City Commission - Regular Meeting

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Heat. Heat. Please take your seats. The meeting is about to begin. Remember to speak into the microphone [music] as this meeting is being recorded for public record. Please stand by. We are going on air in 5 4 3 2 1.

Good morning and welcome to the February 19th public safety and neighborhood quality of life committee. I'm Alex Fernandez, the chair of the committee. Uh joined by our vice chair, Commissioner Laura Dominguez, uh and our vice mayor, Monica Matel Selenas. I believe we have our alternate member Tanya Ba, our commissioner Tanya Ba on the line as well. I'm going to uh pass um I'm going to recognize Stephanie Ray Brooks uh to guide us through the public notification.

Good morning. Today's public safety, neighborhoods, and quality of life control meeting is a hybrid meeting. The members of the committee will be physically present at the commission chambers. Members of the public who wish to attend this meeting or provide public comment in person may appear at the commission chambers. Members of the public who want to participate or provide comment virtually during the meeting may join via webinar or Zoom. All right. Thank you, Stephanie. Uh, we have a printed agenda. We're going to follow the agenda as printed and and as published. And before we go into the the uh public forum into this uh sund citizens forum, I'll just take a moment of personal privilege uh to to thank Mayor Miner for trusting us uh in serving in serving in this in this committee that has done important work and will continue to do important work. Uh so thank you for the trust placed in us. Uh in that we're going to open up uh the Sunday uh citizens forum. Residents and members of the public wishing to speak will have two minutes to speak. Feel free to approach the p the podium or if you're on Zoom feel free to raise your hand. With that, Matthew, welcome. Please state your name for the record. You have two minutes.

Okay. Good morning. Uh good morning chair, chairperson, good morning committee members. My name is Matthew Galtanov and first I want to thank the chair commissioner Alex Fernandez for creating this new public comment period during this committee meeting. I'm here today to flag an issue that's germanine to public safety and quality of life even though it's not on today's agenda. A single commissioner's proposed cancellation next week buried on the consent agenda of the North Meridian Avenue shared use path. a priority one link in the city's long-term transportation master plan. As the city's capital improvements director, David Gomez, said at the virtual project meeting, the main purpose of this project is to fulfill one of the gaps in our pedestrian and bicycle master plan. Bike riding, whether pedal bikes, ebikes, or other microobility, continues to grow in the city. The city's own counter data data on Meridian Avenue, where bike lanes were built, indicates about 1,000 riders a day. That's parents, kids, grandparents, neighbors, and service workers. Sadly, Florida leads the nation in the number of bicyclists killed, not only in the raw count, but also in the per capita. And this project is about safety, comfort, and connectivity. Personally, I and many others use Meridian Avenue to get to places like the Scott Rayal Youth Center and Beayhore Park. Kids use it to ride to Nautilus Park and service workers ride from North Beach down to South Beach. It's how many people move around our city. The project The proposal continues a troubling trend of killing long planned and vetted bicycle network projects. It also feels like a repeat of the debacle on 34th Street and Chase Avenue. So now is the time to nip this in the bud, save time and resources, and send a clear message that Miami Beach is serious about implementing our bicycle master plan. a critical many amenity for thousands of people who ride every day

to get around. My ask is simple. Please commit to not only pulling this item from the consent agenda, but to a clear and public process designed to move these projects forward while addressing legitimate concerns. Thank you. Thank you, Matthew. Any other members of the public present in the chambers wishing to speak? Seeing none on Zoom. Any members on Zoom? Any members of the public? And seeing [clears throat] I see Mitch Novik uh you have your hand raised and there is anyone else on Zoom wishing to speak feel free to re to raise your hand. Uh Mitch, good morning. Welcome. You have two minutes to speak.

Good morning. I want to echo the same comments as the previous speaker. Thank you for having a citizens forum for this committee. Uh regarding bike lanes, I'm an avid cyclist, been so uh all of my life. Uh the new bike lane, the cycle track, which was added to Jefferson Avenue, uh the fire department has stated publicly that they believe it's too wide. It should be uh considerably uh less in terms of its uh width. And it has uh tremendously impacted uh a street where I managed where I've managed the building for over 30 years. Uh I think the these cycle tracks uh need to be uh considerably uh revised in terms of implementation that at least that one once again it's too wide and thank you.

Thank you Mitch. Uh any other members of the public present wishing to speak please approach the podium state your name for the record and you have two minutes. Good morning.

Morning. Sorry I'm a little late to walked in. I missed the first 15 minutes of Sutnik, but uh Kevin Krueger, 9-year resident, Miami Beach, and um uh advocate for sports tourism, um which I think is a prospective solution to, you know, some public safety issues. About 6 years ago, I came in here and I encouraged the city to deploy its local fitness and wellness uh sports coaches, instructors alongside of our amazing police department to satisfy and start attracting uh safe, healthy, aspirational, affluent tourism. And uh I think that we're I I love what we're doing lately, expanding parks. Um, I still have so much to explore in the city, but then also I'd like to bring and attract um a really dynamic uh special event in March 2028 in particular after we've got our convention center hotel and would be worthy of international conferences descending upon this city. And uh so stay tuned for Miami Athletic Association to sit with you all economic development team and start aggregating all the talent in this county to bring a worldass uh annual event. So uh any of you can reach out to me Miami Athletic Association Gmail. I think some of you have my cell phone and so on. So I'm available to help.

Thank you. I'm going to have my aid Carver Petrella uh connect with you now. Um Nicole, you have your hand raised on Zoom. Welcome. You have two minutes to speak.

Hi. Uh good morning. My name is Paul Demory. I'm on my wife's computer. I'm a resident of Miami Beach. I live at 2145 Meridian. And I just want to put on record that the committee should be aware that this proposed bike path on Meridian is very different than any other bike path uh in Miami Beach and that it runs along the length of two golf holes which put people who would be using the path in direct danger of being hit by balls that fly across Meridian constantly. In addition, uh there's a bike path on Prairie which runs parallel to Meridian. So, it doesn't seem to me that there needs to be a bike path that goes to the exact same place. Um, and finally, [clears throat] uh, there is actually a, uh, neighborhood coalition of, I think more than 75 people, uh, on who live on Meridian who are against this and will be, uh, reaching out to the various public departments in the very near future. And I just wanted to put that on record. Thank you.

Thank you. Any other members of the public attending in person? wishing to speak. I see Johan has uh his hand raised on Zoom. Good morning. Welcome.

Good morning, commissioners. Uh [clears throat] and uh thank you. Uh I want to echo earlier comments. Thank you for this alternative sutnik hour. Uh I am anticipating it [clears throat] will be a more respectful uh sutnic hour toward the public uh than the other one is on occasion. Uh since there has been a lot of discussion about the shortcomings of the Jefferson Avenue bike lane, I would point out that the primary shortcoming that I have heard from multiple residents is in fact that the city chose for presumably very good financial reasons to not uh put one lane on each side of the avenue because apparently it would have doubled the cost. I believe that that is what in fact uh the commissioners here uh should keep in mind as a way to improve the Jefferson Avenue uh bike path. I am in principle supportive of extending bike paths throughout the city, but there may in fact be uh situations such as flying golf balls that would uh require either relocating or in fact putting in some kind of protective measures such as the nets that we see adjacent to baseball fields. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Any other members of the public wishing to speak? Seeing none online. Any other members of the public in person wishing to speak? With that, we're going to close um the Sonic Citizens Forum. Um Mr. um Mr. attorney, if we could add a a referral to the to um next week's agenda regarding that Jefferson Avenue path so that we can get input uh from from the fire department, whether they they do have any safety concerns or not uh about it, whether any tweaks need to be made. I think we value the bicycle path and the amenity it is for the safety uh for for for residents. Um but but if the fire department has any concerns, I would want to hear them. So we could add a referral on the city commission agenda to this committee on that Jefferson Avenue uh bicycle path.

Uh yes, sir. We can add that as an addendum. Thank you. Thank you. Uh with that, uh colleagues, um there are four reports on on today's uh agenda. Um I think we've we all got our briefings. We all read the reports. Um, I want to bifurcate the report, report number three, which is the status update on the fifth street pedestrian bridge. Um, with a bifurcation of that one, can we adopt a motion accepting the recommendations and the updates in reports one, two, and four? I'd like to hear an update on the convention center.

Okay. All right. So, can we then just accept the updates in uh reports two and four? Can we show that by acccommation? Yes. Yes. Okay. All right. So, with that, uh, let's go to report number one. Stephanie, you can read that into the record. Report number one is update on timeline for construction of Miami Beach Convention Center Hotel and anticipated opening date. And we have TA Vieira. Thank you, Commissioner Dominguez. This is your item. You've you've had this on the on the agenda. Um, you're recognized.

Uh, thank you. Uh during my briefing they mentioned that um it's going on schedule ahead of schedule and I just wanted uh to reconfirm some specifics on dates that were told to me and Tais if you could provide an update. Good morning [clears throat] Tais Vier the city liazison for the commission center hotel project. We have here today with us Hector Mel from um the development team and he can provide more specific information on dates. Good morning Hector. Nice.

Thank you. Um as far as like you were saying the the project right now is on track is on schedule. Um the next 30 days we're just continue with the structure. We're on the fifth floor and we're going to move on sixth floor and continue on. But the the the major milestone is going to be the structural steel trusses that are going to be put in place in March. So, next week we're going to start erecting a big uh crawler crane out there and and starting to put those major those major pieces in place for the for the ballroom. When is the expected topping off? The expected topping off is in June of this year. End of June. Yes, correct. Let me just double check that. Uh July. July 16th. Sorry. That's amazing.

Yeah. So, we're on track. We're we're fighting a couple weather days, but we're we're we're we're on track. Right. Great, great news. And that's why I wanted to check because it was my briefing was quick. And when I was told it was July of this year, I was like already? Yep. Yeah. We have 18 months. We have 18 months to complete it. The Tower Foundation completed in October of last year. Correct. Uh we're by the fifth floor, the top out in July, and the hotel opening late of 27. Late 2027. Right. Right. Right now, November 15th. We have late. All right. With that, Commissioner Dominguez, can we accept this update? Yes. Thank you. Uh, let's move on to report number three.

Report number three is a monthly update on the status of the Fifth Street Pedestrian Bridge, the Mandrin Hotel, Miridor Condominium Baywalk Project. This item is going to be presented by CIP. Okay. Thank you, Stephanie. Commissioner Dominguez, this is your item, but I wanted to just ask a a number of few questions on this. Um because my understanding is that certificate of occupancy certificate of completion was issued um by the building department uh for the portions behind the building.

Yes, it was. It was uh I'm sorry, David Gomez, director of CIP. Um the certificate of occupancy or the certificate of completion was issued by the building department late November, beginning of December of 25. Um we've been going through and doing some punch list walkthroughs as in the in the capacity of the owner. We've cited a couple of items that we've asked the developer to address such as the locking me mechanism at the gate and some additional items that were pending particularly. But how significant are those items? They're relatively minor. You're telling me locking mechanism at the gate? That seems like a very minor thing that's holding up the opening of of something that is already completed. Yeah, it is very

and it would it not be feasible to open uh this this portion while we still do some of these uh you know minor fixes? We can. The issue with the lock is that we want to make sure that when the Baywalk is is closed that the lock functions properly from the outside but still allows people to exit should somebody be in there when So we're holding up this public infrastructure over a lock. It It's just a matter of public safety so that people can get out. I understand it's a public safety situation, but we're talking about a lock. Yes. And whose responsibility is to change that lock? The developer needs to make sure that And who is the developer? I think the locksman changes it today.

I'm sorry. I think the locksman changes it today. The the lock in in essence the concern was that people that went in couldn't come out, but there's a panic hardware which they should be able to get out. So, I don't think there's much of an issue. But we changed the lock to a keyed lock versus a coded lock. Okay. So, this has been completed by our building department and by everyone since November of last year and we are now February 20th. So, you know, we're talking it's 4 months already uh that something has been completed and the infrastructure is not available to the public's benefit over something that seems very [clears throat] simple to be fixed. Hector,

it was fixed as soon as it it was fixed. It's fixed. I mean, it was I I don't believe it was an issue to hold up the opening, but Okay. So, there's more issues. I think

we we will have staff go look at it today and and if everything's fine, we'll open it. I would like to get a an update in my office, a report regarding this later this afternoon, please. Um, what's what's going on with uh what's the status of the pedestrian bridge at Fifth Street? We had a groundbreaking a year ago. Um, and I got complaints from residents that even though we had a groundbreaking a year ago, we have not seen progress with this project. So, what what is going on here? if and and Alice Bravo is here from from the developer's office that she'll give more detail. The the truth is that there has been progress. A lot of it is hard to see because it's underground. For example, the developer has completed their scope in utility relocations such as water manes and force mains and other things that has been done beginning a couple of months ago when they were began the test piles for the installation of the foundations. they struck an unknown utility. Um, and in those couple of months, we've been working to number one, figure out which utility it was. It turns out it was FPL. Uh, number two, figure out the exact location because it wasn't shown on any of the asbuilts. Um, and that process has been ongoing. FPL has come out, done a couple of rounds of what they call locates, which is identifying the location of where their lines are. Um, for context, this is a distribution duck bank that provides electricity to most of the south of Fifth neighborhood. So, it's a large infrastructure. Um, and we've been looking at number one, identifying exactly where it is and number two, what we can do if we need to to design around it. And I'll ask uh Alice to give us an update.

Good morning everyone. Alice Bravo, Alice Bravo and Associates working with Terra on the bridge. Um, you know, I under state law, uh, anyone that's going to dig or excavate is supposed to call 811 and each utility company is supposed to come out and and mark their utilities. And over the course of this project, these FPNL high voltage deep underground board lines have been identified three different times and each time they've been identified in a different location. Um, so there there was an initial marking from several years ago. Um, as the project was getting ready to the point of digging, um, a a fresh update was requested and that marked the lines uh, further south. So the bridge was actually redesigned based on that second round of markings. Um, and when we went out to basically dig a pilot hole, a meth method shaft, um, that's when one of the lines was struck. So everything stopped at that point as required by state law. The utility company was contacted as required. Um they they came out once again. Um they acquired a new piece of equipment and now they have now remarked those FPO lines that are probably 35 to 40 ft deep um in the location.

So okay. So let me I just want to make sure I I understand this. So in order to move forward with the project, there has to be some digging done. And in order to be able to do that digging, the developer or drilling, not digging, drilling, um the developer needs asurances, certain level of asurances of where certain critical infrastructure is located. And that critical infrastructure being high voltage lines that are coming into the city that belong to FPL. Is that correct? Correct. Okay. Final layman's precious.

Okay. And so you guys did your due diligence of reaching out to FPL. FPL sent their contractor USCI FPNL personnel was present in the [snorts] field. I don't know if they themselves. Okay. And they identified a location where they believed where these lines were at. Right. PJ, do we have the image that I sent you? And so the location that they identified was the dark pink on the top. That dark pink was the original corridor marked several years ago. Okay.

Um the orange corridor that was marked in 2024 as we were getting ready to really break ground. Um and then that's when we we struck. Um so in that purple area to the right where we were outside of the peach zone, that's that's where we struck an because you couldn't you couldn't drill in the orange zone. Correct. because that's where the infrastructure was running based on what FPPL had indicated to the developer. Correct. And that's what triggered design.

And so then since you couldn't drill in that orange portion, you went north and you were drilling in that in the vicinity of that purple portion south. Yes. and and and when you guys were doing that, you guys hit infrastructure that shouldn't have been there had the information that FPL provided you been accurate. Correct. Correct. Okay, Mr. Director. Yes, sir.

How do we handle this? Because to me, this is critical infrastructure and I get concerned. Not only is it it's critical infrastructure for the city and then from a safety perspective here we have a a someone that is doing a project by the way it's a GB project. This pedestrian bridge is a GOB project so it's a project for the city being done by by by this private developer. Um and it's a safety situation. Someone could get killed. Correct.

Someone could get killed by the misinformation that is being provided by FPL. um and the electrical grid coming into the city could be impacted as well. So, what leverage would we have as a city to be able to address this? Because ultimately, if you're coming out three different times and you're giving us three different locations and those three locations are wrong, if I'm the developer that has to do that drilling or if I'm the guy that's on the machine doing that drilling, I'm not going to trust that third location. You've already given me three long wrong locations. I'm not putting my life on the line

or the electrical infrastructure of the city on on the line, you know. So tell us what leverage do we have with FPL to [clears throat] get them to certify that a location is correct or even to get them to come in and do this drilling something something to provide some assurance um here as recently as Monday uh Tara met with FPL FPL provided them their latest information on the locations. Uh, as part of that discussion, FPL offered to perform another round of locates to confirm what they have now, just to be sure that they're in the right location and that everything is accurate. Um, that, as Alice stated, FPL did go out and purchase new equipment that is supposed to be much more accurate than what they had before so that they could identify these lines. Um, as a result of that meeting, FPL, I think they offered to do the relocates. Um, and the developer was going to go back to the designer to see if in fact we could even build the foundations as designed or if more revisions needed to be uh made to accommodate the the locations as identified. Now,

I'm sorry, if I could add, we would need a reconfirmation that the purple corridor is correct, but we also need confirmation that the original corridors are clear or else there's nowhere to land the bridge. And and if I could add on that call, FPL also said they would they would not certify the asbills. They would not I'm sorry that FPL stated they would not certify the O as that they just they just do that. Yeah. So, but that is you see that there is a problem that they would not certify

these corridors. It's a problem because if if they would have come out once or twice, but this is this is three times that that that has that everyone has been provided with inaccurate in information. Um, and so how can anyone move forward with any certainty that we're not putting someone's life in jeopardy and that we're not affecting the electrical grid for the entire city? Mr. Manager, at the last city commission meeting, we approved certain easements for Florida Power and Light. And this is a question as well to uh to to the city attorney. Have we executed those easements?

I'm not I I'm not sure if those have been signed off, but we can check and make sure today. Okay. This came up in my briefing and I asked about this in my briefing and I I want answers when I have the briefing. Yes sir.

So what I want is if those have not been executed I want to put them back on the agenda for next week and I want FPL at the table. Um because we need to hold our leverage. We need to hold our leverage wherever we have it. Um, is there a possibility given given the given how important this infrastructure is, the infrastructure coming into the city from from FPPL rather than have the developer do the drilling? Can FPL do the drilling?

It's they're not they're not set up for that. They're not geared up for that. Um, they don't do they don't [snorts] do structural work. So I I've never heard it done, but I

So So I think I think we need to just consider whatever options we have, whatever leverage we we have. FPL has always been a good partner. Uh we've always worked very well with with FPL, whether it's on public infrastructure that we're doing or whether it be private uh private projects, we've always worked very well with with FPL, but we need them at the table. We need them present cooperating with this because this is not just a developers project. This is a general obligation bond project. This is something that the voters of the city approved and this is a bridge that now has been on hold for a year and we need to move forward with. So, um, if necessary and if the if the documents haven't been executed yet, let's put them for possible reconsideration, a minimum discussion at the next city commission meeting. And hopefully uh, Hector, Alice, you guys can be present and hopefully FPL's representatives can be present as well so that hopefully we can find some sort of common ground on how to move forward uh, with this.

So, I'm being told that they have not been executed, sir. Well, so let's place them. Let's let's put them as an add-on to next week's city commission agenda. Uh because this is important infrastructure uh that we need to move forward from. I don't know if uh colleagues uh Commissioner Monica Matel Selenus. Thank you, Mr. Chair. David, I have a question for you. Um, and I'm I'm about to open a can of worms, but I've been approached by multiple residents that live in that area that there's now a push for the bridge to be moved to go underneath the causeway instead of over. Um, how feasible is this? Realistically,

this was discussed years ago. In order to achieve the required headroom to get under the the bridge, the walkway would have to go way out into the bay. Um, so it just wasn't at that time it was it was not feasible. It didn't make sense to do it that way. So I appreciate that. Um, how many years ago was this? 2018 was the geo bond and it was before that that we were looking at the bridge. Is it too late to revisit that?

It's never too late to revisit anything. I don't believe that the circumstances have changed that would all of a sudden make it more feasible. Okay, fair enough. Um because if we can if we can make the the Baywalk and create that, I don't know why it would be so hard to create something similar under the bridge and then we could avoid all of this FPL because we don't need infrastructure there to make stairs to go over the bridge. Um so I'd like to meet with you to to look at this a little bit. Absolutely. Happy to. And additionally, I guess my biggest concern with it going over the causeway is what's the height there that the bridge is going to be at? The pedestrian bridge to the top or the bottom?

To the bottom. So, if we have a It's 14 ft 16. DOT mandates are 16 and a half food per and and typical you know semis that come over that need to you know that have a large supply of food and beverage that go to our you know there what's the height of those semis there those are easily accommodated it's an FDOT standard and anything so there's no risk of anything no construction equipment that has a hook on it that they don't wind down nothing's going to grab on that bridge and cause some type of

accident where things exceed the normal sizes, then they're required to do special permits and special routing for oversized vehicles. So, no, that wouldn't be an issue in the case where an operator left the hook up. That's a different issue, right? You're talking you're talking about the disaster scenario where somebody didn't do what they were supposed to do. Yeah. Right. Exact the the random probably will never happen, but you never know scenario. Yes, that's what I'm And then structurally the the bridge is made out of what material? So, concrete pre-stressed beams.

Okay. Okay. Well, that makes me feel a little bit better, but still it would be pretty bad if something hit the bridge. I mean, just in terms of all the traffic surrounding it and Okay. So, David, let's meet because this is I've been approached by multiple residents that live in that area and they're going building by building and getting building support. And so, I just want to meet with you to talk about it. And and meanwhile while we you know and that's what happens when projects like these pause you know people go there's got to be a better way and there might be a better way. So you know headway or not I mean we were able to build out a whole platform on Indian Creek for the boat show like that. So um and I know I know it's more involved right but if we can do it for the the the Baywalk we maybe can do it here. So thank you. That's all.

Thank you. Um, I see Commissioner Magazine is joining us on Zoom and he has his hand raised. Commissioner, good morning. Welcome.

I appreciate it, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for everybody's uh attention focus on this project. I started getting involved here uh before my daughter was born, envisioning that I'd be able to walk her across this overpass to South Point Elementary uh by the time she was in kindergarten, and she's now uh she just had her ninth birthday party, and we're certainly no closer to seeing that happen. I I'm asking the the project team and our city staff to be very forthcoming and speak in very clear English what this means for the timeline and perhaps even feasibility for this project. Because in speaking with the development team, from what I understand, just having to navigate the relocation of these utilities and a redesign could push this project back by another year. And that's our best case scenario. Um, I don't want to put words in people's mouths, but I'm getting the sense that there's actually some concern about the feasibility of the project as a whole right now. So, if we can speak in very clear English to set very clear expectations, don't tell us what we want to hear, tell us what the reality is. because I don't want to sit here and say, "Oh, we'll come back in 3 months and there's more updates and we just keep kicking that can down the road." We need to be able to speak clearly and plainly to our residents in terms of what expectations are. So please talk about where we are right now under the best case scenario what this does to our timelines and then let's talk about what the benchmark or base case uh scenarios are what those mean for timelines and talk about the feasibility of the project as a whole. So thank you very much.

So I'll let uh the developer speak a little more to timeline. What I can respond is that it is a little premature to say exactly what the delay will be because we don't know yet if the structure needs to be res redesigned, if there's an alternative on relocating the duck bank or if the duck bank needs to stay where it is. There's there's a couple of different things we're looking at that will influence that timeline. as I stated in my uh you see I from and and I'll tell you and I'm sorry to interrupt you David to me redesign would be I feel wouldn't be right because FPL is a utility

and we start creating the precedent that if FPL is not able to identify where their utility is running that we're going to come in and now start to redesign things. I mean it it it is a an incredibly I believe irresponsible and horrible president to set um you know they they've they have new technology. this is their infrastructure and it's critical infrastructure and when you have critical infrastructure like that I would say it pretty is it pretty much is your responsibility to know exactly to the minutiae of detail of where this critical infrastructure that electrifies our city is located if I may.

Yeah. So we've already we've already redesigned the foundations which is tying it all back together. This is the reason why the delays on permitting have been occurring. We still don't have an FDOT permit because we've had to redesign the structure, the foundations twice because of all this. So now, if we did it again, we would have to obviously stop FDOT again and and redesign foundations. We right now in construction, we're showing close to a year delay, right? So on top of all the other delays, on top of all the other delays, well complete on construction, we've been at a dead stop since November. I sent everybody home and I told them I'm not we're not drilling anything until we know this.

All right. So, we're gonna colleagues if we if we all agree on Commissioner Magazine uh if you if you agree as well, you know, I would say there was Eastman said the city approved the last city commission meeting for FPL. Um and we have and and again I'll say FPL has been a great partner to the city. We work so closely on so many projects, our capital projects in included and whenever there's an issue we all come together. we we find solutions forward. Um but Mr. Mr. Mr. Attorney and Mr. Manager, I want to place these easements for discussion uh back on the agenda for next week. Um so we can have a broader discussion with FPL. uh bring them into the building and have a discussion with Hector, with Alice, with David Gomez about how we find a solution uh for this where we don't continue just saying, "Okay, here's where the infrastructure sit. We start doing work and we hit a pipe and then oh no, it's 25 ft over this way and then you start going 25 ft and then you hit again another infrastructure and then you got to go another 25 ft." And what's going to happen and the worst thing that could happen is that because of that we lose the life of a construction worker and that'll be the worst situation that could happen uh because of the uncertainty uh over over critical infrastructure that FPL should absolutely know where it's running. So with that can we

so are you asking um Mr. Chair for this to go back for as a discussion item or go back as a possible motion to reconsider? I I think I think we need to have a discussion item to discuss whether we want to reconsider reconsider these. But let's take care of that. Let's let's put it on the agenda as as a discussion item. We can always make a motion to uh during that discussion to uh to to bring those easements up for reconsideration. Uh if we need to and use whatever leverage we have to to start the engines moving again on this on this bridge. is can we all agree on this by acclamation? Yes.

Mr. Chair, I would support a motion to reconsider. Right. And that would have to happen at at at the commission. So hopefully Okay. Hope hopefully FPL is listening to this to to this conversation and understands the serious concerns that three members of this committee uh a colleague of ours commissioner magazine that we all have expressed about this and the importance of this project. So all right with that uh we can uh thank you guys uh for joining us on this item. Thank you. All right. So, the next item, uh, item number one, Stephanie, if you could read that into the record. Item number one is discuss adding benches and shade areas of Beayhore Park.

All right. Uh, colleagues, uh, the, uh, staff has issued a positive recommendation to add, uh, these benches and shade areas of the park. Can we accept, uh, staff's recommendation and move it back to the commission with a favorable recommendation? Second. Okay. So, moved by commission by Commissioner Mat Selenas, seconded by Commissioner uh Dominguez. With that, we can move item number one back with a favorable uh recommendation. Item number two. Item number two is discuss the placement of wayfinding signage at Beayshore Park to improve access to amenities.

Colleagues, uh the report from the administration shows that this work has been completed. So, with that, can we close this item? Yes. Okay. With that, let's show the item closed. Item number three. Okay. Discuss take action regarding installing anformational plaque for the banyan tree at Beayore Park in the city of Miami Beach. All right. So, the so the administration uh has issued a favorable recommendation for the installation of this plan. Can we move it back to the full commission with a favorable recommendation? Yes. All right. Uh with that, we can move that forward with a favorable recommendation by by acclamation. Uh item number four.

Item number four is discuss and take action on the funding and construction of four lighted pickle ball courts at Beayore Park. All right, Commissioner Dominguez, this is your item. Um I I have some concerns with some questions and concerns about the item. I don't know if you want to talk about the item up here. Item number four. Yes.

[snorts]

Okay. Um, so when I had my briefing, I was told that there would be two locations that would not impact residents with light and sound. It is 800,000 plus. So, it's something that I would like to put in the uh capital improvement future projects uh so that it's on the list. Okay. Um, I don't know. Um, we have a lot of of new pickle ball courts that we've added around the city. Like for example, I know uh at the Miami Beach Golf Club, um, we have pickle ball courts that we've added there. Yes. And those are open till very late at night. Is that correct? Yes.

You know, I I love the idea of it, Commissioner Dominguez. Um, this park just opened. It's a beautiful park. It's what, three decades? People were waiting for this park for three decades and it's just completed. The construction has ended. Finally, the construction has ended. Can we see how the park does over the next few months? Um, and you know, and give the park an opportunity to settle in and then rec have a conversation about this a little bit later. Um, I like to leave it on because the uh consideration is for the next five years. So, it's not something that it's asking for it for this year or for next year. It's a consideration and if it's something that as the park uh opens and um we can see how it's doing uh we could withdraw it, but I just don't want um it to lose its place if I wait.

Okay. So, you want to keep it on the committee here? Oh, not on the committee. Uh, move it out of committee to commission so that it could be put for consideration for the future. Okay. Uh, Commissioner Bod, I see you have your hand raised. Good morning. Welcome.

Good morning. Thank you. Um, I, you know, I share your concerns, Commissioner Fernandez, that, um, we've built a lot of new pickle ball courts around the city. I understand where Commissioner Dominguez is coming from and just as a kind of a placeholder. I am not super supportive of taking park space, green space out of that park and and paving it over. I would be much more inclined and and supportive of of having some of the tennis courts be dual purpose um and let the parks department um [clears throat] find a way to manage the time. We we do that in other places around the city where it's flips between pickle ball and tennis and and um you know rather than taking away green space. So, uh, I know I'm not a voting member, um, but I wanted to just share those thoughts with you. Um, thanks.

But, Commissioner, you are a member, you're an altered member, and all members of the city commission are are always welcome to the committee. So, so thank you for sharing that impact that that um that the feedback. Um, John, uh, have we looked at the feasibility, it was ever contemplated, of striping the tennis courts? We have and one thing we've learned is if we did stripe them for for different uses, there would need to be a lot of times where it's set up for pickle ball and where it's set up for for tennis. Um because having a portable net and things like that, it just leads to to not a well-ran operation. The other concern is these these courts these go back decades in the plan were were set for Miami Beach High School also to use as their home courts because Flamingo is all clay courts. They play on hard courts. So there may be some concern about having multiple striping on a competitive high school court. I don't have the answer to that. That would be one of my concerns to look into. for recreation, it's fine. But when you're talking about a tournament or a high school match, you know, those lines could be confusing to to players, but we we can look at it. However, you know, when we we took those tennis courts away from Miami Beach Golf Club, we made them pickle ball. We took that one court from Polo Park, made it pickball, and that was doing the right thing, right? We're sh we're sharing space. It was always, but don't worry, tennis players, you're getting your hard courts back at

Beayshore. Mhm. So, I will certainly look into it and we want to offer as much as we can as have much variety as we can. I would just I'm a little hesitant to make a commitment in front of you today that I have the solution to that.

So, um Commissioner Dominguez, since since your plan is to keep it on a five-year planning document um and you know to to study the feasibilities and see how is it feasible to be budgeted, is it is it not feasible to be budgeted? Um and it's not something that we would be implementing now. It's just you know starting I guess it's more like a the bureaucratic process of putting it into the capital program uh to to study it that I would be fine with for as long as it's not a commitment that we are going to actually construct this because I just want to see what does the public tell us about the park? How is the space being used? What is it offering well and what is it not offering that the public is the one that's telling us that's that's missing there? What other if we're going to get uh space that's currently green space and use it for something else? Well, you know, we have a lot of pickle ball courts throughout the city. You know, is there a desire for a community garden? Is there a desire for something else? I would want to have a broader exploration of what could we offer that is not being offered to the residents of the city right now and most certainly I would want to get the input of the of the surrounding neighborhood that has been so hands-on over the decades of the planning of this of this park. So, so if if if we're talking just, you know, moving it along through process as it relates just to have it in the pipeline for discussion, I'm fine with that while we do leg work without committing to any uh implementation at this time. Is that for is that comfortable?

Uh yeah, that sounds fine to me. Okay, John, is that good with you? Yes, and I will absolutely look into is there anything we could do with those six courts that we have? Okay. All right. I see Lori uh with her hand raised on Zoom. Good morning, Lori. Welcome.

Can you guys hear me? I've never done this before. Actually, I'm usually there. Yes. Good morning. If you could just state your full name for the record.

This is Lori Neer and I'm the operator at Miami Beach Tennis Center on 72nd Street as well as the operator of the Beayshore Park Tennis Center that has been converted from a pilot. So, I just want to mention that we have two hard courts over at Miami Beach Tennis Center. And when we didn't have Miami Beach Golf Course, I did stripe them for pickle ball. So, that has been done and we are able to uh offer pickle ball classes, pickle ball private lessons, um and curated open play at our tennis center, which has been very successful. But there is a lot of complaint by the tennis players that they do get boxed out because the pickle ballers really they they want to play and so we've had to kind of compromise on some aspects of things. It does create conflict between the two groups. They're not known to function so much in unison in terms of what they want to do. So, I would like this to have further conversation about how it would affect the Beach High tennis team because it it will affect the Beach High tennis team. So, I just want to be included in that discussion if possible since I probably have the most experience when it comes to this stuff.

Thank you, Lori. Thank you. And and and the item on the agendas for the construction of new courts and the question to to the director was as an alternative to constructing new courts, would it be feasible to do striving? Clearly, you know, the school is using it as well. So, we don't want to box anyone out. So, with that, uh the recommendation of the of of the committee, Commissioner Dominguez, would be to allow this to continue in a 5-year planning uh process, not necessarily meaning a uh uh a direct implementation now, but allowing us and staff the opportunity to study feasibilities.

That sounds good. And if the results of the study show that it's something that needs to be pushed up, then we can um revisit that at that time. Okay. Is that good direction for the administration? Get your feedback. All right. Great. With that, uh we can move to item number five.

Item number five is explore the use of temporary structures such as mini parks or pop-up seedings to activate underutilized public spaces. Commissioner uh magazine uh if you are still on Zoom and I see you are still on Zoom. Uh would you like to present your item and Okay. Well, uh I'll recognize you uh John so you can recognize so that you can present the item.

All right. So, thank you. Yes, we um we took a look into this item and when you look at underutilized space, you know, within the parks system itself, we really don't have underutilized space because if it's open, it's usually designed to be open, unactivated space. And I think this item through reading was really looking outside of the park system. What could that be? Street ends, maybe some corridors, etc. That's a pretty broad, you know, where do we go from there? How do how do we narrow it down to, you know, potential action? So, if we could pull up a PowerPoint, I just have a few slides to kind of show what can be. Next slide. You know, before I even get into um that we already are activating some spaces. You um um Mr. Chair, we we spoke yesterday about the USC fitness equipment. That's ways that we have put in those little fitness stations in in spaces that make sense and you activate them in a positive way. This was a recent one. the last few years we had a just a city-owned property on on on 63rd and Pine Tree. It was part of the public works system and and the residents came and said, "Let's make it a park. It was a min minimal um investment. We put in some benches, a picnic table, trash can, and we just changed the maintenance cycle and it became a park and it it became it was more activated." Um, next slide. And then you there's just another street end possibly could do this. I would want to work with, you know, public works, PD, and whoever else because some of these areas also have some neighbors don't maybe don't want them activated, and I want to be sensitive to that. Is there parking available? Things like that. But there's a street end that maybe could be on on the list for an activation. Next slide. Another example of maybe do something here. And there's nothing concrete here. I'm just putting throwing some stuff out. Next slide. another another area. Next slide.

And these are and these are highly trafficked locations. With this one, not as much. Um it would be great to identify neighborhood locations. Neighborhood locations um that you have these rightway areas. They usually usually there because they'll have a pump equipment or something like that, but there's a lot of green space there. um and and identify some of these areas that aren't necessarily on main on main corridors like Pine Tree Drive and 41st Street that is very busy, but you know, more places that people can walk to, whether it be from their apartments or from from their homes and getting these these rideways and making them more friendly for people just to be able to sit there or, you know, exercise there or engage in some sort of recreational or relaxing activity. Sure. Another one came to mind. I can't I know how to get there, but I don't know the address. We took a public works median triangle and turned it into a dog park up in North Beach years ago. It was it was taking that underutilized space and turning it into something positive for the community.

Next slide. So then you see what they did at Lincoln Road. They took this area and they put these musical instruments and every time I'm in Lincoln Road, somebody's somebody's playing with them. That was a reimagination of that that space. Next. Next, we go in as the parks department and we just do a temporary activation whether it's on Lincoln Road, it's it's it's at a an open space and we bring our imagination playground out. Next slide. Next slide. And then we could bring out games and um just giving you ideas and we could do things one day. So John, so my request to you uh and I would love my colleagues feedback on this for you and let's keep this item open for now.

Okay. work with the item sponsor on identifying perhaps three locations that we can bring back to committee. Three three locations uh three or five locations that might be just some of these rightways, green areas that they exist, but they're underutilized. They're not designated parks and they shouldn't be designated parks because we might need them in the future for public utility purposes, but they could be used today to enhance the quality of life of the residents that live in the surrounding areas. So, if you could go back because I like the idea and I think the idea is great and I think we could move something forward that could be great. if you could work with the item sponsor, identify three or five locations and come back with what could potentially be done in those locations so then we can consider a recommendation back to the full commission.

Perfect. And for further clarity, what I think I heard was in those three to five locations, target more residential areas. Um, that's what I would do. But again, I would say uh work with the item sponsor because I want to be respectful of the sponsor's vision, but I would say I would avoid, you know, busy corridors like Alton Road or busy corridors like Pine Tree Drive. And I would go more into the heart of the neighborhoods, uh, where in the heart of neighborhoods where you may have some of these, you know, small little green spaces, but you in the heart of neighborhoods, you always don't have big parks. Understood. Uh but you have these right ofways that could have an added purpose uh that residents can enjoy. Great.

And I see Commissioner Bond has her hand raised on Zoom. Good morning, Commissioner Bond.

Commissioner Bond, you're recognized.

Yeah, I have to wait until I get unmuted for everybody. Commissioner B, let me just ask uh our our uh TV department if members of the commission, we have members of of the commission that are on Zoom, we can just leave them recognized in order to be able to participate in the meeting. I welcome the participation of the mayor and the full commission on any item they want to speak on. Commissioner V, welcome.

I appreciate that. Thank you. Um, I'm sure everybody wishes they could have a mute button for me all the time, but um, only sometimes. Anyhow, I would just um, suggest also in the consideration of what you guys are looking at here and with obviously Commissioner Magazine's input um, consider if there are spaces that could be converted into uh, community gardens. I was going to raise that as part of the Beayshore Park conversation, but Commissioner Fernandez included it in his comments, so I didn't want to um double up, but that is definitely something that I hear from residents all over the city that they, you know, that is something that people would like to see more of. Um so, please consider that as part of your consideration set.

Thank you. All right. Uh John, you have feedback from the committee? Thank you. All right. Great. With that, we're going to continue this item. Um, item number six. Item number six is discuss take action regarding the feasibility of directing city administration to paint city bike racks in rainbow colors in light of the FDOT's removal of rainbow crosswalks, including the city zone at 12 Street and Ocean Drive. Um, Commissioner Bond, this is your item. You're recognized.

Yeah. Um, just, you know, very simple. Um we have been preempted from uh recognizing a significant part of our our cultural identity as a city and uh this is another way to um restore it in a way that can't be taken you know preempted by the state if we do it soon. So I would like to encourage uh my colleagues to support this and uh move it forward with a positive recommendation. Commissioner B. Commissioner Bond which so there so this is to install at 12th Street in Ocean Drive. Yes, that's our um Yes.

Okay. With that, is there a motion from the committee to move this back with a positive recommendation? I'll move it. I'll second. Uh with that, can we show this adopted by acclamation? Yeah. All right. And it'll be great to have this coincide with Pride in April. Uh with that um item number seven, item number seven is discuss take action regarding installing a commemorative plaque adjacent to the contemplated art deco rainbow crosswalk replica at Lumis Park in the city of Miami Beach.

And this is to accompany the uh the the rainbow crosswalk uh that's being put back into Lumis Park, but documenting the history of the rainbow crosswalk and why it's having to be reconstructed in Lumis Park. Um, would there be a motion from the committee to move this back with a favorable recommendation back to the city commission? Moved by Commissioner Dominguez. Second. Seconded by Commissioner Monica Mel Selenas. Louis show that uh approved. Item number eight. Item number eight is consider the co-aming of 12 Street from Washington Avenue to Ocean Drive as Pride Street. Is there a motion from the committee? Moved.

All right. moved by by Commissioner Monica Matselin, seconded by Vice Dominguez. I'm going to show that going back to the commission with a positive recommendation. Item number nine. Item number nine is discuss and develop a program to implement an annual flatbe resident parking permit for on street parking and lot parking in non-residential zones.

Uh thank you Stephanie. So this is an item I've placed on the on the agenda as a convenience to our residents. Uh, our parking department does an incredible job in our city and it does a not only an incredible job enforcing parking but administering a uh an enterprise fund. Um, and residents currently benefit from a 1-hour parking rate. Um, unlike visitors, visitors usually will come and they'll park for an extended period of time to go to a restaurant, to go to the beach. Their visits usually they'll be they'll be here for the entire day. residents. Usually when we pull up into a parking space, we'll pull up to a parking space, run into the dry cleaners, um to go into the bakery to run in and get a coffee. Um and telling residents that they have to pull out their phone every time they're going to pull up to the dry cleaner and then go get their nails done and then go into the bakery and get their coffee and whatever that they got to pull out their phone every time and start a new parking session. it it's not the most convenient thing. And then and the residents have told me, "Oh, well, I was only there for for for two minutes and and I got a ticket." And so what I'm trying to to to establish is a system where residents can buy uh for a lack of a better word, a decal. It's not a decal because it's LPRs, but I'm going to call it a decal. They just pay an annual fee. You pay an annual fee and then you can pull up to a legal on street uh pay pay parking space but not have to be not have to pull out your phone. You already paid your annual fee and so you're able to park there, do your errand and continue with your day without having to pull out your phone, extend your parking and go through all

of those maneuvers. Um, I'd like to recognize uh our our parking director and our assistant parking director, Will McDonald and Alberto Ventura to uh walk us uh through the feasibility of this and how we could find some common ground here.

Good morning, Commissioner. Uh morning committee. Uh Will McDonald, director of parking for the city of Miami Beach. Um I first want to say I absolutely understand the structure behind this desire. Um it parking generally should be a very easy thing. We're working [snorts] on technologies every day. Um some of you can see in our garages that when you pulled in today um where we're trying to make it much easier for both uh businesses uh residents and visitors to Miami Beach. the um the challenge with this particular goal is where we are at in our curb technology right now. So um first I want to say I absolutely agree that the curb should be used strictly for short stints. A great parking and transportation ecosystem is when the curb is always available. So, for example, if you drive up Washington A right now, you should at most have 70% of the spaces taken up. Unfortunately, that is not the ecosystem that is here in Miami Beach at this point in time. And so the the possible downside of a a continuous permit that right now would allow essentially unlimited curbside parking um without pulling out and starting a session. Um just being able to pull up which means it would always be active to pull up, don't touch your phone and go in would it would allow curbwell. Curbed well then says, "Well, it's sort of like an all you can eat buffet. I didn't mean to eat so much, but I wanted to get my money's worth." A permit of this nature would could possibly cause the ability of well, I have the ability to take the most convenient parking in the city for one low rate and sit there for hours on

end. And I I'll I go back to Washington A just because it is a great um example. So you have little boutique stores, all of these uh uh these pop in and pop out retail stores on Washington A. Um a tattoo parlor, um uh you tourist stuff where I want to pop in for an hour, get buy what I want to buy and get out. In best case scenario, that space in front of that store can turn over four to six times a day. And so now those stores have repeat visitors that are coming in there to spend money. I can pop in and pop out. If a permit like this becomes available, it can influence individuals to say, I'm going to be the first person to show up and I'm going to leave my car there. Now, in

but that usually wouldn't be the case with residents because usually residents are not looking to pull up there and stay there for the entire day. I could see if you're a beach goer uh or you're coming to for a night out or you're coming for to spend the weekend here. But our residents, like our residents that are running into South Beach Thai to pick up dinner, they're not getting there at 8:00 a.m. and parking there all day to pick up their dinner at 7:00 at night. They just want to be able to pull up on Washington Avenue, run inside, pick up their dinner, and leave. or or if someone um wants to go to to to the laundry mat on Alton Road, they're just looking for the convenience of pulling up without they're not there all day. And you mentioned two things that or you mentioned three things. You mentioned convenience, one rate, uh and and then the hours on end. Our role is to be convenient. We are government. We're here to serve our our our residents notwithstanding operating an enterprise fund which is like a business but at the end of the day we're here for the convenience of our residents. Um and uh and the and the low rate is what we should be offering our our residents. In fact, I would love to offer I would love to do away with a parking rate for our residents, but we can't because we have parking covenants that does not allow us to do away with with with a parking rate without affecting our our bond rating. So, we have a low rate, we have convenience. What we don't know is hours on end. We don't know that our residents would park there for hours on end. your concern and it's a valid concern, but we don't know that that's what's going to happen with our residents. And as a and as a resident of the city for almost 20 years, um I I believe residents usually they either rather walk somewhere, they

rather um you know, go and park somewhere for a short period of of time and then go on with their with their errands. But I don't see a resident looking to drive to Alton Road to park on Alton Road all day or park on 71st Street all day or park on 41st Street all day. This could help our residents with convenience and it could also uh help our our businesses by bringing back locals bringing back locals and making it easier for them to s to support these businesses. Commissioner Dominguez,

thank you. Um, I see your point com uh chair, Mr. Chair, but I do worry about people staying for weeks on vacation on one of our roads. I think that was one of the reasons why the pilot program for the North Beach parking was brought up because people were leaving their cars and broken vehicles for uh days and weeks on end. If somebody is going to park for a short amount of time, having them scan an app for a moment. Um, I know it's an inconvenience, but I do worry about the loopholes of having people stay there. Um,

let me ask you this. Don't we have 15 minute parking throughout the city? 15 minute parking. 15-minute parking. Don't we have certain areas of the of the city where where we have like, you know, where you can only be icing those around places? Um, so those are commercial or uh uh or passenger loading zones. So outside of every hotel, there's passenger loading zones, right? And how do we enforce those 15minute parkings? Uh, so those are so by by city code, every hotel, and correct me if I'm wrong here, every hotel is is authorized to have one passenger loading zone um for 15 minutes essentially because those are I don't want to say gifted. Those are authorized by city code for said hotel.

But your department has to enforce those 15 minutes. Correct. So you're already enforcing 15 minutes. If we put a limit on on these decals of let's say 3 hours, 3 or 4 hours, okay, you can't be parked for more than 4 hours using this decal, then we're then the same way that we do it with the 15minute parking, you know, you could do the potentially the enforcement uh you know, with this decal of like, okay, you pull up to a parking space, you cannot be there, parked there for weeks. Uh you can only be parked there for four hours.

So the the the challenge with that is then comes u and for lack of a better phrase a cat-and- mouse game from enforcement standards. So um from a sustainability aspect that would require us to put a ton more resources specifically checking every single license plate on continuous basis on Collins and Washington. And shouldn't we be checking all of these license plates to see if if people have have expired parking sessions and and all I mean aren't we doing this already? We are sir but it comes it comes down to frequency. So for example um so we're not doing frequent enforcements.

That is not what I am saying commissioner. What I'm saying is that we have employees who live in the city. They are residents. We have owners who are residents of Miami Beach. If this passes, those individuals can take prime parking on a curb all day and then if received a ticket, our offices handles thousands of administrative requests for dismissals of citations from residents who feel they were unfairly cited. This will not only make that number explode because just like for example now when a resident receives a ticket, our officers in the field don't know when that when that session expired. When they scan the plate, it is either approved or unapproved. If it is unapproved, it could be 30 seconds, could be 30 minutes. The person could have never paid. We issue the citation. Then obviously that goes through an administrative process if they decide to to um dispute that citation. In a situation like this, we would have to go through and time mark, which is a different process than just enforce every single license plate along miles of road and then come back. And if that vehicle is within the same geographic region, because we can't time mark down to a particular address, it becomes a geographic region. So if that person then moved two blocks up, one block up, they're more than likely going to receive a citation. And then then the administrative disputes at that point in time, I would say are going to explode and it will become I have this unlimited permit. Prove to me that I was there for more than four hours.

Commissioner Matosolinas.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So um I also am not supportive of this item today. I understand the int intent and I understand that it might make a lot more convenience for some of our residents, but I do have two concerns and one of them is the unintended parking consequences that our parking director is mentioning and we just don't know if it would be you know how that would work and so initially I thought well maybe this should be a pilot program for a year you know just to see if it works or not but then I thought you know after a year if we end up taking it away it's very harder to take away something from people that are that you know enjoy the system or paid for the system and then it's confusing and it's really just burdensome to staff. And then [snorts] the second so I figure I don't think the pilot project would be a good idea either. So and the second concern that I have is I don't know it doesn't mention in here what the cost would be for the annual rate. So if we're talking $200, $500, $1,000, I don't know what that calculation would be. And so then it becomes who can afford this and who can't. And that also concerns me too. So um I I I won't be supporting this today. Thank you.

Okay. All right. Um listen, I I I appreciate the feedback. I believe in the convenience of of our residents. I think we have a lot of programs. Um but I appreciate the feedback. With that, we can close this item. Let's go to item number 10. Item number 10 is discuss take action regarding the city of Miami Beach formally petitioning Miami Dade County to grant Miami Beach autonomous control over Ocean Drive.

All right. And this is Commissioner Dominguez's uh item. Commissioner Dominguez, you're recognized. So, this has been an ongoing back and forth with the city uh putting in uh special permits, temporary permits, and always having to go to the county to make any changes to that street. Uh the thought is um if the city had full control, we would be able to make our recommendations and implement things that are going to benefit us without the added bureaucracy. Um transportation director, if you'd like to say more. Yes. Good morning. Good morning again, Mr. Chair, committee members. Jose Gonzalez, transportation and mobility director. Um, so, Commissioner Dominguez, as you pointed out, uh, Miami date county has jurisdiction and authority via the Miami date county code over all traffic control and traffic engineering functions on all local roadways. Uh, that includes Ocean Drive. Ocean Drive is a local roadway in our municipality and while the city may maintain it and improve it, the all traffic related functions including traffic signalization, traffic engineering like making it one way, two-way, northbound, southbound, those types of of um decisions rests on Miami date county. They are the ultimate decision makers. So, this item proposes to um discuss with Miami date county the possibility of granting autonomous control to the city of Miami Beach, specifically over Ocean Drive. Um, a couple things that I would like this body to to be aware of. Uh, first, I believe at next Wednesday's city commission meeting, uh, there is an item on Ocean Drive and the future long-term

permanent configuration of that roadway. um that may influence this discussion. Um there's also a resolution on the city commission um for [snorts] this the administration to discuss with the county having autonomous control over traffic signalization over all roads, not just Ocean Drive. That's a broader It's a broader item, but that's also on the city commission agenda for next Wednesday. So, two items that are uh separate but related to to this item as well and hopefully will be discussed on on Wednesday. And those items if they should they pass they will um you know they they will be our directive to have these conversations with Miami date county regarding autonomy over traffic. So, so, so the discussion on next week's agenda is a city-wide discussion about about the traffic light signalization not just in one road but for the entire city.

Correct. Okay. And then but and do you and then here we're talking about just Ocean Drive. Correct. Okay. And we're not talking just about signalization but um all aspects regarding um all aspects of you know approval denial permitting um installations operations maintenance of the travel lanes of the bicycle lanes of pavement markings the flow of traffic street closures speed limits

is there a fiscal impact that is associ associated with us uh taking if if let's say we say okay let's move this forward let's engage in these conversations like what does assuming jurisdiction of the road actually mean uh in dollars and cents for the city. So it it depends on the extent of the transfer of of authority and and on you know it depends on the road itself the conditions of the road. In this case uh that we're discussing Ocean Drive there's already a city project in the pipeline to totally redo the roadway all aspects of it uh particularly the above ground. Uh so so those costs will already be absorbed by

so they own the acid but we're spending the money to improve their acid while having no jurisdiction over over the asset. Well and it depends on the terms of that jurisdictional transfer. But in essence, if it's a full transfer, we would own the road and be responsible for all aspects of the road under a full transfer of jurisdiction. Okay, but that can be negotiated. I support this. I'd like to move this item.

Okay. And this would go together, I guess, with Commissioner Suarez's item for for negotiation on the traffic light signal station. And that's that's adopted.

Mr. Chair, one one last thing I do want want to mention. There are certain aspects of traffic engineering, for example, crosswalks, uh, signals, uh, regulatory signage where even if the jurisdiction of the roadway would be transferred to the city, there are federal standards and federal guidelines and state guidelines that are even above Miami date county that we would still need to follow that we would still. So, as an example, the the the recent elimination of the LGBTQ the rainbow crosswalk at Ocean and 12 that was in response to a state mandate. Even if we own the roadway, we would still need to comply. The city would still be um legally uh required to comply with that state mandate and the the rainbow crosswalk would have had to be removed regardless.

Okay. Yeah. And commissioner, this is an old item. I submitted this item in June of 2025. So, ours's item I think just came in, but um so it's it's made the loop and had discussions and I I Do you want to make a motion? We can move Yeah. [clears throat] I'd like to move it to the full commission so that we can take action on this. Yeah. My first meeting I put on the Yes. I support that. Thank you. Yes. All right. Um let's go to item number 11. So the action on item number 10 supports sent back to the city commission. Okay.

Item number 11. Discuss what initiatives the city of Miami Beach is taking in order to become more festive for national global events such as the college football championship game taking place in January 2026. And this is Commissioner Magazine's item. He's welcome to present this item uh if he wishes. But uh Lad welcome.

Good morning Mr. chair, committee members, Lisa Roante, director of tourism and culture, city of Miami Beach. Um, you know, Miami Beach is the place when it comes to any FanFest. Uh, 2026 is the year of sports for Miami date county, but especially for us, we just finished hosting a major uh, national event in January. We're going into right now to March spring break fitness. We have a lot of fitness events set up. Uh, and we are prepared. We're all in as the part as far as the administration. And in the memo before you, you have the directly impacted departments, a little sneak peek into all the things that we're taking care of to prepare to have all of our residents and our visitors. Uh this year, you know, closing with FIFA at the end of the summer. Um and so what we've done taken many steps uh January 20th we as you see in the memo we already started planning with DEM fire police for the watch parties that are scheduled uh through the FIFA host committee and I'll uh state that right now we have potentially a concert contingent on sponsorship funding for June 11th in Lumis Park in the beachfront with uh the broadcasting of a match and then that's pending confirmation from the FIFA host committee as of this morning. And then what we have confirmed is two watch parties in North Beach uh at the Banshell Sandbull and they're part the host committee is partnering with the Rhythm Foundation and that's July 18th and 19th and so uh we are preparing for those events as well as all the other matches that are being hosted um you know in the Hard Rock um stadium. Things that we've done to be festive. I mean, I think you could see the beautiful um wrapping that is on 17th Street garage that our our comm's team uh created um showing depicting all of the events that we have going on including our annual events like lawines, you know,

global champions, the you know, horse jumping show, uh fitness, um all the things that, you know, World Cup uh is on there. So, um, as I open it up to any questions at this point,

have we engaged, um, with the different businesses throughout our city and let them know, hey, listen, these are all the activities that we have coming in. These are all the activities that we're working with so that, okay, great. We are permitting these activities, but we want the businesses to capitalize on these activities, whether it be uh special menus or special other special activities that they have in conjunction with this. That's I just want to make sure because um all of these events coming in, they're great for the city, but it's but it needs to be great not just for the city as an organization of the city of Miami Beach. has to be great for the businesses of the city, for the residents of the city. And so we know that we oftentime look at how can residents participate, but how do we make these into opportunities for the economy of the city? How do we make sure that businesses know well in advance so that they can create specials so that they can create the excitement about it in their promotions and make sure that we're giving them the best opportunity to capitalize in all of this effort that your department is is working on. And not just your department, it's across multiple departments, whether it be marketing and communications or even the building department expediting permits with no fees or the public works. All the departments are on hand, but we want we want the businesses to be able to get the most uh the the greatest ability to capitalize from these events.

Sure. And oh, my microphone. Uh absolutely. And I think you know our economic development team has been working really hard with the business concierge. Uh I know from the administration side we have met with um the Lincoln road bid and how to make them successful so that their restaurants uh are able to broadcast uh the matches. So that's something request that we have put in through FIFA directly through the host committee so that they can have folks engaging in the restaurants uh during all the matches all summer which is the slowest time for them. So we are working on initiatives to make sure that they are the businesses are taking advantage that we're going to have these amazing events especially FIFA this summer.

Yeah. Well, I think I I think that that's key. We can do a lot in internally. Uh but the but the key the most important thing is you know I don't want just the city activating its public places. The most important part of positive activation is positive activation in private property and making sure that our businesses are are participating on this. Of course, Mr. Chair, if I if I could, Commissioner, yes, this is your item, so you're recognized.

Yep. Thank No, perfect. Thank you so much uh for leading this and couldn't echo your sentiment anymore. Uh Lette, I think what we did on the 17th Street garage was great. Absolutely great. It it uh just that mural, it really ties everything together. I'd love to see more initiatives like that. When we talk about the gravity of the World Cup, this will be the biggest event ever hosted in Miami Beach. And I think uh we may be taking it for granted somewhat. You know, when we look at other countries that host the World Cup, they're doing things like building new stadiums, building new trains, infrastructure. So, I just want to make sure that we're putting our best foot forward uh when we come here. As the chair said, activating our public spaces, uh and we do need to help our businesses. One thing I'll ask, I don't know who I'm directing this to, maybe I could get some guidance. Um, I had heard and it's kind of like informal that the Lincoln Road bid had been working to uh make sure the restaurants had outdoor viewing opportunities and the I guess price that they got back, if you will, from the police department uh because of the extra staff that they would have on hand just made it um financially unfeasible. And I'm I'm kind of pieceing a few things together here. Uh but if I could have somebody look into that because, you know, I I I don't know if we I don't want to say we don't need extra that's obviously I'm not an expert in this, but if we're having outdoor um restaurants just having outdoor uh viewing for the World Cup, I don't know if they should be suffering some sort of extra incremental cost uh for that. Uh so I I could be, you know, completely repeating conjecture here, but if I could have uh someone on staff

look into that. Um cuz that's something critical that we need to have for our businesses. Uh tourists coming here are going to expect that. I've been in other countries when they had the World Cup and whether you're a soccer fan or not, there's just this open air excitement, you know, throughout an entire city and I just want to be sure that we're capturing that not only for uh the interest of our businesses, but really for our residents and our visitors that are kind of coming here and enjoying this entire ecosystem. So, that was a big thing that stuck out for me. So, if I could have staff look into that and how we can better accommodate uh just simple things that are pretty standard like outdoor viewing uh at restaurants on TVs, I I think that'll be really beneficial. So, thank you, Mr. Chair. And I think Lette is going to respond to your question

and through the chair. Thank you, Commissioner Magazine for that question. Um, a little over two weeks ago, I can say that uh the administration, our city manager met with uh the leadership of the Lincoln Road bid with a team uh from the administration to talk about how to get them to have the viewing successfully. So, we're still waiting. We're pending now uh the request from the FIFA host committee to FIFA directly to allow them to stream the matches. But we are working in partnership with Lincoln Road Bid. We want them to be successful because their success is our success. So, um thank you. It's not just a bid. I think throughout our city, uh, Lincoln Roadway, of course, that's important. Uh, but I think throughout the city also, you know, just

there is a cost, you know, to getting the rights to broadcast. So, we're wait we're pending on what that is and we can have a a, you know, some insight on what that would cost. And Commissioner Magazine's concern and Commissioner Magazine, if I understood right, was the cost of the police associated with the broadcast. And we're not sure what that would be as of now, but again, we want them to be successful. So, we will work with the Lincoln Road bid on that. Is that is that correct though, Liz? That uh the police were saying if we have uh restaurants have outdoor viewing for the games that there would be an incremental cost there.

I would need to check with them exactly. Uh I I can't answer that question to be honest. And it'll be it'll be great to know because you know perhaps we can work I mean there's plenty of places other cities that have outdoor activities uh with their businesses just as regular programming um and those businesses don't have to pay for extra police staffing and maybe and maybe you know through the maybe it's something we can take care of through the RDA uh that covers uh Lincoln Road or you know maybe we can have enhanced staffing so that we can ease the burden from the businesses. We want the businesses to prosper. We want to and I'm I always say be friendly, be helpful with with businesses and with everyone, you know, reduce costs and and try to avoid extra steps. That these should be our goals. Be friendly, be helpful, reduce and avoid cost and avoid extra steps on anyone that's that's dealing with with with our city. And so maybe maybe we can shift the burden so that everyone in the community can fully benefit from this. If there if there is a need for more police, obviously we're never going to say no to having police presence. But maybe we shift that to the city where it is our responsibility uh to provide for public safety. That is our foremost responsibility rather than placing that burden on the businesses. Commissioner Monica Matosolinas.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I fully agree with you. I hope Commissioner Magazine is still listening because I'd like to echo what he was saying. I feel like we as a city haven't really grasped how huge this is. This is huge. And I'll tell you, I just got word from a business owner on Washington Avenue that that there's a contingent of 10,000 um Scottish residents that have booked out three hotels. 10,000 people. Wow. and they have rented 70 buses to take them back and forth to the stadium for two weeks in June. Scottish residents, 10,000. And that's just one country and there's several matches over a month.

Mhm.

We are not ready for the amount of people that's going to be here. And I mean that respectfully because a lot of us don't really understand the fans and the numbers and the capacity and the insanity that comes with something so big. And I just want to make sure as Commissioner Magazine stated and Commissioner Fernandez just stated that we're not missing opportunities here and that we're prepared for any type of public safety issues. you know, game watches, you know, drunkenness that happens um when people get excited about sporting events. So, I want to make sure that, you know, when it comes to supporting our businesses, supporting our residents, and understanding what we've got going on here in June and July, that we're fully prepared and fully staffed. And it's something that we're really going to have to sit down with and make sure we're ready for the hordes of people that we're going to have. And I have one question, Lette. When you when we talk about um activations, do we work with FIFA directly or who do we work with directly?

So we and and just to answer your first comment, uh we are aware that FIFA the World Cup will bring to the South Florida region about a million people alone. So we we understand the impact and we are preparing for that. For the the three sanctioned uh activations, we work with the FIFA host committee. They're the representatives locally. Uh obviously um FIFA is aware of all of the goings that are that they are approved to do here in the city of Miami Beach. There also FanFest is in Bayfront Park. Uh so there's lots of things happening throughout the county, but for specifically for here for Miami Beach, we work with the FIFA host committee. Okay, that's good to know. So, those 10,000 Scottish folks that are coming have booked out three hotel rooms in the city of Miami Beach. So, yay us.

Um, he actually emailed me uh last week, so I was aware of that.

Good. Good. Um, so my aid mentioned that, you know, he's big into soccer. He loves soccer. Um, and he mentioned that World Cup 10 years ago or whenever it was, it wasn't here, but they had done a fan activation where there was some type of sticker promotion and they had said, you know, there's something there was an event in in Aventura and he mentioned, can we get that event here in Miami Beach? It was great for for families um and for children. And so, um, I want to [clears throat] make sure we're not missing opportunities like that and bringing as many events here to Miami Beach that are FanFest related. So, lette um find some time where we can talk about this activation and and maybe we can push the uh the host committee to have some activations in Miami Beach.

And I think it might be prudent uh just just based on all of this discussion that we've had here, you know, with spring break, we've done business town halls and perhaps this committee can host a business town hall. Um, Commissioner Magazine, I would love for you to to participate in this and be a very leading and active part in this uh given this item you've brought forward. But I think, you know, we should we should convene a special meeting uh where we can let all the businesses invite the business community, let them know what's going on. They can hear from us what we're doing. we can hear from them what feedback they have, what they've been trying to do, where they've been uh in finding obstacles and also hear from them, hey, listen, this is this these are these are the different interests, the Scottish groups that are coming in or find out from them stuff that we might not be aware of uh but that might be great for our city and might be great opportunities uh for for for our city. So, um I think I think if colleagues if if if you if you are so inclined, we we've done it with spring break, but I think it might be good to have just a crossep departmental uh town hall with with the business [clears throat] community letting them know what are we doing to prepare, what are the activities we we anticipate that are going to be happening in the city, how can they uh benefit from from those activities and get feedback from them on what they're hearing, the opportunities ities that are coming into the city and um and and what challenges they've been uh having.

Have a question. Yes, Commissioner. Um I was under the impression our economic development department did those types of things and maybe they could give an update um on when the next one is and uh enhancements that we could suggest. I missed that last part. Stephen Anthony, economic development director. I'm sorry. Can we uh repeat what was

just talking about doing town to bring the business? No, just the last comment from Commissioner Dominguez. Just the last comment from Commissioner Dominguez. Commissioner me. Uh, so it was just brought up that um why don't we have a town hall uh with the businesses and find out what their needs are and um see how we can help them better. Sure. Oh, and inform them of uh highcale events, high impact events that we're having.

So the economic development department does a number of different things to inform businesses of events that are going on in the city. One we do through our canvasing. We regularly do our canvasing every single week where we're letting businesses know one what's happening, also checking on them to see if there's anything that they need on behalf of the city. Um, what we started doing more recently is a we give uh there we've always done these uh recognition certificates to let businesses know uh we thank them for being in the city. On top of that, what that has actually been able to do for us more than anything is it gives our businesses an opportunity to understand how we can be a resource to them and letting them know of what's happening um in the city. And so those are the and it's gives a more white glove touch to let them know what's what's going on um so that they have a firm understanding what's happening.

Thank you. Thank you. Um, my focus is, you know, and and you know, as it relates to FIFA coming up, there's a lot of activities. There's a there's a lot of people coming in. There's a lot of special events. There's a lot of coordination by the city that will affect businesses. There's a lot of activities that businesses might be doing uh or hosting that we might not be aware of that might be beneficial for the city. just uh having something very specific as it relates to FIFA. Um kind of like what we do with spring break but specifically related with uh with FIFA. I'm supportive. Yeah.

Okay. All right. So, uh perhaps we can uh work with staff. Do you need You don't need commission action for that, do you? No. Okay. So, we should there's two things with this. We should the concern about Lincoln Road and police. I think we should speak with the chief of police to see, you know, what burden can we take from the businesses as it relates to police staffing uh that we should be providing in some of these corridors so that that burden doesn't fall on on the businesses and then separate from that. So that was a concern that Commissioner Magazine raised. So I think we need to speak with Chief Jones and look into that. I'm Chief Jones always looks for solutions. So I'm sure there'll be a solution there for that. And then separately the community engagement with the business community on everything related with FIFA to educate them, to inform them, and for us also to get educated and informed from them.

And I'd like to also point out that I I know that there, you know, we're wrapping up and so everyone's kind of like already thinking about their next meeting. But I'm going to be all over this every month, everywhere with administration because again, like I said, 10,000 Scottish residents are coming into town and that's just one country. We really have to make sure we're prepared. It's conceptually it's hard to understand. But whatever you think World Cup and FIFA is, multiply it by 100. And I, you know, and I'm going to be all over this. So, thank you.

And the last thing we want to have is a situation kind of like what was experienced at the Hard Rock Stadium last year uh with those events that they weren't properly ready, but I think we have the opportunity to shine. Uh we saw what happened there. we have the opportunity to get ahead of it all and to really uh put the best image forward uh for the city of of Miami Beach. So, thank you, Lette. Thank you, Commissioner Magazine, for for for sponsoring this item. And we'll have a follow-up um town hall meeting of the committee with the business community. With that, is there a motion to adjourn today's meeting? I'll make a motion. All right. Thank you, colleagues, and thank you staff. Thank you everyone who attended.