Hey. Hey. Hey. Heat. Heat. Hey, tonight D. Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. I don't feel
Okay. Hey, hey, hey. Heat. Heat. Please take your seats. The meeting is about to begin. Remember to speak into the microphone as this meeting is being recorded for public record.
Please stand by. We are going on air in 5 4 3 2 1. Good morning everybody. Welcome to the March finance economic resiliency committee. Want to welcome my colleagues up here. Want to welcome city staff, our residents. We even have some
elected officials from Kiscane uh joining us. Uh what makes uh this region special is the collaborative effort that we have. We have a lot of the same uh pluses, minuses, uh excitement and also challenges that we're tackling. So it's good to do so together. Um, we have a
pretty robust agenda here coming up into such an exciting time of the year. It is just it's comforting and and great to sit here and actually welcome March with uh an excited anticipation as opposed as opposed to a month that uh we've dreaded
which uh we found ourselves oftentimes in the past. Um why don't we go ahead? I'll kick things over to our uh city attorney, our CFO, and then we'll uh get moving with the time certain here. >> 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 1888-475-4499 and enter the webinar ID which is 8636059-5462 pound or log into the Zoom app and enter the webinar ID which again is 8636059-5462. Any individual wishing to speak on an
item must click the raise hand icon if they are using the Zoom app or dial star9 if participating by phone. Uh thank you chair. Just a couple of uh announcements. Uh OB5, OB7, and MB1 are deferred at the request of the sponsor.
Uh items MB2 and MB10 uh pertaining to Lincoln Lane will be linked and heard together. And we have a one-time certain uh right off the bat at 10 a.m. MB6. Shall I call uh MB6? >> We shall. We had somebody uh going into
an allout sprint effort, I hear, to get here for uh for that time certain. I promise we would have waited to accommodate you, but uh why don't you come up? You and your team have put in quite literally years of effort. Um and this is an exciting project. Uh this
took great involvement from an entire neighborhood organization collaboration with our parks and recck division. So why don't we go ahead and tee things up and hear where this is going. Thank you. MB6 referral to the finance and economic resilency committee to direct the administration to draft an agreement between the city of Miami Beach and
Sunset Islands 1 and two homeowners association for a self-funded installation of turf at the park at Sunset Island 2 MB. >> Okay. Good morning. Um I'm John Reebar um parks facilities fleet and beaches director and um I'm here with a member
of the Sunset Island 1 and2 homerown association. Um we we were talked about a year ago year and a half ago about doing a a park master plan for that area and um um due to funding that can't happen right now. So the association came to us and and is offering to go
ahead and make an improvement at at their at their expense um which we fully support. And that improvement is, you know, they utilize that um the park space on on island 2 and you know, there's one area that's heavily used and and the sod needs um quite a bit of
maintenance uh and replacement and they're um coming to us saying, you know, we'd like to artificial turf that area so it's more resilient and doesn't need shutdown periods. So, it's it's a great project that we fully support. >> Why don't I turn it over to you? Your braggadocious moment for all the work that you and your uh team have put in.
>> No, not braggadocious at all. We greatly appreciate working with the city of Miami Beach. You guys have always been great partners with us on various projects. We appreciate it. Um, our island is fortunate to have this green space in the middle of it. A lot of the uh demographics of the island have
changed. There are a lot of kids on the island now. It really gets utilized daily, multiple times a day for mommy and me classes, soccer classes, gettogethers. It's a great community space. Unfortunately, the smallest amount of rain and it turns into a mud
pit and or a swamp um and everything has to get cancelled. We would love to be able to use it more frequently and possibly year round. Uh also hoping to save the city some money in the long run. I know last year alone it was resided twice because of this. Um so I
think we think that this could be mutually beneficial. Um we're happy to outlay the capital. Um we've gotten bids. We uh are fortunate enough that uh one of our members uh is a developer who has contacts and has done this type of
thing before. Uh the bid comes from a company who has worked with municipalities before and is ready and willing to work with the city of Miami Beach with whatever uh code requirements there are. And we just think it would be a mutually beneficial thing for the city and for the neighborhood.
>> Yeah. So kidding side, I want to thank you and the entire association that's been working on this uh for really spearheading this. Um I want to almost send an apology that we weren't able to essentially, you know, tackle this as a partner. I'm fully aware of the taxes
you all pay out there. Uh I would have loved to have delivered a park. We tried attempted to in our last budget session. I think uh Jason, we had what about $40 million of um enhancements that we were trying to fit into a $4 million bucket. And I would love to sit here and look
you in your eyes and say, you know, we weren't able to last year. We have you this year. That's not a promise that we can make. That that literally hurts me because, you know, our residents deserve that. Um but I also don't want to let that stand in the way of progress. And I
think this is uh fortunately or unfortunately the best uh most expeditious path to move forward. and uh I'm truly grateful for you and your team uh taking that on because this isn't just about you individually. This is collective for the entire community out
there. So uh on behalf of myself, thank you very much and thank you for what you're doing for our city. >> Thank you. Thank all of you. >> So yeah, I'm pleased we're we're interactive here. >> Uh well, this sounds like a a really
great opportunity for Sunset Island, too. And I definitely have seen in other parks where uh the soding and resoding and then waiting 6 to 8 weeks. You can't touch it until the sod sets. Um so it'll really beautify and make it useful. So it sounds good to me. I do have a
question. I thought that that swale was slated for a pump station in the future. Is that still going to happen or will this So is this part temporary or um >> and if it is in the future? >> We sent the the schematics over to um
and they I believe cross referenced it with the the pump station project to confirm that that's not where the pump station's going. >> Correct. I'm going have both CIP and public works take a look at this area and any future pump station is not doesn't affect this project site. >> Even better.
>> Yes. >> We want to be efficient. We want to do it once and uh one and done. And once the pump comes in, we'll work with you then to whatever that requires. >> Maybe we could outside contract you and your team for uh future projects here.
>> We have a great team. >> Excellent, Mr. CFO. So, do we want to return this uh to >> commission? Yes. >> Okay. So I think we would show this is returning to the commission with a favorable recommendation to direct the administration to draft an agreement between the city of Miami Beach and Sunset Islands uh one and two homeowners
association for a selfunded installation of a turf space at the park at Sunset Islands 2. Who will be making the motion? Who will be seconding? >> I'll move. >> Okay, second. >> Okay. And all in favor? >> I item passes MP6. Thank you. >> Thank you again truly.
>> Thank you so much. We look forward to working together for many years to come. >> As do we. Let's uh talk about excitement in our city. Um it's just incredible some of the progress that uh Lincoln Road is making and looking forward to what it
can be. I think we're all excited about that. So, Mr. CFO, let's kick off our uh our Lincoln Lane discussions. Okay. It'll be MB2 and MB10. So, let me read them in. Uh MB2, discuss potential improvements and maintenance agreement with Mac Management 2 LLC for Lincoln
Lane North rightway. That's MB2 and it'll be heard and linked with MB 10. A resol discuss a resolution of the mayor and city commission of the city of Miami Beach, Florida, authorizing the city manager to execute any land use board applications necessary to facilitate the
review of proposed improvements to the Lincoln Lane North rightway adjacent to the properties located at 723 Lincoln Lane, 721 Lincoln Road, and 741 Lincoln Road. said improvements to be undertaken in connection with a potential improvement and maintenance agreement between the city and MAC LR Holdco LLC,
the agent for the contract purchaser of the subject properties, and providing that the final decision to proceed with the project shall be made by the mayor and city commission following receipt of a recommendation from the finance and economic resiliency committee related to the potential improvement and maintenance agreement MB10.
>> Azie, good morning. Azie Dominguez, division director of asset management as uh Mr. uh Mr. Green has stated uh MAC owns a couple of the buildings that are adjacent to this area of Lincoln Lane North, which is 723 North Lincoln Lane, the ery and and the Marshalls building
and 719 Lincoln Road. They did put together a uh a PowerPoint that they'd like to present with design concepts, which is what we would like to discuss today, get some direction from from committee uh and then come back in the future uh at one of the next uh uh
finance meetings to present full terms uh with a recommendation. and go to commission. And with that, I'd like to introduce uh is it going to be >> Mr. Comrades and team? >> Michael, welcome. >> Thank you. Good morning. Uh thank you for taking the time to uh listen to our
presentation and I appreciate you guys uh all focused on this. Lincoln Lane, of course, and Lincoln Road is something that is something super exciting for city of Miami Beach and something that I'm hoping that we can help put a dent in to start bringing it back. and it's
already feeling some really positive energy, but I do think that really what it needs is a great shot in the arm. And um you know, I think Lincoln Road, as we've seen, you know, and as I've said before, Lincoln Road is a single street district, is really unsustainable. And
that's been proven over the last 10 years as areas all around city of Miami and all around the county have gone and really tried to take away the thunder of Lincoln Road. And you know, Lincoln Road does have challenges. It is, you know, the properties are generally 150 feet
deep or 100 foot deep. And a lot of times when you have um individual property owners, maybe 40 different property owners controlling 50 feet at a time, it's very tough to create a merchandising mix that becomes appealing to contemporary uh consumers and
retailers uh and restaurant tours. So what we've done is we've created a sort of a micro district really at the heart of Lincoln Road which is really set to capture the attention of the locals which is super important because as a local I'm here and Michael Conrad with
offices at 1261 20th Street. I'm a resident here for about 32 years. Um, you know, I've seen all the ups and downs, but really what brings me back to Lincoln Road is really the ability to collect a a few buildings contiguous,
which allows us then curate and merchandise effectively. Part of that is expanding Lincoln Road to the north. Um for years we've talked about developing Lincoln Lane and the streets to going up to 17th Street and um you know it's
unfortunate that those some of those RFPs didn't work but right now what I'm looking to do is to push the development to the north over to Lincoln Lane. And if you can uh see uh it's hard to see through the the uh the subscript there,
but today what the site looks like uh the back of the buildings uh facing Lincoln Road is a very troubled alley. It's probably one of the ugliest pictures I've seen on Miami Beach. And I sat outside with the manager across the street at the ery a couple of months ago
and I looked at this and I said, "This really shouldn't be allowed to exist in our city. We really need to do something." and I'm in the process of acquiring these properties and but that means that means when I do don't give me 20 violations just help me figure out how we can best really take this to the
next evolution. So what we're really doing is taking what is the backs of the buildings that front Lincoln Road and making them a second front and that second front will face the ery. So you have a unified street and here if you look up at the uh plan you can sort of
see the existing conditions where you have next to the former Sakswift Avenue building all the way to the right you have a series of little stores. You have a restaurant that is 25 foot wide with 145 foot depth. That was the old Tivera
restaurant. And then you had 7 uh 21 723. You have very small storefronts, very deep space. This is an issue that is affecting all property owners on Lincoln Road. For years, we spent time taking buildings that were only built 75
ft deep, making them 150 foot deep to cater to contemporary retailers that wanted large flagship stores like Nike. Today, after the retail apocalypse and the changing nature of retail, a lot of the flagship stores today want to be 1500 square feet. That's a problem for
Lincoln Road. It's a problem for a lot of other areas as well, but Lincoln Road, because of the way it's built, really suffers from that quite a bit. So the two big ideas that we've brought up to really change the nature of this area is the introduction of a via a via is a
po a walkway. It's a place that provides a sense of discovery to somebody walking on the street. So here as you can see um we cut a po in a via vianoli which stands for north Lincoln and it takes
pedestrians really from Lincoln Road to the north part to what is today the alley and by doing that as you can see what we're able to do is to cut in stores to the east and to the west smaller boutiques very European very charming
type boutiques and provides that sense of discovery leading you back to the a big plaza at the rear. Now, this via is not just an open via. It's not just an extension of Lincoln Road with the the sun and the heat and everything. This is
actually a covered via, a place where people can escape, a place where there'll be ceiling fans. Um what we're doing is we're knocking out the existing storefront, the existing back of the building, maintaining the existing structure, and within that structure, we're going to be installing ceiling
fans, storefronts, blade signs, creepy vines, vibe, and so on. And that will create a great activation and provide that sense of discovery for people traveling down Lincoln Road. Lincoln Road, as you know, in the pedestrian portions of Lincoln Road, not the
middle, there's virtually no shade. Uh they're all palm trees to the extent that they exist. Um our feeling for the if the via and coming back to Lincoln Lane is really more of a shaded type of an approach. Lincoln Lane will become a
true street off the street almost like a modern-day espadola way where people just come about it and they don't even know where it where it is how it got there and so on. But I think the opportunity that we have is creating a via to a street off the street. Creating
a micro district of about 150,000 square feet with over 1,700 linear feet of frontage catering to about 40 like-minded boutiques, cafes, and lifestyle uses to congregate together. Our goal again is to attract locals.
This is a project by locals for locals. And with me, I have Jackie Suz here who can walk you through some of the design elements that we've been working on. >> Hi, good morning. Um, I know this is a tight agenda, so I'm going to take you just really quickly through some of the visioning that we did for the for this
district, which is super exciting. We I've been on Lincoln Road since I was three. I love Lincoln Road. I've lived on and off Miami Beach my whole life. And we are the architects of Nike, Apple, and Gap. And we also are the architects of uh the 800 building which has me love the restaurant that it's done right now number one in the country
with a rooftop restaurant. So when we looked at this we we love the opportunity as Michael said of bringing back locals and we think Miami Beach is a brand and has DNA that should be respected and when you do anything off of a world a worldclass pedestrian street we want to kind of play off of that. Michael's idea of creating a
district that was pedestrian friendly, that was human scale, that would bring back some of these smaller retailers that that are that are struggling to make it happen on Lincoln Road really appealed to us, as did this making it more sustainable, bringing down the temperature, adding shade. For us, those things are are key to making any space.
The images on the screen are just different uh activations. Miami Beach has a history of little um moments along storefronts that are individualized, that are specific. We want to bring some of that ideas into into the Lincoln Lane so that each retailer feels special because it's important for them to have
their own identity within a bigger context. We have the big black and white piano curves and the swooping pink of Miami Beach. So, our idea was was to stay kind of monochrome but playful. And this is kind of the younger fun sister of Lincoln Road where you go and discover smaller things that you um up
and coming boutiques uh mom and pop and also you know nice independent boutiques as well. in order to make this happen. Shade and and a respit, an urban retreat, an urban kind of green area in the city was really appealing to us. It also really works for from a climate and sustainable standpoint. There is nothing
more sustainable than working with existing fabric. So, the adaptive reuse of an alley and buildings along the edge are really really appeal to us because we think that's the future. So, the ery building is going to have interventions to bring more greenery on it. Um, we're going to try to bring a lot more shade trees to this project and everywhere
along the way, uh, as many, uh, activations culturally to play off of what we want to see on Lincoln Road and was starting to happen on Lincoln Road. So, this could also have in the plaza space could could participate in the in the cultural life of the city. And this is just a quick, you know, I'm going to just show you some of the vision that we
have. You see on the left what it is you start to clean it up. You add a little popup retailer in the corner. You add elements like this, little wall fountains, shade. Shade is is huge. And all of a sudden, it really takes on a charm and a and something that you discover that you didn't know was there.
And it's human scaled. And the same thing with the AD building, adding some trellis columns, adding greenery, um, bands, and bringing down the scale of the ceiling so it feels more human. >> So when I think about the placement of this, this is just south of where the
Marshalls and Lincoln is. Correct. So we're talking about that one block area. Yes. And so you're doing the improvements on Meridian, which is super exciting. You're doing the improvements on Lincoln Road, and this space here is just unfinished and is not very attractive to humans. And when you get the convention center going, this is a place that people could walk through and
on their way to Lincoln Road. So, we need to kind of address it. We we shouldn't leave it as it is. And so, we looked at this intersection where you see the ery building and you see the building that I don't know formerly had the fins, for example, and this is what what it could look like. This is as it is, although the fins are out. And here
it is. Uh just greening the corner, adding the elements we're talking about for the ery building and bringing in significant shade trees. Not palm trees, but trees that actually make it bring down the temperature, make it, you know, really human scale. And then doing two islands that are significant. We're still working on this. The idea of the
restaurant is is we love rooftop restaurants and we love green roofs. So we we try to bring them in as as a possibility to whatever project we work on. We think it would be amazing to have have that kind of an experience there, but it could also be without the restaurant. So these are just possibilities that we're exploring. And here you see a section.
>> We have some questions. I'll go back to that other slide if you don't mind. >> Um so currently there's uh parking spaces there, but it's also a loading zone. >> Um is the vision to have that pedestrian and obviously there will be lots of
parking, but there's a lot and garage um available for people. Where would the loading zone go? >> The loading zones would be tuck. Let me show go back to the plan. The idea is that we would keep the loading off to the to
so we our idea now is actually to take out the parking spaces and make this entire area uh pedestrian because we realized we weren't getting the shade trees we need when we have the parking. So we in order to make this really work and this is an iteration. Uh, so the loading is happening in this area and we would have access and and this is still
going to be a pedestrianized mall, not not it's still going to have access and we're working with the fire marshals to determine what width they need, but it would be completely paved over. So a pedestrian experience that still has access, but that that's the idea. >> So you going to be valet? >> The valet could happen here and it could
you know there there's I mean have you still >> One concern that comes to mind like in front of Mila because it's one way each way. It's a disaster there with valet. So that would be tough. >> Yeah, they're doing the pedestrianization on Dreffull and I think those pedestrianizations need to
factor in valet and and where to where to have them and we we're definitely would >> Yeah, if I can jump in. Um so clearly loading and unloading is very important for us and um today the way the alley situated today you have those transformers and the dumpsters which are
front and center and that's your main exposure as you're walking down the street. what we've done with the new layout and if you could go to the next slide, you can see along the side, we've actually created sideyard corridor coming along the small shop space and
that's providing for a new transformer and loading and uh trash bins and so on. So, we've consolidated all the trash and transformers internalized into the buildings. And what we're working on is the strategy of trash removal and deliveries. Uh right now it's moving
more towards the eastern end uh where the cursor is and you can see where we've sort of reduced the sort of sidewalk experience there in order to provide loading and drop off zones. And then we would work on valet as well whether that would be over towards the
Meridian Avenue side or the Meridian court side. Um yes and so these are just again the vision of of the space and then the idea of a pail is something that's existed in urban centers for many years. It's in our climate if you do the fans and you
design it with a proper heights we're uh reusing some of the elements in the ceiling the date county pine uh roof and the trusses. So, we think it's an interesting look in inside what what these shops were like. And again, we love the idea of of having these micro boutiques that don't have to invest in having these giant stores and that
allows for them to have participate in the life of of Lincoln Road just off of Lincoln Road in this via. And that's a vision of of what that could look like. We're imagining like a speak easy over the VIA. It kind of peaks into the the arcade and also onto Lincoln Road. Again, always looking for the
opportunity to do a rooftop experience or or just have more um kind of fun discoveries along Lincoln Road. And this is uh what we're imagining for the Lincoln road side of of the project. A lot of these retailers can also have open air or you know open like indoor
outdoor spaces which is phenomenally you know successful for a lot of the restaurants that we're seeing and and and that kind of usage. So >> Michael, do you own all the properties on Lincoln in between what is that Meridian and Meridian Court
or will you need buyin from other properties? We we're in control of all of the properties that front both sides of the street. I just wanted to reiterate as you see this is the Lincoln Road elevation >> and um I don't think we have a slide of what that existing 150 foot facade looks
like but you know over the years these buildings were built back in the 20s and 30s and they were really built great as great buildings they have great ceiling height. You know, we once we removed two or three ceilings that were built into these spaces, we were able to actually get to the upper ceiling height. And
over time, these w storefronts which had very little knee walls, all of a sudden in the 50s, 60s,7s, the knee walls got taller, the storefronts got shorter, the uh the uh eyebrows and the canopies got
lower. So it looks like today that you have these very low ceilings within these storefronts. And as a matter of fact, when we start cutting it out, we start to say, "Oh my god, we can really make this back to what it was." I mean, this was the Fifth Avenue of the South. I'm not suggesting that we're going to
get to design district, you know, super uber luxury, but I think attainable and great contemporary boutiques. Um, this is what they're looking for. spaces that range from 500 to 4,000 square feet are ideal and optimal for boutique type
tenants. Yeah, we have the ability to merge some spaces and we may if we're right the right tenant to combine make it 8,000 ft, but the goal here is small shops and the ability for people to get in here and really create a diversity of mix. You know, a lot of times today when people walk down Lincoln Road and they
scratch their head and they say, "Look, I see some great tenants here and a couple of good restaurants, but it doesn't it's not jelling." So, we're hoping that the the via the activation of Lincoln Lane will start a trend along further Lincoln Lane because all of
those backs should be second fronts. They should not be backs of buildings. I mean, you have a beautiful symphony uh building and it's staring at the backs of buildings. So, I think, you know, hopefully that people will embrace what we've done here or what we're looking to
do here and say, "Hey, how can I do this to my property?" And hopefully it'll become Connecticut and people will all work together. I mean, this is super exciting. I've owned property on Lincoln Road for well over 20 years. We sold a bunch, but I maintain two. And I know uh
in the preamble it said that we were under contract. We actually do own the properties now. And um so it's really come a long way. Um we're excited about it. So we really wanted to present >> what do you need from us? >> This was just an introduction to you. Uh
we're coming back next month to discuss uh the MIP MIA agreement um for the Lincoln Lane improvements and that's really what we're looking at. >> Great. I love the I love the project. >> Yeah, I I love it as well. And what eventually are you going to need from
us? I can talk about that. Hey, how good morning everyone. Graham, >> the boring part. Uh Graham Penn, uh 200 South Biscane Boulevard. So, these are the three major elements that are necessary for this project. First two
are are uh related to this committee. Um the the improvement maintenance uh management and maintenance agreement um which we're as as staff indicated and Michael repeated, we're currently negotiating with the department. We hope to bring the entire city. We hope to bring it back to you in April for your
recommendation. The the Historic Preservation Board application necessary for the Lincoln Lane improvements, that's that's NB10. So, we would ask for a positive recommendation on that today, allowing to go to the commission to allow the commission to allow staff to
file that application when we get to the point uh of an agreement. And of course, our individual DRB approvals, which are not relevant to you. uh the just the basics of where we are with the improvement agreement. Um right now the
this is as currently drafted the design, funding and construction of all those improvements on on Lincoln Lane would be uh funded by the developer. The city would only be cooperating in that approval process which will include the county and I don't think the state but at least the county and once it's
completed we would be responsible for all regular cleaning and maintenance of that entire area. the in exchange for that as draft currently drafted and these are negotiation topics obviously the that there would be contemplation of allowing expanded cafe seating into the
pedestrianized area as well as giving the uh the developer additional management control over that area similar to Espanola way uh and then of course we're talking about additional things with staff at this point so today um the only action item I think uh and
>> what does the managers events and programming Well, we're we're working through that, uh, Commissioner. Basically, the concept is that special events, any activity in there, the the developer would act as
kind of a intermediary between the the person, the individuals that want to have an event there and the city so that we can control the nature of activities in that area. So to avoid events that are problematic, etc. So that that's
again what we're in the middle of the term sheet discussions about, but it's important and and Michael can echo that, I'm sure, that the the quality of the of what goes on on that portion of Lincoln Lane is controlled. And that's the idea. >> How about in the design district?
Because uh I I oftentimes get envious of uh some of the events that they have over there on the road. Is that done by the city or is that done by uh the private developer? >> Private developer. It's that's all done by uh the private developer of the owner. >> Okay.
So >> monetary. Is there an ask? Is there not? >> Well, for no >> if I can. >> Currently on the current draft, there's no ask for the city funding. >> I mean, how do we get started with this tomorrow? >> Everybody laughs, but why does it take
so long to do anything here? Like, let's let's get this started. uh this nice guy restaurant went to HPB years ago and and we're no further along. How do we go from conceptual to actually getting
things done? And Mike, I don't think we could be in better hands than having you do it. What more do you need from us? Not just to kick this along, but accelerate this. Right. I I I don't have all the time in the world. I I want to enjoy Lincoln Road with my daughter. I want our residents to enjoy it. Not 10
years. Yeah. I I want to do something now. >> So if um the I would say if you could pull up the uh plan of the future concept plan, I can tell you that the Lincoln Road portion of this project from Lincoln Road to Lincoln Lane before
the right ofway, that whole portion of Lincoln Road will be completed within the next 12 months. The only reason why we can't complete Lincoln Lane or the improvements to the ery to the north is because there's currently a staging area for the Meridian Avenue improvements and
that presumably will be done by the end of this year. Our plan would be to have all our improvements, our approvals in place so that as soon as that staging area is moved, it comes in and we finish out and then we complete the uh
improvements to the north side of Lincoln Lane and it's done. So, this is really less than an 18-month project as long as we can get through our process >> and there's no ability to kind of piggyback uh doing both these projects simultaneously. The the the problem is
is I have the the staging area in the middle of Lincoln Lane. So until that staging area gets moved >> u with the completion of the Lincoln Road, the Meridian Avenue improvements, uh we won't have access to that. >> Okay. Uh David Gomez, could you maybe
Hey, not now. Uh work with the team here to see if there's anything that could be done to be able to fire these projects off simultaneously and then uh turning that what is just an embarrassment, the backs of those buildings now in this alleyway
into something beautiful like you're proposing. How do you do that? Like h how are you retrofitting the buildings? Um, I know I'm using the word. >> So, this is um, you know, again, I've been on the beach doing things like this for about 30 years. This is a a project
that's actually rooted in adaptive reuse. So, I'm not building anything, maybe a little bit, but nothing of consequence. It's really just to round off some edges. But really, this is adaptive reuse and it's in its classic form. And that's what we, you know, and
I did the with Jackie and Carlos, we did the Nike building, we did the Apple building, we did the Gap building, and we've done a bunch of work together over the years. And, you know, it was very important to me to have these guys alongside because they understand my vision and my dream. And, you know, to
me, I wanted to be a new area that really ties together everything you guys are doing. I mean, you guys are building a convention center hotel. You're doing all these Meridian Meridian Avenue improvements. I'm just sort of playing off of that and really tying it all together because if you think about
somebody who's leaving the convention center or the convention center hotel, they go to 17th Street and they're staring at the parking garage. So, the notion of improving Meridian Avenue is >> the newly wrapped parking garage. >> I'm sorry, >> the newly wrapped in a mural, >> newly wrapped with the pedel courts on top, which will be amazing. But, you
know, the notion of people walking from Convention Center Drive West to Meridian Avenue is great in theory, but a lot of times people will stop short and go right to Meridian Court. And if you look at Meridian Court, it it's another alley, just not as ugly as the one that
we're attacking. But I do believe that the at the end of uh Meridian Court where the Forever 21, the former Forever Sax Avenue building is, we're going to improve that area. So the visual for somebody who's maybe walking by Meridian
Court will be just amazing. So they may be drawn to walk there or they'll walk to Meridian Avenue, but they're not going to be lost. And I walked with a number of the commissioners and and the administration through this and we've stood in that alley and you see people walking out of the parking garage there,
the 1500 car parking garage, and they're looking around. They're like, "Okay, I know there's Lincoln Road here somewhere. Just where is it?" and you see them literally walking down and they see the ery and then they look to the left and they see these dumpsters and they're like this can't be the
approach to Lincoln Road. So really this project really ties it all together and really is >> Yeah. No, thank you. Super excited. Is there a motion that needs to be made today? >> Yes, I think that there are two. So under MB10, it would be returned to commission with a favorable recommendation to authorize uh the city
manager to execute any land use board applications necessary to facilitate the review of the proposed uh improvements as presented. So I think that would be the first motion. >> And my only comment that I'll make is uh to really work on the loading zone and the valet so that when we see it at
commission there's clear description of what's happening because those two areas are important. Okay. So, we uh Commissioner Suarez has made the motion. Who we have a second? >> I'll second it. >> All in favor? >> I >> Okay. And then we have a second >> public comment,
>> please. >> She just got off. >> There's a And then the second one is related to MB2, which uh Azie will correct me if I'm off here. Is this is this item is to return to FK with an update in final terms of an improvement, management, and maintenance agreement.
>> That is correct. Okay. So, uh who will be making that motion? I'll move it. >> I'll second. >> Okay. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Both items pass 300. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> Look forward to seeing you next month.
>> Look forward to it. >> Why don't we I know we have a resident here and I love to get our residents out as quick as possible. Uh out of respect for their time, why don't we uh talk about the installed bird bath uh water feature at Park. Monica,
>> that is >> Sorry. Uh MB5, discuss the installation of a plumbed bird bath water feature at Bell Park. MB5. >> Hi, I'll be brief. Um U Monica Tracy, uh
Miami Beach resident, 45 years. Um and uh you you all make living in Miami Dade County tolerable. Thank you. Um uh this small bird, >> we have paradise down here. This is it's uh positive. This this is the the center
of the world. >> It's the best. >> The best. >> Um okay. This would be a small structure about 3 ft high with maybe an 18 inch by 18 inch base. There would be a drain field involved. There is um it would be built of a natural looking substance. It
would be tall enough for a big dog to drink water out of it, but it's not intended as a dog drinking fountain. Um, it needs a one or two horsepower motor. It needs an electric line which could be solar powered or not. Um, it also, um,
like I said, needs a drain field. Um, it's a it's a water feature. So, um, Barry Miller of Miller Cavino is ready to help me. We might not even be able to find a location that works in the park. And it could be by the sewage pumping
station. That's fine, too. Um this is a um he's ready to help and the director of operations over at botanical garden he really knows water features and could help and um >> and um I'm sorry I'm not good at this.
Um a favorable recommendation from this committee would help with the neighbors committee. I'll be I'll one more minute. um thy in the geo bond department said that um there is um 1 million um allocated for bell aisle that's unspent from geo bond money that's for above
ground infrastructure but um that taunch might not have been funded I don't know um I am personally willing to um deposit into some type of account $2,000 of funds to pay for materials which aren't going to be you know some rocks and you
know a pump you know materials and consulting you Miller Savino and the the uh botanical garden guy, but I don't want to pay for labor, so I'm willing to pony up uh two grand. Uh and I don't know how you would that works, but um
and just in closing, um I volunteer at Pelican Harbor and I've brought in, you know, 40 birds over the last few years since I retired and only eight of those birds have lived. Maybe it's really heartbreaking to deal with the the what our wildlife goes through down here.
They don't have a lobbyist and um a little bird bath would be >> I'm their lobbyist. >> A nice thing. Thank you. >> Now Monica, what if you don't mind? I think you just rushed to the point. >> What are you building? >> It's a bird bath. >> Okay. >> It's a little stone structure about 3 ft
high. It has a dish on top. The water flow has to be regulated. It will need some cleaning and maintenance. I'm willing to clean it, but I mean I don't think that's a big issue for the parks department. Um, >> okay. So, John, what what what do you
what do you have? Um, you've studied this. How much is it going to cost? >> Well, but on the information that we have without looking for even she said we got to find a right location. We were estimating around $15,000 not including whatever type of maintenance and you know how these water features work that
you know the pumps running 24 hours a day need maintenance and and often fail. my strong right now. It's like working the location. I know Monica for years. She sends me videos of her her bird releases and it's wonderful. I'm hearing from the neighbors a little bit concerned about
attracting more birds, um bird waste, bird feathers, the children at the playground, the pets at the playground, working through that side of the process. You know, we looked at this as just a bird bath. What would it cost if it went somewhere in the park? And is it true that we could use geo bond funds
for this? >> I don't believe so. They're not in the parks bucket, but I don't I don't want to speak specifically. >> Yeah, we have tight here. I think there'd be concern that because those monies were set aside specifically to pay for the above ground portion of of um major capital improvements related to water sewer. But tight.
>> Yes. So, one of Titier directed the geo bond program. One of the projects that we have in the 2018 bond is called uh above ground improvements and includes a number of projects and those funds were intended to supplement um infrastructure
improvement projects. So, you know, water and sewer, storm water projects that you need above ground improvements, lighting, landscape, etc. >> So, that was the intent. Ble has within that bucket uh $1 million allocated. And if I can that that's also the since it's
such a small amount it wouldn't meet their their capitalization threshold. So this would be something more likely though one might state capital would more likely be funded of operations. >> So when would we be able to get a hard cost for us to to consider and approve it or is 15,000 number
>> right? I think, you know, pro and Jason could maybe assist me with direction from the committee to put more effort towards maybe not engaging with looking at design, water connections, drainage, things like that. Um,
probably take 45 days because we've got the the liberty. >> I'm okay with just continuing the idea and and seeing what it would take. I don't know how my colleagues feel about that. >> Sure. um it was dual referred and uh the
neighborhood this is the request of one resident that would affect thousands and thousands of people in a neighborhood. So I think it's fair to hear from the neighborhood association and it's going to be heard at one of the upcoming neighborhood association meeting to see if there's a interest from the body and
the community to have it. Um so continuing it sounds fair and then we can hear um what the community thinks about it. >> Okay. Yes, we do have a memo in for the neighborhoods. >> Yeah. So we can continue it here and then let's hear it at neighborhoods. Yeah.
>> And see what people say. So So the direction is to continue exploring >> from from the finance committee. >> Okay. We will continue to explore. Yes. >> So So if I can So the item will uh not be closed. The item will be will return at the appropriate time. My understanding is there's a neighborhood
association meeting. So you'll be looking to get some >> it was referred to public safety and neighborhood quality of life committee to be discussed there and the neighborhood association there can weigh in on what they feel. >> Okay. So we'll have the item return after the neighborhoods committee uh
with its recommendation. Okay. >> Well, just just so we're clear, the directions also you can continue to explore and dig a little deeper, right? And if it pans out at neighborhoods, great. If it doesn't, then we, you know, you'll be updated, but I think, you know, we don't want to slow down the
process of possibly moving this forward. >> Yeah. Yes, sir. We'll dig deeper. >> Yeah. That being said, I don't want to hear back here before we get feedback in neighborhoods because I don't think there's a huge financial ask here. It's just whether this is, you know, preferred and wanted. >> Okay. For the I understand. I
understand. Thank you for your consideration. >> Thank you so much, Monica. >> Thank you. My call my village. So Jason, no vote or motion needed on that. Correct. >> Yeah. Yes. Uh chair, I think we'll just return to FK after uh the neighborhoods committee the recommendation but to
proceed with uh exploration of of the project. >> Yep. How about we hear NB I believe it's three uh expanded access uh for North Bay Village residents at Normandy Park Pool. >> Okay. Uh MB3 discuss take action to expand access and discounted rates for
North Bay Village residents at Normandy Park Pool and North Beach Recreational Program. MB3 >> will be uh maybe introduced and let us know if we'll be seeing it at Woodloo again this year. >> Yeah, let's let's see it. Uh Goran Cook, 7901 Hispanola Avenue, North Bay
Village. And good morning, chair, vice chair, commissioner, uh members of the staff, members of the public. I appreciate the opportunity to come and uh speak before you all today about this item. Uh but I actually wanted to start by uh thanking you all for the hard work that you guys all put in every day. Uh
especially over the past few years. I love Miami Beach. Uh if I'm not in North Bay Village, your neighboring community, I'm in Miami Beach. I'm walking the boardwalk over there shopping at Normandy businesses. Uh my friends are all in South Beach, Mid Beach. This is where I spend my time. This is my home.
Um, and I love uh the transformation and the work that you guys have put in here over the last two years. Um, obviously crime is down, public safety is a priority. There's been a rebranding towards uh health and wellness, and uh on top of all that, you guys have still
found a way to give residents back $500 in uh tax rebates. So, congratulations on all that success. Um, I love what I'm seeing and I I look forward to seeing what you guys continue to accomplish over the next couple years. Um, so I'm really excited about this ongoing
partnership and this is something that's been in the works for a while and it's been and it's been ongoing and I wanted to highlight a couple of of things that are already going on. So we already have an existing between our police department and yours. Uh, they work together very well. We uh give our police vote out for the air and sea show
for spring break. we're supporting with spring break um police activities uh this year and as we have last year uh your police department supported us in an unfortunate traffic fatality that we had last week. So um all of those are are are great synergies that we have.
It's great resource sharing and uh it's it's it's an area that we want to continue to uh expand. Um and we started that a couple months ago with the trolley program. So we have the Miami Beach trolley. We expanded that access to come to North Bay Village once a month for the culture crawls and that's been very successful in both directions.
It's helped alleviate traffic in North Beach. Uh it's also given us a new mode of transportation to offer our residents and uh and of course we're we're we're also covering the cost of that additional trolley access that that we have. So it's another revenue stream for
Miami Beach. Um, and uh, we also have a uh, a free YMCA summer camp for Miami Beach residents that are zoned at Ties. We have a free and paid soccer program or discounted soccer program for Miami Beach residents in North Bay Village as well. Um, and very exciting, we have a
new community center that's opening up by the end of the year. Uh, three stories with a lot of uh, multi-purpose fields, paddle courts, uh, and lots of other recreational programming that we plan to have there. We we plan to expand that access to Miami Beach residents as well. So that's going to be another
great area of partnership looking forward towards the end of the year. Um so really I'm here today to express my support for this item for item NB3. I wanted to thank Vice Chair uh Suarez for your leadership and spearheading this initiative and joining a lot of the
calls between our two communities on uh continuing the spirit of collaboration uh because it's um it's the best it's ever been and we hope to to make it stronger. So, this item is about uh expanded access for discounted rates for my North Bay Village residents at Miami
Beach. Uh programming and recreational facilities, including Normandy Pool, uh Normandy Golf Course, um and most of the areas in the Northshore neighborhood. Uh this should create more revenue opportunities for your parks and rec department. It should create more economic opportunities. Hopefully, more
people are coming into the area, parking, walking around, dining and shopping, um and building more community in the area. So, open to questions and feedback. May >> maybe if we move forward here, we could uh work on some preferred access to Palm Tree Club up in your uh
>> Yeah, of course. Of course, absolutely. Anytime. >> Go ahead, Commissioner. >> Uh so, I have um some questions. Um when and this might be for Jason because I know that when we have high impact weekends and we get uh police
departments from other jurisdictions, Miami Beach is paying for the police officers. Are we paying for the North Bay Village officers or is North Bay Village giving it to us? >> Off the top of my head, I'm not sure of that answer. >> I believe it's I believe it's paid >> by Miami Beach or by North Bay Village. >> By Miami Beach.
>> Okay. Um, >> you mentioned that there's a community center coming and exploring access. Can we get something concrete instead of aspirational so that that way it's it looks reciprocal
um on paper? And I understand if maybe just 4 33141 zip code because uh North Bay Village has 8,000 residents and Miami Beach has 80,000 plus. So we wouldn't want to bombard you but um
to make it fair um to have something in writing drawn out concrete because right now just saying yeah we're looking at giving you access and maybe when it's built it's never we don't get anything. >> Yeah. Perhaps there's somebody maybe internally within staff that could work on like a comprehensive partnership and
collaboration because you laid out so many great things and we truly are interconnected partners. Uh those boundary lines the mirror are invisible, right? We're one community. So uh I love this idea here. I love access. I followed along. I'm envious of the new
community center you're bringing online. Hopefully we get to have our own where we can also offer uh reciprocal access to uh to your residents soon as well. Um but you know perhaps uh we could kind of tackle a collaborative comprehensive partnership >> pretty soon. We'll just take over North
Bay Village. >> Ricky wanted to ask >> this is this is just one step. >> Um yeah, look I think it's I think Commissioner Deming does bring up a good point. Let's have something in writing. It's like maybe perhaps through anou
or something and I'm sure you guys could figure that out. You I think you have a big soccer program coming. Our kids would love to be part of that. >> Um and take advantage of that. So >> and that that's a lot of that's in place already today. And what we're looking at is uh obviously we don't want to
overburden you either. Uh we're looking at the off peak hours um you know when it's uh when Normandy pool's not in use. And I know most of the time throughout the week it's empty. when I when I go by there, drive by there. And we had a partnership in place on this actually in the past where our residents had access
to that pool for I think it was a dollar. This is about six to eight years ago. Um and less than even then less than >> or you have support just let's work in something that's like Commissioner Domingus said something concrete and I think it's going to be easy from there. >> Perfect. Yeah. No, sounds good. Let's do it.
>> For next step, theou or whatever we call it would come back to committee or we go directly to the commission. >> Yeah. make it easier commission if >> if I can. I'm just making some notes here. So, I I think what it would do is return this would return to commission to direct administration to draft an agreement uh between the city of Miami
Beach and North and um North Bay and North Bay Village uh for expanded access and discounted rates for North Bay Village residents at Normandy Park Pool. I'm hearing Normandy Golf Course and North Beach Recreational
Program with reciprocity uh for my beach residents at some facilities within York Village and let the >> let's not limit it. Let's leave it to uh staff to just work open-ended and collaborative um and you know see how we
can have the most reciprocal relationship as possible. >> Okay. Uh who is making that motion? >> I'll move it. >> I'll second. All right. All in favor? >> I item passes three nothing. MB3. Thank you. >> Thank you. We'll see you soon.
Appreciate it. >> Why don't we hear um >> sir, what was the refine item? Uh Mr. CFO. >> Uh we can MB9. >> We'll call it MB9.
Discuss requests for the city to provide a $5,000 sponsorship for a refine activation during Earth Week Miami taking place from April 22nd through April 26th, 2026. MB9. >> Good morning, Mr. Chair. Droante, director of tourism and culture. I'm
happy to share this. This is a feel-good item. Uh it's a proposed partnership between Eco Channel and the Reef Line to provide a community event in Miami Beach on April 25th surrounding Earth Day to provide some snorkeling and possible scuba diving to the Reef Line. We do
have representatives here who could talk a little bit about more of the details, but they're asking for $5,000 for the cost for the scuba diving, and I believe there's a 30% donation to the reef line. And before we call them out, why don't we open it to uh Commissioner Bot uh to
kick this uh off or give some comments as well. >> Commissioner Bot, please unmute yourself. >> Hi everybody. Um, I wanted to, >> we don't hear you, Commissioner. >> Just give one. >> I'm sorry. Can you hear me? >> There she is.
>> Okay. Um, thank you for the introduction was said. I also want to give the folks from Refine a chance to talk about this directly, but I urge our uh unanimous support on this so we can bring it back on March 18th. Um the Reef Line is amazing. Um and it is right off our
shores. Uh there are a lot of people though who might not feel comfortable going out to explore it on their own for the first time. And this is a tremendous opportunity to invite our residents to to have to go out there and and um learn about it firsthand from the folks who
who are um deeply involved. So with that, I'll turn it over to Brandy and BB. >> Ladies, please super exciting and welcome. >> Hi everybody. I'm BB and this is Brandy. Okay. One of the reasons why we came to you for the Reef Line activation is that
there are no activations on Miami Beach. Okay. The activation that they work with is divers paradise and it's out of keep scain. So as a Miami Beach resident, we would have to drive Kibiscane to get on the boat to come back to go back to come back. And I don't think that that's uh
pretty appropriate for a project that Miami Beach has paid for and subsidized. So we want to activate it from the Miami Beach Marina, which is the goal. And the goal is to have it monthly. This we hope will be the kickoff uh for this project first week.
>> Yeah. Thank you, BB. Um, thank you all. Good morning, Brandy Reic, executive director of Reef Line. Thank you for having us today. Um, what BB did was invited us to participate in the Echo in the Earth Week Festival. And what we decided would be a wonderful activation
is to have dive and snorkeling leaving from the Miami Beach Marina. We did a pilot program of this during art week where we had three trips leaving daily and offered free diving and snorkeling to the site. So what this would do is basically reactivate that same kind of
activation where we would have two trips leaving from the Miami Beach Marina. Each trip holds 20 participants plus our director of science, our our artistic director and myself and we do an art and science um kind of immersion about the reef line. So we have an art learning
program and a program where our director of science talks about the corals that that are outplanted on the reef line and really explains the science of the reef line. So, it's an educational and a fun opportunity. And as part of this, we'll also bring out the big pink buoys that
were designed by artist Andre Razinger where people can lounge. So, you go out and you lounge on the buoys and it's just an really fun experience. Um, they're two charters. Uh, they last about an hour and a half to two hours each. >> Incredible. Well, thank you for your
ongoing commitment uh to this. Um, super fun. Um, I love it. Do you have a social media internal team? >> Well, we're a very small team. We Yeah, we handle it all internally. >> I I would just love uh you know, sometimes uh what I lament is when we
have these great opportunities and we don't get it out there enough to the residents and to actually document some of the cool things that we have going on Miami Beach. >> Exactly, Commissioner. Actually, we do. Our problem like with Earth with um Art Week, we sold out in 24 hours. So, as
soon as we announce something, it fills up fast. Yeah. And we did, in fact, we did open house with the one hotel last Friday night, and that same thing within 48 hours, we filled all of our spots. >> Yeah. And >> magazine. >> Yep. Uh, let me just finish that and then I'll kick it over to you,
Commissioner B. If this is going to be ongoing, I think there are so many ample opportunities for uh more uh private sector sponsorships as well. The one hotel or other >> Exactly. And that's just what I wanted to bring up to do this activation and
kick it off so we can show how sponsorship can come in for you guys to be able to activate this every month. >> Yep. Commissioner Bach, go ahead. >> I was just going to add uh to your comment about sharing u on social media. Once the city of Miami Beach is involved as a sponsor for this month's event, for
the April event, um we can share it with our our internal marketing comms team. So, that is another reason to to um to give sponsorship. A question for BB and um Brandy, this is a one-time only
sponsorship from us just for the Eco Fest um Earth Week. Okay. Just wanted to clarify that. >> So, um I forgot that I'm not on this committee, so I can't move it. For forgive me. >> Commissioner Dominguez, I believe you
had >> uh I had a question. So, I remember when we did the $1 million for arts and culture, the last time I checked, there was like 12,000 still left. Would that come out of there or has that $12,000 already been depleted? Would this be
>> th those dollars were from last fiscal year's closed? Um, but there there is identifi there is an identified small pool of money that is available for this. So, this would not require when this goes back to commission and they approve it, this would not require coming back for a budget amendment. >> Okay, good. >> I'll move it. Okay. So, we'll show this
item to return to commission with a favorable recommendation to approve a onetime $5,000 sponsorship for refine activation during Earthweek Miami taking place from April 22nd through April 26, 2026. Uh, Commissioner Suarez made the motion. Second, >> I'll
show you. >> Can I just ask a question? Will this be on the next commission meeting in March? >> This month? >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Will this be documented in a future book perhaps? >> Uh, yeah. That is the next book. I will be doing some eco book. I mean I need to find new
things to talk about in Miami Beach. >> Scuba Steve over here >> and so yeah you coming up soon. Okay. Thank you very much everyone. >> Thank you ladies. Amazing. >> Thank just for the record. Uh all in favor I >> I the item passes three nothing. Thank you.
>> Um how about we move to an old item uh entering into an agreement with a private parking facility in North Beach. uh just because I believe that this will fall off if it's not addressed. I know city staff is kind of taking stabs at this. Will, welcome.
I love the pace that you always approach the microphone with. I love the urgency, the efficiency. Let me turn it over to you. >> Let me read the item into the record. Uh OB3, discuss the possibility of city entering into one or more agreements with private parking facility operators in North Beach in order to increase the
number of available parking spaces for North Beach residents. OB3. >> Uh good morning. Is it morning? So yeah, good morning. Uh William McDonald, our director of parking for the city of Miami Beach. So uh just want to jump right into the updates here because obviously we are looking forward to
thinking about what will occur uh when the 72nd project uh uh gets off the ground. We will lose 320 plus uh prime parking spaces within that area. So um the first and foremost I want to jump right in. >> Oh, right. I'm sorry.
>> Temporarily. >> Temporarily. Correct. Once the fac once it's built, you know, I two to three years because I have absolute faith in the construction projects here in Miami Beach. Two years. Um uh but we know that, you know, two years is an eternity for the local businesses, for the
residents that want to enjoy the area. Um and so we want to make sure that we have a plan in place that will address that. So, first and foremost, um something that is really focused more on quality than it is on quantity. Um we have uh began discussions with the band
shell and the uh uh the valet company that is in partnership with the city for example on Lincoln Road and we feel that we can be uh very aggressive that within uh by the end of April we will be able to roll out a valet program for the band
shell to start getting a better idea of what that demand looks like um during special events so we can possibly uh one start creating the demand if it doesn't exist and two, start offering an alternative to individuals that don't want to continually circing.
>> And where will those cars be parked if they participate in the valet? >> Million-dollar question, sir. Um, so we're looking at several areas. Uh, one of the areas that comes directly um to mind would be initially the library,
which is approximately four blocks north of the Banshell area. Um, there are a few reasons why this uh lot came to light. one because of the lighting that is required in that lot. And I'm I'm going to speak very ignorantly of this topic. I believe it's because of turtle
season. Um that lot can't be lit very well. >> I didn't mean to touch anything. That lot can't be lit very well. And so there's a lot of times because it is tucked behind several buildings. The construction that was taking place there on Ocean Court, um it wasn't the most
utilized. So it wasn't a very attractive lot. So that was the first place that we were looking at. >> I get, you know what, don't need a full analysis, but you hit on what's important there at the end. I just want to be sure that we're not essentially using lots that are fully utilized,
right? I don't want to take away from resident A at the expense of resident B. >> Correct. That's that's our our big focus point. And then there's even an alternative. So for example, this kind of leads me right into the next paragraph, the Doville garage. So, the Dovville garage, we have uh um uh an
agreement with them to utilize 150 parking spaces. They have until June to make that garage ready for parking. Um I don't know the date off the top of my head. I believe it's June 18th, June 21st in that area. Um however, there are several hundred other spaces in that garage. So, in the meantime and until
that construction gets off the ground for the project that is going to go into that space, um I feel very comfortable saying that we can come to an understanding on how to better uh utilize the additional parking spaces in that area. So, we could come up with a
program that says, "Hey, you can choose to park north, choose to park south, and on a really great night, we could choose, hey, we're going to valley your car in the south, and then you'll have a short, you know, fourb block walk to the south where you can bypass some of the great restaurants in the area. You can choose to eat dinner before or after."
Um, so we feel we can do some really interesting things uh for ask this now that you bring it up. Uh the Doville actually construction won't begin on that site, I think, for several years. Um, I guess there's not really anybody in the room to confirm it because private development, but just from the
time frame that that uh I remember from when it was approved. I'm not advocating for this. I'm just posing it out there in the universe for food for thought and just came up when you said Doville. Uh, given that perhaps in a perfect world,
um, we have the 72nd Street garage being built, we're losing those spots. Perhaps it comes online maybe as the Doville is starting. Has there ever been any consideration about using the Doville
site, the future Doville site for parking right now? Um, and trust me, nothing pains me more than thinking about any type of parking along the water that it's not, you know, my mo. I don't like covered land plays, but
obviously few parking spots isn't going to uh prevent the developer from moving forward there. It's really just the timing issue. Would something like that ever work? >> Commissioner, good morning. This is David Gomez from Capital Improvements. We are looking at the possibility of
increasing the number of spaces that the Dova will provide to make up for the loss of spaces in 72nd Street during construction. >> But that would be at the garage, right? >> At the garage. Yes. I know we have uh at the behest of Commissioner Suarez that they need to keep the Doville lot in
parklike conditions, but >> as as I recall, it's not as if the public can access that, right, for liability issues. Have we ever thought about using that as like an overflow uh parking space? >> We have, and that's one of the things
that that we're looking at, not only there, but also in in other potential sites. Um there are some planning requirements that we need to figure out how to how to meet those requirements in order to do that but we are looking into that. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> So you actually walked me the very next paragraph uh commissioner. So the
temporary west lots um obviously uh uh we've been uh speaking with the other departments within the city. Um because what we want to do is say if we go ahead and deploy an asset or create an asset that's a temporary parking lot uh first and foremost um we do not want to contribute to the flooding. So, we want
to look at permeable surfaces that are both attractive but can also be changed back into their natural state. >> And here's what scares me about that, right? I hate the thought of parking on a waterfront lot like the Doville, but I know that that truly will be temporary
because it's just while they're designing those. I know how our city works. And if all of a sudden we could do it for a week, make temporary parking on the west lots and the second we could have this beautiful park planned and in
place. I do not want those becoming forever parking lots. And it always starts out as temporary. And I I would just I would be incredibly pessimistic that we do those temporarily and then it
becomes a forever type thing. Well, and regardless of where that plot of land is, I mean, obviously parking is open up to any plot of land, but we would ensure that um one completely permeable surface, there's a lot >> I know you guys I it but from a legislative perspective as soon as we
open it up to parking and then people get used to parking there and then we could have the most beautiful elegant project that you know after 30 years we say here's the direction for the west lots and we'll have 10 neighbors call and Oh my gosh, I I parked there. And we'll
say, okay, you know what? They'll just be parking lots forever. And those sites deserve to be so much more than parking. >> Commissioner Magazine. >> Yes. >> Um those lots, and Will can correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that the west lots are predominantly
used um to capacity on the weekends. They are not overly used during the week and certainly not during the day. So, um, and there is an item traveling legislatively to discuss specifically turning the entirety of the west lots into a planned park. Um, including
reconfiguring, um, uh, cut through streets and looking at the utilitarian parts, the lots and how those can be better placed. um but thinking of this comprehensively and holistically and um not to get rid of
the parking necessarily, but to think about how to use it and where to put it so that it's better for everybody. Um so I don't think with this commission that that that we collectively will let that become a permanent situation. And I I do have a question for Will. I don't know
if you're going to get to it, but the the 72nd Street um high-rise that built over capacity parking as well as the other highrises that are coming online, but 72 park is is obviously built and open. So, can you talk about um
conversations that you've had with them? >> Uh yes. Yes, I can, Commissioner. So, with the with any obviously I'll say this with any private operator to ensure that we can get uh Miami Beach rates because that's obviously going to be our focus. Uh because whereas we are $1 an
hour in the North Beach, uh for example, the 72 park garage at $4 an hour. Uh it is open to the public as of right now, but obviously those rates are a little bit I'll just say north of um what our visitors and uh residents are accustomed to. what we would do is essentially uh
look at what we could uh what type of deal we could put in place and where we can get the most uh bang for our buck. Um so when we talk about uh the west lots um private operators we'll look at saying hey what would it what would it
cost us to do x how many parking spaces do we get out of it so I really want to do a costbenefit analysis on the best way that we can provide close um um and and e efficient parking services for the individuals visiting at North Beach and they will absolutely be part of the conversation.
>> How many how many parking spaces are in the Doville parking garage? Uh off the top of my head, Commissioner believe there's about 450. Um so it might be like slightly less. It might be right at 400, but we have about 150 of them. The the the unfortunate aspect probably
about additional 50 of those 400 are uh uh we call valet spaces. So they're meant to be double parked. Um which obviously has been in our mind. So if there's if there's over 400 spaces and the Doville project isn't going to
be I mean there isn't going to be a shovel in the ground for a couple of years, maybe we can go to the developer and ask him if we could just use the whole garage until it's built. >> So that's actually the the plan commissioner um when I talk about extra spaces um and it kind of puts me right
into the very >> because no one's really going to walk to that garage. I mean, it's >> So, that actually puts me into that very um last section. So, when I when I when I think about parking and what that would look like in the North Beach area during the construction of the 72nd Street project, um there's going to be
no silver bullet that gets a win. However, if we can look at assets in the underutilized west lots that already exist, and we're not even talking about temporary lots, just using what's up in that area, we look at valet, we look at possible um uh agreements with with
private garages that are in the area that are underutilized, and we look at what we' have at Doville, a transportation loop concept, sort of what we already have in place, but something much tighter and focused more on peak times. So something that travels between say uh you know 85th and 67th
strictly from Harding to Collins um I think could be a phenomenal asset because it would um reduce traffic in the core because if somebody says hey not a problem I'm coming from the south I'm going to park in the Dovville hop on a on a on a transportation concept and it truly gets back to what we really
want to do here is focus on microobility and public transportation and reduce some of this traffic congestion. So, I think we're going to be looking at this as an as a as a whole concept for the area >> because you're right that that walk from 67th to 72nd, you know, we can say it's
only five blocks, but >> Will, do you live in our city? >> I do, sir. >> I can tell. No, I I can't. Right. Our employees that live here pick up on these little nuances that are lost when you just drive to city hall and then
drive out of our city. Um, I don't want to get off topic. I think you've been doing a fabulous job. You've been here what, a year? Not even. >> Not even, sir. >> Not even. Still, still how you view things comprehensively, your energy, but your understanding of the city because
you're not just living it 9 to5. >> Uh, you're living and breathing it all day, every day. So, thank you for your commitment. It's these little nuances that I think really make or break decisions when when people put forth when our staff puts forth proposals.
Understanding those little nuances that you only get not from sitting in the confines of city hall, but when you're out on the weekends uh walking with your family or riding a bike uh is community you live and breathe in and I can tell. So, thank you. >> Where do we go with this, Mr. CFO?
>> Uh then we have a question for the committee. uh the I mean the it does sound like that that some of these issues will be linked to 72nd Street which uh um you know be construction in a couple of years and I think staff already knows to bring back the appropriate agreements if there are are
any but it this could return to commission to direct administration to negotiate any additional parking agreements as deemed necessary and bring back you know to the commission when appropriate. >> This is Commissioner Bot's item, correct? >> This is Commissioner Bot's item. Commissioner B, if you're still listening, um, you know, do you have any
preference on how this proceeds? >> Um, I'm sorry, Jason, what was your what was your uh recap going to be? >> Well, I I think the item could be could be just um heard and closed because as far as I'm aware, the the administration is aware that it would need to bring
back um in order to continue to explore alternate parking locations when the 72nd Street uh lot is closed for that for that building to be constructed. And I think that plan is well well in the works. But if the committee wanted to direct administration to to do that um
you know we can we can put that in the form of resolution but will I guess is really for will and for CIP I believe these things are already in yeah these things are already being handled correct >> correct however sorry correct however um obviously I think with any understanding
or any or any agreement with the Doveville parking garage would have to come back through the committee most likely anyway. all these all these agreements we would have to come back but I think the administration is is well aware that there's the need here is working towards that and would bring them back when appropriate but if the committee wanted to formalize that as a
a motion to go back as a resolution they can do so but I think my point is I think that those things are already being handled >> let's do that >> okay >> so I I'd like to um talk ask will a couple questions before we make a decision will how how close are you to
being able to come back to us with um with finalized plans. I I'm I'm reluctant to close this until we have all these answers sorted out and um I don't think you need further direction from us at this point from the
commission because you're still working through some of the nitty-gritty. So like if we just bring it back in a month or two months, is that enough time for you to have it all buttoned up? >> Um if if possible, uh I'd request 90 days. one just because I
know the next 30 days I'm going to be um living on South Beach. Um right >> but um outside of that um the the temporary lots I think that is going to be the highest hurdle because that would require a change in any one of our um
under our planning department um as far as what a temporary lot is required because right now under the code and I I don't want to misspeak but it essentially almost requires a complete parking lot. Um, so the >> I just, you know, just Commissioner Magazine. Um, I I don't think I'd be in
favor of a parking lot on on on the beach. I I understand there's going to be a lot of parking concerns, but I think the the lowest hanging fruit would be at the Doville garage cuz I mean, we'll we'll get so many. >> It's a bad look. I I >> And if I if I might jump in, I will can
we get from the band shell an analysis or do you already have it of how many spots they need at night? because I I I've got to believe that for the next few years at least. Um the the 72nd Street complex is not there's no shoveling ground. So that's still
available. The Doville garage is coming online in June at the latest per their their DA. Um and we have the parking lot north of library and we do have parking in the west lots currently. So between all of that, I think we already have very low hanging fruit. It's a question
more of coordinating the shuttles. Um and then the second phase of this would be as the 72nd Street garage um goes through its 72nd Street community complex goes through its its construction process and you know the first thing that happens is it'll be
torn up. Um that's when we're going to need to talk about are we putting additional lots on on um the west lots or you know can we work out a an amendable deal with 72nd Street or 72
Park um for people trying to utilize the area's retail. So it's it's almost as if we've got two different time horizons. one is is um using the things that are immediate and and really understanding what the need is from the band shell
versus um what we're going to need when the um construction starts at 72nd Street. And David, if you're still there, what is that time horizon? I mean, it's the sort of boogeyman lurking out in the future, but nobody seems to know exactly when that's going to
happen. >> Good morning, Commissioner. David here. Um the 72nd Street project is currently at 60% completion on the construction documents. Um we'll be moving towards 90% and should be bringing a GMP to the
commission before the end of the year. >> Okay. So So that gives us plenty of time to plan for the what we need in its entirety. Um it gives us the full rest of the year. So, Will, why don't you come back um to
this committee in in May or June? Um the Doville garage will be completed and we'll have a better handle and let's revisit where we are and go from there. That would be my recommendation. >> So, if the committee's okay, we can show the item heard and return with an update when appropriate.
>> Sure. >> Well, I'd like to specify no later than June so that we don't lose sight of this. Okay. >> We'll show the item heard and return with an update by June 2026. Sounds good to me. >> Thank you. >> Thank you all.
>> David, you know what? Maybe if we could uh keep you up here. Uh OB1, I don't want this to fall off. Uh it's the 40 Pine Tree and 46th Street traffic project. Um, we've done so much on this over the
years. I have no idea where to go with this, right? We've had meetings with the county. We've had meetings with FDOT. There's a lot of complications here. Uh, update us where we left off, kind of where we're at. I know we had county commissioners that were involved. Um,
>> where are things? I don't want this to just be one of those items that falls into purgatory, but uh even if we went forward with the project uh as proposed, which there was a tremendous amount of neighborhood push back on that form,
it's several million dollars, right? I I just I want to be honest. I don't see us having several million dollars for a traffic calming uh project in that area. Where are we at? What can we do? Can we deliver a solution that is more
wellreceived by the residents um at a more costefficient manner that also doesn't get thwarted by is it the county or FDOT that was presented? >> The county. >> The county. >> Let me call the uh OB1 discuss next steps and funding for Pineree Drive and
46th Street traffic circle project. OB1 >> David Gomez, director of capital improvements. Good morning again. Um as a reminder, commissioner, we had a meeting approximately a year ago. It was a hybrid meeting here in Chambers. Uh total attendance from residents of approximately 53, 10 of which I think
were in in person. We had representatives from the county. We including the county commissioner's office as well as MDTPW um as well as some of our commissioners were present. Um you are correct. The
the project as designed today um includes a proposal for dual traffic circles um at 46th and 47th Street. It is dual traffic circles because of the spacing and the lighting and and street lights that needed to be adjusted to
accommodate that. Because it was an improvement to the road system, it qualified for road impact fees from the county. So they were able to uh allocate approximately just over 3.2 2 million >> and we'd have to come up with the other half, right?
>> We had to come up with approximately 3.1. We are currently funded out of the city budget up to 600,000. We have a request for the the balance. We had a request for 26. It was programmed for 27. It is not funded yet. As you stated,
there was a lot of um hesitation from the residents regarding the traffic circles. They made numerous suggestions as to how we could better approach the the issue, including speed tables. The county is adamantly against speed tables
uh out of a concern that it will actually create more accidents than reduce them. So, they at that meeting uh proposed going back to their office uh to look at a potential realignment of the road, meaning changing the curve
alignment. it would impact parking on the roadway. So, we would lose a lot of on street parking. Uh, and they are also looking at the potential of including chicanees within the roadway. We have not received anything back from the county as of a request for an update
earlier this week. They still hadn't come back to us with a proposed solution. As a reminder, this is a county asset. It is not a city asset. They are responsible for maintenance and and everything on this roadway. This was began as a joint partnership agreement
with the county so that we can address some concerns the residents had about safety. >> So there was a lot of concerns about not having the project in this iteration. Um there was a big push I think rightfully so with some of the traffic accidents in
that area to have some sort of traffic mitigation. So I don't want this just to languish it already has for a year. Um, I can't imagine myself, and I don't want to put words in my colleagues mouths, but after seeing that meeting, I don't foresee us getting $2.5 million anytime
soon for this, I can't imagine us just steamrolling all those residents that had those concerns. So, if you could re-engage with the county about how we can thread a better needle there um, and where they stand, I don't want this just
to languish in purgatory. >> Absolutely. Happy to be so commissioner. >> And you mentioned that this was addressing resident concerns. How did it turn from addressing what they needed to them being so opposed to it? >> When when the uh community approached
the city about the concern of safety, I believe it was the transportation department that started looking into what could be done. Uh the recommendation from the transportation department as well as our consultant and echoed by Miami date county is that the
correct solution there is a traffic circle. It is the most effective uh solution for that condition. Are there other things that could be done that would to a lesser degree address the safety concerns? Yes, that's what they're looking at. The other thing to
keep in mind is that the road impact fees from the county available or allocated for this project would most likely go away if we do anything other than the traffic circles because it's no longer uh a transit improvement. Now it is just
>> uh and >> so is this needed? >> Um >> this be closed and then if uh other idea comes out they can bring something different forward. There is definitely a need to address the safety concern. The
county has acknowledged that there is a safety issue. >> I think there were cars that went into people's front yards, right? >> Yeah, correct. Um and that I believe there's one particular utility poll that is of concern. Um the the question is what shape or what form that safety
mitigation takes place. And given it's a county-owned asset, would we I know what the traffic engineer said if we would collectively say we know better. Um would we be able to place the temporary speed tables uh like we have in the
south of Fifth area on that road? >> I don't know that they would approve it because of the type of roadway and the traffic volumes in that segment. That's been their position. >> Jose, good afternoon, Mr. or Good morning, Mr. Chair. Uh what director
Gomez stated is is is correct. Uh the the traffic circle would be the optimal safest solution for the safety concerns to address the safety concerns. Are there other solutions? There may be, but I think you know the county has um dug
their heels and said the circle is the you know the the best solution. Now, what if we would do things such as what is the professional word that you use that starts with a C? The chicanees. >> Chicanes. >> Um, what if we would essentially pro uh
put aesthetic like the planters that we have on uh different areas of pine tree and the gorse that essentially narrow the roads that prevent uh speeds from reaching such a high speed. If they were temporary aesthetic planters that
essentially uh narrowed the road, would something like that be within our purview? >> I think that's actually what they're looking at. And the transportation department did prepare a traffic study to give the county more data and more information so that they can look at that more cohesively. Yeah, let's if we
can follow up on this because like I said, we had a tremendous amount of interest in this and Commissioner Dominguez, what it was is the the residents that were affected by this like quite literally had cars coming into their yards pushed for something
and then when the solution was proposed by the county, other residents that were in that general area that weren't directly affected, but that's their neighborhood, they go, "No, this is silly." So there's a clear need for something, but the solution that was
proposed just just wasn't it. But I don't want that to mean that we deliver nothing. So let's, you know, re-engage, really work with the county uh to find something that we can deliver at a more accommodative cost that isn't years away in the budget and is something that is
more digestible to the residents. >> Absolutely. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. all the time of cars crashing their house. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. We we can't just let this hang,
you know, for another year or so while we wait for the county. Let's be proactive in uh really engaging them. >> So, how are we leaving this? >> Let's uh >> I can show it. >> I don't want it to fall off. So, can we keep it here? uh that now that it's been heard, my understanding of the
interpretation of that resolution we're looking at should be that um it would get another six months. So since it was heard, uh it would live on. So if if this is another item heard and to return with an update when appropriate, it can be uh recorded that way. >> Perfect. >> Okay.
>> Thank you. >> And uh I'll just recognize in the audience, Christine, it's not often we get such uh movers and shakers just observing down here. You just here to check out the meeting or is there an item specifically?
Is this the living wage? >> Okay. >> No, I know. I'm sorry, Christina Bear, chief of staff. Um, I know that you had some questions on FIFA and I thought you might bring it up, so I wanted to be ready if you >> I wasn't going to, but that's why I'm glad I just saw you uh languishing out
there in the audience and uh why don't you kick it off? I I guess it's in response to um we got an email from uh tourism and culture or >> and LTC from the manager >> from the manager uh last evening saying
here's our events that are programmed thus far with FIFA and they were a concert with talent to be named in the beginning of June to kick off the World Cup in Lumis Park and then two viewing
parties at the North beach band shell. Um, one of them being for the third place game, which is largely an exhibition game without impact. That is very underwhelming to me. Very underwhelming. Uh, when we went through and we delivered significant amount of
money uh to FIFA, uh, a million and a $1.25 25 million if I believe. But even more than that, regardless of whether we paid zero, we paid $10 million, I care about our residents experiences. I care
about the tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of people that will be here. Um, what we are doing to have an active festive atmosphere for them. And if the only thing that we have is a concert to kick things off and then two two games
that are viewed at the North Beach band shell that are the third place game and the next day the final, right? That's five weeks where we just we have nothing. Uh explain to me where we're
at, what are what is still possible. I want Miami Beach to be the coolest place in the world for people to visit, for our residents to have this once in a-lifetime experience, right? This is the biggest event that's ever come to Miami. Uh so I was personally
underwhelmed by essentially what we're going to get. Now, I am fine not needing FIFA to hold our hand uh and put on these events for us, right? We could have public viewing parties for every single game uh on Lumis Park or on
Lincoln Road, but as I understand our because we entered into this contract because we paid them money, our hands are kind of tied between what we're able to do unilaterally. Kick it over to you. >> Okay. There's a lot there. I'll start
with the um Miami Beach has a FIFA working group which the manager has recently made me be the point person for with city Miami Beach FIFA working group and the host committee. Lette from tourism uh we have police, fire, parks and communication are all part of that
group. Come some of the things that we're talking about is what else can we do? We know that now um we don't need approval for our restaurants on Lincoln Road or Ocean Drive or anywhere for that matter that is able to play the game inside to be able to also put screen. >> We never needed that, right?
>> The question was can they do it outside? That was a question you had and I'm not sure if anybody had answered it to you and the the answer is yes, you can extend it to outside. I mean obviously you have to go to the city to to get that permit but you can do it. So that has opportunities. The only reason that was ever in question
is because that was part of like the the blackout zone determined by FIFA. That that wouldn't just apply if there's some restaurant on Alton Road or let's say anywhere else in the country. It's not as if FIFA has control over if they can play a game outside. It's just because
that was specifically in this blackout zone that was determined between us and FIFA. >> Well, FIFA has a role in outside of restaurants. So if you want to do something in a park, if you want to do something in a parking lot, I know that was a question that >> anywhere in the world. >> Anywhere in the world, not just because
they have a clean zone is what they call it for us. So that was answered. Now I think that you had a question on parking lots. Can we put something in a parking lot? Can we do something in the park? We can. We just have to buy a license for it. We don't have to go. We have to go through FIFA. They have a portal and I
spoke to the CEO of the host committee this morning and she sent me that portal. I have staff right now going in and just kind of pretending that we want to do a license so we could start figuring out what does it cost? What will it cost us to have >> any back of the envelope estimates?
>> No. And FIFA couldn't give it and the host committee couldn't give it to me either. I mean, I told them to text me, which they haven't. Soon as I have it, I'll give it to you. That could be anywhere and that can be as often as we'd like. So that's an opportunity for us and for others to be able to engage in more party than
>> So if I just lived in some random suburban town in Pennsylvania, we'll use my hometown, McGomery County, right? And I wanted to play uh a FIFA game at the municipal park there, I would have to go through
FIFA and buy a license. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Absolutely. Yes, you do. every everybody and that was confirmed to me this morning on my call. Um I can tell you that we potentially will have a third watch party not paid by us but through the host committee that's going to be attached to the concert. So as soon as
they they get the talent for the concert, >> they're going to add a third watch party in South Beach. >> And the thought is Bayfront Park will essentially be showing all the games. >> I don't know that it's all of them. That's another thing that I asked the host committee. I want to understand
what the county and what city of Miami are getting for their money and what their what their sponsorship is. >> Um, so she actually just sent that to me before I came downstairs. So, I'm going to take a deep dive into that to see what they have. I don't know that it's all of them, but I know it's a lot more than us. >> Yeah. Uh,
so essentially, if I'm looking at this, if we'd be able to buy the rights to show a game at the North Beach Band Shell, um, I mean, did we pay a million dollars in a quarter for for a concert? And we don't even know what the And I'm not
uh upset at us. I I'm I'm a bit upset with how the this kind of came down from FIFA and you know our Miami working group uh except when they came to ask for money. I haven't seen
any engagement from the group that came here and were our best friends when the million and a half dollar contract were on the line, right? Have we had another event in Miami Beach? Have we had them come and say, "Here's even though he's
70 years old, here here's Ronaldo juggling a soccer ball for the kickoff or things like that." Um, no. you know, we'll get an email saying, "Hey, we're having this cool event at the Pres Museum or uh come meet the players over here. We've had nothing in Miami Beach." Um,
>> did Miami pay? >> More, right? More. But, you know, a million and a quarter dollars of taxpayer money should should get us something more than a concert that, let's be honest, they probably would have had Miami Beach anyway. It doesn't just benefit us. uh being able to have
Miami Beach as a backdrop benefits them. You know, we were kind of led on that we could have this huge six-w weekek long media setup in Flamingo Park and Lumis Park. Not Flamingo Park and Lumis Park, right? So, how it was presented was we were going
to be World Cup headquarters and every media station was going to be here broadcasting and just like we had the setup for uh the Super Bowl where all the broadcast was down at Lumis Park. That's how was at least how I
interpreted it. Um perhaps that was that was my fault. But to think that we're only going to have uh three games that are viewed at the North Beach Band shell as our World Cup um uh show or platform. That that's
underwhelming to me and and let's do everything that we can to really prepare for this. Any idea how long those licenses would take to obtain? >> I don't know the time frame, but they did tell me that we're in perfect timing to receive them. So if you're not behind
the eightball on that, I can tell you I concur with you on media row. I did and many of us assumed, not assumed, we were led to believe >> that we would have media row, but that is not dead. That is something we're still working on. So that there's still the potential of having the media there.
Their base camp is Dallas and that's that's FIFA, but we still have the potential of having it there and we're exploring that with with media currency. >> And I get that we have limited leverage over FIFA, right? But as I understand it, there's local event producers that
are kind of acting on behalf of FIFA in the Miami area. Is that how it is? >> Right. There's like a FIFA Miami committee and there's a lot of event producer. I mean there it's not like Giani came here and asked us for money that there were people that go, "Hey,
we're familiar with you. We we used to um you know we put on other events in Miami Beach and here we are we're working for FIFA right Lizette you're looking at me puzzled there's not like a FIFA Miami >> event committee that works on behalf of
FIFA >> there's the host committee >> right >> that that is who we work with directly they have contracted a local producer who does a lot of events here but we have not heard from any other of And I guess that's who I'm referring to, the
local producers. So they come and, you know, they ask us for things for the boat show and other events. >> I know I'm going to be very skeptical when anybody involved in that whole circle comes here and asks for future
events. Like you came here, asked us for a million dollars, a million and a half dollars and we got two games at the band show >> commissioner. And I did um my my conversation this morning, I did let let
the CEO know that you had those, you know, concerns and you had just recently sent an email out um and they offered to to come in or have a call with you and anyone else who wants to to tell you about their efforts and we are as the committee now that we're just we're the
committee had been working. I just became the point person >> um and our media row uh situation just came to light. We are working hard to make it more than just the two parties, the potential third party. >> Did I have misguided expectations or understanding of what we were possibly
going to get or or are we collectively underwhelmed here? >> I think that what we're getting is what's was in the agreement. Um but I think we thought yes that it was it was different. Um but the opportunities are are not lost to us. We do have the opportunity to have more and we're working on that.
>> Let's uh let's set up a call with that team that you mentioned would have a call. I'll be on that with you. >> Absolutely. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Let's here. I guess there's nothing to close out because that wasn't an item, Mr. CFO. >> Correct.
>> Um, how about uh NB4, discuss uh feasibility of establishing condo special assessment program. Okay. >> MB4, discussion regarding the feasibility of establishing a condominium special assessment assistance program for financially
vulnerable residents. MB4. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, see what h let's see what staff has to say. You guys came up and see what you've presented. >> Hi, good afternoon. Albert, Office of Housing and Community Services. Um, we we've closely looked into the county's
special assessment program and looking into it, it's something that we can absorb as a as as part of our community services functions. uh um specifically with our existing structure and our existing um staffing levels, this could
be something that we could take on if we were to look at a project for the city. Um while the Miami date Housing and Community Development Condo Special Assessment Program is currently paused, it is anticipating an allocation of approximately $15 million within um and
it's supposed to be opening within this month. The county program provides up to $50,000 to property owners earning up to 140% area median income as defined by HUD, which is about $122,000
uh for a oneperson household. The county's program is structured at a 0% interest loan for 40 years. Uh we are looking into a preliminary concept of a city pilot program modeled under the county's framework. we it would need to potentially be funded under general
funds and we could look at potentially looking at SHIP dollars to augment um the allocation and to supplement the allocation. Under the proposed structure, assistance would be provided at a 0% interest loan with monthly repayment required for a lower inome
household a $50 minimum payment >> from the funded by the county. Well, for us, if we were to look into doing that project, what we would be looking at doing is a similar structure, much like the counties, um, where we would be looking at the person's AMI. So, that's something that we would need to look
into. Uh, where would it be that we would like to focus our AMI structure? Currently, the county goes up to 140% AMI. Whereas with us, if we're looking at doing general dollars, we could look at expanding that AMI. Realistically speaking, if we are to look at federal
dollars such as SHIP, we would be limited to 80% AMI. So everything the program in and of itself would need to be structured based on the AMI that we are looking to focus on. >> So commissioner, are you thinking >> So you Yeah. >> Yeah. You know, look, um the the county
had a an amazing program and it's pause. It's apparently coming back on, but there's a lot of caveats to who gets funded, how it gets funded uh at the county. Very strict guidelines. Um I'm not looking to supplement the county as
much as well, this is why I said committee. I want to hear from my colleagues, you know, how would you there's two parts. what would what would be a qualification and how how would it be funded and I
have some ideas um and I I would I I would love and value your input um so for example you know the county uses an AMI um based uh methodology for for qualifications
we don't have to necessarily do that if we're not using money from federal dollars We can use it. We can do it based on how long you've been a resident for in Miami Beach. Um I think it should be tied to some sort of basic um criteria of income
homesteaded. Um I think the idea is we want to keep people who live in Miami Beach from being forced out. Okay. Um, and they there there's a large portion of that
who don't make enough to qualify for uh under an AMI program or or guidelines, but don't have the money to to still pay for their special assessments and they're going to have to move. Um, so I'd like to hear what your input is and
on the how are we going to fund this? Um, that's up to debate. Um there you know I think every year we will always have a developer project that comes comes through and you know there's always a negotiation
through a development agreement. This is another fund that we can um ask for and dedicate dollars to. So, for example, if there's a, you know, if there's going to be a new development project that's ultra luxury, 3,000 plus square foot
units going for $5,000 a square foot, we can say, look, you know, you're going to be making it harder for people to live in Miami Beach because just the the average uh cost for living here is going to go up.
put aside some funds for this condo relief fund for for condo owners to uh possibly, you know, be able to save themselves from from being priced out of the market through a lot of these fees that that happen. So, um I'd like to
hear what, you know, my colleagues have to say on the committee. >> Commissioner, >> thank you. Uh I think the AMI formula is something that may be standard. I know it was used for Collins Park. Um, but there could be other creative ways uh to
look at it. I remember when the Doville development project came in, one of the things that I had proposed was to use part of the co the payout to uh affect um multif family buildings in
uh the North Beach area. So, when looking at criteria, um maybe one of the ideas can be uh older buildings um or if they're historic um
and yes, being a resident for uh a long time is also uh something that's interesting, but what worries me is that so many buildings are getting uh I'm sure everyone up here has had the
same experience of uh condo boards coming to you saying my building's getting bought out. What do I do? How do I fight this back? How do I keep my building? Um so it's it's very creative. I support it. I really like it. And um
the thought is what parameters do we we give it so that we don't have people leaving the beach because their buildings are getting scooped up and built by other projects. >> Yeah. You know that's you hit it on the
head, commissioner. That's, you know, I think where I'm getting at is we don't, you know, we have people who live in Miami Beach who don't necessarily qualify under these AMI guidelines, but they've been here for decades. They're getting priced out. Um,
and we want to offer some help. And it's again, this is a loan. It's it's a zero interest loan. It's it's it's not we're not giving the money away. We're we're helping them stay. Um, and I think you know well well Jason what what would be is there is there needed like a
brainstorming session with with staff to come back and give us a set of suggested guidelines for for this or does it do we need to have perhaps a sunshine meeting or a separate meeting to discuss alternatives for for the
criteria? Well, I think if you're looking at the criteria of which uh residents would have access to this uh financially vulnerable resident condo special assessment fund, um I think the staff has presented uh some. But if the committee has interest in and now that
they've kind of heard some of it, um you can give feedback uh to them and they can come back with a different set of recommended criteria. if it's if the AMI approach uh which is very commonly used in a lot of these financially vulnerable kind of um situations is not what the committee is interested in but wants to
give them some guidance to the staff and staff can come back uh at a later meeting with a different set of criteria >> I think a non-starter would be non you know we'll exclude non-homesteaded properties right um so like if if it's if it's just a investment income
property I don't think you should qualify so I think that's a that's a fair point Right. Um, >> the can I at the county is this given out to individuals or buildings? >> Individuals. >> Individuals. >> Yeah. Um, another thing to look at is
perhaps how long you've been here. Um, maybe there is like a, you know, if you just got here last year, I don't think you should necessarily qualify. Um, you know, one thing to look at is when did the Surfside tragedy happen? in
20 >> June 2021 >> 21 >> 2021 >> so that's when the the laws started to change at a at an accelerated rate right and then that's when now there's all these burdens so you know perhaps we say
if you've had the condo for you know longer than 2020 or 2021 so 5 years minimum uh you have been a homestead of property in Miami Beach I think that's a good criteria guys what do you think >> yeah What about uh something special for seniors?
>> That's another good point. >> Is that legal, Rick? >> Oh, yeah. >> Um if the city is setting up a program like this, I I believe that we could take um age into account. >> We'll look into that more closely as the criteria is defined. But but I I think
that if we're putting aside our own funds, we should be able to >> Let's look into that. I think that's a good point. Um, >> if I could add, I think in hearing the the revenue source, um, because well, obviously this will be an update for the memo, too. Uh, which is not necessarily using general fund money, which
obviously is is short, you know, short, but to use um what I'm what I'm making some notes on is to accumulate developer contributions specifically. So, it would kind of be setting up a um, and since this is a loan, this would be more of a revolving trust fund. Uh I've I've
accessed those in in prior governments uh at the state level where it kind of self feeds itself as the payments come back in. So as the balance will get bigger and as the payments come back in you could relo things out. So it it would be more of a like a revolving trust fund effectively. >> But it's a loan at zero interest. It's
not a handout. >> Correct. That that's what I'm hearing from the uh the sponsor. Could CRA money that's earmarked for affordable housing be used for these loans? uh Marcela Rubio assistant director we
we talked to the CRA staff u that's liaisoning the committee and uh CRA is can funds cannot be used to maintain property owners it's to uh incentivize new property owners so any construction of new housing or new units coming
online >> and I believe that we have commissioner Matteo Selenus on here let's hear from her and then I'll give my thoughts >> commissioner please unmute yourself I Everybody. Um, so I just want to go back to the AMI
uh percentages and this is a question for Dr. Terry. Um, DBA, could you give us a breakdown of what income levels are um covered by AMI? Because I think, correct me if I'm wrong, I know that there's certain AMI percentages that
would um reflect folks that make over $100,000 a year, which is the Collins Park um affordable housing project. It wasn't affordable housing, it was workforce, because those AMI rates are higher. So, you know, AMI is actually a
good way to see who would qualify for this program because it's a percentage and it goes up rather high and it can encompass people who are kind of middle income and not just people who are very very poor which it can also encompass those depending on the percentage. So,
Alba, could you talk a little bit about income levels and with AMI and explain a little bit about how that works? >> Sure. So, the AMI is considered per family size. So, if we're looking at 140% AMI, which is the county's current special assessment program, as well as
the workforce housing for Collins Park, you're looking at about $121,520 for a household of one. That's at $140. If we're looking at supplementing um this program with SHIP dollars, we could look at the it's restrictive to let's
say 80% AMI, we're looking at $69,400. If we would like to go a little bit higher, let's say we want to set the percentage rate at 200% AMI, then you're looking at about $174,400
for a household of one. >> Alberta, how much is the county contributing? Uh what is the maximum amount you can get? >> $50,000. >> Let's just run some numbers here, right? This is a huge issue in our city. A huge
issue. In fact, as of last Friday, my building will be impacted by it. Right? I we could be looking at special assessments up to $80,000. I have two parents that live in uh my building that are on a fixed income. And the amount of, you know, uh uncertainty
and um colorful conversations we had just within my household were numerous. Uh there's probably very few issues that our residents are facing that are more integral than this and more impactful. >> It just comes down to a money thing,
right? Like where are we going to get it? And if it is a developer fund, then we have to say, okay, what what is more important or what is more just for the greater collective good? Is it for
something like this or is it for the tens or hundreds of millions of dollars of infrastructure needs that benefit the entire community? Right? If we just run some simple back of the envelope math here, I don't know, finger in the air,
87,000 full-time residents, uh even if only 5,000 were impacted, right? or 5,000 took advantage of this, which is I think a a very low ball estimate, you'd have 300 just in my
building alone, right? Um at $20,000, which is just a fraction of the county. That's $100 million. >> Yeah. >> Right. And we can't talk about, you know, we can't be all things to all people. If we're going to try and help affordability by
keeping our taxes low, where does this money come from? And if this initiative of the state to do away from homestead taxes passes, things like this are beyond even like a pipeline
dream, right? it it will quite literally just be your core breadandbut public safety because there's also initiatives uh bills in the house and legislature that you actually can't reduce public safety because um you know funding
beyond where they were at a certain extent. Uh, so there will be very little dollars to go around for these nice I hate to call it nice to have because they're going to be needed by residents, but when we talk about, you know, what's funded out of out of a city government,
like I I love the idea. I I would allocate as much money if money was funible to this as possible. I'm I'm personally impacted by it. It just comes what are our collective needs and where does this fall in that pecking order. I I don't have a good answer for that. I'm
just posing that out there in uh you know the universe. >> Yeah. So, you know, I think um you raised some good points, Commissioner. Um I think my idea would be to set up a program,
have a bank account, so to speak, and whenever the opportunity presents itself to fund that. Um that's when we we would move forward with it. I don't um sure we can discuss like look you know if we have extra money from this developer
agreement or we come across a franchise fee or whatever it could be set aside for infrastructure. I'm I'm I'm always going to advocate for infrastructure um projects to be built but I think
let's start somewhere. Let's let the conversation continue and when the when the opportunity presents itself, you know, we can decide to either fund it or not fund it because, you know, I I can tell you twothirds of all of Miami Beach
live in condos, right? And they're most of them are aging and many people come to me and say, "Look, I can't I can't afford this $80,000 assessment." you know, they may be making $150,000 a year where they don't qualify for the, you
know, under the 140% AMI and they would rather just sell and leave. So, yeah, look, tough decisions. I think, um, we'll know in a month or two what the state does as far as property taxes. Um,
but I think we we have enough I think uh a good enough an idea here to move this forward and just start seeing this sort of bake if you will. Um I I don't know how you feel about that. >> Yeah. Jason, are there areas if these
are loans right that are paid back? What what is the county what what is the payback period? >> 40 years. >> 40 years. >> We don't have to do that though. Yeah. We we we can set up our own guidelines, right? Right. I mean, we can make it 10 years now and >> and we would propose if we were looking
at something like that a shorter period of time so that the we can start recycling the funds and have be able to assist more people with the dollars that we are receiving. Another thing that maybe we could try to look at is with our current SHIP dollars, we could potentially, even though it's more
restrictive AMI, we can start setting up the parameters for the program because these are dollars that federally we have today or statewide we have today. How much do we get? >> Um, we get different allocations every year. So about $300,000 give and take, but this also funds the first-time home
buyers program. this funds rehabilitations, but we can look at seeing a pot of money and starting to structure this program by starting to amend our LHAP so we can start creating the framework. So if we do get additional dollars in the future that
are general funds, then we already have sort of the program framework outline. >> And that's where this becomes difficult, right? It's like we could do these things that feel good. Oh, here's $300,000, right? at $50,000 at six homeowners and
we get to say well we allocated money to help struggling home. So so to have something that is truly impactful on kind of an across the board scale even if it is limited to seniors and you know severely lowincome people we're talking in the millions of millions or tens of
millions of dollars uh to be impactful and noble I I just I don't know where we find it. um have no issues moving forward with putting parameters in place and then we have discussions about where it falls in the pecking order.
>> Let let me um let me work on that. Let me work on how we could possibly fund this commissioner. Yeah. >> Um but >> I don't want you doing it at all personally. >> But what what I'm requesting from the committee is, you know, at least for now, what what criteria do we want to
set for this? Do we want to muddle it off of the county? I don't I don't like I there's just something wrong about modeling something based on an AMI because you know you said it was 107,000 for a single person
>> for which AMI for 140,000 for 140% AMI it's 121,000 >> so if you're making 122,000 you don't qualify you know and that to me I think that's you know it's almost counterintuitive where you don't want to make enough money to get this you know
this this incentive. So, um I think between the three of us and and then eventually from the seven of us, we can come up with a program that makes sense for Miami Beach residents, you know, that have been here for for, you know, decades and and see what we can do to
take care of them. As far as funding, I completely understand your concerns. I share them. Um I think that's why we're all on the finance committee and let me work on that. >> Yeah, perfect. I I think the parameters are uh less problematic to me. I I think
uh we have collectively smart people here. We could come up with them. Uh so happy to have the team engage in that just becomes you know how impactful can we be with our funding and uh happy to uh have you explore that. if I can to to
help. I think what I'm hearing is that we would show the item to return to uh uh FK uh with uh some staff recommendations on um some different revised criteria based on the committee discussion and the team can work
together with the sponsor to see if they can kind of refine a set of criteria. this is a big a big issue and you take those big issues in small bites and I think the first one is setting up the criteria the concept and then you know then we you know I think we've already the sponsors already talked about potential funding source you know one
time developer contributions as money becomes available and so the team would come back at the appropriate time uh with these revised criteria and to see how the committee feels about it is that good >> okay all right so we will show we'll show that return to comm
uh with a revised set of program criteria area based on committee discussion. Thank you. >> We have Commissioner Matio Selena on the line. Commissioner, please unmute yourself. >> Hi. I would just I understand this item is now closed. I'd just like to make a comment that um you know as chair of the
affordable housing advisory committee, I'd also like to be a part of these discussions uh Dr. car with you because you know you mentioned the ship funding and you know I know that we want to help as many people as possible but when we take from one pot and we take from
first-time home buyers program or we take from another type of funding it's going to be you know helping one set of people at the expense of others. So I just want to be aware of that as moving as we move forward and discuss where this funding will come from. And I understand that, you know, possibly development projects, that's great, but
let's be a little bit more careful about um, you know, our programs that already exist and I would like this to be on the agenda for the next affordable housing advisory committee meeting to discuss. >> Thank you. >> So, just and just to reiterate, I I'm I'm not particularly in favor of using
federal dollars which restrict us from better defining. So, I I agree with Commissioner Matteas Selenus that I don't want to affect other, you know, first-time homeowner buyers. Um, I think we can craft this in a way that helps
residents and more importantly fund it through other means and other opportunities that will present itself in the future. >> Okay. How about we hear discuss the living wage uh for employees and then we get out of
here unless any of us have items that we need to hear. >> Anybody uh you have the lease? >> Yes. >> Why don't we do that real quick? Sorry. And because that should be quick, right, Ozie? >> Yes. >> Yeah. I will call uh it's going to be MB8.
>> Yeah. Discuss proposed new lease agreement between the city landlord and Little Event Activities and Nutrition Centers Incorporated. Tenant for use of approximately 3500t of ground floor facility and adjacent playground area having approximately 1,47 square ft located at 1245 Michigan
Avenue for an initial term of 5 years with an two additional renewal terms of 2 years each at the city's option for the operation of a child care day facility MBA. >> Good morning. Azie Dominguez, division director of asset management. Uh this is
the uh daycare that is currently at Southshore Community Center and with the upcoming redevelopment of that building. Uh they're going to be shifted over to 1245 Michigan at Flamingo Park. Uh CIP is working on finalizing all the details
for that project. And uh with that said, we need a new agreement for the new location and new terms. So we are requ administration is requesting uh that this be approved. um and moved on. >> So this is city owned land, >> correct? >> Incredible. And
the amount of agida this would have saved if this was done 10 years ago, right? Yes. There there was always going to be concern about what was happening to uh an architecturally important building, but I think the broader community's greater concern was well the kids that are in there, where are they
going to go? And the fact that, you know, for 10 years we didn't have something uh as simple as this put into place. So, thank you and your team for providing an alternative. I wouldn't have been comfortable moving forward um with putting the fire station where I I
think by process of elimination is the only place it can go without finding an alternative dignified site for these children. Uh so, thank you for you and your team for for doing so. It uh could have saved all of us a lot of you'd
still have hair, you know, if this Yeah. 10 years ago. It felt >> sorry Martha. I don't I don't know if that was cool or not cool. I don't know if I'm governed under your stuff, but >> yeah. >> Okay. Uh so we just need to um when I
hear it just return to commission with a favor recommendation to approve the lease agreement as presented. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you Ozie for your work. >> Who's making that motion? >> I'll move it. >> I'll second. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I hear none opposed. The item passes uh 3 nothing. Next item, MB7, discuss
discussion regarding the living wage rates beginning April 2026 in accordance with chapter 2, article 6, division 6, section 2-48 of the city code MB7. >> Good morning, Chris, chief procurement
officer. Um, this is an annual item that we present to a referral to FK and then we return to commission with a favorable recommendation. So, this is for discussion. The administration seeks the committee's recommendation to the city commission on an adjustment not to exceed 3% aligned with the approved um
cola for unclassified employees and a proposed effective date of April 2026. >> This happens how often? >> Annually we revisit um the wage rates. So currently the wage rates are
16. This is currently for FY25 that we passed. So now this one will be for FY26. Um the current wage rates are 1646 without health benefits and 1301 um with health benefits. >> But that's just the anchor, right? Then
th this doesn't just apply to that class and category. This is across the board impacting how many employees? >> So this applies to service contracts. Um, and I don't believe there's any employee specifically that this would or I I defer to Mara on the employee portion.
>> Good morning, Mara Alpisar, HR director. At this time, our employees uh salaries full-time with benefits or above this threshold as well as part-time without benefits above this threshold. Um, if we were to have an employee, that would be
based on what you raise the living uh wage rate to u as a citywide threshold. uh if if we internally had a employee below that threshold, we would raise that salary to meet that living wage. >> So does every wage in the city anchor off of that?
>> This really is not an item particularly for city employees. >> Correct. It's more for service contracts. So for example, janitorial services, the trolley oper the trolley operators, um security officers. All right. I guess what I'm asking, does this just set that base minimum rate,
>> but is every service contractor then anchored off of that? So, they all get a three and a half. >> Correct. >> How many workers does this >> impact? So, >> what is the budget impact of this? >> We have an estimated number of hours. Um, and the estimated number of hours is
about 927,000 hours. Um, that's inclusive of all the service contracts that we look at. So, janitorial, grounds maintenance, trolleys, um the parking attendance, different contracts that we have. >> And when you say contracts, so this is
through a third party employer, correct? >> Correct. >> We have contracts that are in place for multiple years, but then we get to say whether we raise the wages on that or not. >> Correct. Besides just being a nice kind
individual, put on Joe taxpayer and Joe trying to save the city money hat, why would we put forward these raises if we already have a contract for X amount that's in place for several years? >> So, back in 2017, we passed an ordinance
to revisit the wage rates on an annual basis. Um, and it's capped at 3% depending on the discretion of the committee obviously. uh we've provided an increase of 1% 2% or 3% since it is capped at three at your discretion and
and recommendation to a commission. >> If I can add this is this is an annual item and my my understanding is that and I might ask for the city attorney to chime if I'm off. I believe that there is a a state preeemption that was put in place that no new contracts after October 1st of this year uh are allowed
to have this language. So this will be an item that would be we're dealing with I guess legacy contracts at this point and as we enter into new contracts after that this language would not be in there. So it'll be applicable to those contracts entered in to before this October 1st. So every year we would have
less and less contracts where this would be applicable to. >> Yeah, >> you are correct Jason. There was a house bill that was passed um starting September 30th, 2026. any contracts that are um signed after September 30th cannot uh we cannot as a city impose any
living wage rate. >> Yeah. Listen, I I mean when we talk about trying to keep expenses down for our taxpayers, >> right? If we have a contract that says >> here is what our service providers uh make and we've it's not as if we're
living in a precoid world and inflation has just gone up 10 15%, right? So we just provided wage increases the last several years. Mr. CFO >> for my understanding is as long the couple of years I've been here the commission has approved the living wage.
Has there been any of the years since this is >> so there was one year um fiscal year 22 that there was no impact. We did not increase it at all. In 21 we increased it by 1%. >> And then the last FY23 24 and 25 we did a 3% increase. But every year, every
year the commission has approved whatever the uh the living wage, >> whatever the number is. If it's zero, it's zero. But >> correct. Absolutely. Yeah. >> And what were the ones? 3% per year since postcoid minus 22.
>> Correct. It was 1% in 21 um 0% in 22 and then 23, 24, and 25. >> Listen, I'd love to give everybody raises all the time. Um but that give more money to service workers.
We're asking more money of our residents. We're focused on affordability for our residents here. I'm going to make a motion to uh keep wages uh where they're at. What's um specified in the contract? >> Second
or I'll move it. >> Yeah, I'll second that. So, uh, my understanding this this was returned to commission with a favorable recommendation to reject the living wage increase. >> No, not >> to continue at the FY25. >> The favor recommendation to continue at
the FY 25. >> So, a 0% increase >> and 25 rates. >> Yeah. >> We're also not lowering rates, >> right? There's there's been plenty of plenty of years I go into my boss and go, "You know what? You did great this
year. Uh it's a tough tough environment for the economy. We would have loved to have taken care of you. We can't do so like we did last year. Had that conversation probably more times than I haven't. Okay. So we'll show return to commission with a favorable recommendation to continue with the FY25
rates. Okay. Uh we have a motion. We have a second. All in favor? >> I hearing none opposed. The item passes three nothing. Chair I do apologize. I believe parking uh was asking they had a very quick update that they needed. >> How quick will How quick can you get up
here? I just gave you all that praise, bro. >> OB4 discuss a resolution the mayor commission uh accepting the recommendation of the finance and economic resiliency committee for its April 19th, 2024 meeting to accept the city administration's update on city Miami Beach parking department enforcement updates OB4.
>> Will just thinking through efficiency, you ever think you wouldn't have to run if you didn't sit in the back corner? >> I love that back corner, sir. I can tell >> Alertto and Jackie and the parking department taught me that back corner and you know out of sight, out of mind. Sir, >> um I'm going to ignore most of the
update because I want to make this as quick as possible. Um however, it does include smaller vehicles. >> Oh, um I'd love to hear some things here. Uh just to be fully transparent, I want to have a more robust conversation even
with you in a one-on-one form before we close this out. So would love to get some updates here, but I'm not going to close it out. >> Wait that yes, I believe he has one specific action motion he's going to be asking and then we will show the item continue to stay open. >> So uh the parking department is currently in a threemonth no uh no cost
pilot program with a new technology called toebooks. So before when any uh anytime the city had to implement the tow, it was all done via paper via five different radio relays. Um to say that it was inefficient um is an
understatement. Uh this new technology in the four three three four months we've been utilizing it right now um has been incredibly beneficial to our officers. It also allows us to document the situation a million times over
because not only do they um have all of the information that is digitally documented. However, we are uh also able to immediately upload photos, videos, all of the information, verify the VIN, and I would simply like for the committee to move to the commission um
to allow us a one-year pilot to continue with this just to ensure because 3 four months is great uh but it does have a cost to it and uh however the efficiencies are above and beyond. I I'll second that while we're on this. Um
not on this particularly, some things that stand out. Again, I want to be more prepared for this. I know we had LPR readers that were in a car, right? And I it was one of our last parking directors. He say, "Well, we we only do
it uh one out of every three days cuz the car gets tired and it needs a rest." So, uh I I don't know. I I didn't know autonomous cars were joining unions, but you know, it's a crazy crazy times we live in. Um, and also,
uh, did it cause traffic in Flamingo Park having this car? That that always struck me as odd. It's, um, are we re-implementing those, uh, those LPR drivers? >> So, so we we do have, uh, them right now. However, that's actually one of the items that's in this for the continued.
So, right now, uh, the city only has, uh, three working LPR vehicles. >> One's on vacation. >> We'll go with that, sir. Um, and to be very honest, I want to outfit our our our fleet with about 15 because in order to do efficient and effective
enforcement, um, all of our enforcement vehicles need to be driving around with these units on there because it now turns each parking enforcement specialist into a Swiss Army knife. we can do that LPR enforcement in residential neighborhoods on street parking parking lots. >> What do you need from us to get that moving?
>> Um so for with that we simply wanted to discuss hey we have we want the ability to go out and search a for a turnkey solution which means um whether we use Omnia or whether we pig piggyback off another municipality. This allows us to
go get technology, cameras, equipment and service um and move very very quickly. Is that something you need from us today? >> Uh, no. It was simply an update to kind of let you know that we have the ability to use these government contracts or
Sourcewell, Omnia, um, NPP, um, that allows us to procure in an efficient, effective manner. But by going out and talking to other municipalities that already have these technologies, because I know I have experience with three different LPR technologies in my career.
Um, every one of them have benefits, everyone have drawbacks. And so just kind of giving an update that we are about to go out and search for the biggest and brightest and on top of smaller vehicles um which we are purchasing very quickly through a source well contract um we are going to be
searching for a a much larger um I I'll say footprint with the LPRs and the technology. >> Yeah. I' I've never understood why for parking efficiency and enforcement why I have people out there driving 14ft
pickup trucks. Um I'm a big golf cart advocate. I see no reason why some of your your guys and gals uh can't be out there. Your ability to fit in tight spaces to to navigate tight corners. Uh let's just be smart uh
and use >> What do you guys have? What do you guys have? Trucks >> with a bed. So the the biggest reason for trucks is is cones and GPS. So we have uh teams that place out the space rentals. >> We're we're the we're the no cone commission. >> I think the department has someote
responsibil program for the program as uh as presented. >> Yes. Move it. >> Okay. Commissioner Suarez. Uh do we have a second? >> Okay. All in favor? >> I. >> Okay. And we'll also show this item
remain at FK to come back with a future updated >> team. Great. Thank you so much. >> Thank you for everybody. >> Great. Great meeting. >> Meeting is meeting. Thank you.