three, two, one. Good morning everybody. Welcome to the March 26th Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee meeting. I am here with my colleague, friend, fellow commissioner Vice
Mayor Tanya Bott. So we do have quorum. I will hand it over to the CFO and the city attorney have a lot on the agenda. So we're going to try and be brief and efficient on the items where
it is warranted. I myself, I have to leave it at 1215. Hopefully, if we continue to have quorum, you can continue the meeting thereafter. But let's knock out some items. Good
morning. Today's meeting of the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee has been scheduled in a hybrid format, with a quorum of the committee physically present and remaining members, staff and members of the public
appearing either in person or virtually via zoom in order to participate in today's meeting virtually. Members of the public
may dial 1-888-475-4499 and enter the webinar ID, which is (863) 605-9546 2ound, or log
in to the zoom app and enter the webinar ID, which again is 86360595462. Any individual wishing to speak on an item must
click the raise hand icon if they are using the zoom app, or dial star nine. If you are participating by phone. Thank you. We have a few
announcements. OB three will be time certain at 1030. 1035 time certain will be m, B9 and B 14
is deferred. OB four is deferred and b6 is withdrawn. And items m, b7, ten and 11 will be linked if heard. That's all the announcements. Chair. Excellent.
Thank you. Why don't we get to our first time? Certain OB three. OB three. Discussion of
commercial retail vacancies and potential leasing incentive incentives for owners of vacant properties. OB three good morning. Chair. Commissioners.
Vice mayor I'm Heather Shaw. I'm the assistant director for economic development. This is the second time we're hearing this item. We heard it last month. It is about potentially
doing a vacant storefront registry, as you understand that we have some vacant storefronts in the city, and we are constantly looking for ways to
mitigate that and to fill our storefronts. So one of the elements that was brought up was to do a vacant storefront. We started this in September at a
first meeting, and then we also talked about it in October and in December, and then last month, in February 21st, where we were, I presented to you some ofhe feedback that we received
from eight other cities that we did some best practice research on, and I believe today is a day to get some of the feedback from some of oursusiness
stakeholders who are here today to express their feedback on the vacant storefront registry, and what is the staff's recommendation on this other. Well, the administration is
looking for direction from you as to whether you want to go forward. But but on the administration side, this is a process that will take a lot of
administrative time and effort to do so, and that it will. We would have to have some fee associated with it to support the administration of the registration, which is going out
and getting a whole listing of the properties and staying on top of on top of them. And this is coming from as I mentioned, we spoke with eight other cities who are actually doing tried to
do something similar, and some of the positives and negatives, challenges and opportunities that they saw there holistically. They essentially were not in favor of this and
had a rather negative experience. That's where I start from. Listen, I get it. I think it's one of those things. The concept sounds good, but I've
done a lot of very specific case study work on this, and it just has unintended consequences. And when you talk about, you know, a
drain on resources, fees associated with it, piggybacking on the conversations that we've had, I don't think I'm going to be supportive of this. I just want to kind of put that out
there to manage and mitigate and make our time more efficient. If, you know, let's hear from our stakeholders. But I don't want to prolong something. The
that doesn't need to be. If I could add chair, this item is a discussion item. So if there's not, it doesn't I don't think have to go back to commsion with a recommendation. I don't believe it does. But I do see
Rick moving into action. No, you can you can close the item out here if you wish. Okay. I'll move to close. Do we do we have
feedback from the Lincoln Road bid? You want to let us know? I think we're also joined by the Washington Avenue bid as well as the 41st Street bid. Okay,
perfect. Good morningChair emphasized brevity. Anabell Lopez, Lincoln Road business improvement director. On behalf of the board. And really, our
landlords and our stakeholders, we don't feel this is a positive step in a relationship and a partnership with the commercial business community. I think there's other efforts that have
been done that are really in a positive way, like our nine month pop up permit, like looking at cafe abatements for new restaurants. Those are
things, initiatives that really impact a positive way. The tenant and the landlord is a tenant successful. The landlord is going to be successful. I don't think this really drives anything. Having a registry for
what is really the outcome. What is the point of having a registry when where are you going to deal with it? Yeah, let's hear from the other bids. Thank you. Good morning. Amy Mayhew with the 41st Street bid.
Just reiterating what Annabelle just said for all our businesses. And, you know, there's better ways we can use our staff's time. We'll stamp the same thing. However, if we can look into just really expediting the permitting
process, I think that will make a huge change. You have seven of us that are united in that and remain steadfast on doing so. Is there anybody that wishes to
offer a counter view that that than the one which we just heard from the bids and city staff? Okay, colleagues, I you know, I
appreciate where this came from. And having done the research, it seems like it's a program that just doesn't work. And so I'd move to close the discussion with an unfavorable chair. We'll just hear the show, the item
heard and closed and we can move on. Perfect. Second, thank you. Thank you. Let's get to NB nine
A 1035 time certain. NB nine discuss annual evaluation of the parking impact fee and benign. Okay, Mr. Chair, I'll be brief.
As I noted in the memo for the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee under the LDR, the planning department is required to periodically update the
Commission on the status of the Parking impact fee. And just by way of background in certain areas of the city, if a development does not meet the minimum parking requirements set
forth in that district, they have the ability to pay a fee in lieu of parking. Currently, that fee is $40,000 per parking
space. There's also an annual fee in lieu, which is 2% of that which people can avail themselves of if they're doing it. The proportional cost of
constructing one parking space and a parking garage. The fee was last updated approximately 13 years ago, and it was based upon the construction costs at
that time. Our most recent parking garage that was constructed when adjusted for CPI, came out to close to $55,000 per space. The
administration is not recommending that the one time fee be raised to $55,000 a space, for a couple of reasons. One, we have not seen a lot of people paying the one time fee, even at $40,000 a space. But
more importantly, that would result in a fairly substantial increase in the annual fee in lieu payment. Currently, that's $800 a space per year, and that
would go up to roughly $1,100 per year per space. And that primarily affects small, smaller businesses. Can I ask a quick question? When is the last time that we did a holistic
reevaluation of our parking requirements for new developments? And where I'm going with this is when I was looking at the RFP. It had always been in my mind, but when I was looking at the RFP, I
walked the parking garages all along the 17th Street corridor and the new building at 1212, completely empty. Completely. I mean, we have floors and floors of parking that are
underutilized. And that story played itself out at 5 or 6 diffent structures. So where I'm going, we're living in a world where one, we want to incentivize less cars on the
road, right? We are not going to cure our traffic problem unless we get people out of the cars. All the other stuff is cute, right? Cops, traffic flow, timing. Unless we get people out
of their cars, we will never solve our traffic issues. And to me it seems like some of the developments we're kind of shoving parking down people's throats that we are essentially over parked. Right. And we hear
it up here, people don't want to park in parking garages. Okay, then why do we keep building more and more? I could tell that same story. You saw the videos that I played. So have we done a
comprehensive reevaluation? I look at the new hotel that's built two blocks away from here, I think is the Thompson Hotel on 17th of Washington. Beautiful building. But then they have a
two story parking podium. You know, it doesn't look esthetically pleasing. And it's one of those areas that should be one of the most walkable areas of our entire community. And it's one of those things
where it's behavioral incentives. If you have parking and we're mandating parking, then the tourists coming here from Ohio flying in, well, they're going to rent their Ford
Mustang and park it there. But if they don't have parking, well, they're not going to rent a car and they just walk everywhere. So I think we're kind of providing perverse incentives in a lot of ways. So when is the last time that we
kind of reevaluated holistically the parking requirements for new development? We have not done a comprehensive evaluation of our overall off street parking
requirements since 1989. Oh it's time. Can we make a motion here? I'd make that motion right here. Now, if I if I might, to assist
for this item. It seems like an item heard in closed. But what it probably looks like is, is for a commissioner to perhaps have a new referral, because I believe this was something that should live in the land use
committee, not in finance. But if that's the will, I, I would see someone here maybe picking up a referral for the April commission meeting to refer. Can you be more specific about that
person? No. Okay. You know, I want to keep it brief. I'm here for the chair. The chair is here. Vice chair. But if it's okay, I think we can just show this item heard and closed. And planning will be probably
keeping that referral in its mind. We do need to take this to the commission. So would it be closed with a recommendation based upon the administration's recommendation not to raise the. If it has to go back to the
commission, we can show and I think it will be unanimous. Show the recommendation to keep the fee at the existing before we close this out completely. You know, there are all these parking lots that have tons of
vacancies. And so we need to, as a city, I believe, go back to those businesses and say, you know, whoever owns the parking lot, you have X number of s ats
you need X minus whatever for your business, but the rest should be available to residents at resident parking rates. And that way, you know, they'll they'll get people coming in and out. Residents will have a place
to park where they don't feel like they're paying usurious fees at $15 an hour. And it and we get cars off the street that are already here. So it's a win win. You know everyone's like, well, I want to be able to park
right in front of my place and go in and do my errand. Well, that's lovely when you live in Mayberry. But, you know, when I lived in Boston, I had a parking spot in, in, you know, attached to my, my townhouse. And then
for the second car, we parked in a municipal garage five blocks away, and it was $250 a month. And it sucked when you got home late because your spouse would get the good parking spot and you'd have to walk home in the
snow. But that's how it goes. I mean, we live in a city, we don't live in la la land. And, you know, if we're trying to accomplish a lot of things, getting cars off the roads is one of the biggest drivers of
our success, no pun intended. That one actually just came out. So I would very highly encourage I don't know if it's a referral or I don't know what a referral
to this committee it would be, I would I would recommend that it would be that the commissioner pick up this item as a referral to the land use. Okay. So I'd like to make a referral for, for
this item as well to land use to go out and proactively talk to our, our business friends around the city. And it's good for them to have people coming in and out of their garage too, because you never know when they'll get
hungry and want to pop in and, you know, stop at the restaurant. I think we have our city attorney here. Make a note of that. Anecdotal, but Paris actually just this week or at the end of last week, had a
voter referendum for turning over 500 of their streets and roads into pedestrianized public rights of way, green spaces, things like that. And it
actually passed with a 66% approval rating. So they have done the proper urban planning. And a place like Miami Beach, that should be something that the direction that we look to go
in. So we'll show this, this item is to return the commission with a favorable recommendation to accept the administration's recommendation of the parking impact fee. And the motion was
made by. Me, Commissioner Bart. Yeah, I'll second magazine and we'll show unanimous support on that. And I think the referral will work on two referrals, one
for Commissioner magazine and one for commissioner. But. Excellent. Thank you, thank you. And staying on the commercial
properties, let's do OB three discuss leasing incentives for owners of vacant commercial properties. We did we did OB three. That was first. Sorry.
Sorry. Those are the times benign. Let's do NB for the police. And before is the 47th
Street. Let me. And before discuss potential. I'm sorry. The. And I'm sorry I was looking at NB 21 the police okay. That
should be quick correct? Correct. NB 21 discuss a proposed lease agreement between the City of Beach City and our landlord and the Miami Beach Police Athletic League
incorporated tenant for approximately 13,367ft■!S. Locad at 999 11th Street, Miami Beach, Florida. Premises for a term of
nine years and 364 days. NB 21. Good morning, commissioners. Vice chair, madam chair, Mr. Chair Ozzie Dominguez, division director of asset management for
City of Miami Beach. The lease is up for what's currently going to expire now in June 30th of 25. It has no renewal options, so we are proposing to a
recommendation to the city Commission for a new lease with Powell for nine years, 364 days, with the same terms that the current agreement currently carries. I'll move it. Yeah. And
what is the status for the Geo Bond project there? I don't run the Geo Bond project, but this lease will have a stipulation stating that if the Geo Bond project proceeds, any new
building is created, a new lease would then be executed for that building and this one would be coterminous with that. I will second my colleague, and if
there's any way in the new lease that we'd be able to honor the late Officer Martino, I know the pal was incredibly near and dear to his heart. I think we had an
item to name it after the new facility after him in the interim, maybe. And yeah. Perfect. Yeah. The new. I'm sorry, the new lease for the current location or the new
lease for the Geo Bond building. I think there's an item for the new. In the interim, I'll defer to my colleague. I think we actually have something that covers both. Well, we have an item that was intended to cover
both, but the existing Pal is already named after someone. So the item that you brought will be limited to the new building because we can't we can't rename
unless we. It's a complicated process. We move it in some way. If we could do something to honor. To put a plaque up. Yeah. We can lead Officer Martino's commitment. We can work with our
director of Facilities and fleet for a plaque. Yeah, we just did a gorgeous one. And in Pride Park for Joe Tom Easley that the Parks Department worked on. And maybe we can take a cue from
that and work with Deb Martino and really do something gorgeous. Great. Thank you. You know, maybe something that's there, maybe 11th Street from
Meridian to Alton might be appropriate if the facility is already named for someone, 11th Street. Nancy Lieberman. Oh, I
believe I think maybe maybe already. Oh, okay. Sorry, I didn't realize that. Okay. It's the it'll be the Art and Nancy show. All right, so we'll show this item, return to commissioner with a favorable
recommendation of the proposed lease with Powell. Commissioner Bott and Chair magazine a second. All in favor? Aye. Okay. All in favor, sh it three
zero. Thank you. As the perhaps NB 18 is you the Polo Park temporary leading. Is that correct or no that parks. Okay. But let's hear that. I think that should be quick. I'll let you teed up Jason, but
essentially a pilot program at no cost. And then we'll get the feedback from the pilot program if we move forward and it'll have a financial impact. Discuss the allocation of funding for the installation of temporary
lighting at Polo Park basketball courts. NB 18 Tom, do you want to try to just sum that up? No cost here for the pilot program. Yeah, I was at the park. There's
no costor it. We're going to use our towers. We'll have a park ranger on roving for it, ande'll after six months, we'll reevaluate it once. Once the time change, we're going to put it in perfect. I'll move it.
And one of the reasons why I put this on. This is incredible. Yeah, yeah. Commissioner. No, Alex is just fine. One of the reasons why we put this on the agenda like this is because there were concerns that, as you know, time changes throughout
the year. If you have permanent lighting, it becomes an issue of the lights being on too late or not. The temporary lighting helps us address the concerns of the neighbors during certain
times of the year, while making sure that they have the lighting during the other times of the year when they really do need it because of the time changes. So we'll do a six month pilot in November when the time changes,
and then we'll reevaluate after six months. Can I ask a quick question? This seems really dumb, but I had at my many times aforementioned little townhouse on Parkview Island. I used to have solar lights in the front
yard, and when it got dark they went on. And when it got light, they went off. Why couldn't we do that? Solar powered? We do have we do have on the building facing the lights for solar powered lights. And it's just
not light enough because it only has a certain area. It doesn't go out far enough. Right. But so okay, so we're using existing lights that we have and just programing them differently. Well we have solar lighting now
on the on the. No no I know but so the to accomplish the additional lighting we're taking additional lighting that we already have and we're programing it to turn on and off differently. We're having one of
our towers that I did. We I went there and we tried it with people playing and it doesn't interfere with them playing. It's a tower light that will turn on and it will turn it off. So it's existing resources, and
then we'll have a park ranger on roving there so we can show this. We can show this item to return a commissioner of the favorable recommendation to install temporary lighting at Polo Park basketball fields. Courts. I'm sorry. Making the
motion just looks like I think Commissioner Bart did. And I'll second. Okay. All in favor? Aye. Thank you. Thank you, colleagues. Thank you. Do we have perhaps Lisette here for NB
15? This is time sensitive as this I believe is an event that's coming up this weekend and is essentially historically been done for the past 10 or 15
years. Great event as we're looking to program out of spring break. This is always attracted such a nice and health and wellness focused crowd. So we have a discussed request for
city sponsorship and waiver of city special event permit fees pursuant to section 12 Dash seven of the city code for the model Volleyball event scheduled to take place in Loomis Park beach front from March 29th
through March 30th, 2025 May 15th. So we're actually not paying or giving any revenue. We're just waiving special event fees, correct? Yes. Good morning. Francis Seow Assistant Director, Tourism and Culture.
It would be a waiver of fees. The only thing is that it would be retroactive. This would go to commission and then the money would be given back because the event is this weekend. So they have to pay the fees for this
weekend. And how many years have they been in our city? Oh over 14. Okay. Excellent. Anybody want to make a motion? I'll move it. I'll second. Okay. So we'll show this item to return to commission with a favorable
recommendation for the waiver of the special event permit fees as as requested, retroactive retroactively. Thank you. All in
favor? Aye. Show A30. Thank you. But we hear Nb3 discuss creation of a foundation. I don't want to
steal your job, Mr. CFO. Sure. MB3, discuss the creation of a foundation focused on soliciting donations of works of art for the city's permanent art and public places collection and or
temporary exhibitions. And b three. Good morning. I'll just tee it up again. Francis Seow, assistant director of tourism and culture. So this item is
requesting the item sponsors, requesting that Ferc discuss the potential benefits, structure and feasibility of creating a foundation with specific focus on soliciting and accepting
donations and works of art from individuals, corporations and benefactors. So, as you see in the memo, the city has been long term committed to enhancing public spaces through art in
public places. Currently, we do have the Art in Public Places Ordinance, which has the mandate of the Art and Public Places Committee. So currently the committee, along with the
Tourism and Culture Department. Has the powers and duties to of oversight, revw and acceptance of the artwork. So in today's discsion, key issues to
consider are the foundation structure, funding and management, integration with the city's IPE program, and community and economic benefits. Staff has communicated with the
county's art in public places. The Cultural Affairs Department. They currently don't have any such structure of accepting donations. They don't know of any other municipality that has
one either. But those are things to consider. The administration's recommendation if the committee decides this is something that we want to move forward with, that the committee
just be structured to accept donations. So then we can then vet the artwork. Yep. We've seen such a generational influx of wealth into our city through
some of the most affluent individuals in the entire world that also oftentimes go hand in hand with a focus and dedication to the arts. If you look in places like New York City along
the High Line, a lot of the things that are the most special arts and public works in the world are often at at the
benefit we're beneficiaries from very wealthy, affluent individuals, and it seems short sighted or silly not to take advantage and set up some sort of program where Miami Beach can
be a beneficiary of the same. So I'm certainly supportive of this. Yeah. You know, I love this idea. I think Joe is sorry. Commissioner magazine is absolutely right on the money,
no pun intended, about so much wealth moving into the city and people stepping up to help do things that they care about. And this is something that is
possible. You know, we would need to make sure that there are very clear guidelines and there nobody runs afoul of any ethics issues, that there's no quid pro
quo intimated or expected. ET cetera. ET cetera. So as long as the city attorney feels that that can be structured in such a manner that it is completely
separate from anybody in office running for office. ET cetera. I would be very much in favor of this. Excellent. Yeah, we would definitely work with the city attorney's office for the structure of the committee, just
r moving forward. Is the committee's recommendation aligned with the administration's to just solicit funding? Is that okay? Or is there something else that we
would be missing otherwise? Because it also talks about soliciting actual artwork. But there are. Yeah. And I think the concern of the administration was that we have an Art in
Public Places committee that's already set up to specifically do that. So I think the recommendation is listed in the conclusion of the item is that if this foundation or committee, whatever we whatever legally we
ended up determining to call it, we recommended that it would be for the solicitation of donations should be limited to funding. So I would support the administration's recommendation for funding. Only we can show
the a motion by Commissioner Bart to return to the commission, with a favorable recommendation for the creation of a foundation or committee to solicit funding donations for public art. Excellent. Yeah,
I'll second that. Okay. All in favor? Aye. Hearing none opposed will show it passed three. Nothing. Thank you. How about we get to Nb12 expansion of the
Parks and Rec health and wellness area, referred to as Muscle Beach. I'll let you tee this up, mr. CFO. But where came up with this idea? Down in the Ocean Drive area? I looked at
it. I said, what do we get? Right? What do we get wrong? I think that Muscle Beach activation, when you go down there on a weekend, it's that's probably one of the best things
that we've done in a city, in the city. It attracts people, residents, tourists, men, women, young, old, everything. It's a
great activation. It's synonymous with what Miami Beach is. And I've said very often that when we do things in Miami Beach, I want us to start doing things that are world class,
right? Truly world class, where when you Google the best outdoor. Health world, Miami Beach is at the top of the list.
And I think that's what my standard for excellence is. So, Mr. CFO, if you want to tee that up, sure. Nb12 discuss the expansion of Muscle Beach and Loomis Park spoil area to include more health, wellness
and sports activities. Nb12. And as a note, Commissioner Suarez has requested to become a co-sponsor. Co-Sponsor. And well, I'm not sure if you're actually the fitness
commissioner, but I'm not the fitness commissioner. I guess we can allow it. The record I should aspire to be a I'm the Blue Zones commissioner, and I would like to be a co-sponsor. There you go. So we will show
everyone as a co-sponsor. It's a great idea, right? A great idea. I think we all embrace. But then it comes down to funding, right? We talk about our our budget being in a tight year, we're not
going to have a huge surplus. We all just got a letter to commission the other day saying that our expected surplus is even projected to be less than what we originally envisioned.
So then it comes down to how do we fund this? I don't want this being one of these pie in the sky things that we hold out there for years. What are some
other and perhaps this is to our CFO as well, other ideas for funding sponsorships, whether, you know, we're rightfully so,
focusing on a lot of expense, highlighting a lot of expense issues that we face on our budget. But an income statement is two sides, right? Revenue and expenses. We also have to talk
about how to raise more revenue. And what I'd like to do is one find sponsorships for this. Are we talking a couple million dollars of CapEx, I assume. And then also, if there's anything
that we can do in that area that provides revenue into the city, that can be used to really kick start this program. And we're we're in favor of the sponsorship also. And then we're looking at donations. We may have something to expand Muscle
Beach a little. And we're also looking to expand Muscle Beach in the North End, also in the north end of the separate item. Yeah, yeah. So maybe let's move
this certainly with a favorable recommendation. But I would ask staff to work on identifying one. What sponsorships would look like. Is that some sort of naming rights. Is it I don't
know, one of our beverage partners like Red bull having a trash receptacle that looks like a Red bull can. I don't know what the answer is, but just kicking out some ideas. Be
creative. Come back with how we can raise money to essentially jump start this program, because I don't want this hanging out there for years and years, just kind of in this never ending budget cycle if I can chair is
the is the interest here to send this to commission to direct the administration to begin identifying sponsors that would fully fund the expansion of this
project? Just wanted to know kind of we need to have this clear direction on that so we could show this item, return to commission with a favorable recommendation to direct the administration to engage with
sponsorship opportunities to expand the muscle beach at Loomis Park, if I may. So we don't yet know what the blue Zones proposal recommendations
will be when they come back. We're getting that in the next, like in May, basically. And I'm sure that this is something that that could be folded into that. And the reason I mention it is
not to slow anything down, but part of what the Blue Zones program is, is for any kind of CapEx expenditures. We try to find outside partners. So it's not that we source them from our budget, but we find partners who
are like, oh, really? More exercise equipment throughout the city. I'm totally behind that. And so I would definitely start whatever you're going to do. But also we can we can fold it into holistically a larger
project and maybe find a bigger sponsor that way so we can have that conversation offline in the next few days when I learn a little bit more. Okay. From the phone call I'm having about this
very topic tomorrow. Excellent. So we'll show what would a sponsorship look like as far as like the branding? I mean, what are you envisioning? Anything?
Like I said, it could be the I'm going to use Red bull because they're part of the Pepsi sponsorship. Is that correct? Yeah. We have one. We have one of our sponsorships up in one of the parks and it was JetBlue.
It's just a little, little sign on one of the playground equipment. So we'll have to look. We'll explore that. We don't want to make a big advertisement. Yeah we want to make it as little as possible. I think it would kind of lose the
classiness of what it is now. If there's like a big logo of Red bull on like the container where we keep the muscle equipment, I think we'll look at to make it, as you know, is to fit in with the playgrounds and stuff, not
to make a big advertising thing. We'll just look into bringing some some ideas back. And if I can, this item goes back to commission the recommendation. The administration will bygin that exploration. It would come back to commission. So whatever
the final outcome would come back to commission for approval. Yeah. And I certainly second that. Right. Strike a fine balance between yeah. If somebody's going to spend millions of dollars sponsoring, they're going to want something.
But I don't want it to be a cheesy commercialization. That's such a natural, beautiful area. We want it to remain that way. I in fact, it's not just about adding the enhanced equipment in
area. I want something that is also more esthetically pleasing down there. So, you know, a 50 foot Red bull can certainly isn't in line with that. So for
some historical context, I don't remember in 2017, 2018, somebody in the administration might remember, but there was conversation about naming rights for things like the convention
center and the bandshell, and it was not well received at all. And while those things were on a much grander scale, you know, we don't want people to think that we're saying, hey, we can like,
call it the Red bull, Muscle Beach imprint. It's, you know, it would be a small it would, you know, they would be doing a solid basically, and it would be a small thing and we could refer to it in our newsletters if
we're having a special event there. You know, the city is meeting at the Red Bull Muscle Beach site to do X, Y and Z. We'd be happy to do that sort of thing. But, you know, that's
kind of the limit. I mean, another idea would be, you know, the equipment itself, maybe get a sponsorship from like rogue, you know, they give all sorts of barbells, dumbbells, plates and,
you know, maybe we have an exclusive agreement with them. And whenever the equipment is faded out, they replace it at free of cost because everyone comes and they see the
equipment, if I may, I remember back in 2012, in fact, Mayor Bowers in the audience and I think she was mayor at the time and Carnival had come wanting to
do naming rights at South Pointe Park. I don't know if you remember that. And it became very controversial. I like the
idea of expanding Muscle Beach. I think it is one of the most positive activations that we have in this, in the direction of health and wellness tha our city is moving in and by. By the
way, I just got back from Tallahassee. Everyone is talking about the direction our city is going in, and I think this entire commission should feel very proud of that. Having said
that, I always get concerned about putting corporate names on our public assets, even if it comes through a contribution to
improve those areas. So that's something I just will be hesitant about. When we had her with the convention center, I think it was one of my first meetings that they were
considering an item to, to the convention center. I don't know if they wanted to call it Royal Caribbean. That's what it was. The Royal Caribbean, Norwegian,
Norwegian or Norwegian. It was one of the cruise lines. They wanted to do a sponsorship of the convention center. The community came out very loudly
against putting putting a name on one of our public assets. So that's not something I would be inclined to support. I just want to say that for purposes of transparency, but we have a lot
of people that do business in this city that do commit to doing public benefits, who might be willing to make a public benefit contribution to expand
this park without having to brand it in their favor or or have some sort of, you know, naming rights tied to it. And that's something that we should explore. We'll look into the
most tasteful thing and then we'll get back to you. I'm open ended on this no preconceived notion of where this comes out. I just, you know, we'd be silly to sit here and just say, okay, we're going to find a few
million dollars at the end of this year for the budget. So I like Commissioner Suarez's idea about the fitness equipment being donated. If we're going to do a paddle court, maybe get one of the local operators, they put their name on it, they don't
operate it. But it's, you know, the reserve courts because there's so much foot traffic there, whatever it could be. Yeah. We had somebody already interested in donating something to Loomis to the Muscle Beach. So we're just trying to work
out, you know, we're trying to work it out. Love those. Decision finance. Okay. Perfect. So. So we'll show Commissioner bought made the motion. And chair magazine is the second. All in favor. All right. Wait a
minute. Oh my goodness. You don't have the microphone I have it. Wait a minute. It's the Ghost of Christmas past. It's on. It is on. Okay, not that you
need a microphone, but I missed part of it, so. Excuse me, is this going out to bid? It's already a done deal. Is it done by Parks and Recreation? It's
just a it's just a discussion. Discussion at this point. What? It's just a discussion at this point. Oh it's going to be free for the residents of Miami
Beach. It's 100% because I have a problem. When you charge the residents of Miami Beach to use something in public land, no
matter if it's a paddle ball or and the. Setting, they want to make money and they want to make money at the expense of
residents of Miami Beach. And I have a big problem for that. I know that business now is more important than residents, but to me, the residents were always very important. Muscle beach
will always be as long as it's free, I'm okay with it. I don't even think it's something we would ever entertain. We would never in a million years contemplate that. Thanks. Thanks, Tom. Commissioner, we
have public comment. That's right. That's why you don't come. Commissioner, there's a public comment. Sure. To what is now? Larry Schaefer, please
unmute yourself. Larry. Going in five, four, three, two. Mitch
Novick, please unmute yourself. Hey good morning everybody. Interesting conversation. I want to give you a little history of
what was the ninth Street workout station. What bothers me or I what I believe the city got wrong with Muscle Beach as it's
name in Venice. It denotes often a tawdry place. And the name ninth Street Workout Station certainly provides where it's
located. And that's what it had been called for years. And going back a little further in the 80s, all that consisted of that
area was a pull up bar. Hurricane Arew knocked that down, and it wasn't until I contacted Lynn Bernstein, who was with Miami Beach Development
Corporation running the Ocean Drive bid at that time, that things morphed into what it is today. So if anything, I would
consider urge you to consider putting back the name the Ninth Street Workout Station, although in it just it it's special it or
at least in my mind it was special and I wouldn't write off naming rights. I think of the Casey Center, if you do it for a year or two, perhaps we could
get several hundred thousand dollars for a minimal size sign, and that might be something to generate revenue, because Lord
only knows how much we're paying and how much we're losing. Thank you. I areciate that, Mitch. And, you know, when I think we're all envisioning this, it's
not just that workout area. I think this is comprehensively along that entire Loomis Park, almost from fifth Street all the way to ninth or 10th Street. So perhaps we look at what we call
that comprehensive health and wellness area. But I think there's a motion on the table to move this along. We already voted already voted perfect. So
let's move on to maybe a similar item, something that I absolutely love. But then it just comes down to where are we going to find the funding for
it? And maybe we could think about things jusas unique. But OB five, the children's park on Lincoln Road. Commissioner Suarez, turn this over to you. Let me ask the item. OBE ob
five, discuss the desirability, feasibility and cost of constructing a children's park at the Euclid Circle on Lincoln Road. OB five. Good morning. David Gomes, director of capital
improvements for the city. This item has been around for a whil It actually was looked at as part of the original design for the Lincoln Road Improvement Project in 22, where the
designer for Lincoln Road looked at several options and made a couple of proposals. In November of last year, the facilities department came to the committee
and presented some options. As a result of that, we went back to the designer and asked them to reevaluate and look at potential locations as well as options.
They did do that. They prepared an analysis and a and a proposal or a recommendation. Their recommended location continues to be in the Euclid Avenue right
of way south of the existing oval, which also has the added benefit of being able to incorporate that without impacting the Lincoln Road project. So that can be done
separately or at a later time, however the commieiee feels is appropriate. And where would it start? Just south of the Euclid Circle, it would start essentially at the building line on the south side of Lincoln
Road, between there and the and the street. Do you have a visual? It was attached to the to the memo. I didn't bring a digital any way we could put it
up on the screen. So everyone can see. Is there a problem with this? Not mine. If you don't
have it in digital format. I didn't bring the digital. Okay. Well, I think we talked about this a while ago where, you know, we wanted to see a, a
world class park on, on Lincoln Road. I think it's a great idea if you're bringing your family. It's an attraction. You the families come there, they shop,
have their kids play. I think it'd be a great amenity to have. And I in particular in that area. It is there is issues
there with like homeless people eeping. And so I think, you know, if you have a park there, a, you know, there's a certain distance that, you know, f example, sex offenders can't be
next to a kids park. So we have a buffer. Now, if that was to go into place. The, the excuse me through the chair. The one detail I didn't provide is that
the consultant has provided an estimate of between 4 and $6 million for the playground. I love the idea. It's what I looked for when we did the RFP
is we have to face reality. People aren't going to travel to a commercial corridor just to go to forever 21 and The Cheesecake Factory anymore, right? So you need to bring experiences that are going to bring them there.
And then they essentially frequent our retail after that. And what better way to bring families than to have just an absolutely world class playground, or if they are just
as tourists and strolling down Lincoln Road? We need more experiences there because they're essentially dining and dashing, right? They eat and they leave. There's nothing to
do there. There's no experiences to live. When you look at the Design District, there's all types of kind of programing there that is also very esthetically pleasing as well, just enhances the entire appeal
of the area. So this is something I'm incredibly supportive of, but I do think that we kind of get bk into that same budget discussion. And, you know, can we find some
sort of dedicated revenue source for this where this isn't just a pie in the sky dream, you know, that gets kicked down every budget cycle for the next five
years. Through the chair. You know, this might be another great opportunity for Blue zones sponsorship. You know, you know, partnership with somebody who recognizes the value of this because it's getting kids out
and about and their families walking. And this may be another thing. I'm not saying this is the way to go, but this is something to sort of put in the blue zones bucket as, as
possible. Source of funding through the chair. So Jason, any ideas on possible sources of funding? Well, this would be something that would have to be
through the city's general fund or effectively, probably through the PayGo millage that we have. So the question I was going to have was, is this something that we want to turn to the
commission with a favorable recommendation to include? And it's really about a timing when we add when the administration adds a new capital project, we have a five year CIP, so new projects are added in the fifth
year and they move up for, you know, through consideration because there's projects that have lived and or do we want to move it to the top of the order and for it to be added as a capital project for
consideration of the 26 budget process? And do we want to make it a priority in the 26 budget process, which would obviously bump it up, you know, further up the list, you know, in the competition. So you could either
add it to the CIP, which would just add it into the fifth year of our capital improvement program, which is a standard best practice. Do we add it as a project to be considered during the 26 project program So I
think those are the two things that you you have in front of you. And then we go through the process to see where we could allocate, you know, appropriate funding. Yeah, I love it. And
perhaps, Commissioner Fernandez, I heard your words in Tallahassee that were much needed. And we're essentially
facing an issue here where we need to put our money where our mouth is, or else the state's going to do it for us. With being committed to providing residential housing. And we've
talked about the LDR on Lincoln Road, perhaps a public benefit of that could be funding for this park. I mean, yeah, we talk about the direction we're going
in as a city. We can help revitalize A dying or struggling commercial corridor. Tallahassee is going to swing
the pendulum much further the other way in doing so. And we could do it in a family friendly way where we're getting things like parks and playgrounds and health and wellness activation
and no micro-units. So if we want to be big boys and gals and make these decisions ourselves, we need to show that we have the fortitude to do so through the
chair. You made a good point. We're going to have. Well, assuming that it passes on Lincoln Road, a residential
upzoning, can we make it based on any new residential development? And maybe this is a question for the city attorney. They have to pay an impact fee
for certain CIP projects like this on Lincoln Road and before the city attorney, if I could. I love the idea. I actually went back and I watched, I think it was in October of 2016, and we
talk about the different direction we're taking as a commission. They actually added LDR to add hotels and no parking for office on Lincoln Road, right? We're actually doing
residential housing, but as part of that actually was some sort of almost ardent public places impact fee that would be paid here. We'd be looking for
something similar. I think we could work on potentially creating incentives for the creation of a public park, for example. I don't believe that it
would be appropriate to charge an impact fee in connection with with the legislation that that you all are discussing. But we can look into creating incentives, maybe as part of
that legislation to create public spaces, green spaces, etc. Let me ask a question, if I may, Mr. Chair. So when and it's a shame that that we don't have
our planning department here when applications are considered. Usually there's a review to see, you know, do they is there enough green space
available to accommodate this. Is there enough, you know, do the sewers have enough capacity to accommodate this and all that
type of stuff? Can can we have as we create these overlays for, for Lincoln Road East, Lincoln Road West, could we could we
have a as part of the overlay a park requirement that, you know, as we can build upon this as we provide green space. So you really can't maximize on the
zoning that we're creating for as long as you don't have enough green space so that we're creating the incentive for whoever comes forward to create
this or to use the zoning that they actually have to build that green space incentive. Right? An incentive, but not through an impact fee, but saying, and I
need the city attorney to be listening. And I'm sorry, because'm asking the city attorney a question. Sorry.
Commissioner, if as part of the zoning legislation, that the zoning can only be used as the green space is available, does
that make sense? Yeah, I think we're probably talking similar ideas that you're going to create incentives or provide the zoning will apply if you comply with certain green space
requirements. I think we're talking the same thing. So how do we position ourselves for this? Where are we allowed to say, I guess we don't want to
put the cart before the horse. You know, I think the best way to reall move this project 4 to $6 million is a lot. We're not going to be able to just come
out of thin air and fund it. I mean, our, our the values are shrinking as we as the chair said, can we assuming that
Lincoln Road East and West gets approved, can we have. A an open solicitation to developers to say, look, if you if you build
this, if you help fund this park or any or infrastructure, then you get an extra, I don't know,
0.25 F.a.r or maybe an extra floor, if I may, just to assist. And if I'm o, please, please let me know on this item about the park. Maybe what this is, is this returns to the commission
if a recommendation be included in our CIP, which we would put it in the fifth year, it can move at any time. And then there's it sounds like we're on another separate referral to land use. Land use is getting
some props today. So we just hear, hear Lincoln Road where you talk about the Lincoln Road, you know, incentives and things like you're talking about to help support parks. And maybe the city attorney thinks I'm off
here, but I think that that may be the best prudent approach on this item is to have this go. We added in the CIP so it lives in it. It exists. And then separately you have a referral
about how to fund that. Maybe through some of these incentives that you guys are talking about at land use. And I just want to be clear from my perspective what I'm just thinking, just because maybe I didn't describe it. Well, you know, the zoning
is providing, you know, maximum height, a maximum f.a.r, but you don't unlock the full potential of that height and far that we're approving until the green
space that is needed is, is available. You might have some extra height and far with the with the existing green space, but you don't get the full
amount of the green space is not unlocked until this. Until this, you know, green area is put in there. Yeah, I love it.
Commissioner Rosen. Gonzalez. I think before this can be approved, it has to have a referral back to the commission to go to the Historic Preservation Board so that they
can opine on this design, which is really iconic. Morris Lapidus, right there in the center of Euclid Circle. I have, you know, no problem making that referral. But that's why we have
the preservation board. That's really where it needs to go before we make any kind of opinion on this. And that's what we've always been as a community, is protecting our
iconic designers like Morris Lapidus. So I would like an opinion from the board prior to us making any other decision. So if I understand correctly, though, this isn't actually on
the circle. I think you got the feedback that that was the historic part, part of the master plan. Correct. So this is actually kind of over in the archery south of it, which actually brings in our good friend Mel while you're
chomping. Wanted to get here. Give me one second before we get to you, Mel. But I don't think, Commissioner Rosie Gonzalez that the. And that's why I wish we had the design renderings that
the Euclid circle is actually being affected here. I think Commissioner Suarez was he recognized the historic importance of that. So this will actually be shifted south into
that artery by the Lincoln Center. If I can, can I just opine one thing? You know, when you look at the Secretary of the Interior's definition of historic preservation, it has to
fit within the context. Now I have no problem approving something, but it's going to have to be a very special type st Art Deco park. And they might decide that that ruins the
context of the circle. So I just would like to get I think it's very important that we get that opinion prior to referring this. I mean, I don't have a vote here
on this committee, but I do know that at the full commission, I will ask for it to be referred to the Historic Preservation Board. I'll make that motion. I don't think it's or that friendly amendment. I don't think it's any way detracting
from what's going on here. I think it's just making sure it's compatible with the overall historic area. And while it's not technically a historic
Morris Lapidus structure per se, it is still contributing to that that that jewel of our city that it needs a little gussying up. And so why would we do something that doesn't complement it
doesn't have to be a recreation of anything, but it does have to be designed in a way that complements with an E, not an I it it's additive in its design
and expression to the vibe that's there. So it's not a way of derailing. It's a way of enhancing. If I can ask one question, I'm sorry. Through the chair, I believe that any
project that goes there has to go to the HPV anyways. By default, it's in a historic district, and I think whenever we make an enhancement to a park that's in a historic district,
it has to go to the HPV. So I think it's a moot point. If I could add on, they might say no. And so we might want to refer it to the HPV. And then as an
opinion before we move forward, I mean that's what I'm going to vote for at the full commission. And I think you've seen that Commissioner Bart also supports that. I don't know how the Commissioner Fernandez or
Commissioner Dominguez feels, but as a body, we should vote to refer it to the HPV, get their opinion, and have it come back to us, because that's the expert opinion, if I may, through the
chair, the HPV does not have an advisory process. So they are looking at actually 30% developed drawings. We're nowhere near that point. It would go through HPV as we develop drawings sometime in the
future once we find the funding if we can. And that's what I was trying to add in here, is as this motion is to be added to our capital improvement program,
which is in the fifth year. We're years awa from that process unless which then process wise, it would go to HPV. Wait, I'd like to ask the city attorney, does the HPV not have an advisory process?
Because throughout my political career, we have referred items to the HPV to get their opinion. So I don't really understand where that's coming from, if I may, through the chair. DRB does
have an advisory process, and that's mostly used for public works projects and right of way projects. The HPV does not have an advisory process process.
Through the DRB process, they would make a recommendation. It would come back to commission. Commission would elect to either accept those recommendations or overrule them. With HPV, that
process doesn't exist. How can we vote on a location without actually asking the HPV if they approve of that location within the context of the historic district, if I may, through the
chair, I, I have seen at least one instance in the recent past where the Land Use Committee referred a matter to the HPV for an advisory opinion. So with
with respect to. Reaching out to Mr. Gomez, I do believe that the HPV can provide an advisory opinion if that's the will of the body. Yeah. Mel, do you want
to speak? Good morning. Thank you. Yes. Yeah. It's also I'm not at all comfortable sometimes coming before the commission opposing anything. I much prefer
to, as a member of this community to be here to support. To support incentives. And I do appreciate the, the wor and the intention that the members of
the commission have to deal with the issues on Lincoln Road. Let me go back if I can, just a bit. There was during the I think it
was the reign of Mayor Bauer. I came up with the idea of creating a plaza on the extension of Euclid Avenue, which was at that time a truck
stop in front of the Lincoln Center. The building that I created there, that was originally a 66 room hotel. When myself and my partners purchased the building, it was a little
more than a slum. Eventually, we completely reconfigured the building into steel and concrete and made it into an office structure. It is now quite a remarkable building, and we have
a significant art gallery there and some very, very interesting and young businesses there that are tend to do very well, even as a office building. I
originally had a deal with the city where I would be putting in the myself, and Jmac development would be managing the development, which we did, and we were going to do a 50,
basically a 5050 deal over the development period. It turned out that actually we put in somewhere near 70 to 75% of the
cost of developing that plaza. The agreement that I had of Mayor Bauer at the time was that nothing go on that plaza, except
for the landscaping and the design. The architects that designed the black and white at that time, concrete would remain
as just a plaza. And accordingly, I agreed in the agreement. And it's in our agreement with the city that there would be in the city, I think, passed a resolution.
There would be no use of any type of commercial development there, and there certainly would not be any type of a use for outdoor cafes. And we lived with that and agree to that at the
time, with the expectation that the building would be utilized. Of course, as we did, that there would be no room there and there would be no allowance of anything on the plaza in order
to keep it as a plaza. In order to enhance the building itself. As a result, I also just to show where things go, I put in an
extra $100,000 into the deal to have colored concrete poured into the lines that we did there. We were very exotic stripes, and instead of some sort of stripes, they were
movements in the in the ground that the architect designed. And I insisted that we use colored concrete, black concrete and white concrete so it would never have to be painted, and all it would have to be would be sealed
over periods of time. Well, that didn't last too long, because the first time that the city had the opportunity to seal it, they used a seal with a pigment. And if you look at the street now, it looks awful. So this is the
kind of because it was never really properly taken care of. And although I insisted not to use the pigment, not to use the color, they did it anyway. And if you take a look at it now for offline, I'm just trying to give
you a little bit of background. I'll get to the. The point is that that let's wrap up okay. I also am a member of the board of the of the bid and spent many
years creating it. The bid was never and this is a personal matter. This is not coming from the bid itself, but I just am a member of the board. I would have liked to have seen this
design, and I'd like to have dealt with this design and my colleagues and stakeholders on the street, I think, should also be a part of it 100%. You will be right. I mean, this is conceptual that we're moving
forward. Your stakeholders, both property owners and on the Lincoln Rd bid, you're not going to wake up tomorrow. And we have the playground equipment out there. This is it's not funded. This is a conceptual
design. We're going to include the this is going to stop at the HPB and get stakeholder involvement. But if you go up to the design district and things like that, it'd be hard to argue that that the playground
equipment there does anything other than be. I'm commissioner, I'm not sure we can identify Lincoln Road with the design district. There are other there are other. We spent hundreds of
thousands of dollars to have a desiter come in. James Connor came in and designed its street to enhance Lincoln Road. We haven't done anything yet. The
circle has not been activated at all. In accordance with the James Connor Project. It hasn't just hasn't been done yet. And here we are working on other things when we should be concentrating on finishing what we already created. If you want
to see Lincoln Road succeed, there's two things you have to do. First of all, do the James Connor Project, the center that he created for Lincoln Road Circle should be activated. It
should be done. And quite frankly, the second thing is to expedite the necessity to expedite the permitting processes on Lincoln Road. I think Troy from the Washington
Avenue Bid just mentioned it. That is the issues the park is. And then we're going to move on with this, because I think we're just beating a dead horse here. We're going to move this along
with a favorable recommendation. And I believe that before anything would ever move forward, we'd have to stop before the HPB. So we're kind of talking in circles here if I can the close. This is Commissioner
Buck real quick. Sorry. So, David, offline, it doesn't have to be now, but can you provide an update as to where we are with the James Corner Comber project that is supposed to be
done? Is it a Geo Bond? Where are we in it? It doesn't have to be here now, but we definitely need to have an update on that very, very quickly. The connector streets are already under contract. That's Meridian and Drexel the main spine for
Lincoln Road. We're supposed to be going out to bid in May with award in October. Excellent. Okay. Okay. So. Esmé has a few
things to say about this. This project. So I would like to move about with the staff at HPB, which is already baked in, correct, as part of the design process, but want that input
before we put it on the on the capital projects. We can do that as well with that friendly amendment. It's a it's a different conversation if I can. So I think the nuance here is
would it go at its appropriate time, which might be five years from now when the design is being done, or is this to include a current referral to the HPB for an advisory opinion? That's fine. I'll be completely
up front about where I stand. I spoke at the North Beach PTA two weeks ago. I spoke my daughter goes to South Point. They go, what the hell is happening with Lincoln Road? What is happening?
Why can't we visit there anymore? I'm not going to go there and say, you know what? We tried putting a world class playground there, but the HPB said, nope, sorry, not on Lincoln Road. I'm not going to
happen. I don't believe they're going to. I'm just saying I and it's a recommendation. It's not binding. Right. That's that's what I'm saying is I'll, I'll just forecast what my decision
there will be and maybe they might come up with something that's an even better use of space that we haven't contemplated, because that's what ty do. I don't think anybody is suggesting that we're
not going to do something purely based on one board's recommendation, their advisory boards, but they're but because they're advisory boards, let's use their expertise and get some input. And then we will take
that into consideration along with everything else. This is not a hidden maneuver to try to thwart anything. No, I'm not saying you this is this is a goal to make it as good as it
can possibly be,nd maybe in ways that none of us he are even contemplating. And that's perfect. Perfect, Mr. Chair. So let's let's move this along. I just have a question about that.
The process right now is we have a 3060. And what what's the other percent for the new project? Yeah. For the playground. Yeah. We would we would do a 30, 60, 90% review
30, 6090. Yeah. Once we go through that process. Right. So, so once this is 30% designed, which is still pretty conceptual. Correct. The submittal to the formal
submittal to HPB would be at a 30% level. So but at that point there's still opportunity to do changes to the design. Yes sir. Okay. And I think I think what's
important to remember is, you know, ultimately it's a city commission that decides what around there and that type of
stuff that but, you know, the HPB gives their input as to, okay, this this design, is it appropriate within this, this area and all that. I don't want
the HPB to have a chilling effect on our decision to place a children's play area or anything like that on Lincoln Road. I think that's the
jurisdiction of the City Commission, and that's why I like the process that we have in place that at the 30% design stage, it goes to the HPB and
the HPB at that point reviews it, notwithstanding that, Mr. Attorney, assuming that this is an issue that the HPB is concerned about without there
having to be a referral to the HPB, couldn't the HPB make a motion to have their own discussion if they wanted to have a discussion about it and make a motion, recommendation
to the city Commission if they felt so inclined, okay. Mr. Attorney, the HPB could certainly do that. If the HPB is aware of this plan. Okay, so, so
I think I think that gives everyone a fair opportunity. It gives us our job. We're seeing the city beyond the optics of just historic preservation.
We're seeing the city in the optics of economic development. We're seeing the city in providing services for families and making sure that we have adequate green spaces available. We're seeing it through many
different optics that the Historic Preservation Board is not looking at it from. But there is that opportunity for that at the right time for them to come in to chime in with
their expertise. And that, I think is, is what's important. So thank you, Mr. Chairman. And through the chair, I totally echo that concern. I mean, I
think I don't want to get into the habit of, of having the electeds who were elected by Miami Beach residents stifled by a non-elected board. I think at
the I think we have a process in place where at 30%, they they are more than welcome to chime in. They can chime in at any point, apparently. So I'm not going to be in favor of look,
this is going to be a multi-year project. I don't need we don't need to delay it even further. So it's up to the rest of my colleagues if they would. But I'm not going to be supportive
of a referral to the HPB. If I can add one thing, I would just like to add that there shouldn't be any fear behind an additional public hearing. I think that public hearings allow people to weigh in, and given the fact that Mills building happens to
be right there, at least give him the opportunity to go in front of the HPB and say, if not this location, where else? And what do you think of it? And what can we do to make it
better? I don't think that this is any attempt to thwart anything. All it is, is allowing for an there shouldn't be any fear. Don't be afraid, okay? This is not about killing a public park. It's simply about
allowing for andditional public hearing, which is, by the way, what we have traditionally always done encourage public input. I know that bothers some,
some, some of us, but it really shouldn't. It really shouldn't. And by the way, they're the people that are appointed to the HPB are only looking at it through that lens. And, you
know, and the fact that we're even saying that the HPB can't be an advisory board is very, very frightening to me, Mr. Gomez, that you even said that
because that's just not true. But but what point of order? Because we're saying no, you know. So anyway, I'm not voting right now here, but I don't think a public hearing is a bad
thing. Okay, we're going to wrap this up. But Mr. Chair, the city attorney just mentioned that the Historic Preservation Board can most certainly issue an advisory
opinion if they so choose. They don't need us. Imagine if we set the precedent that their opinion only comes when it when it's because the city Commission is asking for it. I think it's
within all the board's jurisdiction that if something is within their concern, they can issue an advisory opinion within the area of scope of their committee. We don't need
to do a referral. That's like almost saying you need to have permission from the city Commission in order to give an advisory opinion on an issue they can give an advisory opinion on at any point. And I
think the city attorney has made that very clear. Yeah. And this isn't going to not stop at the HPB. That's part of the process. Correct? Correct. Okay. So let's move this forward. We'll remain
with the process. If the HPB wants to issue some sort of advisory opinion, they are more than happy to do so. So if I have nothing to put in front of them so I can we'll show Commissioner Suarez making a
motion to return to commissioner with a favorable recommendation to include the South of Euclid Circle children's playground in the city's five year capital improvement program. Perfect. I
second okay, all in favor? Aye, aye. Shall we? None opposed. Pass three. Nothing. Thank you. Can we hear RnB 23? Is that what
you're here for, Madam Mayor? I'm sorry. I'm reading about this issue. Yeah. What was it? RnB 23. She doesn't know the MVP
item.h, I'm sorry, I forgot to put my hearing aids. So you got to go. Are you here for the mdpl item? Yes, if I can, 23. Because
otherwise I'll be talking. And then that's why I don't come. It's exactly why I'm taking it. Now. I want to get you on with your day. Which is exactly where I'm taking this now, okay. Well,
M 23 discuss conflicts of interest, ethical concerns re mdpls multiple roles, and b 23. And listen, I'm sure this is a discussion that could range on
all day. It'd be great if we're able to wrap this up by 1155. If that's feasible. Let's try and, you know, get on with it. Have all sides heard? Commissioner
Suarez, turn this over to you. I don't believe I'm going to be able to finish this in ten minutes, but I will do my best. Nine minutes I would like to
know, is anyone from Mdpl present? I am great, I am. Do you want to? Good morning. My
name is Nina Weber and I'm vice chair of the board of Mdpl. Okay. Is as Daniel Giraldo is
ill and lost his voice. And he is also has resigned as the executive director of Mdpl. Okay. Thank you. I understand he
resigns effective at the end of the month 31st. Correct? Correct. Okay, so I'm sorry. So.
Has he resigned or ever. Yes or yes or is he forever? Yes. So you are not taking him back if he loses his campaign. Correct.
Okay. Okay. So. Okay. Thank you. So I want to first start out you can have a seat. Do you want me to sit down? Yeah, I have a presentation. I mean, you're more than welcome to stand up.
All right? I just wanted to just start with a thought. If you don't mind. That's okay. I'll present. And then you're more than welcome to speak. Okay? Okay. Thank you. I mean, the only thing. If you don't mind, I
have the floor. I'm speaking, and I have a presentation. I'd like the inspector General's here. A lot of people are watching, and they'd like to see what I have to say. So, you
know, first of all, I want to start off by saying I value historic preservation. Okay? Almost every night I walk
Flamingo Park from my house in Meridian down to south of fifth, and I. I truly love the architecture. I like that we're not a cookie cutter city. I like
that the buildings that I see there now were built in the 40s, and it's a marvel. It's like walking down a museum of a city
every day. Every night. It's something to cherish. And frankly, that's why I decided to call Miami Beach home. And I
think Mdpl in its truest form, does good. Okay. I think your mission is valuable and that it
serves a great purpose for the city of Miami Beach. Unfortunately, I think under your past executive's
leadership, there has been many ethical concerns and conflicts of interest that have been raised. And so I, I want to make
sure that I delineate between the Mdpls mission and certain people in your or was recently, up until yesterday, leadership.
Okay. And I think that's important. And I think, you know, I don't want to come off combative. Okay. And I think the issues and the concerns that I'm
going to raise to you and Lynette, you, you should pay attention to because I think there are there are certainly glaring issues where moving
forward, you don't fall into that trap because I want Mdpl to succeed. I don't want you, your organization, to be tainted
actions of just a few. So with that, let me let me pull up the slideshow. PJ, can you put up my presentation, please? Okay. So
you can go to next slide. So Mdpl has special status okay. They're a nonprofit 500 and 1C3. They have the visitor center.
They have certain city privileges. They are guaranteed Preservation Board, which we were just talking about. They have special standing while
other organizations would not to actually appeal HPB decisions. They receive grants from the city, hundreds of thousands of
dollars. They also get in-kind donations and iTunes, probably millions of dollars from the city for basically free rent thatndperates the visitor
center. The leadership, the executive director engages the commissioners on policy decisions both in public and in private, and including real
estate development. And it has a unique status where it combines. It's a nonprofit and it's a contractor, and it has advocacy
roles with elevated influence on on our city preservation boards. Okay. Next slide please. One of the issues that I saw that I
realized when I, when I was researching how many times your executive director came to us and I want to I want you to take
a lo at that graph in 2014. Up until 2019, there was a series of registered items to be registered for lobbyint And
then in 2020 through 2025, there was only a total of 17 times that he registered to lobby for
before the HPB or before any items. Okay. And then when I did the research, when I literally looked at all the videos of the
HPB planning board, there was over 180 separate items and he failed to register on those. Now there is no registration fee,
but even a nonprofit you have to register to lobby on an item. Okay. And so PJ, can you go to the next slide please? These are all the appearances of only HPB.
And this is not including the Commission or the DRB. This is only the HPB and the Planning Board. And where I have the yellow is the only sections where or the only items. Excuse
me that he registered to lobby. Next slide please. And then you can go to the next slide. And you can go to the next slide. And you go to the next slide.
And you go to the next slide and the next slide. So you can see that there were many instances where your executive director
came before our zoning boards and failed to register as a lobbyist. And under City Code 2-4 82, any person who seeks to influence a decision of the city
commission or administration must register as a lobbyist. It's strictly in our code. And,
you know, there's Been a lot of issues lately with the registering to lobby. They were lobbying and they were getting
paid through a settlement agreement. So and he even says even if the executive director represents a 501 C3 advocating for or against city action,
especially tied to development use is lobbying. And so failing to register is a violation of the lobbying ordinance and undermines transparency, especially since Mdpl receives
public grants and in-kind donations. So if you can go to the next slide, please. Okay. Another issue that I that was actually brought to my attention
through a public, a citizen, a resident, okay, they did a public records request for all the contributions that Mdpl
received, since I think it was 2020. Okay. And what I found very, very startling was a lot
of the payments that were received or quote unquote, contributions were from developers. Developers contributing before projects
were were opined by Mdpl. And I'm not sure if you're aware of that, but I have some case studies here that I'd like to go over. But before I do that, you know, why do I think that's a
conflict of interest, where developers and lobbyists are contbuting thousands of dollars, tens of thousands of dollars to your organization before a project is presented? I
think that's a huge conflict of interest. So Mdpls dual status of both the city vendor and a grant recipient intensifies the need for disclosure and recusal
mechanisms. Advocacy for contributors without transparency is undisclosed lobbying because I don't believe that Daniel Ciraldo has ever
disclosed that he's gotten a contribution from this. The project vendor who may be presenting. And I'll go over a couple of case studies so you
can see. And let's go to the next slide, please PJ okay, so the issue one of the issues I have is Mdpl receives city funds
in kind, grants and grants in terms of hard dollars while engaging in advocacy before the city commission. So we don't
know if the funds that we give Mdpl are used for lobbying. Okay. So you can imagine that we're giving hundreds of thousands of dollars, millions
also in kind in basically free rent. And that money is being funneled to your executive director, who then lobbies us on on legislative matters and not
only us, but the zoning boards. Next slide please. So there's no disclosure, unfortunately, as of now, where if Mdpl or the
executive director or through the executive director receive these funds, that they there's no transparency in saying that there was a payment made and now
we take a position. So next case study is Ike and this isect the digital kiosk that I know. One of my colleagues was very
much against when this was presented because it looked like sidewalk clutter. Right. And believe it or not, Mdpl had a position against Ike. And this
digital billboard that was going to be presented everywhere. But in November 13th, 2023, Ike donated $5,000 to Mdpl and then
just under under a month, Mdpl publicly changed its position on Ike's digital kiosk information. And then I mean that to me, when
I see a $5,000 donation made and then Mdpl changes their positio. One month after less than a month, I think that is it's
reason to concern. And it doesn't even stop there. Manager Matthew Galganov then registers as a lobbyist for Ike in March
of 12th of 2024. And then in October the same year in 2024, you get another $5,000. So that's to me, I, I started to
think, well, maybe there maybe there's something here that really needs to be discussed openly and transparent. If you go to the next slide please, PJ so that was November 13th, 2023.
There was a $5,000 donation. Next slide. And this just shows where Mdpl has changed their position on December 12th. You
know, one month after they received the $5,000 donation. Next slide please. And this is where one of your other employees, Matthew Godunov,
actually registered as a lobbyist for Ike. And then receives o subsequent $5,000 donation. Next slide please.
Okay. You don't have to go through this. You don't have to go through this video PJ. You can go next. So here's another case study. So the National Hotel if I could because I'm pressed on time I announced I
have to leave at 1215. I want to hear this out. Where do you want to take this? Is it going through? I just want to finish. I just need five more minutes. So there's going to be back and
forth and things like that. Yeah, well, I'd still like to finish my presentation, if that's okay with the chair. If we can. Five minutes we get
where we're going with this. If we could speed through November 8th, the National Hotel donates $5,000 to Mdpl. And the same
year, a couple of months later, Mdpl meets with the adjacent neighbor. Between there's a dispute between the National and the Ritz-Carlton, and all of a
sudden there is a position against the Ritz from Mdpl. Okay. And then another $5,000
donation is made. Okay, next case study, please. And next slide. And this is a little bit more concurrent for the next case study. Next slide please.
This is the Deauville. This is what's happening right now in September 9th of 2024. Terra
Group donates $5,000 to Mdpl. Just a couple of months later, Mdpl goes on record favoring the project and in in literally in
on the Miami Herald says this project is going to be even better than than the Deauville. Okay. And you can go to the next
slide. Okay. You know, is it Urbanistically? This new project was maybe even better than the original. It's one minute accolades on the proposal as
well. Okay. We go nex? slide PJ so again a donation is made. Position is either changed or or made in favor of it okay. Next
slide please. And so you know you could you could you could pause the slideshow for the sake of time PJ. So when I see that
there's a failure to register as a lobbyist okay. For the last five years and there's only 12 instances and then but there's over there's like almost 200
different items that he's appeared before HPB and Planning Board and commission. I think that's a huge problem. I think that violates our, our, our
lobbying laws. And then when I see developers and lobbyists paying mdpl and those positions
are somehow affected, I think that's a huge problem. Now, now, listen, your organization is more than welcome to receive contributions. Correct? I don't
see any issue with that. But the issue that that I certainly have is that Mdpl has certain special status with Miami Beach. Through
our resiliency code. You have seats on our board, you have appeal rights. And to me, I
think it's frightening to know that you're getting city funds and you're getting funds from developers when projects are
actually in play. I think that's a huge conflict of interest. And I think, look, I understand Daniel Giraldo resigned
yesterday, okay. Which is curious to know that right before this meeting. Like I said before, I think this is I don't
know if you knew about any of this. Okay. I think there there are certainly issues of transparency and disclosure that
is not being applied here. But when I see. Developers, you know, contributing just months before projects are being opined
on from your board and from your executive director, I think that it doesn't look good. And I don't want that to happen to Mdpl, because I do love your organization and I do, and I and
I stand for what you guys believe in. And like I said, I think unfortunately, with your past leadership, it has gone awry. And, and by the way, I'm
not the only one that feels that way. Okay. And I think you can hear from, you know, even our, our former mayor, who was a
founding member of Mdpl, she has serious reservations on how Mr. Giraldo has really run your organization, because I don't
want it to be tainted the way it has been up until this point. So look, I'd love to hear some feedback. I'd love to hear some comments and see, you know,
where this lands, because I don't think moving forward, this is a transparent way. Okay. How our city should be dealing with
zoning matters, especially with an organization that has such special and literally superpower abilities to appeal and influence our, our decision
making. And Commissioner, what are you what are you kind of envisioning from today? Is this just a discussion to have further dialog back and forth,
some sort of motion or. Well, essentially with new leadership here for a working relationship? That's what I'd like to propose that we are going to have new
leadership. We are now in transition, and we can also work with you in setting the guidelines for who we can take
contributions from, and how we can always put our best foot forward as a lobbyist when needed. And I just wanted to
just say, as I share you at 30, I lived on Ocean Drive for 32 years, and I treasure it as well. And we're all in the
process right now in trying to rebrand Ocean Drive as really a Mecca for historic and heritage tourism, and I envision mdpl,
you know, being the cornerstone for that and a hub of the community. And we want to work with the Commission to make it as such. Yeah. I just want to
say, as a person who respects numbers as I do, I get the implications. You've done a thorough job of your homework. I
don't rnow, as someone that if a position could be influenced by a $5,000 donation, you certainly couldn't buy my support for
$5,000 or any organization I chair for 5000. You know, maybe 500,000. We could start talking, but these are very little amounts of money. That doesn't
mean I sanction this behavior. I want to be clear, and I think I'm not directly involved. The thing about Mdpl is we're a very
complex organization because we have the museum, we run the tours, we have the visitor center that hosts people coming in, and we have advocacy as
which which these concerns are about. I'm not on advocacy. I work with the museum and exhibits, but I think you brought an important point. We
have to take a closer look because the optics are not good. And, you know, but I think the numbers are small. I don't think those influenced opinions. But
we should make sure that there are connections are noted. And I also noted that where Mr. Giraldo did. Register, all of
the ones you highlighted in yellow were. Yes. When he registered as a lobbyist with the ones you showed pages where he lobbied but did not register,
all the ones that were blue was no. So perhaps what we can do is when new leadership is in place. I welcome this discussion to be furthered at the Finance
Committee in plotting out a new path forward together. One thing that kind of gives me pause, and this has nothing to do with any individual, and it's just my initial thought I'm not stuck to
it is, you know, an organization receiving significant amount of taxpayer money, then turning around and lobbying us. It just seems like it should be one or the other. But I'm happy to talk through some of those issues.
Not now, but as we kind of bring this back to the Finance Committee and plot out a better path forward. Commissioner Barta, I'll hand it over to you and Madam Mayor, if you want to speak as well. I'd like to.
Yeah. So just for those listening who may not know, since it wasn't illuminated in the presentation, the way Mdpl works is, as Lynette alluded and
Nina alluded, it is a very complex organization. And so there are different committees that do different things. And the advocacy group meets as a group. It's three, four, five,
six people, depending on the year of how many people are involved. Some people aren't even on the board of Mdpl, but they're still part of the advocacy committee, and they get presentations on on the
projects, and they weigh the merits of the projects. And as a group, they make a recommendation, they formulate an opinion and make a recommendation. So the
recommendation is. From the advocacy group the tentative at the meeting to share that opinion. But it doesn't have. So
that's just how it works. And I want to make sure that that is plainly understood. Second of all, there is a clear concern
that I share. I have I am not denigratinghe issues raised, but I want to be transparent. I want it to be. I want the issues to be transparent, that the
organization has been under fire multiple times over the last decade, and has almost been run out of town successfully in the last five years or so. And so I
want to be sure that as we go forward, we allow people who are putting together a new structure with a new management and a new
vision on how to move forward, give them the opportunity to do the correct thing. For instance, under the previous chairman of
the board, who has not been on the board for years, things were not handled veryell from a financial perspective. When he
was forced off the board, which triggered a whole bunch of drama that almost ran mdpl out of town when Mdpl was safely
reconstituted, the first thing that was done was to bring the financials up to snuff in the best possible way. Forensic accounting, three years of audits, everything. I can't even remember the details. It's all
out in the public, so there's nothing. There is a lot of very good work that has been done in terms of getting the organization to where it needs to be. It has also grown in its
impact and import in the city dramatically from a number of concerned citizens and residents, opining to an organization that has a lot of money moving through it for Art
Deco weekend. And there was somebody who passed away who bequeathed an enormous gift for Mdpl, which is a game changer. There was a it was all legit. He
was dead. He wasn't lobbying for anything there. There was fundraising. And I believe it continues t Hhelp fund the new museum, because the city would
match funds that were fundraised for the new museum. So it's gone from being sort of this little band of activists to a big
organized 501 C3 that now has many more functions than it has had in years past, and sometimes leadership isn't always, as you
well know, my friends in business and finance, we've all been involved in startups. Sometimes the person who starts the organization is not the person to lead it into the next chapter. And I believe that with
all that Daniel has done, that is good for the organization. It is time for a transition, and the new leadershi A will enable this organization to grow into
its role more fully, more properly doing things the way it now demands, because the scrutiny on it, because it is in a different role than it used to be. And I think that is a very
valid conversation. I just want to separate though the perception that anything MDP Mdpl does is bad and corrupt, because that is not true and I
will never support that. And I would even go so far as to say that I don't believe anything that Daniel did. And I don't know because I'm not Daniel, but I think he is acting was acting
in what he thought was the best capacity for the organization and in some cases incorrectly, but not for any personal gain other than furthering the
mission of the organization. So I wanted to put that on the record, because I know there are a lot of people who have a lot of feelings one way or the other, and I want to make sure
that that this is a more fulsome discussion, and I really appreciate the opportunity to have everyone come back in a couple of months. When your new leadership is hired, hopefully
somebody from with much broader experience, from a bigger organization that can really take Mdpl where it is now, which is already significantly elevated from where it has been, and bring it into the 21st
century in the best possible way. Thank you. Commissioner Fernandez. Could I say one thing? I think you that you've raised some issues that the board could consider voting on,
like should we accept donations from developers? I didn't know we were. Obviously, I have the right to examine you didn't know you guys were accepting donations from developers? No.
And it's I work in the museum and the redoing of the museum, but I'm just saying there are issues we could address on procedural issues that the board
can make definitive decisions on how we want to go forward. And personally, I'll keep a closer eye on the donations we do receive. I have access, but I
don't look at them individually. What the money we get that's I'm not the treasurer, nor am I an advocacy committee, Madam Mayor. And I think that's the problem. And I think that we used to have
that in place. And when Daniel came in, it changed. Not only did it change, but they changed the bylaws that only them can
select who comes in and who doesn't come in. And so I agree that the board and I was going to ask that question. Does the
board votes on the on even if it's after the fact, on the, on the projects that are supported
by Mdpl. And if they don't, they should because you need the board is the heart of the community, and it's the heart of
the preservation. And if the board is kept divided and she's in the museum and she's in, I forgot already. Whatever it is,
and I am in some place else that divide and conquer comes in and in. In the meantime, whoever is executive director is the one
pulling the strings on everybody around them. So I want to first clarify that I am here in support of Mdpl as an
organization, and that if anything happens to try to destroy that core organization that has other people say they
did it, but was the one that started the redevelopment of Miami Beach, particularly South Beach, that then went all to
Miami Beach. I will be front running this against I have never and I'm putting it on the record. Clearly liked Daniel.
Daniel broke the organization because he wanted to paid $116,000 at the very beginning, which I don't remember what year
that was, because I that's why I keep young. I don't remember the years passes, but that was a lot of money that we knew other
people because I was not in the organization. We knew Mdpl could never sustain because I don't think we paid it with all the
other money. Now you have an organization that is complicated, that was run for over 25 years, 30 years. I don't
remember that either. And it had our deco weaken. It had the store, it had the walking tour. It had additional so that we could give out and they can
walk. Wo had all the same things that they have. The only thing that has happened is that Daniel loves to do events. And so now
the organization has become an event person. He sends a band here. He he publishes all the events in Miami Beach and puts
it in the mdpl. I believe that if he's out, I ask the question, as long as it's permanently. I think that the way of getting into Mdpl should. We had a
process that if members came in and nominated a person from the street, whoever that person was, it would get considered. That was taken away because that's
how we were doing it to get into it. And so it became a closed organization, whoever he could control. And he can only control it by the divide and conquer.
They need to know the finances. I don't understand how a board could be an actual board if they're telling me to lower my voice. I'm not yelling. I'm just
passionate about this. You are much more liberal about the use of the microphone on that side than you are on Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club, and so I think
that's the first step is good. I am only very sorry that he's running for commission because if he gets on the dais, he will do the same thing here. He will
do the same thing because that's his modus operandi. So for Mdpl,
I have advice. How could you not look at the finances? We get the finances. I'm not saying, but I look at every donation. Yeah, well, from now on maybe you
should, but I am here to support Mdpl. For the record, the finances are in excellent shape. Our our the chairman of the board, Joel Levine, is focused
on this. Not every member focuses on every item. So Lynette may be focusing on the women's history and other people are on the finance committee. There is a whole finance
committee. I invite anybody to go look for the, you know, requests the finances and you'll you'll see that they are impeccable. Yeah. Commissioner, this is not the first time. I'm
just. Please, please. This is not the first time I have complained about this. I have complained to a variety of people. I'm sorry. I didn't
think of the inspector general because I'm not there. That mean? But I like to fix the problem for Mdpl. Thank you, Commissioner Fernandez. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I thank you,
Madam Mayor. And to Nina and Lynette for your volunteer service. I want to begin by recognizing the Miami Design Preservation League for its historic and undeniable
contributions to our city. For nearly 50 years, Mdpl has served as a cultural steward and as a voice for preservationists in
our community, when perhaps that did not exist, playing a leading role in saving and celebrating the iconic Art Deco historic district that has helped make
Miami Beach famous around the world. Thanks to Npl's efforts dati back to Barbara Capitman and a group of determined volunteers like Maddie that were
chaining themselves up to buildings. And I think, Nina, you may have been there as well. Back in the 70s, our city didn't bulldoze its past. Instead, we
honored it. We protected it. We built an economy around it. And the league's advocacy has helped secure the district's placement on the National Register of
Historic Places in 1979 and created a foundation for cultural tourism that continues to benefit us all to this day. And I've seen as as we've
mentioned in the past, it's important work of even against the Resiliency and Unsafe Structures Act that was going after our collection of Art Deco
buildings. The league's advocacy in Tallahassee was instrumental in helping us in our fight to exempt that from from from preemption. They've educated
millions through their museum, through the historic walking tours, through the Art Deco weekends, and they've trained local artists. They itilled
civic pride in our built environment, their record of preservation is next to none and is commendable, and it is indeed
historic itself. None of that good can exempt any organization, no matter how
storied, no matter how beloved. From questions of accountability and from questions of transparency. Today, we're not
questioning Mdpls contributions. Those are undeniable. I think we are examining whether its recent financial relationships comply
with our ethical standards, and I don't think just ethical standards of today is I think of the community as well. And I think we owe it to our residents
to ensure that all charitable organizations, not just mdpl engaging in the political discourse or even getting having
operating agreements to manage facilities that they that, that, that they do. So transparency when they're soliciting funds that they do it ethically when
they're soliciting funds, that they do it without a presumption he impropriety. So this is not a moment about canceling the past. I think we celebrate everything
that Mdpl has done. And I think this is a moment that is a moment of unity, not, to quote our Chairman Joe magazine, but I think the unity here is that
there's a desire from both sides. The sponsor of this of this item, Commissioner Suarez, wants to make sure that donations don't influence the
advocacy. And I see from the board leadership that's present before us today a desire to work together on policies to make
sure that Mdpl doesn't stop operating, that it continues operating into the future, upholding the highest levels of ethics, appearances that ma sure that advocate for historic
preservation and for the good of the community without the influence of any contributions from entities that have business. Before our land use
boards, I do have to say that this might sound corny. I got teary eyed, you know, seeing the contributions to like from Ike.
And then after Ike made a contribution that then the position changed. That to me was heartbreaking. Why? Because I
trust the integrity of the organization. I formed difficult decisions that were unpopular based on the opinion that we get
from these advocacy organizations, because we trust the advocacy organizations, we trust the volunteers and the advocacy organizations to be
taking positions that are in the best interest of the community. And when I see that there was a contribution, and then right after the contribution, the
position changed and that I based my position and my decision in part, trusting in the integrity of the
organization, that to me, it was personal. It's personally heartbreaking to me because I trust people and I want to always think the best of people
and the people are coming forward, and especially taking these positions in the best inrest of the public. So, Nina and Lynette, I want to thank you both for coming forward, not in
a combative spirit, but in the spirit of collaboration, so that we make sure that there is a future for mdpl, a future of advocacy, a future of preservation, but doing it in a
way that any contribution is a is of the highest levels of transparency and ethics and maybe deciding, do we want to continue getting taxpayer support? Or and if we do, maybe
then we forfeit any developer support whatsoever. And I think that that should be the policy. If you get taxpayers dollars, we're not going to be getting dollars from entities that do
development or business in the city, because that's the standards that we govern ourselves by. Also, as elected officials when we go out to our campaigns. So thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you. So just in the
interest of time, can we say we're going to have you back in this committee in three months when you have new leadership in place, and I don't know if three months is going to be the right
timing in terms of how long it's going to take us to then get new leadership. So I just can't put a time frame on it for something like that. Yeah. Whether it's
three months, four months, five months, six months, I want to give you your form to come back and work collaboratively with this commission. Absolutely. And if it's if it's all possible, maybe there's an open and public
way of how you do select a new executive director. And I think, you know, considering that Mdpl does receive a significant amount of money in city and taxpayer funds, I think that
that process should be open and transparent in a public fashion, and I'd be more than happy to host it here in chambers of how that's of how that's voted on.
Well, let's have follow up. I team. We've been at this for 50 minutes. I've had to leave for 20 minutes. Let's see you back in three months. And if there's
some other things in the interim we can have one off conversations. But let's wrap this up. So, chair, we'll share. The item was presented a presentation by Commissioner Suarez was added to the record. The representatives of the Mdpl
spoke about enacting organizational returns and for Mdpl to return to discuss, when appropriate or in three months. Excellent. I'm going to try and speed through some things. Thank
you so much for your time. What everything does. I have much more niceties, but in interest of efficiency. Yeah, we'll we're going to have that. Thank you. Thank you. Quick items that I
think are just going to be referrals basically to staff. And then I have to get out of here and then we're going to mayor I'm sorry for having you here. That'll be a little more robust of a conversation, but I
just want to call 19 and 20 and be 19 and 20 that I think are just going to be, you know, we hear from staff and we're going to put the ball in your corner because I don't have time for drawn out conversations. We'll
start with that and be 20. Discuss the management operation of a public beachfront concession agreements as it pertains to the sale of alcoholic beverages and advertising slash sponsorship
opportunities and being. Gonzalez. Yes. Good morning. I am here today on this item because I know that we have been needing to raise public funds,
whether it pay for the expansion of Muscle Beach or our sanitation fund, or even the debt on or even some of the debt
on this new water and sewer bonding that we have. And so that is why I am considering a like a considering amending this
agreement of alcohol to sell beer, wine and champagne on the beach as partners in a partnership which would be a lucrative, incredibly lucrative
and significant and could possibly help us fiscally, because we know that we have some issues. So as long as we find the right revenue stream,
what I would like is for the administration to go back and negotiate. These sales so that potentially we can what is what
how much are we lacking in the sanitation fund right now? Well, I don't think this would go through the sanitation, but I don't know, it could it could go anywhere. These funds that we are going to make. But I think
that what's what could happen here, beer and wine sales on the beach could generate a lot of money. And Miami Beach, as partners with the Bhutia brothers, I think that would be
something that we can explore, because I know that we need revenue sources for playgrounds and something that's recurring. Exactly. For me, it's not even so much about the revenue,
although that's an extremely important point for me, it's actually regulating the sale of this. Like I go to Third Street Beach. My mom goes there every day. And mom, I'm sorry because
I know you have your favorite guy. You buy margari s from, but you feel like you're in Cozumel, Mexico. It is so cheap and run down. You hear Margarita, margarita, pina
colada, and now they're selling empanadas out of backpacks. They're selling weed. So it's weed. Everything. So regulating this removes the black market
because right now we're regulating the sales. No I'm kidding, I'm kidding. How much money do we need? No, but yeah, you sit on third Street, you
feel like you're on a cheap cruise, right? All the people that are walking by with their backpacks, selling margaritas and things like that, it is so run down and cheap. Let's just
kick it over to city staff and come back and say what the different possibilities are. Commissioner Suarez, I was jus about to say the same thing, but in the sake of time, I'll move the item. It's been favorable recommendation. Yeah. I'll
second. Okay. Okay. So we'll show the item, return to commission with a favorable recommendation to direct the administration to negotiate an amended agreement with Bush Brothers Miami Beach, LLC to implement the sale of alcoholic beverages and advertising
sponsorships. Who made the motion? I did, and then a second before we close the vote, I do I do have a question. City. Mr.
City attorney, maybe you can help me understand a little bit. I this like falls in this sort of gray zone. Right. Like the hotels currently can sell booze because of whatever concession
agreements they have. However, it is not legal to drink on our beaches. And so how do we reconcile that? And then also,
are we opening the door for every. Private condo that is up land of the beach to then petition to have their, you
know, little in-house cantina also sell alcohol? So this is a complicated question that I can't answer immediately, because the limited research
that I have done prior to today's meeting and conversations that I've had in order to sell alcohol, you need to have a permanent structure. The other issue is going to be where is that structure located?
There are limitations in our beachfront management agreement with the state of Florida. So there are a lot of issues that need to get worked through in
order for something like this to work. Will this result in other beachfront concessionaires, some of the private property owners that already have concession agreements to want the sam
Sure, that could happen, but I think it's all going to depend on what the state's requirements are for obtaining a liquor license. And that might limit what can actually be done. So I
think there's a lot of due diligence that needs to be done, both by the city as well as by our concession partners to see what exactly is possible. So before we vote favorably on
something that we like in concept, it seems like it could be a good thing. But in actuality, we don't know yet what it looks like, how it works. Who would be eligible for it? Would it require that we
have additional new structures on the beach? Would would we not be more prudent to bring this back next month? Wouldn't that be part of the proposal? That's what this is. So this is just for staff to go and explore and
see what's feasible. So we're not we're not saying, oh, go out and sell alcohol. It's just for staff to sit here and say, here's what is potentially and when does that come. That's but that's coming back to us right.
Instead of to here. Right. So I would suggest it might make sense to come back here before it goes back to commission. That works. Absolutely. So we could show the item that is referred to commission to negotiate. And the return to Ferc for
finalization. Well, not even negotiate necessarily, but lay out the program menu of options. We can do that. And with with obviously the city attorney because I will bake it here in
finance. And then if it approves, we'll send it to the commission. I think that if I may, I think that's what would happen is the commission would direct administration, I mean, to staff to negotiate and begin
to put that together and come back to Ferc to hash out those details. And but no, that's not what I'm saying. Okay. What I'm not I'm not saying go hash out the details with a concessionaire. I'm saying come
back to us at Ferc and explain what it could look like, regardless of who the concessionaire is, regardless of if it's going to apply to private condos or not. Like let us hear this full the
ramifications of all this before we go recommending to go negotiate with the I think that's what we're saying. That's I don't think that's what Jason is saying. But if I if I may through the chair, I think we
need to work collaboratively with the concessionaire because there are things that the concessionaire is going to need to tell us as to what they're able to do or willing to do. I think ol would be much more
expedient to do it that way. And then once we have a model, the Commission can decide how broadly or in what limited capacity. But it's not a negotiation, it is a fact
finding. It's putting something together. It's securing brainstorming. It's my understanding is to secure proposal and discuss how this could actually work in practice. So okay, so I know I'm parsing
this, but brainstorming I'm fine with negotiating and securing a proposal I'm not fine with because I think that is one step too far. Let's see. Let's get the brainstorming results back. Let's see what the framework
would be. And then we say, okay, this is something we want to proceed with. Let's see how we can you know who's interested in it. And I think that's where I want to go with this. Right. Let's see. Do we only do it on
beaches in front of hotels? Do we only do it on beaches? Not in front of hotels? Do we only do it with like. This is very preliminary. So I'm not asking to secure any type of contract or proposal. Come back with a
menu of the different options on both the alcohol and the advertising and say, here's basically the possibilities in front of us 100%, if I may. Then what I would do is, I believe, then strike the term, negotiate
an amended agreement, and maybe put in develop a framework. Yes. Framework, a potential possible. Sure, sure. Okay. So we'll show it. Return to commissioner with
e recommendation direct administration to develop a framework with the Bush Brothers Miami Beach LLC to implement the sale of alcoholic beverages and advertising, and to return to
Ferc for further development. Yeah. Mr. Chair, good afternoon, Ralph Andrade. I represent Boucher Brothers. I just want to make sure that as part of the referral, because I think it's
highly relevant to the discussion, is that we're able to discuss with staff potential revenue sharing what the financials of this framework may
look like. I just want to make sure staff understands front, front and center because I have we all have a health and wellness area to fund. We have playgrounds to fund. So we're
looking for dedicated revenue sources to do so. Okay. Making sure it doesn't have to be the Boucher brothers. I know that's who you represent, but hypothetically speaking, there could be somebody who does just
this who is more suited to the task at hand. I don't know, because we haven't discussed with the framework is so could be the Boucher brothers. Could be somebody else. Could be decide that we decide. You know what? It's not worth it. I just
want to make sure that this is not something. A brainstorming that would only be relevant to the Boucher brothers. If we come up with something that we like. Yeah. If staff says, you know, here's our other options. This
is as open ended as possible for you. I want you to put on your creativity. I haven't spent too much time thinking about the different details and dynamics. This is for you to go out and kind of do your magic and work
with the police as well, because they're going to have to be enforcing and, you know, making sure that the dude's selling everything out of their backpacks are, you know, that's a whole different conversation. But like, it needs to be a
holistic approach. And if we could make a woman out there that sell it, dudes in the Non-gendered version, thank you, thank you. And if I may be a bit presumptive doo doo dads and everybody in between, if I may.
So then we'll strike Boucher Brothers LLC from it so it would be returned to commissioner. Favorable recommendation to a framework to implement theelop
sale of. Alcoholic beverages and advertising sponsorships on the beach. Can we just be clear that that part of those conversations. Of course. You're our beach concessionaire, right.
And sometimes I know staff takes the direction literally. And if it doesn't reference Boucher Brothers, they won't talk to them. So that includes the Boucher brothers, right. Thank you. Includes but not limited to including but not we love
competition. I believe it was it was moved by Commissioner Suarez. We have a second. I'll second. All in favor? Aye. Hearing none opposed to pass three. Nothing. Thank you, Madam
Mayor. Sorry for keeping you waiting. We would love to have you come up and I'm going to have to leave part of the way through your conversation, but I am supertive of the direction
that we're going in here. I don't know if I can pre-register a vote. Okay, I can you can for this and also for, for my friend
and colleagues. Item. NB 20. Thank you. Okay. And B 20 referral to discuss adding infertility treatment as a benefit for planned participants insured under the city's
self-funded health. Well we're hearing 17, but I'd like to pre-register all 17. Sorry. Which one? Where the mayor has been that you'd like to discuss possible interlocal agreement
between the City of Miami Beach and North Bay village for extending Miami Beach trolley route m b 17. We love mayor.
Good afternoon colleagues. It has been actually a lot of fun and fascinating watching your meeting this morning. I commend each of you for your dedication to public service, for the clear
eyed way that you evaluate these issues, and for your ability to engage productively with one another. Despite some disagreements. We are here because the North Beach Bandshell and the Normandy
Fountain Business Association, our residents and North Beach business owners have encouraged North Bay village to be proactive about getting my
residents to come and spend money in Miami Beach's businesses, and that's something that I can get on board with because it involves encouraging
multiple mobility and multimodal options between our two communities. As you all know, North Bay village is your immediate neighbor to the west along the 79th Street John F
Kennedy Causeway. We are very excited about the possibility of partnering with Miami Beach to extend the North Beach Trolley
into North Bay village. We believe that the most prudent path forward at this time is to pilot that trolley extension during the Culture Crawl events,
which I believe happened once a month on the third Thursday of the month. So we'd like to pilot the Culture Crawl trolley. I think the hours should be reasonable so that people can
enjoy their night in North Beach and not have to rush back to catch a trolley. And then I'd like to continue to expand the conversation and have more
detailed discussion about the costs to actually extend the trolley for regular service going forward. So option two on your briefing is the pilot through Culture Crawl. I'm
perfectly happy and would be grateful to move forward with option two at this time, but then I'd like to have evidence based encouragement that the extension would make sense. And
then we can talk about the extension. So I welcome your questions. I'd love your support. We want to promote this throughout North Bay village. We had a really successful event at
the bandshell. Thank you, Vice Mayor Bart, for joining me on the stage at the bandshell to express unity between our two communities. You know, I've got a year and a half left. Not a
lot of time, but I want to bridge the gap between our two communities and strengthen those relationships through this trolley pilot. Mr. Vice Chair, any questions? Yeah. So I want
to say thank you for coming, mayor. I really appreciate it. I think there is definitely a need to connect the trolley between Miami Beach and North Bay
village. When you do a rideshare service like that, it lessens the impact of traffic, for example, and traffic on North North Beach is horrendous. And
so anything that we can do to limit that as far as extending, you know, for option two, going above and beyond just the culture crawl, you know, what is
North Bay village willing to bring forward? If we were to extend the trolley to North Bay village, we're going to contribute financially. So we would need. My understanding is
right now that the city is on a month to month contract with its trolley provider, that you're going out to bid for a new provider. So the figures financially are in flux. Once
you guys have a clearer sense of what the expense would be under a new provider scenario, I would love to get that data. Tell me what it's going to cost. We can
have a negotiation and we have city funds that can be used to extend the trolley. And I also have probably 3 or 4 development agreements that will be negotiated in the next six
months. So we will have private contributions to our villages, transit options under the current plan, let's say nothing changed. What would North Bay
village be willing to contribute if let's just assume that was the current plan? If the current plan were to extend the trolley? Well, the finances of what we
pay for, you know, what would North Bay village be willing to? Which option are you referring to? Because the number two, the option number two is the pilot for Culture Crawl, which is just once a month, not the pilot. The
option one is for the extension. I can't tell you how much we'd be willing to contribute, because that would be a poor negotiation skills on my part. I don't know what it's going to cost, Commissioner, but we do
have over $1 million in unspent city funds. Okay, so I guess and let me let me recognize some of my colleagues. Commissioner Bart, Vice Mayor Bart, thank
you. I would for the record, I'd like to be a co-sponsor on this. I think this is awesome. And the mayor and I have had multiple conversations over the last few months, and the most recently with Jose and his department.
This memo encapsulates everything. Exactly, and I'm very much in favor of starting ASAP. The option two to pilot this so we can collect the data
to determine as Jose's negotiating our new trolley vendor contract, what makes the most sense? Because we might think it's the greatest thing in the world, and we find out that actually nobody uses it. Or we
might find out that we think it's going to be a great thing. And people are clamoring for something every day, multiple more routes. And so we need to get the data collected as soon as possible so that we don't
hamper our negotiation for what we need here in the city. By adding this late to the prospect process, traffic is abysmal in North Beach, and going across
that bridge is a huge part of it. And as North Beach really starts to blossom in the best possible way in organic ways, with the bandshell and the Normandy fountain activations
and great restaurants and cool little shopping, we want to encourage people to visit this and use this as their neighborhood to just not drive
there. That's all we're saying. So, you know, we talk all the time about parking and driving and affordable housing and how that all intermixes and this is this if it works as well as we
think, it would not only will be a big step towards that, but could also be, you know, a proof positive that we could conceivably extend this up to the Surfside as well and take
even more cars off the road. So I would move this with, with my colleagues input to move with option two immediately. And, and you know, let us know what you
need to get going. A big step toward annexation. Take it back. Take it back. Commissioner Fernandez, I think Commissioner
Bond stated it well, it makes just perfect sense. It's long overdue. So I don't need to restate everything. So, so proud to see the mayor here and to see
the collaboration. And, Jose, where are we with the negotiations? So negotiations are currently ongoing. We're towards the tail end. We expect to be before this body probably
hopefully next month. Well, good. Once we've got a deal at least on on pencil to bring to bring before the Ferc. That was the direction to come before
Ferc, before we go to the city commission. So we're we're aiming for next month's meeting. Can I just. So if you are coming
next month with a deal, we're not going to have data collection by then. So or with a proposed deal. So how do we ensure that we're not locked
into something which then our vendor can say, oh, wasn't part of the contract not doing it or hold us over a barrel and say, sure, we'll do it, but it'll be $10 per head per ride. How do we
protect ourselves in our negotiations? The bottom line what we're negotiating is a hourly rate per service hour, a rate per service hour. And that
can fluctuate. We can add we can take away as long as that's really the key number. And then we can always add to the route. We can always add more vehicles. So at a higher cost. Right. So
that's what I thought in our conversations. You had said that the hours weren't as big of a deal as it was to factor in if we need additional trolleys. Correct. Because sometimes extending a route, it's not so
much the distance, but the fact that it may it may exceed the thresholds established in the contract for passenger wait
times or headways. So could potentially in six months we come back to them and say, and we're going to execute an additional five trolleys at the pre-approved rate. So it's not
they're not holding us to well, you didn't say it in the contract. So now we're going to charge you double, but just put in a clause in there that we have the right to extend our our trolley service at the same
rate, up to an additional 5 or 10 trolleys or something like that. Absolutely. What we're negotiating is a sliding scale that the more hours we operate,
the lower the cost, if you will. There's economies of scale, but that allows us to be flexible and add or remove portions of a
route or add a new route, for example. But but I thought I just heard you. I heard you say that if we add a trolley because it's not just the route, it's the actual vehicle that will
come at a more expensive cost than the, let's say, 50 that we're buying now for the new contract. Correct. Because of the service hours, the service hours increases and that will
increase the cost. It's not it's not necessarily the fact that it's an additional trolley. It's just more hours that are being
served. So the cost of the trolley acquisition is baked into the hours served rate. Correct? Okay. It comes down to hours of service. Okay. And the cost of one hour. And we
multiply that by however many hours we operate. And that gives us flexibility to add and remove routes as, as needed. And is there any cap on that. Like do
they say yes. Sure. But you can't do more than 20. No, it's a sliding scale where and it can go up to however high we want it to, to go to. It allows for
expansions. Yes. Can we put it in the contract? We want to infinity trolleys, just to say trolleys just to see what they do. Okay. So I think I think we're all I'd like to speak. So
first of all I'm no a voting member on the committee so that you have all three members of the committee here. I'd just like to recognize that. You know what, mayor? I'm really happy that we're entering into these
types of interlocal agreements, because for too long, I mean, we really do all exist so closely together. And it's the first time that I've seen a mayor from
North Bay village and all of my years here come before us. So, you know, I'm completely supportive of this. I'm really looking forward to seeing what we're negotiating in terms of trolleys, if it will even be a
trolley. I'm really hoping we get something snazzier like some cool kind of van type thing. Correct. What are something that is a little bit more user
friendly than this trolley? That is difficult for many seniors to get on and off of with the kneeling trolley. So hopefully whatever this is, Jose. And how
how far away are we, Jose, from finalizing the entire trolley? The executing a new contract or initiating the new service? Initiating and initiating the
new service will depend on the vehicle that's ultimately selected. Different vehicles have different manufactung times, so it can be it can be
anywhere between eight months to a year and a half, you know, depending on on on the vehicle. So we're still ironing that out. But there's a high demand for
certain vehicles. So you know, as soon as we put in the order we're in a queue. But it may it. So you already know which one you're going to pick. I have not been involved in the procurement
process. So hopefully I mean I don't know what will happen, but hopefully it will not be a trolley at all and it will be some sort of electric, snazzy, streamlined thing that's very easy for seniors and people. Anybody with wheels of any kind
can get on and off. I think you already know that because, okay, beating that dead horse. So thank you. Welcome. Come back with more ideas of how we can, you know, collaborate.
Commissioner Fernandez. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Jose, while you're at the podium, where are we on the similar discussion with Damian Pardo over in the city of Miami and, you know, exploring the connection, the
trolley connection between Miami Beach and downtown Miami? I think we have a meeting pending with the city of Miami, folks to go over some of, you know, just
to discuss with them the potential of and in terms of where the stops should be. So that's that's occurring on a parallel basis. But we're pending a meeting with the city
of Miami, okay. Because we had a meeting last month. So has anything has there been any progress in the in the in between. There has internally. But we haven't we haven't met
yet with City of Miami because this is I mean, and I think this is the important thing for the public to see that we are working not only in seeing how we move people within our our
municipal limits, but the greatest challenge that we deal in terms of transportation and traffic in our city is people not necessarily moving within
our city, but the traffic of people leaving our city. That is causing a lot of that gridlock between 3 and 7 p.m. And so we're trying to find ways that
we can work with our neighboring municipalities and help people move between the boundary lines of cities, because that's the key thing moving within cities. It's, you know, that's great.
But the key thing is how do we move within the region more efficiently? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Of course. So one last thing before we wrap up, do you
would it be okay if we, from a staff's point of view, recommend option one and two so that when you negotiate with the trolley company, you can you can incorporate maybe an a la carte
option that North Bay village wants to sign on. I don't know if you need a favorable recommendation for one to proceed with that negotiation. I think what I was thinking and
hearing the, you know, the discussion to keep it a little bit, a little bit open because it seems like this might be a growing kind of relationship. Perhaps, if I may offer to return to the commission with a
favorable recommendation, the direct administration to negotiate with North Bay Village and interlocal agreement for the implementation of a joint trolley operation, maybe to keep it that open and that lets the parties develop that
relationship and return to our commission. And obviously your commission to, you know, to get those details ironed out and then return to the commission for approval. And they haven't we haven't gotten as far down
the path with Surfside. But I know that I've been speaking to commissioners there over the last year about doing the same thing up there. So I don't know if that helps or hurts or if we do this sort of as a proof of
concept of how it can work with another city. I defer to you guys on how, if I can, if I can add a little flavor to that one. In my prior job as the Assistant City manager in Surfside, I
negotiated a joint use a merging the trolleys with Bal Harbor, North Bay village, and Surfside. Altogether, it was a very complicated operation and it involved Miami-Dade County, who had that ultimate jurisdiction to the county because you were
going outside the amount of miles that the county code allowed by law at that point. And at the time, Commissioner Hayman sponsored an ordinance to amend the way that the surtax funds could be used. And since
then, that's been amended. So there have been some complications. But Fernandez is definitely on top of that encyclopedia over here. So if we're okay with the motion.
Yeah, that that I'm okay with that. Commissioner, vice mayor, Commissioner Bart has the motion maker. And add me as a co-sponsor, please. Will do. And
I'll second and second. All in favor. Aye, aye. And we're going to. Oh, Commissioner, are you all in favor. Yes. Okay. We'll show it passed three. Nothing. Thank you. Okay. So let's let's
try to clear up some more of these items. Mr. Chair, real quickly. I just want to thank you all one more time and ask you to follow up with to discuss the hours of the cultural crawl.
Pilot. Vice mayor. Yeah, I'm happy to. Okay, great. Look forward to following up in real time. Thank you so much. Have a great rest of your day as a co-sponsor. This is so cool, I love it. We will show.
Commissioner Fernandez also added as a co-sponsor, thank you. We're going to call it the wheels on the bus. Wheels on the bus, I love it. So let's try to clear up some more of these
items. C4, I. C4. The first item number. I'm sorry. How about no okay. 20 the wraparound palm tree lighting on 71st Street. That would be me to discuss
extending the wrap around palm tree lighting on 71st Street from east of Normandy Fountain to Collins Avenue and B2.
Second. Good morning, Jay Fink. Public works. The item before you is the extension of the wrap around lighting, and similar to
areas which had been extended Washington Avenue, Ocean Drive West, and a few of those others. The same general theory applies
here. There is a cost. To do this $206,000 that does include, as had been previously, not only installation, but also looking
for a bid waiver so that this could take place relatively quickly. It would be required to do that. That's the price that's been provided, and that's where
the same vendor that had been done used, doing the other lights throughout the city. I have questions, Commissioner
Bart. Is there a possibility to fund any of this through the North Beach CRA funds? I know it's not a permanent. Maria, I
don't know. I don't mean to put you on the spot, but is there a but I'm going to put you on the spot. Is there a possibility to fund this kind of lighting for North Beach through the North
Beach CRA. I know there, if I may, and maybe Maria or Heather here can speak more to it, but I know there are certain limitations. I'm not sure if this is one of them, but maybe Marino's. I don't know all of
the details about what the. Limitations are. We? I know you don't want to hear this, but we want to start being more strategic with all of our money
in the CRA because, you know, we're going to need it for potentially bigger things. So I want to be careful about what we commit in the CRA. I mean, if
it's a and with lighting, you know, we always have that issue between permanent versus temporary. So I'd have to get
back to you and give you that information. We only have about a million and a half dollars I believe. Total. Right. We only have that now. But 72 Park is coming online. Yes, yes. And
that is going to be a big cash infusion this year. And then we've got the three other buildings that are already in construction, maybe four, I don't even remember which will most likely, God forbid there's
a hurricane or something come online next year. So yes, we're only at $1 million now, but we will be at significantly more by the end of this year and by the end of next year, and by the end
of the year after that. So I would like to find out what part of this could be defrayed by CRA funds. I agree with being strategic rather than, you know, kind of willy nilly, which is kind of how we've been
approaching it, because it's been a small amount of money and small asks and I would also like, I don't know how to do this properly, but as a companion piece or, you know,
extending this to go not only from Collins to Normandy Fountain, but also to go from 75th to 63rd. And, you know, we have seen the difference it
makes in the vibe, if you will, the vibe check evew, on on 41st Street, which is a pretty uninteresting street to drive down. And I say that with all
love, because that's where I lived for 13 years with my kids, and it just feels much. It just feels like a zippier place to be, and it just infuses it with the Miami Beach energy. And, you
know, if we're doing it there and we're doing it on Washington Avenue and we're doing it on on Collins and we're doing it at Lewis Park, why on earth are we not giving North Beach the same love? So I don't know if we can
expand this particular item to do that, or if we need to bring a second and bring it all the way back, or if we can do it as an amendment, we could also bring it to the North Beach CRA,
the group. Yeah. If, if I may just to help it, it sounds like there's a couple of information requests that are needed. So maybe this item is we show presented and return to Ferc with information on the eligibility of North Beach CRA
funding and an updated cost estimate on the expanded space. And I must say, you know, there was a I think there was an item
for Washington Avenue where I got upset about the cost of the tree lighting and I believe it was Commissioner Rosen Gonzalez. Item. And when I, when I, when
I'm, when I go by and walk down Washington it is stunning. I mean what a big difference. And you know I can say I can say on the record that you were wrong about something. Yeah. I could
say that it's going to be very rare for me to say this, but I was definitely wrong. I think that the tree lighting wrap around and Washington Avenue has made a substantial impact on the neighborhood. I mean, it is
iconic on Loomis Park next to Flamingo, next to Flamingo Park. Yeah. And next up, Flamingo Park and Meridian. I mean, I see all
the time people taking pictures. Yeah. On on Meridian of just how beautiful the tree lighting is. It's year round. And you know what a what a great little
flavor to add to North Beach. Sure. And I'll be fully supportive. I mean, even helps with public safety and visibility. It is a great added
benefit. So I want to I want to put on the record that I was wrong about the Washington Avenue lighting tree. Right. Commissioner Rosen Gonzalez. So I'm going to be fully supportive
of this. So I have a question about if this is going, does this go from here in theory to commission to get ved or does it go? My recommendation is that it would return because it
sounds like there's two bits of information that. But my point is that I know that's your recommendation. Yeah. And I'm taking it under advisement. But my question is, could it not just come back to commission with those two pieces of
information incorporated into it? And then we could just vote on that. I believe you can,
however, without knowing exactly what it is that you can spend it on. And also, wouldn't you want the North Beach CRA to weigh in on this? But couldn't they do that between now and I think so
I'd have to check the calendar. I want the information before that. And of course, I want North Beach to feel like, you know, to get their input on this, but I would prefer not to delay it by an extra month. So
if it's possible to get that information and bring it to before the commission meeting, the next commission meeting, my suggestion would be let's just handle it that way so as to not
delay. So I have a question. Commissioner Fernandez. This mentions a bid waiver. And so I just I just want to make sure
it's a bid waiver, but we're not waiving bids because is this a company that's already been ocured by the city. That's correct. And attached to the item is the actual breakdown of
cost from the proposal. It's a line item breakdown with the. Rather than treating this as a bid waiver, can't we treat this as an expansion of the contract that the company already has, so
that it's not a bid waiver? Or are they a part of a pool? Is a company that does this as part of a pool that we can tap into? My understanding, and I'm not the procurement expert here, but
my understanding was based on the dollar amount of what we're asking for. It falls under a different bucket of a bid waiver, as opposed to being eligible for a contract
amendment because of the amount. Well, there's a bid waiver to be done. I would say that this is a bid waiver to be done because it's already it's not that we're going out and just tapping a
company that's never done work for the city. This is a company that has already done work for the city. I would imagine through you, Mr. Chairman, the this company not only did work, they also were won this bid
competitively before this started. And this is the exact same process that we did for those Washington Ave lights, which included not only a favorable recommendation, but the bid waiver. I would want to
make sure, again, just for purposes of optics and transparency, that that that's explained properly in the memo right now, it just mentions a bid waiver, but it doesn't
mention the fact, the history that this was indeed, in fact, a competitively bid contract and that there was an award done
through a transparent process so that just could be explained properly in the contract, in the in the memorandum will do okay.
If I, if I can try to get all this down. So I think now we would have it returning to commission with a favorable recommendation to be considered as part of the FY 26 budget process. The installation of
wraparound lights, wrap around wraparound palm tree lights, as amended, locations with a bid waiver and for information on the expansion on the cost of the
expanded locations and input from the North Beach CRA Advisory Board on funding, and that I'm a co-sponsor. Okay, okay, you're making that motion.
I'd like to also co-sponsor. Okay. And can we get everyone I'll join as a co-sponsor to Kristen. Sure. Okay. There you go. And through the chair, I
think, Jason, you and I can speak offline, but we may need a referral to the CRA advisory Committee so that they can return a recommendation back to the commission. And actually, it
would be a recommendation to the CRA board. I can I can make that recommendation as well as chair. Can I do that. So we'll we'll change it from input to referral to yeah, we need a referral to
the North Beach CRA committee. And we'll be showing Commissioner Rosa Gonzalez, Fernandez and Suarez being added as co-sponsors. Yes, Fernandez.
And we'll show commissioner Commissioner Bot you're making that motion. Yep. Okay. I'll second. Okay. All in favor. Aye.
All right. We'll show pass three. Nothing. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. Sounds good. Thank you. Maria, our CFO says this is going to be a quick item. And before and before discuss the potential installation of speed
tables on 47th Street in order to reduce traffic speeds and increase safety. And before. For
what? I move, I was and before. Commissioner, just be informed that our our Commissioner magazine has requested to be
added as a sponsor. You move it. Yep. I'll second. Awesome. All in favor? Aye. Thank you. We'll show the item. Return to
commission. With a favorable recommendation to implement the administration's recommendation. Okay. So I'll join as a co-sponsor of that. I like that that area has a lot of cut through traffic. Yeah. Yeah. Put
me on there too. Hey, the Kumbaya committee. Okay. So I guess now that we're on beautifying, how about we do OB one discuss beautifying Washington Avenue by enhancing
lighting and streetscaping on Washington Avenue. OB one discuss beautifying Washington Avenue by enhancing enhancing lighting and streetscaping on Washington Avenue. Obi-Wan. Commissioner Rosen Gonzalez. Mr.
Item, good morning. Good morning. Jay. Wait, Jay, before you introduce it, I don't think we need to spend a lot of time on this. I think that both Commissioner Bart and Commissioner Fernandez, I don't
know if you saw our presentation on the new sidewalks that we have iconic sidewalks using pavers. Yes. We have a whole presentation. And I mean, I
think overall that when as we begin to repave with this beautiful, new, iconic design that we eventually choose, are we being asked to choose a
design today? Jay. Because I know that the way this was written, we were considering several different types of sidewalk materials, but I think the idea behind this is to use the lighting that they design,
which kind of brings palm trees. Correct. And then the pavers. So through Mr. Chairman, the I was going to piggyback on exactly where you're going with the
presentation that was done by Calvin Giordano and Associates at the Ocean Drive. They did present both lighting. They presented a number of alternatives. As far as the
sidewalk goes. Do you want us to pick which one today or what kind of direction do we need to give? Honestly, that's not my ask. What's explained in the in the memorandum is okay. If you
do read sidewalks it's X. If we add a little more, it's why we can go all the way up and spend $9 million. If you want the Taj Mahal of sidewalks along Washington Avenue. What I think
was alluded to in the esentation for Washington, for Ocean Drive, was that there are certain areas between the blocks that looked at how do we highlight those on the
intersections? They're I don't want to say Plain Jane, but it's really utilitarian. And the approach that was taken was to highlight between the intersections in a conversation
with Troy. Right. And he was here earlier. The Washington bid does have their own presentation. It will be coming through the next commission to, I believe, neighborhoods
referral for their areas where they would like to see enhanced and through some designs that they're contemplating what the ask really is. And we've talked about it a number of times at
this committee. Different treatments, different sidewalks, different options. We'd really like to do is be able to work with the Washington bid so that we can work where they want to enhance, to enhance certain
sidewalk areas and then really be able to try and get along or move this project along so that it gets done in time for the games that are coming next year. And that's the Washington BID's
goal. But there are a few items that we're going to need to probably design minimally as far as Ada compliance, there's some drainage on some of the sidewalks because they're
actually lower than the street level. So I really don't want to choose something today. How do you need. Okay. So here would be
this would be my motion. Do you need more than a month. Do you need two months. To negotiate with Washington to sit down with the bid and find out what
they're recommending? As quick as the bid can get in front of the Commission to present their view and visions and sort of their ask as far as the cost
would be associated with that, because all of that's coming out of that Geo Bond pocket for the $10 million. Okay. So then I would suggest that you sit down
with the bid, show them all the patterns. I know that is Troy here. He was here earlier. He was here. Unfortunately, he had to go and then come back to us. When you've picked something that you like with the budget
and with the lighting and, you know, I would recommend that you use and I think you will, this new study that we commissioned, because now we know which sidewalk material is best, we found out that it's pavers. We
could design the pavers. And then from there we can, you know, bring it to the HPB so that they can also opine. But I think that this is going to be defining for Washington Avenue.
It's going to be iconic. It is going to be unique. It's going to set them apart in terms of sidewalks. Once you see, you know, the new lighting down the center, the lighting on the palm
trees and these brand new sidewalks, it is going to brand Washington Avenue and show the world that we care about our historic districts, that we care about preservation. And this
investment is going to go a long way, putting our money where our mouth is and just, you know, walking the walk instead of talking about it. And this will
be our first serious investment in Washington Avenue, the first of what I hope are many serious, significant investments across our historic districts in Miami Beach. After many years of what
I think was a managed decline and neglect. So it's an exciting moment that would. So, if I may, vice mayor. Sure. Yeah. And I
would like to you know, I've got an item, I believe, coming up on the April agenda about doing, you know, contemplating doing something like this for North Beach as well, and not necessarily the same pattern that gets selected. But and we
need to figure out who's paying for it because there's some question about is it CRA is it potentially the CRA, is it fDOT, is it the city? We need to figure that out. And I know
there are documents floating around that are being reviewed. But, you know, maybe as we look at costs, there is, you know, it won't be necessarily installation because it's going
to be at a different time frame. But, you know, we've done the walk through on on Collins Avenue, going from 63rd up to 75th, and we know that the same
conditions exist of problems. And so if there is an economy of scale that they get looked at, evaluated and addressed at the same time, maybe not executed at the same time, but the
engineering work happens at the same time. And when people figure out what they're going to need to buy to implement the pavers, like, let's think about it again holistically so that
we're not, you know, the vendor doesn't come back and say, oh, I wish you'd told me this a year ago because I would have done the work at the same time for half the cost, because that will
make me very sad. And it's not good for a budget concerns that we know we're facing. So wait. Wait till we have a residential in Washington Avenue. Mr. Chair, I he a question. So this is
before us. Today. Is this the timeline for this was was did the city have a program to move with this? Now explain that to
me. There's no necessarily program. This is being funded through the Geo bond project. The Geo have the funding for it. The fundings available. Okay. And let me ask you this because
we're going to as as Commissioner Suarez mentioned, there's the Washington Avenue residential component. And in the past, like, for example, the beach walk, the beach walk
didn't always look as beautiful as it does now. Some would say before it looked more beautiful. I think it looks beautiful now, but it was through development agreements with the historic
hotels where they came in, and they did their portion of the beach walk as they were improving the hotels, and then the city came in and filled the
gaps between them. In fact, Mayor Bower was a big part of that, of that history. Over, over time with Washington Avenue, with the residential
incentives that we have in place or that we're looking to, to, to put in place, does it make sense for us to use all of our GOP dollars when we might potentially be able to get
private development to help cover some of this cost? Now you're the commissioner. You're exactly right. I mean, one of the things that we would look to do, and I'm sure the board would
feel the same way, is look at where those planned or programed developments that could possibly happen. And do we skip that block so that when they do redevelop it, it takesare of the initial installation cost
rather than putting it in? And they either have to redo it or rip it up and yeah, incorporating it as part of the work that they need to do. So that so that we get to save some
of that, some of that money. I would also like it's related to this because it relates to Washington Avenue, but it goes back to the investments we make on Washington Avenue using the
taxpayers dollars, but making sure that that as we're using the taxpayers dollars, that we're seeing a meaningful improvement on Washington Avenue. And to me, that
meaningful improvement means that nuisance uses that contribute to the problems that we've experienced in the past on Washington Avenue are being phased out. And one of the
things that I would like staff to do is that as those nuisance uses close up, we should be notified of it, because I really do want to see we just invested on the lights and the lights are
great, but I had an issue of using the taxpayers dollars to invest in a street where I did not feel that the property owners were coming forward, and being good property owners, that
they've been bringing in bad tenants that are contributing to the ailments that we're trying to fix in our city. So as we make these investments, I want
to know, I want to be getting updates as to what changes the city is making, changes to improve the changes are the
private property owners doing getting rid of the bad uses that are contributing to the crime, and the issues we've seen in the past, because that is going to be shaping a lot of my decisions
on the investments that I commit my vote to in the future. As it relates to Washington Avenue. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Commissioner Fernandez, would
you be more and I've walked the blocks between Lincoln Road and 15th Street, and they are in desperate need of an upgrade. Why don't we start there and just do those two blocks with
this new iconic design? It will be the first time that we've ever done it. A patterned design. Let's start there. That's not going to be so expensive. That way we can see
what the lighting looks like. We can see what the pavers look like. It's not the entire street, but at least we're fixing something that is right now, not just blighted, but I would say dangerous in many
places because as I walk down that portion of Washington, there is a lot of uneven material that needs to get fixed, and this could be an opportunity to beautify a block
that most people say is where crime is committed, where, you know, it's an intersection that does need help. So why don't we just start there and do those
two blocks from Lincoln Road to 15th? That's where I think we should start. Do two blocks, two blocks east and west, and then come back to us, sit down with a bid that's reasonable. Come back
with 2 or 3 designs and let's start there. But but just doesn't the Lincoln Road East proposal contemplate getting rid
of not getting rid of it, but closing off Washington Avenue through it? Contemplates closing off Lincoln Road between
Washington and Collins. Right. So I don't want to put in pavers on between. Well, wouldn't it be it would start on Lincoln Road, correct? I don't think it would
be affected. I think you don't think so? No, I don't think so. I don't think so. I think I think it jives. Well okay. So then my motion is to do the two blocks 17th to 15th come back
next month because it's not a big thing with a couple of after you speak with Troy, come back with a few options for us to look at that we can choose from
and bring it back to. Do you want to bring it back to finance, or do you want to refer the two blocks? Just my motion would be to just refer them to the full commission, because it's not the wholetreet.
You're saying 15 to 17th? Yeah, just 15th to 17th. And let the whole commission decide. I mean, I would say honestly, I, I would go if we're going to go up to 17th, what I would do rather
than 17th, I would do Lincoln Road South. Okay. So do that, do Lincoln too. That's what I was saying. Lincoln too. It goes Lincoln 16th, 15th. Right. Yeah, I wouldn't go I wouldn't go to
Lincoln to 15th. That's what I meant. 15th to Lincoln, right. 15th to Lincoln. So that would be my motion. And I would give I would recommend it to the April commission meeting giving us a
few the design that we can pick. I think I would like to come back to finance, considering that our chair is not here. And
so that way he can at least chime in on it. I'm okay with referring it back to finance and doing it. That's not my motion. My motion. Because let me
explain why. Because finance is about looking at the amounts and we will have that opportunity. The funding is already there. And frankly, we go in circles
and circles and this is only two blocks. It's a wonderful investment. I know that it's going to beautify. I know how how worried you are about public safety in that area. This is
just an opportunity to beautify. It's just the east and west. It's two blocks the east and west side of the avenue. So my motion would be to refer it to
back to the Commission with a favorable recommendation. I don't know how you feel about that, Commissioner, but if I so it's the return of the commissioner of the favorable recommendation to direct the administration to implement
sidewalk improvements on Washington Avenue from Lincoln Road the 15th. We don't even know what what the materials are going to be yet. Right. It's not fully. No, we absolutely do. We
had a presentation at an Ocean Drive meeting. Most of us were present, but not here, though you can get a briefing in the interim from Jay and everyone else. We spent we actually it was a great study that you
should really see. But it was sunshine. We did was vet all the different types of sidewalk materials. It was a sunshine meeting. Yes, it was scheduled. It's actually you can have you
can read the copy of the report between now and then. So I know that Fernandez was at was there so was Commissioner magazine and pardon and Commissioner Bart.
Yes, I said I said that, yeah. No, Commissioner Bart was there. And you can see that we've already determined by the study, which is the most resilient type of sidewalks that we can display. And the beauty of these
sidewalks is that not only are they interchangeable, but they're super resilient. And it's kind of the same material that we're using on the beach walk, only they have different iconic designs that we can
choose from. In addition to that, we are not doing the street corners. We're just doing sidewalks in between the street corners, because that's where all the electrical connections and all of the other stuff is.
So I don't see why we really need to beat this. Madam mayor, is there something you'd like to say? I'm sorry? You know, don't
ever invite me here again, I love it. I think it's a wonderful idea. And I just want to tell you that Leonard
Horowitz that came with Barbara Capitman did two blocks. I think it was two blocks also, it could have been one, but I think it
was two to show how we used to have a picture. We did gave money to the people that rented or owned this thing to renovate
the facade facade renovation. I'm surprised I remember all this facade renovation, and when the people saw how it changed
the street by doing that, and they were all different and all very nicely. People got very enthused. And Lynn Bernstein was
the one that was working with us then at Miami Beach Development Corporation went and sold it to everybody. It was a matching grant. So people do get very
enthused and people do better when they are dressed in code. And the same thing happens when the street changes and they see they're very visual. So I really
support this in in a pilot, I think you sold me, but I don't know if you pick one design or not. Now that it's out of my hands. Well, I guess that moves
me. So I'll be in favor as well. Okay. And I talked to Public Works Mayor Bauer to get here. That's all it takes. And when this comes to commission, that some of that. Sure. Hashing out the specificity we'll have. And
I'll second it. Okay. So we'll meet with the bid and just send it to the full commission with choices okay. Final choices. All right. Show Commissioner Rosa Gonzalez making the motion and
Commissioner Alvarez second. All in favor? Aye. Show pass three. Nothing. Okay, so let's let's clear up some more. Beautifying Miami Beach with some trees,
which we're all we're all in favor of. So can we call multiple items up that's been up there all sort of similar item item seven, ten and 11 were noted to be linked and would be
heard together if you want to have it. Okay, so I'm going to give me a moment as I read them into the record. Yes, please. Mv7 referral to the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee to discuss, take action to fund
expanding the North Beach Tree Planting pilot program. Two additional parking spaces located at 78th, 79th and 80th streets or other potential
locations. That's M 7MB ten Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee discussion to take action on the favorable Public Safety Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee recommendation to expand the tree canopy North
Beach through a multidisciplinary firm for two main thoroughfares, such as Abbot Avenue and Dickens Avenue, and explore Park View Island with associated funding and B ten and then M B 11 referral to
the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee to discuss the appropriate mechanism to fund a transformative tree canopy project in targeted areas throughout Miami Beach and B 11.
Thank you. Okay, so I think we have multiple sponsors on this. We have the tree canopy in North North Beach expanding it through multidisciplinary approach. And
B ten we have ntv7 expanding the pilot program for the planters in North Beach. And then we have NB 11 that's generally everywhere in Miami Beach. I have a few questions, but so
these items work in conjunction with each other. As everybody knows, we have large portions of our city that have no trees and shading whatsoever, and it's
costly to drill through the concrete and figure out how to plant trees so people have shade. Now, we did do a pilot program in on 78th and 79th before we even, and I'm not
ceding my time. I'm just asking a question how are those trees doing that we planted on 78th? I mean, are they thriving? Are they sure? We actually have photos for you and we sure we
can show them. So we tried to plant on our own with the city, and I'm not saying that they didn't look great, but it wasn't
planting. And we know that in order to transform it, we need like $15 million. And I would say that $15 million is not even enough money. So this is two things. There's your item,
Commissioner Suarez, which is a feasibility study, which is, I guess, the initial study that we would need. And then there's the item of actually putting something on the ballot and
asking our residents to vote for trees and shade in a meaning Al way. So it's twofold because we need, like we're saying, 15
million for trees. I would tell you that a feasibility study is going to come back and say that we need $30 million to green this area. Why do we want to green the area, Commissioner Fernandez? Because when you look
between oh, you're not it's just so expensive to do one parking garage. But why does it have to be on a ballot? Yeah I would, well, I mean, if you can, because I think we need to bond
out money for this. I think that we actually need to issue a debt unless you can find, you know, the 15 or $30 million we have, all of our other capital projects are underfunded right now. They're completely
underfunded. And I'm not going to try to pretend like we're going to find the money when every other when we're going to have all of our PayGo funds are going to have to be used to fund
all these other projects that are in the pipeline. I think trees need their own. If you want transformation, then it needs to be its own serious
funding mechanism and it's going to be expensive. I saw that in my memo. It says $15 million. That's just for one. What? How much is that? That's not for the
entire city. That's just for that one area of North Beach. Correct. Before you answer that, Amy, I'd like to vote to extend the meeting for another 15 minutes. Okay, fine. With 15
minutes, because I waited six months to get these tree items. Her trees are not sexy. There is no building involved. There's not a lot of money involved. The only thing involved with tree.
We're voting. Yes. Yeah, we have to. We have to extend the meeting. It ends at. Oh, yes. I vote to extend the meeting. Meaning to extend it to 145. Thank you. And so I would propose that, I mean, that we
put this on the ballot because what we found and we did I've been working on this for years, 78th and 79th Street, when we don't spend significant amount of money and figure out how to
cut through the concrete to plant the trees, what we got was kind of a mishmash. And it is so expensive because it was poorly planned. And these are areas
where we don't have canopy. But there first of all, there is zero tree canopy. We have seniors, a lot of our multifamily residents in affluent areas. They have
beautiful tree canopy areas. But in some of our, you know, more humble areas of the city, there isn't a tree to be found anywhere. And Commissioner, and that's something that we should all be dedicated to. I don't
think anyone here is against the trees. I ever I mean, I sponsored an item, you sponsored an item. I think commissioner, vice mayor don't want people to be shocked when we say, let's put this on the ballot, because
I really do think that that's what we need to do. I don't necessarily think we should be. I don't think we want to set a precedent of putting projects on a ballot to bond out. I think let's find the money in any
which way possible and make it happen through the finance committee. I think that's the right approach. You know, I mean, look, if we have to tighten our belt a little bit and look and another thing, when
you go down Meridian Avenue, that that is probably one of the most iconic streets in America. I mean, it's always like 15 degrees cooler. It's beautiful during the day. It's beautiful.
It's even more beautiful during the night. North beach should have something like that. And, you know, lo and behold, there's a huge project pending in North
Beach right now. And, you know, I hope the people who are watching, looking at this, maybe that is something that can be funded to, to really invest in
North Beach. If you're going to be set to, to put a big project in North Beach, this is a fundamental generational
investment in the community of North Beach. Just an idea, but I don't think I'd be in favor of putting on a ballot. I think there's definitely many more
ways that we can attack this approach. So, Amy, if you can discuss, there's the pilot planters. Correct. Is was that an effective program? Becau
the last you have some pictures, right. Maybe maybe PJ maybe. Can we show the pictures of the pilot planters and good afternoon for a sense of history to these. We're kind of calling
them tree pits. Kind of. They're very different because normally you wouldn't just dig a pit in the ground and put a tree. But I think, you know, Commissioner Rosen Gonzalez was trying to be very innovative and just see,
like, might this work because no one wants to give up parking. And that is kind of one of the biggest challenges in North Beach is that the streets are very small, they're very dense. There's a lot of buildings and
there's not a lot of open space. And we have, you know, small sidewalks that are barely wide enough for Ada requirements. So we did something kind of innovative. So PJ, if you want to show that slide you can see
how the trees are doing. We planted six satin leafs in sort of the triangular areas at the diagonal parking. Public works did that in-house. It was a pretty big effort for them. They
had to take a look and take a look at the underground infrastructure. Even broke some old pipes. They had to, you know, do cut into the concrete, create all the different mechanisms. So if you go back
one slide, you can see the trees. There's six in the groun. And it's hard to see them in front of, you know, with, with the words. It's also in your packet. They're doing okay. We
wouldn't say that they're thriving. It's been about a year and a half. And right now they're looking a little sad because it's the dry season. In the next couple months we would be able to see how they're
doing. We never expected these trees to thrive and become we expected is they would What provide some short term vegetative relief. So in in how they were planted, we think
they're doing about as expected. Do we expect them to be 15 year big canopy trees? Probably not. So if you want to be a little bit more visionary thinking, I
guess the NB ten where you have the tree canopy in North Beach. Yeah, that's something, you know, where are we with that? Is that so. Sure. So for this one here, one the commissioner had
asked we look at another option. So instead of doing the tree pits we would actually do these. But doing underground infrastructure and doing less of them. So that was another proposal. We, we actually put
through the item. And that would be about $180,000 to expand what we currently have or add more underground infrastructure. And that would be like $1 million, but we'd have to give up some parking. So that's for this
particular item. So we gave a couple of options and how many trees I have to leave. I'm not in love with the tree pit idea, simply because it was a little bit awkward. And I don't think transformative enough. I don't
really care if you guys want to do the tree pits, I'm on board with it. I'm on board for anything that would actually green the area a little bit. I'm also in favor of the feasibility study. I have to leave right
now. Even after all of this, I could see that you're not on board for the bond idea, so I will. We'll find the money. We just don't have to put it on the ballot. Okay? All right. I you
know, I think that I don't know, I mean, that's fine. I don't know how you're going to find the money. It's been hard. I a year and a half ago, we passed
an item to plant some trees in a parking lot that has not been done yet, just to practice. I don't know where that item is in the pipeline. I wish that the item had been heard, but it was
not. So I just think from my perspective, you know, if you're borrowing money over 20 to 30 years to plant trees that may not even last that long, you
know, hopefully they do, but you don't know that they would. I mean, usually you want that money for, for hard projects, you know, roads, buildings, our,
our our infrastructure system. It's not ideal. And I think we had extra money for this. We can look I mean, you can bring it back next month and find ways and I'll tell you just for the
$15 million, that's what that would be my motion for, for purposes of transparency, part of the reason why I can't support this is that I'm separately working with staff, with the with the attorneys, and
looking at a housing affordability bond. And for me, that's something that that is more in line with some of our pressing needs. I know the trees
are a pressing need, but I think we have other revenue sources that we could use for that, including grants that we might be able to apply for. So could my motion on this item be that it comes back next month, and
Jason can find the $15 million for the transformative tree canopy, like Commissioner Suarez and Commissioner Fernando, I think he's going to need more than a month, two months. I think he's going to need more
than a month. And like it might need money, seeds. Explore that money. Vice mayor. So, Jason, can you start buying printing ink for the printer in the
basement so we can if I can just but but I actually have a serious thing. So, you know, we all want trees for a lot of very real reasons, like the cooling
mechanism and walkability. And, you know, North Beach has no trees except until you get to the park, basically, literally. Parkview Island is called Park View Island and there's nothing
there are no trees there, except for the little tiny green space that was created in 2016, transformed into this lovely park. So that kudos to that. But that and I think Commissioner
Fernandez is exactly right. And we have bigger, more pressing issues. We have pipes that are failing. 80% of our pipes citywide are at or about to be
at fail failure, give or take 75%, 80%. Trees are incredibly important for many, many reasons, but I'm not sure that I'm willing at this point when
we know that we're looking at a tough budget year to spend 15 or $30 million from our budget where it doesn't currently exist, to try to do something
which will have to take away parking from residents in North Beach, which you forget is a
drop pilot program that seems to be working okay, but there are a lot of problems with it. We're losing a parking garage for a while. The people who live up in
87, 78th, 87th all the way in that quarter don't even, you know, can't realistically avail themselves of the parking garages at 72nd or 67th. So street parking, you know, for
people who can't walk great distances is a huge issue. And I'm really concerned that unless we look at this really holistically, like what does it do to parking? What does it do to transit mobility? What does
it do to, you know, does it help speed things or slow traffic down? Maybe it's a traffic calming measure some way or another, but I'm not I'm not ready at this point to just say, okay, let's get trees planted.
Let's find it. Because I think there are so many other interrelated issues that we're not addressing at this point. And there are three items. And I would I would say, let's defer it for a month or two and have
them kind of be merged together into one feasibility study and say, here's what we could do, here's how it's going to affect parking. It might have the benefit of slowing down traffic where people are speeding, you
know, is there an opportunity to reach out to property owners and say, would you like us to plant a tree on your lot? Because that might be an option. They're not huge lots, but they're a little, you know, they're little yards
and a lot of them are paved over. So what if we did a collaborative program with property owners saying, we will, you know, you pay the cost for the tree and we'll provide the labor, whatever that might be, and that might be an option, but
I don't think we're there yet. Okay. So how about Jason? Yeah. If I can, because there's a number of items that are that are here. One, does it make
sense to consolidate. Right. Well, yeah. There's one item. If they wanted to do the tree pits around $180,000 to put those in the one in which I think you might be landing on is the
master plan, which is I think is the 10th one. Yeah. So it wouldn't be a master plan. It would be a feasibility analysis. And this is in response to your item, Commissioner Suarez, to bring a multi-disciplinary firm
in and take a look at where we can get trees. It becomes a transportation issue. It becomes a right of way issue. So it's a holistic we approach. So we estimated about $250,000 which could be considered for next
year's budget process. And we're looking at certain corridors because that was your request was to look at these certain areas. And that is really kind of where we're at. There a lot
of money. So, so but this this might be a thing that we could defer until we know who's coming on board for blue zones, because again, Blue Zones is all about
green walking, safety, public rights of way tt are more user friendly. This is deep in the wheelhouse of blue zones. So maybe there's somebody who would come on and say, you know what, we would like to sponsor the
cost of this study. And if we do it this month versus in six months from now, it's not gonna make a difference. Yeah, it's not going to make it. I'm okay. I'm okay with deferring this for the next six months. Okay. So
we'll show plenty of time. So we'll show all three items were were heard and to be returned in six months. Great. Thank you. We're we're out of time. Unless there's an extension. I think we got one more minute. So how
about just five more minutes? I'd like to extend the meeting. Jason, what was that? What were those three items that were called? Seven, ten and 11? What? OBE or. MBMB7, ten and 11, we're
going to show is heard and we'll return in six months time. And then let's do last but not least NRB 20. Okay. So let me read that in. And B and B 20 referral to discuss adding infertility
treatment as a plan for a benefit for planned participants insured under the city's self-funded health insurance plan. Thank you, Commissioner Fernandez. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'm proud to sponsor this item because I believe it touches on something that's deeply human and that is our ability as a city and as an employer to
support the dignity and the dreams of our workforce. And so today, we're beginning a coersation about modernizing our self-funded health plan to
include to include fertility benefits. And this is more than just a medical coverage adjustment. I believe it's a reflection of who we are as an employee and how we value the
personal journeys of our employees. Recently, over the past few months, I heard from many members of our workforce, but specifically a city employee
who suffered a miscarriage and after she sought answers, she was looking for testing. She was looking for a diagnosis. Anything that might help her
understand what happened and what to expect in the future of her reproductive journey. But because our plan doesn't cover infertility, infertility related
services once a diagnosis is suspected, she was left without support that she needed during that very vulnerable journey. And I think anyone who who is
experiencing anything like this should be covered by our health insurance. And that story is not unique. It underscores the limitations of our current
policy, which unintentionally, I believe, withholds care when it's most needed. For a lot of the members of our workforce. And it's something we don't hear
about a lot because it is kind of like a taboo issue. People won't generally come and speak up about miscarriages. People won't come up and speak about whether they have low sperm
counts or not. It's something that is deeply personal, but the fact that people aren't speaking about it doesn't mean that they haven't been touched by it, and that they don't need medical
coverage for it. So by updating our plan to include fertility benefits such as diagnostic testing, IVF and other related
services, we're not only responding to real needs of our workforce, but also positioning the city of Miami Beach as a competitive employer. And that
is a very important public purpose in here, because we do want to continue standing out as a good place to work at cities and private employers across the
country are recognizing that inclusive family building support is not just a benefit, but it's also a strategic advantage in the workforce
market. So I want to recognize our human resources assistant director to take it from here. They've been doing some tremendous research on on how we can support our workforce and
also be competitive by offering this type of benefit in our plans. Good afternoon, Committee members. Commissioners, my name is Lorena Bravo. I'm the assistant director for HR. I'm
here on behalf of the department and the director of PSR, who could not be here at this meeting today. I'd like the commissioner pointed out, I think fertility is been at the
forefront of discussion at the federal level, at the state level, and for most employers in terms of how to recognize the fact that Americans are having
fewer children, they're having children later in life. And that age being a factor, that age is a factor in fertility. It's
affecting their ability to procreate naturally And so if they have a goal to build their family, they're having to grapple with the cost of relying
on alternative reproductive therapies. If you I mentioned the federal and the state level recently, the administration
issued an executive order in February seeking guidance to explore how fertility could be a covered benefit through
insurance. At the state level. There's a bill pending seeking to add fertility preservation to the state group health insurance
plan, and so it's something that's very avant garde. And, you know, it seemed to invest in employees. What's the fiscal
impact. Is there any. Sure. So our third party administrator, Cigna, estimates that adding infertility treatment coverage
will increase 1 to 2% above our claims, our claim level. So it would add 1 to 2% of claims, and then it would also affect our
stop loss, individual stop loss expenditure to the tune of about $76,000 a year. There's a small increment. And what is the 1 to 2%, 2% of claims on a yearly
basis would translate to about $576,000, out of how many claims total. In general do we have? I think this year we're projecting as of the data available at the
end of January, we're projecting claims of $28.9 million. And is this something that is it set in stone? Is it moving forward? Is
this something, you know, let's say no one takes advantage of it. Can we pull it back in a couple of years, or is this.
Forever as a self-funded plan, you have total control of this referral was to initiate the dialog. I'd like to. I'd like to move the item. I'll second it and I will say just, you know,
insurance in this in this country is super complicated. I'm not going to weigh in on that. But I will say, just for the record, I had to go to urgent care a couple of weeks
ago, one of the many times I had the flu or whatever was floating around. And the doctor, who is great, said that he doesn't take our insurance because he he gets paid $15 per visit because of
Cigna. And so that, you know, Cigna has room to maneuver. And I don't know if you can negotiate what the benefits are and how much they charge us for adding new benefits, but their their profit margin is quite
thick. And so, you know, if there's any anything you can do, you know. But I move it I mean I second it and I would just call the vote and just and just
quickly direct fiscal impact. Is there a direct fiscal impact to our budget with this? Well, it would certainly add the estimated amount to your to your
plan costs. It's us not not our budget. It's us as employees who write this. Exactly. So but but just just for the public knowledge because we had this discussion in my, in my office
directly to the city's budget, there's no direct impact. It's to the fund. Right? You have reserves that you could utilize to pay for the 1 to 2% increase over. It's called a vote. So
this would return. So if I may return to the commissioner with a favorable recommendation to add infertility treatment as a benefit to planned participants insured under the city's self-funded health plan, it would have to be made. The
motion would have to be made by Commissioner Bot and secbeded by the chair, David Suarez. All in favor? Can I have a can we have a roll call vote? Commissioner bot. Yes, Commissioner Suarez.
Yes. Thank you, thank you. Good. Meeting is adjourned. Thank you