please, 9B.

All right. I'll take any questions or comments from the commission. I'll take a motion then.

Well, I just, because I wasn't present at the agenda review, I had made a comment over the phone, actually, regarding our police camera wall that we have. Yeah, the tech wall. So I had asked, how many actual shots, camera shots, can the wall see at one time? And apparently, they're constantly changing. Is that correct?

So, Mr. City Manager, if you want to clarify that. And you were on the phone for the meeting. Yes.

Yeah. So that's what I had asked at the agenda review. Let's say at the elevator, at the crossover, at Gateway, if there was an event, I said an event the other day, but I meant a nefarious event. That immediately comes up on the camera or no?

Yeah, so you don't have to have someone eyeing the screen constantly. No, no.

Since you're up there, at one time, how many actual people are looking at the hyperwall and reviewing the footage?

And this was discussed during the agenda review, but just for the purposes, since we do have people in the audience. How long do we keep the footage for? 30 days. 30 days. OK. And the cameras will be able to capture not just the actual interior of the bus stop. They'll also capture, depending on where we position it, parts of Collins Avenue.

Right. We have had, in the past, people that regrettably have gotten into some sort of either fender benders or car accidents that have assumed that we have video of it. But now, in many places, we will. We will. Correct. Did you want to add something?

And my area of North Bay Road, I have covered.

Thank you. Anyone else have a comment? OK. I'll take a motion.

All right. All in favor? Aye. Thank you. Next item, please.

Thank you. Are there any other speakers? And if you're coming up a second time, you don't have to say your name and address for the record.

OK. I'll take a comment from the commission. Commissioner Joseph, you've been going first a lot. Anyone else?

I'll go on this one. I think it was on the previous item that one of our speakers said that this is an investment. And on our budget, it looks like an expense. But it really is an investment. And obviously, I support it. Thank you. Commissioner Lama?

I just want to express and give kudos to our police department, the staff that is making this possible. Obviously, we've implemented the drones. Our police department got the accreditation. When it comes to technology, they've been implementing a lot of new technologies. And this is the latest example of it. And I think it's just for the good of the community. And you see the results. I mean, anytime something happens, we are quick to take action and to arrest whoever needs to be arrested, et cetera, et cetera. So I just want to express how happy I am that these things are just working and you

Commissioner Stevenson, would you like to say something? Yeah, this is great. This is amazing. I totally support it. My only issue continue being with not having the vendor present. We are giving around $2 million in contract to one vendor. We should be able to congratulate them here for their product. Once again, the process is the problem, not the result. Nothing to do with . So you're doing amazing. So as a best practice, we should be able to have the vendor here in case that we have even any questions about the product that we are giving all this money for. So I am in support of this. I am

Yes. So I would like to second that part of what Commissioner Fabiola said. When I became a commissioner in 2022, we had 54 officers. And I said at that time we needed to get to 75. And with this great commission, we've always supported our police department. And we're at, what, 74 now? Close? Getting there. Yeah, so good. We're getting very close. And that's what we need to have full staff changing, right? Yeah. And with all the new equipment and all, we lead the state. The city leads the state. We're number one as far as bringing in new innovation. And that's what we intend to keep going wit

I'm not going to repeat what everyone else said. We love our police department. I would say we are the safest city in all of Florida, which says a lot. And it's not by accident. So these investments do make a huge difference. They continue to make the city safe. I am 100% trust your process, how you do things. If there's any questions, you are all available to answer them and the vendor as well during the agenda review if we wanted to do it at that time. And the result is always positive. And that is a testament to the work that you do, the processes that you have. Obviously, the accreditation

OK. Public comment is closed. Comments or questions to the commission?

So what are the warranties on these particular cameras? That's another reason to be able to have the vendor here.

OK. So have we had several that have been replaced? Oh, yes. Yeah. Numerous. Right. And do we have a vandalism problem in the city?

For what I understand here, it's a three-year service agreement, not one year. And because I was reading this, once again, here I am not comfortable with the bidding or lack of bidding process. So we started with this company in 2022, then 2024, 26, and now we are asking for a three-year agreement that will be nine years and no bidding. And one of the reasons that I was reading here for that is due to the familiarity of this company with the software and the hardware, which, by the way, is going to be only growing by year. We are not bidding because we've been working with them. So that means

Yeah, but it's not for Luke. I just want to know for the term that we are approving it and the reason not to be bidding this project if we're being with the same company for six years.

Wait, wait, wait. Commissioner, she's got the floor. And then we'll move on. And I totally agree with the process. And it's great. That's what I said. This is not about how they're going to be building it. I'm pretty sure that they are going to be great. And if they've been working with us for so long, It's a testament to how good they must be. Anyway, we're talking about technology, and it's changing by the second. So that's why I said that this was not a question for the product. It's more for the process that we are doing to continue doing this. And that's my point. Right now, we are gettin

Correct. And that's the whole thing on my point. I had no doubt that what they do is incredible and it's amazing. And yes, it's hard to ever say no to you guys, ever. It's almost impossible. In this event specifically, I do believe the best practice should be for us to do this agreement for one year, and then if there is no other vendor that can procure the same kind of service, then we're going to continue with them anyway. But if that's not the case, the justification to continue with them is because they've been with us from the very beginning, then I do believe we should be doing Invitatio

Commissioner Joseph, let Vice Mayor speak, and then I'll give you the floor.

I think that given the scope of the work that we're talking about, I don't think one year is enough. And I support it the way that it is. OK. Commissioner Joseph?

Yes. So this company is supplying the hardware and the software, correct?

software creator in this instance. So over the three years, and you know how fast technology changes. I do. Do we have anything in the agreement that there are upgrades for the cameras involved or no?

But let me tell you, because under the way technology is changing so fast and with cameras bringing in AI technology every day, I mean, did it make more sense for us to lease the cameras and then have them be able to upgrade as the new technology evolves?

Because right now we're stuck with these cameras. In two years, they could be outdated.

No, you're still going to have the cameras that are going to be working. Right. But there's always going to be newer technology.

But do we know what the difference would have been to lease and have the ability? They wouldn't offer leasing.

OK. So right now, these cameras are the newest technology that should at least be the newest technology for the next six months?

Yeah, so I think that when it comes to software and systems, You know, it's a long-term commitment. I mean, that's why you see companies and you see governments, when they adopt some sort of software system on how to operate, it cannot be for a year or even two years. I think it's a long-term commitment. Obviously, it doesn't mean that, you know, 10 years down the road, you're, you know, revisiting everything and you got to see that system and the software that you have in place is still doing the job as intended. But yeah, when it comes to software integrations and systems, it's something tha

And also, if I may, because it's custom built, like this is something being done just for us. You don't want to get left hanging like in the middle of a... It would be disruptive.

If I may, we've been with them for six years already, six. This is a maintenance agreement for three more. So everything is already done and is going to continue. They're going to continue integrating. So to be accurate, we've been with the same company for six years now, and now we are adding three more without even going to the market to find out if there is anything better. So I'm not saying to get into a contract with a company for one year. We've been six years with them. Wait, wait, wait. Can we just listen?

Hello, everyone. Can we remember that we have rules here? Please, one second. Commissioner Lama, did you have anything to add?

No, no. I mean, Commissioner Stubisant mentioned one year. So that's why I brought that up. When you're implementing systems and software, I know we've been with them for six years. And when it comes to software and systems, I don't think this is anything extraordinary, to be quite honest. Yeah.

Commissioner Joseph, you have the floor.

No, I was just wondering. So now the six-year issue came up. So when did we actually purchase these cameras?

So at some locations, we have six-year-old cameras?

Yeah. So what is the newest cameras we have? How old? OK. Yeah. All right. So it runs the gamut. It does. Between now and six years ago. Correct.

OK. Are there any other comments? I have a question. Sure. How long have you been in law enforcement? It doesn't look, but OK. And how long have you been with Sunny Isles Beach? 20 years. OK, amazing. How confident and comfortable are you with this proposal and what you are requesting?

OK. You as the expert, I'm going to go with what it is that you are asking for. And with that, I'll take a motion.

Any opposed? No. Thank you, sir. Thank you very much. Next item, please.

OK. Public comment is closed. I'll take questions or comments from the Commission.

I do have a question. How much have we made of these vending machines in the last few years?

What specific data are you asking about?

Any data. I don't have any data. It says here that because this is income producing, we don't have anything that tells us how much money we're making. So of course, we are going to continue having the service. And if that's the best company to do it, amazing. But I think we are lacking the information at least to compare how much money we're making, at least in the last three years, four years, five years. We have zero data about it.

You Mister city manager to I'd like some clarification. He says 27% is what we make off of the.

OK and you have information as to what these industry standard is as far as percentage.

And as far as how much money we make off these vending machines, doesn't it really depend on what food is in there and how popular it is with the kids? Do we have, off the top of your head, because this wasn't requested before, do you know how much money we make? I actually do. Okay. Because you did request it on Tuesday. Oh, that's right.

Do we have an idea how many machines there are, actually?

Thank you. Are there any questions or comments? No. Well, this actually proved the point of the benefits of having bidding process, that we get better companies and better terms. Any other comments? I'll take a motion.

Was this a bid or it was a piggyback, no? It was not a bid. It was a piggyback. Pembroke Pines. Pembroke Pines, yeah.

Need a second? Second. All in favor? Aye. All right. Next item, please. 9F.

Thank you. Thank you. Any other speakers? All right. I'll take comments or questions from the commission.

Go ahead, Commissioner Stevenson. You have the floor.

The price quotation that we have is based on a budget between $200 and $300 million. Today, in our workshop, we know that already $175 million were slashed from our budget. bringing us down to less than $200 million. So I guess this quote needs to be re-evaluated, or we have to ask for a new quote, considering that we are not going to be anymore in that threshold between $200 and $300 million, which is the quote that we have right now. Also, it's true, as far as I know, the public portal has not been activated. We're paying for it. And I'm going to read a little bit about the vendors' own word

Yes. So I am OK, clearly, to continue with. an opening to the public and to the commission, and if possible, to request a demo or a training from the vendor. Just a video is good. I've seen them, but I think more people in this commission should see them, of the capabilities of the software. That's it. Thank you.

Commissioner Joseph, do you have anything to add?

No, I would like to also have access to the software in order to verify the numbers and see where funds are being moved from column to column.

Anyone else have any comments? No? Okay. I don't think that it would be a bad idea to get a video presentation, something from the company, Mr. City Manager.

We have to have it. We're paying for it. Can I get a motion? Second. All in favor? Aye. All right. Next item, please. 9G.

Mr. City Manager? Are we going to put them up?

All right. I'll take comments or questions from the commission. Anyone? And I will give this side a chance to speak. Commissioner Lama?

No, I think it looks great. We did receive a couple of emails. stating that they see something that I honestly don't see in the symbols. All right, let's just, no, no, please stop. I just wanted to, you know, to see it again and I don't see it. I think it looks great and, you know, I thank the staff for listening to. Everyone's entitled to their own opinion. Yeah. Well, exactly. So anyhow, so yeah, good job. Thank you.

Vice Mayor, anything? I think it would look better with the green, but it's OK. I know you guys, we took this vote already, and we went with red.

Hey, this is just a rendering. We haven't done it.

I think it would look better with the palm trees with the green. And the labyrinth, I think, is pretty cool. OK, Commissioner Joseph?

Yeah, I'm fine with it. I would have liked to see a little green in there, but I'm fine with it. And everyone's entitled to their opinion. as to what it looks like to them. Can't get away from people having their own opinion.

Mr. Stuyvesant, any comments? OK, I agree with David. I don't like the red at all. I love the blue and white that we had before, because it was consistent with what the buildings around us were doing. So it made it more holistic. But I was outvoted. So we will go with the red and white. I love the labyrinth. It's going to be very, very cool. So hopefully, we can make sure that we get this, despite us being behind schedule. Can I get a motion, please?

Second. All in favor? Aye. All right. Next item, please.

All right. Do we have any public speakers? OK, I'll take comments or questions from the commission.

I have an adjacent question, not really about this. But I got an email about the bio walls. I know I asked you, Susan, a while back, but I haven't followed up. Do you happen to?

So that answers my question because that's what I thought we had talked about, but I got an email and I figured I would just ask him.

No, I was contacted also regarding that.

Yes, I got the email as well. I actually, thank you for reminding me about that. That could be something interesting for us to do. Any other questions? I'll take a motion.

OK, so there's no financial implication here? No. All right, do we have public speakers?

I had spoken with Susan earlier. She had said that this was already installed. And I'm not for putting any additional money into Gateway. I would like to see, eventually, Gateway rebuilt.

OK, thank you, Commissioner Joseph. There's no money here. I'll take a motion.

During the agenda review, I had asked some questions, and I'll bring them up now since we have people in the audience, what sort of things that we can do to mitigate some of this so that we're not cleaning it as often. And namely, it's the leaf blowers that people use that then clog up the drains. And it's a nuisance. It's a big nuisance, especially in, I think, Golden Shores and probably Atlantic Island, where there's single-family homes, certainly all over the city. The city attorney went to the restroom. So I was advised that we cannot regulate the blowers. There's really nothing we can do.

Is there any type of screens that we can install?

We are not allowed to install the screens that we had discussed. But I guess we can wait for Alan to come back.

I had asked, is there a possibility to enforce it with a littering law? Because technically, if you're moving the dead leaves to your neighbor's yard, you're kind of throwing garbage on their yard. But I don't know how realistic that is. You'd have to catch someone actually doing it. In any case, this is something that I'd like to look at further because it's an expensive initiative.

There are blowers that are actually vacuums. I have one.

Apparently, they fill up very fast, so that's why nobody uses them. But thank you for being the one person that uses it. All right, I'll take a motion. All right, all in favor? Aye. Aye. All right, next item.

Okay. Comments or questions from the commission? Yes, I do have.

Go ahead. So we start this contract in 2023 for an initial net to exceed amount of $50,000.

a not to exceed amount of $810,000, a jump from $50,000 to $800,000. Once again, then I don't know how anyone with any common sense can justify this. During the budget, only one workshop that we had, they decided, the staff, to cut the four positions that also could help with this, the four inspection positions. We need to consider what is it that we are doing here. If outsourcing is the answer, we should have those numbers in front of us. Probably, we should be hiring. Right now, we are spending $6 million to build a state-of-the-art building department in front of us. And we are outsourcing

Any other questions? Mr. City Manager, could you clarify how these costs are covered and whether permit fees cover this and answer the question of how do we get to that number from 2023, please?

What percentage is covered by the permit fees? Okay. By law. All right. Any questions? I'll take a motion. I need a second. Second. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? No. Okay. Next item. 9L.

All right Motion, I need a motion. I'll make a motion second second all in favor Okay, next item

And what is this agreement involving, that we might have a grant?

What is it that we have to do in order to qualify?

It's based on your annual salary, so your income. Nobody in our city probably qualifies for this. However, as things change, we may potentially have people in the city that would qualify for the HUD grants. It's HUD.

WELL, SADLY MAY BE GROWING, BUT COMMISSIONER LAMOND, DO YOU WANT TO ADD SOMETHING?

NO, I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I THINK THERE'S A PERCENTAGE HERE WITHIN THE CITY THAT MAY, YEAH. SO WE JUST NEED TO OBVIOUSLY CONSIDER THAT.

YEAH, JUST HAVE TO BE A PART OF IT IN ORDER TO POTENTIALLY BENEFIT. I'LL TAKE A MOTION. ALL RIGHT. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ALL RIGHT. WE'RE DOWN TO 9N.

Do we have any public speakers? No, ma'am. Mauricio, if you can, please, because there have been times in the past where there has been confusion as to what portion of this the city actually controls, and us having a resolution implies that we have a lot of control over this, specifically, if you can mention losing the church location as a polling place.

OK. And during this primary, I got some calls from residents that believe that they can change their location based on how close it is to them. So again, since you have the opportunity now and people are watching, can you clarify what control, which we don't have, what decides where they vote? So for instance, someone that lives in San Tropez wants to vote at Gateway, but that's the cutoff district.

OK, thank you. All right, any other questions or comments from the commission?

And adding to the confusion is that what we use as our boundaries for establishing our districts is slightly different from what the county does for where you vote. And just like St. Tropez also, we have the unnamed building that we couldn't think of in the earlier meeting. It would make sense that they vote here. But they were at the church. And now these people here are going to have to go to Gateway. Even though it makes sense that they would come here. But that's the county determines that.

So when we have the buses, Mauricio, they're going to be on site at the church. I want to just make sure it's clear that we're not going to be driving around picking up people. They're just going to be at the church.

OK, so we'll do our best to let people know. But I know that the supervisor of elections already sent out many notices.

All in favor? Aye. All right. Now we're on to Citizens Forum. Do we have speakers?

Thank you. That's appreciated. Any other speakers?

Hi, Igor. Thank you for waiting. I know you've been patient, so I'll give you a little extra time.

No, we're not going to answer. Do we have any other speakers? OK, sir, you're welcome to talk to Commissioner Joseph after the meeting adjourns. Thank you, everyone, for attending and your patience and your input. Meeting adjourned.