City Commission - Regular Meeting

Oh, I didn't, I stand corrected, so we'll start at six. Six, when did it, when did it, six, ten minutes. It's been ten minutes since we, I know. Oh. What time?

You look awesome as well. No we're fine.

All right, we're about to start our meeting for Thursday, the 27th of August. Madam Clerk, can you please, Liz, can you please do the roll call?

I'm here. Next. Invocation. Pastor Tobin. That's me. 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. And I'm clear. Section 4, do you have any requests, deferments, or additions?

Madam Clerk, is 12.15 and 12.16 been, I'd like to request to pull that to the agenda as well. Which one? Does it legislate? Louder. Not yet, 12.15 and 12.16 to be pulled for discussion. I also-

Okay, got it. And then was there, can we defer 14.6?

Oh no, I'm sorry, it was, what's happening with 14.5? It's being deferred to September. Oh, gotcha, thank you so much. That's all from me.

She wanted to know what was going on with 14.5 and I told her it was deferred until September. Yeah, that's true. Yes.

Do we have to make a motion to approve? Motion to approve.

All in favor say aye. Aye. All right. Madam Clerk. Next is presentations. None. Public comment.

Mr. Mayor, I just want to recognize State Representative Fabian Basabi.

All right, Madam Clerk, we're going to move forward to our city commission reports.

Good evening, everybody. First of all, I'd like to commend the chief of police and the whole police department who swore in 10 new officers today. So congratulations to them. It was a beautiful ceremony and we understand there's more on the way. So thank you guys. We really do appreciate it. All right, Daniela, what a beautiful concert you put on. It was fun for everybody who was there. Everybody got very dressed up, which was really nice. And everybody I spoke to had a great time. So thank you. all right the splash pad in highland village what a success all right for those of you who weren't

Rent a dog, you know, adopt a dog. Adopt a dog. But bring your dogs, okay? And everybody will have a great time. to the Jewish community, Lashana Tova, wishing you a happy, healthy, and an easy fast. Thank you.

Thank you. Good evening, everyone. I'm going to yield my time.

Commissioner Smith. Thank you. Commissioner Jean, I'm glad you came in because that concert was way, way above top. I just couldn't believe she could do it. I couldn't believe it. And when you get there, you see the ability she has. So I hope all the residents will recognize how hard she worked and how amazing that evening was. It was absolutely amazing. It brought a whole different culture to our city and the people loved it, loved it. So I personally thank you for that. It was hard work. I want to welcome all the police that were sworn in today. I'm sorry I did not know about it in time to g

Okay. Um, commissioner Sean, you've done a beautiful job and as I whispered to her a little bit earlier, some residents came up and, um, congratulated you and praised your hard work. Everyone had a beautiful evening. Also, yay to Highland Village. Thank you Commissioner Smith for pushing it and thank you to Trisha Harris. For how long have you been asking for this, 25 years? for more than 25 years for asking for this. To a city attorney, Joe, last month I had asked you, I know we spoke earlier and I forgot, last month I had asked you about that ethics complaint that was thrown out and if we ca

All right. I mean, it was a frivolous ethics complaint filed against me that was thrown out like instantly. And I still had to hire an attorney and that was like 400 and something dollars. And I wanted... Yeah, sure. I wanted the city, and the city is paying for that, so I wanted the city to ask for the money back. Speaking of which, one of the speakers said something about the mayor suing the city. Can you Because not everybody, I don't know.

All right, thank you. Also, Mr. Manager, TC had mentioned that not a lot of people know about the scooter law, and I know the police department did put a video out not too long ago, but maybe we need to do as a city in general, we need to do some type of... not just a video because not everybody watches, but promote it more, some signage or something. I'm not sure what the proper way to do it, but we don't want people getting injured knowing that we have a scooter law out there. All right, so coming soon is Labor Day. I hope it is fun and relaxing to everybody. And on this September 11th, it w

COMMISSIONER SU? GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. AS WE COME TO THE END OF AUGUST, I WANT TO CONTINUE WHERE I LEFT OFF IN MY JULY COMMISSION REPORT. NOT TELLING YOU ABOUT THE WHOLE LIST, BUT FIRST OF ALL, SCHOOL IS BACK. AND ONCE AGAIN, OUR PARKS AND PARKS DEPARTMENT HAD A GREAT FINALE TO THE SUMMER NIGHT AND WITH THE NIGHT OUT BACK TO SCHOOL AND HEALTH all together in that whole season week. It was fantastic to see the kids enjoyed so much of their summer camp. And also, it was a great opportunity to bring the community together. I also want to share something personal. Today I was scheduled to receiv

Okay, what would give you enough time to operate and promote?

OK, wonderful. Yes, I concur. Thank you. So you all heard it. You have another 15 days. Well, plus four. So 19 days. We have a lot happening in North Miami Beach. It's the centennial year. Everybody's super excited. Some are challenging. Some are exciting. Some are just plain fun, like our centennial block parties. So we have one more this weekend, right, in Eastern Shores. So if you are not doing anything, come join us. Come party with us, and let's celebrate our 100 years. And also... Just be sure that no matter what we are doing, we are moving the city forward, okay? And I'm always here, I'

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Thank you, everyone who has made tonight a... a night where you join us here at the city commission meeting. We appreciate it. You could have been doing anything else, but you've joined us here this evening and we are grateful for that. I'd also like to join my colleagues in sending our deepest sympathies and thoughts to Ketley Joachim and her family members on the loss of their matriarch and our thoughts and prayers from the city of North Miami Beach are with them. Aside from that, we do know that the holiday is approaching in our Jewish community. So we wish everyone

I believe they have a competition going.

They have a competition going. Okay. All right. But anyways, let's have an expedient meeting. God bless you all. Hopefully we can get through this before midnight. Thank you.

Thank you. Good evening, everyone. I want to say my condolences to Kathleen and her family and lots of their matriarch as well. Commissioner John, it was a beautiful event. I was able to make it. It was something that I think highlighted a lot of the history of North Miami Beach. And it's on replay on Channel 77, so please check it out when you guys get a chance. I want to make sure that we move forward in an expedient manner, but just in time for the Jewish New Year, we have a recommitment sponsored by myself, as well as Commissioner Smuckler, reaffirming this city's commitment to combating a

Mr. Mayor, may I have a moment of personal privilege? I unfortunately forgot to introduce Autumn. Will you please stand up? I want to introduce the public to my new assistant, my new aide. This is Autumn Flint Burns. She has my phone. She'll be taking messages. You can reach me 24-7, but sometimes you'll reach me through Autumn. And she comes with a vast knowledge of political world, as her father's very involved. and she has unbelievable background to take care of not only me, which is her priority, but to take care of the entire public. So Autumn, thank you and welcome, and I wanted the peop

All right and that information is public and on our website next item is cons consented to approve the consent agenda. All right city attorney.

Can we have someone from the back come out, please? to approve. Do I have a second? Second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Next is quality judicial, Madam Clerk.

Move to introduce resolution number R2026-117, Prestige Motors.

Do we have to discuss items that were approved or no?

Commissioner Smith? I spoke to the owner of the company a couple months ago just about permitting. He wanted to discuss the fact that it was taking so long to get through to the city. That was all. We didn't discuss the project just... Could I move along?

I've not spoken to anyone on this item, and I can make my decisions based on the relevant information presented this evening. Thank you.

SPOKEN TO THE OWNER AND I THINK STAFF LONG TIME AGO BUT AND I CAN MAKE A DECISION BASED ON THE EVIDENCE PRESENTED ME THIS EVENING THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU MAYOR COMMISSIONER ONE SECOND OH YEAH SWEARING IN SORRY SORRY

Mr. Ding, before you start, clerk reminding we have to open up for public comment.

Oh, is there anyone else seeing public comment now close? Mr. Ning, please.

Okay. Mr. David and his family have done a wonderful job. in our community. They've had an upscale dealership on Biscayne Boulevard forever and it's attracted other dealerships to come now and he continues to make his site beautiful. So I don't see any problem with approving this application.

I think I think eventually Mister David has unbelievable plans expand and that is going to be a real game changer for our city. But this right now it was really crazy circumstances that even acquired this and paid much more than he ever thought. But I will tell you I think the right thing to do is to take that old building down anyway. And I really think that this is the first step in seeing amazing things happening with the David property. Thank you.

Anybody else have a motion? All right, Madam Clerk, can you do a roll call?

Mr. Mayor, can I have a point of personal privilege? This is to the city manager's office. I know there was mention that Mr. Ed is leaving. Do we have a list of applications that are in the pipeline? Can we get that? A list of applications?

If we can get a list of, I know he's been cleaning and trying to get everything up to date. If we can get a list of applications that are in the pipeline for approval or to come before us. Because I know this kind of came out, obviously they were working on this for a while, but it took some time to get before us. If we can get a list of projects that are either in the pipeline or

On the water issue? Bus shelters. I'm sorry. Yes. of a briefing on the item.

All right, thank you. When it comes to the above shelters, I know we had a whole conversation about that. I won't belabor the point. I just wanted to make sure that we had an understanding of what it was, because there's a lot of things on consent today that at least the public should get some clarity on. And what I'm seeing is the bus shelters that we had that were in storage that we went out and we installed, they're all done. I like the fact that we have the glass in the back with the city logo and everything. That's beautiful. But I remember maybe a year or two ago, we had talked about Ave

Thank you it's a $150,000 for 3 bus benches. And 49,000 change. 92,000 the original contract with 131,000 is that there were said that it's required to complete the project increasing the contract amount to 149,000 it had 18,000 left.

About $130,000 for the three bus benches?

Are the bus benches being placed with consideration of the trolley, where the trolley stops?

I think that's important that the bus benches be with the trolley. I don't think the public transportation does go through North Miami Beach, and people do use it, but I think they use the trolley much more, and they don't want to stand and wait in the sun, so we need to consider that.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. The question, I think initially we had approved 13. Yes. Once upon a time, we had approved 13. You said of the 13, you have five right now that you're seeking approval for. Is that what?

can you all send, do the mayor, can you all send us a list of those that have been installed and the pending locations?

So in synergy to what Commissioner Smith mentioned, You all have to, because we don't have a strategic transportation plan, unfortunately. And I know a lot of the county lines have been removed. Some of them have been removed. So for the ones that we actually own, and for those lines, the bus lines that actually have been removed, there has to be some sort of synergy there to ensure that we're not duplicating anything. So I'm not sure if you all did that due diligence already. If not, I would love to get a follow-up on that.

Originally, there were two contracts signed. What happened to the other group?

Right, but we signed another contract that we're not utilizing.

All in favor? Seconded. All in favor say aye. Aye. Next item. Thank you.

If this is the arts, I like to pose and bring it up next month to take it off tonight's agenda and bring it up next month. It was supposed to have changed with it. No changes. So you may hold it.

But was it your your poor I hope right. So you want to refer. Yes, I wanted to have a look at my second all there's a high next item.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAYOR. SO I PULLED THIS ITEM BECAUSE IT'S A BIT VAGUE IN ITS TRAJECTORY, AT LEAST FROM MY SEAT, RIGHT? AND I THINK THAT FROM WHAT I'M HEARING BUDGET-WISE AND WHERE WE'RE TRYING TO GO WITH THE WATER UTILITY AND THE INFORMATION THAT I'M GATHERING HERE, If it's about residents knowing about NMB water, et cetera, et cetera, at least in my seat, most of our residents know about our water utility, right? I mean, they drink the water. They use the water. They're very well aware. The direction that we're trying to go into is one of expansion, if I'm not mistaken, from what this comm

And that's exactly how I understood it, Commissioner. I understood it that they're going to get somebody there that's going to, not for our residents so much, but for the reeling in of new clients, new users. And I think that reading it like that, you'll understand that it's minimal amount of money if it works in our favor. And that's why I actually had no questions about it.

Thank you so much I want to piggyback off of commissioner. Floor on rice my smear. In reference to the relationships that we even have a current commercial commercial accounts so you know you know all the accounts that we have obviously a lot of big commercial accounts so the scope is. to his point, great, but we need to really have a follow up to see what direction you're trying to go into. In essence, I know you might elaborate on that tonight. But I mean, Commissioner Smith has no comments. That means, you know, we're on track. But I want to also see that that relationship with some of the

My thing is, is that enough? And the reason I'm saying that is because our current customers, the changes in what happened with the county, I think someone mentioned it, you mentioned it last meeting, Commissioner Smith. A lot of folks are not educated on what's happening. They're a customer, their bill is increased, but they're blaming the city. And also we may be looking to to some different scales as it relates to our current model currently. So there has to still be outreach to our customers to let them know. So does this cover that scope?

I just feel like it's not enough what we're doing currently. It's not enough. Maybe you can look into that and just seeing how we can increase that internal.

Perfect. Through the mayor. So, It talks about strategic communication and planning, branding and creative development, digital media, public relations, community engagement and outreach, events, conferences, public presence, analytics and performance reporting. What I'm not seeing is who are the deal makers, right? Who are the ones that are going to sit at the table and make sure that these deals get done outside of your office, right? To make sure that these deals are... are solidified and opportunity, because this is not telling me that we're going to, how we're going to communicate and get

And I appreciate that. To Commissioner John's point, I want to see the full plan.

What I'm saying is this highlights the fact that we need the full scope of what we're going to do. No, but do you want to add any additional amendments so it could be... This item, if it's purely an item that's about marketing, I'm not going to add a negotiating component to a marketing firm because that's not their forte, but it brings to light that we need a full plan that we're going to be able to see how this fits within that plan, right?

So you want to see... How are we going to utilize this once we get... Once we come on board, how are we going to utilize it?

That sounds like a simplified version of the question. But when you have an opportunity, the full scope of what it's going to take for us to expand. I mean, from the presentation that I recall from the other day, what percentage of our... What percentage of... of usage do we have as far as our ability to produce water, the amount of gallons that we produce versus the usage?

Yeah, I want to see the full prospectus, Mr. Manager. So your office can figure that out? Okay, and come back to us or provide it to us in email form. I just wanna see how we expand this water utility and acquire other clients. And I don't think it's just as simple as making a phone call and setting a meeting. I just don't think it's that simple. I think if I look at your presentation, 60 pages of information. So the expansion of the water utility, you know, is a very, to me, it should be a very detailed conversation. So, you know, that's, and I don't want to belabor the point. I understand th

No, I'm talking, we're on the same page. Okay. We're on the same page. Okay. I mean, we have the capacity. Yes, we do. Right? And so we need the clientele. Yes, we do. That's basically what I'm saying. Yes. And so I'd like to see what you've been doing, what your goals are, plans are. I need to see the prospectus so that we can have full and complete buy-in. I think that's- Okay, so- Can I add something to that, Mr. Mayor, through the-

Vice Mayor, can we have a 30-day date, sir, and presentation of what the campaign will be and any progress has been made in the time?

Would that be sufficient? Yes, that's fine. Last thing, I know we had some PIO dollars within your budget, no? At some point, I believe we had some PIO dollars. Communication dollars? Yes. We call it professional services, yes. So I believe, Greg, you're familiar with that funding? Okay, so that funding, is that what we're pulling from for this? Yes.

I don't think that's what happened. We're not amending it. We're accepting it. What we're adding to it is that in 30 days, if you can present us once you've worked with the vendor. Oh, fantastic. Yes, yes, yes, yes. Make that amendment, yes? Do we have to make a motion to move on?

So, Mr. Mary, if I may, I'm sorry to interrupt you. I just want to be very specific, because she says what we're adding to it, which may be where the city manager thought that there was an amendment to the actual solicitation itself. So the solicitation, as presented, would be approved. What we're requesting is that in 30 days they come back and show us what the plan is. So we can all get excited, we can all get behind it, and then we can start... you know, hitting the streets together. And you know what I mean? Yes. That's what we're saying. I would love that.

Yes, so we're going to most okay so there's no men that right we're just voting on the motion of the second all of them say aye aye now we're going to record now we're going to recognize the record of motion.

It wasn't as I made the motion for the 30 days.

30 days from now at a meeting, if you can present the report, the result of the campaign as it relates to what the plan is for it.

campaign of the campaign to uh update the commission on on how that's going all right uh i have a motion no i i'm sorry i have a question you know i can we just make this a request and we we don't we haven't even signed the contract we don't know if the company can do it in 30 days like we can't hold them to it and then we can't hold them to it okay so it's a request we don't know why are we making a motion we don't know if the company Do we need input from this company to do this?

All right, we have a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. No.

Motion to introduce. Second. Second, all right.

Yeah, that's that is I pulled this because the manager and I discussed it today I read it. But I was trying to find out if that 107 $712,000 is per year to collect that's that it turns out it's the software to collect the money. But is that per year the manager was going to check and report tonight, yes.

So what percentage of the money we collect is $712,000? Is it just a 2%? 1%? What's the percentage?

All right, I understand it better. I don't have any other questions.

So and this one I just it's interesting how they change the rules after we did it and that's after we submitted and so therefore the cost went up but throughout the whole explanation and above the the actual sections it keeps mentioning $88,000 which it's 28 and 50 so It should really be $78,000 and not $88,000. And again, it says $28,000 in Section 2, and it doesn't mention the $50,000 at all that is also going to be added for this expense from the mayor's funds, the mayor's approval. Whoa, no. Yeah, it says it. I said mayor's approval. I corrected myself. No, no, the mayor's approval. Anyway

So does everybody have 38 on theirs? And I'm the only one that's 28 or 28, $38,000. It it's a typo it says 28, but it's the real number is we heard they are when I hear to type of with money I get nervous. Yes, not because this is what we're voting on so I'd like to corrected before we vote.

They can move to move to men just to substitute in and make the motion to men and I think that we should add the 50,000 to the that whereas because it's mentioned every place else.

Mr. Manager, I'd like to hear your, I reviewed the agenda with staff and I heard their point of view about the city absorbing $511,000 of the increase in the healthcare for our staff. I'd just like to hear your opinion about this because during this hard time, I'm wondering if there's a portion that can be offset by the staff, maybe a tiny increase that we share so that we could move our city forward in the green faster. So that's my question to you. I'd like to hear your thoughts on that.

So I'd like to ask my colleagues, what do we think about this? And I know there are cities that give free health care. And there are cities that actually, every time there's an increase, they deduct it from the employees. One thing that I think is missing, right, is a conversation that Vice Mayor Floremon and I had to talk about the study that we were supposed to do, the classification and compensation study. If we know that we are compensating and classifying our employees correctly, right, then we would know whether this is kind of like that thing that's in between. If we're underpaying peop

Right. So, I mean, in the meantime, like, you know, we have to pass the budget. We have to, you know, we have to pay EDNA. So, you know what I mean? Like, all of that. We have to do that now. So, I mean, like, what do we think? How do we think we should responsibly move this forward that we can, you know, be kind to the employees and also be kind to our taxpayers?

So we did raise the employees portion last year, $10?

Five. Five. Five. And that last time, I'm sorry to interrupt anybody, the rise in healthcare costs last year was over $800,000. So that's why there was that five add on, which the city still took the majority of it. And, and, you know, this year, it's another $500,000 increase. So that's, you know, I mean, like, it's 300,000 less, but I mean, like, you know, it's it's two thirds of what it was last year. I just want to bounce this around and let's share with the public what we think, right? If we're going to use the taxpayer funding to subsidize everything for the employees, I'd like to hear a

Yeah, so I think when it comes to the word subsidize, I think we also have to be mindful that Part of the reason that employees choose to work for municipalities and give their all is because municipalities are one of the few organizations that still are thoughtful when it comes to employee benefits, right? And when I say thoughtful, meaning the private sector is a bit different when it comes to the approach to benefits, but the public sector allows for employees that really give their all to at least feel like we have their back. And I think, honestly, the renewal, I think this is perhaps ide

If my staff is recommending that this happen, I don't know why I'm questioning it when we're doing a benefit to our employees who fall under the city manager. so i i don't see you know i want to give our employees a more benefit if i can and i'd rather give them a lot more benefits if we can

Thank you. How much are the wellness dollars this time around? Are they the same? $70,000? $70,000. I wanted to give this to the manager. This is an NGO screen that we learned about at Florida League of Cities. So maybe we can also offer this as a provision for our employees who may want to have that screening for heart attack prevention. So they did give us that information. Maybe that could be something that you all look into. But I think you guys can do better for wellness dollars. You know, because that's preventative care is very important. I know we're not supposed to be doing any of tha

I do have another thing to request. And so I think the PD is doing a full body scan for prevention. And can you, I remember I spoke with the chief and he said that body scan, you know, sometimes like... Live scan. Yes, because I think that that is a more thorough, you know, scan. Usually, like, we get a colonoscopy, we get a mammogram, right? We get, you know, we get, I don't know, a pap smear, whatever it is. These are only specific organs, like, you know, you get a colonoscopy, whatnot. But that scan actually checks out any lung, spleen, pancreatic, you know, like that. It's a whole body sca

But angioscreen is only for the heart, isn't it? Right, heart and arteries. I'm talking about organs, like all your entire body organs, right? Including like skin and whatnot too. So, I mean, that's something that I wanted to add into our preventative healthcare. Anyway, that's a side note. My next question is, I'm just, what else, does anybody kind of lean on my side or everybody is all for the city absorbing 511?

I'd like to know how much it would cost if we split it with employees and how much would cost if employees covered the whole things based on how many people use it. I'd like to know that. We're not deciding that tonight. We're just deciding on whether or not to accept this insurance to continue. And then at the budget season, we can decide that, Commissioner Lynn.

All right. Is that the case? I have a question, Mr. Manager. You said something about a dollar or something. Did I hear that?

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Eric. Mr. Manager, I'd like to also ask you a question about this. Do we have union employees also? Yes. What is their health care plan like?

There's no requirement for us to like cover their, their health care in full or nothing like that. No, I've never read the union. No, no, ma'am. All right. Okay.

Oh, okay. Commissioner Smith made a good point. What's before us right now is the actual contract. IT'S NOT THE DISCUSSION OF WHETHER OR NOT EMPLOYEES SHOULD OR SHOULDN'T PAY CERTAIN THINGS. SO, YEAH, SO WE CAN'T EVEN REALLY GET INTO THAT. SO I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONTRACT.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE. NEXT ITEM. THANK YOU.

Motion to introduce. 16 we just did. No 16. 16, motion to introduce.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Attorney, how long has Aventura been incorporated?

Yes, so if they have been open for 50 years in business, they could not have used Aventura, could they?

And it was in North Miami Beach that it was called Aventura?

No, no, what I'm saying is that the area that this facility is in is in Aventura. No, is it?

No, no, it's a North Miami Beach. But like, we've had, we have Aventura Jeep, we have Aventura.

Right. And then you all I believe most of the people on this day is approved to not allow for the name Aventura. I don't know, Commissioner Smith did. Did you do you recall that resolution? recall that i pulled it so i'll talk when you get a chance okay thank you all right so that's my question is if the city was that you know incorporated later and we had to change so i don't i mean i just don't want to just i'm just curious you can't have a business change your name um commissioner smith

I HAVE A LOT OF THOUGHTS ON THIS. BEFORE I CONTINUE, THOUGH, ON THE LAST ONE WE VOTED ON IN REFERENCE TO THE INSURANCE, THERE WAS LEFT A BLANK AND I JUST FOUND OUT I MEANT TO ASK WHEN WE WERE DISCUSSING IT WHAT GOES IN THE BLANK ON THE ACTUAL RESOLUTION AND IT IS THE MANAGEMENT OR CITY MANAGER, WHOEVER RECOMMENDS IT. OKAY. SO I WANTED TO PUT THAT ON RECORD. HERE'S THE THING ABOUT THIS. THERE'S A FEW THINGS. When they came before us, there was a lot. If you look at the building now, look at how close they are to the street. There was a lot that they came and asked for, and they were given permi

Mr. Mayor, my husband's company's name starts with the word Miami, and we were living in Miami Beach when we opened it up, but we chose just Miami. I don't know why, but we did. Our office is in Miami Shores. If Miami Shores comes knocking on my door telling me that we need to change the name to Miami Shores, et cetera, the rest of the name, I would say absolutely not. This is the business we've had for all these years. and I'm not changing my name because the city decided that I need to change my name. And what about like these, I can't think of one right now, but I'm sure there's businesses

Well, this is what I'll say. It's one thing if it's a new business, I get it, and they're coming before us, but that nursing home's been there for a long time.

I'm just telling you that if Miami Shores came to me and told me I needed to add the name Shores now to my business, that's not happening.

No, I just feel like the cost that goes into doing all that, changing the name.

They have to change the name through the department, their checks, they have to check everything. It's not just, it's not changing a name, it's changing, it's a process.

It's the goodwill of their own product. And I just think like the cost and just saying like, you know, it's North Miami Beach, I think is outweighed by the fact of what they've been doing for all these years. And now they're finally building it up. And it looks like it's going to be coming online by the end of the year. I just think it's.

Thank you. I want to expand upon Commissioner's example. When Commissioner Smuckler was saying that they'd been in Miami and now if they would come to them and say change it to Miami Shores, she would say no. Guess what? They're not coming to us now and asking us to do it. They already accepted that it's not going to be Aventura. They already accepted that. I'm not saying they have to name it North Miami Beach. They could name it Best Retirement Home. But we want North Miami Beach to be North Miami Beach, not in the heart across from our city hall to be called Aventura in big letters. They hav

I I think I think North Miami Beach has to come first I want us to line of play because I know you're making a making a comment but like the I just want to move. Okay. If you can finish your thought, Commissioner Sir.

Yes, thank you. Okay, so I understand what Commissioner Smuckler is talking about. Branding is a very expensive marketing tool, and to rebrand their Aventura, Rehabilitation, and whatnot, I understand how expensive it would be. Listen, they're building a new facility. It is the perfect opportunity to get back into the groove and the rhythm of our city. And now that we are, maybe previously we weren't really gung-ho about building the brand of North Miami Beach, but now we are. And we really want them, since they're doing a new facility, they could say, you know what, new name, same ownership,

I'm trying to find out what it was. I was asking if this resolution, the one that says we can't do Aventura, is it just the word Aventura or is it any city?

Aye. All those against? Nay. 3-3, it loses. It fails.

No, we have to get... Well, she's not here.

No, we're missing someone that has to vote.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait a second, hold on. Hold on, whoa. Everybody has to vote.

We have always said everybody has to vote. We've said it, including Commissioner Smith and including... No, Commissioner Smith and I have always said everybody has to vote.

I would like to hear if she heard our conversation. I would like, okay. Do you have your vote?

I mean, if the business has been here for a long time, I believe that they should have the autonomy to keep it for their marketing's sake. And if it's a new business to the Mayor's point, we can implement something that encourages them, but doesn't it impede on their First Amendment right anyway?

So it's yes. All right, it passes. Next item.

Just for the record, for those wows out there, Commissioner Smith and Commissioner Smuckler have always said in the last few years, ever since we went to a ethics class where it said everybody has to vote, we've always been adamant that everybody has to vote.

Okay, so our political signs are a little outdated and what I wanted to do was to keep the city orderly, clean and, you know, I mean like I know during election it can get pretty messy with a lot of lawn signs and, you know, large signs and whatnot. So this actually has nothing to do with, so we're changing the date because originally when we moved the election from May to November, we never changed the start date of when people could put up signs, right? It still says March 1st. So if you can imagine March 1st having signs up all the way to November would be kind of crazy. But the attorney ad

I wanted it to be qualifying, meaning after qualifying, then you put up a bond at the time you qualify. But the attorney advised that that would be a First Amendment violation. And I never want to violate anybody's First Amendment rights. So I agreed with the attorney. we are doing that and then as far as the bond goes every candidate should put up a five hundred dollar bond with the city and if they do not remove the signs within seven days after the election they would get their bond confiscated they have a three-day grace period to remove the signs some more if they don't do that on the ten

It's a valiant try and I commend you for bringing it forward and I would love it to pass and be in play. But we've had rules in the past that were strict, you were only allowed five signs. You know, it restricted the signs, it restricted where you put them, it did all these things that you're trying to do. And we were told by city attorney back then, no, you can't, you know, actually a commissioner violated it and blatantly violated, put 25 signs out and violated our sign code. And we said to the attorney, can't they get, no. It's against their First Amendment rights.

May I, Mr. Attorney, just really quick, just to clarify so that the public also knows. If you are putting up less than five signs because, I mean, like maybe you didn't raise enough funds, like there is no bond on five signs, right? Was it four or five that you would- Something like that. Yeah, if you had below a certain amount of large signs, like commercial signs, there is no bond on it because we also don't want to cut your chances of someone who hasn't raised enough money but would like to run for office. Then I think our current rule is we are allowed 25 in the city territory. And if you

Okay, so I called North Miami to find out if they had a bond yesterday. And they said that they heard that it's against the law to have a bond. To have a bond for signs that they heard it's against the law. So if that's the case, we should check into that city attorney to make sure that there is no law that says you can't have a bond. I'm looking over this ordinance last night. Number two on bond says a candidate's placing less than four temporary signs not to exceed a size of 10 square feet. Where does 10 square feet come? That's not the size of the little ones and it's not the size of the big ones. How did that number come in?

Okay, well, so we have to change it to fit the actual size. There's a lot of changes. I don't know if you want to have them come back with the right changes. Yeah. Okay, well, there's a lot of changes.

Yeah, I motion to adopt the actual sign size that we have all agreed on, right? Is that what we're doing? Okay.

Wait, wait, no, we have to open up for public comment this first reading.

We're gonna stop right now in the middle. Yeah, to allow public comment, because it should have happened in the first. Madam Clerk.

But if you see someone actually stealing it, call the police at that time. If you see them stealing it, better yet, take a video of it.

You could get to put your signs. I'm a homeowner, so I'm going to put the sign. No way. Give me $10 a day.

Maria, try to get a picture. Try to get a photo with your phone.

So, so I, oh, sorry. No, no, I'll wait till. Oh.

I hear what Maria asked and I wanted to know. Thank you.

Mr. Mayor? No, before Commissioner Smith, then the Vice Mayor, then Commissioner Hsu. And then Commissioner Smuckler.

Let me finish because there's a lot of changes. So I don't know what it is with that 10 feet. I have no idea. So you said that was old. You're going to change it when you go back and you look at I also commissioners who would like it to be qualifying period not not official candidate time. I heard what you said that it can be done like that. But that's a shame because somebody could come in for 5 months ahead and start the whole thing. If you look at the bottom of page three, it said date of removal, each and every sign posted by the said candidate should be removed within seven days. And then

So that sentence isn't finished in number four, just as any signs remaining. If anybody else hasn't finished... Tell me what the rest of the sentence says. It only says any signs remaining.

It doesn't have the end of the sentence. Okay, I have to tell you, there's a few things that, having run before, you know, it's sometimes, I was talking to the manager, whose responsibility is it? Is it the clerk's responsibility? Is it the manager's responsibility? Is it downtown, the county, to follow these signs? When I ran four years ago, I got a call from the manager at that time. My signs were one foot too high. So my husband's men had put the signs up. And in that heat, they took every one of the signs down. They cut off a foot and put them back in the ground. Those men had worked for m

I think it has to be a few things. It has to be, per sign per day, $10, not $25. Give people a chance, number one. Yeah, in order to do it, believe it or not, the only way to really get your signs down is you have to ride up and down every street. AND YOU HAVE TO PUT THEM IN YOUR TRUNK. THAT'S THE ONLY WAY TO GET THEM DOWN.

MAY I ADDRESS COMMISSIONER SMITH? I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I THINK YOU'RE THINKING OF LAWN SIGNS. I DON'T THINK ANYBODY HAS THE COMMERCIAL, THE LARGE COMMERCIAL. IT DOESN'T SAY LAWN SIGNS. LET'S PUT THAT IN. NO, WE ALREADY PUT 25, NO MORE THAN 25 SIGNS OF ANY SIZE EXCEEDING 616 SQUARE INCHES. the non-residential districts, right? These are for commercial signs. But so I'm talking about...

The fine is only for the commercial? Yes.

Well, if that's the case... Because that's the one that's hard to get out. Usually you put the residential signs on the street. Well, even the commercial, you know what? That's what I'm saying is that our code enforcement right now is taking care of that issue. And I think that the city is not in the business of cleaning up political signs.

I think what we have to do, Mr. Attorney, is to find out if there has been a change and you can't have any kind of bond. We have to find out if that's true. And I think the other thing we have to do is just fix this issue. to read correctly and then the other thing we have to do is to. Do you want it to be personally in addition to the bond forfeiture violation of any provision shall be punishable I find a $50 per violation. So they don't have any more money left because they gave up their foreclosures so you have to go after them to collect the money.

It was residential. Now if that's not included, we don't want to let it be blighted that people don't pick up the residential. There was a mayor that he loved to give up his bond, let them pick it up. He said it was worth it to him to have the city pick it up and give up his bond.

So my point is this. We've seen signs last two weeks after the campaign or the election is over. And our code enforcement has to eventually go there and pick up the signs. I don't think that that is something that our code enforcement was meant to do. So with that said, if they don't, if they have one sign out of their 25 that was not taken out, and we had to go there to take it out for them, and usually what the code enforcement does is they do, they come and take it back and put it in the back of the building department, then you still have signs that are like you know that are on park like

I don't remember people keeping up their commercial signs. I don't remember that. But I have to tell you, if it's only commercial, I feel much stronger about it.

And here's the other thing. Putting up a bond is not taking away someone's First Amendment right. It's just that if they clean up after themselves, they get their money back. Number two, if they have less money and they can only afford four signs in the entire city, there is no bond. So I don't know how else I'm going to be so much easier. If you can afford more than four signs, you can afford a $500 bond that you will get back when you take out the signs. That's it. I felt that I was being responsible about this with my own sign. So I am going to call a question. No, I have questions. Oh, I'm

No, and also I think Vice Mayor wanted to speak. Okay. All right, so this bond, So this bond is paid by the candidate or the campaign? The candidate? No, the campaign? Okay, no, I just wanted to know if it was a personal expense or if it was a... Okay, that's what I wanted to know. Also, is this going to be effective now or in 2028? Well, I mean, it's...

We've already started putting up signs it can apply now it has to be Adopted on second reading, you know to apply it

I was asking if it was now or 2028, because I believe that 2028 is the right time to start.

All right, so can I, like, the primaries happen, and a lot of people that have lost, they're not picking up their signs. Like, can I pick them up? I mean, can I, they're bothering, they're not on my property, but they're just bothering me being out there. Right.

What if it's like on the right-of-way or something?

And I do remember that the city had this bond thing going on a few years back because I remember having a resident Yeah, I had a resident call me because Code had picked up some of their signs and they were crying. Not a resident, I'm sorry, a candidate. It was a little sign. A candidate called me hysterically many years ago and I had recommended, rest in peace, Norman Edwards to her to use as an attorney. So yeah, we did do it with the little signs. Okay, so I hate campaign signs, so I'm anti-campaign signs, but I just want to say that I was just doing a little Googling here, and so when the

All right, so can you look at Reed versus Town of Gilbert?

Yeah, but that one, if I understood correctly, says that if we allow, let's say, for sale signs for unlimited amount of time, then we have to allow the same size campaign signs for that unlimited amount of time. Mm-hmm.

Well, I mean, here it says a town cannot have a rule that allows a commercial for sale sign to sit in a lawn for six months while ordering a vote for candidate X sign to come down in two weeks. A what sign? Vote for candidate X. That may mean something, some vote taken out of context.

I'm okay with your answer. I don't want to prolong this anymore, but thank you. I'm finished with my questions.

I ask a question to Mr. Mayor, I just want to know if you if you don't if somebody did not get permission on their property. Do they call code enforcement to take it down who takes it down if they didn't get from. I'm going to take it down the correct they don't live on the not on the property they could live in Jacksonville and they own the shopping center.

There could be a lot of issues there because let's say that property is being rented or leased out, right? If a renter puts it out there and the overall property owner has an issue with it, that could be, that's internally an issue or what have you. I don't know how we get involved in that, but if it's on the property, I would assume that you can take it off if it's your property and you have full access to it.

But if you're not here, does code enforcement take it off or the person that owns the property has to get their caretaker to take it off?

I don't think code enforcement can go on somebody else's property to... I'm asking.

Because code enforcement does take down. Because I have to tell you, I had somebody who once, when I knocked on his door, he made a banner for me. $200 and put it up two stories. And I got a call from code enforcement that I had an illegal banner. We're not allowed to have banners. I said, I never bought a banner. I don't have any banners. The man bought it himself and put it up for me.

Do I have a second? Second. All right, Madam Clerk. Commissioner Jean? Yes. What?

I'm going to say no until it's corrected. Commissioner Smuggler.

You know, I'd like to say no until it's corrected, but at the same time, I don't want it to not pass. So can I vote afterwards, later? I'm going to.

I'm passing right now. Oh, that's good. Paul, see, I'm passing.

Yeah, but if I were to vote no, then it wouldn't pass.

Well, that's why I don't wanna, that's why I'm passing.

Yeah, it's called UNO, that's what it's called. UNO, we'll play UNO.

May I make a request? So for your nos, I would love for you to submit your revisions and what you'd like to see. We can't, you know what I mean? We've had this conversation before about the noise. I would ask, have the staff ask you guys what you want to see on it. and then you vote no, but then you don't contribute to it. I thought I did that here on the dais now and took up all that time.

Was it the size? Was it the commercial? I'm more than happy to do it again. No problem, Lynn. Thank you so much. I'm so happy to do it again because you're interrupting the next move. Let's keep going. Okay.

All right, that's before us. Any questions on this item?

Commissioner Smith. I'd like to know what are the penalties, and I'd like to know if we could add the penalties to this resolution. What are the penalties?

I'm not sure, like if there's a continuous speeder, can we take away their license? Is there a fine, financial fine? No, say the wake zone. Are you talking about the wake zone? Yeah, wake zone.

No, no, no, no, that's not it. Oh, no, no, no, no. That was deferred. That was deferred. We're talking about 14.3, the Reynolds Park. Oh, sorry, so sorry. Yeah, we're like, wait a minute. We're speeding. Oh, Gretel's Park. Yes. It's just an agreement.

I just want to know Gretel's Park if that pump station will affect the property that butts it. They've come before us for variances. Is it going to be right there on the property that's in North Miami Beach? And will it have an eyesore for there or anything like that where the pump's going to be? I think it's going to be right there.

are waking up in the morning looking out the window they're not looking at an eyesore so that's why we conditioned uh uh uh added that condition within the release because once you give that away i saw that you added that condition but i just didn't want to make sure it covered that yeah now that i know it's on the north side i tried to read that i couldn't figure out which was west 60 highway which was thank you very much all right and when everybody comes back they'll vote as well next item thank you oh it's an orange sorry

No, no, we're talking about resolution. No, it's a resolution. It's a resolution, yeah. It's a resolution.

Motion to approve. Motion to approve. Oh, do we have to do that before we discuss? Do I have a second?

Did she get the votes? Did you get the votes from the previous thing?

Well, we motioned to introduce. He read the stuff already, so.

All right, but for the record, I'm a yes on the previous item. Yeah, I'm a yes as well, Madam Clerk. Okay, I have a change. All right, just sit down. What?

Resolution. 14.4 resolution 2026, one 18 terminating and replacing greenspoon martyr. All right. I'll second it for discussion. Thank you.

I think it's very interesting about this because there's no right.

There's no right with this one. It's a yin and a yang. We probably have one of the best minds in political law sitting with us, and yet we have a public that is begging for change, and from every field. I mean, not just one area or the other area or the other area. They're begging for change, and I think if we really think about the public, we have to really consider that. So that's my comments for now, and I would like to hear what the other, as I always say, I'd like to hear what my other commissioners' feeling is on it.

So for me, it's more of a fiscal responsibility standpoint. It's more of that than anything else. I think our city attorney right now is costing us over a million dollars. We have somebody who is a resident who is a current city attorney for, I mean, an attorney for our CRA. And he's a resident of the city who's willing to step up and reduce that cost for us. I think that's a big thing for me right now, especially during our budget season. The manager has produced the fiscal impact of all the things that is related to this item. And I think that it's a smart financial sense for us to do that.

Thank you, Mister mayor so I'm looking at the the various resolutions that kind of piggyback on each other. I moved it to September. No, what I'm saying is the overall conversation about moving the city attorney's office in-house. So I know that there was a time where there was a conversation about taking it from being in-house because of cost and outsourcing. A number of years ago, that was the conversation and the thought process was that it was supposed to be more effective, saving us money on benefits, et cetera, et cetera. So now the conversation is about bringing it back in, which is per

Could I just clarify something, Mr. Mayor? That really wasn't the way it transitioned to be an outside firm. We had inside, we had inside, we had inside. As people left, There was two attorneys, and that attorney took over. When it came to the last inside attorney, there was advertising, we were told advertising, and nobody applied. And so it came to a firm, and the vote was in for the firm, and after the vote, I personally found out that that attorney went to work for that firm. So that's a way that we transition into getting a firm. I have to say, I actually like having an inside attorney mu

I agree, I think we have to look at what's best for North Miami Beach. Right now, like you said, having an attorney in house would mean that that person is there nine to five, right? During office hours of our city and during the function of our city, anybody who needs anything will be able to go to them face to face and get an explanation, get a legal opinion, and we would have that person dedicated to us full time. Currently, I think that having a firm is good because then we have more access to more attorneys. The thing is, I've never met any other attorney in our city apart from the two ge

Do you want to make a motion for your item?

Do you have a second? Second. Second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. All opposed? Opposed.

I want to point of privilege, Mr. Mayor. 15 point, 14.6. If we can get Mr., before we continue, I wanted to ask Mr. Manager, I'm not sure this would be through you, um have we looked at aventura sunny isles what what model they have model they have a firm they have aventura and uh sunny isles also firm no well aventura has white serota sunny house has neighbors give one

Yeah, because I know, for example, with like North Miami, their city attorney is in-house, but they model the city manager's salary.

On this issue, we have a hearing coming up regarding the Mall Lake, right? We have a trial coming up trial coming up and that and that's inclusive of it. OK.

I just want to make sure. OK. I know we don't have it. We're not. We can discuss it, but I'm just.

I just want one question. Part of this that we need to transfer was the recent, all of the recent litigation that some of the former employers left, and does that include that that's happening now?

No, ma'am. No, this is from, like, that's why I mentioned Amal Lake, because that's part of that.

But where I ask that question is, we don't even know how much that's going to be yet. Correct. That's an unknown. Correct. So is this enough money to transfer?

Okay, it's been most... All in favor say aye.

Well, that's why I asked him, Mr. Mayor. I asked him because that's what he proposed. That's what he proposed.

Second. Resolution number R2026-121. Second. Second.

One of the hardest decisions I ever had to make was just made, and I think the attorney's staying on, and I just don't think, I think it's a moot point. I mean, if there's going to be a vote on it, then I would correct it to where it says nobody can remove unclassified human resource can remove for illegal reasons. I mean, I hope that you would withdraw this because...

I THINK IT IS A MOVE POINT, BUT COMMISSIONER JEAN HAS A QUESTION, PLEASE.

THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. MR. MANAGER, WHAT WOULD BE THE OPERATING BUDGET OF THAT PARTICULAR DEPARTMENT? LIKE, FOR EXAMPLE, USUALLY A MUNICIPAL ATTORNEY DOES OUTSOURCE CERTAIN SPECIALIZED THINGS, RIGHT? OR CASES OR WHAT HAVE YOU. Did we make provisions for like when we just like economic development when we created that that that division what would be the budget for that particular because we would not just do six fifty right we would do.

So the question is, with the $650,000 plus the $100,000, so what would be the total of that department is what I'm trying to...

I agree, it's a moot point. That being said, do we need a motion to move past this?

I just wanna ask, so we are completely against bringing the attorney in-house, is that what we're saying? We have an attorney.

Yeah, we have an attorney. We have an attorney.

No, but I mean like if we're planning for moving this attorney in-house, commissioners, I mean, sorry, Vice Mayor Fleurimond said that these things, like if we wanna bring it in-house, it takes a while. It takes a study.

Look, for me, Why would you take a study, though? Well, because I don't think this is that what was presented to us is sufficient enough to show what the current makeup would need to, one, bring out the legal, the legal framework for that particular department. I think this is enough at all. I think this was a I think this is more of like a it didn't go to the granular. I think there's aspects outside outside counsel. I think it goes into benefits and a bunch of other things that I don't think we're taking consideration. And that takes time because even when we did the solicitation before, bec

Yeah, because the only ones that applied were firms. Because under those parameters, it doesn't make economic sense. That's what I'm saying.

So I don't think this... Well, I just wanted to point out something. If we were able to... If we're paying whatever we're paying Greenspoon Martyr and we pay an in-house team, we would get more people. Right now, the 650 is... That's one thing. The other thing is that we have... There's so many conflicts of interest. I'll let you chime in. No, I mean, I'm talking about him. But I was gonna say that we, I think that, I lost my train of thought. I'm sorry. Where were we? I think that if we are planning for that, there's too many conflicts of interest when there are firms. If we had, let's say we

All right. Let's withdraw that. Next item.

Can we do a move point? I would like to do it separately because I have a question on one of them. All right. We'll do it separately, Madam Clerk.

Madam Clerk, separately the appointments.

I'm sorry. We didn't make a motion to approve.

I just want to make sure that, you know, there's no issue. Yes. Okay.

Why does he look at me when he says that?

All right, so I've actually, so I'm the chair of the Commission of Status of Women, and I had a few of the commission, the COSW members approach me about renewing them, but... Because of the... But because, are we for sure certain that we cannot have the Commission of Status of Women? Okay, so would it be... And we don't have any meetings or events coming up anymore.

Do you? No. Wait, weren't you a part of the multicultural youth? Yeah, but yes. The commission said it doesn't have any other stuff?

Commission said it does not have any more meetings or any more events until ever. So would it be a mute point to a point? I mean, I don't have a problem.

Well, one thing I would suggest, you know what I would suggest? Since we have a lot of these clubs that are, I mean, these boards that might, will have to sunset, there should be some, an opportunity to thank the service given to them. And we should be able to do that. Because like the status of women, multicultural, because it's not our fault this is happening. And we have the least, we should have a cold, like an appreciation for these, for all these people that volunteer their time. We could disperse. I think we should still appoint them because they're members and they have.

All right. I mean, it's only for three months.

But I don't know if you guys want to direct management to create some type of event to thank them for the boards that will be sunsetting as a result of this particular bill. Commission status of women, multicultural.

But I think if we approve her, some of those could be dispersed to other boards, like they can come to the seniors.

No, I'm not denying it, but just think. I mean, she's coming to the library board, and obviously I'm a yes for that. I just don't know if we should just. She'll go down as one of the last members of the board. All right, that's fine.

But I still think we should do something to thank them. Absolutely. Do we need a motion to do that? Or you just have the direction? All right. Next, are you fine?

Are we appointing? Yeah, no, I'm okay to appoint. Okay, good. That's a point.

The appointing Virginia Freedlove to the library board. I don't have that one. Yes, number 16.3. 16.3.

OK 16 alter that was my question alter he's an amazing man and he's I'm always been involved in North my beach, but he didn't put on this application which board because I had suggested that the number you have to get what we have to do tonight it's beautification. Yeah, it was beautification. That's just for tonight.

It's very confusing. It does say it somewhere. But I know I read every word. I had to read it.

Oh, okay. No, but it does say beautification somewhere.

I thought he was going to be moved to approve. Second second. Hi. Thank you. Motion to adjourn. Second. No, you have to appoint the vice mayor, which is me.

That's what I said. You were the first. Congrats.

We did already. I told you that I voted something I didn't even hear.

Okay, let's do this. Motion. I want to make the motion to appoint. Motion to appoint Commissioner Phyllis Smith as vice mayor.