Planning Board - Regular Meeting

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 five, four, three, two, one.

good morning everyone welcome to the september 17th 2026 meeting of the public safety and neighborhood quality of life committee we're joined by vice chair laura dominguez we're joined by commissioner monica mattel salinas and by commissioner tanya bott thank you all for for joining us uh before we go into into the announcements uh for public uh participation just gonna state um some changes to the order of the day. We're going to take item number 10 right after reports and updates. Addendum number two is going to be heard before items 11, 12 and 13. And then the number one will be heard together with items 11, 12 and 13. So that's the order for for today's meeting. I'm going to pass it over to staff for this morning's announcements.

Good morning. Today's meeting is a hybrid meeting. The members of the committee will be physically present in the commission chambers. Members of the public who wish to attend this meeting or provide public comment in person may appear at the commission chamber. Members of the public who wants to participate or provide comments virtually during the meeting may join the webinar via Zoom. We have two updates. Item number 53, which is discuss collaborating with Dr. Lynette Long to review the ceremonial street naming process has been included in the agenda as agenda number one to be heard today. Item number 70, which is discuss a resolution of the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach, Florida, directing the city manager to extend the operating hours of all three of the city designated BART beaches up to and including beach closing time while maintaining the current morning start time throughout the year has been included in the agenda as addendum number two to be heard today. And that concludes all the announcements for today.

Thank you. And before we go into the Sudnick Citizens Forum and any members of the public wishing to speak, certainly is welcome to raise your hand and Zoom or approach the podium. But before we go into that, colleagues, I've asked staff to work with each of our offices at the next meeting. I'd like to go through as much as we can the pending items, the pending future items. So I've asked staff to work with each of our offices, making sure that we have memos on the agenda with clear, actionable items that the committee can can take up at the next meeting and send back with recommendations to the city commission. So we're going to try to see if we can clear the docket as much as we can at the next meeting. So with that we'll open the citizens public forum. Members of the public wishing to speak are welcome to approach the podium. Members participating via Zoom are welcome to raise their hand on Zoom and they'll be allowed two minutes to speak. So any members of the public wishing to speak, please feel free to approach the podium.

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I was hoping we could move the little Belle Isle birdbath forward today. 250 Belle Isle residents signed that petition to support this project, and I know that a couple of you have received many emails about your votes on this. Um, Belle Isle park is too small for pickleball and even a community garden would be a stretch, but the condo dog, what dwellers walk their dogs in the park and love the bird feeders. If just one child sees those feeders and the bird bath and gets that we're connected to the planet, that's a big payoff. Families and condos want with single family homeowners have, like gardens and bird feeders. So they want the bird feeder, birdbath, the little birdbath very badly. It's a small project and can be put near existing project lines. See this beautiful rock sample? This is like a natural stone. This would only be about three feet high. It needs plumbing and it needs a motor, but it could be, you know, it's not a big project. I am personally willing to throw in $5,000 of my own money, and I believe the city can get the budget number down from the 15 000 projected possible that this would cost um i was hoping that to have this voted on today and i know that it's supposed to come up for the next meeting and um i know the finance committee has approved it i'd love to just move it to the full commission um please please thank you thank you monica and uh and and just to chime in uh i i postponed it to next month as a courtesy

to the newly constituted Belle Isle Residence Association that reached out. Their new volunteer leadership has just come together and they've just asked for courtesy of a one month delay, but Monica, I look forward to having the item on the agenda at our next month's meeting. So thank you for being here. Any other members of the public wishing to speak at this time? Seeing none in person and none in Zoom, we'll close the Sunday Citizens Forum and proceed to item number one.

Item number one is Discuss, Take Action, Update from Police and Transportation Departments on Traffic Congestion in North Beach and on Traffic Light Synchronization Efforts. This item is sponsored by Commissioner Bott.

Good morning, Commissioner Bott. You're welcome to present your item so we can get an update from Transportation Departments.

It's not much for me to present. It's really for Jose and the police to give us an update on what I've lovingly referred to, not so lovingly referred to as the Bermuda Triangle up in North Beach. So take it away, gentlemen.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. GOOD MORNING, MR. CHAIR, COMMITTEE MEMBERS, JOSE GONZALEZ, TRANSPORTATION DIRECTOR FOR THE CITY. SO THIS IS A RECURRING ITEM WHERE I PRESENT AN UPDATE EVERY MONTH. SINCE THE LAST TIME THAT I WAS BEFORE THIS COMMITTEE I'VE GOT GOOD NEWS TO REPORT. WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE COUNTY TO APPROVE the signal timing plans for 17 different intersections in North Beach that our consultant has optimized. Optimized meaning they've tried to squeeze the most juice out of each of these intersections to improve traffic flow. And so that exercise has been done by our consultant. Total of 17 intersections. 10 of those 17 have already been approved by Miami-Dade County. And Miami-Dade County's in the process of programming it into their system for a download, and then the signals will be activated. Now that is a bit of a process on the county's end, but we feel confident that probably within the next 60 to 90 days, those optimized signal timing plans will be implemented, certainly for the 10 intersections that have already been approved, and then we continue working with the county for the approval of the remaining seven and implementing those as quickly as possible jose from this list of 17 which um are the seven that are not yet approved so uh commissioner that is a good question um let me see if i can get those specific seven intersections from my team um because we did not list those seven intersections in the item, as I recall. At least I'm not seeing it right now. So I'll have that in just a couple minutes.

Yeah, no problem.

Thank you. Jose, let me ask you, and thank you, Commissioner Bott, for bringing this item, because one of the greatest concerns that we do get from the public as it relates to congestion relates directly to traffic light synchronization. The county has been in the process of implementing its ATMS system, and that ATMS system is supposed to assist with traffic light synchronization to help the flow and the movement of traffic. Where are they with the implementation of ATMS? When can we expect for it to be implemented in Miami Beach?

So we requested an update, a status update from Miami-Dade County, who's leading the charge of the ATMS implementation countywide. What I will say is that, not sure if fortunately or unfortunately, but the very dense areas of Miami-Dade County, such as downtown Miami, Brickell, and Miami Beach, are in the last fifth year of implementation of that countywide program. So you may recall there was a city commission resolution urging the county to expedite Miami Beach as part of that program. The county has responded and said that there's actually a strategy behind leaving the most dense urbanized areas for last. And it's that they're implementing a new system, state of the art, and they want to make sure that they have all the kinks are ironed out in the lesser urbanized areas before they move on to the more urbanized areas. That's why we're in year five and the county's currently in year one. Okay. Understood.

Through the chair, if I may?

Yes.

Jose, talk to me also, there are a couple of other issues, not just the lights, although that's a big issue. The street signs themselves, there's, in a different document, there's a whole listing of the ridiculous state of dilapidation of street signs. I mean, it looks like They've been bombed. Where are we on that? I know the county says they don't have the money to do it and there's a supply chain issue and there's all kinds of drama. We had talked about us just fronting the money and hopefully either getting it back or just paying for it. so that people can figure out where they are. Can you give us a little update on that?

If I just may, because we have item number nine that relates to that, so perhaps why don't we also announce item number nine so that we can just take the two discussions together, and that way we also streamline our agenda.

Perfect, thanks. By the way, we have released.

Let's just announce the item, thank you.

Item number one, Item number nine is discuss the evaluation of the internally illuminated street name signs green signs in the city This item is sponsored by Commissioner, but Thank you.

Go ahead

All right. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So in regard to this item, we've also been working with Miami-Dade County. They are the agency that has the maintenance responsibility of these internally illuminated green, internally illuminated street name signs in the city, which we're now calling green signs for short. And as you may have noticed, there are many, many signs throughout the city that are in a very poor state. very poor condition either because the sign itself is not legible and it's all uh damaged and scratched or it's just not illuminating at night time so what we have developed is um well in conversations with the county they've let us know that they only have or they only order a handful of these signs for the entire county. So they have a very limited inventory and they replace them based on criteria such as need. And the primary criteria is the importance of the intersection. and where it is. And so the city of Miami Beach does not always hit the top intersection.

But let me ask you this. Who determines whether a street intersection is going to have an internally illuminated sign or whether it's going to have a traditional metal sign?

So if these if the intersection is signalized and it has mast arm poles Then most likely it will have internally illuminated street name signs the county's in the process of upgrading those But that was a decision of the county at some point to transition traditional size with the internally illuminated signs Okay, and and and I guess it's become the county's position that if these signs are

have deteriorated over time, it does not become their responsibility to replace them?

No, it is their responsibility to replace them, but they have a very limited inventory every year.

So what the county and how many do we have in deficient status.

We have dozens and how many I need a number. Well so that's part of our approach to this this item because it's a citywide item. So we will need to conduct a citywide inspection if you will including at nighttime to determine the illumination capabilities of the sign to determine an exact number. We have an approximate number We have an approximate number that I can give you, but the onsite inspections will determine the precise number. And so the, the approach that we've worked with the County is that we will present to them.

What is the number?

panels and that's like 50 intersections that we know of and that's from people submitting eGovs or seeing it in the field.

So we are aware of about 50 intersections where we have deficiencies in the street signage and has that been communicated to the county?

Yes.

And what has been the county's response to improving those signs?

They have asked us to prioritize the top 10. Okay. And so that's where the inspections come in, because we know that this is a citywide problem, but we don't know the top 10 yet.

By when do we think we'll have that priority?

By the end of next month.

By the end of next month, yeah. Okay. All right. Commissioner Bond, is there any action you'd like us to take on this item?

I just, sorry, a couple questions. Because the county changed over from regular green to illuminated, but they're not prepared to replace at the rate that we need them to can we switch back to regular green we can pose the question commissioner i'm not sure i'm not sure if we can go back to the old green um the illuminated green is the new standard so right but that only works if you can actually get your hands on them so um when we go back to the county i'd like to ask that question as well and you know we talked about um us paying for it and then sort of billing back

the county like you do with the landlord who says go fix the fridge and take it off next month's rent so those things as well as prioritizing getting the full scope citywide and prioritizing regarding a potential funding partnership we have uh spoken with the county about that and they're open to that um of course at the city's cost the city would be responsible for purchasing and the uh the new signs the county would still need to install them but at least we can purchase them on behalf of the county at the city's cost and hopefully that will expedite the installation process. That is also a possibility, although we don't have funding for that in our fiscal year 27 budget.

Thank you, Commissioner Abbott. Thank you, Jose. Commissioner Mattel, Salinas.

I just wanted to suggest that, so if you'll have the results of the study, you can come back and present that in what the November meeting or yes.

So we can show this item continued to the November meeting. And if you could bring us a cause, and I don't know if you have a cost today of what each sign, uh, is approximately. We do each of these $2,000 each internally illuminated sign is approximately $2,000. Okay. All right. So that's, that is helpful information. perhaps something that we should be considering as part of our budget. All right, with that, we can show this item continued.

Do you want to?

Captain, if you want to.

Good morning, Captain Lozano, Police Department. Year to date, up until September 12th, we've issued 8,534 citations. And out of those 2,613 are from our motor unit. That's all in the North end with a focus on 71st street. We also have officers daily assigned to, uh, captain. This is on the science. No, this is on traffic, the traffic enforcement and North beach.

The first of the two items that were the first of the two items.

Okay.

And what are those citations for mostly?

It's a various, various citations, uh, with the focus on blocking the box, which is what causes a lot of the traffic. We also have officers assigned to 71st Street and Indian Creek manually cycling the traffic signals to flush out traffic westbound, so it is in bottleneck in that intersection.

Are you seeing, through the chair, are you seeing better traffic patterns, better driving common sense as a result of the uptick in enforcement? or is it just people continue to be idiots?

It's steady. I mean well we have the officers there at the intersection which is daily during you know rush hour traffic 3 to about 8 p.m. depending on how bad it is. They follow the law when the officers are there. They rarely have to address it but in the surrounding areas where we don't have officers sometimes they do continue to violate.

Okay. And Jose, that intersection is one that's getting painted with the don't block a box stuff, right? As part of the 71st Street. Yes.

DOT will be doing that. Okay. And through the chair, the commissioner had asked for a list of intersections of seven that have been approved. Katie, if you could come up.

These are just some that have been approved.

Have not been approved. By Miami-Dade County and are in the process of getting downloaded into the system.

Wait, I thought you said there were 10 that had been approved.

I'm sorry, 10 that have been approved, seven that have not been approved.

Okay, it's 71st Street.

Wait, these are the ones that have been approved?

Yes. Okay. 71st Street and Bay Drive.

Please speak into the microphone.

71st and Indian Creek, 71st Street and Abbott, 69th and Indian Creek, 69th and Abbott, Indian Creek and Abbott, Indian Creek in 67th, Indian Creek in 65, Indian Creek in 63rd, 64th, that's like a mid-block, Collins in 63, 71st, oh, and then the seven that are in the next phase are 71st in Harding, 71st in Collins, 69th in Harding, 69th in Collins, and then the ones along Dickens, which is 73, 75, and 77.

So the first set that you mentioned to us, those are the ones that are not cued yet or those are the ones that are in the works?

Those 10 are approved and the county is now putting them into their system for download.

Okay, perfect. And that's also, and I want to put in the record that's in the area of the blue condominium that I'm, that I believe has, has been reaching to each of our offices with, with the great concerns that they have about traffic congestion outside their their building and the safety issues it's creating for pedestrians and bicyclists. Something that I want to throw out there as it relates to that specific area of 69th and Abbott, specifically 69th between Abbott and Byron, perhaps I'm going to throw it out there and I'm happy if there's opposition or thoughts about it. But perhaps getting that block and making it one way westbound during a certain schedule to help alleviate the backup that occurs. And maybe even, you know, making it one way westbound, even going a block further east to help with that. I think I've mentioned it to you in the past, Jose. I don't know if it's something that we can look into. It's a conversation I had at one point with the residents of the blue condominium. I don't know if there's thoughts on the days about it, but it might be a way to add capacity.

Yeah, I've had multiple meetings with the residents of the blue meeting and Jose and his team have been up there and Will McDonald has been up there and John Norris has been up there because they have, you know, between the flow of traffic and the construction, it's a bit of a cluster. I'm a big fan of repurposing streets. We have a consultant who is going to be coming in any minute now who's going to be from the University of Texas, who's going to be looking at all of this holistically. And I think that repurposing a number of streets and redirecting them is going to be a big part of the conversation. So my wish would be to have that conversation as part of that as opposed to identifying one or the other because I think that is going to end up being a solution for the bottleneck that occurs. MR.

Wonderful. Perfect. All right. MS.

Thank you. MR.

Thank you, Jose. Thank you, Commissioner Bott. Thank you, Captain. We can show items number one and item number nine continued to November.

MS. Yep. MR.

Perfect. With that, let's go to item number two.

Item number two is monthly update on the status of the Fifth Street Pedestrian Bridge and the Mondrian Hotel Mirador Condominium Baywalk Project. This item is sponsored by Commissioner Dominguez.

Mayor Dominguez, good morning. This is your item.

Hi, good morning. We just heard this item at the last commission meeting. So I think the next step is the city was instructed to get an independent engineer and that report. So has that process been started? Where are we at with what happened at the last commission meeting?

Good morning, Madam Commissioner, Mr. Chair. David Gomez for the Office of Capital Improvements. Yes, we have reached out to consultants. The first one cited a conflict of interest. We are in discussion with a second qualified consultant who is preparing a proposal to do the analysis.

How long do we anticipate this process taking?

They haven't told me yet how long it'll take them to do it. It's going to take me a week or two to get the proposal. So it's going to take a little bit of time before I can actually cut them loose and get a little more time.

I can't underscore enough the importance of this independent consultants to peer review and verify or advises the accuracy of what has been relayed to us by the developer. I think that's important. I think if there is a pathway to still deliver on this promise on the bridge, that is critically important to pursue. And if it's determined that it's not possible, again, as I've constantly stated on the record, that's a liability on the developer, financial liability, legal liability of the developer to make full on their promises. The one thing that I do believe and where I feel very strongly about is that our residents have been waiting on this for so many years. It's been about seven years, I think it's been.

Well, the GEO bond passed in 2018, so according to the GEO bond, it's longer than that.

OK, so so OK, so eight years, at least eight years, our residents have been waiting for this. So I want us to do all the proper due diligence, the independent peer review and making sure that the city doesn't carry the burden and the financial responsibility, but at the same time This has to move at a proper pace. We can't keep on having studies delay the process on this. This has to move on a quick process. There are people that live at Five Park There are people that live in these neighborhoods that have been waiting. And I just this cannot keep on going on for years. Do we think that before the end of the year, we'll have a response from this peer review?

We have stressed the urgency and the importance of the of the analysis to the consultant. And I believe that, yes, we can have it before the end.

I would like to have an update at this committee before the end of the year on that on that peer review. Are there any other comments from the day as Commissioner Dominguez? All right. Seeing no members of the public with their hands raised and no one in person to speak on this item, we can show this item continued to the next month. Thank you. Item number three.

Item number three is discuss the feasibility of replacing the planned Fifth Street pedestrian bridge with an overwater connection linking the Baywalk south of Fifth Street with the Baywalk north of Fifth Street. This item is sponsored by Commissioner Mateo Salinas.

Commissioner Salinas, I think this goes together with the other item.

I just want to copy everything that was just said and let's continue it and bring it back whenever item two is ready.

Perfect. We can show this item to come back next month. Item number four.

Item number four is update on timeline for construction of Miami Beach Convention Center Hotel and anticipated opening date. This item is sponsored by Commissioner Dominguez and co-sponsored by Commissioner Fernandez.

Commissioner Dominguez.

Well, this item should be a bit of good news because it's on schedule, on pace. So, Thais, let us know where we're at.

Good morning, Thais Fiera, the city liaison for this project. Yes, we had the topping off ceremony in July. They're moving on track. Everything is going great so far. They're on track for opening the hotel late next year in, really, Arbazel.

let me ask you thais my biggest concern right now is the parking uh we know that the that the hotel is going to be open next year uh however there's a lot of demand and a lot of competition for parking right now in city center Where are we with the Walker study that was commissioned by the hotel to make sure that we don't add stressors to the area?

Yes, they've engaged with them. They're finalizing that report and we hope to bring closure to that before the next committee meeting.

I would like to have a presentation at the October meeting on that Walker parking study. By the consultant? whoever would be the appropriate person, whether it's a consultant, the developer, staff, whoever the appropriate person would be.

Okay.

All right. Have they finalized their agreement with 1610 Michigan?

They have. That was executed actually prior to the last committee meeting.

Okay.

All right. And Commissioner Dominguez, Commissioner Matel Salinas.

How many spots are they?

contracting with at 1610 Michigan up to I believe we have will on the line but I they have a scale let me see I have it here sorry it's it's it scales up on an as needed basis it starts with 50 but up to 300 spaces I believe up to 300 right on for peak day so every month they have to get together and decide how many spaces they'll need for them upcoming month

All right, and I see we have William Bellenden with his hand raised on Zoom. Good morning, William.

William Bellenden Good morning, Commissioners. Just to echo what Thais just shared, our agreement with 1691 Michigan Avenue gives us up to 350 spaces permanently. Perfect.

All right. Thank you, Commissioner Matos Salinas, for your leadership and advocacy in pushing for this, because the biggest concern is that the hotel does not have onsite parking. and addressing the needs of the workforce there and the people who are going to go to that hotel continues to be a concern and a priority because we don't want to have a domino effect on everyone else, Commissioner, Commissioner, but and then we're going to move on to the next item.

Just a quick question, Thais. The parking that's being contracted at this other facility and whatever else gets determined, how much of it will be market rate for guests of the hotel versus workforce or resident rate for employees or other?

Will, can you clarify the details of that?

Absolutely. Yes, the up to 350 spaces at the 691 Michigan Ave, what we have assumed is that approximately 50 spaces on our onsite parking inside of the hotel will be for employees. We expect up to about 60 single occupancy vehicles at 6091 Michigan Ave and 30 carpool vehicles at 69 Michigan Ave. And then the balance would just be used for overflow for valet that cannot be consumed at our onsite parking garage. and give you an early preview from the Walker Parking Study, which was just completed. They have supported our analysis and we have more than sufficient spaces between the two garages, ours and 69 Michigan Ave, to support employee parking as well as guest parking.

And is there, I know I've talked about it when I was first elected, I think, Chair, you're working on something as well, or maybe, Laura, as I forget, but I think it's coming up again, this idea of having big employers offer transit passes at a discount for employees. So is that being done as well? Because it's good to have parking, but it's better to have fewer cars on the road.

AGREED. WE INTEND TO SUBSIDIZE OUR TRANSIT PASSES FOR EMPLOYEES WHO CHOOSE TO DO IT, AND FOR THOSE EMPLOYEES WHO DO CARPOOL, WE WILL BE SUBSIDIZING THEIR PARKING AS WELL.

OKAY. GREAT. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER MATOSOLINAS.

JUST ONE, I DON'T BELIEVE, DIDN'T YOU ASK WHAT THE RATES WERE, WHAT THE RATES WERE? AND I DON'T THINK HE ADDRESSED THAT. SO WHAT ARE GOING TO BE THE RATES, THE PARKING RATES?

BECAUSE I'M CURIOUS ABOUT THAT. GOOD QUESTION. As far as for hotel guests, we are RFPing as we speak third-party valet parking companies. We intend for the rates for guests to be market rate. So for those who are staying overnight or those who are coming in just for a dinner or something and leaving, they intend to be market rates. But for employees, they will be subsidized, so they will be below market rate.

Okay, when you come back next month with the Walker presentation, I want to, if we could get a presentation specifically with those details. When we say it's subsidized, what is subsidized? And I believe you mentioned there's, for sure there's a guarantee. It sounded like a total of 90 split between 30 for one group, 60 for another group. So just all the details, we just want to make sure that we're not creating unintended consequences next year when the hotel opens. So we can continue this item to next month when we'll get this presentation. Thank you.

Thank you.

Let's proceed to item number five.

Item number five is quarterly update on efficiency of enhanced enforcement related to excessive vehicular noise. This item is sponsored by Commissioner Dominguez.

Commissioner. Thank you. First, I want to thank Captain Lozano. You've made yourself available and really had your team step up to the plate and go above and beyond to address the car noise concerns, especially in the south of fifth area where we have the pilot that's going on. This update is actually very timely. We recently had a meeting with south of fifth stakeholders. None of them were back in residence yet, but they will be coming forward. So I'd love to hear the update and see if there are any plans for concentrated efforts on a particular intersection or anything that's happening with MBPD. Thanks.

And before we pass it over to Captain Lozano, I just want to highlight for the record this data that's on the website. the agenda memo, the complaints versus the citations issued, over 400 citations issued compared to the complaints. The complaints are about a half those numbers and it speaks to the proactive nature of the enforcement. That the enforcement is not only when the complaints are happening, but ahead of the complaints, beyond the complaints, the department is out there actively issuing citations on this. And I just want to highlight it because it's very clear on the data and the graphs that are provided with the item. Good morning, Captain.

Good morning, Captain Lozano, Police Department. Commissioner, I appreciate you pointing that out. As you mentioned, we're always conducting traffic citations, traffic enforcement, even when we don't get complaints. Hot topic lately in the last couple of years has been loud noise from vehicles. So that has been a focus in very specific areas in each zone. I oversee the South District. The other captains have their own district, and we've all identified areas within our district. So south of Fish Street, the Fish Street Corridor, MacArthur Causeway, all of it contributes to complaints in the surrounding buildings, the residents. 41st Street is another area for Mid-Beach. and the Collins Corridor. And for North Beach will be 71st Street Corridor. For me, Olsen Drive is primarily the northern part of Olsen Drive where the residents are at. So you'll see specific enforcement in those areas. Year to date up to August, we have 1,623 loud noise citations. That includes excessive muffler noise, loud music and revving of the engines. Let me review some other statistics. Uh, only 1% of these citations are repeat offenders. So we're not seeing for the most part, the same offenders committing these violations. Only 14.

What percentage?

I'm sorry. 1%.

Only 1% repeat. That's good.

Okay. And the data that we're able to pull, and that's 14 people that are repeat. That just means more than one.

Um, Is there anything that the department needs from us at this time as it relates to this item?

No, we have it covered. I mean, obviously, you know, as with anything, OT funds is something that any department can use for specific enforcement related to this. But most of these are conducted on duty. We set aside certain times of the day to issue these, particularly when we get the most complaints. And there's another graph here that shows the times.

I see that in your citations. The most amount of citations is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. Yes.

So that's where most of the complaints come in. Um, and that's where you see most of our enforcement as well. There are some complaints that come in after 2 AM, particularly in my zone, south of fish street. Uh, so you'll see some citations there as well at 168. Uh, and all of these for the most part are on duty resources as well.

Wonderful commissioner bond. And then we're going to open up the floor to public comments.

So, um, this is great information. Um, at last month's commission meeting, I guess it was last week's commission meeting. we passed an item to do the same kind of enforcement for the 41st through 71st Street Collins corridor. I know part of that is covered. Could you talk about what is currently covered and what is going to now be added and do when you come back with your next quarterly report? Like looking at the heat map, clearly you are doing citations there, but can you talk a little bit about how your approach will change to cover that?

I just have a question. The resolution that we passed at the last meeting was for the campaign for the science.

No, it was a it was the quiet the noise pilot.

Right. OK.

So it's like this, but including.

OK, because I just want I just want to make sure that for for the purposes of the public that we, you know, said the expectation that it's really very much about creating that awareness creating the awareness to the public that it's illegal and that if they engage in that activity that they're going to get cited uh but there i believe there's no enhanced citation or bigger penalty associated to the campaign no it's just that there would be maybe different coverage so that's why i wanted to see what you have right so part of the sign is for right now it's in south fish street

I forget how many signs maybe like 11 signs we have down there in strategic locations where we get the complaints and there's no enhance enhancement it's more to show everybody uh create the awareness correct yeah we do also social media posts um letting everybody know that we are taking action on this uh just like I see some other police departments are doing as well everybody's getting these complaints and it seems everybody is is doing their part as well um We do get some complaints related to the loud noises, the drag racing in different areas. We actually made two arrests over Labor Day weekend of people that were trying to race on 4th Street and Alton Road. So we're out there.

So for the new section that's going to be included in this prioritized enforcement, from 41st to 71st on Collins, will there be additional staff out there or like I would expect, you know, sort of 63rd Street, for instance, doesn't or between 63rd and 71st maybe hasn't had a ton of folks out there maybe and will that change or are you going to play it by ear?

Yeah, each individual caption will address their specific areas, mainly complaint driven. So if they're getting complaints in those areas, then yes, they're going to have enforcement there as well. And now we have the busy months coming up with our boss and stuff like that. So we'll be seeing probably an increase in complaints. So we'll be out there to enforce.

Wonderful. Thank you, Captain Lozano. We're going to open up the floor to public comments. I see Mitch Novick with his hand raised on Zoom. Good morning, Mitch. You have two minutes to speak.

Hey, good morning, Commissioner. I'd like to commend the MBPD. The past several months, there's been a great improvement regarding vehicular noise and the craziness that often seems to be concentrated in my area. However, it still tends to be a problem. Just this past week, one of the residents in my building had called for assistance in quelling the nonsense going on outside his window along ninth the 100 block of 9th street uh maybe as a pilot you could put one of those uh signs uh quiet zone or whatever the uh whatever it reads uh along my block uh uh again as a pilot to see if it uh uh gets the message across to those who think it's so congregate in their car, loiter, blast their music, scream, dance on top of their car at late evening hours. Thank you.

Seeing no other members of the public wishing to speak at this time, I think we can show this item continued. How often are we getting these updates, staff? Quarterly?

Quarterly.

Okay. So we'll continue this item to the next quarter. Thank you, Captain. Very good work. Thank you. All right, the next item is number six.

Item number six is discuss implementation of the notable case list on the police department website as directed by resolution numbers 2025-33940 and 2024-33131 initiated and sponsored by Mayor Steven Miner. This item is sponsored by Commissioner Fernandez and co-sponsored by Commissioner Miner.

Thank you. So today we're introducing a new publicly available report that outlines habitual offenders in our community. This report began as a commission driven initiative sponsored by Mayor Steven Miner in response to strong public interest and greater transparency around repeat offenders in our community. I worked closely with our police department when I got appointed as chair of the Public Safety Committee. I began having weekly meetings with Chief Jones, with Major Stephen Feldman, with Major Eric Garcia, with Officer Rodriguez, with Celia Maria, specifically on this issue to ensure the report contained information as the Commission originally intended it to and met our stated goals. I want to thank the Committee, the Commission, and especially the Mayor for sponsoring this item, but in particular, I want to thank Major Garcia, who really put a lot of interest, a lot of time, you went out of your way to make sure that the mayor's intent was adopted by the city commission, was properly implemented on this report. And I think it's important to the community because these are notable, this is a notable case list. of repeat offenders, and it's not limited just to vigil offenders, we're talking about high profile cases, criminals involved with high profile cases, we're talking about criminals involved with hate crimes, some of the most serious offenses in our city, and it's a direct response to what our community has been asking for. Having that list of these repeat offenders publicly available on our website. So Major Garcia, I wanna pass the floor to you so you can walk us through the work that the department has done.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Eric Garcia, Police Technical Service Division on behalf of Chief Jones. Yes, good morning, commissioners. Today we're introducing this new report that we're going to make available on the police department website. It is going to be called the recurrent offender list to not cause any confusion with recently passed legislation regarding habitual offenders. We don't want to. create any confusion on that. So this report is going to include four sections as the vice mayor alluded to. Section will be persons arrested most within the last 12 month period. That'll be rolling 12 month period. The next section will be the top 20 all-time offenders, dating back to January 1st of 2020, so the persons with the most arrests since January of 2020. The following section will be persons arrested for crimes with prejudice. And the final section will be a notable offenders list, which will include offenders that may not have met the criteria for the previous sections, but that is of some public interest. This report is going to be a snapshot taken at the beginning of every month. And we will update it once a month. And it will be publicly available on the MBPD website. The report is going to contain some demographic information, a booking photo, as well as some information on the most recent arrests, most recent case numbers, if there's any disposition on recent charges, and the presiding judge on the most recent case.

And I think that's so important also, the presiding judge, the disposition of those cases. And again, it responds to the requests of our community. On our agenda packages, we have visuals of what this report is going to look like. One of the great things about this report is that it's not only something that's available to the public, but it's also a tool, a tool to our officers to know who are, you know, those top 20 offenders over the past year so that they can easily recognize those individuals, those yearly top 20 and monthly top 20 and those notable cases available not only to us but as members of the public but available also to the police officers who are going to have access to this. We have a visual on our agenda. I don't know if we have a visual to display.

I don't think we do have a visual to display but it will be publicly available

When do we plan to launch this?

This will be, this is, well, without objection, if there's no objections today, we intend to publish our first report at the beginning of October, dating back for September.

Wonderful. Are there any comments, questions from the dais? Seeing no questions from the dais, are there members of the public wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none on Zoom and none in person. I think we can adopt this item. Thank you for the work you've done, again, responding to years of requests from members of the public, but also responding to the directive from the Commission. So, thank you for your work on this major.

Male Speaker And thank you, Vice Mayor, for helping us make it a reality. Male Speaker Of course.

Male Speaker Thank you. Male Speaker Thank you. All right. With that, we can go ahead and call item number 10.

Item number 10 is discuss a resolution of the Mayor and the City Commission of the City of Miami Beach, Florida, accepting the recommendation of the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee at its May 6, 2026 meeting directing the administration to convert 19th Street parking near the Holocaust Memorial to a three hour maximum and to engage with the Holocaust Memorial for additional parking solution. This item is sponsored by Commissioner Mateo Salinas.

Commissioner Salinas, good morning. Good morning.

Thank you, Vice Mayor, Mr. Chair, Commissioner.

So there was an item about trying to figure out how to get more parking for the Holocaust Memorial and Museum. and essentially the botanical garden that's all right there together. And I believe it was discussed at FERC, and there wasn't a lot of budget for this item, so it didn't pass through FERC. But then I'm under the impression that there might be a private donor who's willing to subsidize the cost so I want to discuss that and discuss some other avenues of where else we can put the parking because it's super important that we have more parking over there uh David I'll let you go ahead and give an update thank you oh yeah I just want to say something before David who's been great and my other David here

professional, involved, terrific.

Bobby, just for the record, if you can state your name.

My name is Bob Goodman. The memorial, has been enhanced recently by the education center that was funded by the Knight Foundation, Mr. Norman Braman and others. And if I assume you've all been there, but the public who might not have heard or been there, it is unbelievable and so important as a new enhancement for the community. Thousands of people would like to attend. Many go and cannot find a place to park and they leave and that's troubling. A big mistake was made when it was built that the thought about where people will park was really not looked into and it was a mistake. But here we are and how can we fix it? How can we help bring people there that want to park your team and the county have looked into it and they'll be able to talk about it better than i can but commissioner salinas you mentioned a donor mr braman has looked at this so personally that he told me that if it is out of necessity that the city does not have the funds to make the necessary improvements to find parking, he will donate whatever's necessary to make that happen. So I think we have some technical hoops to jump over that David will be able to talk about with the county. We've talked about removing the median and other things. There's a meeting at noon with the mayor City Manager and Norman Brayman and myself to also look into opportunities. It's really important. And let me just say, I've never been to one of these meetings before. When I was a commissioner, these committees did not exist. but the way you all have looked into things as seriously in depth is really something to be commended. I'm very impressed, thank you.

Thank you, Bobby. Before I go to David, PJ, we have two visuals on slide there, and let's go first to the sketch. David, guide us through this. This was the most recent option, I believe. This is the 10-foot stretch of road that would have parallel parking on either side. And this would have created how much parking?

I can't see the number from here.

This was the 10, I think it was adding 22 parking spaces. 22 parking spaces. And we went to the county with this. And what was the county's response on this?

Good morning, David Gomez with the city's Office of Capital Improvements. This was our attempt at minimizing the cost on providing more parking spaces. The driving factor in the original proposal was the relocation of trees and remediation of soils in the median and essentially rebuilding the road to create the wider travel lanes. We did present this to the county on July 31st or 30th. We had an in-depth discussion with some of their senior staff and their reviewers and they were not amenable to this plan primarily because it did not meet life safety and fire or emergency vehicle requirements.

Okay, so this plan that preserved as much as a median as we could while narrowing the road and adding parallel parking spaces, it gave us a net gain of about 22 parking spaces. Correct. That was not accepted by the county.

Correct.

Then, PJ, let's go to the other slide. Okay, if we can zoom in a little bit on this, if possible. Yeah, there there we go. Perfect. All right. So so so this year we still preserve a median. This was the original option. We still preserve the median, we can still preserve trees, but we're adding much needed parking to the area. I believe, David, we had a net gain of about 34 parking spaces with this?

Correct.

Okay.

Was this plan approved by Miami-Dade County? This plan was reviewed as we were in development with the county and they did not object to the layout. They did not object to this layout. As a matter of fact, if you see that there's a center walkway, that was one of their requirements, that we could provide safe access from the vehicles to the crosswalks.

That was actually part of their input. And there with this plan, we would end up with a net gain of 34 parking spaces which by the way i think is probably even more parking than what we had originally before the education center got built on the botanical garden parking lot um and so and and so so we have a significant net gain here So this is an option we can consider? Correct. Okay. Then the alternative that came out of the Finance Committee, what was that alternative that came out of the Finance Committee?

When discussed at the Finance Committee, one of the immediate solutions, which has already been implemented, was to change the parking restrictions along 19th Street to set a three-hour maximum. And what that does is increases the turnover of parking spaces and makes parking spaces available more frequently during the day.

But that doesn't add parking inventory. It just limits the amount of time someone could be there. But it really doesn't give us more.

It impacts the operations in that you're more likely to find a parking space just because people have to turn over the spaces.

But if you're going to the convention center, you're going to the Botanical Garden, if you're going to the Holocaust. Correct. There's no distinction there. Yeah. And so I want us to consider these two options because I guess the other option would be in conversations that I've heard floated around has been the potential possibly of going into the park. using park space, which is something I completely oppose. We have to be sensitive of our need for green spaces and the need of the residents. We have residents that live right across the street in Palmview, and for them, this park cherished green space so to the extent that that there's any idea about about touching the park that's not something that I would be willing to support the reality is that this area is in desperate need of parking even before we built the education center that the voters approved for this education center to be built there and we still had the Botanical Gardens parking lot there there was still a a need for parking in that area, even before those parking spaces were taken away. Before that, we had parking on Meridian Avenue. we lost all those parking spaces on Meridian Avenue when we introduced something that was very important, which was the bicycle lane. So we introduced the bicycle lane, but we lost a lot of much needed parking on Meridian Avenue. So to the extent that there could be a private donor that's willing to take on the financial burden of this. I believe that the option that we just had on the screen where we can get a net gain of 34 parking spaces is what is in the best interest of the area. And by the way, it's not just the Botanical Garden and the Holocaust Education Center. We also have the Chamber of Commerce That's right there, obviously, whenever the convention center is activated. But we also want to make Pride Park accessible not only to the people that live at Palmview, but people want to go to Pride Park when it's activated. Pride has Pride Family Days, and every once in a while there's picnics and activities that happen at Pride Park, and people don't always want to have to park in a garage. So I would love to hear from the committee But I think that original recommendation, and PJ, we can go back to that visual. I think that original recommendation, if there is a private funder, it's something that I would be willing to support. Commissioner Rattel-Solinas.

Thank you. Chair Fernandez, I agree with you 100 percent. And I'd like to make a motion that we move forward. We approve option number two and start having conversations, allow the author of the city to have conversations with the private donor to see how we can get this bill as soon as possible.

If I could ask a motion and a second by the chair.

Yes. If I could add to just for the record, the estimate for that option was approximately one point eight million. there is the potential that if it's done privately, they may be able to do it a little more efficiently. Wonderful.

Wonderful. And again, we would be pursuing this at no expense to the city. And I think that that is the key thing. The city, and it's important to understand the city already invested a lot into this area to create an environment that's shaded. And I think that that, to the extent that we advance this, We need to prioritize the preservation of mature trees as much as we can. And make sure that when the landscaping plan is done for this, that we're talking about mature trees that are placed there. If any tree is removed, that we don't just put young trees there. but that we replace any existing foliage with mature foliage so that while we have a net gain in parking, we don't lose much needed shade and green foliage. Any other comments from the deus? Any members of the public wishing to speak on Zoom, feel free to raise your hand. Bobby, welcome.

Thank you. What I just want to mention, first of all, wonderful news from my perspective. The meeting at noon, if one of the commissioners or one of the Davids would be at the meeting to update what occurred at the meeting prior, that would be most helpful so that Norman can hear what the position is of this committee wanting to move forward. Because I don't want to commit on his behalf that he will

provide whatever financial is necessary and also perhaps the city within its budget maybe could add or provide something I just I just want to be realistic Bobby given the amount of organizations that we've had to reduce funding for and even internal programming in the city that we've had to cut funding for I don't think it's realistic And because of the respect I have for you, I don't want to misguide you on this. I don't think it's going to be realistic at all. That's why I brought it up. Even the original proposal that was going to cost $200,000, a fraction of what this costs, it was just very challenging. And so I don't want to guide you down the wrong path on that.

So may I ask, might one of the commissioners on the dais participate in the meeting at noon? Or could you direct?

Unfortunately, because of the Sunshine Law, we're prohibitive if it's a meeting that the mayor is having. We're not allowed to do that. But I think staff, I think you have really good city staff that's going to be participating in this meeting. I know the mayor's staff monitors our committee meetings. Great. And I have no doubt that they'll be up to date on the discussions we've had here today and in fact in order to uh demonstrate the support for the item i would like to be added as a co-sponsor of this just to uh give it the assurance as it as it moves forward uh that this has support i see commissioner dominguez is willing to be a co-sponsor and commissioner bott is willing to to be a co-sponsor so it's leaving the committee today with four co-sponsors in support of this much needed parking. And I want to highlight this. It's not every day in our city that we find opportunities to add parking in a very busy area of our city. We're usually losing parking spaces. Today, we're moving forward with a plan to add parking and do so privately funded. Thank you so much, all of you.

Thank you. Thank you. Mark. Commissioner and through the Chair, Bobby, we will make sure that one of the Davids are able to participate in that meeting at noon.

Thank you. Thank you so much. All right.

Any other comments from staff, David Gomez, David Martinez, anything else that needs to be stated for the record on this item? I think we're good. Okay. Great. Thank you. Thank you. And with that, let's proceed with item number seven.

Item number seven is discuss methods of notifying property owners and businesses of a notice of violation, including via email. This item is sponsored by Commissioner Fernandez.

Thank you. This is an item I placed on the on the agenda, just understanding that we have a lot of absentee owners in our city or part time residents, even residents who might own different properties, condominiums that are managed by by associations as well. And oftentimes they might get served with a code compliance violation or a building department violation. but but what ends up happening is that you have a window of time to correct these violations typically but unless you're the property manager that's on site every single day you might not see that violation immediately in fact you might lose the window of time that you have to correct the violation And now the residents of those associations end up incurring a daily fine because of something that could have been notified by email. Currently and I see we've got our building official here and I see we have our assistant director of code compliance here. Currently we follow state law for the service of these violations. We do certified mail. and we do hand delivery in the form of posting, posting at these buildings. But by the time a property manager sees that or by the time they get the certified mail, it might be too late. The intent of this item is to implement an email system that if we have your contact information that you immediately receive an email from Code Compliance and from building notifying you of the violation so that you don't, and oftentimes I think it's like 24 hours, a lot of times you only have 24 hours to correct a violation before you start incurring fines. It gives them that opportunity to start mediating and solving those problems quickly. I don't know if staff wishes to state anything on the record on this, if there's any concerns or any suggestions, any recommendations.

this program. Sure. Good morning, Chair and Committee. Edgar Estrada, Assistant Co-Compliance Director. Just to clarify as well, when we do issue notices, we do have to follow state statute and Chapter 30 of our Code of Ordinances. So you are correct, Chair, We do issue notices via certified mail when we can't get anyone in person. However, we do make every attempt to do a hand delivery and obtain a signature so that someone that is responsible for the property or the violation is properly notified. But when we can't, then we issue a notice via certified mail. But actually, we don't start counting the days of the violation until that certified mail is received. Oh, good. Yeah, so we keep track.

That's new. Was that always the case?

Yeah, we've been doing that for some time, but we don't actually... So we definitely understand that... that situation where people might not be notified and then their window of time closes based on our violation compliance date. But we take into account that situation by keeping track of the tracking number on the certified mail notice. And then once we verify that it's been delivered, then we'll go ahead and give them sufficient time as well.

that the notice has been delivered to the person, not necessarily that the person has gone to pick up the letter, but that the notice has been delivered to the person's mailbox.

That's correct. Now, we do make attempts to check our enterprise system, Intergov, because it has a lot of contact information in there based on business tax receipts, permits, or other different plans. So we do also attempt to try to find email addresses through our system, and at times we do send emails to violators. So it is a practice that we do. It's not something that probably happens in every single violation where we're not able to get somebody in person, but it is something that we do.

So the purpose of this item is to implement it as the standard for every violation where we have an email address so that we can immediately notify that property owner or that property manager so that hopefully we can solve these violations quicker rather than things lingering. Are there any questions, comments from the dais? Seeing no comments, questions from the dais, any members of the public wishing to speak on this item? seeing no one in person and no one on Zoom. I'd like for us to entertain a motion to send this back to the full Commission with a favorable recommendation to implement this in the standard operating procedures for building and for code, and to also engage in a campaign to try to get as many of the property managers and property owners to register their email addresses with the city. Is there a motion on the table? I move it. Second. Moved by Commissioner Dominguez, seconded by Commissioner Mattel-Salinas. We can show that adopted. Thank you, staff. Appreciate that. Item number eight.

Item number eight is consider proactive enforcement efforts and, if appropriate, amendments to the Code of Ordinance to create noise and hours of operation restrictions on Padel courts and other court games located in residential Sunning District. This item is sponsored by Commissioner Bott.

Commissioner Bott, you're welcome to present your item.

Padel has become increasingly popular as a sport in Miami Beach and You know, we even have a Pedel facility in North Beach on Normandy, which is not, it's not like having it right next to your house, but even in a semi-businessy district, it is still causing disruption for residents and their families. This is specifically designed to address the issues of your neighbor is building Pedel courts because They are different, the noises emanating from that are different from the noises emanating from tennis courts. And so we need to figure out a way to address this before we have the Hatfields and McCoys taking it out on each other. So I would love the staff to come up and address.

And Commissioner Bond, I see that in the memorandum they point to, it seems like a recommendation consistent with the City of Winter Park, where they restrict play times from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week which seems which seems reasonable to me perhaps i would suggest maybe in summers you get them an extra hour because it gets darker later so maybe in the summer get them till two to nine pm um but i do see that recommendation here on the agenda which i would feel comfortable with but i'm gonna defer to our assistant director

Good morning again, Chair and Committee. Edgar Estrada, Assistant Co-Compliance Director. So proactive inspections is something that we are already implementing. However, it is a little bit difficult because we would need to do an inventory of all the PDEL courts that are in the city. but we do respond to complaints, and recently we did receive a complaint for a Padel court, which was addressed via notice of violation. However, our recommendation would be to provide hours of operation and to be enumerated in our noise ordinance. It's my understanding that due to SB 180, we are not able to impose any zoning laws that would restrict the use of property. So the noise ordinance would be the preferred route to address this. So having hours of operation, clearly delineated in our noise ordinance would be helpful. However, our noise ordinance is written in a way where it can already be addressed through our noise ordinance because it provides for any unreasonable, loud, excessive. I know that some of the complaints have also been regarding shouting, the yelling that takes place, and shouting is also

explicitly stated the challenge with that is the subjectivity from my perspective the subjectivity of what's unreasonable what's excessive what's unnecessary what's unusual that to me that's very much open to interpretation depending which code officers is the one that that show up shows up i think you know when we're talking about residential areas Everyone is entitled to peace at their home. And before 8 a.m., I'm a morning person. I'm up very early, but not everyone's a morning person. I can't imagine anyone playing padel next to their neighbors before 8 a.m. Or anyone wanting to have that next to them past 9 p.m. We do have to be courteous of one another So to the extent that it'd be appropriate to consider any of these hours of operations that our staff is recommending, I'm willing to support that.

Through the Chair. Yes. So I would actually, in the memo there's discussion about limiting more restrictive hours on weekends and holiday hours. I wouldn't do it just on Sundays because we have a large Jewish population where Saturday is the day of rest. I think we need to take into account that. This is, as you said, Vice Mayor, this is a very subjective call. You know, I swear like a sailor. So if I were playing Padel and missing shots, I'd be swearing like a sailor. If my neighbors had five-year-old kids next door, playing outside they would not be psyched about that so i i don't know how we talk about that in a way that doesn't violate the first amendment but you know this notion of being a good neighbor and being mindful um is something that is really important uh mr russ i know you're not here to speak on this but i do know that um i've been in touch with gina and you guys are facing this in your Neighborhood, would you mind coming to the podium and giving some thoughts on this topic? It's non-binding, I promise. But since you're the one who's got some lived experience with this, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

I don't want to take away my thunder from what I'm prepared for, but I live across the sun. I live on Sunset Island number one, and across the street from my house, there's a gentleman that's building a paddle ball court. And the way that this situation, it faces my home. And it's noisy. And with all due respect to the commissioner, when you miss a shot, you cuss. Yes, you do. Not that I have young children anymore, but we have surrounding neighbors that do. And to have a paddle ball court in your front yard or in your backyard is really obtrusive to the neighborhood.

So, I know that we are preempted from having more restrictive zoning regulations, but are we, is there any way that we can encourage, without running afoul of the state, is there any way that we can encourage additional landscaping to sort of provide a buffer, a noise buffer in this construction?

I mean, I think to the extent that it's not an LDR, if it's an LDR and it falls under the LDRs, then we're preempted by SB 180. But I think we need to speak with Nick about that.

Any thoughts?

We can certainly look into it for sure.

Okay. Yes.

So I don't know this, but I believe there are setbacks to all of our properties. And I'm wondering if the setback ordinance is in place when someone builds a paddle, you know, any kind of court in their yard. And I would, you know, as a lay person, I would look to the setbacks and make sure that they're enforced.

Well, I mean, for sure they should be enforced no matter what is getting built in somebody's yard. The issue is that the state preempts us from changing those to provide a bigger setback. That's why elections matter. But that's kind of the hand we're dealing with right now. So it's a little bit complicated to try to do this. And like I said in my opening remarks, we have a facility on Normandy that isn't directly adjacent and it's still really loud. In their case, they are violating their agreement to operating hours, so that's a different conversation. But I do think we should have a further conversation about the hours that this isn't in place, the days that this isn't in place, and look at adding any kind of landscaping encouragements that don't run afoul.

Male Speaker 1 Is there a motion to accept staff's recommendation to implement the 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days per week, as have weekends starting at 9 a.m.

Yes, I would, I mean, I can't, but yes.

If someone is willing, if a committee member is willing to make a motion on that, and I would suggest in the summers giving until 9 p.m. because days are longer in the summer. I'm the chair. So I can't make the motion and neither can Commissioner bond. She she can't make the motion. But I don't I don't think it's it's unreasonable to the extent that these courts are going to be allowed in residential neighborhoods and having some, some thoughtful hours of operation just to protect the other neighbors quality of life.

So I'm not going to make that motion because I'm not quite certain that 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. is the sweet spot of hours. You know, I just want to know, you know, my hesitation is that obviously people want to play when it's not hot and before work and after work. You know, is it 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.? Is it 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.? I mean, what do the neighbors say? Are they okay with until 9 p.m.? So I just am a little bit uncomfortable with setting these arbitrary hours. You know, maybe 9 to 9 is better. Maybe 8 to 8 is better. And I just don't know. And I'd like to speak with some of the neighbors before we do this. So I actually would like to defer this until next month. and have a chance to speak with some neighbors in the area to see, um, you know, cause I also don't want to harm the business that that's up there because maybe if they, you know, if they need eight to nine and that's okay with the neighbors, then maybe it's a win-win.

Well, they have it through the chair. They have, they have operating hours. Right. Nine to nine. That's right. So, but again, and they're, and they're violating that. Right. Right. And they got, and I understand that.

Well, I am a little bit because, you know, everybody has to work together here. So, and I just, again, I'm conflicted about what are the best hours for, you know, the neighbors and their business and everybody. Because like you said, Hatfield and McCoy, I don't want that either.

And I think that that's where we have to rely on staff's guidance. But I do agree it's good to get the feedback from the community. There was a motion to defer on the table. Is there a second on the motion to defer?

I will second that. I had similar concerns. So we're setting hours on something that hasn't been built yet and it is personal. It's not a business, is it?

No, this is regarding the residential.

The business in residential?

No, this is regarding residential. The business.

I thought we were talking about the business.

This is in single family neighborhoods.

No, no, no. This is single family homes, residential neighborhoods. That was my intent, is that not what this?

There's a motion and a second on the table to defer this item. I'm not opposed to this item. I support this item. I think Winter Park is actually, you know, The Central Florida version of Coral Gables, they have gold standards that I think are looked to as top practices. And they've implemented this same schedule, but I agree with the sensitivity of my colleagues that if they feel more comfortable seeking the feedback of residents, I'm fine with that. But at the end of the day, we need to protect residential areas to the extent that we're going to allow these courts privately owned single-family homes we also have to then protect the quality of life of the neighbors so we can show this item deferred to to the next meeting and maybe we can do some sort of request for feedback from from from the community so that so that we get the benefit of that yes of course

And may I ask Mr. Russ in the audience, what hours would you prefer as a neighbor? Eight to eight, nine to nine?

I wouldn't want, let's not put any one neighbor on the spot. I'll follow up with you on a later date. Yeah, let's do that.

Thank you for being here though.

And we'll show this item to return next month. With that, let's go to addendum number two.

Addendum number two is discuss a resolution of the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach, Florida, directing the city manager to extend the operating hours of all three of the city-designated BART beaches up to and including beach closing time while maintaining the current morning start time throughout the year. This item is sponsored by Commissioner Suarez.

Commissioner Suarez, this is your item.

Mr. Chair, thank you for allowing me to speak, and good morning, colleagues. We have three dog beaches in Miami Beach. The one is on 21st Street, another one's on 53rd Street, Mid Beach, and there's a, there had been a longstanding one in North Beach on 81st Street. These locations were selected in part because they already experienced frequent dog activity on the beach. They have fewer sea turtle nesting conflicts. Excuse me and can easily It can more easily comply with the Florida Department of Health guidance regarding water quality monitoring. So that's why these locations are selected Currently each selection or each location operates under a different seasonal schedule days and hours You know while obviously well intentioned this structure has resulted in a sort of patchwork of Rules that can be difficult for residents and visitors to understand potentially reducing compliance and complicating enforcement so You know, I wanted I think it's been a total success since it launched. I've had numerous residents Message me. I don't know if anyone else has got it, but The hours are a little conflicting Just to give you guys an update South so the 21st Street is daily from 7 a.m. To 9 a.m From November through March and then 9 a.m. To 11 a.m from April through October. And in Mid-Beach is same thing, 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. from November through March, and 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. April through October. North Beach is even more complicated. 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. from November through March, and 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. from April through October, as well as 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. from March through October, and 1.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. November through February, every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. So, you know, obviously that's confusing for me.

And I'd like to make a suggestion. This is your item, but I would just suggest if we're going to have these beaches as designated dog beaches, and I'm a dog lover, and I think we're all dog lovers here, I would just say, You know, these are dog beaches, and during normal operating hours, you can have your dog on these beaches. And for as long as it's posted that this is a dog beach, I'm fine with that. You go to many places. I was just in South Africa in Cape Town. they have a beach where it's very famous people know that that's the dog beach and you can take the dog be the dog there and you know it's to be expected at those specific uh locations and i would be fine with that i don't have an issue with that um but this is your item so i don't know yeah i think that's sort of where i was leaning toward i'd like to get this out of committee and to because it's going to take two readings at the commission level um and

And let's bake that cake to... to get out of there because I think this winter people really want to enjoy bringing their dogs to the city and not having these weird conflicting hours. So I'd be more than happy to hear from my colleagues and see what they think. I think we're all dog owners up here.

Yes. Dog parents.

Yeah, we're all we all own dogs here. And the other two, I don't think they own any dogs. So I'm in good company.

Yes. John. Let me let me recognize Commissioner Dominguez and then And then Commissioner Mattel Salinas.

I'm very supportive of this item. I actually take Wendy to the 21st Street Beach and having it easier for the public to understand and know all year round, I think is great. I also want to put on record that Paul Thomas was on earlier as a resident in support of this item. But because of a work conflict, he had to jump off. But he wanted his support noted.

And I want to apologize because apparently he had his hand raised on zoom and I didn't see his hand raised on zoom, but thank you Paul for, for, for being willing to participate on this item. Commissioner Mattel Salinas.

I, um, you know, again, dog mom here. And, um, I, I'm a little bit nervous about opening up the floodgates for just all day, all the time. So I'd like to just propose and, you know, if I don't, if I don't have the support, but maybe we do 11 a.m. or excuse me, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. on all three of these locations. So we're widening, widening it, but not all the time. And I guess my only concern is like on the weekends, our beaches are so packed that adding dogs to the mix, you know, might create some type of conflicts here and there. But, uh, overall I am supportive of this and making a consistent time block and allowing people to go more with their dogs.

And Commissioner, let me just explain why I wouldn't support the 11 a.m. schedule. And it's not that you're wrong. What ends up happening is that people just know the beach as the dog beach, but they don't know it as the dog beach between the hours of this and that. And then unless you're, you know, the one person that actually knows the hours for the dog beach, you're going to go and you're going to violate something without realizing that you're violating it. That's my challenge with it. Even us, we deal with legislation all the time. We're reading policies and it's hard to keep track of the different hours of the different stuff. And so to the extent that it's in the spirit to have a dog beach, I don't think anyone really is going to know the hours of operation. We'll know it will exist in a code and someone might at some point get cited for it maybe. but people are gonna innocently violate the code without knowing that they're doing anything wrong. Commissioner Pott.

John, just a quick question for you. I was under the impression I could be totally wrong, but at some point I thought that the beach is closed at sundown. Like, technically.

No, the hours to go beyond sundown. Is PD still here to help you? Do you know what the hours are? I can't think of it. I thought it was 10 p.m., but don't call me. I want a fact check.

Okay, because I would just want the dog park closures to coincide with whatever the beach closure is so it's not extended past a beach closure.

I think about seven or eight years ago there was an amendment that that limited it used to be open, I believe, to midnight and and then and then it got raised up to 10 p.m. That was an item that Commissioner Rosen Gonzalez.

Yes, I just remember when we talked about spring, maybe maybe I'm conflating this because there's a spring break measure that the beaches closed at sunset and then we rolled it back like an hour. So there's sunset plus one.

So maybe I'm conflating those two things.

But whatever whatever the law is about when beaches close under normal circumstances, let's make sure the closure of the dog park part of the beach matches that. That's my only.

all right is there a motion on on the table to oh sorry i just want to make one comment to this discussion and that is the reason why there's a seasonal 9 a.m opening is to allow the county sea turtle monitoring um that activity to complete by nine so they go out and mark maybe fresh nests from the night before and not to have dogs there before they're able to put protection benefits for the for that's why the 9am is there it wasn't to be confusing

Understood. Thank you. You're welcome. Is there a motion on the table? I can't make the motion. I'll move it. It's moved by Commissioner Dominguez, seconded by myself, so that we have designated dog beaches and during just normal beach hours.

Through the Chair, given that there is a sensitivity to turtle counting by the county, do we want to amend that for the one? I know we want to make this as simple as We can for everybody, but we also don't want to hamper the efforts of the county for turtle nest purposes.

And I'll tell you from my perspective on this, and then I'll recognize Commissioner Suarez on this. We already have a lot of wildlife on the beach. The cats, for example. There are cats on the beach. And there are cats that at some point can go ahead and kill a sea turtle. A baby sea turtle that gets disoriented and goes to the beach walk. There are seagulls. There's just other wildlife. And I think the only ones that are being inconvenienced are dog owners. So I get the sensitivity to that. I just think if we're going to have a dog beach, we're going to have a dog beach and, and we just have it during normal business hours. But I, I get where you're coming from. I do get where you're coming from. Commissioner Suarez. We can commissioner about you raise a good point.

And obviously I'm like the turtle guy, so we can work that through first and second reading at the full commission. Yeah.

I mean, I wouldn't support that because that was to my point, like now all we're doing is we're creating, a time limit that people are going to be confused by. And basically, you know what I mean? Like I, I think dog owners will be responsible enough to not conflict with the counties, you know, whatever they need to do, but again, it'll be worked out the committee commission.

All right. There's a motion, a second, any opposition to this item? we can show, are there members of the public wishing to speak on this item? Seeing no one in person, no one in Zoom, we can show the item adopted and transmitted back to Commission. Thank you, Commissioner Suarez. Thank you, thank you for having me. Of course. So then the next items are, and perhaps we could take them all together, it's items 11, 12, 13, and addendum number one.

Addendum number one is discuss collaborating with Dr. Lynette Long to review the ceremonial street naming process. This item is sponsored by Commissioner Fernandez. Item number 11 is consider renaming the portion of Liberty Avenue north of 23rd Street as Rape Bracelet Way. This item is sponsored by Commissioner Dominguez. Item number 12 is discuss identifying and renaming a street in the City of Miami Beach after Michael Tilson-Thomas, including consideration of one, the appropriate street to be renamed, and two, any amendments to the City of Miami Beach Code of Ordinance that may be required to effectuate the renaming. This item is sponsored by Commissioner Buck. Item number 13 is discuss identifying and renaming a street in the South Beach area of the City of Miami Beach after Dennis Ross, including consideration of one, the appropriate street to be renamed, and two, any amendments to the City of Miami Beach Code of Ordinance that might be required to effectuate the renaming. This item is sponsored by Commissioner Mateo Salinas and co-sponsored by Commissioner Budd.

Okay, let's see how much the parts that we can do quickly and the parts that need more discussion. Is there a motion on item number 11 to rename 23rd Street as Ray Brosnan Way?

I'll move it.

There's been a motion on item. There's been a motion and a second. Are there members of the public wishing to speak on item number 11? Seeing no one in person, I see Mitch Novick with his hand raised in Zoom. Welcome, Mitch. You have two minutes to speak.

Hey, folks. I like Ray. Ray's a good guy. I just always had a problem about naming public streets while an individual is still alive. If Ray was deceased, of course, he should have a street named after him. But it's bad policy. to name streets while someone's still alive. An example could be the old Flamingo Park tennis stadium. A banker owned it. It was named after a prominent banker whose indiscretions emerged years later. Ultimately, the tennis stadium was demolished. And again, I think it's bad public policy.

naming streets uh uh in someone's name that are still alive thank you thank you and uh and in addendum number one we're going to be discussing policies that i would like to see perhaps us advance and see if we can find any common ground on that any other members of the public wishing to speak on the renaming of rape of a street for ray breslin

you would you like me to comment now on that um deceased issue please state your name for the uh this is dr lynette long i've been asked to come on uh expert on naming statue streets markers whatever let me let me just ask you is this on specifically

Item number 11 or is this for the present?

No, I'm item number 11. Okay, I agree with Mitch Novak the Florida law says They will not name any state highway or road Florida Road unless someone's deceased DC will not name anything any street name unless someone's deceased Google doodles will not put up a doodle of anyone unless they're deceased You can't put up a statue You have federal government, unless someone's deceased. You can't make a postage stamp unless someone's deceased. This is part of one of my recommendations. It's not about any individual. It's about having consistent policy. that is one considered good practice because we don't know the rest of a person's life and statues and things are kind of hard to remove. And once a Google Doodle or a stamp or a street name is out there, it's hard to take it back. And the second reason is it prevents you get an opportunity to see the person's history with a couple of years. You know, some things are 25 years you have to wait, but you get to see Is it lasting the significance of that person and it also prevents lobbying while someone's alive effectively and takes pressure off commissioners, state representatives, which is who has the greatest lobbying force gets the street name. We're trying to avoid that and make judgments independently. So the current

of highly respectable groups is not to name building streets it's not just streets statues after people who are still alive thank you Lynette and and later on we'll have a presentation with a number one uh any other members of the public wishing to speak on on item number 11 seeing none no one in person and no one on Zoom I'm going to recognize uh Commissioner Dominguez

Thank you. To be fair, the street namings, when we do them in the city of Miami Beach, they're usually like half a block long. It's something tiny. And the Commission for Women, which you chaired, submitted people that were alive. I remember Gloria Estefan being named. Maddie Bauer, our former mayor, was also named. So I hear you. Can I speak to that? And I disagree with you.

Not right now. This is not a debate.

anyway I feel that Ray is not to out him but he's gonna be 80 he has been amazing he's going to be I mean he is an amazing advocate in our community for the arts he has fundraised coordinated everything he's done for the Collins Park area has been outstanding. And there's a reason why the last three, four mayors in Miami Beach call him the unofficial mayor of Collins Park because of the outstanding work he has done for his neighborhood. And he's not lobbying for this. It's something that I feel is important, it's near and dear to me, and I appreciate the support on this item.

There's a motion and a second. Is there any other comments, questions, debate from the dais? Seeing none, can we show this adopted by acclamation? The item is adopted by acclamation.

I go to the floor Commission.

That's correct item item number 12 is Michael Tilson Thomas The the item was sponsored by Commissioner Bond The Michael Tilson Thomas Street renaming item has four proposed locations Commissioner bodies there one location that you would like to propose for us to consider I

The four proposed were in the event that the first one was not permissible. And I'll actually turn it over to Jose. We've had numerous conversations with the folks at the New World Symphony. This is something that I think actually does fall specifically into the best practices and recommendations that we'll hear more about. Michael Tilson Thomas was formative across the country, was incredibly impactful as a musical director. and as an educator and as a leading light in classical music. But arguably where he made his biggest impact was here in the city of Miami Beach where the New World Symphony was built around him. Countless, hundreds and hundreds of musicians have trained under him and have launched their careers as a result of him. And so the preferred location would be, if I'm not mistaken, Jose, Drexel between 16th and Soundscape Park. It seems particularly fitting. That's correct. And so that is our preferred location.

Is there a motion?

I'll make that motion.

Is there a second? I'll second. The item's been properly moved and seconded. Are there members of the public wishing to speak on this item? I see Neeson Cassin with his hand raised on Zoom. Good morning, Neeson. You have two minutes to speak.

Thank you.

I'm going on Zoom, and then you can speak.

Okay. I couldn't hear you.

Good morning, commissioners. I just want to briefly say I had the privilege of working very closely with Michael Tilson-Thomas for well over 20 years. I chaired the board of the New World Symphony when the New World Center was designed and built and Soundscape Park was built by the New World Symphony as well. I'm speaking on this because he is a historic figure in the history of Miami Beach. he conceived of the new world symphony it was his idea he created it a unique institution of its kind in the world uh and it has become one of the preeminent cultural anchors of of not only our city but of our region he was one of the leading figures in the world of classical and orchestral music and involving that really they considered him the heir to leonard bernstein uh his impact on music globally his impact in transforming this city and coming up with the idea of of the new world center and sound space and creating the new world symphony itself including the fact by the way that he was a resident of miami beach for most of that time until the very end when he was ill uh i can't think of anyone who has had a more He ranks up there, in my opinion, with people like Carl Fisher and Barbara Capitman in terms of having an influence in the course and direction of the city of Miami Beach. I can't think of anyone worthier for that recognition.

Thank you, Neeson. Thank you for your participation in today's meeting. Any other members of the public wishing to speak?

Okay. Well, when I started teaching college, they told me, tell them what you're going to tell them, tell them and tell them what you told them. So what I'm going to tell you is a little about street names and how I think.

But this is on Michael Tilson Thomas. Are you going to speak on Michael Tilson Thomas? No. No. Okay. All right. Sorry. So this is on the Michael Tilson Thomas item. Do you support the Michael Tilson Thomas street renaming?

I don't get a vote. I'm not on the commission.

All right. Any other members of the public wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none in person and no one on Zoom, the item was moved and seconded. Can we show this adopted by acclamation? Okay. The next item is.

Thank you, colleagues.

Thank you.

Thank you, colleagues.

The next item is item number 13, the street renaming for Dennis Rust. This was sponsored by Commissioner Mattel Salinas. Commissioner, there are two preferred locations of preference being Ocean Drive to Pennsylvania on 14th Street, and then there's 12th Street from Washington to Meridian. Is there a preference that you would like to move?

No, thank you commissioner vice mayor. I don't have a preference His family had suggested those locations and so we'll look into those locations to see if they're viable I just want to mention that mr. Russ was a resident of Miami Beach for 77 years. He graduated from Beach High He was instrumental in some of the art deco Preservation he founded Miami Beach CDC his brother-in-law is here today And I'd like to move this item.

Thank you it If I could just get some clarity from the city attorney's office, does the code require us to send a recommendation on the actual street that is being recommended for street naming? No, I don't think that you do. We don't have to identify the street today?

No.

Okay, so we can move, we can make a motion to pass along 14th Street from Ocean to Pennsylvania and 12th Street from Washington to Meridian for the final one to be determined at commission. All right, so the item's been moved. Is there a second on the end? That has been properly moved and second members of the public wishing to speak you have two minutes to speak.

Good morning Thank you so much. And thank you to the Commission for you know for being here today Your name for the record. My name is Richard Russ. I'm thanking the commissioners for being here today and the work that they do on behalf of our city Excuse me. I'm a resident for 78 years I have voted in every single Miami Beach election since 1964, which is 62 years. I've seen Miami Beach grow. And so has my family. And so has Dennis Russ. Dennis Russ brought our city from a sleepy retirement area on the porches of people waiting to pass away to what it is today with the help of many others. I hope the commissioners have read Dennis Russ's contributions to the city of Miami Beach. It's five or six pages. I'm not going to read those today. But what this does not say does not say, it doesn't talk about the millions of people that have come to South Beach, that have come to Miami Beach, have spent their money and have talked about Miami Beach throughout the years. Billions and billions of dollars have impacted our Miami Beach. I think that it's appropriate to honor my brother Dennis A. Russ in such a way that we recognize those contributions. Thank you very much.

Thank you. And for the record, we have a letter dated July 2nd signed by Lynn Burstein, James Quinlan, Maria Perrin-Barcos, Lyle Stern, Dennis Scholl, Scott Robbins, Saul Gross, Andrew Kappenman, Craig Robbins, Mayor Matty Rehrabauer, and Mayor Neeson Kasten in support of this street naming. I see we have Neeson Kasten with his hand raised on Zoom. Good morning. You have two minutes to speak.

Good morning. I would just refer you to the letter because it really says it all. I had a close relationship working in friendship with Dennis for 45 years. If there is anyone who truly is an unsung hero in the revitalization of this community, it is Dennis Russ because he never saw credit for any of the things that he did. He always let other people be out in front, including myself and Maddie Bauer. who he mentored in leadership. And whether it is the organizing people in terms of the preservation of buildings in South Beach, the redoing of Ocean Drive, the scattered site home ownership program that he conceived of that has provided over 300 units for low-income residents, the Washington Avenue and Lincoln Road streetscape programs, the Colony Theater redo, you name it. Dennis is not just his fingerprints, but his leadership behind the scenes in all of those initiatives is there. The one thing Dennis just never received that he should have is a recognition he was entitled to.

Thank you, Neeson. And I have to put it for the record, I had the privilege of knowing Dennis Russ. And I think it truly would be proper to state his role in not only helping preserve the Art Deco Historic District, helping preserve the Art Deco Historic District, but for purposes of affordability. for it not only to be preserved as the living museum that it is that we all enjoy, but that people actually be able to afford to live in these buildings, that dollars be invested to rehabilitate these buildings to be homes for people. And I think it should also be stated for the record that Dennis was a native of Miami Beach, born and raised in Miami Beach, went to Miami Beach senior high. I think he was president of the student council there. And just anyone that knew him knew that he was actually a very humble person, someone that did a lot of great work but never sought credit for. He was always very low key and very quiet and operating behind the scenes. With that, we'll close the public comments. The item has been moved. It's been seconded. We can show this pass to the full commission by acclamation. Okay, wonderful, thank you. With that, let's go to addendum number two, addendum number one, and this is a presentation by Dr. Long, because I did want us to have a conversation about moving forward. Moving forward, how do we handle street namings? What is the process for it? Because over the past year, perhaps over the past two years, we have named a lot of streets after a lot of people. And there's a finite number of streets in Miami Beach. And we can't name all of our streets at once. And it should truly be preserved as a highest honor that our city can give anyone, that their name would bear in posterity, would be in posterity on one of the streets of our city so that the next generations get to know who they were and what their contributions to Tower City has been. And so it should really be limited to a very select, finite group of people whose contributions truly stand out. And to help us review our current criteria and potential future criteria, I asked Dr. Long to present to us She's gone through the hard work of seeing state requirements, studying federal requirements, and she's coming with some of her own recommendations this morning.

Thank you. I'm honored to have the opportunity to do this. I'm really into naming and preserving men and women who have made great contributions to Miami Beach. For the public, and I know the commissioners know this, but there's a difference between renaming a street and co-naming a street. Only three streets have been renamed in Miami Beach. The first was Arthur Goffrey Boulevard, 41st Street, 1958. And that was the first renaming or co-naming. We really don't advocate for renaming. It caused a lot of trouble with maps. co-naming is where you put a historic designation under the street with the new street name and it says by resolution of the Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami Beach. So it would say Gloria Estefan, City of Miami Beach, Miami-Dade County. And those go under the regular street name. So today we're going to be talking about co-naming, but in total we have names since 1958, 37 streets. But as Commissioner Fernandez rightly said, we've named in the last four years and half of today, and if these three go through, 18 streets. Before it would happen once a decade, now we're doing several a year. So it's a big change of pattern. In some way, we don't want to diminish the importance of having a street name. I've reviewed very carefully all the street names, looked at them by various criteria, and what are the basic metrics throughout our city and the world about naming a street. But before I get to that, I want to say something about Miami Beach. We are no longer a small beach town. We have more tourists than over half the countries in the whole world. We are an international destination. I've been to 100 countries, and every one, when I say I live in Miami Beach, ooh la la, Miami Beach. You say Nebraska, no one would know what you're talking about. Dubuque or Kansas, but Miami Beach is an internationally world-class city. And I think we have to, we're, I don't want us to diminish our brand, and we are a brand, I know we have a brand expert on the dais, but, and I looked at what are our, what's our brand? Who are we, and what are our brand pillars? You know, my daughter's into branding, so I know a little bit about it. Street names promote tourism. We don't have a street name. Our brand is, our primary brand, obviously we have a beautiful white sand beach, but so do a lot of other people. But we have the largest collection of Art Deco architecture in the world. And yet it's amazing to me that not one street name, not one, names an architect who created these buildings. That one. And that makes me sad because there are compliments. We talk about what should a street naming someone honored. It should be long-lasting. Well, the Fountain Blue's long-lasting. Lincoln Road's long-lasting. It should be... something that people aspire to. So let me talk a little bit, and they promote tourism. Let's take, I asked a chat, chat and I are such good friends. We love each other. I mean, literally she's cost me a few friends because I spend more time with her. What are the 10 most photographed sites in Miami Beach? What, Do we honor those? One of them, obviously, I don't have to tell you, this is the Versace Mansion, correct? You walk by there, everybody's there, standing outside, taking pictures all the time. Well, there's no Versace Way street. on 11th, right there at 11th and Ocean. Now is that free publicity for us when someone takes the Versace name and on that sign it says Miami-Dade County, Miami Beach, right? The mansion behind, they take the street name there at the bottom of the sign. Wow. That's on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok. It's all over. That's free branding for us. I look at it like that. How can we enhance our brand using street names that are universally known and add something to us? So let's look at some criteria. We need to establish a formal process. Right now it's ad hoc. And if you look at our brand, and you look at our street names, I'd call it, maybe this gives away my age, Higgily Piggily, or Hot Podge, I don't know. But there are four people that we have street names for who've never even been to Miami Beach or Miami and probably not, some of them I know have never been to Florida. So how do we name streets after people that have no contextual association to us? And every street naming criteria from the smallest town to the largest city has a nexus. They want some, that connection. Jacksonville lets you, is it a living nexus? Some say you had to have lived in the place. Jacksonville says you can live within five miles of the place, but you have to have lived, not just worked. Others say lived or worked or contributed.

Dr. Long, let me just interrupt you there because you've provided us with a proposed policy framework

Yeah, I'm giving it now.

And so, and so the first part you're suggesting that there be an application process.

Yeah, that would be the first part. So here's the process. It would be very much like the Miami Beach Hall of Fame where you would fill out an application. It would be online and it would be a committee like we have for the Miami Beach Hall of Fame that the commissioners select committee members. And those committee members recommend to the commission at most, they recommend two people, two. it's a high honor, it's our highest honor. They recommend two.

So the suggestion would be on an annual basis, setting a limit on the amount of street names that we're gonna do as a commission on an annual basis, limited potentially to two. I would suggest limited, limited to one street name a year, have a committee submit up to two names for the commission's consideration, but limit ourselves because if not, we could potentially end up with all of our streets with a street name. The commission could pick zero of the two.

You're not mandatory to pick one.

It could be zero. So your suggestion is limit ourselves To to one street name a year having a committee recommend that Street name and having an application period on a yearly basis so that let's say Let's say this would have been in existence as we were considering the items today. Someone would have had to submit an application for Ray Breslin, for Michael Tilson-Thomas, for Dennis Russ. They would have submitted those applications and those applications need to clearly show the nexus to Miami Beach. The breadth of the work that these individuals did goes to a committee for review and then it gets recommended to the City Commission.

Exactly. All right. And I think that you have to also have a policy that allows a 10-year review and a right of removal.

Right now, there's nothing- That I would tell you, I wouldn't go into that. I think that the Commission always has that discretion in the future if someone has had an issue. The Commission can always go back and do that if it were to be necessary. But I do agree with you that setting certain safeguards, you mentioned something about setting a period of time between which the bulk of the person's work happens and the time of the street What was your recommendation on that?

Well, it depends. If you say someone is deceased, then that policy you don't need. For a Florida historical marker, their policy is that the person's work has to have occurred, the noteworthy thing they're getting the marker for, 30 years before they can get a marker. So we're putting up a marker for Josephine Baker, who sang at the Copa Club and said she wouldn't sing unless the audience was integrated. That happened over 30 years ago. But if she was still alive, then yes, that's what the control is, the 30 years. But in most cases, for most other awards, the person is deceased. In fact, I put up the only marker in the state of Florida for living person.

So perhaps what we should be considering is limiting our honors to individuals who are deceased.

Yes.

Limiting it perhaps to one a year with an application period.

Like the Hall of Fame, similar model.

And having a committee recommend so that way it's not politicized, it's independent of politics. And by the way, I think all the ones that we've considered, none of these have been politicized in any way. I think these are all individuals that have done great contributions to our community. But I also do believe in the fairness of leaving opportunity of future streets to be renamed by future commissions as well that reflect that period of time in our community. Is there an appetite from the committee to consider any of these recommendations to send back to the commission? Commissioner Montalcinas.

Can I say a couple more things?

Let me just recognize my colleagues so that we can get some feedback from them.

I would support this. I like these parameters. The only suggestion that I actually think might be helpful is Hall of Fame meets, I believe it's every other year. So I think we should actually have the street naming committee meet every other year. So that way we're doing Hall of Fame and then street renaming, Hall of Fame, street renaming. So that way, you know, it's like, why would we only have Hall of Fame every other year, but we're renaming a street every year? I think they should... because they're two different and they're very honorable programs. So perhaps someone says, I'm going to name, you know, I'm going to nominate someone for Hall of Fame. Oh, wait, no, I'd rather have the street or vice versa. So it's every other year, but essentially every year, exactly, we're giving someone a very honored.

One year is a street naming, then the other year is a Hall of Fame. Correct. I'm comfortable with that, Commissioner Dominguez. Yeah.

Yeah, I'm comfortable with that as well. I don't agree with all of the parameters, like the deceased part for a street co-naming, which is such a small thing. To see the joy on Maddie's face, to see how excited and touched Gloria is, to think that they would have to be deceased in order to be honored and they never get to see and experience it. It was so touching to see those two. So that would be my only reservation.

I was there, and I know that. And I'll say the Commission for Women, I don't know, Monica, if you were there at the time, and I suggested that the people be deceased, that we nominate them. And immediately, the Commission for Women got on Google and looked up city code and said, there's no requirement that people be deceived. I said, well, I really believe in that it should be, because I know the regulations. And they said, sorry, we're voting against you. And they nominated Maddie. Maddie started cheering, and that's how it went forward. I didn't change my position, but I respect the vote of the commission. I just wanted you to know that that One of the things, as I said, the Miami Beach connection is critical that the people have a Miami Beach connection, whether you want to make it residential only or a contribution. And there should be an ethics review as part of the application process that you are taking people, putting their name up. We don't do a background check on people. And I think that's part of the city's responsibility to do that before they put the name up. Just because you meet all these criteria, you lived in the city, you did something exceptional, you passed a background check, that doesn't mean you necessarily get a street name. That means you're qualified to enter the pool and I want to make that clear, that it's still a very high bar. This is an incredible honor, and I think that.

And one thing that I think... And let's wrap up so that we can take an action on this. What? Let's just start wrapping up so we can take an action.

I am wrapping up. Okay, so one thing also, we should make a public database. If you look at the state historical markers, they have all the names of the markers, a photo of the marker, photo of the person. what they did, an online website that shows all our street names and who they are. The last thing is, as I said, we have no streets named after an architect. I think we should do a historical, I called it realignment, before we move forward with the application process. And that the few people who have had extraordinary contributions should get street names. Morris Lapidus. right away. Murray Dixon, who designed dozens of the hotels here, the Raleigh, the Tides, the Victor. Henry Hohhauser did 300 buildings. We're talking about what made Miami Beach. We don't have street names. Versace Mansion, these are all great marketing for us. and branding. Pavarotti gave the largest concert, 120,000 people. Everybody knows him all over the world, arguably the greatest tenor of all time. Frank Gehry, who built the New World Center, why couldn't that little street? Frank Gehry Way, Joe Stone Krabs, there's a resolution, I read the resolutions, any business over 100 years was formed in 1913. So there are people that have been overlooked that have made phenomenal, I mean more than anybody almost on our list, that no one has taken the time to make a street name, and I think we should.

And that's where I believe that a committee that meets on a staggered basis. The year that we don't have Hall of Fame, having a committee come together that could consider what's been submitted, but could also make other recommendations. And to your point, Henry Hohhauser, Dixon, Lapidus, all of these individuals that have helped create this, again, living museum that we live in, they deserve some sort of recognition. I feel it's best to put this on the hands of an individual committee. I like the recommendations that you've brought forward. They're very well thought out, and thank you for bringing these. I especially like the deceased part. I remember in the mid-'90s, there was a scandal over Miami-Dade County with Jose Canseco. There had been a street named after Jose can't say I see I see Marcus shaking his is that you probably remember the scandal and he You know Jose can say well everyone knew Jose can't cycle. He was you know You know the hometown boy that made it big on baseball and then all of a sudden, you know he had criminal issues, I think there were issues with potential steroids and that type of stuff, and it became a huge debate on how you went about now removing something that was an honor, supposed to be honoring someone that did something great, and you had to go back and remove that. I remember then also another time, this involved at the time now disgraced former County Commissioner Miriam Alonso, had named, I think it was Southwest 122nd Avenue after a developer that then got accused of some sort of bad business practices and they had to go back and strip the name of it. And that's why I do believe that when you are naming something like a public road It should really be limited. We need to go back to that practice, I believe. We should go back to that practice of it being a deceased person. And I think one of the things that Miami-Dade County did at the time is that now before they rename any street, or co-name, they do a background check through the office of their inspector general. And I think we should do the same thing, make sure that if there's any criminal violations out there, there's any big legal issues out there, that those are brought to the attention of the governing body at the time to avoid any embarrassments.

Well, the other question I have is how come some people get one block and some people get 10 blocks and some people get five blocks. There's no consistency in the street naming. And I don't know if that's fair. If you meet the bar, everybody should get the same. I'd recommend one block.

And I think, and I think that that's ultimately, you know, the whoever's elected at the time should have the discretion, I think should have some discretion. to understand what is the significance of a person and their contributions to a specific area. Lynette, thank you so much. So grateful to you and for your work. It was an honor. Thank you. Yes, Commissioner Dominguez.

Just one last thing as we're wrapping up this item. Because I don't like the deceased part. To see the joy on somebody's face and getting that honor is just amazing. And with Maddie, I think it was completely appropriate. She is in her late 80s. And I don't know how old Gloria is, but also not a young person. She's not in her 80s. No. I don't even think she's in her 70s, but maybe like an age parameter would be appropriate if there's an appetite for that with the full commission.

We could work on something like that, yes.

Yeah, I generally support the deceased, except for in certain circumstances. Nancy Liebman, obviously tremendously formative to our modern version of Miami Beach, and she is... quite elderly and unfortunately suffering the ravages of dementia. And it was really meaningful to have her witness this while she still could. So I think finding, threading the middle ground of having some age.

An exception for octogenarians.

Yeah, maybe, maybe. I mean, depending. But having, you know, exceptional circumstances you know, generally deceased unless they're extenuating circumstances. And I think having some discretion would be good.

I agree with that. Illness, age, advanced age or illness.

Or maybe if they have contributed for a certain amount of time to Miami Beach, you know, or they've lived here for 50 plus years or something like that. But another notable was Norman Braman. He also was very pleased and that was very well deserved.

Yeah. And so and so, you know, the common thread here, these are all individuals, you know, who are either 80 or above. And I think and I think, you know, you mentioned race, age. So well, but he's going to be turning 80. Maddie is over 80, Nancy over 80, Norman over 80. And so I think perhaps if we if we consider the advanced stage of someone's life, so maybe we set that as an alternative to deceased or illness, someone who's done something significant, who is facing some sort of terminal illness. I think maybe it's something that we can incorporate into this.

Or you could require sixth, seventh vote.

thank you I appreciate it dr. long so so so with that is there is there a motion for deceased unless the person is over 80 or facing an illness a terminal illness that we do one per year that we do one per year or no, one every other year, I'm sorry, staggered, staggered with Hall of Fame, so one every other year with an application process that requires a demonstrated nexus to Miami Beach, so either they lived in Miami Beach and the volume of their work must have happened in Miami Beach with a committee, like the Hall of Fame committee, something like that, to review the applications, send the recommendation to the city commission, and that these include a background check for legal and criminal, at least. And I like the idea of maintaining a database. All right, is there a motion on the table? It's been moved and seconded. Are there members of the public wishing to speak on this? Seeing no one in person and no one in Zoom, we can show this adopted by acclamation. All right, great. So that concludes today's agenda. Again, colleagues, for the next meeting, we're going to try to get as many items through the docket so we can all just work with staff. And if you could just reach out, staff, to the other commissioners that are not in the committee so that their memos have clear action that they're proposing for the committee to take. All right? Thank you, everyone who participated in today's meeting. The meeting is adjourned.