City Commission - Regular Meeting

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baby, baby. ah. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Are you away?

Please take your seat. 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 3 2 1.

Welcome to our presentation and awards commission meeting. Thank you all for being here. It's nice to see so many people here for awards. I always uh like to announce at the beginning that uh sometimes I do take items because of scheduling issues but please do not take any offense if uh your item is closer to the end than the beginning. Uh it does not go based on uh on the uh the awards. Certainly everybody here is uh is worthy. So appreciate everyone being here. Do we have any announcements? It's really regious. I think this is the first time I've seen you in that seat of the city clerk. It is So, I I just have a brief announcement, Mr. Mayor. Uh, the city commission is physically present in the commission chamber at Miami Beach City Hall, 1700 Convention Center Drive, 3rd Floor. Members of the public are invited to attend either in person or virtually. If you wish to join us virtually, you can log in using the Zoom app or visit Zoom. us in your browser. You can also call 305-2241-968 or toll-free at 888-475-4499. The webinar ID is 813-928-57671 pound. The Zoom link, webinar ID, and uh phone numbers remain the same for every commission meeting.

Great. So, now's the time I get to surprise someone to do the pledge of allegiance. And I'm going to ask our assistant police chief, Daniel Margallo, to lead us. I figured you Oh, sing it. That's true. You can sing it. Very good. Okay, here we go. Please rise. Place your right hand over your heart. 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.

Great job. Assistant Chief Margalo has a beautiful voice which is why we're making the uh the comments. We are going to call PA2 PA2 certificates of recognition neighborhood leadership academy graduates. All right. So we're going to uh recognize the latest graduating class of the neighborhood leadership academy. In case you're not familiar with that, I'll explain it briefly. It's a multi-week civ civic initiative designed to give our residents an in-depth look at inner workings of municipal government. And over the course of the academy, participants meet with city leaders, department heads, uh studying everything about our city, city budgets, planning to public safety and infrastructure. Um by the end of the program, they're better equipped to serve as informed advocates for their respective neighborhoods. And uh we have some neighborhood leaders here. Um I'm trying to see a few. I see Ray Brereslin. I see uh Tim Carr.

Wow. There you go. The There you go. Commissioner Bot and and so it works. It really works. Over the years, many of the individuals walked through this program have gone on to become dedicated city staff members and even elected officials as we just heard and mayors of their specific neighborhoods. It is truly the starting point for those who want to become have an active role in shaping the future of Miami Beach. So, I'm just going to read some of the names of the graduates. Um, I don't think anyone is here, but Stephen Atlas, Alex, Bashelle, Gustavo, Briand, J.R. Bolt. Oh, excellent. Right here.

If you want, you can come up and say uh say something. Let me just finish reading the words. Marlene B, Suzanne Faulner, Mark Gellman. Oh, there you are. Okay. Adam Kravitz, Joanne Rose Kravitz, Luigi Mary, Gabriella Sim Simoneelli, Jocelyn Thompson, and Kevin Krueger. Congratulations. Any of you want to say something? And then we could take a group picture.

Okay, great. I guess we'll just do the picture. Okay,

that's why you're here. My hands.

Okay, you're ready. Look at this camera. Three, two, one. Okay, thank you. Awesome. Congratulations. We'll expect to see a lot of you.

Mr. Mayor, while everyone's getting back to their seat, could I just say something about the leadership academy? So, um, for those of you who have graduated from the leadership academy, I really thank you because it makes you better, more informed residents and advocates for what we all want as residents because even though we're elected officials, we are also residents. That came first. And for anybody who has not done it yet, I really highly encourage you to to take it. It will help you understand um why some of the things that are problematic are still problematic and help you understand how to work through the system um to try to resolve things. And it, as you see, it has um yielded very um active residents who, you know, sometimes lead neighborhoods and sometimes u run and win uh and become elected officials. So, the more people who take it, the better off we are. I will say that the conventional wisdom, it's not entirely clear if it's true or not, but the conventional wisdom that is that um the last class of the leadership academy was held was the class that I was a part of and the mayor at the time stopped it because too many activists had come out of the leadership academy. Um and it was reinstated um in the last two years. I think this is maybe the third class. Um, so clearly we want outspoken activist residents advocating for all of us. So congratulations and please tell your friends.

Thank you. Pa1 PA1 proclamation John Stewart. Commissioner Bach.

All right. Um, I'm going to preface this for all the people who are getting um proclamations from um from my office. Unfortunately, one commissioner has not yet signed, but we will make the presentation today, keep the proclamation, get it signed, and then deliver it to you to um hang over your your literal or figurative mantle. Um so, does anybody in this room not know John Stewart? Because he's amazing. I have had the pleasure of knowing John Stewart for about eight years or so. Um, we were first introduced when he was moderating a panel that I was a speaker on and it was, you know, love at first sight. Um, he is an incredible human being, a staunch advocate for what makes Miami Beach so special. um in terms of uh different types of people doing different types of things, our incredible architecture, nurturing our businesses, our character of place, protecting our water, being a decent human being and a great neighbor. Um I'm going to read off a few of his accomplishments. It doesn't even begin to cover like if you want to Google John Stewart, I think his resume is 30 pages long. Don't worry, the proclamation is not 30 pages long. Um he's just he's brilliant. He's a great guy. I'm so proud to be his friend. So honored to be his friend and he has um done such great service to the city. He is a among many other things I will just the entire proclamation is among many other things he is a distinguished university professor of architecture and the associate dean for strategic communication and alliances at FIU's College of Communication Architecture and the arts which is known locally as Carta. His career is defined by bridging disciplines, communities, and technologies to address complex challenges through innovation and collaboration. He is a proud resident of

the North B North Beach neighborhood. Um, and we actually I moved into his building three years ago, so that is even better. Um, John's deep commitment to the community is reflected in decades of service on the Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board. He served as a member from 2014 to 2020. Um and then he just most recently ended his term over the last three years as the chair. And so that you know it is for those of us who have served on boards and especially contentious boards that deal with land use issues, it is complicated and it is it's a it's a tough path to navigate how to grow and protect and and honor and um evolve all at the same time. It's quite a tightroppe dance and John has always been measured and thoughtful and a collaborative problem solver in really everything he does and especially on that board. Um his leadership also includes service as the executive board of governance on excuse me on the executive board of governors for the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce since 2014. So he's putting up with all y'all for a long time. um participation as a member of the Miami Dade County Biscane Bay Shoreline Development Review Committee, which just rolls right off the tongue. Um but is incredibly important work because obviously the water is one of our most precious resources. Um and he's been on that since 2019. He has been ex applying his expertise in design, environmental stewardship, and community planning to advance the resilience of Miami Beach and greater Miami in these and so many other roles. His long-standing leadership as executive de director FIU's SOA Miami Beach Urban Studio, otherwise known as Embus, if you get those mailers. It's really, really cool stuff that happens there. It's just a couple blocks away. um for the past 13 years has supported arts innovation, public programming, and community

engaged research which enhance the cultural and creative life of Miami Beach and foster accessible opportunities for local education and collaboration. I mean, he's just he's got it all. I there are a couple more paragraphs, but I he's about to explode with embarrassment, so I'll stop. Um, but for all those reasons and so many more, it is my profound honor to along with my colleagues recognize uh as mayor and the commissioners of the city of Miami Beach hereby proclaim May 6, 2026 as John Stewart Day in the city of Miami Beach. Come, please. Yes. Come up. Wow. Well, I I I thank you very much. This is an amazing honor and I appreciate what you guys do every day and um particularly today is particularly humbling um because that uh that was quite an quite an introduction. But um I remember when we met and we spoke for about an hour in the like right outside the elevator and uh there is so many um there are so many opportunities in the city to meet remarkable people and I just thank you all for hosting this program where you recognize folks and help us to see I'm always interested who the other folks are because I'd want to really hear what they're doing because there are so many great things happening in the city. So thank you so much. It's so great to see you. Great to see you Nick. Nice to see you everybody. Thank you.

Look at this camera, please. Three, two, one. Okay, thank you so much.

PA4 PA4 proclamation Francine Lee uh Francine Lee Hand, poet, author, teacher, and patron of the arts. Commissioner Monica Mataselinus.

Hello, Miss Francine Lee. Please, if you'd like to join us at this the podium. So, I had the the privilege of meeting Miss Francine Lee because she volunteers her time on the Miami Beach Commission for Women. And I must say, Miss Francine Lee, you are the most elegant and regal and and intellectual woman I think I've ever met. You're just really so lovely and you give such great feedback and you know so much of the Miami Beach history. And let me just educate everyone else a little bit about Miss Francine Lee. She was born and raised in Miami Beach earning her bachelor's degree from the University of Miami. After moving to New York City, she earned a m master's degree in cultural anthropology from Columbia University. She met and married her husband, David, before returning three decades later to the natural tropical beauty of Miami Beach. She now divides her time between Miami Beach and Colorado where her daughter and grandchildren live. She's been a lifelong patron of the arts, supporting the Miami Bookf Fair as an author with two books, The Tale of Clyde Bay and Rhymes from the Sunshine Rits, published and sold at Books and Books. She's also championed the Miami City Ballet for its inception as a trustee for 30 years. contributed to the New World Symphony by funding new instruments and supported the Lowe's Art Museum at the University of Miami and the Bass Museum here on the beach. She's dedicated herself to education and creative development of young people, being the sole talent on a children's television show called The Story Corner, which read classical and contemporary children's literature. Her poetic spirit and distinctive personal style were shaped by her childhood travels to Havana, where fashion, colors, and architecture left a vivid and lasting influence that continues to inform her creative expression. In fact, her Spanish is almost as good, if not better than her English. She served on the city of Miami Beach uh boards such as the Historic Preservation Board, the

Human Rights Committee, and currently the Commission for Women, offering her insight, leadership, and deep commitment to civic life. and Francine Lee embodies the memory and elegance of Miami Beach's golden era, recalling its tropical charm and today resides in a beautiful lush tropical vintage home called the Sun Sunshine Ritz on Upper North Bay Road that reflects her lifelong connection to beauty, culture, and natural environment. So much so that the Miami Beach Garden Club does tours of her garden, which last year hosted 233 visitors and was featured in the Miami Herald. Now therefore, do we as mayor and commissioners of the city of Miami Beach hereby proclaim May 6, 2026 as Francine Lee Hand Day in the city of Miami Beach. Thank you. Thank you. This is a lovely idea for the city to honor people who care about our town. I love this little town. And thank you all for your leadership, your patience, and most of all, as David Atenboroough said, not for your intelligence, but for your wisdom.

Thank you. We finished. Yes. Thank you, Miss Francine Lee. Thank you. You're in the middle.

One, two, three. Thank you. Look at this camera, please. Three, two, one. All right. Thank you. Congratulations.

PA16 PA16 certificate of recognition. Laurana Pasariello winning 2026 International Pizza Challenge. So it's so you know what I usually speak first or we usually I actually want you to speak first. Okay. This is I want people to hear it from you. Uh this is incredible. It's it's so fabulous to have amazing businesses like yours. But please go ahead.

Thank you. Thank you. So good evening everyone. I'm deeply humbled and overjoyed to stand before you today. First and foremost, I must honor my father and mother. Thank you for installing me, destroying the courage to believe that I could redefine my life transitioning from the world of content to the art of pizza making. To my husband, a champion in is our right. Thank you for leading the way. Together we have raising champion children and today I'm proud to stand beside you as a world champion pizza maker myself. This week holds a special significance for my family as we embrace our journey as I proud a proud American family. We have been captivated by the spirit of the Kentucky Derby. I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Sherido for her historic achievement as the first woman trainer to win the race. While while we both share the triumph of being female pioneers in our fields, I feel particularly blessed to live in what I believe is the greatest seat in the world. We are fortunate to be guided by an extraordinar administration with the esteemed mayor minor at the elm. I'm immensely proud to receive this tremendous acknowledgement and this token of appreciation. My gratitude goes out to Mayor Miner and his dedicated

team as well as to my incredibly talented fellow competitor who push the boundaries of this craft every day. for my children, our loyal patron Salenda and everyone who has supporting our journey. Thank you for your awarening faith. Above all, I thank almighty God for this blessing. I invite you all for visit salenda soon. I would be honored to make pizza for you. Thank you. Sorry my English.

No. Excellent. So picture this, Laura Donnie, you moved from Italy. Yes. 30 years ago. Yes. And you decide recently you have a you have a your pizza store 10 years ago. 10 years ago. Sorry. Thank you. Um you you you you have a pizza store in Espanol Wayenda. And you decide to go to Las Vegas to compete for who can make the best pizza. Yeah. And you win. I Yes. Thank you. Is that Giovani Giovanni?

Thank you so much. May thank you. I and and we felt it's really, you know, we we're known for so much in Miami Beach. Uh certainly our hotels, our our restaurants. We have actually two of the three highest grossing restaurants. And then when I saw that you had the best pizza, is it in the country or the nation? Is it in the country or the world? International. International. In the world. The best pizza right here in Miami. Thank you. I wait for you all. Thank you. And I I can I can attest that it is outstandingly delicious. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Well, we commend you and your skill and your perseverance and the fact that you took the initiative to go out to to Vegas to compete uh in a in a an incredible competition like that and then win it. I know. I know. And and the first the first woman to win the competition. Correct. The first woman to win the competition. Thank you so much. Congratulations, Mr. Mayor. I I think we'd be remiss not to also recognize that it's National Small Business Week. Ah, yes. This is a an example of quite a special small business in Miami Beach. I very hard.

I I we Robert and I have uh had a Valentine's Day there a few times and you do the pizza in the shape of a heart and we've enjoyed that. Thank you. Thank you. And I have to thank and I have to thank my friend Evees Baroo Evo. Thank you Baruk who actually made the introduction to to you to you and your husband. Thank you. Oh, you're

right. Ready? Look at this camera. Three, two, one. Thank you.

All right. Ready? Three, two, one. Okay.

Ready? Look at this camera. Three, two, one. And look at this one. Three, two, one. All right. Thank you. Congratulations. Good to see you. Congratulations. Thank you. Yeah. Amazing. PA3 PA3 certificates of recognition documentary films names not numbers.

This is this is uh

they're all great, but this one uh touches touches to the heart. I actually spoke at um Hebrew Academy about a week ago. I'm speaking tomorrow night at Fineberg Fiser about this. Um I'm sorry I missed I had a conflict. I missed the one at senior high. Uh but let me explain what this what this is. Names not numbers uh basically does uh that's been around for about 22 years takes do does documentary films and works with students in our schools to um meet with survivors of the Holocaust to learn their stories and to create a documentary film. Um so it's really it's it serves so much. It educates, but also teaches our students to learn about the not only the atrocities of the Holocaust, but the buildup and what leads to and all the the hatred and the and the lies and the denigration of a people that that ultimately leads to the what they believe to be a justification for for violence and mass murder on a scale that we have never seen. Um, I want to invite I know we have a number of students here and parents and administrators. Why doesn't everyone come up and um please feel free to say a few words? I know we also have a video that we can uh we can take uh we can take a look at. Tell me a fact and I'll learn. Tell me a truth and I'll believe. But tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever. The names numbers oral history film

documentary project is telling the story of the Holocaust for the world to hear. I don't know if I've ever met somebody who's like been through so much tragedy. I want to learn about his story. I want to learn how he got himself through that. I have mixed feelings. Like I'm really nervous but at the same time I'm really excited. I was born 1924 in Poland and we were so happy. Our family is uh had been living in in Vienna for over 300 years and they uh realized how how bad things were only uh particularly late.

The day the Germans occupied Amsterdam. I can still hear the goostepping in my head. My childhood ended when I was four years old. We're on the road and the Luftwaff the German Air Force was strafing us constantly. who were hiding in barns just trying to do our best. They took us to Pyongi. It was ammunition plant. My mind was all the time. I like to survive and to tell the story.

It was a very difficult time. My father found out that his whole family had been murdered. my grandparents, families, everybody, friends, families, nobody, nobody came back. When I come to the United States to describe it, but the Statue of Liberty, I lay down and kiss the ground. I never going to stop talking about it. Feel the emotion that is conveyed when they speak of these things and you understand like the gravity of these certain events. None of you should ever have to be involved in a war. There's got to be a better way.

He said, "If you could just change one person for the better or if you could just make an impact, it doesn't have to be a huge impact, but you're that right there is helping." All I know is that if you lead with love, you get a lot further than with hate. Where's Alan Hall?

Come on up, Alan. want to say a few words, tell everyone why I asked you to speak.

I sure will. It's my honor to speak on behalf of David Ree, the teacher at Beach High that leads this program. Now, David is a scholar regarding the Holocaust, and that's a subject that's very close to my heart because I am a survivor of the Holocaust. Both my brother and I, we graduated Beach High and I think we're the only survivors of the Holocaust who ever attended Beach High School system. And I'm very very proud of the education I've gotten in Beach High. Uh I would say that Beach High really stands out amongst high school educations. City of Miami Beach heavily invests in Beach High education and in school education and it really it shows. We still I still meet weekly with my high school classmates

and we still are very close. But on to David which is more important. David is the central cog in Holocaust education. For your information, this particular program and it's not the only program pertaining to Holocaust. This particular program teaches kids how to interview, how to video, how to record audios, how to edit the film and to produce a finished produce a finished product. What you saw was a school produced finished product and David is the key factor in all of that. So, it's my honor to speak on David's behalf. Thank you.

Thank you. Beautifully said. And uh Miami Beach Senior High, Fineberg Fisher, K8 Center, Hebrew Academy, Nilus Middle School are participating. Miami Beach is one of the main sponsors and uh oh, want to come up and uh I wanted everybody to come up.

Please, everyone should come up. Can I just say one thing because I wanted to thank you for recognizing us, Commissioner Mateo Selenus, Commissioner Bot, Mayor Miner, Commissioner Fernandez who came to our presentation and to everybody on the board and uh didn't expect uh Mr. Hall to speak in in that manner, right? But uh I appreciate it. that the honor is only should really go first and foremost I think to the eyewitnesses who are speaking day after day at the Holocaust Memorial across the street or to students in schools for film productions like this. I don't know if people realize it but Miami Beach does a wonderful job uh of making sure that people understand what happens when we lose our democracy. And uh it's on account of this history that we should know better now and we're trying and uh I just appreciate this board for always supporting that. So yes, the um we have I think some people from also Fineberg Fischer K8 where the film was made this year and and Nautilus um Middle and also Hebrew Academy and I believe the city commission went a long way in supporting this project. So thank you very much.

Thank you. When I spoke at the Hebrew Academy, one of the head administrators asked me why Miami Beach uh helped sponsor this and I said, "Can you think of something that's more important than sponsoring this?" Um, Commissioner Bot,

thank you, Mayor. Um, I had the honor of seeing the film um at the high school and I thought it would be obviously it was going to be interesting, as I've mentioned at the Holocaust Memorial. Um, I've been a um, you know, sort of morbidly fascinated with World War II and the Holocaust since I was in about sixth grade. I just couldn't fathom why why people thought it was a good idea to build factories to kill each other. Like I war is one thing, but the systematized murder of people just because they're because why? There's no there's no answer to that question. But anyhow, that's a rabbit hole I'm not going down. But so I knew it was going to be interesting. I was dazzled and blown away at the quality of the storytelling and it's a testament to the program itself to Mr. to the people you get um to come and mentor the students, the journalists, the editors, the filmographers. Um being an oral historian is a rare talent because you have to listen as well as um amplify a story. Um and it's a it's a rare art to be able to do it without inserting yourself, but to shape it. And um you were kind enough to let me say a few words after the the presentation. Um, everything that the mayor has said is true. Everything that you have both said is a thousand% true. All honored due to the the men and women who are still, you know, reliving that trauma every time they tell the stories in service of trying to prevent that trauma from ever happening to anybody else. And what I said to the kids, I want to hear I want to say again here so it's it's recorded in public on the record so that any other person who goes through the p the program will know that in this time in our world when we are bulcanized and we all go down our little rabbit holes of Tik Tok and YouTube and the Graham and you know finding alternate news sources the ability to sit down with somebody

who you don't know and hear their stories and hear what they are saying and be able to resonate with and interact with and grow from will change your lives for having participated in this in ways that are immeasurable. For kids of different ages, 15, 16, 17, 18, wherever the age range is, um to voluntarily do this class because they're interested in it. Maybe they have designs on becoming filmmakers or journalists. And that's all well and good. But what I can guarantee you is that every student who goes through this program in the five, six years past and in in perpetuity going forward will become a better human being as a result. And I cannot think, as you said, Mr. mayor of anything more important than helping our kids in this really challenging time on this planet in every country become a better, more mindful, more compassionate, more intelligent, more curious, kinder human being. And so for that and a million more reasons, I cannot applaud you enough for doing the program and for the students who stepped up to inquire about what this means because it's not it's not like, hey, let me take a fun gym class. It's a pretty heavy lift. Um, I applaud you and it will serve you so well in your future and thank you because it serves all of us on the planet so well for the future.

Thank you. I'm going to put uh I'm going to put you on the spot. Any of the students want to speak? All right, let's do a picture. If you change your mind, you still got another minute. Thank you. The adults also the teachers everybody can shift to towards the center. is fire. Look at this camera, please.

Three, two, one. Thank you. Let's smile. Okay, look at this camera again. Three, two, one.

Thank you. PA14. PA14 Proclamation. Assistant Chief of Police Daniel Morgal,

Commissioner Bot,

Danny, Assistant Chief, I was going to get a whole band here and really put you on the spot. So, I think you heard earlier in this evening's uh um presentation that Assistant Chief Margalo has a beautiful singing voice and he has graced the city on multiple occasions singing the national anthem um and leading us off with great dignity and honor and also on on key. So, that's pretty impressive because those are not that's not an easy song to sing. Um but he also plays in a in a rock and roll band. So, you know, he's like straight lace cop here and then lets his what used to be his hair down on the weekend. So, you know, pretty pretty cool. What's that?

No, I mean, listen, he's worked here for 30 years. He used to have a lot of hair. Um so listen with every um with every change there shifts happen and the you know the wonderful news of us um keeping Chief Jones um in his current role for another two years led to some decisions that that assistant chief Morgal had to make and and um our loss is Deerfield Beach's gain. He is going over to become their chief of police um to create their police department. Did I just

uh were you ready to publicly announce that? Yes, actually the the city announced the city of Deerfield Beach announced it last night. So yes, it's it's in the public domain. Okay, breaking news. My dad and stepmom live there, so uh take care. of them. Okay. Well, goodness gracious. Um did not Sorry. No, it's out.

Um Okay. Well, anyhow, now it's really out. Um uh we have the video tape. So, um but the fact is Assistant Chief Morgal is has been an amazing part of this community for a very long time. and our loss is Deerfield Beach's gain because he gets to bring everything he has learned on the job here um and everything that that um he has created here to another city in in Florida and they will be the beneficiaries. And before he leaves, I wanted to make sure we all recognized him. I mean, we've all are in the process of learning and saying thank you for your service and goodbye. Um I think he has become a a friend to a lot of people in the community. He has been a a fabulous and is a fabulous police officer um and leader in the police department. And so I wanted to publicly recognize his service for you know beyond the confines of the police department. So boy did I just do that. Sorry about that. But anyhow we have a proclamation. Um and again we'll get our last remaining commissioner to sign it and then deliver it to you. Um

can I just say a quick Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely.

So uh congratulations first of all. uh you're have been a great resource uh to me uh personally but certainly to our police department and uh I I give it's sort of like the military when it's it's a team game and the fact that another city has chosen you shows a tremendous amount about our police chief Wayne Jones and our police department that they realize that there's we're doing a lot of things really well here in Miami Beach and obviously they'll be the beneficiaries uh of it but I think it's great uh for our city, for their city, and uh I know I know we're even though you're a big loss, we have a deep bench here, and um we're going to continue to be one of the leading police departments, but this is about you and what you've offered and done for our city, and it's more than just your voice. Obviously, you rose the ranks. You were recently honored um by an organization that Rabbi De uh uh Mendy Decker is involved with, the Friendship Circle, which again shows you uh outside of your your job, you're offering so much back to the community. So, you'll be you'll be missed, but uh congratulations.

Thank you, sir. Sure. Commissioner Monica Hasselinus Assistant Chief Moralo, you uh there's truly no I cannot put into words how special you are. Thank you

as a person and as an officer and as as a chief and you you are everything that a police chief should be. I mean, you just incredibly talented, incredibly responsive, incredibly informative. Every single time I've called you, you've picked up, and I appreciate that, and that's exactly who you are, and it's been a pleasure working with you and getting to know you, and you will be missed here in the city of Miami Beach. So, congratulations and best wishes to you in the future. Thank you,

Commissioner Fernandez. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And breaking news, and I love it. Um, actually, I don't love the breaking news. Um, but I loved it for you. Thank you.

You are a tremendous leader. You're a cops cop. Uh, and you you have commanded the respect of of our officers and you have delivered uh great results for for our community throughout all the various ranks that you have held over the years that I've witnessed your public service in our city. And all that I can tell you is expressed to you is the is a deep gratitude that our community has for your uh long a long long and very honorable service to our community. So may God bless you and your in your new uh service their our loss is is their gain but most importantly is a bright new opportunity for you. Uh and very proud and grateful for you always. Congratulations chief. Thank you. If I could just say a few brief words. Um, Assistant Chief, you have been a stellar example of what a police officer and a commander in this Miami Beach Police Department should aspire to. And we are all better off for having worked with you, having known you, and having watched you lead by example. So, you will be missed. You will always have a home here in Miami Beach.

And we appreciate you very much. Thank you, sir.

So, um before I turn it over to you, I'm going to make you squirm just a little bit more. I will say that I did not know you at all before I I started my campaign in 2023 and you were one of the first police officers I I had met um on the campaign trail and you were so kind and gracious and welcoming and it's it's in it's intimidating. Everybody on this day knows what it's like to run for office. Where's Luigi? He's he's run he's running again this year. Um and it is you know it's not for the faint of heart. It is a it is an intimidating thing to put yourself out there. And you are so kind. I know with me and I'm sure with everybody else. And that just speaks to to who you are. And the good news is Deerfield Beach. It's not even in Jacksonville. Like it's so close. You'll be down here in March when we need some extra support. We'll be like, "Danny, bring your boys down. Bring your girls down. Bring your trucks down. We got you." Um so, you know, it's a little bit further apart than we would like, but you're still and will always be part of the family. So, just for those folks in in the crowd, um you know, it's it's complicated running a police department here because we're 82,000 full-time residents here um right now and on any given Sunday, we're half a million people and we have about 12 million people coming through a year. And so, imagine like one day on Tuesday, you're like a normal small town on a beach and you know, a week later on Saturday, you've got the Super Bowl host party here. And it's it's a different you know, it's different than most police officers careers. And so it's a real challenge um and a real opportunity. And your leadership has been defined by operational discipline and accountability and commitment to officer safety and resident and visitor safety. And you are exemplary in guiding the department through modern major modernization efforts. Um like so many acronyms I can't even explain them. But you know the body warn cameras that make sure that everybody's doing their job correctly and if there's any issue I mean that's like the most accessible

thing for all of us to understand the body warn cameras and there's you know the drones that we just started using in the last couple of years which keep our police officers safe because they can go into a hot zone knowing what they're facing and so it is a much better outcome and you know you're not going in blind not to mention our residents and our businesses and our visitors. um uh FEMA certified master exercise practitioner with over 17 years experience developing and facilitating um preparedness exercises across local, state, and federal partners, which doesn't sound like a big deal until you're the middle of an an emergency, a hurricane evacuation. And it's good to know that somebody here knows how to do things. And thankfully, many people on our staff at city hall and in our police and fire know how to do things. But these are serious professional qualifications and not everybody chooses to advance their knowledge base and put it into practice. And again it speaks volumes about who you are and how you proceed. And beyond all those things and I mean again this like John Stewart you could go on for days about all the things that you are doing here. But you know in addition to the friendship circle which touches on what I made comments I made about kids learning to be mindful and navigating this complicated world. Another thing that you have done is you've been an incredible advocate for neurodeiversity and um inclusivity for public safety and that is something that we all as a world are trying to navigate as we learn more about it. So, it's it's super important. Um, advancing the mission of Autism Speaks, championing inclusion across the board. Um, and uh, partnering with University of Miami Center for Autism and Related Disabilities to deliver autism identification and awareness trainer training for first responders throughout the city. So that if somebody's acting a little squirly or unusual in some way, instead of people having a negative reaction, thinking, "Oh, this person is crazy or dangerous," you can recognize the signs and say,

"Oh, this person needs to be approached differently." And that is incredibly important. So we could go on again for days, but I won't. Um, I am going to give the procla make the proclamation, then I'm going to turn over to you two fine gentlemen. So um we proudly recognize all the services you have service you have given to the city your family and loved ones and friends have given by extension. So with slightly broken heart now therefore do we as mayor and commissioners of the city of Miami Beach hereby proclaim May 6, 2026 as assistant chief Daniel Morgalo Day.

All right. Um, yes, Mr. Mayor, thank you for allowing me to say a few words. Look, I um usually when people come to the podium, they want to say something.

Yeah. Yeah. Um, mixed feelings about this. Um, I always thought I'd lose Danny. He was anxious about her for a couple years thinking that he'd be discovered by American Idol. Um, but um, this is just the next best thing. I I think um you know Danny don't know this but imagine I speak a lot about the talent we have within the organization and and um he knows all about Danny's and and his accomplishments and his his training. Um you mentioned the fact he's a master trainer well recognized throughout the country much less the the county and and the region. Um mentioned the fact he's been involved in the community for many many years has been a face in fundraising for autism. um which is something he doesn't have to do but does because he cares. Uh you mentioned the fact that you know here we've had a wonderful successful organization. People don't know this but that success really is because of work he's done has been in charge of operations division for the past two years. Half of that um is our patrol division. Everybody in uniform reported to him. And so the folks out there doing the heavy lifting every day um making things happen, keeping the city safe is because of his direct leadership. There's no doubt in my mind when he goes um to uh to police department, he's taken over building from the ground up, which I think is monumental. Um there's no my mind is going to be a well-ran police department. I think he's going to produce executives like um like himself, people who will lead other police organizations throughout the nation. So, um, Danny, thank you. I'm proud of you. And God bless. Good luck.

Thank you.

And it's a 6 p.m. news 6 p.m. now, but on M TV. So, uh, assistant chief, I'm going to actually give you a law and order award that we prepared. Thank you for bringing this out, Commissioner Bot. And uh we and I hear this from a lot of people, but I even heard it from uh I believe our police chief mentioned to me recently that he was heard it from others outside of our city, not in another distant far away in our country that Miami Beach is known as a law and order city. That was not always the case. So I'd like to present this to you as well.

Thank you, sir. Um Mr. Mayor, I'm try I'm going to try to get through this without uh getting emotional, but um it becomes difficult when you spent literally half your life serving a community and uh and doing it um at the highest level possible, wanting to be as good as you can at your job because you feel that sense of responsibility to the community, to your peers, to the organization. Um, I am extremely humbled and grateful for everything that the city of Miami Beach has done for me. Um, I want to thank Chief Jones for having the confidence in me to promote me to his executive team and and honor me with allowing me to lead um an amazing group of of people, not just police officers, but human beings in general because we have amazing people working in this city. This is a great place to be a police officer and it is a learning leadership laboratory that helps each and every member of this team get better every day. Um years ago when I first became a captain almost a decade ago, uh we coined the term um boutique policing or concierge cops because everyone in Miami Beach is a VIP and deserves to get the white glove treatment and that has become what this organization tries to do. We try to be as responsive as possible. We try to focus on the things that matter most to this community. and I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished as a team. Um, I absolutely want to thank my wife who's back there and my kids um because they've been around and and signed up and rode this roller coaster for the last uh 20 plus years. So, that is the hardest job in the world to be the

person that loves someone who does this job because you never know when that phone is going to ring or when something's going to happen. So, I have to acknowledge that. Um, and I'm just humbled and grateful for everything that I've learned, for every opportunity that I've had here and excited at what the future holds and what we can do um with the new Deerfield Beach Police Department. Thank you so much. This is always going to be home. It's always going to have a special place in my heart and every corner and every building has a memory of something that I've experienced over the last almost 27 years. So, thank you. One at a time. Three, two, one.

Yes. Nice to meet you. this camera, please.

Three, two, one. This one. Three, two, one. All right. Thank you.

Yes.

PA1 PA1 proclamation Dr. Ghanon Frink, Community Preparedness and Volunteer Service, Dr. Frink, come on up. So,

I'm I'm going to speak direct because I I know it's hard for me to call Dr. Frink because I usually call you Gershan and I see your lovely wife in the crowd and your kids as well, which is awesome. Um, so let me just tell a quick story about Dr. Frink. Literally almost every time I run into you on the street in synagogue, you you have an idea. You're telling me an idea about how to save people's lives. And obviously I want to hear from you, but you've done so much. First of part of our emergency system here in Miami Beach that you volunteer for, the you're you're a physician. you the stop the bleed which before I was ever even involved in municipal government I was attending your classes because god forbid if someone is in a emergency situation that you're teaching people how to stop the bleeding to be able to stall enough time for emergency help to arrive but you it's always you're I always hear talking about hurricanes or emergency situations so um thank you thank you for what you do for what you offer and what's incredible is you've probably saved lives that you don't even know about because obviously once you teach someone, you don't know where that carries it on. So, thank you for being such a uh such a um respected member of our community and that all you've done. I didn't even get into during COVID that you were fielding calls all day long. There's so much, but thank you for uh for who you are.

My pleasure. Uh, thank you very much, uh, Mayor Steve Miner and all the incredible people who lead this city that we love so much. Um, I really truly thank God for putting me in a position, uh, to have the privilege to serve best service back to the community. Um, all my children were born here. Um, uh, my wife and I, uh, build our family here. Um, I have a couple of my kids here. Um uh Talia actually just finished a C class um here with emergency management. So uh she's one of our newer uh C members here. Um want to give a special thanks to my wife Miriam uh especially during COVID but also uh throughout the years. Um really uh she's the one that not just is okay with me just disappearing or uh just leaving on short notice uh taking emergency volunteer flights to different countries uh bringing people home to Florida uh who are stuck in different places. Um but she's not just okay with it, she's the one that actually pushes me to go. Um and she motivates me a lot. So um so special thanks to Miam. Um, special thanks to my kids, Eton and Talia, and all the kids who are uh out of the state right now. Um, but uh it's really truly a pleasure to be uh servicing the community here in Miami Beach. And I just want to mention also that my mentor um that I really ask uh for every step along the way when I do things, uh Robin Jacobs is here. And I just want to give her a big thank you also because uh she's an incredible person uh that I really look up to. So, thank you very much. You beat me to it. I was going to mention Robin and Dr. Barak Jacobs are here. So, yes. So, I'm going to read this is a long proclamation and I mentioned some of it, but I'm going to read the last two paragraphs. Okay. Thank you.

Dr. Frink's dedication to life-saving care extends from the skies to our local streets, serving as a flight physician for Hutsullah Air. Now if people aren't Hatsah is a volunteer ambulance service but they also have airplanes that people who are in critical medical need cannot trans cannot travel through med routine flights. Hudsa Air offers that service. Hudsala Air on complex international missions for critically ill patients while simultaneously providing vital emergency medical services through Hutzah South Florida in Miami Beach. Through his exceptional medical expertise and tireless service, Dr. Gersonfink has played an essential role in m making Miami Beach a safer and more prepared community and the city of Miami Beach recognizes him for his profound impact on the health and safety of our residents. Now therefore do we as the mayor and commissioners of the city of Miami Beach hereby proclaim May 6th 2026 as Dr. Gonfink Day in the city of Miami Beach. Thank you. Cheers. Take a look at this camera. Three, two, one. Okay, thank you so much.

All right. Three, two, one. Thank you. Congratulations,

PA5 PA5 Proclamation Sid Daniels. stunning and elegant contributions to arts and fashion. Good evening, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Commissioner Fernandez.

Thank you. and it's if you'd come and join us at the at the podium and uh it's my honor to present this proclamation tonight to to to sit on behalf of of our colleague Commissioner Laura Dominguez who unfortunately uh isn't able to uh to to join us today. But Sid's work is uh is so uniquely Miami Beach. It's vibrant. It's expressive. It's glamorous. It's architectural. It's full of personality. And all you you have to do is follow his Instagram uh page to to to realize that his that his art uh captures the spirit and the energy of our community in such a beautiful and and distinctive way. And um Sid has been a longtime member of our of our community uh through decades of artistic uh achievements, exhibitions around the world, and contributions to Miami Beach's very creative and artistic identity. Sid has helped enrich the cultural fabric of Miami Beach and remind us of how important the arts are to the soul of our city. Sid, I want to congratulate you on behalf of Commissioner Dominguez, who really wanted to be here today to thank you for your for your contributions uh for your ongoing art exhibit at the at the at the

Jewish Museum at the Jewish Museum of South Florida. If you tell us a little bit about about your about your exhibit.

Well, my exhibit is a um has it's work that I created in Miami Beach. Um I tried to reinvent myself when I came here but in 20 uh 2009 through the present I created a body of work that's very contemporary and um I really concentrated on that while during the last um 20 years and um it's it's an honor to uh to be honored here um by all of you and recognizing me. I'm just like speechless and um don't know what to

Well, I have to tell you your your the art that you post on Instagram, your page is one of my favorite pages to follow and I comment constantly comments on on on what you on what you put there because it really is reflective of architectural art, but also uh the inspiration on art deco is architectural. It's geometric and it really is beautiful. picks up on on so much of those sculptural lines of our art deco community and and the mid-century modern design that you so vividly display in your art. And I want to thank you. Thank you for elevating us and for your cultural contributions to Miami Beach. and on behalf of my colleagues that are present here today, on behalf of our community, but most importantly on behalf of Commissioner Dominguez who who who truly wanted to be here today, it's our honor to declare May 6, 2026 to forever be known as Sid Daniels Day in the city of Miami Beach.

Thank you very much. Thank you. Right camera. Three, two, one. All right. Thank you.

Uh my exhibit is running uh from now through August the 30th for anybody who wants to come. You'll think you'll really enjoy it. I have 40 paintings and and illustrations from fashion and um art deco inspired. I think you'll really enjoy it. That's at 301 Washington Avenue. Nice. Thank you, Sid. PA6 PA6 Proclamation Tim Carr, exceptional civic service and athletic prowess.

Commissioner Fernandez. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And again, it's such an honor to present this proclamation tonight. I think not only to a friend to to all of us, but to a leader that so many of us uh admire because Tim truly represents something special about our our community. Uh combined with your professional success, your your civic engagement, your neighborhood advocacy, but you're also your your your personal discipline into into a life of of service and of positive impact. uh whether it's helping advance important environmental and neighborhood issues or representing our city in uh athletic competitions around the country and and and around the the world, you do so with energy. You do so with integrity and truly a very collaborative spirit always. Um people like you, Tim, help strengthen our city. uh not only um because you you care but because you really truly make it a better place every day with how generous you are with your time and with your talent to our city. So on behalf of Commissioner Laura Dominguez who can't join us today, we want to thank you for your leadership. We want to thank you for your advocacy and the example that you set uh in our community. So on behalf of the mayor, on behalf of the city commission, on behalf of the residents of West Avenue who you serve, it's our honor to declare today, May 6, 2026, to forever be known as Tim Card Day in the city of Miami Beach. Thank you again. It's a real honor and a real pleasure. Again, I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed over the last several years working with you all because again, you all are strong advocates and really listen to where we're trying to

go as a community. At the same time, I also want to recognize my husband, Bill, because during all this advocacy and time of volunteer effort, it does take away from other things. But he also is my number one cheerleader when I go to these events because you guys have really taken the bandwagon. I'm so proud first of Commissioner Bot for the Blue Zone initiative because I'm passionate about that, but also about the whole health, wellness, and initiative you've taken this last March into April. everything you did is what this city really is all about because it's in our own backyard. So, I'm just part of that story and I'm very excited at my age to still be going strong and help hopefully be a role model for others to never stop moving, keep going and really appreciate again this honor today. Thank you,

Tim. And Tim, you um during uh High Rocks. Yes. Number one in your category. Yes.

Tell us a little bit about that. Um, I've been doing this since 2019 when they did the very first event at the Miami Beach Convention Center. After I finished that event, I told my trainer friend, I said, "I think this is my sport." And actually, that performance then qualified me for the world championship uh a year and a half later after co. So, I qualified for the world six times now. Uh, one year I backed out for a nephew's uh uh high school graduation, but the other five times, four out of five I made the podium. So hopefully I plan to do that again this year in Stockholm in June. So thank you. Amazing. Congratulations, Tim. If

I can just uh Tim, don't go away yet. Don't go away yet.

Yeah, exactly. Obviously, your leadership for West Avenue now leading uh Soie West. um since I since I got elected, you're you're a leading voice uh for the West Avenue neighborhood and you've made it better. You've made the projects better. Um the the resiliency and infrastructure work that we're doing uh you and and your board and and and others have really shaped that and your athleticism. I remember when you told me how old you are and I'm not going to reveal it. If you want to, you can. But people would be shocked. But clearly your your fitness uh certainly has has helped and impacted. Um so thank you for that and and and and it was a lot of work and and thank you for recognizing all of us and and for for the uh obviously you mentioned Commissioner Bach for the blue zones and and the and the leadership we all took in bringing those events, but it really is a big part of residents like yourself who had such a focus on fitness and health and wellness that I think shaped what we've been able to do as a city. So, uh, kudos to you.

Thank you. Let's keep the momentum going. Mayor, Commissioner Monica Mate Selenus. Tim, real quick, I just want to say that I'm just so impressed by you and how organized you are and how much you give to our city and your leadership skills. And frankly, I'm a little bit jealous of how fit you are. Someday I will get to your level. Not yet. It'll take me a couple more years. But I'm you're such I I look up to you so much. I mean, you're really truly someone who's just, you know, you you represent Miami Beach and our community and so well. So, thank you so much, Tim, for all that you do for the residents of Miami Beach. You are what make this place so special and thank you for your leadership. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Very kind. Oh, Commissioner Bot.

Um um you know, I mentioned that Assistant Chief Margalo was the first police officer I met when I was running for office and I think you and some of your board members at the time were the first activist residents who I hadn't already known through my activism um who I met with to sort of test the waters and you were so wellprepared on the issues and so direct and so uh magnanimous. You know, there are things when you run for office, you don't know all the things about all the things. It's just ridiculous. you just there's no way even as an elected official it's hard to know all the things about all the things and so it was part education it was part um encouragement it was part you know getting to know each other and trying to gauge the the the character of the people in front of us and um I think we've developed really wonderful friendship and working relationship as a result and I echo everything my colleagues have said and I will say as you know in marketing you are you are taught rule number one is never overpromise and underdel so I just want everyone to know for the Blue Zones, you know, results not guaranteed. I'm just saying um we're not all going to end up being Tim Carr in terms of fitness, but you are you should be our mascot because Blue Zones is so much more than fitness and exercise, but it's engagement and and and community and um building things around you through people and passion and care and that embodies who you are. So, thank you for being you and thank you, Bill, for putting up with all of us. And I have to say at the end of the West Avenue project, we'll be recognizing Tim with an honorary general contractor and projects manager license. All right, let's take

We all just

two one. All right. Thank you. All right.

PA12 PA12 certificate of recognition Miami Beach Senior High School students and teacher participation in academic world quest.

Commissioner Fernandez. Yes, that's that's me today. Um that's me today and always. But today I'm doing this on behalf on behalf of our commissioner uh Laura Dominguez. And it's truly an honor to present these certificates on on her behalf, not only uh to Mr. Russell. Welcome. Uh but also to to to the students, but Russ, what you and your students uh achieved is truly extraordinary. leading Miami Beach Senior High to the first place. First place first in Miami Dade. Second in the nation.

Second in the nation. That's, you know, pretty impressive. It speaks not only it speaks not only to the academic excellence, but also to the power of mentorship, to the power of discipline, and uh and to the belief that you have in our youth and the and the young people of of Miami Beach. especially, you know, in in a world that often uh focuses on our challenges, this is a reminder of the incredible talent that we have right here in Miami Beach. So, thank you. Thank you for investing your time. Thank you for investing your energy and thank you guys for bringing such great honor and elevating Miami Beach on the national stage. So, Russ, if you want to say a few words.

I do briefly. I know it's been a long meeting. Um, first I'd just like to thank the uh academic world council of which uh Commissioner Dominguez is a board member for making this all possible. These students in their DC trip they had to visit two embassies, the International Development Bank um and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. So it was quite a great experience. Uh I just want to say the kids' name so it's officially in the record because I think they deserve it. This is Vander Lee, Chase Goldberg, Jonathan Toledo, and London Brun. Um, I I won't go into the details of the contest, but at the national level, there are teams that have been practicing since November and studying. And if you remember back in school taking tests, uh, I gave these guys over 20 practice tests. They took tests in the Financial Times. They wrote tests for each other. They did detailed handwritten notes and they came from behind to finish second in the nation. So I think that's pretty darn good.

Now Russell, let me ask you this. Last year they participated as well last year. Yes. But where were they last year? Last year we won Miami Dade and we finished about halfway up the ladder and because we had never been there. that and and for this year to be second in the nation, that is quite an accomplishment and something to be incredibly proud of. Such big congratulations to each and every one of you. Thank you, Commissioner Mateo Selenus. Oh, do you want to speak? Yeah. Okay. Right. We want to hear from you, Mr. Vanderly.

So, I stood here about a year ago as a shaggy-haired sophomore saying that we were going to come back and win the district again, and that's what we did. So, I'm really honored to receive this award from you guys. Um, Laura Dominguez, Mayor Miner, um, and the committee in general. And, you know, I just want to say the same thing as last year. You know, we're out to win next year and we want to come for even more, even more glory in the nation. And I really want to, um, thank my teacher, Mr. Riyel. I really want to thank um, you know, Miami Beach Senior High, Mr. Trojan, and just the public education and the school system for giving me such opportunities to grow as a person. Thank you. Um, I wasn't here last year like these guys were, but I want to say I've been honored to take Vander spot as the resident sophomore on the team. And as he's a junior now, I'd like to say that not only will we be will we be back next year, I'll also be back two years from now. And as just as they found me when I was a sophomore, I will also find other people to keep the Miami Beach legacy going.

Awesome. Hello, my name is London Brunie. Me and Jonathan Toledo here have been doing this for the past three years since our sophomore year. And I would like to give ode to a philosophical device, the ship of Thesius. Our identity as students at Miami Beach Senior High School has been one of wonders. We have constantly built upon each other becoming a greater and greater machine. And yet, as us seniors are leaving, the ship of the still keeps running. us AWQ will go to get nationals again and keep improving and win from IB Senior High School. Amazing. Thank you. Love it.

As you can tell, they're from the speech and debate team. All right. I'd like to just I'd just like to say something. Mr. Mr. Rywell, hello. We've seen each other a lot the past couple months at several different events, and it's nice to see you again. You're fantastic teacher at Beach High, and thank you. you do so well by our our students and gentlemen, you you are I'm so so so proud of you all and I want you to know that you know you you have you have made Beach High so proud of you there. You know this whole school is just so incredibly proud. Your teachers, the principal, administration, your fellow students at the school and Miami Beach is proud of you. Please know that we're so so proud of you and next year come back and win it all. That's it.

Thank you. Commission Commissioner Bot.

Um, just a couple of quick things. First of all, you know, there's there's this narrative floating around in some quarters that our public school system isn't what it needs to be. And I say, have you been recently? Have you talked to the students? Clearly, they don't know what they're talking about. Not the students, the people are saying that that nonsense narrative. Um, the second thing I I had to laugh because as soon as you started making reference to the ship, like everybody behind you was just like, "Oh boy, here we like clearly like I've never seen a better example of what team is than that little dynamic. So, thank you for sharing that moment with us. And I you know what I said earlier in the day to the other students who um are your peers at at um at at Miami Beach High um this leaping into this going into this um undertaking makes you better humans in the world. And um there is no amount of accolade and praise to thank you enough for doing that because we need more people to um be exigent to elevate themselves and others around them to learn how to think independently and make cogent arguments for the things that matter. And so go forth and prosper.

Amazing. Awesome. I'll just I'll just add if I didn't know anything about you just hearing you talk you could see you speak so eloquently. So, uh, I you could tell there's something very special. So, thank you for that. And Mr. Rywell Russ, we used to talk a lot. I haven't seen you in a while, but uh, congratulations to you. You, uh, you you, it obviously takes someone at the helm in leadership to, uh, to cultivate the talent that you have. So, congratulations to all of you.

Can I say just one more super fast thing? You know, we forget um that how important teachers are in people's lives. We've all had teachers that change our world, and we've had two of them in this chamber today. um and not even knowing how many people might have might have be teachers that haven't been honored as such today. But for the teachers who were part of the celebrations today who weren't here because of because of their being teachers, you change lives every single day and thank you for not giving up on on that promise. All right, thank you London. All right. Chase.

Hey, look at this camera, please. Three, two, one. All right. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Congratulations. PA13. PA13 Proclamation Japanese Restaurant Katana commemorate North Beach Staple since 1993. Commissioner Matteo Selenus and Commissioner Bot. Join me. I'll join as a co-sponsor of that.

Sure. Throw me in too. I you know, you you're really you're how to put this? You are such a staple in Miami Beach and North Beach in particular. You're like this hidden gem up there, the bestkept secret, but also the worst kept secret cuz everybody knows about you and everybody loves your restaurant. I mean, it's the coolest place. People drive from all over all over Miami Dade County, you know, north,southeast, west to dine at Katana. There is quite a long wait list that you, you know, which is a a wonderful strategy. You know, you haven't turned into the whole, well, I know somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody who's going to get you in. I mean, you just you treat everybody the same way. You put your name on the list and you get in in an orderly fashion. And you I you know I there's nothing that I would change about your restaurant except opening 15 different locations in Miami Beach and you know accommodating so many more people because you're so great but then that would take away the charm of your lovely restaurant. And so I just want to thank you and let me read a little bit about um Katana in in Miami Beach. You've you've been established since 1993. So 33 years you've served beloved culinary You've been a beloved culinary landmark in the city of Miami Beach, offering residents and visitors an unforgettable dining experience for more than three decades. Katana has distinguished itself through its unique approach to sushi service, featuring streaming boats that carry fresh selections around the restaurant, an innovative Miami inspired adaptation of the traditional Japanese ken sushi style. And with approximately 30 seats arranged around its iconic flowing boats, Katana fosters an intimate, interactive, and entertaining atmosphere that brings people of all ages together to enjoy both exceptional cuisine and a one-of-a-kind experience. And Katana

Katana has consistently contributed to the culinary and cultural vibrancy of Miami Beach, becoming a cherished staple of the community and a destination that reflects the city's creativity, diversity, and spirit. The city of Miami Beach recognizes Katana's long-standing commitment to quality, hospitality, and innovation, and celebrates its remarkable achievement of serving the community continuously since 1993. Now, therefore, do we, as mayor and commissioners in the city of Miami Beach, hereby proclaim May 6, 2026 as Katana Day in the city of Miami Beach. Never change. Please never change.

Monica, can you um So, Monica and I are um Thank you, Monica, for for letting me co-sponsor with you. Um, as you know, my daughter Julia is, you know, possibly your most heavy user. Um, we moved to North Beach in 2016 and discovered Katana and we would go every once in a while, you know, maybe once a month, every six weeks and loved it. And for those who haven't been, it is an old school narrow, dark, um, delicious, affordable, vintage sushi joint. It's awesome. The boats go around on the little river and you feel like you're transported into this amazing world. The food is great. you never know who you're going to sit next to and the weight is part of the experience. And so now that Julia, my younger daughter, is an adult and she, you know, decides her own meal plans, um she's probably there three times a week, as you well know. Um and so I've been trying to get this concept um started. All of my grown-up peers think that it's a a good idea, and Julia's like, "No, that's not how it goes." But what happens is you go to Katana, you put your name down on the list, and then you have between, you know, if you're lucky, a 45minute wait and probably more like a 2-hour wait. So you go next door, and you have a drink and play a game of Rummy Cube at Bob's Your Uncle, which is another amazing North Beach local business. And so I'm like, "Okay, so the whole experience is kebab. You're you're like you're kebabing." And Julia's like, "No, that's not what you're doing, but I love what you're doing." And um I can't wait to see you guys um continue to flourish and we are here for you and we are so proud that as Alex said it's uh small business week and you guys have been holding it down for 33 years and we expected at least another 33 years. So thank you for doing what you're doing and doing it so excellently and consistently which is a challenge.

Thank you. You like to say something?

Yes. Well, I'm so honored to be standing here, especially in a room filled with like crazy amazing people. So, thank you so much. And I'm accepting this on behalf of my parents because my parents came here 35 years ago with nothing. Didn't even speak English. They just watched some movies about Miami Beach, fell in love with Miami Beach, and decided they were going to move here. Um, and they tried a bunch of different things. And sushi just made the most sense because sushi wasn't a thing back then. There were no omacas. No one ate raw fish other than ceviche maybe. And so in the beginning it was really hard for them but they kept going because they knew the quality of the fish. Japan maybe will be one day loved and they found their community in Miami Beach. Um the people were amazing. The community was amazing and nothing a little beautiful beach can fix. You know you go there, you relax and another day is beautiful. So thank you for making Miami Beach so amazing. And I also wanted to say um I do hostess at Katana sometimes to talk to the regulars and I want to say thank you so much to everyone for waiting such an incredible amount of time because personally I can't wait but I do want to say I do wait because my manager there which I'm sure all of you know Mika she will never let me skip the line. So I always have to go put my name on the wait list go to Bob's enjoy my time at Bob's because Bob's amazing. Yes. So rumor debunked. No one gets to skip the line. Uh, and we are actually opening a second location because of all the love from everyone. And I truly feel so bad like waiting 3 hours is just not normal. So, we want to make a better experience. So, thank you so much for all the love. 33 years and I do hope that we can last another at least 33 years.

At least. Yep. Thank you. chairs are all the chairs. She said no.

Look at this camera. Three, two, one. All right. Thank you. All right. Congratulations. Thank you for your beautiful PA15. PA15 proclamation Dolly and Oz presence.

All right.

So excited for this. Felicia. So nice. So I met Felicia year two maybe two years ago, year and a half, two years ago because my friend Clut said, "You've got to see this incredible gallery. It's like next to a pizza joint and a flower shop on Fifth Street, which as we all know is a challenging urban corridor. It divides, you know, it's a line of demarcation um in the city. And it's incredible what what this woman like she came from New York and she's this grown-up who had a whole profession and career and she came here and and bet the farm on creating something new. And here we are three years later and you've created something really remarkable and um my only regret is that I've not been down again to see you and hang out with you because it is such a delight. I hear from Clot about all the great art that I'm missing and I know for a fact that I'm missing good conversation with cool people and that speaks to exactly what Dolly and Oz presents is and named after your parents if I recall correctly.

That is correct. Um and so everybody this is Felicia Fraser. Hello. This has been so inspiring and for everybody who has left and are still here, I've just loved this event because I'm just I feel so honored and so like encouraged and inspired anyway. Well, exactly. I love your energy.

Yeah. Well, you should go to the gallery. I mean, listen, anybody who didn't know was down there because it's not something that people just stumble across walking around doing their errands or whatever, generally speaking, um it is it it's worth investigating and checking out. Um, so I'm going to I'm going to I guess I'm just um uh speaking contemporaneously instead of reading the proclamation because I'm covering all the the parts. But um so you created this this venue and it was originally an artist gallery. Um, your background is in publishing and so what you've now created is a a space, a literal physical space and a platform um, dedicated to both elevating both emerging and established artists um, through curated um, exhibitions and immersive creative uh, experiences including these amazing windown Sundays where people just literally wander in. The artist might be there. Interesting neighbors might be there. Felicia's there. People kibbits. They chat. They look at the art. They meet each other for the first time. They come back every Sunday. You know, it's this incredible community. And talking about blue zones, this is exactly what a blue zone kind of community space is. It's not all about working out, but it's building community and space and connectivity among among neighbors and people of disperate backgrounds. Um the gallery um you know, it's it's a gamble. And we talked about this. you're like, "Well, I don't know if this is going to work. I really hope it does cuz I really believe in it." And you've been thriving and you know, it's it's incredible. Um, the windown Sundays, the curated exhibitions, um, such as the collector's instinct, um, and then you've also created, and going back to your professional roots of, um, expanding your platform to include a literary agency which represents and develops written works. So, that is super cool. And um it's just it's this really nifty hub that you've created through sheer

force of will, personality, um artistic vision and connectivity and and you know um I love it when people are doing things not because I'm not doing it for the Graham, you know, I'm doing it because it's something that speaks to me and people resonate with that. So, um, you know, all all hail, Felicia. All hail. Um, so anybody who hasn't been, please go. It's Dolly and Oz presents, as in Felicia's mom and dad presenting. I present to you. Um, and it's it's really fabulous. And so, um, Felicia, now therefore, do we as mayor and commissioners of the city of Miami Beach hereby proclaim May 6, 2026 as Dolly and Oz presents Day. Thank you. And I don't know. I obviously I want to hear from you, but did Barbara want to say a few words? Barbara Hulani,

she just had to leave. Oh, you're kidding. Yeah. Sorry. Yeah. Clil, do you want to say a few words? Of course. Always. Yeah, I know.

So, does you should introduce yourself, Clil, also because not everybody here knows you. Well, I I'm in the neighborhood and um I'm just stumbling along Fifth Street someday and then there's something that just pulls me in. There's something new behind the the glass facade. And I have to say Felicia has um she has really good people skills and she pulls in people of different backgrounds and you don't feel sometimes you go into these uh galleries in New York and people are just looking at their computers and they don't even look up and talk to you and say anything. you know that white cube and it's really not like that. It's a very uh interactive place and we have actually a very wonderful very talented photographers who's with us today who is a total discovery for me. So

thank you. She's brought us a lot. It's my neighborhood and thank you and just by by way of context is a longtime I beach resident. She's on HPB, um, DRB, sorry. She's on DRB, MDPL, a a celebrated international jour journalist, an architect by training, an artist by creativity, and she hates when I talk about her, so this is really fun to torture her. Um, so please

Oh, well, I just again want to say how inspiring it is. I love this event. I'm going to come every time it's announced just so that I can learn and see and grow and be inspired. It's outrageously fantastic. Um, so I wanted to create a place, a destination where you either stumble or you decide to show up and explore art, art from various different artists and backgrounds and disciplines. Um, but also a place where you can discover a little bit of more about who you are in connection to art and in connection to storytelling, in connection to community and in connection to culture. So that is the essence of what Dalian is. I'm really thrilled. This is an exciting time for me at going into year three and I can't wait to get to 30. um because it's an evolution. It's organic. Um everyone who walks in the door is welcome and in order to make sure that people are always welcome. It is I do I created a windown Sunday opportunity from 5:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. Usually by 7:30 or 8 I'm asking people like I got to go. Um, and that's meant and built off of the old Parisian literary salons where people would just come in from all different backgrounds and all different ages and all different races and all different dynamics and and just engage and talk about whatever it is of the day that they want to share. And lo and behold, they also love sometimes to buy a piece of art. Sometimes I have an artist come through the door that they get to meet. Um, but mostly it is about community. Mostly it is about

connectivity. Um, I have a wonderful community from ClI and Barbara to Nick and Anukica. Every age, every group. You come as you are. If you have your beach sandals on, people stand at the door and they say, "Can I?" I was like, "Come in. We're at the beach." That's what the beach is, right? Um, so I'm grateful to be here today. I'm honored at year three to stand before. Thank you so much. Thank you so much, Tanya.

Thank you for creating it. Thank you to the mayor. Thank you to the team. This has been extraordinary. I'm going to wrap it up and I'm going to just marvel on top of this proclamation for like the rest of the year and beyond. So, thank you so much. I appreciate it.

Can I have my little community come join me? You can all come up. You can all come up. Thank you. So wonderful. One of my youngest enthusiasts.

Oops.

All right. Can you all move a little bit to Thank you. All right. Three, two, one. All right. Thank you. And Ly to the end here. Extraordinary

thank you. PA7 PA7 proclamation Hector Santos restoration of Royal Palm Barberhop fostering community.

Commissioner Fernandez. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Hector, uh, it's truly an honor to recognize on behalf of Commissioner Dominguez, Hector Santos, I'm going to do this bilingual uh out of a courtesy to uh to to Hector. And what I love most about Hector's story is that it reflects something something deeply American, deeply Cuban, but also deeply Miami Beach all at once. Royal Pond of Royal Palm Barberh Shop has been a part of the Miami Beach community since 1969. And when Hector took it over in 2019, he honored that legacy while brea breathing some new life into it. Hector and what he created became far more than a barber shop. He created community. He created a gathering space, a place for belonging. He created a place where people feel welcomed, where neighbors feel connected, where friendships are formed.

is what happens in all the Cuban barber shops and in all the barber shops. You sit down there, you start chatting and you start solving all of the world's problems and in many ways uh small businesses like Royal Palm Barberhop are the heartbeat of our neighborhoods. PTO connetorio parame And that's what I love is that like so many immigrant stories, you came to this country to work, to contribute, and to build a better life uh live the American dream in our community. So, Hector, thank you for your perseverance. Thank you for your warmth, for your entrepreneurship in Miami Beach, and thank you for elevating what it means to be a Cuban American in the city of Miami Beach through your business. Congratulations.

Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you. Santos Miami Beach. Thank you. You should know Hector. A few times when I've seen somebody who's got a good haircut and I pass your I pass you they I say where'd you get the haircut from? I think like Hector sent us. Thank you. Really good faith. It's true. It's true. Yes.

Um I wanted to also say I uh lived for the first 13 years um just a couple of blocks from your barber shop and I have two daughters who had for a very long time short little pixie haircuts, boys haircuts. And they had these big beautiful cheeks and these big big blue eyes and they were drop deadad gorgeous. And they always got the best haircuts from that barber shop. I think it was before your time, but you're continuing the legacy and so uh every time I pass it, I feel warm and fuzzy. Thank you. Thank you. Mor, you want to come down?

M you want to do your Yes. because all right, another one, please.

Three, two, one. Okay, thank you. How many businesses have Yeah, that's right.

PA88 PA8 certificate of appreciation. Luis Atensio. Oh, should we do them together? Yes. PA 8 19 and 10 nine right here typo. So certific 8 n and 10 certificates of appreciation Lucatensio Cara Petrella and Sarah Maria are they here Sarah Cara? So um you know being commissioner's aid is not for the faint of heart. That's all I'll say about that. Um, and normally it's not the residents she's referring to, it's us.

That's correct, sir. Um, and um, it's hard enough uh, trying to cater to the whims of your particular commissioner. Um, it's a real mess when you've got three commissioners or four commissioners or even just two commissioners trying to do something together. And in this case, we had something that um a lot of us on the days were very very emotional and um dogged and persistent about because we knew how important it was to the community. And that is the reinstallation of the crosswalk pavers, the rainbow art deco inspired crosswalk pavers um that symbolized um our art deco community and the Leonard Horowits color palette and our open-minded inclusivity and welcome to our LGBTQ friends, neighbors, colleagues, family, businesses, visitors. Um, and if you may remember, it was originally installed in 2008. It was then re reinstalled in 2019. I think I'm getting the dates right. Um, it went from paint to pavers. And last October, our esteemed governor decided that he couldn't have that happen anymore and so they were ripped out. the crosswalk, which is actually the safest intersection on Ocean Drive, was um defiled and defaced and torn up and um because we had to comply with state law. And there were quite a few of us on this commission who could not really let that stand. And so we came up with a plan and we all had different ways of of attacking it. Um and we all contributed to it. And what came out of it was a new rainbow sidewalk in Lumis Park that cannot be ripped up by the state because it's our park and it's our sidewalk. Um it is now a full rainbow,

not just a functional crosswalk. There are also now rainbow benches that are there. There are rainbow bike racks that are there and there is this beautiful historic uh beautiful plaque um explaining the history and significance of what happened at the crosswalk and then the sidewalk. And that is those things were sponsored by three different commissioners, co-sponsored by two or three other commissioners and unanimously endorsed by the commission. So, when this was going to be unveiled um in advance of the Pride weekend um at the culmination of Pride Week, it was that was a hard and fast date. So, everybody was scrambling and our aids got it done. They got it done in an incredible way collaboratively with the three different offices and all the offices of the mayor and commission. Um we had um state representatives there. We had county representatives there. We had all I think almost all of our elected officials from the city of Miami Beach. The mayor was there. Um um we had so many people there. The press was there. Neighbors who had been there for the original installation in 2008. And Carara and Sarah and Luis made us all look really good. And they made it look really easy. And that is really hard to do because none of us are easy to work with. When you get a couple of us, you know, multiples of us working together, it's chaos. So, our aids often go um unsung as unsung heroes. Um and so I wanted to publicly commend our our aids. So um Cara Petrella, if you want to come up and uh Lisio is not here and um Sarah Morio. Um Sarah is uh works with me in my office. Cara works with Commissioner Fernandez in his and Luis Atensio works with Commissioner Magazine. And so this

um certificate of appreciation basically tells much shorter version of the story that I just told. So congratulations. You guys are awesome. We are all super lucky to be um working with you and um I don't think any of us takes it for granted. Thank you. Commissioner Fernandez

and and Commissioner Bod, thank you for for for recognizing uh our aids because our names appear on the plaques. Our names appear on the legislation. Our our names are the are are the ones that appear on the city's website and everything that we do. But behind everything that we do are those dedicated public servants uh who make our work uh possible. And I'm so grateful to have such an amazing team in both Carara and and Sydney. And I'm so proud that you all that this entire city that this entire commission that every single public servant in this city it played a role in the history of reconstructing that that the Rabel crosswalk. Even beyond that is representing our entire the diversity of our entire community with care, with dignity, and the heart that they bring to serving every single day, every single resident and every single taxpayer in the city of of Miami Beach, not just in the instance of the Rainbow Crosswalk, but every day through the diversity of issues that we uh work on so passionately. So, thank you for being such great public servants for the city of Miami Beach.

Thank you, Commissioner, Commissioner Mate Selenus. You guys are awesome. Really truly. Um, and you just do such great work. So, keep it up and know that you're valued and you're appreciated by this office, by all of us. Um, and just you you you represent us so so well and we're so grateful for everything that you do. So, thank you. You both rock.

So, there's there's many ways to contribute to society, to our country, to our city. Obviously, we chose this uh to to run for elected office, but there are so many others. And actually, tonight is a representative. You working for the city alongside us, but also all the people who are honored tonight. It's really a good reflection of how it takes so many to make our city the uh really one of the greatest cities in the world. So, thank you. And Mr. Mayor, it takes a village to make a city,

you know, and I and I'd be remiss not to say because, you know, us as a commission, we did a lot to to to bring this back. Obviously, our aids took tremendous leadership roles in in organizing that event. But, Mr. manager, your staff, your staff, you know, since before the rainbow crosswalk was removed, uh your parks team, the public works team being present, putting up, you know, flags that we had to order online to make sure that even if the crosswalk was removed, we had some sort of presence. Um the parks team, the parking team, the transportation team, every single team, your your uh Stephanie from your office and your chief of staff and the city attorney's office. I mean it's it really is so many people who were involved with this issue but this one issue is reflective of of of so many other issues in which our community really always comes together and our uh team here at city hall always comes together to put its best foot forward to serve the residents who have placed their trust in us. Uh, so I just wanted to to mention that because it was so many other people beyond our offices who also played a role in this. So, thank you, Mr. Mayor.

Thank you.

And I I will say thank you, Alex, for for illuminating that because it's true. And, you know, um, getting the the rainbow pavers reinstalled as a sidewalk um, didn't seem like it was going to be that big a deal because we've done much more complicated projects, but things delayed it. And so I I remember and I'm not generally an exigent commissioner with with staff. I generally am pretty, you know, we'll we'll figure it out. But there were there was more than one phone call to Eric saying, you know, we don't this is not a flexible date. This has to happen. And he's like, I'm not sure what's going on exactly, but I'll get back to you. It will get done. You have my commitment. And he got it done. We did have your commitment and the whole team pulled together to make it make it happen. So yeah, thank you. Thank you. They're bosses. Look at this camera, please. Three, two, one.

What are we talking about here? Let's just one big happy man. Mr. Manager.

All right. Okay. This camera. Three, two, one. All right. Thank you. Good.

No, no, no. I don't Thank you everyone. Congratulations everyone. Great meeting. Thank you to my colleagues. Uh have a great night and God bless you all. Meeting adjourned.