I saw Good evening. Good afternoon. Evening. Afternoon. I'm going tohead go ahead and call our meeting to order. Madame clerk. Not a problem. >> Good evening.
Commission member Abad, >> present. >> Commission member Bennett is absent. Commission member Fernandez, >> present. >> Commission member Ruano, >> present. Commission member Matoss,
>> present. Vice Chairman Inguanso, >> present. >> And chairman Leoto, >> present. Thank you. >> Chairman, you have quorum. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. Uh, if you could all rise, we'll have a moment of silence. I'm going to ask Commission Member Fernandez to please lead us.
>> Heads. Father, please watch over this committee. Guide us. Help us make the best decisions possible for all that live in the town, all that come and work and play here, and for generations to come. Amen.
>> Amen. >> Thank you. And I'll lead us in the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with
liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. Uh let's start off with uh number four, order of business. Any deferrals, additions, or deletions? Anyone from the commission? Seeing none, we will move forward with
public comments. Madame Clerk, >> good evening and welcome to the meeting. If anyone is in the audience, I don't see anyone. They're more than welcome to attend the meeting and provide public comments. And as well, I don't see anyone
in my screen wishing to participate in public comments remote. But nevertheless, we always invite the public that if they wish, they can just log in and it will allow them to participate by pressing
number99. They can participate, they can speak, we can hear them, we can see them. But there is no public uh remote public comments from my screen. >> All right. We don't see anything. We're going to go
ahead and close out public comments and we're going to go now to approval of minutes. Go to the first one. As we know from the last meeting, uh there was some edits that needed to be done on the February 12th, 2026 charter revision commission minutes. Uh those have been
prepared and have been shared with the commission members. Is there any questions, comments, motions from the commission members? >> I'll make a motion to approve. >> Second. >> Got a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion? >> All in favor say I.
>> Any opposed? Seeing none, the motion passes. And now we're going to go on to the February 26, 2026 Charter Revision Commission minutes. Uh, is there a motion? >> I'll make a motion to approve. >> I'll second. >> We have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? Any questions?
>> Seeing none, all in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Seeing none, the minutes are approved. Now moving on to old business. We will begin again with uh the town attorney for his report 7A. Mr. Town attorney.
>> Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Uh so I I know that there's um a few items. I'm I'm going to go through them, the ones that we have pending from last meeting um and just let you know more or less where we're at. Um one of the ones that I I still owe you and I just want to let you know I have that completed for you.
I I don't think it it really impacts your vote. you've already made a decision with regards to the town clerk, but you did ask us just to prepare a survey. So, we we should have that for you shortly and we'll we'll circulate it to all of you. Um the other uh part was uh regarding with uh interference with
with administration uh and that one was also tied with uh the other part of um followup on uh employee interaction rule. Now both the chair and I discussed that there's there's a couple of fixes that we can give uh with regards to
administration. So when we come back for that second goound and there will be that second goaround, we'll have some language from other charters that have similar provisions about interference of with administration uh the council admin the council's relationship with administration making sure there's no
interference with administration. Uh that that might make that language stronger and cleaner uh and clear up any ambiguities. So both the chair and I will will work on that and we'll bring that back to you in the second go around uh with regards to the question of sufficiency. It was asked to to clarify
uh the basic definition of sufficiency is uh the the adequate amount of something being being essential u uh basically uh the the quality of something being adequate. Um so that's basically when it whenever it's in sufficient that's how it's being
interpreted and and being used in in the charter. Um it's a it's a question that is is found mostly in a lot of uh legal contracts. It's it's a legal ease type term as far as uh uh you know as far as sufficiency but it's also one that is can be uh considered you know
subjective. Um it's always something that's you know greater than and I would say greater than 50% is something that is is sufficient and I I don't know if Mr. Chair you would you would agree with that or not. >> No I I agree with that definition of sufficiency. It's something uh you know
that is very common parliament in both uh you know in statutory construction as well as in the law. Um it's you know it's it's generally it's whatever is determined by the body to be sufficient for them if they feel it's okay. Uh I don't believe that there was you know any doubt about that. I don't know if
anyone else any of the other commission members have any further questions on the request for that uh further definition that was made at the last meeting. And then the the last one was the issue of the um as far as the the special qualifying appearance and special elections request. I think that was
pretty much well dealt with. And I think the idea of having um as as far as and I believe that was Commissioner Fernandez's uh concern uh having the actual start date or when the the gap and having the uh the start date of the new elected officials starting in
January as cities like Miami and Hyalia do solve that that issue u and prevent that. So and and I think that that was cleared up at the last meeting unless I'm missing something. I believe it was but I think they the the further question was going to be similar to the
other question is just getting kind of like a survey of uh what the other municipality you know which municipalities have that January start date for uh their council members as well. >> Okay. Um >> we can have those two type of a surveys for the next meeting.
>> Absolutely, Mr. Chair. And then the the last one um but certainly not the least uh was uh the issue of I think the having the special election period um and I believe the the mayor had asked me uh if that's okay with everyone uh that he wanted to to kind of chime in on that
uh and he has an event this evening that prevents him from participating with us. So if we can defer that conversation to to the next meeting. >> Yeah, I have no objection to it. I can we'll defer to that at that point and we'll hear both from you and uh and
hear from comments from the mayor at that time. >> Perfect. That's that's all I have. >> Okay, Mr. Chair, if I may. >> Absolutely. >> And I apologize. I was not able to attend the uh the uh last meeting, but I'm I looked over the minutes very carefully to make sure I'm caught up and
I may have missed it from the attorney in his report, but um did you provide an update on the filling of vacancies? It look like from the last meeting that it was would be deferred for this meeting or is that something we're going to get to in our agenda? >> I'm just looking at the minutes and it says that the uh item will be deferred
to the March 12th >> the filling of vacancies in >> section 2.5. I'm looking at page uh the minutes. >> Okay. >> From the February the last meeting >> that's 23rd. >> Yes. Yeah. So the I believe those were the
sections that we actually said we were going to come back and he's the town attorney was going to draft up language that was going to address. It's 2.5. There was about three or four sections, right? >> Uh we took it off of the discussion at the last one. Um if I had if we had said they were going to have it for this meeting then, you know, I apologize for
that aspect of it. But I I believe we were going to be reading in uh and reviewing each one of those items in more detail once we have those drafts when we come back after we complete the entire charter. >> So it won't be tonight then? >> No. >> Oh no.
>> The the the idea um vice chairman is for us to have that full round of of of discussion on all of the items and then for the second go around have this specific language already so then we can start word smithing. >> Okay. So Mr. Chair, I'm so sorry. I just I want to make sure I'm caught up. So,
the next meeting on March 26 is when we're going to review all those items. >> Sure. Well, we can we can bring it up now if you'd like. And uh so at I was going to be proposing at the end of the meeting uh for the March 26 is I was going to propose that we cancel the March 26th meeting is and and the mean
reason being is that by today we've gone through the first round of reviewing the entire charter. And what I'll be asking is that, you know, to work with the both the clerk and with the town attorneys to be able to do a redline draft based on all the motions that we've done. Get
that circulated to everybody and start beginning to draft up all, you know, go through all the motions that we've made and start getting that so we can start getting a very concise view of where is it that the changes that we've already gone forward with. uh a deal with these other sections such as 2.5 and a couple
of the other ones where we said, "Hey, look, we're going to get some more information to move forward on." And then also is from each of the commission members is if uh now let's start honing in on specific big areas that we want to really take take a deep dive, start looking into. And if there's now that
we've had one full look of the entire charter now, making sure everything one works together, but then hey, look, you know what? maybe we need to add something in or maybe now we need to delete something else out and start looking at that going forward and that if we cancel the March 26th meeting um
would be then to uh reset bit back to when we're going to do it two weeks after it gives us a good month to be able to go through everything get everything all together rather than and I don't want to do it rushed but also give all of us an opportunity to relook at everything and then say hey look you know now we're getting into the meat and
potatoes of everything get through the month of April uh with you know, with two to three meetings. Um, and then that hopefully by uh mid by mid early May, we can get the finalized questions and everything with together with the town attorney that they uh will be proposing
for us to review once we've gotten down into it. >> I'm I'm definitely supportive of that plan. >> Okay. Um, so I'll make I'll go ahead and we'll do it at this time is I'm going to make a motion to cancel out the May 20 the March 26 meeting uh and then resume
with our regular schedule in April. >> Second. >> We have the second. Any discussions? >> Yes, Mr. Chair. So, um, see, I was going to propose our April meeting. The first week of April is Easter week. So, that may be a I I know I'm out for the
holidays, but I don't know if anybody else is, but um, that first week of April creates a challenge for me. Um, so I don't know if the committee the commission would be open to explain. Matter of >> fact, what was what were the dates that we have? >> It's Easter week. >> We have March 26, April 9th, and April
23rd. >> Yeah, Easter is April the 5th. So week >> after, >> right? So April 9th, >> it's not Holy Week, it's Easter week, right? I'm sorry for the confusion. >> So, I know the religious schools are off
and >> the right the private or Catholic schools are off that in New York. >> Um, I'm open if there's let's So, the first motion that I have right now is just to have it is going to is the just the cancelling of the meeting of the
26th. Um, we can if we want to change it to the 20 to the 16th and the 30th, you know, I think that's back right afterwards. >> 16th and 23rd, >> I believe from what I see in my calendar that the 16th
>> we're having an event here in council chambers, but the 23rd is ours. It's reserved for the revision. Um, I kindly let me see what another date that I can provide instead of the 9th if you're all okay with
perhaps a Wednesday the 15th. >> I don't know. >> Well, let me let me let me >> or the four. >> No, that's >> madam madam click. Let me ask you a quick question. >> Um, >> the general timeline I know we talked
about it way at the very beginning. what's the timeline so that way we can work backwards from there. >> Yeah. >> Is I know that we wanted to have something to the council for their review so that way they can draft the resolution and have that forwarded over to the supervisor of elections. Do we have a hard date of when we need to have it to the supervisor of elections?
>> Yes, I think the town attorneys and the town manager had explained that they wanted to present the report to the council in May. The May 19th regular council meeting is what I have in my notes. Um,
>> may I Mr. Chair, may I make an alternate suggestion to your motion since we're in discussion? >> Um, so the town attorney mentioned that at the next meeting, the mayor wanted to be here to discuss. So, could we possibly keep the March 26 meeting to have a final discussion before the
attorneys then start working on the drafting of uh the language? And then that could be, you know, over those first couple of weeks in April. And then we keep our uh you know second meeting of the month which is April the 23rd
because otherwise Mr. Attorney when would the mayor have that conversation that you alluded to that >> No, he just couldn't be he just couldn't be here tonight. So he wanted to be part of >> Oh, he's going to be here tonight. >> No, he could not be here tonight. So he just wanted to be the convers that be the 26th of March because otherwise the mayor won't get a chance
to have that discussion with us. >> Yeah. No, I understand is um I just have also a conflict on the 26th. So, and I wanted to give it some time. So, it seems a couple others. Um >> what what was the >> other the other week?
>> The Oh, >> April 16th, I think. >> April, >> April 16th here. >> I see here in the calendar, property fraud alert. It's taking place here. Okay. Um,
>> and we don't necessarily have to have it on a Thursday unless, you know, we we can have either a Wednesday or even a Tuesday if everyone's available >> organiz >> something from the office of the mayor that I think we committed for them to use the venue. So, I feel bad changing
it because apparently emails went back and forth. It's something for the benefit of the residents. I'm not in charge of that property fraud, >> but >> I don't see Yeah, I don't see any conflict in my calendar >> or the 14th.
>> Well, let me do have a conflict. It's planning and zoning. >> Oh, P. >> Very important. Planning and zoning meeting. Um, but I don't see a conflict on the 15th >> other than tax day. >> Yes. >> Right.
>> Yeah. Mr. Chair, I'm so sorry. Let me ask this question. I'm going to point it to the attorney because I just want to make sure that we give the mayor the opportunity. >> Can you repeat what it is the mayor would like to address the commission on? >> No, he just he couldn't be here this evening. So some of the points, especially the ones with dealing with
the election date and and moving the primary, >> he wanted to chime in on it. Okay. >> So >> So we should have a meeting then before we take the break then. Is that what you are saying? because otherwise we won't if he's not going to be able to provide some direction to us or at least his
opinion, we won't have a chance to discuss that item. >> Not necessarily. I mean, you can have the discussion on at that same meeting and then go into kind of the nitty-gritty, you know, as far as taking a look at the redline version. So, you could you could do both. >> Okay.
>> I mean, this is not a set structure. >> Okay. >> This is just an idea of how >> right. So, so staying with the month of March, the 25th, everybody's busy or >> or I have another suggestion. What about >> just that week is spring break? It's spring break for publicair. >> Yeah.
>> Chairman, I know we you have a conflict on the 26th. What about Wednesday the 25th? >> Well, that's why you were saying it's that it's it's it's spring break for >> that week. Okay. So, no meeting that week. And what about the following week? >> April 2nd. >> Um
>> well, that's Holy Thursday. So, that's >> well, >> not a good day. April 1st were booked in council chambers. That's a special call. >> I'm not available. The 31st. >> What about Yeah. What about March 31st?
>> Yeah, March 31st. I'm not available. >> It's the last Tuesday of March. >> Yeah. >> I'm sorry. >> Oh, the 31st. The 31st is I'm back in town, but I already have an event that night. >> You have an event. Okay. >> The 30th. >> The 30th is a Monday. and council
Chambers is available twice before me. >> Look, let's look if if everybody's available on the 26th. If you guys want to go ahead and have it on the 26th, I'll try to appear by Zoom, but I'm not going to be available for it unfortunately. And clearly the chairman, the vice chairman wants to have it on
the 26th. >> Should be everyone should we should have everyone. >> Yeah. I don't like to schedule a meeting knowing that, you know, >> yeah, >> some of you are not going to be here. >> The 30th, if not the following week,
>> April 15th. >> April 15th. It's available. >> It's a Wednesday. >> It's a conflict for >> It's a conflict for me, but I mean >> Oh, yeah. >> Yeah. tax season.
>> Okay. Then the following week, we have a meeting on the 23rd, but we could meet April 20th. >> No. >> No. >> 20th. >> What about it's April 23rd and April
30th? So, >> no. He says the 23rd there's already a conflict. >> No, the 16th there's a conflict. The 23rd is our scheduled meeting here. >> Right. and and the 30th I'm out. >> So, we know the 23rd is good because we've already got the calendar. >> That's correct. >> What if we look at April 30th? So, we do that. Gives the attorney
>> well over a month to, you know, address all the issues that are still pending that have been deferred. >> Yeah, I'm out on the 30th. >> Okay. >> Is are you available on the 29th, a Wednesday, April 29th? >> Okay.
>> I'm available. Same here. >> It's still open in the calendar. So, if you want to put a save the date, Alexis, please. >> 30th. >> The 30th. We have it booked. I know. But it's But it's not working for some of the It's not working for them. >> Yeah. The 29th
>> proposed the 29th. >> So, we're holding the 29th >> and keeping our scheduled Thursday the 23rd of April. >> Yeah. So, be the 23rd, 29th. And this way it gets through all
the spring breaks for both the public schools and the private schools and it gets through tax season. So, and it gives the attorney plenty of time to work on all the pending >> getting getting the funding final line up. >> Oh, chair, just to make sure I understood correctly because I'm going to have to um I'm sending all these
legal notices to the Laker so that we have um dly advertise. I want to make sure I don't make a mistake. The 26th of March and April 9th are no longer meeting dates. It will be April 23rd and
April 29th. Is that correct? >> Oh, yeah. Well, we'll need to amend my motion in just a second. I just want to get the dates before we do the amendment. So, looking 23rd, 29th, and then getting into I think we probably want to have one final meeting >> uh at least have it on the schedule for
I would say May 14th, which is the week before the council meets. Do you have that? I know it's tight for noticing purposes. I don't know whether or not you need to have the final to them beforehand or >> I'm going to kindly suggest
the May 7th and I'm going to say and explain why if we meet if we meet on the 14th the agenda for the May 19th has already been published and out and I don't like to make additions after the deadline for the public.
We published the agenda on May 13th, which is a Wednesday. If you can all meet May 7th, which I don't see any conflict in council chambers and Alexis, let's >> double check. I don't see anything in my
calendar. Council chambers May 7th, it would be better. We're still running, but the agenda has still not been prepared. >> Okay. because >> I I'm available the seventh is just I would just say is you know keeping in mind is then we'll be at three weeks
back to back to back. >> So well I don't have an issue with it is just for noticing purposes and getting minutes completed in time. >> No, I know. So >> unless again manager and town attorney
unless we >> or if you guys want to wait till the 11th >> in June I I think I >> it depends on the deadline for election. >> Okay I have it here. >> Got to work back there >> for the ball.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Right. >> For the November ballot, we have to submit to the elections department no later than July. >> Okay. >> Um July what? >> July. The end of July.
>> So we actually have June. What can happen? >> We don't really have July because remember this is us asking permission to the supervisor of elections to allow. So by the moment that we're asking permission, we have to submit already the wrestle. But it's okay. We have June. Yeah,
>> we have doing so. >> Good. >> Because then then then I think you know what I'd like to do then is then we can meet after the 19th meeting and finalize everything at that point. I think we should be and if we need to have one more meeting, we have more than enough time to get in right at the beginning of
June to have a quick meeting if we need to we need to finalize any any any loose ends at that point. >> Yep. So, we leave it. We don't we don't do May 7th. We do May 14th and then we present to the council in June.
>> Well, May 7th was already one of our meeting dates that we had established. Um May 7th was Oh, no. It was May 14th. >> No, it was never. Yeah, you're right. The last the last day that I have as a tentative is um was May 14th,
but um but I'm looking at the schedule. So, >> we can have a meeting on May 14th, but it's not going to make the agenda of May 19th. Yeah. >> Council meeting. If you're okay with that, >> I believe we're okay. And then you present in June
>> and then we can you can even meet >> at the end of May. you can still have even more time to cross the tees and >> make sure that everything is perfect. >> Okay. >> So, I'm going to Is every Well, let me ask everybody. Is everybody fine with that with doing April 23rd, the 29th,
and then May 14th? >> Correct. Striking the rest of the schedule and then having it those three dates. >> I'm not available on the 14th. I'm out of town. May 14th, >> but you know, >> yeah, >> as long as there's a quorum.
>> Well, that'll be our final meeting that I think. So, >> do we want to push for the 21st, the following Thursday? >> Although, is our goal, let me back up. Is our goal to get something to council by the May 19th meeting?
>> No, we're looking at June. So, that's why we're not too rushed, >> right? Okay. >> Thankfully. So >> May 21st is everyone available and the council is available. >> I have it saved for the charter revision. >> You have not sent in. >> I haven't because I thought we were
really going to finish but I have it. Look as a precaution I did. >> So the 21st is best for every is everyone's clear. >> Okay. So it'll be the 23rd, 29th and 21st. I just want to be clear before I make the motion.
Correct. All we'll we'll cancel all the future meetings that we had and I'll I'll make the motion right now to do that. So, I'm going to make a motion that is going to delete my earlier it's going to withdraw my earlier motion and replace it with uh
cancelling all the prior all all the subsequent meetings that we have scheduled and replacing it with April 23rd, April 29th and May 21st. >> Second. Any dis further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? I. Any
opposed? Seeing none, motion passes. All right. So, we have our next schedules for the 23rd, 29th, and 21st. Uh, and that also gives a little bit more time uh for the town attorney and the clerk so we can finalize and get everything out to everybody and give
everyone a good time to review it. Uh, we'll get it that far in advance so that way we can uh we're not rushed. that really want it to be meaningful. Um, and also it'll give a little bit of time, you know, we'll make sure to try to get that agenda out for the 23rd early enough. Uh, so that way the public can
also take a look at it, see where we're at, uh, you know, for anyone that would want to come out and, you know, if they have any further ideas or anything else that they'd like to propose. >> All right. Um, >> and I will send invites tomorrow to all
of you. The new invites, deleting the ones that I have done so that there's no confusion. >> Perfect. Thank you very much. >> Note the the Laker as well. >> Great. So, >> okay. >> I'll consider that as part of the town attorney's report and his fault. >> My fault.
>> All right. Anything else from Mr. Town attorney on your report? >> Nothing else was true. >> All right. Thank you. Um, madam madame clerk. >> Yes. Um I did some of the homework that you requested from me last meeting. One of
them was I did reach out to my fellow town clerks, city clerks or village clerks and I didn't get 100% um feedback from them. I got like 50%. So questions that I think it was commission member Abad who was the one
was a little bit more interested in finding out Excuse me. Town clerks if they report to the town council or a town manager. I only got 10 municipalities, but for the record,
Surfside, town of Cutler Bay, village of Pinerest, City of Hyia Gardens, Si City of Coral Gables, City of Florida City, sorry again, City of West Miami, City of Aventura, Miami Shores Village,
City of Dorado, and City of Miami Beach did provide me with the information that I asked. All of them with the exception of Surfside. Surfside reports is nominated appointed and reports to the town
manager. All the others are appointed and nominated by appointed nominated and report to the town council not to the town manager. And then there is city of
Hayalia Gardens. They pointed out and I just wanted to bring this to your attention. They're nominated and they're appointed and they report to the mayor but the mayor in the city of Hayyia acts as a town manager. So there, you know, it's a different scenario for a city of
Hayalia. >> That's Haley or Halia Gardens. >> Halia Gardens, I'm sorry. Haliaak Gardens. So again, Cuddler Bay, Pinerest, Coral Gables, Florida City, uh, West Miami,
Aventura, Miami Shores, Doral, and city of Miami Beach are nominated or appointed and they report to the town council. So, I just wanted to bring that to your attention. Hopefully by next meeting, I'll have the other pending
cities. I know a town deputy town clerk um attorney Kovella just mentioned that he's doing that research as well, but I just wanted to share this with you because I did call them. They're my friends and they provided this information and I thought it was beneficial because you all asked about
it last meeting. Then the other information that I was >> before we were going on does anyone else have any further questions on that that topic? >> I I wanted to put something in the record. I think I I remember and I think it it might be El Portow has an elected
uh town clerk. I think they're it it's North Miami >> that one I don't know they did not respond but yes >> thank you. >> I I will probably have everything the 34 municipalities by next meeting. That is my goal. >> Right. Thank you. Anybody else real
quick? Okay. Go ahead. Then the other question that was raised by commission member Abad and by commission member Bennett was to try to provide some statistical analysis or some information, some backup material
regarding the primaries versus the runoff. The information that again it's pending because I did ask a public records request from the Department of Elections. They were helpful. They did send a lot of information that I have.
Um I don't think I have what was really asked because I don't have information on how many ballots have been casted from Miami Lakes during the primaries. So we don't have that information which is pivotal for the discussion that we
had last meeting. But I do have and I do want to share this with all of you. last election, November 5th, 2024, which was a presidential election. And of course, you all know it was a the
mayoral seat and one council seat. We had 15,000 almost 16,000 15,700 ballots casted in the mayoral race November 5th, 2024. And just to show
the turnover of um the turnout of of um election, how low it is, 21 days later, which was the runoff, November 26, 2024 for the mayoral race, we only had ballots
3,994. So that shows the big difference between the early November general election versus 21 days later, which it happened to be Thanksgiving week. For us, it usually is because it is 21 days after
the election. We just wanted to point that out. I wish I could have the information of how many ballots were casted last year in the primary, which was August 20th or August 23rd, right? We were trying to look at the link that
um elections department provided me. I was looking at it and we did get some information but I I don't feel comfortable sharing with you all because it's not 100% accurate. I cannot tell you how many ballots were casted from
Miami Leaks. I hope I can provide that information in the next two weeks and next meeting. But I just wanted to share them because that was a point that um Commissioner Abad had requested from my office. >> Sorry. Uh
with that in mind is do we know how many approximately how many registered voters do we have in the town? >> Yes, we do. Actually, I have it here. It was provided by them as of November 26.
2024 registered voters in Miami Lakes is 21,093 20,000 not >> November 2024 >> 21,000 and I think I was given
I know I have of in 2022 2022 November I don't have it with me but I memorized it I saw it earlier in November of 2022 we had 20,000 registered voters. So in two years we increased by a thousand but
this is directly from the elections department. >> Okay. Well that's good to know. Anyone have any other discussions or question guidance on that? >> No, I'm just trying to recall that request and I think the point was to see
if more people were voting during primaries than run-ups, right? And I think that's what we're trying to contrast. >> Also, um I think you did mention, Gina, try to find out if other municipalities I think you mentioned that if other
municipalities um participate in primaries. The vast majority from what I have seen from the research that I'm trying to conduct, they do have a runoff after the election like what we do. I have not seen one that coincides with a
town of Miami Lakes which is on Thanksgiving. I have seen, for example, I know from memory because I have the charter here with me, um, Pinerest has it a week before Thanksgiving, which I don't recommend because it for me it's running too too close to the
certification that the elections department provide municipalities, but I did read from Dural, which I have the charter with me. They have it the first Tuesday, I believe, of December, the first week of December. So I do realize
that that is more prudent if we were if I had a vote on the day is now to vote on this. I would say that um I would move the runoff from the last week of November to early December because it would not be in conflict with
Thanksgiving which has caused you know a little bit of turmoil to the department of elections not to say the least to us as well. That's if we keep that's if we keep the runoff style the way that is currently with the date with a separate date rather than doing
>> well it's one of the proposals is obviously that being considered is the running at the primary if there's more than two and then any runoff would occur at the November election. >> Correct. That is if the runoff is going to stay after the election. >> Correct. Ma, Madame Clerk, would you
happen to have the statistics for the August 2024 election? Did you share those? >> I don't have any statistics of the primaries. Any of August. I have with me. I do have You said 2024 or 2022?
>> 20 2024. So, the the August >> 5th or the runoff? >> No, the the August election. >> No, I don't have that's what I started by saying that I wish I had. I was looking at the link that the elections department provided. It is beneficial,
but I am not able to give you and I did the public record. I'm still waiting for the result from them. I wish I had what they sent me. I wish it were from August. They sent me from November and from special runoff, but they didn't send any information of the primaries,
which is what we need, >> right? So, we may not be able to to pull it just by Miami Lakes residence, but we should be able to do it precinct by precinct and then just add up the seven precincts. >> Well, what we looked at, yeah, we tried Gina asked for the specific information
of of the total number of ballots cast in Miami Lake precincts in the August primary. What she did, what we it was a manual process. What we did was we looked at the most high-profile race that we could find on that ballot. it was the US
senators race. How it's a partisan race. So, we had to add up all of the uh Republican for all six or seven uh precincts and then as well as all the Democrats for all of those seven precincts. But what that and that number
alone gives us as many people who voted in the mayoral runoff in uh in November almost to the almost exact. However, what that does not take into account is number one is how many people may have voted on that ballot but just didn't cast a ballot for senator.
>> It did not take into account those who are registered, no party affiliation that would not have had that uh even question on their ballot. Um so I I think that that number and obviously no Miami Lakes uh race on that ballot,
right? So, taking all that into account, we believe that the number at least I believe that the number um had Miami Lakes questions or uh elections been on that ballot and considering uh NPA and
considering all the other factors, I think that you'll see that the number of ballots cast in August exceed those ballots that were cast in the mayoral uh runoff. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I I think the last election that we would have had in August was the last
charter review >> 2016. >> Correct. I think that's that's the last >> what I would what I would even takection >> what I would even recommend is is probably even looking at the judicial elections and pulling the precincts here in the Miami Lakes because on the judicial side the judicial uh elections
happen in August. >> Yeah. >> And then they have the runoffs. They have that for the judges. They have that style. they they have the when there's any type of elections, they run in August. Regardless of whether or not it's two or more, if there's even two, they just run in August. And if there's a runoff, it happens automatically in
November at that point. >> And and that's the same way the Miami date county mayors. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. What I'm saying is just for the purposes of trying to evaluate, you know, just at least for the precincts, there's a higher likelihood that they would vote. >> The difficult thing is you'll capture the MPAs,
>> right? But a lot of people don't vote for a lot of judicial races because they don't know who they are. >> Only the attorneys. >> Yeah. But so >> some don't even want to do >> I think when we get the number that uh Gina's requested from the elections department that will be the total
ballots and that takes any ballot that was cast in any of our precincts in August regardless of whether they voted for one thing that was on the ballot or all of them whether it was partisan or nonpartisan. So it'll be all the total ballots. Uh but what it won't take into the only variable that's not taken into
account then would be the fact that no Miami Lakes races were on that uh ballot. But still it'll give us a much clearer picture of you know the >> give us a good baseline. >> Yes 100%. >> It'll give us a baseline of you know when there's not a Miami Lakes issue you know what is even the turnout at that point.
>> 100%. >> All right. This will be very very interesting. You know I think the Miami Laker will take this up as maybe that might be something to take a look at for them. a nice little article seeing how the and hopefully to encourage more people to come out and vote because I
always you know I believe it's very very important and I've told people even if you don't like anybody that's on the thing still cast the ballot with no with uh under votes you know it still sends a message uh to the candidates I you know I've worked on I've seen a lot of different campaigns and you know those everyone looks at those numbers and when
you start seeing that hey look you know why didn't people anybody vote for either candidate you know to me it also sends a message that they didn't like anyone in the in in the vote button. >> Yes. >> I just noticed in my screen that um we
have a number with the hand up which means that they're asking permission to speak and provide public comments. I don't know who the person is. >> You don't know who the person is? Um public comments has been closed. Uh we've done that unless there's a motion that we're if anyone the commission
members want to have >> I'll make the open >> I'll move to reopen public comments. >> I'll second it. >> All right. Uh is any discussion? See none. All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Any opposed? No opposition. So we'll go ahead and we
will reopen the public comments. And madame clerk, if you can please ask the person to move forward. >> Help desk, please allow the telephone number ending in 8 893 to speak. Welcome to the Charter
Revision Committee meeting. Please unmute yourself. I see you have the hand up and welcome to the meeting. >> And please state your name and >> and good evening. I'm just saying hello to my fellow commissioners from the middle of the Caribbean. I'm monitoring I won't be
voting on this uh this meeting, but I am monitoring the meeting uh remotely. I just wanted to say hello and that I am here. Welcome, Commissioner Member Bennett. You're going to continue participating or you're just here briefly to
participate? >> No, no, I'll be monitoring. I won't be participating. I'll just be monitoring. >> Okay. Well, enjoy and thank you for logging in. >> Thank you so much. Have a good day. >> Technically, wasn't a public comment at all?
>> No, it wasn't a public comment. All right. Uh, anything else on your report, Madam Clerk? Okay. So, we've concluded the town clerk's report. Now, we're going to go to our items for discussion or action. Um, and I in general is I'm I'm going to go ahead is,
you know, I've taken a look at each of these and these are more I don't know if there's really much for us to take into because these were more of the incorporation uh and transition provisions. So, I'm just going to take them, you know, uh, for item 8A, article
8, the transition provisions 1 through nine, uh, I, you know, I don't believe that there's anything that we can really modify because they were intended just to show how we're transitioning. We're keeping them on. I believe I think rightfully so, to be able to explain out
Oh, yes. Yeah, they're up there. uh in case anyone wants to take a look at it. But um I don't know really think there's much for us to amend there. So I'll just uh ask anyone just article 8A uh 1 through nine. Is there any discussion
items or any motions? Okay. Seeing none, uh we're going to go to now B. Similar. It's again the incorporation provisions. uh giving some of the initial terms out of from the charter to the original council of how
it was going to operate until everything got settled out and operated. Uh so article 9 and these are B1 through 4 on our agenda. Is there any discussion or is there any >> the the only thing I I wanted to bring up and I don't have my copy in front of me. Are there references to the Miami
Dade Police Department that should be updated to sheriff within police contract and county services? Well, that police contract that was there was how it was going to operate at the very beginning until it was just giving the authority uh from what I recall from what I read was just giving the
authority to or it was it was setting forth how it would operate and it gave the council the ability to be able to terminate it upon um 12 months notice at the end. Uh but these my understanding with these are this is this is the report the incorporation provisions of
the municipal advisory committee that they were just simply implementing at that time. Um Mr. Town attorney I don't know if you have a different >> I mean thank you uh Mr. here. I he brings up a a interesting point. The provisions in chapter 9 still um prevail
and and still relevant. Uh especially the issue with the police contract because at any point in time if with certain notice we we can um enact our own police have our own police department. Uh currently the way that it's written it says Miami Day Police Department and it is now the Miami Dade
Police Sheriff's Office. So that that can be correct. >> But if you look at 9.4 Four, any modification to article 9 requires a series of acts. Approval by the council, approval by the voters of the town, approval by twothirds of the total
membership of the uh county uh board of county commissioners. >> I think the police is different though. The police is different because the the town can terminate the police contract at any point in time after the first
initial three years. But Right. Yeah. Yeah. Any changes? I I see what the town manager saying is if you know it'd be >> Yeah, it's just it just police department doesn't exist anymore. But
>> so a very interesting aspect. >> I think you could correct it because it's just it's a it's a change. It's it's not a substantive change. It's a lot. >> It's It's not really It's not a substantive fact. >> It's reflecting that. It's reflecting the reality of
>> But you know, you bring up a a bigger point that we can look into actually now that we're going to talk about it is that when this was done, these were certain conditions that Miami date county had on
the the town. The issue with the police was a little different because the police the the way that it's written, it allowed us after first three years that we could cancel the contract and and by extension we could create our own police department. But what I'm really getting to is that Miami County no longer has a
police department. So it's no longer part of the county. Just doesn't exist. It's its own government sheriff's office. Uh so I I'm not even and the reason I'm even saying this is that I'm not even sure the 9.2 would even be applicable in today's day and age because >> with the way it's written >> the way it's written. So,
>> right. >> Okay. >> If that makes sense. >> And let me ask you this in in in case you or anyone else or know even even in that same line um is under 9.1 are any of those three entities that are listed
in AB and C are those names changed or are those the same names that are still utilized today by the county? To my not understanding, they they still it's a Miami date fire rescue district >> and it's a Miami date library system and
I think the solid waste is the same. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Yeah, that one's more general. It's police services, >> right? Which Miami County no longer provides police services. Yeah, they the sheriff services. >> Yeah. >> So, you know, and the way that 9.4 for
as the manager pointed out. I I I I tend to agree that it would require Yeah. It's just Yeah. And then, you know, county commissioners, I'm sure they're going to be like, "Why is this coming to us?" >> Well, and that and the other point is just I don't think it makes any sense. Again, there is no such thing as a Miami
date police department. Yeah. >> Is its own constitutional office >> which we can we're contracting with. So, this doesn't even apply anymore. >> So, then I guess the question is, do we do we leave it and ignore it? Do we remove it alto together if it if it
doesn't apply? >> If we want to take it to the voters and then take it to the Miami date county board. >> I mean, every everything that we do here we're taking to the voters anyway, right? So, >> that's right. But it's also that extra step of having to take it to the commissioners. >> Well, and I think we >> Well, I think it's two extra steps
because um to amend the charter, it's just a major it's just a simple majority. Correct. Generally, >> some of the voters of >> Yes. But this to make modifications this night is going to have that extra extraordinary vote of a twothirds vote
>> of Miami County Board of Commission. >> No, no. Oh, sorry. Yeah, I'm sorry. I I was reading it as said the voters. Sorry. My my apologies. Right. >> Yeah. It's it's not like the the one that would be really complicated, if I remember correctly, is the the fire district because the fire district
requires a vote countywide to let you exit from the fire district. This this would be the same process that we're doing now with adding a vote of the council, which I I don't foresee there being an issue with that, and the simple
uh vote of the of the board of county commissioners, which >> I can't imagine there's going to be a problem there if, you know, we're we're just cleaning up the language and doing that. if if it meant, you know, a countywide referendum or something like that, yeah, it probably wouldn't be worth a lift, but I think it's worth it
to to look at it and clean it up and bring it in line. >> Mr. Chair, just point of clarification. >> Give me one second. I think uh Commissioner Rouano was first and then I'll get you. >> You sure? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Again, I just want to be clear. >> I think I just want to be clear what
we're doing because it's a moot point either way, right? Because this is from How old are we? 25 years old. This is from 25 years ago. Yeah. It doesn't do any there's no practical applicability to it. It's done, right? Even the provision about if we want to exit 12
months, you know, we have to give 12 months notice, but that's from the initial three-year period. But Mr. Turner, correct me if I'm wrong. I mean, >> and that's in our agreement with the sheriff's office that that provision is in that that notice provision of 12 months is contained in there. >> Yeah. So, we already have a contractual
provision that it's it just mirrors what's in what was in the original charter. But but to your point, you're right. It's smooth. At any point we want to cancel the contract and create our own police department, we can do so. >> Great. So, anyone have any further discussion
or any motions that as to uh article 9, 9192, 93 or 94? All right. Seeing none. So that concludes what we had set for our agenda for today.
It's our fastest meeting, but you know there there's a lot of uh leg work that we're going to have to get between now and our next meeting as we had already voted on for April 23rd. uh we're going to be working very diligently uh with with the town
attorney and the town clerk and uh to make sure that we get you know the redline draft as well as going through all the motions preparing a couple of the items that I know that we were going to follow up with with pro proposed so that first 23rd uh get ready to do some work um please review the stuff in
advance um and if you any of you have any further changes or modifications in addition to what we're going to be proposing please have them in advance set them together, have them in a motion form so that we're we're very focused on what we're going to be discussing. And if the more you can give it in advance,
so that way the clerk can share it with everyone and have it on the agenda so we can prepare. So, uh, you know, you're ready for your questions at that time so we can move forward with that. And hopefully by either the 29th and the and you know hopefully eventually on the
21st we'll have a final set of not only the motions but we'll have the final questions that we'll be a voting upon that we're going to be sending over to the town council uh for their resolution to send over then to the supervisor of elections. Um anything else? Any
comments? Mr. >> Sure. Yes. We're wrapping up relatively early. So, would it be possible, just so that I can kind of help uh myself get organized, would it be possible for either the attorney and or the clerk to share with us what still is pending as
far as um the items that are being worked on that we will perhaps have to vote on. I know there's a a series of questions that are still up in the air for me, but is it possible to get that list so that I have them and I can just make sure that I'm prepared? I don't
know if you have that list ready for today or do you? >> Basically, in the minutes that I know for sure that are included in tonight's agenda, all everything was deferred from I think
February 12th made it to the February 26 and it's this. I'll show you right now. I mean, as what we had was language that was pending. That's going to come back in the second round. The items are the ones that I spelled out at during the
attorney's report that are pending. >> Right. >> Correct. I don't have the I I know I was going to begin from my own personal self is kind of going through all the different motions and even figuring out which ones were still pending. Um because I know that there was a bunch of language with regards to 2.5. Yes,
>> we had B3, B or C2, C4, C6, and C7 for just looking at quick some quick notes um that there was going to be because those were all interrelated going to the first one. Um that the town attorney was going to be preparing some type of language there. Um and I'd have to look
back to see what other items we had that were >> for sure. for short section I mean we have them here in the old business section of the agenda from last month at last meeting 2.5 C
which is um filling of vacancies if a vacancy on the council shall be filled if six months or more remain that one for sure >> we addressed that at the beginning of the meeting yeah >> so that one is one of them the other one We have 2.3A.
>> Correct. All all these that are um I mean if you want if you want in order to assist the town attorney I can try to again look at all my minutes and in detail. >> Yeah. So >> I can do that. >> I briefly spoke with Morales, Miss
Castillia, I'm sorry. Yes. And she does have the the running list so we can circulate to all of you. >> Okay. There you go. >> So that way you guys everyone will have that to see where we're at on it. Um, and remember that's that's what we've at least discussed that we're going to be following up on, but it doesn't preclude any of you guys. If you guys feel, hey,
look, now that we've seen the entire charter >> that you want to some other things may have to change, whether it's modify this here or there, I know that uh we're going to move forward with that aspect of it. But, you know, just uh let's get it as much in advance as we can. Um, and
I really appreciate Mr. town attorney in in what you guys have put together and sharing it with us so that way we can uh >> best prepare ourselves for the next meeting. And if I know one of the things one of my big things I know it was a for whatever reason it was a little bit of a
debate uh if we could see that new map that we're going to be adding at the very beginning Mr. Town Manager. >> Mr. Manager >> our new updated map that we'll be adding at the at the figure one at the very beginning >> so we can get that one. We'll have it.
Perfect. >> Yeah. I don't want to state which ones we're going to go yet as I think we're going to get the motion from uh we're going to get the document from the town attorney and I think and then we'll work on setting that agenda. uh sooner rather
than later. I'd like to get that at least the agenda out so everybody knows the ones that we're going to be ant that we're going to have proposals for. >> I just wanted to see the list. >> Um I'm not speaking into the microphone. I'm asking the date that you would like
me to put, you know, to receive that email of the pending items to share with the commission members. I just want to have it, you know, organized. >> Yeah. I'd like to probably get it out the earlier part of April. I don't want
to I don't want to say it out of date specific because >> Okay. >> Uh I don't want anyone saying that, you know, we said it we were going to have it on X, Y, and Z date and we didn't get out. But I'd like to have it at the latest is by the beginning part of April uh to share out with everyone. Obviously, the town attorney, I'll try
to share out his document sooner than that so we can all start taking a look at it and because as well as, you know, if any of the commissioners have anything else that they'd like to also bring up that might not be something that we've already addressed otherwise as that we're going to that we needed to follow up on. Uh I don't want to
preclude that either. >> Yeah, I like to always have the the agenda a week early. I'm looking at the calendar of the meeting that we have is April 23rd. I kindly suggest no later than April 16th, but I think you want it even earlier. >> Yeah. So, I'd like to be posting
probably earlier than that. >> I'll work with you. Thank you. >> All right. Anything else? All right. We are standing adjourned until our next meeting, April 23rd. Thank you very much, everyone. Have a great evening.