City Commission - Regular Meeting

Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. N. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Welcome to the City of Miami Beach Commission Chambers. We're glad to have you with us today.

If you require ADA assistance or accommodations, please notify the city clerk or any staff member and we will be happy to assist you. We'd now like to introduce our city of Miami Beach elected officials and leadership. Mayor Steven Miner, City Commissioners Monica Mateo Selenas, Laura Dominguez, Alex J. Fernandez, Tanya K. Bot, David Suarez, Joseph Magazine, city manager Eric Carpenter, city attorney Ricardo J. Dico, city clerk, Raphael E. Granado. As a courtesy to everyone present,

please silence all cell phones and electronic devices at this time. Lobbyist disclosure reminder. If you are a lobbyist appearing before the city commission or any city board, you must have registered with the city clerk prior to participating. If you have not yet registered, please do so immediately. Presentation reminder. If you submitted a presentation within the 24 hours prior to the start of today's meeting, please check the computer located at the podium to ensure your file is properly loaded. When the floor opens for public comment, please step up to the podium. Speak clearly into the microphone and begin by stating your name and address for the record. How to participate in public meetings via Zoom. Once you have joined the Zoom meeting, go to the bottom panel and click on the raise hand icon to notify the meeting host that you would like to speak. As soon as the host grants you permission to speak, a dialogue box will pop up on your screen with two options. Select the unmute button to begin speaking. After you finish speaking, mute your microphone and click on the lower hand icon. If you are joining Zoom via phone, tap the keypad icon and press star 9 to notify the meeting host that you have raised your hand to speak. A voice operator will prompt you to unmute your microphone by pressing star six. Once unmuted, you may begin speaking. After you finish sharing your comments, be sure to press star 9 to lower your hand and star six to mute yourself. We kindly ask everyone to conduct themselves in a respectful and professional manner throughout today's meeting. Thank you for your cooperation and thank you for participating in your local government here in the city of Miami Beach.

Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Make it. Make it. Don't

make that feel. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. N. Heat. Heat. N. Tell me. Please take your seats. The meeting is about to begin. Remember to speak into the microphone 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 our commission meeting February 25th, 2026. Our second one this month. And if you add a special commission meeting on permitting, our third commission meeting this month. And I'll turn it over to our city clerk. Thank you to my colleagues. Uh good morning to everybody and everybody uh in the crowd here in person, of course, everybody listening in. Um, looking forward to a productive meeting and I'll turn it over to our city clerk.

Good morning everyone. Uh, the city commission is physically present in the commission chambers at Miami Beach City Hall, 1700 convention center drive, third floor. Members of the public are invited to attend either in person or virtually. If you're joining us virtually, you can log in using the Zoom app or visit the Zoom. us on your browser. You can also phone in at 3052241968. Again, 3052241968. The toll-free number is 888-475-4499. The webinar ID is 813-928-57671 pound. Again, 813928-57671 pound. If you would like to speak virtually on an item during the meeting, please click the raise hand icon if using the Zoom app or press star 9 on your phone. The Zoom link, webinar ID, and phone numbers stay the same for every commission meeting. All lobbyists must register for with the office of the city clerk located on the first floor of city hall. You do not need to register if you are an expert witness giving only technical or specialized testimony, a representative of a neighborhood association or a nonprofit speaking without pay or a private citizen speaking on your own behalf without compensation. However, if you are an expert witness or a non-forprofit or a neighborhood rep, you do not you do need to submit a written disclosure uh to the office of the city clerk before speaking with the commission or city staff. Forms are available at the office of the city clerk. If a lobbyist gives or agrees to give $1,000 or more to a neighborhood association or its representative regarding a city matter, that must be disclo that must be disclosed in writing to the clerk. Uh if you plan to speak during the public comment meeting today, we ask you to please sign up using the the boards uh the podium uh has signin sheets or the QR codes that are located also in the podiums. Thank you.

Thank you, Ralph. Uh it's my honor now to call up our invocation, Pastor Victor Palasias from Alacia Pautista Peros. Just have to say a word. I met you uh over six years ago, probably seven years ago when I was running for commissioner. And you have you're not just a special spiritual leader in our Miami Beach community. Thank you. But also a a personal friend. So it's it's an honor to have you here.

We prayed. Thank God for this day, for your mercy. Thank you for this meeting. God, we ask you to blessing all the commissioners in here, the city clerk, the police department, the fire department, the schools, the hospital, but special for this meeting today. We ask Lord to give you the wisdom Lord in integrity to run the city the best the way you want it. We bless the city to the north, to the south, to the east, to the west. we hang and I know always you will is going to be thank you for everything you do so far and I know we still a lot of we have a lot of more to come and it's going to be blessing for the city thank you for the mayor the job is there in the city this family and everybody in here in this meeting we ask you Lord that the blessing to these people too we pray in your name amen pain. Amen.

Thank you, pastor. Thank you, pastor. Now, I get to surprise someone in the uh in the crowd. How about Stephen Anthony? Why don't you lead us with the pledge of allegiance? Our economic development director director. Don't worry, you just have to start the first word and we'll go along. I'm sure you got it down though. 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.

Stephen, perfect. I like to act. I didn't I didn't give you any warning. I like to because one time several years ago, somebody did not uh recollect all the words. So certainly my intent is not to embarrass anyone, but great job, Stephen. Um, let's start off with the Sutnik Hour. Anyone who wishes to speak, please approach the podium, state your name. You have two minutes. Now, now I feel we're back uh back normal when Mitch Novik leads off.

No longer slacking off. Mitch Novik, good morning everyone. I've received your $500 homestead relief check, which will be used to offset my Miami Beach water bill, which has increased annually for the past dozen years. Within that period, since Jimmy Morales first took office as city manager, we've seen our budget more than double, while the city added roughly 500 more employees. You can be assured I will be first in line to vote to abolish homestead property taxation. If passed, I'm certain you'll be compelled to refrain from wasting our tax dollars, which has led to housing unaffordability. As I've stated numerous times, I believe we must reduce our budget by two to 300 million and reduce our employees to levels seen when our city ran well for much less. According to the administration, the entertainment district is fully subsidized by taxpayers and has suffered a net loss of several million dollars annually. Who can forget the recent northern section of Ocean Drive's illegal pedestrianization requiring pra private traffic management at a cost of $1 million a year. I would also urge you to end the Ocean Drive prominade or sparsely attended Ocean Drive prominade music series which only benefits the venue where it's held to the detriment of the greater good. Thank you.

Thank you. Please, Miss Manny, go ahead.

Joe Manning. Good morning, everyone. Uh, I could refute Mitch, but I won't. I'm in a good mood this morning. Um, I want to speak for an entity that doesn't have a voice and I heard this was going to be come up at a at a meeting and that's the bots that we see on the street. Those little machines that wander down the street delivering things. And you know, they're polite. They're not like the bicyclists who will run you over and then yell at you for getting in their way. They will stop. They stop at corners. They're very kind. I really think they add to the ambiance of the city. People like to see them. People's faces light up. And again, they're polite. Something we need more of in this city. Thank you.

Thank you so much. Thank you.

Good morning. My name is Michael Fryick and I live in Sunset Harbor. I wish to bring up a topic that has been previously mentioned in this venue but remains an ongoing problem specifically pedestrian and micromobility traffic. I've reside in Miami Beach for the past 25 years during which time there has been a substantial increase in micromobility pedestrian density and unfortunately fatal erh uh crashes by crashes. The League of American Bicycles found that Miami ranks fifth in the nation for fatality bike crashes, 10 per million. Miami Beach is known for its vibrant culture, beaches, lively streets. The growing number of residents and tourists using microobility as a preferred mode of transportation has resulted in transgression that impact their safety and the overall quality of life in the city such as the following. Riding in sidewalks despite designated bike lanes on many streets, many riders out for riding on sidewalks endangering pedestrians and violating city ordinances. ignoring traffic signals. Many riders failed to stop at red lights and stop signs. Changing lines in the middle of intersections to circumvent this signs. Wrongway riding against the flow of traffic is a frequent offense. Lack of proper lighting. Riders often ride at night without adequate front and rear lights, making them nearly invisible to motorists and pedestrian. not yielding to pedestrians in shared spaces. Riders failed to yield to pedestrians,

especially in busy areas like Alton and Washington. And riding without helmets, which will roll, which although is not mandatory, I'll be done in a second. It would be good for them to wear. In conclusion, we need to educate the riders and importantly enhance informs enforcement to help reduce this infractions and make Miami Beach a safer place for riders, pedestrian, and drivers alike. Thank you. Sorry. Thank you.

Good morning, uh, Mr. Mayor, commissioners, uh, Mr. City Manager, uh, city attorney and city clerk. My name is Adam Gonuzza. I'm here from the Rhythm Foundation and I'm want to speak today in support of arts and culture in Miami Beach. Arts and culture are a pillar of our local economy and key to our city's uh uh ability to be able to attract new residents, visitors, and new businesses alike. So any uh cuts to arts funding undermines our our economy uh and the quality of life that the city uh so very much depends on. Uh I also like to uh speak today. Um we had the opportunity last month to host a town hall meeting at the Miami Beach Band Show with respects to the Byron Carile Theater. It was a very impassioned uh discussion and uh while there's a lot of questions remains around how people saw the fate of that space or what they would like to see with that facility and that space it was was clear that folks are interested in a multi-use multiddisciplinary space that serves as broad a swath of the community as possible. Um, and thank you to uh, one of the commissioners, uh, Commissioner Suarez for hosting that meeting. I I believe there's video of it, and so I would encourage the commission to watch that video if you haven't already to get a sense of where the public opinions lies um, with respect to the future of that space. Thank you.

Thank you. Next, please.

Good morning, Mr. Mayor and Commissioners. the Chelsea lawn, Florida Power and Light. I want to speak clearly about what is and was not what is not before you today regarding the bridge and transmission projects item R90 today. On February 5th, this commission voted to allow FPL to use existing easement, an easement for which we pay the city. Based on that direction, we advance a critical underground transmission project that will serve to improve the reliability of the electric grid for Miami Beach businesses and residents. Separately, there's the pedestrian bridge project. From day one, FPL has treated that project as a priority to coordinate. We've done more than what state law requires for underground locates on our feeder lines, which have been there since 1999 and serve over 13,000 customers on the beach. A third party organization, USIC typically provides locates. At the request of the city, FPL conducted supplemental testing. We purchased additional equipment to obtain more precise measurements and we attended repeated site visits and coordination meetings. We have dedicated staff and engineering resources for months since October to help the bridge team move forward. We did that because we understand the importance of partnership. But coordination should not become leverage. The underground transmission line project, a multi-million dollar investment benefiting the city, should not be conditioned on or tied to unrelated development commitments or third party promises. If there are outstanding issues related to the bridge, we remain at the table to work through them. We've demonstrated that commitment consistently. What we cannot support is delaying or withholding a previously approved easement in a way that solves critical reliability improvements for residents and businesses who have nothing to do with those separate matters. These are distinct issues and they deserve to be handled independently. FPL stands ready to continue collaborating in good faith and we simply ask that the reliability of Miami Beach's electric system remain the priority and move forward as previously directed. And I also want to share one more update that uh we conducted an

additional site visit Monday with the team um to offer to excavate the line at cost FPL. So hopefully that will provide some more certainty to the team on whether or not they can move forward. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Chelsea. It's an addendum item, so we'll hear it after 5:00 p.m.

Good morning. My name is Carol Kums. I'm a resident at 1754 Miami Beach. So, commissioners and mayor and everybody here, I rise in full support of the city's continued funding of Miami Beach Pride. Consistent with the position of the marinist commission as reflected in resolution C711, you approved up to 250,000 in previously budgeted funds and the waiver of certain administration fees for the 2026 festival. That action affirms what we already know. Pride is not a political gesture. It's a proven economic driver and a cultural institution that's celebrating its 18th year in Miami Beach. It's a festival and parade which attracts more than 150 residents and visitors and it's a cornerstone of our tourism strategy here in Miami Beach. At a time when proposed state legalizations such as SB134 and HB101 seeks to broadly restrict diversity related programming, it's important to be clear and I know you've already said this. Events like Miami Beach Pride with Jewish Film Festival and the American Black Film Festival are part of who we are in Miami Beach. They fill hotel rooms, drive restaurant revenue, create jobs, and protect Miami Beach global brand and as inclusive worldwide destination. Byron Carile, the building has been wildly documented as a moldinfested and unhealthy. Protecting public health must come first. We have an opportunity to replace an unsafe structure with something amazing and transformative. Residents have called for a vibrant multiddisciplinary cultural complex with art classes, theater, music, dance, and yes to your cinemas. A yearround asset that serves our local community while attracting visitors and nurturing creative talent. I have 17 seconds left. This is what I'm going to say. Opposing gutting arts funding to redirect it towards sewer or storm water project does not bring in tourists. I'm sorry it doesn't. We need to define what Miami

Beach it's. It's about culture, festivals, and richness and diversity of our city. As the mayor said, Miami Beach prime Miami Beach is back. Let's keep that momentum going.

Good morning, commissioners and mayor. My name is Jack Klene. I'm the community manager at Council Towers North and South for EDOC. Ed is committed to the principles of aging in place, ensuring comm community opportunities for our seniors to live independently with dignity and selfdetermination in in communities with their peers. Residents in Edo properties are provided with safe, affordable housing, supportive health and social services. We'd like to thank you for all your support that you provided us during our renovation process. We've sent out invitations for you for our resident regrand opening event which is March the 5th at 11:00 a.m. and again at 12:30 p.m. at the North and South Towers. Uh affordability is one of our, you know, we want to love those who loved us first and that's our seniors. And currently affordability is not something that, you know, is available to them. and we need your support even further in loving our seniors. So, you know, uh we have someone else coming up to speak on that and I just want to thank you for your time and all your support and Gloria Campos has been so instrumental also in loving our seniors and giving us support as well. So, thank you.

Thank you. Looking forward to March 5th.

Good morning everyone. I am Manuel Devai. I'm the regional service coordinator of EDA of the EDA properties and coordinating in Council Towers North and South. I'm here to uh also thank you and to ask for your help. We are up and running. We're providing services. We have the inauguration, but we don't have a hot meals program. Our seniors, some of them have a hard time cooking. Some of them are isolated. This program was it was established before and is crucial for their independence, for their stability, for their isolation, for to prevent isolation. I can't express how important it is for them and the Little Havana activity center does not any h doesn't have any fundings for this year. Uh if you if you can please help us establish this program once again, we would appreciate it. This program not only provides the hot daily meal, it provides transportation to the grocery store. It provides events of uh linkage to to the community, to your to to your to your government and to your leaders. It is in in crucial for them. So I we ask for your help and uh I hope to see you on March 5th.

Thank you for highlighting this issue for us. Please. Thank you. Hi, good morning, mayor and city commissioners and staff. Hi, my name is Linda Koko. I'm a small business owner, Miami Beach resident at 334 West 25th Street in the Collins Park neighborhood, a block away from the absolutely wonderful Beayshore Park. Again, thank you all for that and thank our residents for supporting that. Apologize for my alpha, but I'm on my way to Pilates because we are a fitness city, right? You'll notice here I've got my my little um mirror for my bicycle. I love the

because I I like to ride around the city. But what's important, folks, is we've I'm here to express my concern about C7U. It's a consent agenda that would cancel the North Meridian Avenue multi-use path and the Chase Avenue multi-use path with no public hearing, no community input. Really surprised. These are priority projects in the city's by already adopted bicycle pedestrian master plan. It's only 610 of a mile along Meridian Avenue, but it closes a critical gra gap, I'm sorry, in Miami Beach's bicycle network. It connects existing bike lanes, bicycle counters just south of this project already recorded roughly a thousand riders per day. So, I just think that's really important. and the and also Chase I was shocked to know Chase Avenue is back on the agenda to be eliminated. Matthew's going to talk about that. Also RD R7D I am concerned about this resolution. It maintains our funding for our cultural anchors and youth arts programs. That's great. But I'm against the rate reallocation of the remaining city funding funds currently designated for arts and culture programs. Our arts funding generates over 5,000 jobs, generates over 250 million for residents and 12 million in local taxes. 71% of the attendees of arts and culture events are locals. Average person spends over $56 per event. We want to be known as an arts and culture and fitness city. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Next, please.

Good morning, mayor. Good morning, commissioners. My name is Matthew Ganoff. I live at 125 Jefferson Avenue and I'm here to talk about C7U today. I first ask that this item be pulled from the agenda. Uh it is well I've emailed you all. I believe other people have emailed you all. So, I'm not going to uh go over why it's an important project, why this priority one uh project, which Linda just talked about, why it's critical, why adding at the last minute another unrelated project to it perhaps violates uh some of the ordinances, the red flag ordinance, the right to know the critical infrastructure. Uh, so I'm not going to use my own words, but I want to read from an Inspector General report about the 34th and Chase Avenue project, which which we worked in good faith with Commissioner Fernandez, with the community uh to to get that over hurdles. And two years ago, January 31st, this commission, almost this full commission here, uh, they approved the project. So this is these are the words from the inspector general. These are not from me. No. The OIG has on two prior occasions raised concerns regarding the waste of taxpayer dollars as a result of efforts to re redesign this project after it had been designed, permitted, and funded. It has been previously reported that in 2022, the design review re review board approved the design and the city applied for and was awarded an FDA grant in the amount of 495,000. The consultant completed 90% of the construction documents and continues to go on. You can read it. The report is dated April 2024. Regarding the Meridian Avenue shared use path, this is from a grant application that the city submitted to uh the Miami Dade TPO for FOT grant funding for which it was awarded um identifying project

stakeholders. The Meridian Avenue shared use path was presented to the community five times. Mr. Mr. Mayor, could I have one more minute, please? Thank you. Was presented to the community five times during various workshops throughout the bicycle pedestrian master plan process. Further, the project was presented to the neighborhood as part of the Beayshore neighborhood improvement project. That gives you one of those critical infrastructure um key points. The proposed path was adopted by the city commission as part of the 2016 bicycle pedestrian master plan. Three meetings were also held with the Miami Beach Golf Course Management Company to obtain their consent. The project design accommodates their comments and their needs. Your CIP director, David Gomez, during a recent meeting, he eloquently explained why this project is so important. You have professional staff. I ask that you bring them up here. Bring up your IG to talk about potential waste, fraud, and abuse. Bring up your transportation department, your CIP, your neighborhood affairs. This project didn't come out of nowhere. There's lengthy histories and cancelling it like this and then adding one just 12 hours before this meeting would certainly violate many processes. Thank you.

Our first virtual caller is Johan Moore. Mr. Moore, state your name and you have two minutes.

Good morning. Uh I want to talk about four issues. uh each of uh two of which uh are in a sense connected. I want to express my support for commissioner fenon this item C4H which if I uh uh am expressing this correctly would um require developer contributions uh to municipal infrastructure and that in fact links to why uh cutting arts funding under R7D is a bad idea. uh we do not gain revenue by cutting services. Uh the impacts of one thing on the other need to be considered. Uh there is only a superficial savings uh to be uh had by cutting arts funding and we lose those taxes that can then support municipal infrastructure. I also am opposed to C7U. Uh we need connectivity for our bike lanes. Uh and I am concerned about C40 as are many of my neighbors. Uh we are very supportive of the Jefferson Avenue bike lanes and their traffic calming and I repeat uh that the only concerns that I've heard from residents are that both of the bike lanes are on the same side of the avenue. So, if that's the improvement that needs to happen to move one of them to the east side of Jefferson, then I would encourage the city to do that. Thank you.

Thank you. Our next virtual caller is Judith Judith Smeiggel.

Good morning, Jason of the Flamingo Park neighborhood of Miami Beach. I do not understand the logic coming arts funding. it doesn't make sense culturally or economically and I look forward to the discussion that I want to say in particular that the Sunday prominade concerts in front of the Betsy are some of the best things that exists here when I take I have visitors who just blown away by the setting the music live jazz it's wonderful and I wouldn't want to you have that reducing bicycle lanes. When I was first here, it was pretty scary to bicycle around and I do lanes and still it's still a very a dangerous place to be a pedestrian or a bicyclist or a driver here. But anything we can do to improve safety for bicyclists is only to the board. And I don't understand how this came in almost at the last minute, it seems. And at first you're going to be on a consent agenda. Now I understand that you'll be under discussion which of course is much more democratic. And I I really appreciate that we all think about getting residents input on things. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Our next virtual caller is Sharon. Sharon, state your name. You have two minutes.

Hi, this is Sharon Weiss. Uh 233 81st Street. I'm calling today to strenuously object to C7Z I believe is the uh item. Uh the butchery of the sea grapes all along um our wonderful beachwalk. Uh I understand that this is uh being done in the name of public safety. I'm not quite sure what that would accomplish. Um the public has a right to be safe from sea level rise and dune erosion. Uh I don't know if anyone in the commission has bothered to come up to North Beach, but the area near the Carolon um in the high60s low7s uh area streets of the beach there's like no beach left. It's it's ocean seag beachwalk. So pulling the cutting the the the sea grapes out of there is a disaster. And it's a disaster even in places where the beach is wide and that there's not uh residences uh condos right close to the beach. This is uh terrible. We cannot be a green zone or a blue zone or whatever it is that's being proposed if we're actively cutting down trees. Public safety is more than just uh reducing or eliminating the ability of houseless people to get shelter in the rain and the sun. And by the way, I'm a marathon runner. I run all up and down that beachwalk early in the morning. I have never seen a homeless encampment. Um we spend $und00 million on our police force. That's to compensate them for having to walk around in heat and hot weather and get out of their cars and deal with uh homeless folks and hostile people. And is it pleasant? No. But they're compensated for that. And the answer is to ask them to do patrols and not to cut down foliage and greenery which is critical to uh to protecting us during climate change. So please

reconsider this. Thank you. Thank you. Our next caller is David Son. Please state your name. We have two minutes.

Hi, this is David Ston, 1255 Marseilles. I want to start out by thanking the mayor and several commissioners for attending our 100redyear anniversary celebration for Normandy Fountain. We had hundreds and hundreds of residents and visitors show up and we were thrilled to have uh our electeds, many of our electeds there as well. I'm here today to talk against two items that have been brought since October. The first is to cut funding for 20 plus arts organizations including the Miami Film Festival, New Deco Ensemble, and the Jewish Film Festival. Uh we were all here during Art Week. Yes, the city spent millions of dollars to support these organizations, and it brought in over half a billion dollars into our economy. Every week in the city of Miami Beach is art week. We support our arts organizations and it generates economic development. It's it's so obvious. I I need I need us to address these issues and vote them down. The other item is that to change course on the uh performing arts center at the Byron Carlilele. Um I want to thank Commissioner Suarez for holding uh a public meeting. I was not able to attend in person, but myself and I know many of the other commissioners were there in the Zoom and we were all thrilled with the overwhelming community support for a performing arts center. The idea of reverting it back to a failed multiplex movie theater is not a good one. That business model is no longer successful. We have decided to incorporate a commercial movie theater into the project moving forward, which will make it even better. Um, I want to say that the community wants a performing arts center. One item that was brought up repeatedly during that meeting, I raised my hand but wasn't called on to speak is

pointing to a a survey that was done in 2021. Thank you, M. 60% of respon. Our next caller is Anz. State your name. You have two minutes.

Yeah. Uh my name is Sun Flax. I'm at 1500 Ocean Drive. I'm calling to remind all my commissioners and mayor uh to urgent to please vote against RCU. Um, I and I I oppose this um this proposal because it will destroy the historical character of Ocean Drive and it will violate the property rights of every owner who has property on Ocean Drive and is against further restrictions to access their property. And number three, it will create uh more delays in in time respond to safety to life and safety issues and also uh to uh the disabled uh handicap population that we have in town, which I become very acutely aware today because my husband is in a wheelchair and I know how important it is to be able to drive up to the front of any establishment. men. Uh so I I beg you to re to consider what you're trying to do uh to Ocean Drive because it would definitely destroy the historical character of of this very famous which is being the most famous Ocean Drive on Earth. And to make it pedestrian, you're going to have to change the name to Ocean Walk. Okay? It will not longer be Ocean Drive. So, thank you very much for your attention to this matter.

Thank you. Our next virtual caller is Nicholas Duran. Go ahead, please.

Good morning, mayor and commissioners. My name is Nicholas Dudan, policy and advocacy manager for Transit Alliance Miami. Uh, I'd like to respectfully urge this board to oppose item C7U, uh, which would cancel the North Meridian Avenue and Chase Avenue multi-use paths. Uh so to be clear, this project did these projects didn't appear overnight. Um they followed an extensive planning process, public input, and competitive grant applications. So these are scarce infrastructure dollars that have already been earmarked for these corridors. Uh if we cancel these projects now, we don't just pause them. We risk conceding those funds and sending a message that Miami Beach cannot follow through on thoughtfully developed mobility improvements. Um, and this is at a time when infrastructure dollars are especially scarce and we're we're finding more and more that that city governments uh and even the county are finding it more difficult to pay for projects like this. Um, so it's seriously worth asking how this could impact the city's credibility in seeking funds for other projects or services like the water taxi for example. You know, what what does it mean? what type of messages does it send when we reneg on projects that have been thoroughly vetted and have been approved and where the studies are are valid. Um I I I just don't see what the benefit is on on pumping the brakes on a project like this. So the North Meridian and Chase Avenue multi-U paths are critical north south connections for the city. As bike usage continues to grow, we need safe, protected corridors that give residents real alternatives to getting in a car. Without connected infrastructure, we force cyclists into traffic. We increase conflicts and we undermine our own efforts to reduce congestion to the comments that were made around safety earlier. It it really proves the point as to why we need more facilities like this. Now, if the city is serious about mitigating traffic, improving safety, and promoting public health, then we must build infrastructure that supports those goals. This pass is not a luxury. It's a necessary investment for a safer, healthier, more connected Miami Beach. So, thank you. I hope we move these

projects forward. Thank you so much, sir. Our next caller is Josh Squire. Please go ahead. You have two minutes.

Hi, my name is Josh Squire of 47th Street. Uh I'm here to echo the other people spoke about the bike lanes uh that are uh attempting to be cancelled. Um it seems like transportation in this city takes one step forward, two steps back. The one step forward was the water taxi. Great job on that. Um although it could use uh weekend service as well as um some shade and uh benches for people who use it. Um regarding the bike lanes, it's critical to the network. Um it seems like um you know the safety of microobility users is is not as important as motorists or pedestrian which is uh you know really uh not the correct way to look about it. Um and um you know I've been using um Meridian for over 20 years. Never got hit by a golf ball before. I think that the the thing that that seems odd here is all the work that was done on this project. It seems like uh there's something weird going on here. I would suggest that the commissioners disclose who lives on that street or who owns property on that street and who parks their car or their pink Tesla on the proposed bike lane across from their house under a sign that says you cannot park there. So, I think you got to set a personal example. You got to disclose what your real motives are with this uh ordinance and follow the OG's recommendation. So please uh take two steps forward. Don't take us back. Thank you.

Thank you. Our next virtual caller is Margie Smeiggel. Please go ahead.

Margie, unmute yourself, please. Let's go to the next caller. All right. Can you hear me now? Can you hear me now? Yeah.

Uh my apologies. Uh I'm a resident here since uh 2019. I'm in the Collins Park area and I have a car but rarely use it because Miami Beach is a great town to be biking in. And anything you do to enhance the bike lanes is essential to making it a more safe and welcoming city. And people should be biking if they can because it's it's better than driving. And we have, you know, now it's harder and harder to go into Miami because of all the traffic. If you think that uh bike lane on Alton Road is a viable alternative for bikers, you're nuts because it's scary and you can't bike there. So any bike lanes you can put in, um, I I hardily endorse. also about arts funding. The reason I came to Miami Beach is because the arts make it magical and the fact that the city supports art outdoors, music, dance, um the ocean prominade concert series, which that gentleman said in the beginning is no, nobody goes to. You can't get a chair there. You know, they provide chairs unless you get there before 5 when it starts and then people have blankets all around. It's a wonderful Yes, it would be nice if another 100 people showed up, but the fact is that it's perfect the way it is. The the m music is great and any musical event outdoors makes this what Miami Beach should be a

a destination for culture as well as for you know running. Um thank you so much. Our next caller is Lori Beckham.

Good morning everyone. Thank you for your time today. Lori Bacham, executive director of Power Access in the South Beach Jazz Festival, 1616 Michigan Avenue, Sweet One, Miami Beach. Um, I'm here today in opposition um on behalf of our organization for R7D. Um, cultural arts funding is the lifeblood of our city. It is quality of life. It is economy. It is tourism. It is multiaceted and includes organizations both anchors and presenters from all over the area. Power Access is a cultural presenter. This allows us to work lean and mean and we do activations throughout our city. We just had the 10th annual South Beach Jazz Festival which has become a worldclass event um that is recognized all over the country um in jazz circles and more. We were organically featured on CBS Sunday morning as one of the best things to do in the nation the week of our festival. That goes to show the presence of this festival and our full cultural arts programming that this city and community have created. Our organization and others like ours would not exist without the support of the city of Miami Beach and its dedication to cultural arts funding. So, please continue on for all the presenters. It is an important tapestry of programming. We all collaborate together and each is important. I also want to say that the cultural arts um center that would be

going on the Byron site is going to give some much needed space. Our next caller is Alex. Alex, state your name and you have two minutes. Please go ahead.

Hi, good morning. Hi, my name is Alex Himenez. I live on Bell Isle, 13 Fairy Lane in Miami Beach. I'm calling to urge against item C7Z. Um, this idea to spend a quarter of a million dollars to cut back the sea grapes on the on the beachwalk. I think the beachwalk is one of our best. I think it's probably the best public amenity in the city. I use it every weekend, every as much as I can, probably all the time on my bike running. And this just feels like another bad idea following a pattern of a lot of bad, ugly, sloppy decisions on the on the beachwalk. You'll notice there they use asphalt, black asphalt to repair brick brick paved sections. So where there's brick, they're putting black asphalt, the one you put on the street. It's been there for years. That's how they repair our beachwalk. Concrete balls were recently installed to prevent people from sitting. They look horrible. They look ugly. And I think now the city that the same city that's that did these, you know, that has shown sloppy work wants to cut back our native sea grape canopy. And I think it's beautiful the way it is. It protects sea turtles from artificial light and it creates tunnel-like sections that people actually like walking through. The shade is very nice. The legislation mentions that there's obstructive that these uh trees obstruct scenic views, which I find offensive. Those views should be very low on the list of priorities. Before any work is done on the sea grapes, two things need to happen. One, the public needs to see a clear rendering of what the beachwalk will look like afterward, so we know it won't be cut all the way back and made ugly like other things are done on the beachwalk. Two, there must be a real scientific review and sign off, including from sea turtle experts and the Army Corps of Engineers, not just government officials. If these two things cannot happen, this project should not move forward. Thank you.

Thank you. Our next virtual caller is Alicia Kasanova.

Good morning. I'm Alicia Kasanova. I am representing the Mid Beach Neighborhood Association. Uh, the MBNA fully supports Commissioner Fernandez's resolution C7AB opposing the amendment to House Bill 399, which would preempt and force local governments to approve certain development applications submitted by large design destination resorts such as the Fontlau Hotel, thereby overwriting applicable provisions of the city's land development regulations as well as the independent authority of the Historic Preservation Board and other land use boards to review and approve such application and for clo foreclosing existing opportunities for public input. We really appreciate your help with this battle we're uh fighting right now with the state of Florida. Thank you.

Thank you. Our next virtual caller has initials of WR. Please state your name and go ahead please. You have two minutes.

Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Wayne Roberts out the fifth. Um, I just wanted to uh state that as you know I'm a I'm a big proponent for um the ferry services that uh Miami Beach and the Barry Islands could have going forward. Um high-speed uh ferry services that are electric um that Seattle currently utilizes. Um we have a much better weather, much better water system uh to enable it. um and much better bigger need not just for Miami Beach but all the Berry Island towns um and it could uh connect uh all those towns to the city um in a in a high-speed manner and uh whatever federal, state and county funding that we can get from transportation departments would uh would have a major impact quickly on on uh the resident of this city and anybody along the barrier islands that we're developing. Um, and uh, I applaud anybody that supports that effort. Thank you.

Thank you. Our next virtual caller is Mark Gilman. Unmute. Okay. Good morning. Can you hear me? Yes. Go ahead, please.

Okay. Uh, Mark Gellman. Um, I live on Prairie Avenue. have been here for almost 40 years um here to speak against C7U. I think all of us would agree that one of the biggest problems we have here on Miami Beach is traffic and traffic comes from two sources. It comes from people crossing the bridge, commuters. And the solution to that, the only solution will be mass transit. And I know we're not ready to go in that direction. Then the other source of traffic is residents that have to move around the city, whether it's shopping or picking up their kids from school. And uh one of the areas many people shop in is down by uh Sunset Harbor between Publix, Fresh Market, Trader Joe's, etc. And many people like to use their bicycles to do their shopping. The two streets that are being proposed to remove during the for this resolution are both streets that will allow people to get from Sunset Harbor area or South Beach area up to Mid Beach and further up. Whether they're going to go up Prairie Avenue, they need to go along Chase or they need to go along Meridian. I've spoken to residents that live on Meridian. they are in favor of seeing a bike path along that. So I don't know why after years of working on this problem of of trying to close the gaps where there are gaps in bike lanes why suddenly we've spent a lot of money working on this problem and suddenly it wants to be these two streets. They want to remove what we've worked on so hard. So I am against C7U. I have no idea how this suddenly popped up. Thank you. Thank you. Our last our last virtual caller has a screen name of Zano. Please go ahead.

Hey, good morning guys. I live on your name. Meridian. Yes, Zano. Um, I live on Meridian. I own a house there. Um, uh, I I think the I'm I'm in support of item C7U. Absolutely against spending all this public funding on a net on the golf course. I bike myself constantly there. I take walks. Have never once been felt threatened by a little golf ball. I think um we could do a lot better to allocate the funds. We have flooding issues. There's all sorts of structural issues across Miami Beach. And I think spending money on this is absolutely unnecessary and not the right right way to allocate funds. Thank you so much, sir. Go ahead, please.

Good morning. Ian Hendry, 1330 Ocean Drive. I'm asking for a deferral on R7U uh until the following issues have been fully resolved which haven't been proven during the previous street closure. Uh the front door egress to the hotels and properties, Uber ride share pickup and drop off. Okay. accessibility, the impact that the delivery drivers and trucks have if they're not going to be able to get to Ocean Drive and they park uh in the middle of uh Collins Avenue. The life safety response times that were delayed during the closure. Okay. And Ocean Court's inability to handle the extra traffic. Uh there's been several times where basic service such as trash pickup has been impossible because ocean court has been blocked. Uh I really urge you

what was the first item you mentioned? Sorry, you you gave a list. I'm actually jotting it down. You What was the one before Uber Uber ride share? Uh before the Uber uh ride share was the uh sorry the the front door egress the access. Thank you. Do you have everything else? I do. Thank you.

Okay. Uh yeah, I I mean uh this has been an experiment that's been going on for six years. Uh I can tell you now that that our business is actually up 20% since uh you implemented the one way of Ocean Drive instead of the full closure. Uh and I would urge you to reconsider before you just close Ocean Drive and just make it a dead zone. Thank you.

Thank you. Next, please. Good morning everyone. My name is Elias Hayen. I'm with Associated Parking Systems. I provide valet parking services in between 8th and 12th Street on Ocean. I was recently advised by the parking department that we're not we're going to be relocated to Collins Avenue for valet parking services, but they're going to leave Ocean Drive open. I understand that. But what I'm asking is requesting is to keep to keep up the barricades. That helps the traffic flow and prevents people from blocking the ramparents loading son and potting out of their cars. So that's what I'm requesting.

Thank you, sir. Thank you,

David Wallock. I want to speak in terms uh to uh this R7U pedestrianization and the concept that is so halfbaked that it shouldn't be considered even yet before it goes to a full workshop. First, I'm going to I'm just going to read from your resolution. FDOT, Florida State. Their feedback emphasized the need to understand how any proposed modifications to Ocean Drive would affect Collins Avenue, particularly at its interface at Fifth Street and the potential downstream effect impacts to adjacent carters such as Washington Avenue, even to Alton Road. Continuing on, any reliance on Ocean Court and for everybody's edification, Ocean Court is the alley. It's not a street. It's the alley in between buildings from that back buildings up to buildings from Ocean to Collins. Just an alley with dumpsters, garbage trucks. You want to call it a road, it's not. Any reliance, and this is from Dade County, any reliance of Ocean Court would not result in a permit approval because the East West streets will result in dead end streets. Turnaround culde-sacs will be required that will trigger a countywide referendum. This option of pedestrianization would generate increased traffic volumes and queuing on Collins Avenue and Washington Avenue, adversely affecting levels of service and potentially requiring mitigation efforts such as new signal timings and curbside adjustments. The anticipated increase in parking demand along Collins Avenue and

Washington Avenue may exceed available supply, forcing demand westward, potentially exacerbating spillover effects. Increasing these constraints would require expanded transit service and investment in active transportation infrastructure to accommodate the modal shift away from private vehicle use. One more thing, primarily the lack of vehicular traffic access complicates deliveries, emergency vehicle access and transit service continuity. It also presents significant vehicular dis redistribution impacts on Collins Avenue and surrounding streets, some of which would need to be absorbed by the dis which would have to absorb displaced traffic. Delivery trucks would be parking for hours on Collins Avenue. Thank you, sir.

I think FDOT would be extremely concerned with that to say nothing of the massive litigation that this concept of pedestrianization would create for this city. Thank you. That concludes Sic mayor. Okay. Thank you. Take it away, Ralph. On the consent agenda. Yes, sir. Thank you, everyone who called in and spoke.

The following items have been separated from the consent agenda. Mayor Miner is separating C7R. So, Mayor Miner C7R, Vice Mayor Mattel Selenas is separating C7U. So, Vice Mayor C7U, and Commissioner Suarez is separating the following items. C7 Z as in C uh zebra, C4 C, C4 E, C4 G, C4 T as in Tom, and C7 L. I'm going to repeat them. C7 Z, C4. Ralph, isn't C7Z an addendum item?

It is, but they want to make sure that it's discussed. It is uh C4 C, C4E, C4G, C7T, and C7L. And for the record, the mayor has not approved the inclusion of any of the addendum items. Any such items will be heard after 5:00. These includes C4 L, C4 M, R9 A D, C4 N, C4 O, C7 Y, C7 Z, C7 A, C4 Q, C7 A B, C7 A C, and C7 A D. Those are all listed on your time certain list. Uh, Mr. Mayor, Commissioner Fernandez,

I make a motion on the consent agenda excluding those items that have been separated. Uh, second. Yeah, I heard commissioner. I have a motion by Commissioner Fernandez. I have a second by Vice Mayor Matel Selenas. All in favor, please say I. I. Any opposed? Hearing none, the consent agenda excluding the separated and the agenda items are approved. Ceard uh from our residents and businesses about a number of items uh this morning, but let's start with R7U. R7U is accept recommendation configuration for Ocean Drive corridor. R7U

David Gomez, director of the office of capital improvements for the city of Miami Beach. Um, this item is, as you all, I'm sure, will recall, um, began before, uh, February of 2022 when the commission adopted a vision plan created by Zuskovich that looked conceptually and at a very high level at potential reconfigurations for Ocean Drive. Um, essentially they identified three visions which included, two-way traffic, one-way southbound, and full pedestrianization. Following that adaptation or adoption in October of 22, the city contracted Calvin Jordano and Associates to further examine each of those configurations and identify what could be done and how to move forward from there. uh coming back with a recommendation so that you this body can decide on which configuration to further pursue. Each of the three configurations poses uh benefits and uh detractions. Um these things are evaluated and and presented uh in the in the memo. But for example, the vision plan in two of the three options occupied a portion of Lumis Park. Both of those options, the two-way traffic and the one-way southbound, moved traffic into the park require which would require a countywide referendum. In the process of evaluating the options, Calvin Jordano identified ways to mitigate uh restrictions to permitting. For example, the county's made very clear that we cannot rely on Ocean Court as an alternate traffic route. Calvin Jordano

has developed uh a scheme which which would eliminate the need of reliance on Ocean Court while accommodating turnaround traffic in the in the dead ends. What Mr. Wallik referred to earlier about the countywide referendum for the turnarounds is there was as part of the the study a look at how those turnarounds would happen and and they would occupy a large portion of the park again triggering the requirement for a countywide referendum. Calvin Jordano has developed a scheme which removes that portion from the park eliminating that requirement. We have met preliminarily with the county and they are in agreement that this is a viable solution. Um so that eliminates that requirement. Uh back in apologies I can't find the date. In I'm sorry, in May of 2025, we did provide an update and we heard very loud and clear from this body that the preference was for full pedestrianization. So, we've looked at the potential obstacles and potential benefits of that layout and are making the recommendation to proceed with the further development of full pedestrianization. The things to consider here is that full pedestrianization will require two-way traffic on each of the side streets. Um what that means is as part of the the master plan using bike lanes on those traffic on those streets would not be allowed just because they wouldn't fit. However, they are small streets and

sheros could be incorporated. We would lose some number of on street parking on the side streets to accommodate loading zones for deliveries. We have looked at delivery for businesses on Ocean Drive. We could accommodate most uh of the delivery vehicles along the side streets through those loading zones. we would have to restrict the very largest of vehicles such as the 18-wheers would not be able to accommodate or or access the fronts or or even Alton Court of those businesses. So, we can do that either by restricting the size of delivery vehicles serving those businesses or setting up delivery times and utilizing Collins Avenue as a loading zone uh given the time slots that that we could accommodate those vehicles. Um, and I do have our consultant here to answer any questions should I have missed anything.

Mr. Mayor, I'm happy to move staff for commentation.

Commissioner Dominguez, I have a question. Um, you mentioned that uh on the side streets parking would be lost. There are residents and businesses that rely on the parking. How much parking is going to be lost there? I don't have an exact number of lost spaces. Some spaces would remain just because we're we're looking to accommodate the turnaround as well as some loading zones. Um but I I don't have an exact number. I can give that to you

if I could. Um that also could depend on where exactly the turnaround gets installed. Um, our proposal is that that turnaround would be provided between the alley and Ocean Drive so that there is a consistent pedestrian prominade along Ocean. Um, and so you would lose those parking spaces east of the uh alley. Um, but there is a version where those turnarounds could take place on Ocean Drive proper, which would reintroduce those parking spaces, but would then ultimately break up the pedestrianization of Ocean.

But this is why we need to coordinate with DTPW. This allowing staff to go forward and start negotiating with DTPW will determine where that turnaround would happen. if it's going to happen on Ocean Drive or east of the alleyway between the alleyway and Ocean Drive. That by consequence will determine the loss of parking. 100% correct. And I have another question, Commissioner Dominguez.

Um, a few other things. Um, the delivery truck impacts would be then from Ocean Drive to the side. What about um The trash ocean court can't be a regular corridor. How is the disruption in trash collecting going to work? Thank you for asking. Ocean Court would remain as is today. So the the trash uh services would still be provided on Ocean Court as well as many of the deliveries and service vehicles that that use Ocean Court. We just can't use it as a through fair

and ADA uh accessibility. ADA accessibility. We would obviously have the identified ADA uh parking spaces, but we would also incorporate drop off at each of the turnarounds for not only ADA, but all all drop off and has life safety response times been reviewed? Each of the turnarounds would accommodate a a method for the emergency vehicles to access Ocean Drive. So, we're we're still working on the details, but yes, we would accommodate emergency vehicle access. Okay. Thank you.

I have a couple of questions, Eric. Uh, thank you, David. Uh, good in-depth summary. If you can give us, uh, the other day you gave me a 30 second summary, Eric. I think it would be helpful to people to hear it.

Okay. So, um, we've looked at all the different permutations of this. Thank you to Calvin Girardano for doing such a thorough job. they've articulated many of the the challenges that would exist in any of the different options. Um, but what we're recommending here is that we would fully pedestrianize Ocean Drive. We would incorporate a turnaround close to the alleyway, just east of the alleyway in the 100 blocks, which would allow for a turning movement, a a one movement turning movement for pedestrian vehicle. um uh passenger vehicles, trucks would have the ability to turn around using the alleyways. Um and ultimately we would have to get the county to buy into that and sign off on that. If the county doesn't sign off on that, then this resolution recommends that we go with a secondary option of introducing one-way movements in um alternating blocks. Eastbound on one street, southbound on Ocean, westbound on the next street. And so you would have intermittent pedestrianization blocks if we can't get the county to buy into the concept of full pedestrianization.

If this is approved, when when would it go into effect? At earliest. The the challenge would be in the permitting process just because the there is a current permit that's still open on Ocean Drive for the oneway southbound. We would have to close that entire process before we can submit the new permit to the county for review. So there's a little bit of of a delay there. Then it's the negotiations with the county on how we do it. Uh then following that the the completion of the construction documents which I I think we said 8 months. It's approximately eight months to complete the construction documents and then complete the permitting and and bidding and construction.

And what's the thinking from uh changing from the current iteration to what the proposal is? So the thinking in moving from the current one-way condition to the full pedestrianization is that we believe that that is the long-term best solution for the city based on the analysis that we've done as well as some of the things that we think are are going to be the future of Ocean Drive and Lumis Park. We think that this sets the city up to be in the best position for the next 30 years.

If I could expand on that, moving from the current condition to the proposed condition is what allows the city to expand the sidewalks and create better walking areas, more cafe space, etc. So, it is it is a change to the environment, not just the roadway. I I've had a a few stakeholders, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. they reached out. But so I want to ask uh I know they've they've said why can't we have the one way but going northbound? Did you ever an analyze that and what's the thinking?

So we did analyze that and I see Jose Gonzalez is here. Um my understanding is that you could possibly do both one or the other. We believe and and we continue to believe that the southbound option is the better option and it creates a situation where outbound flow of traffic doesn't get restricted the way you would have if you had northbound flow. Fifth Street is a larger facility and is able to accept traffic as it exits Ocean Drive. If you were to dump everybody onto 15th Street, I think you would have challenges.

That's exactly right. Okay. Thank you. And in it, if I may, not as a non-traffic engineer, uh, one of the things I've learned during this process is that northbound oneelane traffic or oneway northbound actually increases the potential conflict points as vehicles need to turn left crossing the potential uh, either pedestrians or other areas, whereas southbound has a fewer conflict points. Commissioner Dominguez,

some businesses rely on valet. Uh, where will that be done? Those valet spots will be at each of the side streets. Not each, wherever they are. Now, they would we would accommodate on the side side streets. I know you touched on it. Can you just address the emergency response times?

Okay. the the emergency response times. Uh obviously there would be a a gate or ballarded system where we're actually looking at active vehicle barriers which are the the ones that drop into the ground. Um so that is an impact by fully pedestrianizing Ocean Drive. As the emergency vehicles approach, those ballards would drop. They can drive onto Ocean Drive. They obviously have to be careful with pedestrians, but there should not be a big difference in response times.

Commissioner Fernandez, Mr. Mayor, I think of um when when you go to any major destination, you go to Barcelona, uh they have Las Ramblas. You go to New York, they have Time Square, and you go to Paris during certain times of of of the year, Chsay is completely or at least partially pedestrianized. Um you know we have friends on both sides of this issue um and important stakeholders and beloved stakeholders on both sides of the of the issue. But the future the future of prospering cities is accommodating pedestrianism accommodating a vibe for for for our health and wellness brand and it's also good for the economy. We know that uh that that prospering cities offer pedestrianization so that restaurants can can expand so that so that businesses that have limited indoor real estate can prosper and people are truly able to not only enjoy the environment but also enjoy more closely our our architecture. Um, I think this is the future and I think that this will actually support and help the economy of the businesses along this road as it has in all these other tourist destinations where they have proven it its success.

Commissioner Magazine,

Commissioner Fernandez agree wholeheartedly uh wholeheartedly. Uh, that is the long-term vision. That is where the world is going. If you look at some of the most special places in the world, that is what it looks like. I do have a caveat or a reservation though in that. Um I think we need to look at um and sometimes what we don't get right in the city is a comprehensive plan or vision. So, I love this vision for Ocean Drive, but the the fatal error is if we don't do comprehensive urban planning in the surrounding areas. What we need to make this vision feel activated, and I'll steal one of David Wallik's words to add that oxygen is people, right? So, if we're going to be taking the cars away, which I agree is that vision and and it what's what makes places special, especially a beachfront uh plaza. We need people and in that area, it's one of the least, I hate to use the word dense, but there's just not a lot of people around. Right? If you look at the businesses um on Collins Avenue from 5th to let's call it 12th Street, that corridor has died. Died, right? Because if you go stand on Fifth and Collins, the bank just went out of business. The gym's not doing well. The retail on the ground floor is not doing well. If you look around, you say, "Where are my customers going to come from?" Right? Whether you're a gym or a sandwich shop or anything else, you do a 360 degree spin, you say, "Where are my customers?" Right? And that's I don't mean to harp on this Washington Avenue thing, but that is the comprehensive plan. When I think about

pedestrianizing Ocean Drive, it's because at 5:00 p.m. I want to go there after work or after school and see thousands of people out there rollerblading and running and jogging and enjoying the most beautiful natural resource that Miami has to offer. But we need the people to be able to do that. So, we need comprehensive planning uh around that. If we don't get that right, we're going to have some of the issues that we're facing on Lincoln Road. I took a picture of Lincoln Road, and I wish I had it in time for the two-day rule for the presentation today, but it was from Alton Road looking east. We're talking about 8:00 a.m. And this is our major downtown, if you will. There wasn't a single human being on that road, right? Because there's not a lot of human beings that live in that immediate proximity. And that's kind of the comprehensive vision that we need to fill in uh to make Ocean Drive pedestrianized successful in the long term. Uh David, I have a question. The longer term plan, I don't not even longer term, but in the near to medium term, is Ocean Drive just going to look as it is, just without cars? Is there still going to be the sidewalk and then we're going to have the street? When I think about doing this, I I want to do it right. I want to do it comprehensively. I don't want people to feel as if we're in some sort of temporary purgatory of, oh, this could be a road one day. This could be a street one day. This should be a beautiful pedestrian plaza. If we're going to go, let's push our chips all in and go all in, right? It shouldn't be a sidewalk, yellow paint, and then a street. Let's push our chips all in and make this one of the most special places in the world.

And I I'll I'll let Giano explain a little more about the vision. Um it is not just sidewalk and then other areas. It the the vision is actually to create that plaza.

Good morning, Janna Philly with Calvin Jordano. It's a pleasure. The um the ultimate vision for Ocean Drive would be to create it more like a linear plaza. Um the intention behind the initial visions in the ADCD plan was to create a curbless street so you wouldn't have a vertical separation of that curb between the roadway and the sidewalk. And the idea would be if you've been to Cla Street up in West Palm Beach to have that sort of storefront to park front continuity and that seamlessness between Ocean Drive and Lumas Park. That is the overall intention. And when do we get there? Well, we have to go through that permitting process. I think that that's the critical component to make sure that we get signed from from the county. I

I believe you mentioned something about a midterm or or a nearterm change. There was an item discussed a commission about potentially upgrading some of the sidewalks, lighting, etc. on Ocean Drive. We did go out to the community and we we presented some options in doing that. There was considerable uh push back push back. um it was not received well by the community so it it stopped at that point when we didn't

and I'll tell you in some of these and I'm not talking about the spec specifics of this but in some of these comprehensive plans and visions there's going to be people that agree disagree for anything and where we've really erred over the years as a city is some of these projects we get to the one yard line or the 10 yard line and some people say oh no no and we all of a sudden get cold feet and this is how West Avenue doesn't get done for 20 years, right? This is how Lincoln Road doesn't get done for a long time. So, uh I don't want 20 years to go by or 10 years or 5 years and we've made this commitment to pedestrianize Ocean Drive, but we're still sitting around and it just looks like any normal street and sidewalk. We need to push the chips into the middle and really go forward with this.

Commissioner Bot, then Commissioner Suarez, then Commissioner Mateo Selenus.

Um, so I want to build on what my colleagues have said um about this being a transformative project for the future of the city. I know change is hard. Um it doesn't um come all at once and it's complicated. But in addition to what my colleagues have already said on this matter, we know from the reams of data that that are out there. I brought a bunch of examples when we talked about this last year. I didn't bring them again today, but the data quite conclusively shows that pedestrianized plazas and streets, increase retail business, increase dining business. Um because people stroll through, they wander in, they have a cup of coffee, they go out, they do some shopping, they go and and go to the beach, they come back, they go for lunch. You know, it is not the same if you're using Ocean Drive as a thoroughare um to get from point A to point B. That is not the same experience. Um you know, I I recently rewatched um Bird Cage, which is if anyone hasn't watched it recently, I highly encourage it. It is awesome. But that is not the Ocean Drive we are anymore. It was jam-packed with cars, people in, you know, 80s Jane Fondo workout out outfits and rollerblades. And that's

that part still holds true. David

David does still wear that occasionally. Um, but that that's not that's not where we are as a city anymore. Yes, to fitness clearly, but not weaving your way through cars to do so. I think this will be such an upgrade to what is already an amazing public amenity and a world-class destination. And I think we're going to look back in 10 years, even those who are concerned about how it's going to impact their business. We will look back in 10 years from its its opening and say, I can't believe we ever resisted this. I do I'm not being cavalier about the concerns that are being raised about how do we address our hotel guests, how do we address our dining guests. We will work those details out. We will make the experience a welcoming one from the point of departure from their vehicle to the point of entrance to their destination. We can work with the Ocean Drive Association um the the businesses themselves can one second please David. Um we can work with the um the businesses to to um make a beautiful experience. I've been to hotels where they pick you up in a in a um you know a beautiful car that is branded and they they make it a welcoming destin uh part of the check-in process. You know, there's a water in the back and the driver answers questions about you know the environment. We will get it right. We will get it right. We will incorporate everybody's feedback um and get it right. The other thing, Joe, you mentioned the meeting um or David, you mentioned the meeting actually last year where there was very strong push back about making changes to the sidewalks and lighting and to the park um in advance of this. I think and that is a correct assessment, but I believe that that was before we had made a decision and there was a lot of um concern that nobody wanted to spend money on something that would just be

ripped up again. So, if there is a way to as we're working on the permits, start also developing the cosmetic part of this, knowing that what we're aiming for and we can start to make those um improvements that will not then be ripped up, but will be incorporated into what is to come. That would be, I think, a great way to move forward to um elevate the experience as we're transitioning as you suggested, Joe. So, um, that's what I would like to encourage.

Thank you, Commissioner Suarez. Um, I'd like to invite our chief of police up. I got a couple questions.

Good morning, Wayne Jones. Please, Chief. Morning, Chief. How's it? Morning, sir. Um you I remember I believe during COVID there when we did go full pedestrian for for a period of time there was unintended consequences such as well stampedes overcrowding especially during the high impact periods. If we go through with this, does is the police supportive of this me measure where you can effectively manage crowd control on Ocean Drive?

Yeah. Um well, CO as you know is problematic and all host for host reasons. Um I I don't think the issues associated with CO was simply limited to the closure of Ocean Drive. At at any rate, I I think from police perspective, whether Ocean Drive remains open as it is today or closed permanently at some point, uh we'll police as best we can. Um obviously, this decision is a policy decision to be made, but uh we're committed to policing it whether closed or or open. Okay. I just want to I would just want to hear from the police if it's if it's something you can do. Is it possible to do crowd control and management again on Ocean Drive if you needed to? Yes.

Okay. That's the charge. We'll make it happen. That's it. Thank you. So, I have two questions. Um, first of all, this plan will include the sidewalk cafes will still be able to operate. Because we won't have Ocean Drive anymore, theoretically, there would actually be more space for the sidewalk cafes. Okay. So, those businesses would be able to expand. Yes. And have more restaurant space

to increase their revenue. Okay. And then my second question is, have we figured out yet addressed what would happen to our premier events, our parades that we have on Ocean Drive like Pride, Veterans Day, even Art Deco Weekend. Have we thought about if those would be moved to Washington or Fifth Street or

So I've thought a little bit about that. Um, we would have the option of continuing to do the parade on Ocean Drive because you have to keep a 20ft clear path for emergency vehicles. Um, and we could activate that. Uh it would it would be similar to um having a parade on Lincoln, which we've done on occasion, not as frequently as with Ocean. So even when the plan is all said and done in 20 years or whatever, it's rebuilt and there's technically no street on Ocean Drive, it's we're still going to be able to host our events, our parades. Yes.

Okay. Thank you, Commissioner Fernandez. Thank you, Madam Vice Mayor. Uh PJ, um do you have the image I just sent to you? There we go. This is what we're talking about with the uh staff recommendation that we just moved. Uh we're talking about an elevated uh an elevated street. In essence, um the the area that today is asphalt uh would be rebuilt as one continuous uh sidewalk that goes all the way pretty much to Lumis Park. So really enhancing the pedestrian offering. I believe uh that's about 55 ft, Mr. Director. Is that correct? I think it's actually more than that.

It's more than 55 ft. So that so it's so it's pretty significant uh pretty significant pedestrian space we would be adding there. Clearly there you you see in in the middle of it um you know much more expanded uh space uh for our businesses, for our restaurants to really be able to flourish. And we know in this area of the city that's so critical and important because the indoor real estate of these businesses is very limited. And in order for them to flourish and really make financial sense is by offering them this expanded outdoor seating area. And then further to the east, um you see when it meets uh Lumis Park, you have that um that that lane there that's for emergency vehicles. And as the city manager was was mentioning, uh that would be the area that you would be able to use to continue hosting um incredible events like Pride that sustain our economy and attract tourism. This is this is such a beautiful vision uh where people get to not only enjoy the park and the businesses but the architecture and the events that we host in in our city. And so I just wanted to share the visual of it uh because this really would be taking I think the Ocean Drive experience to the very next level.

Thank you. Uh public comment. Let's uh Mr. Wallik, I know you've been waiting patiently and Ralph, I don't know if anyone's on Zoom. Thank you, Commissioner. I don't think you people are understanding. It's unbelievable that you don't understand that 5th to 15th Street is not Espanola Way. It's not Miracle Mile. It's not Lincoln Road. It is not a retail center. It is small hotels. Each of these have multiple small rooms with small bathrooms, no swimming pools, no parking. The only amenity that they truly have is their frontdoor access to Lumis Park and you want to take it away. You're making a totally non-competitive depression will follow year after year and it will be dead. You have not planned ahead. What will replace these beautiful little beautiful Deco hotels? Because you're going to kill them just like the 1970s. None of you were here for that. You have no idea went on in the what went on in the 1970s, but you're going to create the same thing. Darkness, emptiness. Why not look at Lumis Park and all the hurricanes that have depleted it and redesign it and redesign it all the way to the to the to the beach mound as uh the architect designed. Magnificent. Light those trees. incredibly like they do in Whistler. We have Ocean Drive lit like a dump. Meridian Avenue is is more beautiful than Ocean Drive at night. And yet you want to destroy it. You don't realize you're talking about life safety. Yes, Chief Jones will do the

best he can to get there. Even if it's 10 minutes late, you don't realize that trucks have to service every one of these hotels. Everyone. And if you say, "Well, we'll use smaller trucks," then you need four trucks for every one big truck. Those then have to walk on hand trucks and deliver one by one every block, 5 days a week. You think police and fire vehicles can get through all those multiple trucks parked on each street? They won't. You're dreaming and creating us this facitious lie to the public of access when you're removing all the access. It is impossible for these small hotels from 5th to 15th Street to function. If you close that one way, one way is like one lung. You've already taken away the other lung during the sixw week closure that Mayor Gelber instituted illegally, but it happened. and judge BHKO then ruled and the open but six weeks I don't want to speak just because it's Mangoes but it gives you a scale even to Collins Avenue of what would happen incrementally to every building mangoes Tropical Cafe in six weeks dropped $770,000

it thank you sir and recovered when the street was reopened in one lane. Don't kill Ocean Drive before you fully plan what the recovery would truly be because it is not pedestrianization. Increasing the size of cafes with no one there means nothing. And I just Thank you. If I could, Commissioner Fernandez.

Thank you. Um because I the this is the same conversation we've been having for years and it's advancing this from conversation to actual discussion with DTPW. Uh but this is not set in stone because if DTPW were not to approve either of the turnaround designs with a full pedestrianization then we are recommending the through the motion that we did supporting staff's recommendation the hybrid design with one way uh with a one-way traffic lane uh blended with pedestrianization along Ocean Drive. So the door here is for both options. We're telling DP D we're telling our administration to work with DTPW on our preference of it being pedestrianized fully pedestrianized uh consistent with all the conversations we've had for all of these years. But if we are unable to fully pedestrianize it, we're simultaneously giving the ability to then work on a hybrid design with a one-way vehicle lane uh blended with pedestrianization along Ocean Drive. So just just so that there is clarity on that.

Thank you. Mitch, would you like to speak? I'll be I'll be brief. Mitch Novik 901

Collins. Whenever the 100 block is closed to uh vehicular traffic, the 100 block outside my building becomes a traffic sewer which include deliveries which are lined up along the curbs with their condenser units. uh the noise, the vibration, the uh the fact that it's just total gridlock is really problematic. I think if you go forward with this kind of plant, you know, you're really going to essentially kill my business because it's uh severely impacted whenever uh Ocean Drive is closed to vehicular traffic. Thanks.

Thank you. Anyone else? If not, let's go to Zoom. First caller has a screen name of call-in user one. Please state your name. You have two minutes. Please unmute yourself. Let's go to Daniel Saldo, please. You have two minutes.

Yes. Hi, Daniel Seraldo, resident of uh the Art Deco District. And as far as Ocean Drive pedestrianization, I just want to make sure that if that is done that the businesses which already have huge indoor business uh within their property line like Mangoes or the Palace should not be able to expand so much more outside. It should be proportional. There are so many hotels that stayed hotels unlike these other buildings that adapted to a new use and so we need to help as Mr. Wallik said the smaller hotels that don't have that haven't converted their inside to an all night party and we need to look at protecting them. I haven't heard any of them speak but I am aware that the smaller hotels like the idea of the pedestrianization so please uh stick to this and keep it going forward. Thank you. Our next caller is Anes. Anes, state your name. You have two minutes.

Uh yes, Enes Flax. Uh here again, I just uh want to stress the importance that the residents and the businesses who are here full-time, okay? Like David Wallac, like Mitch, like myself. Okay, I've been here in Ocean Drive for 26 years. and um and the so-called experts that you pay, okay, they don't have the daily experience of the people here full-time. Even those nobers who come here in the winter, yes, they want to have a park behind their or in front of their condos and they're only looking for themselves selfish. If I was like that, I would also want to have, you know, a a pedestrian there, right? because I mean if I was selfish but I'm looking for the um for the community not just our local community but the world community and it will be a shame to completely change uh the character of Ocean Drive and what has been and how successful it was with and the reason that no one's coming here because we don't have parking parking became so unaffordable people stopped coming here I hear this from many of my friends who live in Coral Gable, who lives in Bokeh, and they start coming here because first of all, unfriendly, second, no parking, and then parking, you know, $40 for valet is unaffordable. And Miami is a cardriven community. The, you know, pedestrianization, like many people explain, where are the people going to come from? They have to come here by car before they even get here. And where they going to park? Your problem is parking, not parks. So you spent a lot of time over the last 20 years creating more and more parks, but not parking and not affordable housing. So your your priorities have been not in the right place. So I hope that you at

least do a comprehensive plan of the entire city before you move forward with anything.

Thank you. Our next caller is Jane Crup. Good morning everyone. Um, and thank you all for finally speaking about this really important iconic street that I've lived on for 20 years. And um, I'm down here in the trenches on 14th in Ocean. I watch the trucks. I watch the pedestrians. I watch the tourists, the events, everything. And I've got all the data in my head. I would love to share with Calvin Gordano. I'm happy they've started to do a plan and uh Mr. Magazine, you're right. We need a ma a comprehensive master plan thought out and we need to start now uh designing it, thinking about it. Um I'm on the executive board and and uh founder of ADNA art deco neighborhood association and I was on the ABCD mayor's panel during the Ziscovich discussions and we need to continue a dialogue with the residents here and the businesses. Um they all these problems are solvable with full pedestrianization which we support completely for many years. For 30 years we've had residents that have wanted this vision for the city. Um, I'm not in total agreement with that diagram that was shown. I believe that the restaurant should be elevated because this pedestrianization and we should put the bike lane back in. I don't know why that was taken out. I don't think the Lincoln Road model is correct. I think the restaurant should be attached to their balconies and um extend the sidewalk, keep it elevated, and then do a beautiful paver and a bike lane. It all can be done uh without infringing on the park. leave the park a beautiful green space in Coconut Grove like it is doesn't need to be touched. We have a $20 million geo bond that just this

repaving and reconfiguration and the turnarounds will probably um solve, but also let me just address the truck issues. We have plenty of parking on 14th Street and the side streets in the 100 blocks. Can I just have 30 seconds? We have plenty of track. We have plenty of We have plenty of parking and loading zones. The problem is the oversized trucks who can't make the turnarounds. These are old streets. Let's design it for smaller trucks. Put the bigger trucks on Collins. It all can be done in the 200 blocks. It we need city planning and let's get it done. Thank you. Thank you. Our next caller is Monica Enon. Miss Anton, you have two minutes.

Good morning, Commissioner. Monica Enen on behalf of Mango's Cafe and the Colony Hotel. Uh this commission is concerned about the impact that historic buildings are going to have if the state takes takes certain actions against them. But at the same time, you're not you don't have the same concern over the historic hotels that are located on Ocean Drive. The Colony Hotel is uh Mid Street. What would happen to those people that want to go to the Colony Hotel? They would be walking half a block in high heels, rolling their suitcases with umbrellas in the rain. How many more of those customers will come back? I bet you not very many. What will be the long-term effect on these smaller boutique historic district hotels? I think that the vote on this item is premature without a further study of the impact on your historic properties as well as on these side streets. I hear a lot of the things are happening on these side streets. These are very narrow two-way side streets. You are now indicating you're going to have two-way traffic. You're going to have parking. You're going to have loading. You're going to have ride shares. You're going to have ballet. How many things can happen on half a block on each side? This is going to have an impact going down Holland, going down to Washington and even possibly into the Flamingo Park neighborhood because these side streets cannot handle the amount of items and things that you are imposing that are going to happen. We believe that this is premature and I think what Commissioner Magazine said earlier is very important. You are going you're moving forward with this. But what are you moving forward with? Are you going to have a plan so that it's not just an open street as we had after you have one of the best police departments in the state if not the

country. They will always respond but what will they be able to do it safely and we believe that you need the additional time to to actually vet this correctly. Thank you. Thank you. Our next virtual caller is Susanna Santoro. Please you have two minutes. Go ahead. Uh, good morning commission. This is actually not related to the matter. I just wanted to thank Commissioner Alex Fernandez for advancing item C7AB opposing HP 399 and the rest of the commission. Uh, placing this position on the record is important not only from an historic preservation standpoint but from a broader principle of fairness, infrastructure concurrency, fiscal responsibility and most critically life safety.

Thank you. in a cons barrier island environment like Miami Beach with limited evacuation routes, chronic corridor congestion and documented emergency access challenges. Preserving minifensity development in a matter of public safety and equitable governance. Ensuring that all property owners are subject to consistent evidentiary standards and that impacts to traffic emergency response, water, sewer, and storm water systems are properly evaluated before approvals are granted is fundamental to protecting residents, visitors, and the long-term financial stability of the community. So, commissioners, mayor, thank you again, in particular, uh, Commissioner Fernandez for putting this forward.

Thank you. Our next caller is Andres. You have two minutes. Go ahead, sir.

Good morning, everyone. Um, you know, if it's not going to be two lanes going um north and south, the most logical thing is to have traffic flowing northbound. It's just common sense that you drive down Fifth Street, the major, most largest artery to get to Ocean Drive, and make a left when you get to Ocean Drive and drive up the street. Many times if you take an Uber and you're going to go for instance to Mangoes and you put 900 Ocean Drive, if you don't have that flow of traffic, you're going to go up Washington, come down 9inth, stop on 9th and Ocean and get out versus going through the flow of Ocean Drive and enjoying all the beautiful businesses and restaurants that there are to offer there. It just makes common sense to go up north, pull your car up to the left. You don't even have to change the lanes the way that they're painted on the street right now. All you have to do is turn the traffic lights around to the other side. It is simple. It is easy. And you don't want people parking or getting dropped off a block away, especially if they're elderly, especially if they're, you know, have impairments in walking to walk over a block over to get to a restaurant. It makes no sense. It's not Lincoln Road. Lincoln Road does not have hotels that are on Lincoln Road. It's not the same vibe. And another thing is if you would put some beautiful signature art like there is in the design district around the park, three or four or five pieces and make it a free public space for art. Many people using the power of marketing that the city has doing a great job with would invite people to come over and see that free art sculpture in the park and it will attract more people to come to Ocean Drive for different reasons. Put marketing, put art and have proper flow of traffic on Ocean Drive and it will work. Thank you.

Thank you. There are no other Zoom callers. Uh good morning again, Ian Andry, 13:30 Ocean Drive. Uh uh some of you were here, uh when uh you decided that there would be a pedestrian zone on Ocean Drive, which was between 13th and 15th Street. During that presentation, you presented several things that would expand Ocean Drive for the cafes and make it a lot better for us. We went through four years of closure with zero being done. Absolutely nothing was done to improve Ocean Drive in the pedestrian area. We died. Okay? And I'm afraid, and it's been bought up here, that we're going to go through the same thing. You're going to push something forward because that's the agenda. You're going to close Ocean Drive. Where is the money coming from? There's 20 million in a bond right now for Ocean Drive improvements. From everything that I'm hearing here, this is hundreds of millions of dollars. Where is that money coming from? When is it going to come? Are you going to close Ocean Drive in the meantime and put it the same way that it was for those four years in the pedestrian zone where we were just dead? Please put some thought into this. Okay? Come up with the funds. Come up with the proper plan. But don't kill Ocean Drive and close it to traffic right now without those plans in place and the funds. I'm sure there's going to have to be another geo bond runaround in order to try and obtain these funds because from what I'm hearing again, I'm looking at this as hundreds of millions

of dollars that are going to be required to do all of these improvements, these side streets, the front street. Where's the money coming from? Please.

Good morning, Vice Mayor and Commissioners. Matthew Ganoff again, 125 Jefferson Avenue. U in principle, I'm in support of pedestrianizing Ocean Drive. I've spoken on this many times and many others in the community have. I do think at this point though, this might be kind of premature. It's really it's a visionary idea to pedestrianize it to build out the infrastructure but you really do need the buyin of the adjacent property owners and of the adjacent operators so that because you can do it without them but if you really want it to be a success they should really be on board. How can we we should be asking a question. How can we get the neighbors who operate these businesses uh the property owners who own these properties, how can we get them on board with this idea? And if we do that, perhaps it will be a really well, I think we all know it will be successful. It was successful over Christmas and the college football game. And if we build up that infrastructure and that community support, I think we can get there. Uh I do want to ask one question. I know that previous ideas for pedestriization included the bike lane which is currently there and I think we can all agree that it's super successful. There's a counter that was installed on there and that shows again tremendous use. I don't know the exact numbers but tremendous use of that bike lane. Uh people from all around the country are riding it, the workers are riding it. uh if it is pedestrianized, I think it's important to keep that in the plan because it does take a lot of pressure off of the serpentine pathway along Lmus Park. And then finally, it's my understanding that that um the city's close to getting the permit to keep the current condition that's in place that uh someone mentioned was ordered to be removed. So, I think having an update on that and where that stands, what um you know, would be important for a lot of people in this community because I think that right, Mr. Manager, the city's

close to getting um permission from the county um on what we have today as well. Thank you. Thank you. Yes. Yes, is the answer. Okay, that concludes public hearing. Thank you. Thank you. Let's vote. Um, I think Oh, you need to go ahead, Commissioner Suarez.

Thank you, Madame Vice Mayor. Um, I'm struggling with this cuz I like I walk 2 miles every night and uh some of those nights are on Ocean Drive. Um but you know there is something to say that a lot of the businesses that have come reached out to me and are here today have a real issue with this. Um you know Mr. Wallock bring up brings up a good point where some of these delivery trucks will be congested at these if we do the roundabout option. Um, and that's going to cause a lot of backups, especially for uh the hotels that are needing it service with their linens, food, etc. Um, and I I mean, and not only that, but I think one caller mentioned that, you know, someone might have to walk half a block uh to get to their to their hotel. Yeah, these hotels are historic. The rooms are historic. It's very small. I mean, there is something to say that if we if we go ahead with this, how are we going to accommodate the businesses there that do rely on a front door and drop off pickup and not have to walk uh half a block to to to get to the room? because, you know, I I the experience for that is I I don't I don't know if that's going to be something where that visitor is going to want to come back to that particular hotel. So, you know, I I don't know. I'm I'm um

I'm struggling with this and you know I'd like to see I'd like to hear some more of my colleagues on on um and how are we going to get buy in as Mr. Golton has mentioned from the local businesses. Let's see how we can make this work and and we can have you know a a a unified front on this um plan. Thank you. If I could ask what is the timeline for implementation?

We've got about uh eight months of design work to do. Um but I I want to clarify what we have today is a feasibility study. What we are requesting is the commission's direction on which option to pursue. At that point is when we begin developing all of the design. What we have is identified the challenges, pros and cons of each option. We've not developed solutions to each of those challenges. That's what comes next. Reaching out to the community and the business owners. That's what comes next. So if we went forward with this, it would be a conceptual plan and design and it would give at least eight months for the businesses and for the community in general to develop some sort of comprehensive plan for the delivery schedules and more of your supply chain and logistics. I do have a question on that. I have a question on that and I'm sorry because it's eight months for design but that design period happens after working with the county and DTPW in in determining Mr. manager which option is the one that works for us.

So we need to get clarity from the county before we can move forward with a design so that we're not doing double work. Right. The preliminary input from the county is that the full pedestrianization will work. They will not give us a formal response until we submit for permit and we can't do that until we close the pending permit and actually develop the drawings a little further. as part of the process we still have to go to the historic preservation board and present to them as well. So all that in what does all that time make? I mean I think what you're hearing from us is it's going to be at least a year. Yeah, that's correct. Conservatively. Conservatively.

David, have you met the local businesses? We have had preliminary meetings. We've had a couple of uh organizational meetings and then with individuals, but not at the point where we can begin showing them uh development solutions because we're just not there yet. So, you know, some of the points brought up is that they're going to have to, you know, if you're unfortunately if your hotel's smack dab in the middle of a street, you're going to have to walk. What What What is What is the city's solution for that? I mean because that's I understand it's preliminary but I mean you know that's kind of through the chair. Yes Mr.

One of the things that we've been doing during closures at New Year's each year is piloting the freebie use on Ocean Drive because we think that that might be a viable option. It may not be a freebie. It may be um some sort of miniature trolley. um could be um even you know

yeah I don't think using taxpayer funds to to subsidize a business uh for for transportation like to a val for a valet pickup is is is really a good use of funds Eric no um there's got to be a more concrete plan for that besides using freebie because then you're going to be freebie from other people who need or like seniors to go other places. I mean, so is there any other ideas than using freebie services to get people from these uh roundabouts at the end of each intersection to their their destination hotel? So, just to be clear, and I'll ask the transportation director to stand up and and confirm, I don't believe that we were charged anything for those freebie activations over the holidays on Ocean Drive, either of the two years that we've done it. it was able to be done um through an arrangement with the businesses and they were able to work out something with freebie where freebie was getting, you know, the exposure and the advertising and

but that's not a long-term plan. I mean, let's be honest. I mean, that sure that's that works for the holidays, but that's not a 365day year plan. I listen, I'm not trying to be difficult. I'm just saying it certainly seems that this is very halfbaked on on what the plan is. I I like pedestrianization, like I said, but I think we really need to have a serious plan before kind of just, you know, just just going forward with something without buyin from from the local businesses that, you know, are obviously struggling still.

So, I just have a question. What what plan are you looking for? Because I think, you know, there was there was the ACC committee. There was this goitch that was brought in to put together a master plan. Then Cordino and Associates Cordino mispronounced. Yes. Came in and did explain the additional work that Cordino did. So um they got the master plan that that Saskco put together. I mean going back even further, we had the Schulman plan

which was came back and said you need to level the street with the sidewalks and put in ballards so that you have the ability to expand the pedestrianized use of the street. That was back in 2016. That fed the geo bond in 2018. Then following the geobond, we had the um the mayor's blue ribbon panel for the art deco cultural district. That was a visioning exercise that ultimately ended up in the hiring of Ziscovich to do a master plan that included Ocean Drive, Lumis Park, Collins, and Washington. And then we hired Calvin Girardano to flesh out that vision plan into something that could be executable. And that's where we stand today. Um, are all of the nitty-gritty details ironed out? No, not at this point. But I think we have a very solid framework based on the amount of outreach that we've done, the amount of engagement we've had with the community. Are there some folks that are still adamantly opposed? Obviously, you've heard that today. Um, are there some folks that are adamantly in support? Absolutely. Are there some folks that are still kind of on the fence and want to see some more detail? Absolutely. and we will continue to engage with everyone to make sure that everybody has a seat at the table. Um, but there are some folks that are are just dug in in their position and are not going to move as long as there's no vehicles on the street. And so, and just as a followup to that, because as part of the work that Corino did, there are

certain legal and regulatory requirements that Corino had to abide by. um you know and and if the representative from Cordino could approach the podium you know things that you took into consideration crowd management public safety ballet operations can you walk us through you what are you know the things that you had to consider as you went about your study sure and for the record Kevin Jordano Cardino is a different firm I don't want to misrepresent them um uh yes as part of our work to me to mix up names

one of the one of critical things that we wanted to do was to make sure that we avoided the triggering of the county charter. That was a huge component of this project. We also looked at the safety requirements that will be implemented given the speed volumes that we're seeing on the corridor to abide by the green book which is a regulatory component that requires certain separations between pedestrian use objects artifacts landscaping and the vehicular roadway. Um we have discussed extensively with staff about uh operational factors such as where do we convert existing parking on the side streets to be able to accommodate short-term parking for ride share short-term parking for um uh delivery box trucks and uh we are

valet operator the valet operator as well stacking correct we have in the in the diagrams that we've provided I believe that some of them were in the attachments to the to the memo There are uh diagrams that show how we've preliminarily allocated designated spaces um for each one of these uses. Understanding that these are operational challenges for the corridor. How about business deliveries? Has that been incorporated into the material that you've provided the city? Um not so much beyond where the box trucks would park. Mhm.

Um, a lot of the deliveries for um, a lot of the case studies that we've looked at with regards to roadways that have been pedestrianized is that you have sort of a two-step process. The truck does not drive up to the front door of the establishment. They get to a dozen dated parking spot and then there is a a handheld delivery at that point. Um, it's an inconvenience, but it's some it's it's something that has been worked out in a lot of different So, but these are all things that as when when you went about your study, these are all things that were considered, correct, as part of the study that you were contracted to do by the city commission. Correct. Madam Fiser.

Yes, Commissioner B. Um, you know, we have time to finesse these details and there are super high-end destinations throughout the world in Europe and in cities in South America and Asia that have really beautiful hotels on pedestrianized streets. I would like to engage our economic development director to spend some time doing some research to inform our decisions on how to best manage this. I can tell you that if I were paying um to stay in a historic hotel someplace, I would find it much more appealing to have it open up onto a pedestrianized street across the the way um to the park and the beach than to have a traffic trafficked street. Um, I think that we I know that we can get to correct answers that will accommodate everybody's concerns. And like I said before, change is hard and you have to figure it out. We're not saying tomorrow Ocean Drive becomes 100% pedestrianized. We are starting the process. It will take time, which gives us the flexibility and the latitude to do really deep research. not just of what happens in South Florida, but what happens in destinations that are comparable to ours around the world. Um, we could conceivably limit deliveries to before 8:00 in the morning or before 9:00 in the morning and um have them come up on the pedestrianized um right of way potentially. We can look at all kinds of different things. um New Orleans doesn't come to a grinding halt because deliveries can't be made an 18-wheeler truck into um the French Quarter. There are solutions to these problems that other cities work with

very very well around the country and around the world. Let us find those examples. Let us choose from the best of them and we will adopt them for our community. Anyone else? Are we ready to vote? Call the question. Call the vote. So, I have a motion by Commissioner Fernandez, a second by Commissioner Bot. All in favor of our Let's go. Let's call. You want a roll call? Okay. I'm going to go alphabetically. Commissioner Bach, yes. Commissioner Dominguez, yes. Commissioner Fernandez, yes. Vice Mayor Matt Selenas, yes. Commissioner Magazine, yes. Commissioner Suarez, yes. Mayor Miner, yes.

Motion carries. The item is approved 70. That was item R seven. Uh, let's call R7Z. Thank you for my colleagues. R7Z. R7Z is a recognized sunset all fundraising event in honor of Sergeant David Kazusha. Commissioner Magazine.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And I know oftent times we have a dedicated uh meeting for awards, presentations, recognitions, and it's something that I actually don't participate in too often. Um, and there's a time for that, but today I want to bring up uh one of the greatest things I I've seen in the city for some time. Uh, I often say we're blessed with so many things here, our natural resources, our beach, our weather. Uh, but what makes Miami Beach special is the people. It's community. And our community as a whole faced a tragic time at the end of 2025 in November where we lost the family member unexpectedly, uh, officer David Kuso. And it was something that impacted our entire community. And often times in life's most strenuous and challenging moments are when you often see the best out of humanity and the best from a community. And one of those things that really allowed our community to come together was a small business that operates in Sunset Harbor. Uh it's called Sunset Paddle. Um, it's owned by people that live in our community, that raise their families in our community, send their children to school in our community. Uh, they really stepped up to the plate and they hosted a fundraising event, uh, for the officer's family. And uh I I'll let them come up to the mic and give an overview of what they did. But they um in life's toughest moments for officer Kuhuso's family, they raised a significant amount of money that will be there to help and support uh their family. So, um, while it's a unimaginable tragedy that this family has went

through, if anybody's going to go through it, I can't think of a better support system than the special community that we have here in Miami Beach. So, not only did um our city hall community and the police department step up, but we have uh private members of our Miami Beach community step up. And I'd like to maybe call the owner of Sunset Paddle, uh, Rafie Gibli, Chris Pachello up, and maybe you could just give an overview of what you all did and, uh, what you raised and what you did. And Chief Jones, if you want to accompany because I know you were there on that special evening and just give your thoughts on, uh, what this did for the family.

You start.

Yes, please. Um, good morning, Wayne Jones, uh, chief of police. Um, it was really touching, emotional Sunday evening. Uh, you know, there's so many things about this city that makes it special. And the reason I I I think it is a capital world because this is about business owners and residents like Rafie and Chris who weren't asked to do something like this for the the widow of of of David and his his young children. Uh took it upon himself to do it. I imagine many of the friends and colleagues they had in the room that evening never met David, but they understood how important it is to care for those who sacrificed so much to make the city great. Um, his wife was so grateful to the point she was too emotional to actually speak I think. And so from the bottom of my heart on behalf of the grateful mining beast police department um and the widow and the family of David Guso. Thank you so so very much.

Thank you chief. Thank you uh mayor. Thank you commissioners. Um I would like you know nothing more than for Chris and I to take all the credit but it really wasn't us. It was every single person that entered the club that heard about it. Obviously, we were just the messengers. We just uh explained to them about the story of how unfortunate it was. Um that a young officer that was healthy was was driving on on a on a highway either on the way to work or or something um in those uh and and lost his life with three young kids. Um, and that pretty much was our story. Of course, we we gave uh our facility, which we always do, but this was something really special that every single person that walked in and heard about the story really opened up their hearts and and and gave as much as they could. And we're happy to do this. Uh Miami Beach Police has always been there obviously protecting us um protecting our families, our schools, our community, our businesses and um again this is not something that we we were just the messengers for this. This is the entire community. People that lived everywhere in Miami Beach came out that night. Was probably the most We've hosted maybe 200 events. That was probably the most, you know, incredible event uh most touching and an emotional event we've ever or maybe we'll ever have at the club. So, I want to thank you guys for obviously uh recognizing this, but it wasn't it wasn't us. So, it was the community that really did this.

And Rafia, I know you're very modest. Uh maybe you could start with when you presented uh the widow of Officer Kuhuso with the check, what she originally thought it was for because she was in such disbelief in what it was actually for.

Uh yeah. Uh she was as the chief said, she was extremely emotional. We didn't know if she was going to attend. Uh she was going through a lot with three young kids. Uh we had the event early on so she could still get home and put the the kids back to to to bed for school and it was more than we ever thought. We really, you know, we had an amount that we wanted to wish for and and we exceeded it by by a lot more than that and uh we'll continue doing it for her, for other officers. Hopefully that never happens again, but if we get the call, we'll we'll be there again and again. and uh we're happy that at least we were able to to raise a really significant amount of money that could really help her

and just uh help the community quantify the impact that you had. Uh I believe it was $165,000 that just your small business, your community was able to raise that went to directly to officer Kuzo's family. Correct. Yeah. Correct. And uh when she was presented with a check, she was in such disbelief she thought it was $16,000 and she said that was amazing. uh but then to realize it was $165,000 that's something that is uh goes a long way to helping the family. So thank you. Thank you. Thank you all. Thank you. And I don't want to turn into an award ceremony, but maybe we could go down and take a picture with Rafie Chris and the police.

Yeah. And thank you Rafie Chris. Uh I was there tonight. It was a lot of events that night of of Kaneka, but the you could see the outpouring of affection and emotion and caring. Um, so kudos to you and your and your and your business and the entire city of Miami Beach. There's that's a special family and I hope and and I know they see the the love. I I honored him and and uh his widow at at my state of the city and we've done other it's just you just have to I I I actually have told her the speech she gave at his funeral literally single-handedly I I don't think I've ever heard a better speech. I mean she did not shy away from the issues that confronted her and her family and her belief in God. And it's uh it's a testament to her and her family. his dad, a retired firefighter. Uh it's just it's it's a it's a tragedy beyond tragedies, but it's incredible when our community can come together and support um a family that has dedicated so much to our city. Jesus Christ. We need some people.

Thank you. So, mayor, for the record, R7Z is being adopted by acclamation. Yes.

Let's call um R R sevenQ. R sevenQ is renovate reopen Byron Carell movie theater family entertainment complex R7Q. Commissioner Suarez. Um we're still working through that. I'm going to defer that. Okay. So, we're going to defer that item to the uh March meeting. So, it happens to be the next item on my list. I think coincidentally is yours as well. So, um R7F R7F is request Miami date county to amend code to provide city with traffic signalization authority R7F.

That was um pulled by Commissioner Fernandez. It was um it was um I'd like to see Yeah, it it was on consent at the last agenda. Yeah, I just pulled it and if if I could through the mayor, Commissioner Fernandez.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um I love the idea. I think I think it's it's it's a great idea. the more that we can handle our our signalization. Uh and Commissioner Sars, you've worked tremendously uh with our transportation department. Um I just, you know, I want to understand, do we have the staffing, the technology, and the resources to be able to handle this? So, today we do not. Okay. And how long do we anticipate it's going to take us to negotiate this with the county? I

mean, Jose, we've been working on this um in smaller pieces over the years. The county has been hesitant to relinquish this control. Can we, you know, can we re-engage these conversations and see if there's any appetite to go further this time?

Absolutely. Uh good morning, mayor, commissioners, Jose Gonzalez, transportation and mobility director. Uh if this resolution passes, if it's adopted, we'll certainly re-engage the county. We've had just preliminary uh conversations, high level conversations with their leadership. Uh just also want to mention and my understanding and commissioner correct me if I'm wrong but the idea with uh with this item would be that we would have autonomous control of the signal timing changes not to necessarily install signals maintain signals which would require a lot more resources. This is more tapping into having complete a autonomy, I should say, in terms of tapping into the county's signal timing changes and have the authority to make those changes without having to go through the county.

Yeah. And and I'll second your motion. Can I magazine

Jose? Are there some areas that we have pinpointed as more problematic than others? One that stands out to me just because of my experience uh traversing this road several times each day is Alton Road. And I live on Sixth and West Avenue. And it quite literally takes me longer to get from there to city hall than it does from my house to the heart of Bickl and has nothing to do with the traffic because this can happen at any time during the day, even in the early mornings. Uh, and I'm not an expert on what traffic light signalization looks like, but I can just look uh north up an empty Alton Road and just see the staggered lights with no rhyme or reason, doesn't seem timed that I know something is off and something is problematic. Uh, so are there certain and that has impacts on traffic all across the city, right? especially in the Sunset Harbor area where um the ingress egress from the city uh connects with the Venetian that is kind of like the bane of our uh overall traffic problem that artery right there in the evenings. Could we not identify some corridors that are more consequential than others and really put a full court press on the county to say, "Oh, what gives here? Why why can't we simply work together for this right like and that's why we essentially have this where thing about asking for our control is because what we can't get cooperation for the county to work together and I get if they don't have time to look at every single street or whatever it may be across the whole city but if we identify some core arteries where signalization is just off and I'll put Alton Road and if I'm wrong

on that one tell especially now with our our new rep in the county, can we not really make a full court effort to say here's these three main corridors where we really need your help on? Um because it concerns me about the resources that we would need to uh make this happen. So, Commissioner, we have we've we've identified 10 to 15 critical intersections where, you know, they're on our list every morning. Our traffic monitors are looking, there are cameras at those intersections. They're looking at those intersections to see if there's anything that's that's off.

Um, when you refer to the timing being off, what may be happening along certain corridors is that the dete the vehicle detection devices are faulty. And so when that happens, even though the the signal programming may be optimized, it just faulty detection throws the entire signal timing plan off. And and uh and Jose, if I can if I can tag on to that because this is what sponsored this uh this item is remember the Meridian 15th and 16th Street.

I I first went to the county. I I went well I went to you right Jose and I said hey look the these signal timings don't seem right um it it took like 90 seconds and at like 1:00 in the morning to cross 15th and 16th and they weren't even synchronized you didn't get a response then I went to our state representative and mind you this is not a major intersection this is just a small little intersection in the core of Flamingo Park didn't get a response or or got a response but say hey we're working on it. Two months go by. I had to call the county mayor to to get them to to address this concern that I had. And at that point, I'm realizing that, you know, Miami Beach is a unique place where we we really don't we don't abut any other municipalities other than Surfside. And Surfside is only connected by two streets, Harding and Collins. It's the perfect sort of petri dish of of of a municipality that we can control our own traffic signalizations cuz like what you mentioned, we have a broken uh crosswalk detection which happens a lot. That completely throws off the signalization. And by doing this and having more control, at least we can then alter the signalization timing regardless if the button thinks that it's getting pressed every single time.

Correct. And from what we've discussions we've had, we have the staff to do that at at currently we have a traffic engineer on staff. I don't I think you have a over a dozen people in your department. Um, and time and time again, residents email us and complain to us about uh traffic when in reality I, you know, I think that we can alleviate most of our traffic concerns with much better signalization timing, 20, 30, 40%. Uh, and that's a huge win for people commuting to work, commuting from here to city hall as Commissioner Magazine said. Um and and it just makes sense for our city to control our traffic signalization.

It would allow us to make changes much quicker.

Correct. Having to go through Miami date county to make the changes. In the case of Meridian 15th and 16th, we actually developed a signal timing plan to mitigate the fact that the detection loops were faulty. And even then it took over a month for the signal timing plan that we had developed to be reviewed and implemented. So certainly the turnaround times are will be much quicker if we have that direct access that control to make the changes. Um I will just to be clear it will require additional resources. I only have one traffic engineer in charge of the entire county while the county has much more staff available to us. I would need probably two, three more traffic engineers to make sure that we're on top of uh all these uh intersections that have faulty devices and there are dozens and dozens. And considering that the number one issue

in Miami Beach is traffic, that's like by far the number one issue, it only makes sense that we dedicate our city resources to to addressing that problem. And even if we can alleviate the traffic 20 30% that's 20 30% of people's lives that they don't have to spend in the car commuting to and getting very frustrated on the roads. So, and I also understand because I'm on the TPO that um the it wouldn't be we wouldn't be the first city to do this in the tri county area. I believe Boca Raton also has full control of their traffic signalization. So, um there is a precedent uh set here.

Bot um a couple of questions. If we know that we have faulty mechanical devices, um, have we done a full citywide sweep of which, like, do we know every single one that's that's faulty? We do. We do, um, receive a list from Miami Date County that has all the intersections with faulty detection devices. So, wouldn't the first thing to do be to replace or repair those? Yes. And the county currently has a backlog. Some have been damaged for over a year, some for several years, some for three days. It depends. Uh several years. Is it is it a supply chain issue? What is the problem? Is it

to Miami date county in terms of the detection loops? It's just a backlog that they have. They obviously, you know, have the entire county to uh to to to repair. And these issues are happening all throughout the county. We have approximately uh about 200 traffic signals more or less. We're only a small fraction of Miami date county.

So would they could we not do it ourselves and then just charge them back? I mean this seems crazy to be held hostage by the county when we are a very small priority for them and understandably they've got a whole county to take care of but you know we are very population dense area. Could is there not a way for us to make the repairs or make the replacement and then charge them back?

So, we've done that in very rare cases, Commissioner. I think since I've been here, probably just about two times that we've done that because the county was just not um getting to the repairs uh quick enough. So, we went in and and we did that. They are they are costly repairs to do that. We don't have the budget in to do that throughout the entire city, but this time

Okay. So, we could prioritize the most egregious ones, the ones that affect traffic the most and get reimbursed by the county or withhold, you know, like if you are renting an apartment and your landlord isn't fixing the sink, you make the repair and you just withhold the $200 repair cost from your landlord in the next month's rent check, right? like I I would like the administration to look at doing that to the most egregious longest mo most egregious and and most impactful um signals that that we've identified that haven't been addressed. Um the other thing is you and I have talked about the adaptive um signalization study that we're undertaking at one of the really bad um intersections or series of intersections in North Beach. And you've mentioned that sometimes they do better when actually the traffic is a little bit lighter. Could we expand that that research to the intersection that Commissioner Magazine mentioned where you know even when there are no cars the the pedestrian has to wait for a couple of minutes to to cross the the street.

Um Commissioner Suarez identified another one like are there a couple so we can do sort of you know it might not work in this area but it might work in that area. Is that something we can Absolutely. uh the the North Beach signal timing optimization analysis that you're referring to. Uh clearly it focuses on on North Beach, the 71st Street corridor, Indian Creek and Abbott. That's our first phase. If it works there, the plan is to expand that to other intersections throughout the the Right. But when we talked about it yesterday, you said that sometimes it has shown in the past that it works better in less densely trafficked areas.

Adaptive adaptive. So, can we do a dual path analysis? Because if there are other areas that have different kinds of issues, but still signal related, I don't want to throw out a potentially really useful technology because it doesn't fit into one area, but it could be really great in other areas. Yes. Yes. Okay. So, I would like to amend this to include um a directive to explore identifying and prioritizing the the signal boxes that are faulty and have not been repaired u or replaced and um are especially impactful to to our residents of the city.

So, what exactly is the amendment? It's to just identify faulty intersection boxes or pedestrian crossings and prioritize them. But that's already been identified. No. And to for the city to repair or replace them and then charge back to the to the county. Well, Mr. City Manager, is that how come we don't do that now? So, my understanding is in instances that we've done it in the past, the county has not reimbursed us.

That's correct. Well, can we have that conversation with the county? I I I just because it's something that happened that didn't happen the way we wanted it to 15 years ago for two incidents is not a good enough answer to say we're not going to look at this again. If we have, I don't know, you said 16, I think 10 to 15. 10 to 15. Um, and let's say five of them are really screwing up traffic in the city, why could we not go back to the county and say, "We understand you've got a whole big county to take care of. let us take care of these five. This is what it's going to cost and we'll charge you back. But I mean, why wouldn't we have that conversation just because it didn't happen 15 years ago? That's crazy.

I I I'm fully on board, but I think we can bifurcate the two. I think we can do an after the-act resolution. I don't want to coingle um these these ideas. Uh it's already going to be a stretch asking the county for control of our signalization. I don't also want to say, "Hey, by the way, we're going to fix this and we're going to give you the bill." Cuz I don't think that's going to go over well. I mean, I totally get the intent. I understand that. But there's a probably a reason why that's not a uh standard operating procedure for between the the county and the local government. Um I'd be more than happy to co-prime that with you, Commissioner Bot, and and work together on that with a series of sunshine meetings. At least for the traffic signalization uh item, I'd like to keep that clean and uh make sure that um you know these two items are are handled separately when we do go to the county. If I could,

Commissioner Magazine and Mr. city manager. Um, not to get off track here, but perhaps we should work on putting together an analysis of services that we're dependent or relying on the county for. because as we sit here and contemplate um how we're going to be the impact on our own city budget if the homestead exemption passes in Tallahassee. Uh the county did analysis and I think they will be much more impacted uh than Miami Beach and we should expect that that will mean uh greater delays

greater delays but less reliance that we're able to have on county services. I don't want to misquote, but um I believe they did a recent analysis at their commission meeting and the impact is about a third of their budget uh could be impacted by this. Uh I think ours was somewhere around 10%. Jason, am I getting these numbers uh correct here? 15 20. Okay. And and the counties was about at a third. So when we take a look at some of the things that we're relying on the county for it would be wise to start baking in expectations that we should probably rely a little less. Understood. So Commissioner P are you okay with my forgetting to

Sure. Okay. And then Great. So we'll do an after the fact. This is great. I'll co-sponsor. We'll take this. They're great. Three sponsors. Beautiful. Thank you. You can do four. Okay. So, I have a co-sponsored by Commissioner Magazine also. Anyone else? Was it Commissioner Bot? Sure. Everybody in support. All in. Got it. Motion by Commissioner Suarez, seconded by Commissioner Fernandez. All in favor, please say I. I.e. You got all these cool sponsors. And we got another item.

Okay. So that was on R7F as is plus an after the-act resolution regarding the identifying and repairing and obtaining uh cost from the county. I think also Commissioner M mentioned engaging the county. Okay.

For the most critical intersection and starting that discussion. So both items are approved. R5U. R5U is the doors of the mayor, city commission of the city, Miami Beach, Florida, amending parts one, subpart B, article 9, related special acts of the Miami Beach city code entitled pension system for disability and retirement members of police and fire department. Amending section 62 definitions adding definition for police management employees. Amending section 79 entitled deferred retirement option plan drop related to the maximum drop participation period providing for the repeal of all ordinances in conflict with qualifications from ability and providing an effective date. This is a first reading public hearing. It is item R5U.

Commissioner Fernandez. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'm so proud to introduce this ordinance today in first reading to extend our police chief Wayne Jones participation in the drop program to ensure the continuity of his exceptional leadership in our police department. uh extending Chief Jones I believe offers stability and above else it continues the very measurable the very uh real progress uh in our police department in public safety at a time when public safety remains the top priority of the city of Miami Beach. And I think we can all agree that under Chief Chief Jones uh leadership, uh our city and our police department has delivered some some extraordinary results. Uh we've all been seeing the numbers that have been uh put out by by our city manager in the past year alone. Violent crimes declined by, I believe, 9%.

19 Well, there you go. uh we've seen uh we've seen a decline in property crimes, we've seen a decline in homicides, and all of this reflects the importance of focused leadership and a department aligned around clear priorities. Um and also equally important, and I think this is worth to to highlight. I think we're all very proud of the fact that at a time when law enforcement agencies around our country, around the nation, are struggling to recruit and retain officers, our Miami Beach Police Department has achieved full staffing, a very budgeted sworn police officer position. And that is a remarkable accomplishment because at the end of the day, full staffing, full staffing means uh better response, stronger neighborhood presence, and improved uh services for the residents and the taxpayers of the city of Miami Beach. So, with great gratitude for the incredible work of our men and women in the Miami Beach Police Department, uh I don't think that there could be a better message as we approach the month of March. Uh when we face some of our most complex, high-profile uh events, uh there could be no greater signal of support for our police officers. that ensuring continuity and their leadership and supporting our chief uh is a way to support the men and women who stand in the front lines of our city every single day. With that, Mr. Mayor, if you allow me, I'd like to recognize our city manager, Eric Carpenter, who has been working on this item as well.

Thank you through the mayor. Um I am I am firmly in support of this item. Thank you, commissioner, for bringing this item forward. Um I believe that our police chief is the best police chief in the country. Um he has done outstanding in multiple areas whether it's looking at our crime stats, whether it's looking at the um implementation of technology as a force multiplier to be able to deliver best results based on the budget that we have available. Whether it's dealing with the promotional process, building a command staff that is meeting the needs of our community or whether it's dealing with the rank and file of the employees. Um, I believe that the morale of the department is as high as it's been in the entire 13 years that I've been here. And I think that that speaks volumes to how the chief handles his business. and I am firmly supportive of giving him an opportunity to have two more years. I am excited to see what he will accomplish in that time.

I move the item second.

Yeah, thank you. Um, very proud of our police department as you mentioned, Commissioner Fernandez, major crimes down 19%. Spring break the last two years, very peaceful and calm. Uh we had a great press conference yesterday sending out good messaging. Our homeless numbers the lowest count we've ever had obviously uh in in large part due to the work uh of our police department certainly uh Albatara and her team. But uh we lead with compassion because we do offer services that no other city in South Florida officer offers. But at the same time we enforce our laws and we're not compromising on that. And um you see it works. That's how we get the numbers we do. is we're helping people at the same time helping our residents. So really appreciative of the work that we're doing, the full staffing as we've mentioned, first time you said, first time in your 30-year career that's that's happened. Um, and I'm proud we we do push up here and we're going to continue to do it. Uh, I know there's other items maybe as well. I have have an item today on the modified mufflers uh that I know that we're we're trying to uh to to address. We hear a lot from our residents. I will say you've done an outstanding job. difference. Um, we we I became mayor around the same time you became police chief a little bit before me. I think we've seen a significant improvement in the police presence. Uh, there's no question. Our residents say it all the time. Um, but there's always areas for improvement. I know you're on board with that and and we're going to continue to to work with you uh to push on that. Uh, officers out of their cars, I think, is is one that um we we see some improvement. I think it's a little bit slowgo and we're going to continue to to try to address that and certain visibility points. There's always I think it's one of the exciting things about this ax and fus program that's going to come online. It's going to be able to pinpoint areas. It's going to help you uh I think as well to to pinpoint areas. So, um and I think what's also important and I've heard our officers mention this to me. I don't specifically do it because uh our

officers uh have mentioned it to me. I do it because it comes from my heart. I say all the time that we offer great training. We offer the best equipment. We offer the best technology. It not only makes our police department outstanding. It not only helps our residents, but it also helps our officers to be able to do their jobs and also feel safe, but that fact that we have their back and we do. It's not just me, it's our commission. And it's important. And I've had officers tell me a lot like, "Thank you for saying that." You know, there's a lot of places in this country that um the leadership does not say that to their officers. And um they they know it, they should know it. I'll continue to say it because we do. And uh I'm sorry to pinpoint on New York City, but there's you probably saw that viral v video of snowballs being thrown at the officers. And uh at least based on the video I saw, those officers were just doing their job, just walking them down. And the the lack of respect shown to them. I mean, I just I I I would I would literally go I I I just couldn't imagine being the mayor of the city if that, god forbid, ever happened here. No officer should have be ever treated like that for doing a job that is um it's an important job. It's an incredibly important job, a very difficult job being a police officer. And uh and that's why I tell our officers, I respect the work that you do. Um you should be treated with with dignity and uh continue to follow your training and expertise. and we will always uh have your back. So, thank you, Chief. Thank you for leading this force and and looking forward to continue working closely with you,

Mr. Mayor. And and you know, you you touched on the measurable outcomes. Um and just just as important uh and you mentioned it is the stability and the confidence that Chief Jones has fostered within the within the police department itself. I think we can say confidently um that the men and women of the Miami Beach Police Department who put on this uniform every single day um our police force, they trust Chief Jones uh leadership and they know he supports them and they know he holds the department to the highest of standards. Um and that's based on what we see and what we hear on the streets about his leadership. Uh, and that is perhaps the most important thing as the manager mentioned, morale. Morale, I've never seen morale amongst our officers be so high. Um, and uh, these are the type of things that we need to continue because their morale is high. They'll love doing their job. And the more that they love doing their job, the safer our city and our residents will be.

Mr. Mayor,

Commissioner Bot and Commissioner Suarez. Um, you know, I I think that the change that I've seen in the police department over the last few years is um a small P progressive one in the best possible way. And I think that is um largely in part to Chief Jones vision and I look forward to him continuing that forward march into progress um for the next two years because his legacy will be predicated on that. um whoever takes over from from the chief will be standing on a foundation that the chief and and his his colleagues have built. Um and that to me includes in addition to all the things that my colleagues have said um about training and morale which I echo and applaud you for um the increased embrace of um technology to make policing more responsive, faster and safer for everybody involved. I mean, just as a small example, the fact that you can send a drone out within seconds to a call for service so that by the time the police officers get there a minute or two later, they already have the area lit up, they've been able to identify where the person may be and they know what they're walking into. I mean, that makes it safer for everybody and that is incredible. Um so that kind of um embrace of technology as the technology evolves evolves rather um is is great for everybody. I mean the reason why you guys put on the blue uniforms and we don't is cuz you guys actually run towards danger while we're taking cover. So um you know we want to make sure that everybody who is protecting the city is as safe as they can be. The other um value that the chief has brought and I know diversity is a bad word these days but the fact of

the matter is that more that a police department can reflect the residents of the community that is policing the more effective it is. So if that's more people of color, if that's more women in leadership positions, it is imperative that that progress continue. Diversity is not a dirty word. diversity means that everybody has a shot to do a great job if they are up to the task. And so I I applaud the progress that has been made so far and I would encourage um more progress along that line so that our police force reflects the community that it is a part of. Um, I think it makes all the difference in the world when you have a police officer that you feel comfortable speaking to about something that might be your most horrifying, terrifying moment in your life. And so I applaud that progress and I implore you all chief with your leadership, but the command staff to continue embracing that progress and not letting it be undone when leadership changes in a couple of years. So, keep up the excellent work. And, you know, um, you look at where we were 10, 15 years ago and some of the things that happened in the in this police department, in the Miami Beach Police Department versus where we are now, it is night and day. The things that happened 10, 15 years ago were hair raising, horrifying, wildly unacceptable. And we as a city and the police department as an organization face the consequences, not to mention the individuals face the consequences. That has to be a distant distant memory and a and a a lesson that is not forgotten. We can never go back to where we were. I don't care who's chief. We can never backslide even an inch. It is damaging to the community. It's damaging to the organization. It's damaging to the reputation. It's damaging to the

morale of people who serve and none of that is okay. So, keep up the great work. Double down on it and let's go. Commissioner Sar. Chief, I'd like to invite you up to the podium.

Hey, chief.

Morning, sir. Morning again, sir. Um, you know, full transparency, we had a meeting, right? Um, and we we discussed at least some of my priorities and, um, I have to hand it off to you. Um, one of my biggest issues and priorities was Marine Patrol, right? um before I got elected, you know, not to throw any anyone under the bus, but I don't think Marine Patrol was run with with uh the the best personel. Um and I I made this issue very clear to you and your staff, and lo and behold, it's revving like like a perfect engine right now. Um, and that's thanks to you. I think you heard my concerns loud and clear. And it's it's it's better than ever. And if you look out on the bay, there's almost no more boats. Um, the if there's speeding on the waterways, it's being handled. If there's noise complaints, it's handled. Um, some of my other concerns were, you remember, speeding tickets, okay? remember the easels, okay? Um, homelessness enforcement. And when we have this discussion, I said, "Look, I'm going to support uh this extension." I got I'm I'm going to want to see measurable results in uh speeding down, for example, Collins Avenue. I mean, every day we probably get emails for loud mufflers, speeding down Collins. Um, you know, I think just the other day we saw a big a big accident on Collins. That's going to be one of the priorities that I'm going to hold you accountable to over the next

year, two years. Uh, and I think that's important, right? Um, I want to see a much better improvement for uh these issues that continue to pile up, no pun intended, o over these years, homelessness enforcement. Uh, another issue that we we discussed. Um, and you know, as it relates to homelessness enforcement, you know, that also trickles down to uh these petty theft crimes that people get their bikes stolen, their scooters stolen, and that's I believe in large part a criminal homeless population um that really pres our our residents. So over the next year, two years, um, and you know, through the chair of the public safety committee, Commissioner Fernandez, um, you know, we're going to want to hold the police department accountable and, you know, cuz we know what the data is now. Uh, we know what the metrics are. We're going to want to see a significant increase in um, these priorities moving forward for the next couple years. So, I just want to hear from you. It's okay with you. I'll get you on the record and uh and hear you commit to that.

Sure. Happy to, Commissioner. And the conversation you and I had the other day, I thought was a very uh positive conversation. I I think we're aligned in uh what needs to be done in the city to continue our forward momentum, making it better, safer for residents and our visitors. And so, I'm committed to it. Um, like I said to you then, I'm committed to making a difference. Making a difference in the context of lowering those numbers. Um, if you will, um, say it to you privately then. I'm saying to you publicly now. Thank you very much. I commission uh, Vice Mayor Monica Mate Selenus and then Commissioner Magazine. Hi, Chief. Morning.

Um, I was present when you were sworn in as chief and that's a moment that will stick with me forever. We were at New World and you we had all the police chaplain lay their hands on you and there was a rabbi and there was a priest and there was a pastor and everyone came to pray over you and the work that you would be doing in Miami Beach and you've done a terrific job. Truly, we all know it. We all thank you for it. Thank you for your leadership. And I'd also like to say that I called you and I said, "Chief, are you sure you want to be extended for two more years? Are you sure you want this?" and without hesitation, you said absolutely. I love Miami Beach and I want to continue to make a difference. There's no hesitation in your voice. You are committed to our community. We all know it. We all see it. We all feel it. Our residents love the Miami Beach Police Department. They know a great job that they do every day. We thank you for everything, for your hard work, your diligence. Everyone in the department, we thank you. and it all really stems from leadership and that's you. So, thank you very much and I'm proud to support you today. You're

welcome. Thank you. Thank you, Chief. Commissioner Magazine.

Thank you, Chief. Uh you don't need many words from me because the results speak from themselves. Uh compared to where we were 5 years ago as a city, uh it's night and day, a different place. And the police department is a large reason uh why that is. I truly believe we have the best police department in the world. I've often said up here that culture of any organization is set from the top and it's hard to have the best police department in the world if we don't have the best police chief in the world. And I'm firmly confident that we do. So, thank you for your work. I'm proud to support you, not only as a police chief, but a tremendous ambassador to our city and uh hope you continue doing the same job that we've put our trust in you that you've already done. So, thank you for everything.

Thank you, sir. Mr. Commissioner Dominguez and then Commissioner Fernandez. Thank you. Uh Chief, you have done an outstanding job in tackling our high impact weekends starting with spring break and uh Memorial Day and any other event that we have. Uh but the month of March was really the hot button for us and you have delivered. You also take care of the neighborhood associations. You speak to the residents. You're out in the community. You're accessible. You're available. respond and that is so important and appreciated. Thank you for your service and I'm happy to support you. Thank you, Commissioner Fernandez.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. So, there's going to be a second reading for this for for this ordinance. Um, but uh Chief Jones is the chief of the Miami Beach Police Department. He brings great honor to this city, to this city that we all collectively as one body have the privilege of of serving and and representing. So, while I brought this ordinance as the chair of the public safety committee, I welcome anyone who wants to join me in co-prime uh this this ordinance as a sign of support and backing to the chief and to the incredible men and women who are going to be keeping this city safe as we head into the month of March. I will join you. I'll do that also. Yes. Yes.

So, everyone or did I miss anyone? Everyone. Okay. Co-prime. No pressure. Then let's call the question, Mr. Mayor. It Yes, it is a public hearing. I see no one in Zoom. And I see Mr. Novich almost fell. It's trip over yourself.

Chief uh Jones, uh it's it's day and night in in my neighborhood. It's a pleasure for myself, my hotel guests to be able to utilize the p my front porch and not be inundated with drug dealers. Uh they're no longer loitering outside my building. Uh Mayor and uh Commissioner Bot, you uh stole my thunder regarding that incident last week with the drone. Fascinating. Now, the drone was the first responder at the scene. And it's fascinating and captivating that the uh our police officers were able to uh uh make an arrest in that terrible incident.

Thank you. Appreciate you. Thank you, sir. Thank you, Mitch. Uh there is no other individual on Zoom or in the audience requesting to speak. I have a motion by Commissioner Fernandez, seconded by Commissioner Dominguez. Uh roll call. Commissioner Fernandez. Yes, Commissioner Magazine. Yes, Commissioner Bot. Yes, Commissioner Suarez. Yes, Vice Mayor Monica. Yes, Commissioner Dominguez. Yes, Mayor Miner. Yes. Motion carries. Second reading. Public hearing is scheduled for March 18th. That was item R5U.

Congratulations. Let's call uh I know uh someone has to leave for this item a representative from Ulite. So let's call R seven I. R seven I is reinstate the South Florida Arts Center Ulite Arts grants agreement related grant dispersements.

Um Mr. Mayor Commissioner Suarez.

Thank you Mr. Mayor. Um the reason I pulled this from uh the consent agenda is simple. When we allocate taxpayer dollars, even a small amount deserve scrutiny. Um, individually, $30,000 may seem insignificant, but collectively these decisions add up to, as we all know, a billion dollar uh budget. Every dollar deserves accountability. Um, this is not whether Ulites uh contributes to our cultural fabric. They do. Uh the question is whether taxpayer dollars should go to an organization with over $120 million in assets and more than $ 109 million invested in securities. Um according to their form 990 of for the fiscal year ending in September 2024, OLET reported approximately 4.78 million in investment income which nearly equals their entire annual operating budget of 4.8 8 million. In that same year, their net assets increased by roughly 16 million. That is not a that is not a nonprofit that is struggling. That is a well- capitalized institution with endowment level resources resources that can sustain itself. In that same 2024 filing, Ulite CEO earned $345,000. In 2024, the city manager of Miami Beach, who oversees a municipal government with an operating budget of $1 billion, earned only $332,000. So, the head of a roughly $5 million nonprofit was paid more than the city manager responsible for running our entire city government. More than 30% of Oolite's operating expenses go towards salaries and

compensation. These are non these are nonprofit organizations. Public funding should not be reinforcing topheavy compensation structures, particularly when the organization has the financial capacity to fund itself through investment income. And yet in fiscal year 25, the city budget budgeted $30,000 and arts cultural grants funding Ulite. When an organization can effectively sustain itself, our limited tax dollars should be directed toward neighborhood initiatives, public safety, infrastructure, and services that more directly benefit our residents. This is not anti-arts. I want to be clear about that. This is not anti-arts. It's about stewardship. It's about prioritization. It's about ensuring the taxpayer dollars go where they are needed the most. For those reasons, I am asking that we permanently remove Ulite from eligibility under our arts and culture grant funding program and more closely scrutinize funding organizations with large endowments or substantial net worth before public dollars are spent. We owe that responsibility to our residents. And PJ, I have a short presentation I'd like to show. Go to next slide, please. So, like I said, the Ooolites Art financial snapshot, this is for the fiscal year 2024. Their total assets are $120 million. Net assets 119.7. Investments, publicly traded securities, $109 million. Annual expenses is $4.8 million. My key question is, should the city subsidize an organization with $120 million in assets? Next slide. So, the city of Miami Beach, our total operating budget, $829 million, highest

compensated city employee, well, I mean, it's it it is supposed to be our city manager, uh, gets $332,000. That was for fiscal year 2024. Oolite total annual expenditures of 4.8 million and the highest compensated employee, which is their CEO, is $345,000. CEO of a $5 million nonprofit earned more than the city manager of a billion dollar budget. Next slide. So in fiscal year 24, investment income 4.7 million, total expenses 4.8 net asset growth in one year $16 million. Investment income alone covers nearly the entire operating budget. This organization is self- sustaining. Next slide. Total compensation and benefits 31% of expenses is their compensations. The top executives the top three the CEO the VP and the former CFO top executive total $651,000. Next slide. So for fiscal year 2025 and the cultural grants to Ulite is 30,000 in the context 11 $119 million in net assets a self-sustaining investment income $30,000 can be better directed to for example resident focused services public safety or infrastructure community program or perhaps even another nonprofit that is struggling that could use the money to uh bring talent to to Miami Beach. Next slide. So again, this is not anti-arts. It's just prioritizing taxpayer dollars, you know, supporting organizations that truly need assistance with uh with a subsidy to to get off the ground, maximizing community input, and you in reality, we're practicing responsible

stewardship. Uh so look, when an like I said here, when an organization can fund itself on investment income alone, public subsidy should not be considered. So, you can close the slide. DJ, look, uh I I'm think it's I think it's uh I just think it's wrong that you're you're asking for a recurring $30,000 from taxpayer funded dollars when you your your organization clearly does not need the money. I think if we're going to use taxpayer dollars for arts and cultural organizers, let's give it to let's give it to groups that actually need it and are are struggling because I think this is a waste. I think this is also I think if most people in the public knew that we were giving away money on a yearly basis to an organization that has $120 million and their top CEO makes more than our city manager hundreds of thousands of dollars. I think most people would be very upset about that. I'm upset about that and that's why I pulled it. And you know, I think Commissioner Magazine, I think you have an item pending uh at FK where you know, we're going to highly scrutinize any sort of nonprofits where the top brass CEO makes over a4 million. Certainly, this would qualify. Um, and you know, from now on, I you know, at least for me, I'm going to really scrutinize every dollar that's spent on uh with with taxpayer money. And and sure, look, I mean, what things are going to get thrown at me. I'm going to say people are going to say, call me

anti-arts, anti-gay. You know, I I I think it's I think at at some point we just have to have an honest conversation about, you know, where is our best use for taxpayer dollars. So, I welcome the discussion from my colleagues. I I certainly can't support this given the fact that this is this organization has over hund00 million in assets. So, I' I'd love to hear what you guys have to say. Commissioner Dominguez.

Uh, thank you, Mayor. So, I have some questions that I'd like to hear from the city and from Oolate Arts because during my briefing, the city was supportive of this. they the city is ready to move forward with Oolite as a partner and um the grant is a matching grant and uh there's criteria involved and having an arts organization as a partner like that shows that the city has skin in the game and is working with the arts and helping. So I just want to understand more uh why the city's re recommending it and uh more details.

Good morning. Lisa Roante, director of tourism and culture for the city of Miami Beach. Um, thank you commissioner and and you stated it well. Uh, we are supportive of this. Uh, this is an amazing organization and we get by sponsoring it. We our logo is on all of their their marketing and it show it promotes the city of Miami Beach as a leading arts and culture destination. It is a matching grant. Uh, so the 30,000 um that is through the grant process, they do have to have matching grants for that. And I also want I want to introduce we do have the OOLITE uh CEO John Abuadili here with us today.

Yeah, I'll share that um of course it is a matching grant requirement. We also spend uh a good deal more per year on our Lincoln Road activation. So we own a building on Lincoln Road that we've been in for almost 40 years. Um it's a historic building. It's about 100 years old. We house 13 artists. We give them free studio space to make work for a year as well as career development services. We host about um around 50 art classes every year for local folks. Actually, folks drive in from all over the region for these classes. Uh figure drawing, digital media, things like that. We have four exhibition openings every year because we have a gallery space on Lincoln Road in that building. So tonight, for example, we have a free opening where everyone can meet the artists in their studios and see the work we're presenting from among our alumni. We have about a thousand Miami date alumni who've come through our services over the last 40 years that we've been on Lincoln Road. Um, and so we are dedicated to community activations. I'm very proud to say I'm new to the community. Um, but I can speak proudly for Oolite Arts that we were part of the revitalization of Lincoln Road. We've been around since 1984. um and played a key role in um a transformation that took place of course in the '9s and the 2000s economically and culturally.

Hey John, uh first of all, I know we've we've met several times. I'm going to start off really commending you. Uh we had I won't rehash, but a couple years ago, there were some issues. Uh you came in a new board. You've really revamped that organization in in a positive way. So, uh in a short period of time. So very appreciative of of of that and your partnership with our city and I've been to your to the gallery at the on Lincoln Road. It's it was impressive. It was quite a quite a crowd that night. Um I hate to put you on the spot, but could can you comment are those numbers that we just saw from the presentation from Commissioner Suarez, is all that accurate?

Sure. Um, I can say that the endowment that we have, we've owned several buildings on Lincoln Road in our 40-year history. And the endowment that we have today, um, I can say 100% of our money goes towards our mission, which is to support contemporary art and support artists. Um, and, uh, that money came from the sale of a building. It's actually where the restaurant MA is now in the Sketchers. We own that building and activated that building for many years. at the very height of the real estate market here in town about 15 years ago, the board members led a sale of that building and it led to the endowment. Um, it transformed the organization in a couple key ways. One is we were very much a shoestring budget. You know, there was a lot of spit and gumption and volunteer hours um that were being put into supporting the artists that we we gave studio space to at that time. Um, and it really transformed us into an organization that was able to professionalize to hire professional staff to um, rightsize and fix and get right our systems, our financial oversight, our transparency and things like that. And so we've been making that move over the last 15 years since the money came in. We also began to provide um, all of our services essentially for free to the community. Um, we do charge a small fee for our artsbased classes, but we do not collect money from any artist or any participant in any of our programs in any other way. And that was an important transformation because we were able to really begin to better launch artist careers for Miami Dade County. Now we've expanded to a 4count footprint in recognition that many of our artists have been forced to move to other counties because of the housing affordability challenges. Um and so in that way we've become I believe a much more generous and impactful organization because of that money. Um, and uh, and I would I I respectfully, Commissioner, if I may, I do think that having a financially sound and um, stable nonprofit is good for the community.

If if you don't mind me asking, what is your salary? It's about the same as what you reported when I came in a year ago. It's what they brought me in at.

I mean, this is ridiculous, dude. you're making over $300,000 and you're asking for taxpayer subsidies. I mean, I understand it's a matching grant, but look, you know, you guys sold your building at the height of of uh of the market. You are flushed with cash. You are personally making over $300,000 a year. You come to us asking for money from taxpayers. I mean, this is I'm offended. I I And and Lette, I'm I'm I know this is very passionate for you, but I think this is ridiculous. I mean, how dare you come to us asking for money when you have all this all these assets and all this cash? I mean, I think it's just I it's just frustrating when I see this. We look, we have real problems in our city. We have people who can't afford their special assessment that are getting priced out of the market and here we are just giving money to organizations that have over hund00 million and CEOs that are getting over $300,000. I'm sorry. I think that's just I think that's just wrong. And and for for you to come ask us our our taxpayers to to fund this. I think it's ridiculous. And you know, look, I mean, I understand you do a lot of good in our community, but you don't need money from the taxpayers to do that. I I think if you're going to if you're going to do good for the community, do it because it's good for the community. It's not because we're giving you money to do it. I again, like I said, I think if most people saw this, they'd be they'd be very upset that this is where our money's going to. So, you know, I I I just I I I it's just frustrating to me for you to sit here and tell me that you're making over

$300,000 a year, but you're asking us you're asking taxpayers who are struggling all sorts of fiscal issues to fund this on a yearly basis. Commissioner Bot, um Lisa, we are doing an activation with Adidas this year. That's correct. How much have we funded them? 600,000.

Um, so we funded Adidas $600,000 for an activation. Their CEO makes between8 and $8.5 million a year. Um, they have over $25 billion in revenue and they rake in about $13 billion in profit. So, I'm curious uh I'd love to respond to that. I'm Could I ask a question, please? I'm curious to um know if my colleagues, any of them are equally outraged about that as we are about this.

Sure. I I'd love to respond to that. I think what you're referring to is the programming that we used to have for spring break where the city would spend $3.2 million on a failed concert program where we brought Alanis Moriceet here. Okay. and we ended up having shootings and stampedes. So, the fact that we're now spending a quarter of that for a spring break uh refocus on our branding is a discount. I don't expect to pay $600,000 for uh this programming every year, but when you look at what we did for March and what we're currently doing for March, we filled a void that certainly didn't work. Okay. Um I'm very supportive of the blue zones initiative that you have, Commissioner Bod. It's gonna cost us $8 million to get certified. Excuse me. Let me Can I finish, please? I'm speaking. I'd like to I'd like to I'd like to finish.

I'm very supportive of it. Okay. We are funding certain things for a vision of Miami Beach and recreate and making sure that March doesn't lead to bloodshed and literally cleaning blood off of our streets. Okay. So when I look at an arts organization where the CEO is making 300 over $300,000 a year, okay, and are are we supposed to fund this forever and not ask any questions? So I think we can certainly bifurcate that that two ideas. We can have a philosophical discussion on that. But at the end of the day, I'm simply asking a question. is should taxpayer dollars be used to continuously fund this without have any questions for an organization that is completely flushed with cash? Is I I don't know, Commissioner Bot, is that something that you want to do,

Commissioner Bot?

So, um to correct the record, the city is not paying $8 million for blue zones. The city taxpayer dollars will not be used for blue zones. um that is a mis an incorrect fact that you're promulgating which is false. Second of all, I am not debating the merits of one or the other. We all are enthusiastically welcoming um the multiple activations for spring. This is um the Adidas activation is one. My comment was merely um illustrating that they also have the ability to do this. uh it is going to be a a marketing investment for them. They also have the ability to do this at no cost to the city and yet we are welcoming them in with support, financial support. So, you know, I'm just saying it is um a little bit interesting to me that um one is okay and one is not okay, especially as the scheme of the the order of magnitude is quite different. The $30,000, John, that you get from the city, um it becomes 60 with the matching grant. And what is it used for specifically? um the presentation of artwork in our free gallery on Lincoln Road as well as the activations we do around that artwork. Uh we'll have talks with the artists, talks with curators, tours. Uh we have a free event tonight with um hospitality sort of welcoming anybody that wants to come from about 6:00 to 9:00. Um we also have um activations that we do in our empty spaces on Lincoln Road. So we have additional exhibition activations. Of course, the free artist studios we provide several times a year open to the public so they can meet the artists, talk about artwork, purchase artwork if they wish. Um, and then in addition to

that, we have um partnerships around the city that we also activate. So, for example, we might co-present artwork on Lincoln Road in a vacant space as the B invites us to do. Um, we have partner, we've held partnerships with other nonprofits, of course, in Miami Beach as well as throughout Miami date county as well to provide additional public and free access programming in the arts. And if if this grant were not given, what effect would it have on what you offer?

Yeah. So, 100% of our money goes to our mission. Um, and so if we lose a grant, um, whether it's from a public sector grant or any other source, then we'll we'll have to rightsize the budget in a particular area. So that might mean, you know, it it could just mean um uh delaying a program, suspending a program, things like that. And could the money be allocated to, you mentioned that you have the summer art classes for students and and residents. Um well, for anybody that people come in, could you offer um a a fee waiver for Miami Beach residents and students using these funds?

Yeah, we easily could do so. We we offer discount for repeat class purchasers. So we have folks who we have people who've been taking classes with us for decades. Um and so those folks often times sort of earn a discount by just cuz they're repeat purchasers. So it would be an easy extension. Yeah. Uh Commissioner Fernandez and Commissioner Magazine.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, at the time that that I brought the resolution to suspend the funding, we asked that all current and future grant agreements with Ulite uh be paused until there's a new executive director and that there was a statement uh provided to the city reflecting the internal controls uh established um regarding offensive artwork. Has that been met? Yes. Yes, sir. And it's in your package. uh Ulite submitted that in October.

Thank you. Um and so, you know, there's been different numbers that have been tossed around. You know, some people were talking about Adidas, the $600,000 that they got from the city. Uh other people were talking about Blue Zones, whether or not it's going to cost the city $8 million or or not. I was talking to the city manager, Art Bosle, about how much um in in fees and waiverss and stuff does Art Bosle get, which is a for-profit entity. I mean, Art Basle is somewhere between one and a half and $2 million. Okay. And with Oolite, how much money are we talking about right now?

We held the payment of the the final payment from the fiscal year 25 grant. So it's $15,000 that we're penting and then to reinstate them to be part of the culture arts funding. Okay. So we're talking So there's a second payment of $15,000. Correct. And so this is part of the broader um a broader I think it's about a million dollars of cultural art funds that we make of investments in cultural arts. That's correct. We And what's the economic impact? Do we know what the economic impact to the city is of that $1 million?

Thank you for asking that. So, we fund uh from the 1.25 million about 57 organizations that bring annually to the city of Miami Beach specific over $330 million.

So, $330 million economic impact. And so I just want us to be careful because yes, each one of these entities, some might be for-profit and they might get support from from the city, but they still do a very important job to our brand, to the quality of life of our residents, to the type of city that we want to position ourselves to be. Um and so and so and by the way with with spring break, you know, actually we defunded all those activities. And when we defunded all of those activities and we directed all of the $3 million to the men and women in in in the police department to support law enforcement, that's when we fixed up spring break. But we defunded uh the concerts. We defunded the programming. We directed those $3 million to public safety. And that's when we restored uh order on on on the streets. There are at times private entities who do come forward. We had it recently with uh with a company that was coming to Lincoln Road.

Um and and we and we and we provided them with subsidies. We've had Charlie's uh from Spain that opened up a vacant storefront on Lincoln Road. that is a for-profit company that got dollars and opened up and they were coming from from Spain and we do it through our commercial lease subsidy program. There is good precedent established showing that yes, you know, these might be profitable entities and they might not be charity or nonprofits, but the public's investment in them do generate a significant return. In this case, we know that investing in cultural arts organizations through the cultural arts council and the grants that they receive do have a significant economic impact in our community. That $1 million investment, we get it back in $330 million of economic impact. And so, just how Art Basel is a private entity and we subsidize them in different ways. And just how Blue Zones is a private entity and we might or might not be providing public dollars and just how Adidas is a private entity and we provide them support. This is what we do to support our community and help our community thrive. And so I'm I'm going to be supportive. We we paused the funding contingent uncertain changes within the organization from the very top down and that was delivered upon and now we need to go back and deliver on the commitment that we made at that time. And so I'm going to be supportive of of the item before us today.

Commissioner Magazine.

Yeah. Thank you, John. I guess where I'm getting torn is, and I agree with all of your points, Commissioner Fernandez, and agree with a lot of the points that uh my colleagues have made. When I think about this, and supplying taxpayer money for any organization, it's okay, why are we doing it, right? And I want to try and separate the merits of your organization because it is tremendous with the need for it, right? And yes, does Adidas need money? No. Right. Does the company a publicly traded company uh I supported for providing economic development incentives need money? No. There was another entity that came to Lincoln Road um Edgelord that was supported for economic development incentives. Did they need money? Probably not. But it was a competitive advantage. If we didn't provide that, those companies would have went elsewhere or I don't know if the Adidas event would have happened without that. Here we have a great operator that is longstanding and I just I'm getting this from a PowerPoint presentation, so correct me if I'm wrong when I talk about the need for it, right? So, we're not getting anything above and beyond incremental. We're not attracting something new. We're not making something happen that wouldn't happen without this funding or grant. When I look at your operating budget, and again, I'm just going off a power pres powerpoint presentation I just saw for the first time. You have tradable securities about $110 million. And just without doing anything, just the income you make off of those, right? Not charging money for anybody, not not raising private funds,

you entirely cover your annual operating budget, about $4.8 million, right? So that means without this grant, without going to raise any other money, without charging a single dollar for admission to any of these studios, you're already covering every single dollar that you're spending each year just on the investment income that you hold from those securities. And God bless you that your real estate experts maybe uh expand outside of the arts world to investment advisor. Well, you know, it seems like you did well there. U but kudos to you for that. I guess where I'm struggling is what do we get out of this, right? Yes, you have a great organization, but that doesn't mean we should just give you money for those economic development incentives. What we got was bring these jobs to the city and they're not going to last forever, right? There's a reason why we only have four years that they're available because then it allows the company to get established. And then also to the flip side, if you would come and say, you know what, we have a $4 million operating budget, but we're only raising a million dollars each year, and we have to find a way to plug a gap. I'd say we have an incredible organization, and without our money, there might be things that they can't do. But I guess where I'm torrent here is without our money, there's really nothing you can't do because you're covering your entire and you could say, "Well, we wouldn't have this show." I'd say, well, maybe reduce executive compensation or something like that, right? But just point being, every single dollar you spend each year, you're actually getting that from your organization just by virtue of holding those investments that you have and the investment income that you're making off of that. That's without raising any outside money, without charging admission or things like that. So, I don't want to put you on the spot. And full disclosure, I can't vote yesterday. I could ask to

defer to have more time to talk with you. I'm leaning towards perhaps not. So, I'm going to put you on the spot. If you'd rather have this talk in private, I'm happy to do so. But it's like if we don't do this, tell me how you wouldn't be able to do something else beneficial to the community because you already have money that's coming in that covers your entire operating budget. And cutting that would be what 01% or something like that of your annual operating budget. So I'm just hardressed to see what the need is, right? if the need was if we don't do this we're going to lose Ulite or Ulite's uh working in another city and if we provide this they're going to come to Miami Beach or if you came here and said you know what we're just not making as much money as we once were so we need this to continue providing those programs I'd be all in right because you're a great organization but I want to separate you being a great organization from what the need for this actually is

yeah I will say in a general sense that um so currently the financial profile of the organization is that we bring in most of most of the annual operating budget is funded as you saw. We bring in around another million dollars a year in private fundraising. So that might be individuals or grants like any other nonprofit. And we're working very hard to build that up because the more donations we can receive, the more we can activate on our mission, support artists, and activate with cultural programmings. Um you are correct. you know, in the context of a $5 million budget, a $15,000 payment has not necessarily derailed what we would like to do. Um, but I will say that, you know, the the budget is put together obviously in large part with the endowment, but like any nonprofit, that extra million dollars or so is cobbled together with hundreds of different grants and donations. And so it it when something is lost, something must change from management as you say stated. Um, and so I I I want to be honest with you, like if if the city of Miami Beach um didn't contribute a 30 $30,000 to a a $5 million budget, um we could find ways to absorb that and we could also direct, you know, our funding towards where the other grant makers were supporting or were um activating our our um where they're supporting us, where they're sort of pushing our programming and asking us to do work. Um but I will also say you know I've worked in the nonprofit field for nearly 30 years and um there was always like you guys we we have um a calc we have a certain amount of money to spend every year. We have to decide on what priorities what we are going to do and what we're not going to do which is just as important. Um and we're committed to Miami Beach. We love Miami Beach. This has been our home for 40 years and this this is what made Ulite who it is. Um um so I I'm not going to stand here and say I I'm going to cut our Miami Beach programming. Um I also

and I appreciate that. Yeah. I mean, you know, and and then I'll just sort of generally leave it that we have to make decisions where when we don't have enough money to accomplish we do not have enough money to accomplish all of our dreams and our aspirations and our ambitions and so we also make choices. That's the management process. It's my job and the board's job and the job of budgeting every year. I have a question followup question. Uh well, Commissioner Bot and then Commissioner.

I just want to restate for the record because now it's been said twice by two different people and I want to make sure this is crystal clear, Blue Zones is not getting funded by taxpayer dollars. And I really do not want to put that out into the public because it's not accurate. So let's separate that from this discussion or any future discussion or funding because it is not a government resident taxpayerf funded project period. I don't think it was me but if it was I apologize. It was yeah I I I believe we made an upfront contribution a few hundred,000 but I know right

yes and that was done it's paid for. We have a hard deliverable from it that gave us the feasibility study and a ranking of out of from 0 to five. Five being the most likely to be a very successful undertaking. We are at 4.5 which gave us the green light for this body to unanimously proceed with the undertaking of transformation into a blue zone city. The fundraising is happening separate and apart from uh any government tax dollars. No, thank you. Who? I'm sorry. Who was next? I believe it was Commissioner Fernandez and Commissioner

Let me just understand and and by the way, Commissioner B, I apologize because I referenced, you know, and I'll instead of using that as an example, I'll reference Formula 1. I have an item um about Formula 1 and ways that we can support Formula 1. Formula 1, it most certainly is a private entity and and and that's going to generate great economic impact for our city. But let me just ask uh the CEO um a question. Last year when the $15,000 were withheld, what programming was suspended? Was there any programming suspended? Yeah. So, the 15,000 was withheld from 2024 and then there was no grant given in 2025 because this ordinance was passed in 2024.

Um and uh what was suspended? Um um I can speak to that generally that it was before I came on. Um there was a brief suspension over summer of a couple of our public programs over the summer of 2024 or around that time frame, summer, fall. Um and then there was kind of a as I mean as this commission requested sort of a a deep dive reflection and um some changes in policies and practices were made and programming was resumed. But but when you say public programs, when you say public programs were suspended, explain to me um what that means.

Yeah. Gallery shows and the activations associated with those gallery shows. So for example, the retail retail galleries shows. Yeah. We don't we don't sell the work, but yes, it's a nonprofit gallery. We don't sell the work, but yes, it's a it's a it's retail as in So activation. Yeah, activation. Like we bring the artists in to talk about their work in the space. We have we welcome an audience. And where does this happen? What's that? Where does this happen? um at 924 Lincoln Road. On Lincoln Road. Yeah. So, so, so you bring in artists and you do activations where you bring people in to Lincoln Road to listen to these artists and and and provide for arts and culture and that type of activity.

Meet Meet the artists, talk to the artists, see their artwork, tour their studio, see the artwork that's up in the gallery. Were you still able to do some of that stuff? Some of that stuff. Yes. you you just not to the extent that you would had you had the grant. Correct. That I'd like to speak to that as far as I don't think you have the full context. Why did you do that? And I from what I understand was you had an artwork on Miami Beach that Well, I have the full context. I sponsored the resolution. Uh I'd like to update the public.

Yeah. you had an piece of artwork that showed from the river to the sea which is the Palestine will be free which calls for the genocide of of of Israel or the destruction of Israel and let's let's put that into context and that's why that resolution was passed. So to say that because we're not going to give grant funding, these these pop-ups are not going to happen. I think for that particular period in time, and by the way, you weren't there. I understand that the whole organization went through a change. And I'm not even I'm not even, as you can tell, none of that wasn't even my presentation. Okay. Um, one other thing I want to bring up is when Commissioner Fernandez, you said that, you know, we give Art Basle a million. We don't give Art Basel a million dollars. It's a fee.

We help them. I didn't say we give them. We help them.

Okay. So, I I said we we we we give. And we don't Yeah. We help through fee wavers. And now, if Oule came to us and said, "Hey, we want some fee wavers for certain events." I'd be like, "Okay, you know what? Fine." But to give cash, taxpayer cash to an entity where they clearly have no financial hardships, okay, and this is not necessarily creating a program that we we desperately needed, such as spring break. I have a big problem with that. And so, you know, look, I mean, we're we're unfortunately we've been fighting for like 45 minutes over $30,000, but again, it adds up over the course of years. I just think if we're, you know, we need to be honest with each other and say, what are we going to fund taxpayer dollars with? Like I said, I'm okay with I'm okay with giving arts organizations grant funding,

but let's give it to organizations that actually need it that need to that need the funding to get up and off the ground instead of someone or or an organization that clearly doesn't need it.

Commissioner Fernandez, thank you. Um and and and by the way, you know, when we talk about the semantics of fee of fee waiverss, fee waiverss, it might not be a cash contribution, that's dollars that ultimately don't make their way to the taxpayers. Uh so, you know, whether whether it's a cash contribution or a fee waiver, at the end of the day, it's the same thing. It's it's dollars that are not going to be coming back to the public's domain, uh to the to the taxpayers. Um I also want to highlight you know I think the precedent that we set is very dangerous. Um is I think you know the same that is being said uh with this entity that's before us could be said for so many other um valued and important organizations in our community um that that receive funding from from the city. And so that precedent I think is also very important. And lastly, you know, we asked Ooli to make a change and they made the most significant of changes. We told them, we're going to pause your funding and we will reinstate your funding after after you address the issues that led to the violation of of of the organization's policies that led to to to the offensive artwork. um that led um and and that then because of that there was this change of the CEO there's been change of policies there's been systematic changes in the organization and when we tell organizations hey listen we want you to work with us so that we can put in there the controls and the protections that we need in place to make sure that your organization upholds the values that are important to our city that once you do that we will reinstate your funding

And then we come back and we say, "You know what? Just kidding. We're not going to keep our word. We're not going to give you your funding back." Organizations won't work with us in the future. They'll tell us, "Hey, listen. Look what happened with with Oolite. Why am I going to do why am I going to change my CEO? Why am I going to make changes to my board? Why am I going to make changes to to my policies if at the end of the day the city of Miami Beach might not keep its word and do to my organization the same thing that you did to Oolite? And so I think it's it's important. Do I like the fact that uh that I'm finding out now that Ulite has this big budget? No. But I don't make those budget recommendations. Those are budget recommendations and funding recommendations made by the cultural arts council. These these recommendations are made by the cultural arts council. And if we want to go back and say, hey, listen, we want to change the vetting criterias of how the cultural arts council administers their grant programs. Well, then that's a separate conversation to be had so that there's parity and fairness amongst all grant recipients and amongst all organizations that that that apply for for for the public dollars. But when we make a public commitment to an organization that we ask them to work with us to fix problems in the organization and they come to the table and they work with us then we have to keep our word at the end because then in the future organizations will not work uh with us in the same way

and that happened. Oh sorry m were you commenting on No because yeah I was asking did that actually happen? I'm sorry I didn't know I was going to be the backtory. So maybe we could we can tag team here. Tag team. I I think it might have been before your time on the commission.

Um I remember the incident well cuz I was involved behind behind the scenes as were others. Um and it was before your time, John. I'll I'll give you make that clear to everyone um as well. But there was an unfortunate uh unfortunate piece of artwork that that was uh anti-semitic that went in a Walgreens storefront that violated there was certain controls that weren't in place. It violated policies and procedures but um and and it I think it it it highlighted some issues with the organization uh just generally. But I guess the question for Eric, if I may, if I'm going to direct this to you, was the changes that we sort of worked out and then held off on the funding contingent on them making all these changes or there were two separate things that we wanted to just see whether they would make certain changes before we would consider uh resuming the funding.

So, I'll read the resolution. says, "Whereas the mayor and city commission would like to suspend all current and future grant agreements with and distributions to Ulite until Ulite hires a new executive director and provides the city a statement reflecting the internal controls to be established to prevent a recurrence of the incident involved in the offensive artwork. And the administration is hereby directed to suspend the grant agreement and all related funding dispersements between the city and OITE and pause the execution of all future grant agreements between the city and OITE until otherwise directed by the mayor and city commission to allow Ulite to hire a new executive director and enable the city commission to review and approve Ulite's statement of internal controls.

And those are the statements that are the statements of internal controls are on our agenda. That's correct. Those are the ones that we have with the agenda item at page 868 through 870 uh included with R79. If I could, Mr. Commission Commission, can I ask uh maybe Lette or Mr. City Manager? Uh because John, I'm asking what was before your time. How many years has Oolite uh received grant funding before it was suspended? it goes back um I don't have that information with me but beyond 2013

and so what you brought up Commissioner Fernandez that that weighs on me heavily that we made a commitment that we should uphold but also and this isn't unique or specific to Oolite whatsoever I think we have passed a resolution somewhat saying this that our grants and our funding can't just be evergreen infinite for any organization, right? I believe that is specific to special event sponsorship, not cultural arts funding,

right? Um but when I think about giving grants or economic development incentives, it's not forever, right? It's to help the company get established or the arts and culture and if it's needs-based, then yes, we can continue giving it, but this obviously isn't needs-based. Um, so while that changes how I was thinking about this for this year in particular to have any organization where we just give for decades when it's not needs-based, I I don't think that's good policy. Um, so I guess maybe I'm foreshadowing my support going forward if it's not needs-based. I do want to honor a commitment and a promise that the city has seemingly made and not pulled the rug out on that. But on a go forward basis if it's not needs-based, I I think, you know, taxpayer support just can't be this evergreen promise that goes on forever. We need to use it to help get either a special event off the ground, a new business into town and get them set up or a cultural organization time to establish themselves like did right. You should say, "Wow, we we actually did it. We got to a point where s where we are self- sustaining." Miami Beach, thank you so much uh for helping us get to this place. That is no longer needed. That's where I think we need to start directing our financial policy. So, I I guess long- winded way of saying I'm not going to pull out the rug on a promise that was made and you did your part on your side, but for don't expect it'll just be this evergreen ongoing support from me. Um, and that's not specific to Oolite. That's going to be for a multitude of things, whether it's special events or

um for-profit, not for-profit companies. uh taxpayer money is going to be finite and only needs based. M Suarez, look, I just want to make a final final point. Okay. Um

I think it's important like what Commissioner Magazine said, give an opportunity for other cultural organizations to have an opportunity to to get their start. Ulite is at the penthouse. push the push go to the elevator and push one and send the elevator down for someone else because they need the help. You guys don't need the help. I'd be much more happy with giving taxpayer money to an organization that is that that that actually needs the help to to get off the ground. I mean, let let's be honest, Oolite wouldn't have such a large endowment if it wasn't for Miami Beach, right? because you sold all your properties at the height of the market and that resulted in over hund00 million in assets which if you were to do that today it'd be like a fraction of that. So look, I again colleagues, I'm I'm simply saying let's give an opportunity to another cultural arts organization that could actually use the money and and and and benefit our community. Maybe it could be a cultural organization, you know, that is um you know, that that primarily deals with children of Miami Beach. I mean, there's a whole other litany of of things that we can do to to kickstart a an organization that actually needs the money. So, you know, obviously I'm not going to be supportive today.

I I am fully support Sorry, Mr. Mayor. Fully supportive of that concept and with this organization in particular, I will be supportive and adhere to that uh going forward. I am very sensitive to we we made a promise and

and and to that I forgot to mention Commissioner Fernandez you you just said that you had no idea about their finances up until today and and I think that's a valid point because I think if you did you know we wouldn't be having a discussion right now. think that things would have been a little different and um when you do take into consideration how much the CEO is making and that the next two employees and that 33% of their operating budget goes to three people in the organization. I think there is something to say that you know when you look at the full picture is the money to this organization the right best use of funds

and if if I may Mr. Mayor, you know, you bring up good points, but I think cherrypicking which organizations we apply that to is not the right is not the right way of going about a very good and valid point. Respectfully, this is on the agenda. I'm sorry, I'm speaking. We love that line. It's good to laugh amongst colleagues, especially when you're sitting up here. Um, you know, it's I think it's it's important to get this very important concept that you're saying and making sure that it's applied evenly amongst all grantees. For example, you look at the tour tourist development council at the county.

The tourist development council, they don't let people to continue getting the the maximum amount every single year. It every year it subtracts and it lowers and it lowers every every single year. um you know maybe we want to look at something like that so that organizations don't in perpetuity get this amount of funding maybe we want to look at what assets they own you know what's you know I don't know I don't know what type of statements we get from them so if we're going to do something where now we're going to start saying we're going to apply our grants differently and handle them differently well let's do it in a in a way that the rules apply evenly and fairly across the board with all applicants and I think that there's an avenue through which to discuss it and maybe that's something that Lette can look into uh the grant criterias because that's a separate conversation but this conversation on this item is closing the loop. something extremely offensive and horrible happened that should have never happened, an anti-semitic uh occurrence due to the lack of certain controls and policies that weren't properly implemented. And we asked this organization to take the most extreme at the strictest of measures to correct that before they could get more funding. And now that they've corrected that, to tell them afterwards, hey, listen, you did what we asked you to do. we're not gonna follow through with our word, we're not going to give you your funding back. I think that that would send a very horrible precedent when we might have to deal with the same thing with other organizations in the future. And then will they trust our word? Would they trust our commitment? And that's why I think it's so important in a situation like this to follow through our commitment that we made while we look at the separate issue of the criterias for granties and evening out that playing field so that everyone is

treated equally. Commissioner Bot.

So um you know we we all are very um aware of the threats to our overall budget going forward and I think it is a very valid conversation to have about our grant making process. um for this and for other things going forward perspectively and re-evaluating the criteria and the guidelines and the time frames. Um and so I don't know if that's an administrative thing that happens or if that's something that needs to be uh initiated legislatively if the latter uh Commissioner Fernandez, I'd be happy to co-prime with you on that initiative because I think it's a a useful conversation to have. But I am not a fan of Lucy pulling the football away from Charlie Brown every time or changing the goalpost in the middle of the game. So I I would suggest with all due respect that we bifrocate the items. We close the loop on this. We honor our uh our word which matters as a city and um we look forward um with fresh eyes as to how we want to use um our our funds going forward for maximum impact and um have a have that conversation which is very valid but it's a separate conversation than this. So just just commission just to clarify I think respectfully I wasn't on the commission at the time when this resolution were passed.

You were the co-sponsor. Really? When what when was you were the co-sponsor? September 17th, 2024. Sponsored by Vice Mayor Alex J. Fernandez. Co-sponsored by Commissioner David Suarez. It was resolution number 2024-33265. The issue that happened was in March, April. Yeah. The only person who wasn't on the commission at the time was Monica.

Okay. So, it's funny you a couple people referenced, but you referenced the Commissioner Suarez. We've spent a lot of time on a $30,000 item, but I actually look at the bigger picture. I think it's an important discussion that it's going to apply to a number of items. So, I think it's a it's a healthy discussion that we're having. Um, not that long ago, the this commission before the election, the only change is congratulations Commissioner Mateos Selenas, but the the six of us and now with our colleague, um, we we were slashing our budget, right? We um we reduced our tax millage for the first time since 2018. All our homesteaded property owners just got a check for $500, first time in 20 years. So, we we You're welcome. So, we're uh we're certainly we're looking with a with a fine-tuned calm and I think the presentation is is very good. It's uh I think I think all of us uh appreciate the work that went into it and we want to know that information. So, it's uh it's it's healthy. But I I guess a question for you, Commissioner, because Commissioner Fernandez kind of makes an argument. I I I I was and I still might be, but I was with you actually. But then I got and I think Commissioner Magazine's in the same boat. Like I guess the question in my head is did we make that commitment? I'm trying to read this resolution and if we did I'd want to honor it. But is is that condition of making the changes which by all measurables they have. Was that a was that a were we promising them to give them this grant if they did these things? Do you have I mean what's

I mean to Mr. Mayor if I may. I mean the resolution says the mayor and city commissioner would like to suspend all current and future grant agreements. Where you reading from? I'm sorry. Can you tell me exactly what you read?

Uh page 862. Uh and uh whereas clause not the last RAS clause and one before last. The mayor and city commission would like to suspend all current and future grant agreements with and distributions to Uolite until Oolite hires a new executive director and provides the city a statement reflecting the internal controls to be established to prevent a recurrence of the incident involving the offensive artwork. We would like to suspend a current and future. Suspend, not revoke. Suspend. That was the commitment that we did until they hired a new executive director and provided the internal controls that are provided in our agenda in page 868. And now that we've done that, it's time to remove the suspension and keep our word on on what we committed to. Otherwise, in the future, it's going to happen with other things um with, you know, in the future might be an LGBTQ thing that an organization might do something that's offensive and we ask them to correct it and take and take measures to correct it. And why would they why would they listen to us and work with us in correcting it? They're going to say, "Well, listen, there's no guarantee you'll give us our money back the moment you suspend it." or it might be on some other thing in in in the future. Um

I I think so to me it's pretty clear in the language what our intent was. Yeah. And I think when when we passed this resolution, like you said, the full scope of it, the the full scope of their finances wasn't really readily available to us. And I think their tax returns literally came out, I think, around the same time. And so, look, you know, I I understand we we made a commitment. However, with new information on on the financing of this uh organization, you know, I I think the the idea has shifted

to say like, look, do we really need to to to help an organization that is has over $und00 million in cash or in assets and where a CEO makes over $300,000. I again I just I understand we made a commitment to this but that doesn't necessarily mean that it's still the right thing to do moving forward with taxpayer dollars considering the fact that we now know what their finances are. I'm sorry. You know, I just that's that's just that's a philosophical decision. I I understand that. Um, no. Look, if they were if they were struggling, if they didn't obviously have the finances that they do now, we I this wouldn't obviously wouldn't have been pulled from consent and we wouldn't be having this hour-long discussion on it. Okay. Um, so I think that's where we fundamentally disagree, right? I I completely understand and can see the point that yes, we did make a commitment at the time. I don't think any of us knew really the full scope of the finances in the situation. I'm simply bringing into question the the the organization's um financial capacity

and I don't disagree with you because I think something good will come out of that which is looking at all granties and how and making sure that we do consider those financial capacities what what assets they have what what uh what liquid assets they have uh in in in the bank. Um right now we're not doing that or I don't know if we're doing that. We doing that. No, we do we do see that uh as part of their grant application process. There are other organizations that are making that and above current. So it would impact other organizations

and so so that's where like the moment we establish this precedent and we say organizations of you know having having this amount of funding or having this net worth um that um that now we're going to start changing how we apply the grants. That's a broader conversation. I don't disagree with a lot of what you're saying. You have raised some very very good and relevant points, but we didn't say in this resolution we would reimplement the grant based on your tax return. It was we would, you know, re because we didn't know. What's that? We didn't know.

We didn't know. And I and and that that's why I think what you're s what what you're saying should be part of a broader discussion where we should let Lette uh and the city manager's team look at the requirements of these grants especially in light of the potential changes in revenues uh that we may be facing. You know, what reforms based on on this presentation that you've made, what reforms should we be making to the grant process? But I think that that's independent of this item here uh right now. And uh just the final thing in the resolution, Eric Lette, we're comfortable with the internal controls that was part of Can we

can we can we have an after the fact resolution to to do exactly that? You know, um let's set let's let's have the administration set a criteria. So I have an item in FK. uh and perhaps we can expand upon that because right now it just centers on executive compensation but perhaps we can make it needsbased for the entire organization and like I said if it it's one thing if we're trying to entice somebody to get here but it can't be just evergreen infinite. So we would expand upon that. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, because it it's it's infer, right? If if the organization CEO makes X amount

X amount of dollars, right? Okay, we're going to call the vote. Thank Thank you, Commissioner Suarez. This you've highlighted some very important issues. I think you got all of us uh thinking um thinking hard. That's Give me Give me one second. And Commissioner Fernandez, you kind of put us a little bit into a box by bringing up this resolution that we had. And uh quite quite honestly, we I mean, it's easy to say in hindsight, we uh we were trying to we were trying to get an organization to to make some changes that would better themselves and our city, which actually has been accomplished. So, uh for that for that end, but we did we would did bind ourselves somewhat.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I just want to clarify that the fiscical school year 27 cultural arts council grant application closed on February 20th. So I just want to share that for awareness. What is it? What what you trying? So that means that all organizations have applied. So any just to keep that in mind for any future legislation or policies that for fiscal year 27 we have just closed the application process and culture arts council will start reviewing them in April. Let's call it out. I need a motion. Moved. Second. I'll second. A motion by Commissioner Fernandez. Seconded by Commissioner Bot. All in favor, please say I.

That's contingent upon expanding upon this legislation. This is the resolution plus direction plus a referral to FK. Uh there's already an FK but expanding the referral to F having administration work with us to expand it. So all in favor, please say I. I. Anyone opposed? No. So I have one no from Commissioner Suarez. The item passes 61. That was R seveni. It includes an expanded referral to FK. Um we actually have a review that we got to do now uh during our lunch break. So it's a working lunch break, but uh let's reconvene at 1:30. Where we Where are we doing it?

Please take your seats. The meeting is about to begin. Remember to speak into the microphone as this meeting is being recorded for public record. Please stand by. We are going on air in 5 4 3 2 1. Thank you. Welcome back. Uh we're a few minutes late. We had our um annual review of our city managers. That's what we were doing during the uh lunch break while we were having lunch, but uh let's have our second hour before we start uh continuing with uh with our items. So please, anyone welcome to speak. Thank you. Thank you, mayor. Anyone who wishes to speak, please approach the the podium, please. Thank you.

Go ahead, sir.

Good afternoon all mayor, commissioners. Damian G here. As all of you know, I'm the permy doctor. I've been a a tenant for the city of Miami Beach for the last 20 years. H I feel part of a big family of the Miami Beach family. H I went through many many many years of building the apartment. I pull thousands of permits, licenses. I know the city very well. And through the years, I've been getting new leases in my space. And this year, they want to go for a betting after 20 years without giving me the opportunity on negotiation or anything. So they went through a process operating process and uh I did everything they asked for all jump all the hoops and today in the consent agenda C2B uh that item was pulled out the bedding. So no chance to talk to anybody or no chance for me to tell them how important it is to be in the city have the space and I help a lot of people in the community. I I do proono a lot of proono 30% of my court's appearance for people in Miami Beach. They cannot afford an attorney or come and talk to the judge or the special m magistry and I represent them from free because I know that they need help. Some of them they can get the permit and that's what they get paid for. But I do it with goodwill. So I'm a important person for the community and and and

this and the city and I I feel bad. I feel bad and like the rack was pulled out of my feet after 20 years and thank you sir. Yeah just one more thing please. Uh I this item was approved this morning. Somebody can just reconsider and pull this item out for discussion. I will appreciate that. Mr. Here, Madam Vice Mayor, Commissioner Fernandez, Commissioner Mataselenz, Commissioner Fernandez. Oh, I'm sorry. Commissioner Fernandez, thank you. Um, Mr. Manager, with this item, it's just we're just talking about the lease of space, but but the permit doctor can still lease space in the city and still do work with the city.

Absolutely. Okay. So, this is not uh disbarring him from doing work in the city. So just you know you can continue the same services you've been providing to the residents or the businesses you can continue providing it but the city needs this space. This is my understanding there are essential services at the city which if not we need to go lease space somewhere else. Is that correct?

We would have to go lease office space somewhere else. And obviously we have this space available. We've come to the end of the lease. We issued a six-month extension on the lease so that they could have a transition period. Um, and we will be using that space um, for one of our city services. So, yeah. So, I mean, you're you're you're still more than welcome to assist businesses in our community, deal with the building department, but the city is city's city real estate and the city needs it for its departments.

I understand that. I understand that. uh the type of services that I provide is so unique. There's no other company that provide the same service as at this distance or the city hall and the so many years in business everybody everybody knows the permy doctor. So they comes to us directly to that location. Now we don't know where we're going to go. It's a it's a very important the location. It's only 400 square ft. I don't know which other service the city can provide. in such a limited space. That's why we can reconsider or maybe we can talk to somebody. And so far, not too many months ago, actually weeks ago, we were under the impression that we got going for a betting process and that stopped. That was was removed this morning out of an agenda in C2B. It's no it's not going to be betting is removed completely removed and was approved in the consent agenda. If somebody can just reconsider that and give the opportunity to see if our service is more important than any other service that can be provided in those 400 square ft.

Thank you sir. Is there anyone else who wishes to speak? Thank you.

Good afternoon everybody. Sarah Deos Reyes as a resident of Sansa Harbor. Uh thank you mayor for the taxi. has been very successful and um I just want to bring to attention that I wrote an email to Colette which she left the city and I gave it to Lauren. Um you going to you know that they're going to do the new building for the marine patrol but the people stand out there in the sun and the rain and sometimes it's more than 50 and 60 people. So I think that building needs to be looked to or design on that area to have an area that people will be waiting for your water taxi because I think it's going to be with time it's going to be even more and more of the taxis coming in that area. So I think that redesign or something to shelter them from the sun or or the rain will be really good. They all standing there for one hour.

So yeah. No, thank you Sarah. Yeah, I was actually out there this week and we were looking at options of providing shade and making it uh the most comfortable experience we can be. And thank you for the pictures you sent from your uh Yeah, I'm it's right for my terrorist so I watch it. I watch it all the time and I'm here to support the seven R7B that morning field that I'll be here to provide a speech for it. Thank you. Great. Thank you. Is there anyone else here who wishes to speak?

Go ahead, sir. Wait. Oh, there we go. Uh, good afternoon, uh, mayor, commissioners. Uh, my name is Bruce Horwitch, and many of you know I am the chairman of Miami Beach Pride, and I appreciate you letting me speak this afternoon. Uh Miami Beach Pride is considered by many to be the best free free underline the word free annual event in the city of Miami Beach. It attracts not only local residents from South Florida but all over the United States and from countries all over the world. International travelers go home telling their friends it was one of the best prides anywhere ever. Miami Beach Pride has that kind of reputation which enhances the city of Miami Beach's reputation. The city prides itself in being a city where everyone is welcome, no matter the color of your skin, your religion, where you come from, or who you love. Miami Beach Pride delivers that message directly. So much so that the city has an excellent reputation among the LGBT plus community. It is a safe event that over the years has had little to no incidents. From what I've been told, the police sign up sheet is filled within hours. He is an economic driver filling up hotels, restaurants, stores. He creates jobs. It is estimated that brings in over 5 million in revenue. It has a great return on investment. My guess the best one the city has. But most importantly, it is great for the community. It is free with worldclass entertainment, a fun parade, which many of you have been in. uh tremendous exposure to what the city of Miami Beach has to offer. I've been asked why we don't have it in a park or over in Miami that we could save money by doing so. The answer is very simple. Our pride,

unlike many others throughout the world, is held on the sands of Miami Beach. It doesn't get any better than that. Again, thank you, mayor and commissioners. Thank you, Bruce. I think proudly uh just doing a scan of the deis up here. I think we've all uh we've all been so testament to a great event that you have. I'm sorry. Uh just doing a quick uh look at the day. I I think proudly I can say that we've all uh over the years participated in the event. So just a testament to uh the great event that you have given you a compliment. Yes. Yes.

You you said most of us have uh been in the parade as I scan the the d. I think all of us have. I I appreciate and I really I I appreciate all of you. Um I've seen all of you out there. Um and you know sometimes we have to wait a little while to get the parade going. Um but I love it. It and you know it's a really good message that we're sending to see the police officers out there uh marching in the parade, the fire department. I mean, it just it just a great moment for the city to really come together and not only, you know, just the locals here, but people from Miami and they get out on that sand during the festival and they say, "Gosh, you know, we have to come back next weekend and go lay out in the sand, go to the bars, go to the restaurants." I mean, the restaurants are all filled. So, I mean, I I just hope you guys really think about that when when you're voting later today. So, thank you. Thank you. Good afternoon uh commissioners, mayor, distinguished guests. Uh my name is Kristoff Babka. I am a resident of Miami Beach on beautiful Bell Isle and a uh proud a very proud member of our LGBT community. Um I did prepare a speech today. So, uh you'll hear lots of talk about the economic benefits of Miami Beach pride to the city. It's increasing tourism, deepening personal ties to our residents, and driving local business activity. But I want to speak today about the personal impact of pride. What started over 50 years ago as a protest has evolved into a celebration of diversity. Oh. Oh, wait. We we actually we can't use that word diversity. Let me um uh Okay. Celebration of community where marginalized people. Shoot. can't use the word marginalized. That's a red flag. Um where everyone um everyone is welcome to join together in the spirit

of love and progress. You know, we can't use the word progress. Shoot. Um love and togetherness. Now, this is just an example of how we are walking on eggshells and cowtowing to bullies who are leveraging their power to suppress our community. Defunding Pride falls perfectly in line with ripping out our beautiful rainbow crosswalks in Ocean Drive and tearing our pride flag from Stonewall. Defunding Pride is an act of censorship. Honoring and celebrating pride means Manny Beach stands for all of our residents. Embracing pride will increase our pride in Miami and set an example for the rest of the country. I'll lastly leave you with a question. What is the opposite of pride? It is shame. And even considering defunding pride is shameful. Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else in the audience?

Hello. Hello. This is Joel Steman. Uh I'm the owner of Twist Nightclub here on Miami Beach. I've lived on Miami Beach for over 30 years. I'm uh I was a longtime uh board member of Miami Beach Gay Pride. I was chair of Miami Beach Pride. Pride is very dear to my heart because I was part of the group that started it way back in 2009 with Mattie Ma with Maddie Bower, Mayor Mattie Bower and several people in this room. The event has grown to be an enormous event, enormously successful. We have people like Bruce said coming from around the world. We live in a challenging time now where our state government and others and maybe some people in this room do not want cities like Miami Beach to support events like Pride. How can that really be? Being a chair of this event, I understand how hard it is to raise money, how hard it is to keep something of this magnitude free for everybody. Please reconsider your vote or consider your vote in support of Miami Beach Pride. Uh, you know, the state has done virtually everything it can to deter tourists, especially to this area. International tourists don't want to come here. Tourists don't want to come here from this country. Our gay tourists don't want to come here anymore. They've ripped out our gay crosswalks. They've sued drag brunch restaurants. And now they want to go after pride. Let me ask you here today, when and where does this hate end?

Thank you. Anyone else? Good afternoon, mayor, commissioners, and other members. I'm here today as a resident of Miami Beach. I'm not here as the Miami Day County LGBTQIA director. I'm here as a resident, a resident who is proud of the city that he lives in. a resident who has been participating in Pride since 2009. And this is a no-brainer. It's a no-brainer, mayor. But as a resident, I really want to speak to you on a human side. At this moment when LGBTQ people, especially trans and queer youth, are facing increased hostility and violence, pride is more than a festivity or a festival. It is visibility. It is safety in numbers and it is a statement that the city stands with us. Interestingly enough, when you run for office, you want our money and you want our support. But when you get up there, then you don't want it or you don't need it. We're coming to claim our our money and we're coming to claim our territory. We deserve to be here and we deserve to be heard and we deserve to celebrate together. Thank you so much.

Thank you. Anyone else? Go ahead. My name is Ward Hourbach. I love this city. Um, I love its parks, the things we do, the water taxi. We are so smart and so good. I've been an activist in the gay community for a long time. I was at Stonewall. I came out on 21st Street Beach when my brother was the Miami Beach Miami Herald's correspondent for the beach with his great friend Rocky Pomerance. You guys don't even know who Rocky Pomerance is anymore. This is just ridiculous that this fabulous city is around with pride with Miami Beach pride.

I I don't know what to say. It's just so uncharacteristic of who we are. Who we are. I don't know how much money is involved. I can't imagine it very much, but this is not a dent in the budget. Let's come up and be good guys. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else?

Hello, commissioners, mayors, at all. Thank you for your time today. My name is AJ Prasa and I am the general manager of Palace Bar and Restaurant on 1052 Ocean Drive. We just celebrated 38 years on Ocean Drive. Nearly four decades contributing to the economic fabric of Miami Beach. I'm here to speak about Miami Beach Pride, not just as a celebration, but also as an economic engine. For our business alone, Pride Week generates nearly 100% increase in revenue compared to an average week. It is the single most impactful week of the year for us. That impact extends citywide. Hotels operate at peak occupancy. Restaurants are at capacity. Retail, transportation, vendors, everyone feels it. It drives sales tax revenue and provides more hours, overtime and tip income for thousands of hospitality workers where we alone have 172 associates that work with us. Importantly, Pride Pride draws international visitors and local residents who don't typically go out. It reach it reactivates spending within our own community. These are real dollars circulating locally. This year's theme for Pride is infinity representing representing continuity, unity, and forward movement. And at Palace, we've embraced it with an with an alternative me with an additional message. Love is limitless. A city that message reflects Miami Beach itself, a city known globally for inclusivity and forward movement. I've also was a resident at 1125 9th Street for almost 15 years. Supporting pride is not symbolic. It is fiscally responsible. It produces measurable economic return and reinforces the brand that keeps Miami Beach competitive year round. Pride is not a niche in a it is a citywide economic catalyst and a place for everybody. Thank you.

Thank you. Seeing no one else, I'm going to go to uh Zoom. Our first Zoom caller is Lisa Napolitano. Please go ahead. Yes. Um, good afternoon everyone. I'm calling in opposition to item C7Z regarding the management of seag trees on the pretext of public safety. Trees do not cause crime and the removal of trees does not prevent crime. Seagate trees are a native keystone species and play a vital role in our island's ecosystem. For that reason, they are federally protected. Not only beautiful, they are frontline defenders against coastal erosion and protect against tide surges and hurricanes. They protect nesting sea turtles from artificial light that interferes with their ability to navigate the ocean. Their wildlife habitat and food source for native birds. Their dense foliage provides shelter and nesting sites for birds, lizards, small mammals, and even tortoises. If public camping is the concern that this item purports to address, have the police enforce the existing law that prohibits it. That is the common sense solution, not tree removal and major disruption to our island's ecosystem. Thank you very much. Our next virtual caller is Patrick Brushik.

Hello, my name is Patrick Brushik. I live at 1754 Meridian Avenue, right across from Pride Park. And I'm calling to ask your support for item I think it's C7L for the city to continue to support Miami Beach Pride and for the mayor to call the item today. Um, since I the festival is around the corner, we want to make sure that this uh gets addressed timely as the city can't uh the festival can't go on without the city's support. I've been attending Miami Beach Pride since before I even moved to the beach. Um, and it's always been a great example of a city support event that is free for residents and brings in visitors from around the country, even the world. I was looking at the last Pride report that showed uh 75% of the tourists um coming to our city for pride are staying in our hotels and basically all the attendees are spending money at our local establishments. It's a positive community event that's not only fun fun for residents and tourists but it also brings uh money back into the community and is money well spent from the city. Thank you.

Thank you. Our next caller is Dave Greaser. Hello everybody. I'm David Grezer. I live at 1754 Meridian Avenue. Um calling in support of C7L um funding for Pride. Um when I moved to Miami Beach in 2017 um with my um partner, it was because it was an queer friendly inclusive city. Um and pride was a big part of of drawing us here. um and giving the city that incredible brand that we we still have today despite some of the um complexities that have happened in the last in the last few years in Florida. I think it's an incredible investment in our community to continue to sponsor Pride. The return on investment that this sponsorship provides to the city from a pure financial benefit probably actually just justifies the city increasing its investment um over what the the um the proposed amount is. But I'll I'll leave that discussion to um to you all. Um but it's an incredible financial investment in our city and our tourism. But more than that, it's an investment in our community. Um welcoming um welcoming tourists, welcoming um our own residents that may not feel comfortable or safe. Um it has been a difficult few years and I think that our pride is more important than ever and I just want to thank you all for your support. Thank you so much. Next caller is Miles Davis.

Good afternoon, mayor and commissioners. My name is Miles Davis. I serve as director of advocacy and communications at SAVE, which is one of Florida's longest serving organizations dedicated to protecting people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer from discrimination. Florida um that we've seen goals in the state legislature has been to ensure um that folks get erased, but we're here and like many folks in the room and on Zoom are here in strong respectful support of continuing the city's sponsorship of the Miami Beach Pride Festival. We know that Miami Beach Pride is not only a cultural institution, it is one of the largest annual events Miami in Miami Dade County and draws more than 185,000 attendees. We also know that those attendees and visitors are booking hotel rooms. They're dining in mom and pop restaurants. They're patronizing Miami Beach retailers. And most importantly, they're contributing meaningfully to the tourism driven economy that defines the city of Miami Beach. In a community where hospitality is the primary industry, we know that consistency and partnership and messaging matters. Major events that generate direct visitor spending um also shape perception and pride reinforces Miami Beach's global brand as one welcoming world uh a world-class destination and a reputation that really supports uh repeat visitation, right? Folks coming time and time again, long-term investment and economic stability. The resolution before you continues a long-standing public private partnership which we have seen successfully produce the event for more than a decade and coordination with various city departments and most importantly public safety. Um we believe that maintaining partnership reflects stability, professionalism and sound economic policy for Miami Beach moving forward. We know it's about supporting

local businesses, sustaining jobs, protecting that uh our city's global reputation, and reinforcing Miami Beach's role leader in South Florida's visitor economy. I respectfully urge you to restore the sponsorship. Thank you. Our next caller is Stephen Teier.

Stephen, please unmute yourself.

Hey. Yes. Hey, how are you? My name is Steve Tier. uh lifetime Miami Beach worker, went to school there, everything. And I first like to address item C7 uh L about defunding Pride. And I can't, as a straight member of this community, I can't speak to how much of a catastrophic mistake this will be. There is no argument economically speaking to support defunding it in any way. And it's only a gain for anybody. The only reason people would want to get rid of this is to make the area less inclusive, change the reputation of Miami Beach, and it's disgusting. I can't believe we're even having this conversation. But, um, setting that aside, I'd like to talk about C7Z, um, about cutting the seagape trees on the the whole area between 1 and 87th Street, which is what I understand. And just want to make it clear that that is illegal in every way, shape, and form. uh Florida law 370.041 is what prohibits it and actually even being in possession of those uh cut trees. It constitutes a violation of that law. And it bothers me that this even came to discussion because from what I understand, the city has engaged contractors to cut them in the past. And if they paid people to commit a crime supposedly without getting a con uh permit from the FD, um I I don't know what you expect people to do with respect to fighting it. Do we fight the same way we fight any crime? Do we call the police if we see people doing this? And I I just I find it ridiculous and I don't think there's any valid argument for it except for something nefarious. And just want to say that in that there are a lot of people in this city and on the mainland that absolutely will stand with these trees if they're threatened.

Thank you so much. Our next caller is Marina Brandon. Mr. Mayor, before we move on, Commissioner Fernandez, I just want the record to reflect that C7L is to approve the sponsorship of uh Miami Beach uh Pride and the Pride Festival. The proposal is not to defund Pride. The it this is the discussion about about the funding, but it's not the item does not relate to defunding Pride. I just want to put that for clarity on the record. Thank you. Some Yeah, some of this catching me off guard. I'm perplexed because I thought we were

Well, the item was pulled. So, I think that's why we have members of of the public here. Uh but the item does not relate to the funding pride. is an item that I sponsored that we sponsor every year to approve sponsorship for Miami Beach Pride. Thank you. Uh Marina, go ahead, please.

Yes. Um if you can hear me. Um so yes, uh good afternoon, commissioners. Uh my name is Marina Brain, a former and future North Miami uh I'm sorry, a North Beach resident um and advocacy director at SAVE, South Florida's largest and longest serving LGBTQ advocacy organization. Um, as Commissioner Fernandez said, um, the item, uh, C7L was pulled from the consent agenda. Um, I do find that very troubling. Um, without the funding, I worry that Miami Beach Pride won't be free anymore or that it won't even happen at all. City support is essential for this huge community event to exist. So, I'm asking, you know, of course, to please bring Commissioner Fernandez um uh item uh back to the consent agenda and please approve it. Um before I lived in North Beach, my first real introduction to Miami Beach was Miami Beach Pride in my teens and in my 20s. I've attended Miami Beach Pride for many, many years, and I'm 30 years old now. I've spent hundreds of dollars with local vendors and restaurants during Miami Beach Pride events, and thousands of others have done the same every year. Why would we take that away? With this item, Miami Beach would provide up to $250,000 and would wave fees for the park rental itself. That is a drop in the bucket compared to how much the city benefits. Miami Beach pride matters not only to me as an LGBTQ person, but to the small businesses and restaurants along Ocean Drive. So, please put this item C7L back on the consent agenda commissioners and please vote in support of the city support of Miami Beach Pride. Thank you.

Thank you. Our next caller is Juan Sanchez. Mr. Sanchez, go ahead. Can you hear me? Yes, now.

Yeah. Hi. Um, good afternoon everyone and thank you for this opportunity. I know we're mostly known for our festival and a parade, but I just wanted to point out that we hold out 10 events in the city of Miami Beach within a two week. We use Lincoln Road, we use Collins Avenue, we use restaurants, we use bars, we use hotels. Um, we are a premier event in the city of Miami Beach. That's little to no calls to service to the fire department or the police department. We have four billion hits to our marketing strategy. We are featured on CBS, Deco Drive, People Magazine, Travel Out Magazine listed us as one of the top five destination prides in the country. Um, this is positive for the city of Miami Beach. I urge you please to put that C7L back on the events agenda and pass it through today. Thank you.

Thank you. Our next caller is Brendan Fairly.

Hi, my name is Brendan Fairley. I live at 1944 North Michigan Avenue and I am a firstear fellow with the New World Symphony. The orchestra was founded by maybe the most famous gay trailblazer in the classical world, Michael Tilson Thomas. Many of whom I'm sure you've met at some point. As many of you also probably know, his husband just died. I think it's very almost ironic that this is being talked about. You know, the Miami Beach was chosen for the orchestra to be here for so many reasons, but one of them being an accepting tolerant area. Um, there's lots of gay fellows. Um, this is I've only been here for 6 months and I think it's just kind of atrocious that this is even being discussed. So, please support C7L. I want to be brought to the consent agenda and it needs to be approved ASAP. Thank you.

Thank you. Our next caller is Nissan Casden. Good.

Uh good good afternoon, mayor and commission. Uh I'm calling on item C7U, the Meridian Avenue Bike Path. Uh, and uh, just to a little history, when I was mayor, we had uh, done redid the Miami Beach Golf Club, making it one of the finest public golf courses in South Florida. It's a major amenity for residents of Miami Beach. Some 200 have annual memberships and hundreds more uh, uh, residents play there regularly. Uh in addition to that, it is a phenomenal amenity for our high-end tourist economy as people like to come here to play golf. The hotel guests and many important high-end events that are booked and use that. Not everyone can join a private golf club or can afford to join a private golf club or get into one. The city of Miami eliminated its only public golf course to uh make it an a re a uh a development along with a soccer stadium. Other cities like West Palm have invested millions in their public golf courses as an amenity for residents, particularly the new professional class of people who are moving into that community. The impact of creating the bicycle pass as currently designed on Meridian Avenue and on Chase Avenue will seriously negatively impact the golf course and the experience of the golfers and visitors. I am not saying that there should not be some additional land set aside for bicycle pass, but the territory that is being taken is too much and will impact the golf course negatively. You can have traffic coming

as people on Meridian Avenue have proposed and and maybe 6 to 8 foot wide bicycle lanes similar to what you have on Meridian Avenue south of Dave Boulevard without taking up so much territory. In addition, another thing that this does is impact the property owners on Meridian Avenue and on Chase Avenue. People have invested millions of dollars in buying and building and refurbishing homes on cha on on Meridian Avenue. And what they will get what they have now is a view of a beautiful golf course. What they will get in exchange is a view of fences and trees and lose that golf course view. Similarly, just to finish up on Chase Avenue, there's a lush grove of trees along Chase Avenue. I was responsible for the planting of that when Florida Power and Light put its large transmission lines there some 25 plus years ago. Uh that provides protection from the view of of the golf course and uh of the homes on Chase Avenue. If we are to get rid of that landscaping, you'll also expose those transmission lines. I'd be happy to discuss this at greater length with any of you on the commission. I don't I think this is not a good idea. I think it is taking up too much territory. It would be too damaging to a key recreational and tourist asset of our community. I think there's a better way of doing it.

Thank you, mayor. Thank you. Our next caller is Alex Jimenez.

Hi. Uh, good afternoon, Alex Himenez from U Bell Isle. I'm calling I was calling about the sea grapes again. Uh, but I heard about the pride um item and uh I think I think the city should wave all fees, whatever's necessary for that event to happen. I know there's lots of events on the beach and they get their permits and, you know, all sorts of fees waved, they should they shouldn't have to pay any fees. That should always be the case. And if they need cash cuz there's a shortfall or if they need a grant or if they're getting a grant, I think that should continue given how much the city spends on so many other things. Which brings me to the grapes. The grape trees. They want to spend $20 some,000 almost on cutting back all these grape trees. It should be treated like any development project requesting additional height. Uh the seagra trees unfortunately don't have a neighborhood association. They can't pay a neighborhood association to come to the commission and lobby for them. So I'm doing it for them. And I think the seagra trees should be left alone. The shade is very nice. And I don't think they should be cut down so that views could be improved or anything to that effect. There should be like any development project. There should be public meetings about this. This should take a year uh to discuss with the community and we should see renderings of what they want to do to our beachwalk before they touch it. And nobody should touch it unless there's public meeting just like any development project. Uh and this is an irreplaceable uh beachwalk, much more valuable than than a hotel or a building going up in our city. This is the most probably the most valuable piece of real estate that we have. So, we should treat it like a real estate project and we should have public meetings before anything is approved. Thank you.

Our next caller is Bruce Beckman.

Hi everyone. Uh Bruce Bachman here at 1800 Sunset Harbor Drive. I came here 24 years ago actually from a gay ski week. Friends that I met there that lived here in Miami Beach and it's been a wonderful place to feel safe. Um, this is causing a lot of unrest. Thank you, by the way, Joel Steedman, he's my neighbor right here in this building uh for speaking on this. The way to put this to rest, having uh pulled it from the agenda, is to call it up for discussion now. It should be your first item after uh the Sutnik hour is over. Uh this is a wonderful safe daytime event largely. Everyone has fun. It is exactly the sort of event that should be happening in South Beach. So, uh, please bring it onto the agenda immediately after Sunday. Thank you.

Thank you. Our next caller is Mitch Novik.

Mitch, just want to correct the record. Miami Beach Pride was the brainchild of the late AC Weinstein. The idea was conceived during Mayor Mayor David Dur tenure. AC was uh Mayor Durmer's chief of staff. As an openly straight member of the community, I uh fully support uh the continuence of Miami Beach pride. Thank you. Thank you. Our next caller is Vincent

Vincent Bachinelli. Hello commissioners and mayor. My name is Vincent Beckelli. I reside at 7:30 Pennsylvania Avenue and I'm calling regarding CLC C7L being pulled from the agenda 45 days before this event is about to happen. You know, supporting the Pride Miami Beach Pride is an investment in our city's identity, our city's economy, our city's reputation. You know, it fills hotel rooms. It brings people. It fills restaurants. It showcases our city as a world-class destination. You know, it brings immeasurable economic impact for local businesses and residents. And failing to support mine beach pride, you know, it risks diverting the substantial disposable income of this community, which is billions of dollars annually, to other cities that actively welcome and invest in hosting these kinds of events. So, please put this item back on the agenda and let's move forward on it. Thank you.

Thank you. Our next caller is Daniel Saldo. Go ahead, sir.

Yes. Hi, Daniel Saldo. And first of all, thank you to Mitch Novak for putting that piece of history on the record of who really started Pride as a gay man myself. I've always been a little uncomfortable hearing a different history shared by uh some other people. So good to have the history respected. As far as our arts and culture organizations, we need to stop this attack on arts groups. People and groups like Ulite who have been very successful now are being targeted by a commissioner who's also targeted myself and my former employer as well. Miami Beach, where I grew up, is a place that loves arts and culture. And usually commissioners support it and they don't go on tie raids and hijack uh meetings for hours over $30,000. I want to personally apologize as a taxpayer to the CEO of Oolite who had to sit through being interrogated by somebody who would not qualify at all to run any of the city's cultural institutions. I will always have the back for arts and culture and for gay pride and especially when history is respected. Thank you all.

Thank you. Our next and final caller is Judith Michael. Judith, please unmute yourself.

Okay, briefly, I want to clarify. Oh, let me turn this off. I'm sorry. The neighborhood associations are not paid to lobby anybody. I believe that some of them are kind of deciding but they're all volunteers and we're not here. Two, I was around for seed rate cutting controversy a few years ago when in fact there were some people quote colonizing some homeless people. And to me at that time the issue is we need to have day programs for homeless people. But I'm not even sure that exists anymore. And I think it's a very strange inappropriate solution to cut down the sea grape trees for people who have nowhere to hang out. Three, I want to clarify about pride. I thought Alex Fernandez stepped in and said no, as a matter of fact, pride was not being threatened. So please, can you clarify that? That's all I have.

Thank you so much. to clarify the item, the pride item to clarify it.

The item is a sponsorship item. Uh the same sponsorship item we've been doing since the mid 2000s. Um it's not a defunding item. I just wanted to clarify that just for the benefit of the public. Uh I don't think any of my colleagues have ever proposed defunding Pride. Uh in fact, actually I was having a conversation with Bruce uh actually with Joe Sanchez. um Juan Sanchez and then Juan had the conversation with with you that you know what really one of the things that we need to highlight in our community. It's not necessarily just the LGBTQ community. Really the focus needs to be on our allies, our allies who support us. We've always had, well, not always, but uh since about 2006, we've we've had an openly gay member of the commission. At times, we've had two, but um it's taken leaders. It's taken leaders and allies. Uh David Durmer, who was the mayor when AC Weinstein was the chief of staff in the office of the mayor commission. AC then continued to be the mayor of Mattie with the office of mayor Mattie Bower. Mattie Bower created um the LGBTQ advisory committee uh back in 2009 and from there the nonprofit for pride was created um at the time Babak Movahi was involved uh with it and Thomas Barker and so many other people came together uh in this in this community effort. Um, but at the end of the day, it's because we had allies allies on the commission back then and we continue to have those allies today and I'm only one vote on on the commission. In the past, we've had one or two openly gay votes on on the commission. But if we've been able to sustain year after year continued funding uh for Pride and so many other

equality initiatives, it's not because of me or any other openly gay member of the commission. It's because we have strong allies. uh traditionally and continue to have strong allies here on this days who who who make that possible. And so I just want to highlight that uh because we don't we can't do anything by ourselves. Uh it's it's always uh a teamwork and and traditionally and usually it's always a unanimous teamwork when it comes to to issues like this. Mr. Mayor, Commissioner Suarez, are there still more callers? There's not. Okay. Should I call the item? We call that C C7L.

C7L is approved sponsorship of 2026 uh Miami Beach Pride Festival. It was requested to be separated by Commissioner Fernh Suarez. Commissioner Suarez.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And you know, look, I find it a little unfair for people to accuse me of being hateful because I'm pulling an item on consent for a discussion. In no way, shape, or form am I against Pride. In fact, I've been to every single Pride festival since I was elected. Even before I was elected, I'm the only commissioner with an openly gay aid. Um, when we have an item that we want to discuss uh or not discuss on consent, it's going to pass unanimously. And for this particular item, there is a large amount of money. It's $250,000. And I understand this has been a recurring um item for the last since the two since the 2000s. Um I think considering two two factors that we as a city have agreed to shrink our budget by 5% for the year 27. Um, and notwithstanding the fact that the state is also targeting, let's be honest, they're targeting Pride Festival through other means, I think it's worthy of a discussion to talk here today about both items, and that's why I pulled it. So, you know, I find it a little disheartening that there seems to be a call to action uh to the gay community that I am somehow being hateful by discussing this. I think it's important for more conversation and more dialogue

of of of what our city represents, how we're going to get there, how we're going to fund things, and how are we going to withstand pressure from this state by trying to shut this program down. Okay. Um, look, I think we have to have an adult conversation about what how are we going to lower the budget and continue to give these grants to our cultural anchors and organizations. We are asking our own city staff to cut 5% of their budget. And it's it's not an easy thing to do. And so what I've realized is, you know, if we're if the city is going to commit to having a conversation about how can we lower taxes for residents, it doesn't matter if it's gay pride or or or Jewish film festival or any or or oolites that we just had an hourong discussion about. every dollar that gets spent for whatever reason should have an honest discussion about it. Like I said, I'm not anti-gay. I'm not anti- arts, even though it seems that they're trying to paint me this way. I want to have a real discussion about how are we going to continue to fund a4 million or $300,000 of of taxpayer money moving forward knowing that there is going to be pressure from our administration to lower the budget. Secondly,

we found out a couple weeks ago that the state is trying to cancel Pride. Okay, through other means. How are they going to do that? They're going to say that if you have DEI sponsored events, any elected official who sponsors that is going to get thrown out of office. Okay, I wanted to have a discussion today about that in front of the public and I think that's a a merit a discussion worth merit. So, um I want to dispel the rumors or the accusations that I am somehow hateful because I pulled an item on consent for discussion. I think that's fair a and and offensive to me personally. uh considering that I have in no way, shape or form ever been against the LGBTQ community. Um so look, I mean, you know, colleagues, I I think we have to really, you know, let's let's have a conversation. Is this something that we're always going to fund? is is are we going to ask all of the grant applicants from the city of Miami Beach to start sharing the cost savings for our taxpayers or is this something that it's forever and we just have to put it in our budget so that it doesn't have to come every year for a discussion. Um, and secondly, I'd also like to talk about if the state does make it illegal to have pride, how are we going to incorporate that

moving forward? How are we going to say we're going to help this organization move forward without having been thrown out of office? So, look, I welcome everyone's comments. Uh, Commissioner Fernandez, I know your your aids have sent out a call to action to save and and and and members of the LGBTQ community LGBTQ community. Um, but, you know, I I think it's I I

I think it's a little unfair that this was uh sort of targeted and it made it seem like I'm sort of hateful to to the community, which is clearly not the case. I want to have just honest discussions about fiscal responsibility, how we're going to pay for things, and what happens when the state because they're going to do it. They're going to find a way to signal out the pride parade in Florida and make it illegal. So, that's why I pull the item. And um I I want to start this discussion. Sure, Mr. Mayor. Commissioner Fernandez.

Thank you. And I just want to uh clarify um actually when my when my aid reached out to the LGBTQ committee is she is the volunteer liaison for the LGBTQ committee. Uh your name was not mentioned on in the email. Um and in fact um we we we ask people as you share your comments please remember to keep your remarks respectful, professional and focused on the issue of the sponsorship and um you know I don't think I don't think um anyone addressed you as being hateful. In fact, Mr. Clerk, did anyone mention my colleagueu's name?

I don't recall but Okay. So, so I just want the the record to reflect that we are here to protect the dignity of everyone. Uh I do not tolerate uh my colleagues uh being attacked. The uh message from my office to the committee that we voluntarily lies for didn't mention you by name and specifically asked individuals to speak from a professional tone. So, I just want to make sure that there's no uh misunderstanding or mischaracterization of of the facts here because I certainly don't want you to think that. Is there anything that makes you think that that otherwise, Commissioner?

Yeah, I I mean, I see a text message that says, "Update Commissioner Suarez's pull city sponsorship of Miami Beach Pride. The festival draws more than 100 goes on save is encouraging respectful comment at 1 p.m. during." So, it does mention my name in a text message that I'm seeing. Okay. Well, I mean, I understand that,

but there was nothing there saying to be disrespectful. The email from my office to the members of the LGBTQ committee who care about this issue did not mention uh did not mention your name and and the message as the message that you just referenced there encourages people to be respectful and professional. And I think that that's that that that is uh very important. And listen at the end at the end of the day, you know, pride um pride represents for people, you know, their their their their ability to live freely, live openly. It represents their dignity. Um it also represents a lot of economic impact to Miami Beach. It's over 150,000 uh attendees that uh that that come to to to Miami Beach that come from around the country that come from different um places around the world. Argentina, Spain, Canada are some of the larger destinations from from which people uh come and uh about 75% of them based on a study that I saw um as about 75% of out of town attendees uh you know are staying in our hotels. They're supporting our restaurants. They're strengthening our local economy. Um and you know, pride can always happen. Pride can pride that does the state can't can't prevent pride from happening. They might be able to restrict in the future our ability as to funding but we're not there. We're not there. And I think Pride is very much aware of the conversations that are happening in Tallahassee. Um and um and and what happens in the future happens in the future. And I think they know they need to address that. I think they know they need to look at their sponsorships, which by the way, their sponsorships

have been affected. Their sponsorships have been affected because corporate sponsors are fearing retaliation. The same retaliation that the LGBTQ community is feeling. It's the same retaliation that our allies in the corporate sector who have helped sustain this event over the years are feeling. And I don't know that they would be able to this year to sustain this parade, this at this point, this long-standing tradition in our city without the support of of our city. And we know that today the laws of our state allows us to continue in this tradition. And if that were to change in the coming years, they're certainly very well aware of those discussions. And I'm sure that they'll at the they'll pivot uh as as necessary in order to keep this tradition alive. Maybe in the future it's not a week-long festivity. Maybe in the future it evolves in some other way depending on what the state does. But we can't let the constant fear of the state um stop us from doing what's right today. And as I mentioned before, pride is here today. is not because of me or any of my LGBTQ colleagues or former colleagues is and I started off by saying it is because of all of you the straight allies of of this deis who over the years made pride happen and who over the years have sustained it from with with funding. There were no personal comments directed at you commissioner. Uh, no one referenced your name publicly here today and everyone was encouraged to address the issue with respect and with professionalism. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor,

Commissioner Suarez, thank you. And look, I I'm not trying to play the victim, right? I'm I'm I'm simply saying that and I wanted members of the public to know that me pulling an item from discussion doesn't mean I'm hateful, okay? Or doesn't mean I have hate or No one used the word hate, Commissioner. I believe the owner of Twist said it was the fact that you're pulling it is hateful.

Our community is constantly facing hate like so many other communities. It's like so many other communities. I'm sorry this is deeply personal but yeah people are facing hate. I could I could face removal from office for supporting my community. That's not hateful. And you can't see how that is hateful. You know I know you do. I know you see how that's hateful. And this isn't the only community that is facing that backlash of hate. Yes, there is a lot of hate, but I don't think anyone is suggesting that there's hate coming from from this states because I said it at the very beginning and I'll keep on repeating it. Our strength is because of our allies, our straight allies. And so I just don't want for this false narrative and this and for and the message to be manipulated and twisted because that's not what is happening. So, I'd like to get back on the discussion of of why I pulled it and which is partly for funding and the state. And you know, I I think Commissioner Fernandez, I mean, you and I see eye to eye on a lot of um cultural organizations for enabling them to have a better sense of financial security. So, for example, I don't know if this item has been called yet. You had an item where it says a resolution of the mayor and city commission of the city of Miami Beach, Florida, recognizing the valuable contributions of cultural and nonprofit organizations to the community and encouraging these organizations to proactively explore diverse funding opportunities in light of potential budgetary limitations for fiscal year 26 and beyond. and further encouraging advanced planning to help mitigate possible reductions in city support and directing the city clerk to transmit a copy of this resolution to all cultural and nonprofit organizations that receive

city grant funding for fiscal year 24 and 25. So we're not that far apart. Okay, I think we can have I think we can put emotions aside and we can have a real conversation about how are we going to get our cultural anchors diversify in their in their financial support because it can't always come from the city government because what I see happening is it's getting cut from the state. It's getting cut from our county and I don't want the Miami Beach taxpayers to always burden the cost of every program. I think moving forward we should have honest discussions about who qualifies for grant funding and who doesn't. We've already had this discussion. It was an hourong uh before lunch and that's the reason I pulled it. Um, so look, you know, I I think we're not that far apart. I think encouraging nonprofits and organizations to diversify their their um their finances as it relates to events on the city is a good thing. It makes them stronger. It makes us stronger. Um, and there's nothing wrong about having a discussion about that. So, you know, because look, there's going to come a time when, you know, it may not even come from the state. It may not it may just be another a recession and we're going to have to make serious budget cuts because our property tax values plummet. That's and notwithstanding the fact that the state of Florida is already considering tax cuts or removing home removing property taxes in general, you know, then we're going to have to have a real unfortunate conversation about how we're going to pay for everything. But I want to start the conversation about how do we

continue to fund not just this organization, but every organization that we give city tax dollars to. Commissioner, I think I think that certainly is a great topic of a great item to be had perhaps of the finance committee because I think it doesn't just apply selectively to one organization. I think it applies across the board. similar to the resolution that was on the agenda that that had not been called um as as it relates to urging entities to seek diversity and funding because of the conversations that are being had on this day is it is our responsibility to let our stakeholders know hey listen these are the conversations being had on this day is because of our own fiscal constraints or because potential changes in state laws uh that could force us to uh tighten our belts it's only proper that We provide that heads up to the organizations uh so that they can plan accordingly uh and find uh alternate funding sources. Uh that's that's I'm sorry that's that's that's only reasonable. Uh I think I think what you're mentioning is a great subject for uh for a separate agenda item. Um but while the laws are what they are, we shouldn't be picking and choosing you know which ones we're going to apply now as different set of criteria like what I was mentioning with the last item that we were saying. Okay, why this grantee and not any other of of the grantees you know we need to look at a uniform review policy for grants and see what our administration recommends to us uh moving forward into into the future. In the meantime, you know, I think we should be supporting uh Pride. It is uh not only a cultural event and an event about about about the

inclusivity of a community that hasn't always been welcomed, that hasn't always been tolerated, that hasn't always been included. Um but it's also about the economic development of of our city. It attracts a lot of tourism. It helps a lot of businesses in April when traditionally traditionally March used to be the best month of the year for the businesses in this part of the city. And as of late, the businesses have struggled during the month of March because of our policies. And what they looked forward to was the economic impact, the heads and beds that the hotels would get, the activities that would be sponsored in the different venues, the increase in reservations uh in the in the in the in the restaurants and all of that has a ripple effect in the economy of our of our city and the businesses depend on it. And so there's there's there's many reasons why we should do it. It's the right thing to do. is part of the identity of our city. It is the values of our taxpayers to support uh all groups that we have traditionally supported. Um and and and I think if there are concerns about future funding which we share um you know the way to do that and the way to address it is through holistic policy not peace meal through individual uh grants that come before us. And

and I want to make I want to make it clear I'm not trying to be peace meal. I mean, that's why I pulled many items from the consent agenda that had to do with finances and and and and city funding, which some of them don't have anything to do with cultural organizations or nonprofits. So, look, I'm I'm going to be a fiscal hawk on the commission. Um, and I'm not targeting any one group or entity or groups of entities. I'm going to just do what I was elected to do and be a good steward of our of our finances. Mr. Mayor, I have Commissioner Dominguez and Commissioner Magazine.

Thank you. Um, I echo the sentiments that Commissioner Fernandez said. The LGBTQ community for the last few years, forever really, has been under attack. And the hate that has been directed at them, it is uncalled for and unfair. And um even in my campaign and several others, we were attacked with misinformation about the trans community. You know, something that was really hateful and unnecessary. I'm an ally. I will always be an ally. The gay community has helped build Miami Beach into what it is today. The Pride Festival is beautiful. We don't get stampedes or shootings. It's love. It's fun. It's economic impact. It's a very beautiful event. If it hasn't been moved, I will move the item. If it has been moved, I will second the item because this is something that's very important to our city and to me.

Commissioner Magazine and Commissioner Mateo Selenas. Yeah, thank you for the discussion. Uh, cutting to the chase, I'll be fully supportive of the item. You can actually add me as a co-sponsor, Ralph. Um, I do think that this is uh an incredible event and organization for Miami Beach. In fact, uh I think it was last year I had such a good time at the parade in the event. I was inspired. I go uh my goal for next year is going to be to be a little cleaner with my diet so I could be out there uh marching without my shirt on. As you see me as you see me eating a cookie, I don't I don't think I've achieved that, but there's always goals for next year to be had. Um, you got water pla also that you're going to be competing in.

But I will pivot to another topic. Uh, I I will say, you know, it could seem one way if you're following from afar. Uh, but my colleague, uh, Commissioner Suarez is, uh, let's call him an equal opportunity offender, right? Um, this isn't anything that's specific or targeted. Uh, I had an item a few months ago that was um, an economic development incentive for, let's just say, anything but gay men. it was for a company that promotes beautiful women and he was not in favor of that as well as he from when he entered the uh Deis uh has been very conservative on our fiscal taxpayer finances. Um and uh you know we've we've had a friendship for a number of years. Uh politics can certainly take its strain up and down and while you never know what's in somebody's heart, I can say we've had some pretty open and frank discussions uh over the years. And while chairs have been close to be thrown uh and things like that for difference of views, uh there's nothing hateful that I've ever heard come out of his heart. So um but circling back to the beginning, I'm going to be very supportive of this and thank you for Commissioner Fernandez.

Thank you, Commissioner. Can I just mention something because I think the one thing is you know I think if you see the community concerned is because this is a community that rightfully have tremendous reasons to feel heightened sense of sensitivity. It is a community that has been targeted. It is a community that year after year after year they are facing more and more policies that is specifically about silencing us, silencing our visibility, fi silencing the art of the LGBTQ community, um silencing um their the way they express themselves, uh the way they identify themselves is constant, you policies and bills constantly being thrown and thrown and thrown. Even recently, you know, we were we were we were talking about HIV medication um and uh and the funding for HIV medication almost like as an attempt to force uh individuals who are HIV positive to forcing them out of the state um uh so that so they can get their medication. And Mr. Mr. Mayor, thank you for co-primeing uh that that legislation with me. The residents that we have before us have every reason why to feel heightened level of sensitivity because we're all walking around and we feel like we have a target on our back. And maybe you don't feel it as much as we do. Um but it's real. It is it is very much real. Um, in in recent years, you know, I've I've had hate speech directed at me that I just never in my entire life. And I mentioned it last year in a in in in a meeting uh here uh in my entire life that I had not

experienced that. And then when as you think that you're making progress and as you think that that that that society is advancing and you should feel safer, it's almost like no, we're going backwards. is no different than with the Jewish community and the heightened sensitivity that there is with a Jewish community. um and and and and the target that there is in the Jewish community, even in the conservative segments of our politics that have traditionally supported our Jewish community and there are segments of them that are now, you know, coming out with, you know, this very white nationalist anti-semitic uh rhetoric. So many of us are feeling sensitivities right now. And the most important thing that we have to do as elected officials is foster community. and not just a community of buildings and parks, but a community of people where we are together, where we support each other, where the residents who live in the in this city, whether they be part of the LGBTQ community or the Jewish community or the Hispanic community, whether it be women or blacks or any other background, race, ethnicity, that we continue to have each other's back as we traditionally have because that is what makes our city beautiful and unique. And it's so beautiful when we hear members of the public call in and say that that they've been attending Pride since before they moved to Miami Beach. And I think Patrick was the one that was uh uh saying that or another person that's been saying that she's been attending Pride uh she was since she was in her early 20s and that now she lives in North Beach and she's in her 30s and how it's something that she looks forward to. This is who we are. We are a beautiful community. a community of diversity. your points about fiscal

responsibility. I think they are very wellreceived but I think uh commissioner I think it's best to work together on legislation that address them holistically not individually because then when we address them in in individually then comm segments of communities feel like it's about them when it's just generally you want to look at the fiscal policies of how we administer these these these grants. And on that same vein, you know, we had that discussion um and consequently the item was pulled before we had that um that holistic hourlong discussion.

We had Commissioner Monica Mateo Selenus and then Commissioner Bot.

I too um 100% support Pride and 100% support the funding that we're going to propose today for for Pride. Um South Beach was built by the gays. It would not be South Beach without the LGBTQIA community and I thank you for that. And I will say a couple years ago I was walking home. I was at a a watering hole on Washington Avenue and I was I think I was doing karaoke and I was walking home. home. I live in Flamingo Park. And as I was walking down Washington, I there was a kind of a dark area and it was I was on the west side of the street and I saw a group of guys and I thought, "Oh gosh, a single woman walking, you know, in the kind of darkness and I realized it was Nathan's bar and people were outside and I thought, "Oh, I'm safe. Thank you so much." So, thank you for keeping me safe, too. Because as a woman, I thought, "What am I what am I walking into?" And then I realized it was a gay bar and I thought, I'm so safe now. You you will protect me. So, thank you. And now I'm lucky enough to be up here to to protect you and your events and your funding. And I'll say when I campaigned, I had a conversation where one day I spoke with someone from the Orthodox community who was supporting me and he said, "Just keep us safe, please. We feel comfortable here. This is our home. We can wear kipas. We can wear traditional uniforms and and wear. please keep us safe. And I said, "Yes, absolutely. That means a lot to me. Yes." And then 30 minutes later, I spoke with a a gay man and he said, "Please keep us safe. We feel comfortable here. This is our home. We can hold hands. We can wear rainbow flags." And I said, "Yes, absolutely. I'll keep you safe." And it was it just struck me of how those conversations mirrored that these two communities that are so different, but this is their home and they both deserve to feel safe. We all deserve to feel safe. And I've said this before and I'll say it again. We all deserve to feel safe here, no matter where we come from or or who we represent or who we love. So, I'm happy to support Pride today and and like

Commissioner Dominguez said, I'll second this. I'll I'll um you know, whatever needs happy to support this if the motion hasn't already been made, I can make it, too. But thank you for this. And thank you, Commissioner here.

Um you know, to echo Mitch's words, I am also a proud straight um human being and I love pride. Um, I came uh with my daughter two years ago. She came over from Miami Beach to to join us for the Pride festivities and she was dazzled by how joyful it is. And um, God knows we could all use a little joy in our lives, but especially when people walk around, whether it's the gay community or any other community, walking around with a an enormous target on their back for just existing. It's insane to me that we would um hasten in the state's efforts to undermine protecting our residents and our visitors who come here to enjoy um this event. Um you know, I I I think we all of us, all seven of us share the concerns that we've discussed at length today about um economic resiliency going forward. We don't know what the future holds in terms of property tax cuts and BTR tax roll backs and all kinds of craziness. But when an event is as well established with as much global impact as Miami Pride is, um, people coming in from not only around the state and country, but from around the world. Um Joel, I think you said your your best we were maybe it was AJ you said your your best week of the year is this year and you are on Ocean Drive for spring break. I mean that's saying something. I I would imagine Joel your numbers are the same number one. So why would we do anything to hasten um you know we're trying like hell to fight this off at Tallahassee. Why would we do anything here in Miami Beach to um uh hasten in a change that may not even happen? Um you

know, not for nothing. I mean, some of you may recall or or know that my um background is branding and marketing. And I um uh entered the the industry um not long after Absolute Vodka was introduced to the well, it was almost a decade later, but um not that long after Absolute Vodka entered the market. For those of you who don't know, Absolute Vodka is a slightly better than mediocre vodka from Sweden. It's perfectly fine. It's not great. It's not terrible. It's perfectly fine. But in 1981, in the heart of the AIDS epidemic, they took a gamble and bought the back page uh ad blocks on Advocate magazine and some other magazines like that. They invested, they took a leap of faith on the gay community during the height of the AIDS crisis. because they know that the gay community, LGBTQ, leads the way in um economic impact in um creativity in in create it's a sweeping generalization but you know in terms of transforming things there the joke in real estate is go to where the gays are because there will improve your property values right so absolute vodka did this 1981

true by the Yeah,

right. Chase Avenue is a hotbed right now, right? Um but but it is true. It is economically demonstrated over decades and they have not wavered in that position since 1981. And almost 50 years later, this slightly better than mediocre vodka remains, depending on who you ask and how you quantify it, between the number two vodka in the country or within the top five. This is an in investment into our economic well-being as a city. And I understand the concern of it's it's a lot of money. It's not a $30,000 grant. It is a large grant. We give very large grants to lots of other um events that come to Miami Beach that are incredibly impactful. The events coming for spring break, which we all are welcoming and we believe is a worthwhile expenditure of these funds because of the value it brings from a tourism perspective, from an economic development perspective, from a branding perspective, from offering something meaningful to our residents and neighbors across the bridge and in the tri-state area. um the South Beach Wine and Food Festival, the Air and Sea Show. So why aren't we discussing those grants as well? You know, I we do need to have a conversation of how things get funded, for how long, at what level, what the criteria are. That is a very very valid conversation. You've heard us all say that since it came up this morning. But I, you know, again, if it hasn't already been moved, I would move this um and vote on this because this has to stay and we need to find a way to make sure it doesn't go away.

Commissioner Suarez.

Uh thank you, Mr. Mayor. Look, I Commissioner Bot, I think you and I are on the same page, right? you you've you've dedicated or you've shown fiscal responsibility when it comes to nonprofits and cultural organizations. You know, I can look at resolution 202533757, a resolution of the mayor and city of commission Miami Beach for establishing a policy that the waiver of special event fees including but not limited to special event application fees, permit fees, vehicle beach access passes, square footage fees, and park user fees, as well as a subsidizing of any city services fees, including but not limited to police, fire, sanitation, shall be limited to the first 3 years of an event with an exception for events held during the months of July, August, and September to the extent necessary based on financial hardship. We're not that far apart. You know, I think and this this passed this this resolution passed uh in June of 2025. And I we're all having honest adult conversations about how are we going to to fund this. So uh not this and every organization moving forward. We share you know I think we share a common belief that there needs to be uh a financial diversity for for some of our cultural anchors to to to strengthen their their finances as it relates to uh our city and and what we give moving forward. So I welcome this discussion coming to FK. Um, I also appreciate Commissioner Magazine uh mentioning that look, you know, it's this isn't me doing me discussing this isn't because it's gay pride. It it could be

the most, you know, I guess what you say the most like non-gay thing and I still gave, you know, I voted no uh uh on on on many of those things. So, um, and you know, there is something to say that I think it's important that you do have someone who's willing to question how much we spend on the commission. You you don't want a a a rubber stamper. I think it's important um because the shoe is on the other foot, you know, you you'd you'd want to have someone who's always going to question um how your monies are spent, how your tax dollars are spent. And I think that's a discussion worthwhile. I don't think I'm I'm I'm ever going to shy away from that. I'm not I'm not a coward. Um I welcome the opportunity. So, uh I really thank my colleagues for this. Um you know, I'm going to sponsor the item as a show of solid solidarity. Um but, you know, I think, you know, moving forward, we're going to have to have some very um hard conversations about how and we give taxpayer money. So, this has been a very healthy discussion. I want to thank everyone for for multiple I was going to get. Yeah. Yeah, go for it. Um, one for the fiscal aspects to it and you've been very consistent, Commissioner Suarez. Um, so, but I think it's a it's a healthy discussion also for our city and what's happening in our in our country and our and our state. So, you know, there's a lot of different policy issues that we bring. I do, my colleagues do. But the overarching issue, I don't think this will surprise anybody who's followed anything about Miami Beach politics is the overarching issue for me for me is that pe people should feel safe, should feel welcome, and should feel wanted. And um that always comes down to every issue. There

was even um a lot of that comes to public safety. A lot of that comes to feeling that this is a safe haven. And I am I'm actually, no pun intended, extremely proud that multiple groups have in our city say that they believe that Miami Beach is the safest place for them. You've quoted Commissioner Fernandez that uh the LGBTQ community has given Miami Beach a perfect score. Uh 100%. I think there's I don't know the exact specifics, but there's there's the municipal quality index.

Yeah. I mean, there's not that many cities, right, that get that uh score, but uh I'm I'm proud of that. I know our Jewish community and other communities say say the same thing. And actually, I was touched by what you said, Commissioner uh Vice Mayor Matteo Selenus, because I feel that too. Actually, one of the callers who called in, I won't mention him by name in case he doesn't want to, but I remember several years ago, he called me and thanked me because I was uh taking a lead in trying to end the biker groups that were coming in. and he mentioned to me that um according to him the LGBTQ community was part of those targeted from those groups and that stopping that actually was a protection for the LGBTQ community. I was proud to co-sponsor the HIV with you and actually during COVID I worked with Jonathan Welsh uh in co-sponsor and I think I was the sponsor actually on um helping bring uh testing to Miami Beach on HIV as well. So, um there's a lot we do to to make sure that people uh feel wanted and feel safe. And I think this is part of that. And um I think we're all in agreement that we're going to continue this. And uh but again, it's a healthy discussion to have on a number of fronts to just determine uh how our fiscal dollars get spent. And um unfortunately, I'll just make one comment. I was debating whether to say this because I feel we're such an inclus up here. Uh leadership does matter. We know that as we look at various uh different issues across our our country and our city and our state and unfortunately I think there's a narrative sometimes that's gets said it could be outside of campaigns office and campaigns that tries to divide us um which is non-existent and unfortunately sometimes it's done for often done for political reasons but I don't see that forget about us even I don't see the divisiveness up here but I don't even

see it within city. I go to events all the time everywhere in our city and I see uh a city that is very welcoming of all of us. I don't hear uh I don't go to different places and hear one group badmouthing another group. I just don't hear it. Or maybe people know I won't accept it and they don't say it to me. But um I don't hear that in our city. And I think that's one of the beauties of our city is that we are so accepting of the various diversity that we do have. So, um I think it's a good healthy discussion. Glad we had it and uh and happy to support. Call a vote. I have a motion by Commissioner Dominguez, seconded by Vice Mayor Matelenus. All in favor of C7L, please say I.

I. Anyone opposed? Hearing none, the item is approved. C uh 70. That was C7L. And thank you everyone who uh spoke as well. And by the way, Mr. Premier and again, you know, we pass this not because of me, but because of the our straight allies, and I will continue to uh repeat that to the LGBTQ community. We need to support and thank our straight allies who have our back the way that this commission does.

It's tough to it's tough to follow up this item, but we'll go with R7V. Thank you, everyone. R7V is suspend moing fields project install anchoring limitation area signage. R7B

Mr. Mayor. Commissioner Suarez.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, ever since one of the first issues I tackled as I uh when I got on to the commission with two of my other colleagues and you as as mayor uh was cleaning up our waterways and there seemed to have been there or not seemed there was a proliferation of these derelic boats um in the waterways And what turned out it wasn't as it appeared. It it seemed that there was a um it turns out there was a a business on the water where people would take uh um a relatively floatable boat and then Airbnb it uh on a monthly or nightly basis and charge for that in cash. And so what ended up happening over the course of I believe 10-15 years is what what started off as five votes turned out to almost I think over 200. And I led an effort both locally and at the state to change our um our ability to effectively enforce our waterways. Um, and for the first time in a long time, the state actually gave our city the ability to do so. And they removed their preeemption uh on us with the hopes of us managing our waterways effectively. And so PJ, I just want to show for the record a couple uh before and afters of of what happened and and how it looks today. you

go. Next slide. You know, so what some of the case scenarios was Sunset Harbor and and North Beach. Um, you know, pre-ordinance, you had a multitude of boats sinking, leaking fuel. Um, and there wasn't much the police could do about it. Um, and now with our state law that was changed and the state law that we adopted, you can see on the right, there's zero boats in Sunset Harbor. Uh, same thing with North Beach. North Beach was littered with uh these rundown boats that really had no way of ever being salvaging that were waiting to sink. And on the right now, I believe there's no boats as well. Um, next slide. You know, here's another aerial view of what Sunset Harbor used to look like. And if you want to go next slide, uh, that's another before shot. And next slide after that. This is North Beach uh, from a Google map. And next slide after that. Now we have zero votes. And you can end the presentation. Um, so why are why are we bringing this item today? Um, at the time, I believe it was Commissioner Arola brought an item forward to deal with this problem at a local level and the idea was establishing a mooring field. And with this mooring field, the idea was to push out these boats to other parts of the city um to to effectively manage the situation. Right now, if we were to move forward with this, it would cost the taxpayers roughly $3 million to to continue. Uh notwithstanding the fact that there is

already a moring field almost half a nautical mile away in Watson Island that just so happens to be 60% empty. So, um I would like to cancel this project. I'd like to save our taxpayers money on this. um on this effort. I don't think it's needed. I went to every neighborhood organization in the that that touches the bay and they are fully supportive. I believe one of them is here today. Um and I'd like uh to answer any questions that you know that might come up as it relates to this.

Commissioner Dominguez.

Thank you. Um, so a moing field gives us control over the waterways and it gives a city a way to manage vessels. That was the goal that Commissioner Areola had when he sponsored this item. Now that the vessels have moved temporarily, it's happened in the last few months. I do worry about cancelling a project that we've already spent $678,000 and to abandon a project that um has been worked on for many years. Is there a way to suspend it, uh put it on hold, but to outright cancel it when we've made almost a million dollar investment into the project? I understand the savings, but should circumstances change with the boats, we'd have to start from scratch and spend the taxpayer monies all over again. And I do worry about the taxpayer money that has been spent already.

Yeah, if I can speak to that, Commissioner Suarez.

Unfortunately, I think it's it's not limited to only 3 million extra dollars. There's also a lot of uncertainty of where the upland facility is going to be. Uh and the upland facility is supposed to um for example be a place where these boats would pump out their waste. And we haven't there's no definite plan if it's either going to be in Sunset Harbor or Miami Beach Marina or wherever else it might be. Um, but I think to save, you know, taxpayer dollars and to save t our city staff's time on projects, especially when the underlying concern has been addressed, I I think it's just throwing good money at bad. Um, I totally understand your concern, Commissioner Dominguez, that, you know, we've already invested in this. Um but you know to to further to give any sort of further consideration to a project where the basis of that project has already been addressed and these these laws have been widely successful in the four counties that were granted this opportunity. I don't see that this ever going back. Um once you have a moing field, however, you know, you're going to what's going to happen is as as it's seen in Watson Island, a lot of the a lot of the views from our condos on West Avenue, Bell Isle, Sunset Harbor, Venetian, Star Island, Palm and Hibiscus, they're going to see road they're going to I think it's about 160 mooring balls um out on the bay and most of of them are going to sit empty. And the reason I know that is because if you look at Watson Island, they're all empty. Um,

and you know, look, I I I think our money is best spent, the prioritization of our money is best spent other places. So, um, I think that also sends a message to to city staff to say, hey, look, we we we have better prioritization on our projects for other places. Um, I heard Commissioner B and Commissioner Fernandez.

Um, so I I tend to agree with you on this. Um, I have a question for David Gomez, though. I would like to sort of keep in our back pocket because we worked very hard to get the permit for a a moing field. So, is there a way to not go any further without abandoning the permit for a year or two just so we can make sure everything is as we believe it's going to be

at this time? At this time, we're waiting for approval from DURM and the Army, US Army Corps of Engineers. We do have approval from the state in the Department of Environmental Protection. Um, we're expecting those in the next 2 to 3 months and I would imagine that their expiration date once issued would probably be more than a year after that. So, we could always just wait and get the permit and then see what happens. And do we need to spend any money or anything to We've already done the work and spent the money to um get those permits. It's just a question of waiting for them to come back approved.

I'd have to confirm if there's any fees pending to pull the permit. Uh and there may be some fees that haven't been build yet by the consultant. So I, you know, barring any fees that outstanding that, you know, I don't want to spend more money on this, but if there's a way to keep our options open just to make sure, you know, there are no bad turns. Um, that would be to me the ideal because it would be a shame if in a year things went south and then we had to redo everything because we just preemptively closed this down. Um but so if you can get back to us on what the costs if if there are any costs and if there are what they might be you know if it's five grand that's one thing if it's 50 grand that's a whole other thing.

Okay Fernandez. Thank you Mr. Mayor. And so uh David since you're at at the podium how much uh is the estimated cost for the entire Morin Field project? It's a little over $3 million. A little bit over $3 million. And how much have we spent to date? Uh I believe um somebody had mentioned that it was just over 78,000. Yeah.

678,000. So, you know, we're going to be we're going to be saving significantly. Um especially I I like what what's being proposed if we have a permit, we keep the permit, we don't cancel the permit in the event the circumstances change, but we don't need to continue uh expending the funds. um when it's not under the conditions that we have today and the change of authority under state law, we don't we don't we don't have the same need that we had, I guess, back in 2019 when the wheels was were first put in motion for this. So, I'm I'm happy to support R 7V.

I'm sorry. 7 for as long as we keep the I mean I'll I'll make a motion or I'll second your amended as keep the permit open.

Yeah, keep the permit open. We don't want to lose that because I mean that is cost us money to get to to this point. So there is value to that but should situations change should a legislature come in next year and decide to preempt us again in this in disability or or whatever, we have the permit but we don't need to go through and spend all the $3 million. And I I just want to speak to that, Commissioner Fence, because the idea of the Moringfield being the end- all beall solution. Let's let's assume for a second that the legislature did change and they changed the laws and we implemented a moring field. What's going to happen is that those same boats that were used, it'll just go to North Beach. it'll just go to the King Cove where there is no mooring field in place and it will, you know, densely pack the area. If and and and by the way, if you look at the Watson Island moing field, it's it's happening now. You there is about, I think, 100 boats outside the moring field just 200 feet away. Um, and the moring field is not expensive. It by law has to be inexpensive. and those the people who own those boats just decide not to pay and they would rather just anchor two 200 ft away. Um so look uh thank you. I I think just amending it, keeping the permit alive but maybe directing city staff to not to spend any more money and if at the point of the permit expiration maybe we have a final vote where you can come back to the city commission and you can say hey the permit's going to expire. What would you like to do? And for clarity, I did get confirmation there is a $12,000 fee pending for the Durham Broom.

Well, first I want to I want to thank you, Commissioner Suarez, because I have heard over and over throughout our city um different individuals, community leaders from various neighborhood associations say what a game changer the waterways have been uh since uh addressing the derelict boats, obviously getting the law changed in Tallahassee. So, thank you and kudos to you for taking the lead on on that. Um what's interesting about the moring field it was it was kind of controversial I felt a couple of years ago until um we uh we cleaned up the derelik boats and now I I I sense a uniformity that this would be best now to put it on hold in hiatus. Um and so I am I'm supportive of it.

Okay. So um as maybe as amended second that's amended. Well, can I Commissioner Bot David just said a $12,000 fee is outstanding. So, are we okay with that? Yeah. Something we already owe, right? Yeah. Okay. So, it's not Okay, perfect.

So, the amendment would be to hold the permit, but after this $12,000 fee, no more tax dollars toward the the project. And when the permit fee is going to expire, perhaps 90 days before, have it come back before the commission for an update on what direction to do. Got it. Second. So, so have a motion and a second by Commissioner Sar, seconded by Commissioner Fernandez, as amended.

Call the vote. Mr. Mayor, you want public? Nope. Hey, good afternoon everybody and I do want to thank everybody on this. This was not an easy item for David and some of the commissioners that actually supported some of our our our uh meetings with with the people in the vessel. It was very controversial. Tanya, you tried to help out. Alex, you tried to help out. every one of you tried to help out and it really didn't work out. So I I am very happy at the fact that there is the anchoring uh limitation area that you know they can't stay there more than 45 days or 49 days which is good. You have a way to restrain it and you have a way to move them out if they stay there. I'm very happy. So, as a board of director, we voted R7V specifically to suspend the proposed moring field. The installation of the anchoring uh limitation signage to put it there. Um, it's based on direct experience that we definitely have had in Maurice did. The water is clear. It's looking really great that area. The fishes are coming back. It's everybody's very happy the fact that there's no boats there. And for many years we faced stream vessel con congestion. At one point we had over 39 boats. Yeah, your picture was correct. I counted every single day out of my terrace how many boats were there, how many were leaving. And um in our small basin we have a significant impact in navigation safety. Now you're going to have the water taxi which is going to increase in in in and out more than one water taxi coming in every hour on the hour in the future because we think that will be a great way to reduce traffic in Miami Beach and

that's going to be one of the areas that everybody loves to go there. They get on their on the bus or they walk to the to their job. Even people that live in Miami Beach don't drive to Bickl. they take it, they get off on the amy, get on the people mover and they can get there. So, I'm very thankful. So, through sustaining configuration with the city, uh we support these reasonable uh regulations and um please um approve this and thank you. I call a vote. Call a vote. So, as amended, uh motion by Commissioner Suarez, seconded by Commissioner Fernandez, R7V. All in favor, please say I. I. Anyone opposed? place me as a co-sponsor.

I'm sorry. Hearing none, then the item is approved. 70. That's supposed to be a co-sponsor. Co-sponsor. Yes. Let's call R seven C. R7 C is a uh public hearing name from Flamingo Park baseball field after Stanley Bertman. R 7C public hearing. Second. Commissioner Dominguez. Thank you. Sponsored by Commissioner Fernandez.

Yeah. Uh, so Skip Bman is a celebrated former baseball coach and athletic director for LSU, a graduate of Miami Beach High School 1956. He played football and baseball, then returned as a teacher and head baseball coach from 1962 to 1974, leading the team to state championships and two runner-up finishes. He also coached football and oversaw youth leagues for Miami Beach parks and recreation. Uh, Bertman was named Florida High School Coach of the Year three times. He served as associate head coach for the University of Miami from 76 to 83 and helped the Hurricanes win the 82 national championship. And the accolades uh go on and on. He earned three varsity letters as a player at M. He was part of uh the inaugural college baseball hall of fame, class of 2006. Uh naming the Flamingo Park baseball field after Skip would honor his extraordinary legacy and lifelong impact on Miami Beach athletics and the community.

And I'll second your motion, Commissioner Dominguez. Yes. Thank you. Would you want to say something? I'll turn it over to you, sir.

Um I was here before when you My name is Stuart Blumbberg. Uh and just as an aside, I love Absolute Vodka. Okay. Um, I've been in involved in this community for 80 years now and uh, Commissioner Suarez is not in his chair, but it was like Rip Van Winkle uh, listening to the conversation. I've heard that conversation over 50 years of meetings here and uh uh you've got your work cut out for you and uh I think you've got great leadership on the deis and I hope you work everything out. Um as far as Skip, um I grew up with Skip in grade school. I've known him for over 70 years. He is a hometown legend. Uh he has brought great fame to this community. uh uh self not self-s serving um he's shy about this whole process um and as I said before um this is a wonderful tribute to him and a wonderful tribute to this community for what he's accomplished on behalf of it every interview he's ever done over his career he mentions about growing up in Miami Beach and being in this community uh this is a fine tribute to him. Uh I also mentioned he has a health issue. So um as soon as John and his uh staff are able to get the signage correctly done, um I hope the commission will schedule an event. Uh there are people that want to come from all over the country uh to play homage to him and uh the sooner uh the better. But my thanks to all of you, particularly Commissioner Dominguez, Commissioner Fernandez, uh, for moving

this forward. Uh, it'll be a great day when it happens. And I thank you. Thank you, Stuart. I move the item second. Call the vote. It is a public hearing. I see no one else in Zoom. No one else in the audience on R 7C. All in favor, please say I. I. Anyone opposed? Hearing none. R sevenc is approved. 70 call R9R R9R is discuss take action enhance enforcement of vehicular muffler and exhaust noise R9R.

Thank you. Um I'm sponsoring this. Thank you to my co-prime sponsor uh Commissioner uh Dominguez. I I'll start it off. This is a this has been a uh an issue plaguing our our city uh for a while. the modified mufflers generally to speak. Um, some some cars, some of these high-end sports cars, uh, which make loud sounds are are legal, but we all know there are there we hear it every day, these modified mufflers that sort of have sound like explosions. Um, I won't go through all the history, but I had brought an item several years to bring noise cameras. We've been trying I know Commissioner Dominguez and I also co-primed an item to um do a pilot program, but ultimately I I I don't know if there's a bigger complaint than I hear about right now, which I think is I think is a a uh is a kudos to our police department because, you know, I remember four or five years ago it was it was crime, lack of police visibility, the homeless, and I still that still happen, but those are as we talked about earlier, those are way improved. We're doing great. Um, and we have to continue and we'll keep we'll keep pushing. This is an issue though that I've been hearing a lot lately and I'm I'm assuming my colleagues as well. So really what I'm just trying to There's a companion item that was passed on uh consent that basically the county it mirrors what the county is doing supporting the county. It's commissioner uh Steinberg to uh reduce the 100 foot rule. So, if an officer hears uh a violation, it's 25 ft from noise emanating from a vessel, a boat, a vehicle, and I'm going to be bringing an item on March 18th meeting to uh legislation that will track what the county is doing. But this item basically um sort of directs the administration to have officers at three uh points off the MacArthur, 41st by Indian Creek, and also 71st Street. We cover we cover our city. I personally think it's a great

thing because it'll also bring police visibility. It's from the nighttime hours of 10:00 p.m. to 5 to 5:00 a.m. which I think is really where the I mean, you hear it during the day, but it's less of a concern because people are out and about doing their their business. Um, again, still not great, but it's the nighttime hours, people are sleeping and what have you. So, it'll it'll add to the police visibility, but also be a concentrated effort to to crack down. And I also think the the beauty is and I I see it from my window. So I hear it, I look out the window and between the hours of 10 and 5, you know which car it is. During the day maybe a little more difficult to pinpoint, but there's not that many cars on the road uh in the middle of the night and you can really clear I personally I could see it and I'm not an expert like your trained officers and uh and maybe you can address chief also. I know I had worked um several years ago on the neat team, the noise enforcement abatement team uh that had an expertise in uh in the modified mufflers to determine and make sure that it was a violation of the law. Um but I'll turn it over to you chief and thanks for your continued efforts on this.

Of course. Uh good afternoon Wayne Jones chief Minister Mayor and I have received um particularly in the past few weeks a number of emails text messages from you personally and from your colleagues on the days as well about noise uh mostly at night mufflers loud music um throughout the city and so we do realize it is a citywide quality of life issue. Um you just mentioned the county ordinance of 25 ft reducing it from 100t to 25 ft. Uh we we're fully embracing that. We want that to see that happen uh throughout the county here in particular, giving us an additional tool to enforce the law. Um Assistant Chief Mgallo oversaw the the neat team deployment uh some time ago, asked him to take a hard look at what we do uh now to address this issue. And so he's going to talk specifically of what he's put together for us and what our cops are already doing right now to sort of um help our residents, you, everybody else in the city deal with this noise issue. Danny,

thank you, sir.

Good afternoon, Mr. Mayor, commissioners, assistant chief Danny Morgal on behalf of Chief Jones and the police department. So, we have commenced uh an operation called Quiet Streets last month and continuing moving forward. And operation quiet streets specifically addresses loud mufflers, loud noise emanating from vehicles, on our roadways, on those specific areas that you mentioned, Mr. Mayor, and throughout the city. We've also partnered with FHP to assist us with this detail on the causeways on the weekends as well. So FHP has partnered with us and I'm happy to report that Miami PD is doing something very similar in their Bickl neighborhood because this is not just a Miami Beach problem. This is a problem that's pervasive throughout the county and with a lot of these new exotic vehicles that are being rented with the loud mufflers. People try to cruise around, drive around with them. Um and they're creating a problem that we're seeing in the emails and in the text messages that we're receiving. I'm happy to report that in 2025 we wrote a total of 675 citations specifically for loud mufflers, loud noise coming from vehicles. That's up from 423 in 2024. And in 2026, we're already on pace to have 30 or 40% more than what we had in 2025. We've already written 164 tickets uh specifically for noise violations of this sort. We're going to continue the effort moving forward and addressing the issue um and continue the partnerships with all these other municipalities and and agencies to raise awareness and to deal with this problem.

No, thank you. If I can just say and and I I do see the increased efforts and enforcement, so very appreciative of that. And it's a resource issue. I and I get it. You got to we got to pick our resources. I've had the impression at times, tell me if if I'm wrong, and I've heard this from officers, too, who are sometimes honest. It's like, is it a danger to the community, is it a public safety issue? Um, and it's a it's a fair debate whether whether it is or not. I don't know if there's any stats that would show that people who drive this car tend to commit crimes. I I don't know if you know that or not. Um, but I think to me especially that's why I pinpointed the the the overnight hours because I it becomes such a quality of life issue that it it it it's it may not be a crime per se, but it's it's it's almost like it it's it's really impacting people's quality of life. And the way I look at it is um 365 days a year, 675 t stationations. I know you say it's up. It's that's less than two a day. I I could tell you from my vantage point and maybe again I I'm sitting on 41st Street overlooking Collins, Indian Creek, Pine Tree Drive. So I have I have a number of vantage points from from my from my apartment. You you could easily get more than two every night. It's absolutely for a fact if you have that car station there. And that's I guess what I'm looking for uh and I'm hoping and and Commissioner Dominguez uh co-prime and I'm hoping this with the support of the commission here is that we make a concentrated push on this. And I think and again you're see you're talking about um and and I've actually spoken to uh FDLE um uh Florida Department of Law Enforcement about this as well and thank you for doing that. Um glad Miami is on board. It's uh I and I think people have this reaction that sometimes when when I hear it or I'm on the road and there's a car next to me, it it almost I'm thinking this car has probably gone through so many different

cities. How is this possible that this car just gets to keep going? It is such a nuisance. By the way, to me it's a danger. I I was actually in a car when when it just he must have revved the engine on the highway. It scared the you know what out of me. It literally scared me. I thought I was about to get into an accident. It's it's it's so there is a there is a public safety component to it uh to to it as well. So what I'd like to see is that concentrated effort and then the message I think like everything else what we do when when we took their messaging for spring break we ended it. when we took the messaging regarding homeless, we we we we've reduced the numbers significantly in every aspect. We're successful. We have a great police department. I think we can we can really get the message out very quickly that if you're coming down these corridors, um you're you're going to get caught and you're going to get ticketed.

Yes, sir. Commissioner Dominguez.

Uh thank you, Mayor. Yeah, I've been working on uh noise items for quite some time. I've met with um different members of your department uh people south of Fifth uh West Avenue, Alton Road, uh Collins Avenue, and it seems like it's come out of nowhere in the last year. Um the number of incidents of the disruption. So, I'm working on quiet zones. I sent it in as a priority to consider uh the noise cameras with the state. Other countries use it to see if they would consider it. I don't think that's going to happen this year, but maybe in the future. But it's a hot button. It's a quality of life item, and I'm happy to co-prime this with the mayor.

That's right. And I'll I'll add my name as a sponsor as well. Is there technology now that we're able to deploy? I think we may be preempted from some things at the state level. Uh correct me if I'm wrong there. Are we preempted by everything? Is there uh different types of technologies that were able to

My understanding is we're preempted from using technology to conduct enforcement for noise emanating from vehicles at this time. That's something that I believe the city and other cities are lobbying the legislature to get some some changes done. Um but my understanding is we cannot use technology other than decimal meters in certain situations uh especially on the in the maritime uh environment on marine patrol

and decibel meters would have to be self applied or could that be u a drone type of technology. I don't know if it's if it's applicable to drone technology at this time, but that is evolving so quickly. Yeah. That if I think we can if we're not preempted, that might be an innovative way to look at conducting some type of noise enforcement.

And I know the department spearheaded by yourself has been so great at staying on the forefront of some of this new advancing technology which is happening by the day. So just uh encourage you to continue doing so. But you know, great job. Let's uh you all are products of your own success, right? I know this probably isn't the sexiest part of the job. Um, but you've cut out some of the uh the red meat uh by having a safer, more resident conducive city. So, these are the quality of life issues we're able to tackle now. And through the chair, if I may, um I believe what you're referring to, Commissioner Magazine, is um we currently can use uh noise cameras to monitor and to to collect data, but we cannot use the noise cameras to issue citations. And that is in fact one of our legislative priorities is to get the state to allow us to to issue citations using noise cameras.

Yeah. Yeah, it's very frustrating because uh New York City has a system that I have to say is pretty is done pretty well because there they have noise cameras, extensive use of it. And what they do is if there's a car that has a modified muffler that's violation of the law, they have the ability, it's like an $800 ticket, but they have the ability because in New York they actually have to go for inspections unlike here, but they have the ability to get it corrected and then the fee the penalty would be waved. Um we don't have inspections here and also the state law doesn't allow us. It was frustrating because we had these noise cameras. It was capturing a lot of data, but we couldn't do anything with it. I know you we had this debate internally whether we could potentially issue warnings. Uh ultimately, um uh our our police department determined that we couldn't. I was trying to take a different position, but uh I respected the position that you you were taking, but certainly we could not issue tickets. That is clear under the law. I actually had multiple meetings. I was working with this organization out of Naples called Quiet Communities. We were meeting with OPGO, which is the policy arm of of the Florida legislature, trying to get recommendations that we should be able to allow to issue tickets based on the technology because the technology is good. I mean, it takes video pictures. I mean, you see clearly um the the car, the license plate number, but unfortunately, we we were not successful. I joke that maybe they don't have these modified mufflers in uh in Tallahassee, but uh we couldn't get the law changed. So right now we're we we are reduced to the um physical enforcement so to speak. But the good thing is hopefully very shortly it'll it'll be from 100 ft to 25 ft which will help.

And just one more thing sir um we just released a video in social media of our officers conducting this type of enforcement recently that our PIO team just put out. So, we are partnering our messaging to the community along with our enforcement to let everybody know and get the word out that this is going on and we're going to continue to do that. I can't move it. Somebody want to move it? I'll move it. Second. Okay. Excuse me. I have a motion by Commissioner Bot. I heard a second by Commissioner Fernandez. Call the vote. Yes. So, it's to adopt the resolution that was attached to item R9R. All in favor, please say I. I.

Anyone opposed? The resolution is adopted. R9R. Thank you. Thank you, sir.

Call R5A. R5A is an arts and layer city commission of city of Miami Beach, Florida, amending chapter 70 of the city code entitled miscellaneous offenses by amending article two entitled public places by amending division three entitled alcoholic beverages section 70-87 entitled consumption service sale and possession of open container of alcoholic beverages on or in a public place. warning signs required by amending the setting forth exceptions to the prohibition of consuming, serving, selling, or possessing an open container of alcoholic beverages on or in any public place. And by amending or clarifying the responsibilities of alcoholic beverage establishments and persons or entities authorized by the city to sell alcoholic beverages on or on any public places regarding the prohibition on allowing any person to take an alcoholic beverage from the licensed premises or authorized area and providing for repealer servability and effective date. This is a second reading public hearing. It is item R5A.

Commissioner Magazine.

Yeah, thank you for this, Mr. Mayor. We've discussed this adnausem over the past several months. Uh to piggyback on some of the points that have been consistent throughout this morning, we're a different city than we were several years ago. and becoming a different city that is much more civil, uh, much more resident friendly, upscale tourism allows us the opportunity to expand amenities that, uh, we're confident will not be abused and will not be, uh, used the wrong way. Uh uh what I envision for this is providing a very upscale atmosphere similar to the Amafi Coast, the French Italian Riviera where our guests uh just like they're able to do at some of the higherend hotels in our city are able to essentially uh consume beverages in some of uh our pilot program defined areas. And uh in contrast to some of the items that we've had earlier in the day where we have to be so focused on spending um because uh whether it be through our own fiscal discipline desires or what could be forthcoming from the state uh either way we will be looking at a uh at a more um cost constrained budget. So when we have the ability to bring in revenue in a very attractive and opportune way, I think this is a great opportunity to do so. Uh again, this is a pilot program, so we're able to essentially deviate uh in the extent anything would go uh unexpected, but I I don't believe that to be the case. Uh we've predefined uh numerous different uh parameters and protocols that are involved in this. So, uh, with that, look forward to, uh, I know my parents are looking forward to, uh, going down to the beach there and enjoying, uh, some rosé.

Um, Commissioner Sar,

thanks. I when I brought this up, I brought up an um a concern that I had with without doing this was, you know, we already have a plethora of illegal uh vendors selling god knows what out of a backpack uh on the beach. Um and more often than not, they're selling drugs um out of out of their their backpacks. And it's consistent. And um we can't really expect the police to police that uh with 7 mi of beach. Um and you know this is a a great way to really free up some police resources. um where the stroke of a pen can really change a um a crime that happens on on almost on a on a minute-by-minute basis. Um so if I if the chief could come up for a second and chief or Yeah.

Yes sir.

Good afternoon everyone. Marlon Rivero, operations manager. Yeah. So, you know, some of the concerns that a lot of my uh that I get is these illegal vendors selling alcohol and drugs on their in their backpacks going up to our visitors on the beach and residents. Um, you know, how hard is that to really enforce when uh in the grand scheme of things? So, uh, Commissioner, it is hard to enforce. As you've pointed out, when this topic came up last year, uh, we absolutely prioritized it. Um, we took our problem solving team, we put them out there not only for illegal vending, but also for encampments and essentially anything else that they could find. Um, but through their efforts and also through our ATV's efforts, they were able to identify and conduct arrest. Um, in 2025 they had approximately 34 illegal vendor arrests. Uh, from being out there they find other things as I stated, but it is very hard for every one that you catch, I'm sure there's many that you do not catch,

right? And you know, I guess the idea with this, you know, while I'm why I'm supportive of this pilot program is to really see how much of a difference it does make in these illegal vendors uh selling junk to our residents and our and our visitors in Miami Beach. I know there's a lot of push back saying, "Well, now you're opening up alcohol on the beach." But again, this is it's wine and beer, if I'm not mistaken, and it's a pilot program. And I think the bigger risk to you know our city as far as the visitors and residents concerned is these these people send selling could be you know spiked drinks uh out of out of their backpacks and uh targeting certain visitors. So, um, the idea here is to really privatize it so that, you know, you have a you have a vendor that can actually enforce this, have eyes on the ground and and call the police if if they see it, cuz right now they're not incentivized to. So, um, that's why I'm going to be supportive for at least a pilot program on this.

Adm item. I'll second. Let's call a vote. It is a public hearing. I see no one on Zoom. No one in the audience of motion by Commissioner Suarez, seconded by Commissioner Magazine. Commissioner Bot, yes. Commissioner Suarez, yes. Commissioner Dominguez, yes. Commissioner Fernandez is out. Commissioner Magazine, yes. Vice Mayor Matt Selenas, yes. Mayor Miner, yes. The item is approved. That was second reading. R5A. Thank you. Take care of a couple of budget items. R 7A and R 7B.

R7A is is a public hearing. Adopt third amendment to fiscal year 2026 operating budget. R7B public hearing. Adopt third amendment to the fiscal year 2026 capital budget. R 7 A and B.

Good afternoon. Tamika Stewart, budget director. So this is the third amendment to the operating budget and it contains five items. All five items were approved by the city commission at the February 5th commission meeting. So the first item is a replica of the rainbow crosswalk in Lumis Park and the recommendation is to appropriate $120,000 from available general fund reserves. Uh the second program is a pre prek scholarship expansion program. The recommendation is to appropriate 111,000 for the 37 families that are on the waiting list for this year's program and that would come from general fund reserves. The third item is additional support for commissioners and this was initially appropriated to transfer funds from the general fund to the sanitation fund. The commission approved transferring 80,000 back so that commissioner Bach can go ahead and hire a second aid. Uh the fourth program is a galleria exhibit at Lumis Park and the recommendation

what was the last one you just mentioned? The galleria exhibit at Lumis Park and that was also approved at the last commission meeting and that's $45,000. And then the final item is a pedestal for the historic plaque at Miami Beachell and the recommendation is to appropriate $5,000 from the general fund reserves. Second We needed to Commissioner Fernandez. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, so on on this uh budget amendment, we have the $120,000 for the uh crosswalk. Is that correct? Correct. Yes.

All right. So, I'd like to um move to amend the $120 $120,000 budget allocation to fund the crosswalk in Lumis Park to include an additional amount of 15,000 to fund the plaque to be placed uh with a crosswalk replica explaining the replica to the public uh which I hope will be considered after a public hearing which have placed on the agenda for the city commission meeting on March 18th. Um, the extra funds allocated today for the plaque would be returned to the capital budget if the plaque is ultimately not approved by the city commission after the public hearing on March 18th.

I move it as amended. Second. It is a public hearing. I see no one on Zoom. I see no one in the audience requesting to speak as amended. I originally had heard Commissioner Bot and I heard Vice Mayor Mattel Selenas. All in favor of R sevenA as amended, please say I. I. I. Anyone opposed? Hearing none. R seven A is approved as amended.

All right. So, this is the third amendment to the capital budget. It contains nine items. It recommends an increase of the budget of $81.6 million and a transfer of $4.3 million between existing projects. So, the first project is a water main replacement project at Dade Boulevard. There is a the bid came in higher than the budget and so the recommendation is to appropriate $1.4 million from an existing project that has received alternate funding through a grant. Uh the second program is the storm water outfalls water quality improvement program and that also has a bid that's higher than the budget. Uh recommendation is to transfer approximately $1.2 million from an existing project that has over $18 million. So when those dollars need to be replaced, that would be prioritized in the budget. The third is a fifth and also CCTV upgrades and this is a request for $24,000 to upgrade the system and also to add 70 new licenses for the new system and this would be funded using available funds in the fifth alone garage uh projects that have been completed with savings. Uh the fourth item is a new waterproofing project at the fifth and alton garage and 285,000 would be appropriated using available parking funds. Uh the fifth item is a beayore neighborhood traffic common project. This project has a bid that's higher than the budget by $1.3 million. Uh the recommendation is to transfer funds from an existing transportation project in order to move forward with this project. Uh the sixth project is the Normandy Island Neighborhood Traffic Common. This the budget is actually under by 100,000 and the recommendation is also to transfer funds from existing transportation project to move forward with this one. Uh the seven item is a citywide raise crosswalk intersection project assess coming higher by $231,000 and there are two available projects

that have funding and the recommendation is to transfer funds to make this project whole. The eighth item is a rainbow crosswalk that just got approved. So, in the operating budget, we transfer the funds from the general fund to the PIGO funds. And now we're appropriating those dollars in the capital budget, and it would be amended to add the 15,000 that Commissioner Fernandez just requested. And then the final item is a geo bond trunch. So, at the last city commission meeting, the commission approved the declaration of intent to issue additional trunch bonds. And this would go ahead and allocate those dollars in the FY26 budget for a tranch of uh infrastructure bonds in the geo bond. That's right.

Commissioner Magazine Tama and this isn't a question for you. I I'm not sure what department uh will be able to step up, but uh one of those was for the Fifth and Alton garage. Yes. Is that correct? There were two. Can you repeat those? Yes. So there's an Alton Road uh fifth on Alton elevator exterior waterproofing. So it's waterproofing and uh restoration of the exterior services and the other one is for closed circuit TV upgrades, right? So I think that's different than the uh garages, correct? Well, it's it's within the garage.

It's within the garage. Okay. So, can you I don't think it's you, but can somebody else explain our ownership of that garage that we're paying for the waterproofing? Uh, so I can tell you that we have a joint um a joint relationship with them and we have 48% and then the the rest is owned by the the contractor. Thank you. And where I'm going with this is the maintenance and operation of those elevators has been dreadful.

Dreadful. It's my understanding that's not us doing that. That's the private owner there. Um down for days. I heard a veteran was stuck in there. And I've been working with the property management group. And shout out to my aid Lewis uh who's been just hellbent on trying to move this entity forward, but we're having little luck. you know, the ele elevators get repaired and then they go down a week later and it's just this repeating cycle with no end in sight and just want to see why we have responsibilities like waterproofing repair but perhaps not for the elevators or vice versa. Um, and then also several months ago, uh, came before us, I believe it was Eden, uh, that was here, and there was a partnership with a local group to activate the rooftop up there. And it's my understanding perhaps Publix has been very lacadasical in signing off. Um, and I guess just since we're talking about the fifth street garage and about to allocate what? 200,000 300,000 285,000

285 for the waterproof. Um, if we have any type of leverage there, Liz, good afternoon everyone. Um, Elizabeth Muro, assistant director. Uh, for the fifth and Alton Garage, we are responsible for 46 of percent of any of the capital improvements. And so these costs that you're seeing here is just the city's portion. There is another portion that the contractor would be able to provide as well. But talk to me more comprehensively like they do the improvements and just send us a bill that's prora allocated. Correct. What can we do to push them along for uh better operation of the elevators?

So we've actually been working with them and we want to find a long-term solution to have these elevators repaired. um with them as well as with Schindler which is their contractor servicing the elevators. They are responsible for all operating cost associated with the maintenance of the garage. Okay. Can we do things to push harder on that? I I mean this is

a daily complaint that I'm getting from residents uh in that area. It just leads to this rundown sense and that really is like the community hub in that area. um it's a really bad look. So especially if we have a JV there, it's an even worse look that even though we may not be in operational control that we have some sort of culpability in that. And then to the second point, are you familiar with that contract about activating the rooftop? Yes. The padel court that they're installing on the sec on the last floor. Yes. Yes. Uh do you know where that contract stands? I believe it's been executed. Perhaps um parking can speak better.

There we go. Good afternoon. Um the um the agreement is with legal um I believe it's in in revisions right now and then to be submitted back to Edens and the um Padel Court with our legal. Correct. Let's really prioritize that because this was approved months ago um and that's a tremendous community amenity. So I I hate hearing things just like languish and languish uh internally here. So whatever department it's at, I will follow right away. Tika. Yes. And through the vice mayor. Commissioner Sarz

the um when you say that the that the bid came in like a million dollars over what was projected. Can you explain that? Right. So when we appropriate dollars for a project, it's an estimate. And so normally there's a design for the project and then there's a bid. So when the bids come in, uh the department who's responsible compares that to what was appropriated in the budget and then if there's a gap. Can you list again what are the ones that came over? Sure. Estimated bit. So the water main replacement at Dade Boulevard and that was $1.4 million. There's storm water outfalls, water quality.

What was the estimated? Well, the estimate was 6.49 million. 6.49 million. That's the adopted budget. And then it came in at it came in at 7.9 to fully funded. Okay. Um the second was a stormwater outflows water quality improvements and the bid came in higher by 1.18. The original was uh hang on And it's storm water what? It's the storm water outfalls water quality improvement. And so the original budget was 2.8 and there's a need for another 1.18. So that gets it to $4 million.

Okay. Right. The next one is the the CCTV at fifth on Alton. This is not really an increase. It's like they increase the scope of the project to add technology. So, I'll skip that one. Um, the Beayshore neighborhood traffic common that went up by 1.3. The original budget was 2.5 million. And the Normandy Isle Traffic Common project, the original budget was 1.8 and they need 100,000 more. So, how can we be, you know, how is it off by a million dollars on on some of the first like the water man? Um, I mean, I'm assuming this goes through procurement. Correct. Correct.

I don't know. I just it seems like I mean, you know, to be a million, you know, it's it's 6 million, but then it ends up being 7.9 million. I mean, that's that's significant because what we budgeted for is, you know, what we plan? Um, do other cities have a rule where if you know if if a bid comes in and it's too high, you go back out for possibly a second round?

Yes. Uh, John Norris, director of public works, uh, Commissioner Suarez, that can happen. We can reject bids, but we also see that often that those additional bids will come in higher. I can't say scientifically that happens every time since COVID hit. Construction prices have been all over the place. Our engineers give a probable cost estimate when they're doing design and we base our budget off of that estimate and they're basing that estimate off of previous bids from previous projects. So, there really is a lot of work put into coming up with a budget for a project, but sometimes the bids just come in the way they are. It might just uh depend on how much work is out there currently. Maybe there's just not aren't a whole lot of contractors out there bidding on the job, so it's not quite as competitive.

So, Mr. City Manager, you know, for example, that water main replacement, it's it's off by almost $2 million. How many bids came in on that? So, I don't know the specifics on that particular bid. I do know for projects over $5 million, we're supposed to be doing an independent cost estimate. Um, so I'm hoping that we have that in place for that particular project. Did we? I'm sorry. I'm

I I can't say for sure. I would have to go back and get back with you on that. Good afternoon, Christy Ba, chief procurement officer. So, I'm trying to pull up the data while we're here, but we received approximately one, two, three, four, five, six, seven bids for um Dade Boulevard. That's the project we're discussing, right? Um, and the low bid was estimated to come in approximately I don't remember the amount that you all mentioned, but we did receive a vast amount of bids for this project and that was a low bid offer. Eric, what did you say about over $5 million? What were the requirements?

So, projects that we are moving forward with that are over $5 million and maybe David Martinez can come up. Um and yes, procurement does check that. Um Mr. Manager, we do confirm that the departments do provide the independent cost estimate um that is in line um with the budget. So before issuing any construction bids that are above $5 million, we do receive a independent cost estimate. The we have a scope issuance form for the department to execute that is also executed by budget. And then I confirm um that we do have the third party construction cost estimate.

And commissioner, for what it's worth, uh I'll give you an example. Um one that I recall not that long ago when we put out bids, for example, Maurice G Park that was uh completed uh a few months back. We received bids uh with the low bidder being uh I want to say it was about below or just at our at our estimate. other bids were two, three, $4 million apart. So, it it's a nuance that when bids are received, it depends on what's going on in the industry at the time, how busy contractors are, and if which one of the biders show up, the one that that is putting together a bid that's going to be well over our estimate or are we going to get a bid of the one that's going to be in the estimate? So, it's really there's a lot of variables. So there's there's no algorithm that's going to generate the exact number that any particular contractor is going to come up with with a number there. There, you know, they they they they I I worked for contractors in my prior life to the beach and a lot of different things went on in the war room right before a bid was due that determined what the number was. A lot of it had to do with what competitors were doing, how busy they were, how what kind of risk they thought they were going to have, if they really wanted the job or not. If they didn't really want it, you were going to see some pretty exacerbated numbers. There's a lot of nuances that that that come together when bids are put together.

What prevents somebody from under bidding and they win the bid and then they just come back with a higher cost? Well, that I mean there's there's arguments out there and there's theory theories and and uh stipulations that you know contractors uh there's contractors that that's their business model uh and and we we encounter those those you know it's unfortunate but that that's what happens. There's other contractors they're not quite that way. They come in high right off the get-go uh hoping that they they get the bid. Um and there's not industry standard whatsoever where you go this is what you bid. This is the cost of the job.

There is. And I mean our, you know, I don't I mean I can ask our city attorney to to tell us, but our contracts have language. We have built-in contingencies that you all approve typically when we approve projects. And there's change order language. There's claim language on how to protect ourselves. And I will tell you that we the city probably like any city spends a great amount of effort fighting those battles on a daily basis on every contract especially when they're very high level risk long durations such as projects that we all know about that are you know nearby.

Uh there's a lot of risk involved. So every contractor is going to they're going to pay you. You hear it all the time. They're going to pay for you. And uh unfortunately a lot of the the effort that a project manager or project management team spends on any project is continuously defending the city against these type of uh uh business practices. I I'll tell you, David, since uh becoming ACM, I feel uh you deserve credit for really putting on your problem solver hat, right? Um there's some departments I go to here and it just starts with uh culture of difficulty or no and you uh have really taken a proactive stance about um you know, let's see how we how we can work together and get this done. So, very much noted and recognized. Uh, and I'm not saying for this project specifically, um, I'll just put it out there in the atmosphere. Uh, Barry Sterling gave comments, uh, live on CNBC two days ago, uh, right outside of our convention center. I'll give a a quick nod. Uh, we had 5,000 of of the most prominent financial professionals in our city. Actually, the conference is still going on right now at I Connections. Um CNBC is broadcasting live uh for the past two days. So he did a uh live on air interview and this is one of the most prominent uh wellrespected builders in the world and actually talked about construction costs coming down over the past uh 12 months. So maybe hopefully the days of you know just kind of hearing uh sorry construction costs have run wild since co hopefully that trend is starting to reverse and I just bring that up uh again not talking about any specific project but just for you to digest not you specifically our team to digest as a sanity check when if we continue to see these numbers come in over budget that we should you know

double and triple uh uh question that and and if I could go back to the original question of what happens if we get all of the bids that come in over budget. If there's one or two bids and they're significantly over budget, then often times we will cancel all bids and have industry meetings and potentially rebid the project. If we get a substantial number of bids that come in and they're all closely packed in a certain area, then we tend to believe that that's where the market is at that moment in time. So, you know, it all depends on the specifics of the bids that come in.

Okay. I move the item. Please call the vote. It's the public hearing. Yes. Seeing no one in Zoom, no one in the audience. Public hearing is closed. I have a motion by Commissioner uh Suarez. I have a second by Commissioner Fernandez. R7B as amended. Yes. With a 15,000. Yes. Okay. U all in favor of R7B as amended, please say I. I. Anyone opposed? See, hearing none, the item is approved as amended. Uh 70 R 7B. Thank you.

Thank you, Tamika and Jason. and I thought it'd be a good time for all of us to give you a shout out getting those homesteaded uh tax refunds, the $500 out ahead ahead of schedule. So, thank you. I think they've all been uh they've all been delivered.

Yes. Thank you, Mayor Jason Green, Chief Financial Officer. I'd really like to point out the finance team, the accounts payable group specifically. It's a very small but mighty group that uh you know, we worked to issue a lot of checks. They they put in extra time. They understood this was an important initiative of the commission and uh we were able to get it done about a week earlier than uh originally uh scheduled and I believe the last checks were sent out uh in the mail on Friday and hopefully you know the US Postal Service is not like it was when I was a kid and you can get the mail in one or two days. So hopefully in the next week or so uh that everyone should get their checks and some people have been reaching out uh checking on that. We check on the list and let them know but so hopefully very soon everyone will have them.

Amazing. I think most people got why they got it. I had some people asking me if their water bill was reduced or something like that, but uh yes, we did receive some phone calls. We have the LTC, the the Manny's customer service center's been handing a lot of calls in the accounts payable group, but we're we're getting back to all the residents, letting them know.

Great. Thank you so much, Mr. Mayor. And I want to encourage uh everyone that's listening and watching to to seeformational item one in our agenda, which is a handwritten letter that we received from a resident, a 72 a 78-year-old resident um who just had uh surgery for lung cancer at Mount Si. Uh person that's disabled and that's been facing many challenges. and she wrote it to us telling us how this money uh is a miracle and a blessing for her and just you know something that we that we do hear but that might not seem that significant to us. It does have sometimes a very significant and very impactful uh effect on those who we serve and I we put it we put it on the agenda as anformational item uh just so that all of us and the public could see the impact of this and the least amongst us. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner. That's a great example. Okay, let's do um R7J.

R7J is accept recommendation modification to 63rd Street Bridge schedule uh through the mayor. Commissioner Bot and uh can I read the co-sponsors quickly? me, Commissioner Dominguez, Commissioner Monica Mateas, and Commissioner Fernandez. Um, I would like to open and continue this item until next month. We are just waiting for another month's data to confirm what we believe to be accurate so that we are all united in our mission. So, R 7J is open and continue to March 18th by acclamation.

Mr. Mayor, if I may add, I think the last time this item came up, there was going to be a community discussion about the item. I don't know if that's going to happen before next commission meeting. I think you agreed to that, Commissioner Bot. I don't, my memory is terrible. I don't remember that. Um, what I do remember is, and not to say that it didn't happen. I just don't recall that. Um what I do remember very clearly is making um sure that we got um data from the bridge tender to identify and understand how many charters were coming through um and that is why we are opening and continuing.

I got a text message from you um the night of after the commission meeting before you sound the alarm re charters please let me work on making changes. Yes, that's what we're doing. Yeah. Um, but I think I'm pretty sure at the meeting that there was going to be at least some sort of community engagement with the with the neighborhood.

Well, there's going to be once we um have a plan, we're going to advise the neighborhood of what is happening. We're going to inform charter operators at the marina and the charter operator on Indian Creek that it currently has a BTR there, what the rules are. We have a um a noise prohibition there. We're going to work with the police to make sure we have marine patrol uh there for the first few weeks to enforce and to educate. So, we are going to have a comprehensive plan, but it doesn't seem prudent to have this conversation till we have the data that we have asked from asked for from the Coast Guard, which is what we're doing.

I I just respectfully ask maybe we have a sunshine meeting before then and you can you and I can host it and we can get buyin from the nearby residents to discuss uh some of the unintended consequences that again I would like to have any further communications once we have the data confirming that the plan that we are putting into place um is the correct plan regardless of any data I mean I'm I'm just assuming that there's going to and I know there's going to be unintended consequences and I think it's important to inform the neighboring residents in North Beach along the 63rd uh canal of where it's going to be.

So, I'm happy to have a community meeting. I I do chuckle because I remember once asking you um in our first year about unintended consequences and you said to me there are no such things as unintended consequences. Happy to have a community meeting. Jose and I will work on that um to outline the plan um and we'll figure it out from there. Can we do that before the items called at the next meeting? Um we will look at that. It's it's uh it's going to be a just a resolution or first and second. I don't remember. It's not a first resolution. Yeah. Um we'll look at that. We'll we'll endeavor to make that happen. Okay. Before before it officially gets voted on as a resolution.

As I just said, we will endeavor to make that happen. Yes. And thank you for taking it on. It's uh Commissioner Abbot. It's not an easy issue. Commissioner Steinberg when I joined the commission was dealing with this. Then I was dealing with it. Now it's uh now it's in your lap. So it's a tough issue but um thank you Commissioner Suarez for uh highlighting what you just did. So we're good.

Okay. Thank you. R5 Q. R5Q is an ordinance of the mayor, city commissioner of the city of Miami Beach, Florida, amending chapter two of the code of the city of Miami Beach entitled administration article three entitled agencies, boards and committees division 22 entitled Miami Beach Animal Welfare Committee section 2-190.59 thereof entitled composition to modify the composition of the voting members of the Miami Beach Animal Welfare Committee providing for repealer clarification servability and ineffective date R5Q. Commissioner Dominguez.

Thank you. Presently the committee has nine voting members and two of the members are appointed by local animal welfare groups and I believe there's been a merger so one or one of them went away. So we need to make an amendment so that the one nonprofit representative will be recommended by the Miami Beach Animal Advocates Inc. and the other one by so cat spay and neuter and then commissioners would still nominate their appointees for the remaining members. So with that I'll move this item. Call a vote.

Have a motion by Commissioner Dominguez uh seconded by Commissioner Fernandez. It is a public hearing. I see no one on Zoom and I see no one in the audience requesting to speak. Mattel Selenas. Yes. Commissioner Suarez. Yes. Commissioner Magazine, yes. Commissioner Dominguez, yes. Commissioner Bot, yes. Commissioner Fernandez, meow. Mayor Miner, when did you become a comedian?

Uh, yes. Second reading. Public hearing is scheduled for March 18th. The item passes. That was R5Q. Let's call R5S. R5S is an ordinance of the mayor and city commission of the city of Miami Beach amending chapter two of the code of the city of Miami Beach entitled administration by amending article two entitled city commission by amending section 2-18 entitled stop the pause policy to establish minimum voting threshold for the city commission relating to specified projects at advanced stages of completion having an estimated construction cost above the stated threshold and providing for repealer servability and effective date. This is a first reading public hearing. It is item R5S. Commissioner Fernandez.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, this ordinance uh builds upon the work that we started last fall uh when we passed an ordinance requiring a supermajority vote uh before we could pause or change capital improvement projects costing more than a million dollars once they uh re or once they've reached that 60% um design. Um but the earlier version of the ordinance carved out uh many exceptions that in reality it only applied to a handful of critical infrastructure projects uh like storm water upgrades, fire flow improvements, uh water and sewer work. The updated proposal that we have before us uh simplifies things. Instead of applying the stop deposit only to a narrow category of infrastructure, it now uses the full definition of capital projects. Uh meaning that all projects in the city's uh 5-year uh capital improvement program would have to abide um by by stop the pause. And so what that means is that um to to pause or cancel one one of these projects, you'll need a 57th vote once it hits uh once if that project is over a million dollars. And once it hits a 60% design, you'll need a 67th vote once they hit 90% design or only a 47th vote, which is what you need today. Uh, and we're keeping a 47th vote only for truly unforeseen site conditions. Uh, but once you spend a certain amount of taxpayers dollars um on these large projects, once you hit 60% design, once you hit 90% design, it should take a little bit more than just a simple majority vote to stop or change these projects. I'm proud to say that we've worked very closely uh

with the Inspector General's Office uh in the crafting of this ordinance is supported by Miami Beach United and by the GOP Oversight Committee. And with that, I move the ordinance. Commissioner Dominguez.

Thank you, Commissioner Fernandez. Um you've done such great work on this item and I know that the first iteration was fantastic and now to expand it, it is uh going in the right direction. I'd like to offer a friendly amendment. Um, and it is because it's making it seem that uh we can't have any changes after 60%. and unless there's a simple majority change. And some of the residents feel because of examples that have happened in the West Avenue project um and they're all taxpayers, they're not at fault for the changes and they felt that they weren't communicated with um on a consistent basis. So if language can be added that after every design phase the city will have communication with the taxpayers residents affected in that neighborhood. I think um that may make them feel comfortable

and and that's and that's a that's good feedback. Um but but let me just get input from staff. I believe now we have resident input at 30 60 and 90% phases. Is that my understanding? So as we go around about the uh capital project, it's it's already worked in that we go out, we do community meetings. We started early on at the 30% design phase, then 60% design phase, and then 90% design phase, which is pretty much right before we break ground, permitting, or we're permitting. So can we incorporate if we don't have that codified perhaps maybe

and residents are still concerned? I specifically heard from the neighborhood uh resiliency projects committee why it wasn't sent to them for discussion and at least four members of the group were concerned that communications weren't in place between first and second reading. Can we uh have them hear this out too? Sure. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Uh and then that way you hear from the horse's mouth the language that they wanted added in here. Sure. Sure. Happy happy to uh get input from Okay.

I'll second the item. Um, for the for the record, our big push in in our projects is really at the beginning when we're developing the design, reaching out to the community, getting their input. Um, it's very difficult uh to get concurrence on everything we do. And that's really where we approach uh either design review board or historic preservation board. and those become part of the record and and on top of all of the public outreach that we do. Once we get to 90%, it's really technical items in the drawings that we're developing. So, the the outreach drops down a little bit at 90 um where we're not sharing as much just because now we're working on actual permit drawings. It's not design anymore. And

next the next neighborhood resiliency projects meeting is uh March 12th at 4:00. And perhaps uh I see the the inspector general is sitting in in the audience. I know that the office of the inspector general regularly attends the GOP oversight committee meetings. Um and this has been a true partnership between this committee, a partnership with the inspector general's office. Per perhaps, Mr. Inspector General, if you could attend that neighborhood resiliency committee meeting uh so that you can present to them the ordinance, get feedback from them. Um would that be something you'd be willing to do?

Yes. Uh Commissioner Joseph Senator Rino, Inspector General, would be happy to to uh have staffing at that meeting and uh and explain that because if they have concerns of you things that we should consider, I'd love to I'd love for your office to be a part of that. We're always in favor of of that kind of input. So, you know, we'll be happy to do it. Yeah. And I'm ultimately going to, you know, support the guidance of the inspector general. uh uh he's been a pivotal part of the crafting of this policy and so uh we'll attend the meeting. I'm going to follow the guidance that the IG provides as to the direction that the policy should take. Thank you. You have a motion to second?

Yes, I do. And it is a public hearing and I have someone on Zoom. So

the first caller is has a screen name of callin user six. Please state your name. Hi, good afternoon. My name is Matthew Ganana and I'm calling in to comment about this ordinance. I think that amending the stop the pause policy is found sisll fiscal policy. We have uh projects throughout the city that in some cases have reached 100% design and permitting and yet there still are uh lastm minute uh efforts to cancel them. We have one example on today's commission in fact uh which is co-sponsored by the uh the sponsor of this this uh ordinance to stop the pause. So I think that uh I would just um ask for that same courtesy. This project is 100% designed, permitted, ready for construction. I know the inspector general has issued some concerns about the uh interference in that project uh in the past. And then secondly, the other portion of that uh that resolution, which would cancel um another project under construction, is actually scheduled to go to the design review board, which is an important uh place to receive more community feedback. I believe it's on the agenda for the March uh design review, excuse me, review board uh agenda and should be heard there as well. So, I just want to uh I want to commend the sponsor for this smart policy and uh and uh and I'm supportive of it. Thank you.

That concludes the public hearing portion. I have a motion by Commissioner Fernandez, seconded by Commissioner Dominguez as is with a referral to the public uh to to the to the neighborhood resiliency committee of March 12th, but it still comes for second reading. Yeah, second meeting March 18th. Okay, perfect. So, may I call the role? Yes. Uh, Commissioner Magazine, yes. Vice Mayor Telenz, yes. Commissioner Bot, yes. Commissioner Fernandez, yes. Commissioner Suarez, yes. That's me. Commissioner Source is a yes. Uh, Commissioner Dominguez. And it says in there that it'll go to the Neighborhood Resiliency Committee, March 12th. Okay. Thank you. Yes.

Mayor Miner. Yes. Motion carry. Second reading. Public hearing is scheduled for March 18th. That was item R5S.

Thank you, Commissioner Fernandez. It's a it's a good item. I think you described a little bit of the amount of work that goes into it, but I don't even think an item like this I don't I don't think it does justice how the amount of time that I can imagine you spent on it to come to this u conclusion. So, thank you for your efforts. Um R5P R5P is an ordinance of the mayor city commission of the city of Miami Beach amending chapter 2 of the May Beach city code entitled administration by amending article 3 entitled agencies boards and committees by amending division 17 entitle city of Miami Beach commission for women by amending section 2-190.4 Four thereof entitled composition to modify the total number of members who serve on the commission for women and modify the number of members who may be appointed by each member of the city commission and providing for repealer servability clarification and effective date. This is a first reading public hearing.

Um bot thank you u mayor this is at the request of the um women's commission themselves. They the commission is currently made up of 21 members, seven commissioners and the mayor each appointing three. Um it is found to be a little bit unwieldy and the commission itself has asked to reduce down to a total size of 14 members. Um and they would reach this size by attrition. So no actions need to happen. So I would like to support them in their request. Um I can't move the item. So would somebody else? You can. Oh, I can then I will move the item. Second. So I I just have a question. Why why is it that they want to reduce the composition?

Uh they just found it was a lot and people were leaving and it wasn't necessarily. Okay. Got it. I'll second. Call a vote. It is a public hearing. I see no one on Zoom. No one in the audience requesting to speak. I have a motion by Commissioner Bot, seconded by Vice Mayor Monica Mateo Selenas. Uh uh roll call. Vice Mayor Matos Selenas. Yes. Commissioner Suarez, yes. Commissioner Dominguez, yes. Commissioner Magazine, yes. Commissioner Bot, yes. Commissioner Fernandez, yes. Mayor Miner, yes. Motion carry, second reading, public hearing is scheduled for March 18th. That was item R5P.

Thank you, Commissioner Bot. And for all the work that our committees do uh for our city, C7U, C7U is discontinued North Meridian Avenue and Chase Avenue multi-use path projects. It was separated by Vice Mayor Mattel Selenas C7U. Commissioner Matas Selenas.

Sure. So, um I just want to have a discussion about this a little bit because I think that um we got a lot of emails about this and some folks were uh caught off guard um by this. So, I just want to have a open and transparent discussion about this path and um what we should do moving forward. Mr. Mayor, um respectfully, I I told a few members of the community that this would be called after 5 because usually the consent agenda items get called after 5. Can we just table this for 20 more minutes?

Uh, sure. Okay. Try to give me the heads up on those. Yes, I think it's okay. a second.

Uh, let's call R5N. Nancy and Nancy or Yes. Okay. R5N is the north of the mayor city commission of the city of M Detroit amending sub part A of the city code entitled charter by amending charter two entitle administration by amending article three entitle agencies boards and committees by amending division four entitled budget advisory committee by amending section 2-41 thereof entitled established purpose powers duties composition by amending the name purpose and powers and duties of the committee and providing for repealer servability clarification and effective date this is a First reading public hearing. It is item R5N. Commissioner Magazine.

Excellent. Uh something you know our we have such tremendous resources uh in the city of Miami Beach and many of them make up our boards and committees and we've essentially all been in unison about wanting to be more disciplined in our spending up here and that's really been shown through various discussions efforts. Uh, Commissioner B, I I think you were telling me some of your friends even call you Tanya Dogebot now, if I'm right about that. Uh, only in my nightmares.

I kid. But um this is a way uh one of the things that really surprised me going through the first two budget cycles and it took me a year to kind of catch on was we spent so much time discussing incremental spending that is commissiondriven year-over-year. And that really while that's super important because every dollar that gets added to a government budget is not unique to Miami Beach, but it becomes very difficult to get rid of that and we could all attest to that fact. Um, but what really there wasn't a focus on was all the cumulative spending that led up to that period. Right? So for instance, uh, we're talking a billion dollar budget. We looked at an incremental $30 to $40 million of spending that was commissiondriven uh over the past year and we had about $4 million to do so. So we had to figure out how to fit $30 million into a $4 million hole and and that uh generated some spirited conversations. But when we're really looking at making a difference in our agenda, we can't just do so through new spending. We really have to analyze how we got here and I think our budget advisory committee is a great resource to do uh to take on that task and effort. Um similar to us, they would only analyze new spending that was being proposed and what they would agree with. Uh but I really want to kind of uh take the handcuffs off and allow them um because we have a finite amount of resources up here. These are very well uh credentialed individuals that are willing to serve our city and I think that they could really dig into some of the details of how we got to a billion dollar budget and essentially uh

recommend a whole list of efficiencies uh that is then brought to us and we could propose as part of our budget cycle. Any comments? We have a motion and a

um I just have a question actually. So I love the idea of this. I I worry though this is a volunteer position and we are giving them a huge scope and for the work to be of value to us it has to be very indepth and people have to really understand what they're looking at and how how do you propose to support their work to give them the the background the resources they need and what is the work product that you can reasonably expect from them. So, we actually laid that uh in motion this past budget cycle where we actually directed our finance department to essentially begin producing a more line item by line item budget. Um, we really didn't have too much granularity into that. We have these cute graphs that say, "Okay, 62% of your spending is public safety. X percent is that, but we really didn't get a very granular look until we uh mandated our city manager come back and propose cost savings and then we kind of got a line item by line item budget." Uh Tamiki and Jason, correct me if I'm wrong, but that is something that you are essentially preparing uh right now. When I look at what happens at the state level, uh looking at that, they have an accounting for where every dollar goes, right? Every single dollar. Um so this will uh you know, this isn't seven individuals giving all of us their ideas. Okay, we cut here. We're hoping that the budget advisory committee and Tamiki, you can comment, but they are a very serious group. Uh you leazes with them every single meeting. Our team intends when possible but essentially give them access to our more granular budget and they're able to lies with you all and look for some of that uh just excessive uh inefficiency that may exist

that um up until now we really didn't get that granularity into it. Yes, I would add that we have started that process. So we do it every year on our side. We just do not present it's hundreds of pages of documents but we have for the departments that the BAC asked to see this year we have started providing the line item details. So they did see the package last month and um they have all privilege to go through and provide their feedback.

So you know I understand that we tked the administration to do a line by line uh line item budget um because I I supported that with you and I am looking forward to working with that. My question was more about this committee as a group of volunteers. What is the work product we expect from them? And and so we're going to turn over the budget as it rolls out for departments and they're going to go through it and and do what exactly like how do they have the historic information, you know, the understanding of how things work? What what are they supposed to produce um to provide their recommendations? How does this work? I mean, it's a big ask and for volunteers, I just want to make sure that we're not setting the scope so broadly that we get back something that isn't useful.

And it's valid points and perhaps we we can work together to more formalize what that final output would be. But one instance that comes to mind is the the gym guy in the garage, right? um where we were paying him ungodly amounts of money for somebody that came here two days a week for an hour at a time. Those are the types of granular line items that they're able to just bring to our awareness. And if there's an explanation, we go, you know what, gym guy is really good for employee morale. Thank you, but we're keeping that. Then that's decisions that we can make. It's not as if uh this is still just an advisory position. But in my opinion, a granular budget should be available to 90,000 residents and anybody else that wants to look at it, right? Um that should be publicly accessible

data where people could account for every single dollar of where things go. This will be a more formalized process where they're still evaluating our incremental spending, but perhaps they can help us identify some inefficiencies within the billion dollar budget that got us to this point. If I can add, I'll ask Tamika to add on to this just to discuss a little about how the BEC currently operates. They they don't really look uh necessarily at the incremental budget enhancements. They do at one point, but they do set their own agenda. uh at the beginning of the year they are given a selection of all the city departments and they pick I want the fire department to come this month and they come and they go through their budget. Can you maybe explain what that's correct?

So we we do that every year. Uh what we're doing different this year is that we're going down into the details as you had already requested. So they are going to see the details just for the departments that they've requested. We we meet only once per month. So between now and when we get to share the budget with you in May, we only have a handful of meetings. So they've chosen the larger departments, police, fire, parks, public works because that's where a lot of the dollars are. They actually requested the mayor and commission's office as well.

And so and so each department will come and present about their budget. And this is even in the prior years. This year obviously said they're getting into a little bit more of the nuts and bolts super detail of a department because you have a police department of $175 million. There's a lot there to unpack. So I think in the past years they've looked at things more of a high level budget but more than the commission had time to uh go through individually. So the BC was already kind of doing some of those things. I think maybe what the commissioner might be getting to is uh right now if they were to make a recommendation and say we've identified something we have concern with or we like or don't like in the XYZ department, they would do that through a motion that would then be transmitted uh via LTC to be communicated out to them. I I that's how the the process would be now. Um I think this here has maybe that's what the commissioner was getting to was has them drafting a document, but if if um uh Commissioner Magazine I think maybe that's something we can if that's what you're alluding to talking