Good evening everyone and welcome to tonight's meeting of the South Miami City Commission. Uh today is Tuesday, August 19th. The time is 700 p.m. We'll now call this meeting to order. Madam clerk, if you could call the role, please. >> Yes. Mayor Fernandez, >> present. >> Vice Mayor Corey,
>> present. >> Commissioner Wish >> here. Commissioner Cay >> here. >> You have a quum. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. If we could please stand for a brief moment of silence followed by the pledge of allegiance led by Commissioner Bonich. >> Ready.
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. Please be seated.
>> Madam clerk, we have no presentations this evening. >> No. >> Any add-on items? >> No. >> Okay, great. Uh, is there a motion to to approve the minutes of July 29th, 2025 and August 5th, 2025? >> I'll move the motion, Mayor. >> Second.
>> Have a motion by Commissioner Kaya. Second by Vice Mayor Corey. Madam Clerk, if you can call the role, please. >> Yes. Commissioner Bonish. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Cay. >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Corey. >> Yes. >> Mayor Fernandez. >> Yes. >> Pass 40. >> Colleagues, I'd like to defer our
discussion on item M3. I had attempted to contact the owner of the property. I just want to make sure he's aware of the item before we discuss it if that's okay. So without any objection, I'd like to defer that to uh our meeting of September 3rd. >> That mayor, hold on. >> That is the discussion on fire access at
Dante Facil. >> Okay. So with that uh motion to defer to September 3rd without objection, we'll consider that moved and approved. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Uh colleagues, any other items we would like to defer or withdraw?
Okay. Okay. So, we'll consider tonight's agenda set. Uh, Mr. City Manager, then if we can start with your report, please. >> Thank you, Mayor. Deputy Manager will present. >> Madam Deputy, good evening. >> Good evening. Just some dates to remember. Tonight, we have the first
community workshop for the parks and wreck tenure master plan that's taking place right here in commission chambers. That's on August 26th at 6:30 p.m. A reminder that city hall is going to be closed Monday, September 1st in observance of Labor Day. So that week, if your trash pickup is on a Monday,
it's going to if your garbage pickup is on a Monday, it's going to be picked up on Tuesday and Tuesday's route will be collected on Wednesday. And our next commission meeting is on an off day to coincide with the first budget hearing, which will begin at 5:01 p.m. on September 3rd. Finally, registration is
open for our third community cleanup. um that's happening Saturday, September 30th from 9 to 11:30 a.m. We have volunteer hours available for that event. So, please go ahead and go on our website and register for that. That's the end of the manager's report. >> Thank you, Madam Manager. Colleagues, any questions?
>> Okay, seeing none, thank you again for the report. Uh Mr. City attorney, you're recognized. >> Thank you, mayor. Uh the only thing was just which I emailed you all about um the hearing on Thursday uh on the motion to dismiss in the 287g litigation.
That's the only thing I wanted to report on. Okay, >> colleagues, any questions? Uh I have one request. Uh if we can follow up. We've had some issues recently again with a contractor on our um sepic tower project. The manager's aware and I'd like to understand if
there's a way we can formally move to the bar the contractor from doing business here at least for a term of years. Okay, >> your mic. >> We have been in in pretty constant contact with Mr. Munoz on that, but we'll look into that specific uh request.
>> Great. If I can get just an update and if I need to sponsor an item to to to bring that forward, I'm happy to do that. >> All right. >> Thank you. Thank you for the report. Uh we'll now have the floor to public remarks. If uh there's anyone who' I don't have a list, John, if you guys can grab it for me. If there's anyone who'd like to address this commission in
public remarks, now is the time. Please uh come to the podium. >> Your second. Why don't you lead us off while I wait for the list, Mr. Ward? >> Good evening again. I've been told that Commissioner Rodriguez is watching on TV, so I'm glad
to bring this to him today. I've managed 11 campaigns in the city of South Miami and won nine. And the Saturday after the election, the I get the candidate, myself, and two friends, and we go out and take down all of the
political signs. We usually miss one or two, but we go back and get them. It is uh South Miami residents tolerate these things because it's election time, but most of the time if you leave one
up, they get you. I don't know why. This is a record setter and I hope that I'll leave it here for Commissioner Rodriguez because no one will ever break this record. Was up 11 months now. I reminded him twice, privately and once publicly,
but he says he just a neighbor that cares. >> Was this Was this at your home, sir? >> Pardon? >> I didn't see it at your home. >> I didn't see that sign at your home. Was that >> It wasn't in my home. It was Okay. I wasn't sure. I told him it was on the corner of 59th and 76 and it didn't make
any difference. So, Commissioner, I'm going to lay this over against your seat, and I hope that you will put it up in your garage and cherish it for a long time because it will never be beaten. It'll be a historic sign forever. Now, before I put
>> Mr. Ward, I think you should I think you should autograph it and put the date on it just so we can memorialize date was taken down. >> Before I put it up there and sit down, I had a call. I've been in the Keys for a while that something's going on about
Fuches Park and I checked around and they said there's discussion of of uh buildings or something going up on Fuches Park and all I can say is this. With all of the
development that's going around town, a lot of people are saying developers own the city. Well, if you allow something to go like a building of a condo, I hope you won't in Fuches Park because Fuches Park has you all have improved Fuches Park to the point that it's as nice as a
Danty Vel now. And there are a lot of people that make use of that that path around the lake, the pond. It is really a very nice park and I use it as often as I can to try to get rid of that
thing. But I see people there all the time and the fountain is it's outstanding. And all I can say is that I hope that all of the fine work that you all had
put into Fuches Park in the past year will not be destroyed. I don't think you should do anything to that park other than leave it like it is. pickle ball can wait somewhere else. In fact, I think there were a couple of pickle balls around South by me. I don't
know. I'm not a pickle file fan. I don't even know what it is. But anyway, Mr. Rodriguez, I always had people that manage their campaigns to keep their signs if they thought they had re run for reelection
because it'll save them a couple of thousand dollars. But, Commissioner, I'm going to give you this record setting sign. and hope you'll cherish it for always. >> Thank you, Mr. Ward. Uh, next on the list, uh, Miss Carolyn Nichols. You're
recognized. Uh, followed by Jason Lopez. And again, those are all the names I have on the list. If anyone else like to speak in public remarks, just please come forward and check in with John if you can. Thank you. >> Hi, good evening. >> Good evening. >> My name is Carolyn Nichols. I have lived here since 1975
and I've seen a lot of buildings going up and that park is a little gem and I agree with this nice gentleman here about the park. It I'm very emotional about this. We don't need to have more trees taken down. To me, a park is where
you can relax and look at nature, what's left of it, and the wildlife and the beautiful trees and that lovely pond and the children that have that little park that I see I my friend lives right near there and I drive by there all the time
and I see the children enjoying that park and it's something that the whole neighborhood can enjoy with their children and their families. I see people pull over and have their lunches there and um I just please am begging
you don't take those trees down and put concrete paddle balls and I know that it's supposed to be a private company that's going to be doing that and charging to have people play there and we don't need that. We really do not need that. So that's what I have to say.
>> Thank you for your comments. >> Thank you. >> Mr. Lopez, you're recognized. Good evening. Good evening. Jason Lopez, 7730, 65th place. Um, I am here to encourage you to not only save our parks, but to invest
in more parks and better parks and anything park and green space you can for the future of our city. Uh, I don't remember how many units it is, but with the 4500 plus units going into the city of South Miami that previous
administrations agreed to, I think that it's really important that you save our space while you still can. Um, I I know kind of glaze over. It's kind of old news, but I've been told that there's this tone that the our neighborhood has
of nimiism. And I kind of resent that concept because it is my backyard that I'm asking you to help protect. And it seems out of out of place to think that residents should be discounted because we're concerned about what's going on in
our backyard. And so I am here to encourage you to protect Fuches Park. I can't believe anything could happen to Fuches Park, but to make an investment in the future of South Miami. Uh we are losing space day by day and as each development goes up, the flooding gets
worse, the traffic gets worse, and the only people benefiting from it are the corporate land owners that are then renting the spaces back out to people. This isn't about residents of South Miami lives improving. This is about a select few developers and investors
making money off of our backyards. So, please protect our neighborhoods. Don't let the investors take it all. Thank you. >> Thank you, Jason. Okay, that's all the names I have in public remarks. Is there anyone else? Mr. McCants, would you like to come up
as well? Good evening. >> Good evening, everybody. James McCann's 6272 Southwest 59 please. Um I want to talk about uh this program and the grant
that we have gotten from our um county commissioner. Uh Commissioner Regalado has given u a program that I'm a part of Rebuilding Together Miami Dade. Uh it's part of a national initiative. They do
this in over 100 locations all over the nation. Um it's a very good organization. We we have money to repair homes um free of charge. Uh it's coming from the county. We can put on some roofs. We
can make renovations. We can provide handicap accessibility and other things. Um, so we're going to have a a a workshop for questions and answers tomorrow at our community meeting in um
at the senior citizens building and that's going to be 6701 Southwest 62 uh Avenue and that's going to be at the bottom. Okay. So, I have a few flyers here and if need be I can ask our city clerk with y'all permission to print out
some more. Okay. I'mma put them at the back on the back. >> Mr. MC, before you go, what what kind of improvements can you use the money to do to your home? >> Uh, we can put on roofs. We can uh straighten up floors. We can possibly do windows. We certainly can provide
handicap accessibility. We can widen wheel uh doors for wheelchairs. We we can definitely paint the home, do landscaping, and provide aesthetic improvement. We can do certain things inside the home based on individual assessments.
Um, this is really this is the best organization I've been a part of and and I resigned from Habitat for Manity to be a part of this because we used to just do elderly handicapping veterans. Now we stretched out to lowincome whoever qualifies and you can't make more than
80% of the AMI for the county. And that's that gives a large range for the working class. Okay. >> Questions. Question. You're recognized, sir. >> So, uh, James, can you can you tell the public what are the criteria to getting it besides the lower than 80% AMI?
>> Okay. You must own and reside in your single family home. >> Must must be must be in the district. >> Yeah. In district 7. Now, not city. And this is important. This is county district. So that means anybody that
lives outside of the city and within district 7 for the county >> for you and in the county uh you can apply for this. Uh make sure that you live within
the county district and see if you can comply. All right. Some of the things that must be done is that your property taxes must be current and if your home is located in a designated flood zone, their insurance is required and it must be maintained.
Uh this is just protecting our investment. Uh and again household income must be on or below 80%. And then the last thing must be in the district. Now, each home is assessed
individually and we come up with what you call a wish list with the homeowners and then we go forth with what we can and cannot do. Okay. Any questions? I'm going to be available for a while. >> James, the last question you have? >> Yeah. Sorry. Go ahead. >> I just wanted to make sure you because
you said not South Miami, but it's anybody in district 7 has to be >> South Miami and anybody with anybody. Yeah. Because it used to be when we have grants with the city with the CRA, it used to be within a certain district and everybody said, you know, that lives out
right outside of the city. They used to always complain about this and that, but now the opportunity is available for people that lives in the county portion of South Miami to, you know, get some help. Also, >> there's a question for our staff. Is it any possible way that we can go ahead and market it, Brandon, have the and
just post it on our on our news everything that we can? >> Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. Make sure you >> applications will be available tomorrow at the meeting also. James, give them a digital send them an email with the digital >> James before you go. >> They have one. >> I think we have another question for you
and the commissioner recognized. >> Thank you. What is the pool of money that you are working with? How much money do you have to disperse to district 7? Do you know? >> Well, um, right off bat, um, I'm not going to say that out loud. All right.
Uh, I'm going to safely say that we have enough to get um more than 12 to 15 homes. Okay? And that's that's a safe estimate. You know, most time when we put on a roof, a roof can cost anywhere from 15 to 20 $25,000.
So, you can you can do your math on that. Okay. [Music] >> Thank you, James. Appreciate you uh making us aware of this. >> Okay. >> Okay. Uh Mr. Jacobs, you're recognized. Good evening. Good evening everyone. Uh, I'd like to
say I'm glad to see and I haven't heard anything about it, but the about putting our police under federal control that you've made a lawsuit. Is it anywhere in the courts? >> Yes, we have a hearing actually the city attorney report on it uh this Thursday the 21st on the state's motion to
dismiss our our claim. So hopefully we'll get a favorable ruling. >> Good. It was good to do whether what happens because that's a emergency action is not true. There's no such thing. Uh the other long questionnaire on parks, I'm glad you're getting people
to think about the parks and to see what the city offers and what I'd like to talk about is Marshall Williamson and the you're you know vote on that parcel today. That was on the agenda. So, we're we're voting on the on the mango lots,
not the not the actual Marshall Williamson Park. Those are the >> This is the mango. Yeah. >> Okay. I just want to make sure we're talking about the same parcel. Okay. Yes, we are. It's It is a discussion item later on the agenda, sir. >> Okay. So, um Marshall Williams owned that land and he owned many acres around
there, seven city blocks at least. He started farming during Jim Crow when blacks weren't allowed to cross the railroad tracks. Imagine being black in the old south from the times after this civil war. Blacks were kept in place
legally and illegally using terrorism and murder. Marshall kept down came down from Georgia and helped establish a closeknit black community that had economic viability. He owned close to seven city blocks with
no access to bank to banks. What he did was trade his work crew. Him and his work crew would go and build things for wealthy people in the Keys or up and down the coast and trade it for land. He owned close to seven city blocks and
I knew two men who live here in town now who worked for him as teens in the early 50s. It was just what you did if you were black. You worked for him, something to do. There was no other labor for black people. Since he's passed on most of his
land is owned by the county probably from lost he lost it from taxes. His land now serves the people of the county. We're making lots of money from it. He created a family safe atmosphere
for the black community during dangerous times. That's an exceptional story and I would like you to think about his the park that is named after him is nice and great but it's behind the
Jorge Perez mansions those big giant towers and they're not visible to anybody in the community. The park is not visible. I mean, you look across the street and you see a park, that's great. But if you look across the street and see a parking
lot or more homes, whatever multiple multif family home put in, it's not going to be very peaceful, happy, release your stress.
And I know you did a survey of uh the community you said you were going to and I wonder if the results are going to be public. >> They'll be shared this evening, sir. >> Okay. So, I hope you can uh think about that when
you vote. >> Thank you, sir. Appreciate the comments. Anyone else in public remarks? I've got no one else registered. And if anyone on Zoom, please raise your virtual hand if you would like to speak during public remarks. >> Okay, seeing no one else in the chamber and no one else online, we'll close
public remarks for now. Um, colleagues, let's move on with tonight's agenda. Um, without objection, if the clerk can read the committee appointment to the charter review committee. Madam clerk, N1. >> Yes. Clifford R. Freeman has been appointed by Commissioner Cay to the
charter review committee as per city charter article 2 section 8A. >> Thank you, Commissioner Kay. And to the rest of us, we all need to make our appointments if we can as soon as possible. Thank you for that, Commissioner. Again, um Madam Clerk, if you can read consent agenda items one, two, and three, please.
>> Yes. Item one, a resolution of the mayor and city commission of the city of South Florida authorizing the city manager to renew health insurance coverage with cur insurance company for eligible employees and participating retirees for fiscal year 2526 and approximate premium amount
of 1,254,27. Item two, a resolution of the mayor and city commission of the city of South Florida authorizing the city manager to renew life accidental death and dis disment and long-term disability insurance with Mutual of Omaha for
eligible employees for fiscal year 2526 an amount an approximate premium amount of $56,154. Item three, a resolution of the mayor city commission of the city of South Maven, Florida, resetting their first regular city commission meeting in September 2025 to Wednesday, September
3rd, 2025. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. Are there any questions on any items? Commissioner Gay? >> Thank you, ma'am. I just had a couple uh quick questions and understanding of where we were and where we're trying to go with this. I see that >> which item, sir? >> I'm sorry. One.
>> One. Okay. So, let's let's pull item one for discussion. Can I get a motion on items two and three? >> I'll move the motion. >> We have a motion to adopt by Commissioner Cay. >> I'll second >> and a second by Commissioner Bonich. Madam clerk, if you can read the role on item two, please. And three.
>> Three. Okay. Commissioner Cay. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Bonich. >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Corey. >> Yes. >> Mayor Fernandez. >> Yes. >> Those two items. >> Thank you, Commissioner Kay. You're recognized for your questions on item one, please. >> Thanks. Uh just just two quick questions. Um, I know before we had a
flat fee on what we were doing with um as a as a form of payment for our the services to provide it for our insurance. We've since I believe switched that. Is that correct? Is it now based on commission? And what what's the percentage on it right now?
>> 6%. >> Excuse me. So, we can have in the records. If you please get up and introduce yourself uh your address as well, we'd appreciate it. >> Good evening. >> Good evening everyone. I'm Lisa Caladium with USI Insurance Services, 7737 Southwest 118, please. >> Thank you, ma'am. Commissioner, you're
recognized. If you could just redirect the question, we'll hear her answer. >> So, my question was uh we switched from a flat fee of approximately $25,000 uh the year before. Now, we switched over to a commission fee. Um and you said it's 6%.
>> It's 6%. So, we roughly paid75,000 in commission fees with this particular u basis or how does that work? >> It's about 60. Um, originally you were playing the city was paying a flat fee, but there were also commissions for
other products that were added on and we just took that amount and converted it when we took over the >> broker of record. Just a question to the manager. Do we I mean how do we procure the services this time? So we can just clarify that. I'll
>> let our deputy manager kind of provide some additional insights on that. >> Thank you. >> Our prior HR manager met with several brokers after we transferred from the prior one which was ANA insurance. >> Okay. But did we go through a formal
procurement for this? And are we on a multi-year contract with the broker when we transferred? No. And we're not on a multi-year contract. >> Okay. Okay. Thank you. So, >> thank you. >> So, you you were stating that there was more commissions paid previously. Even
though we paid a flat fee, there were more commissions paid out. >> It wasn't more. It was the same. We just converted from flat to percentage. >> So, the flat fee that we paid was $25,000 if I remember correctly. that I don't have with me. But
>> madam deputy, can you confirm uh what we paid in the aggregate between the flat fee and any commissions on products procured through that broker? That's your question. Correct. Commissioner, >> we we were receiving we were paying as a
city a flat fee to our prior broker and they were receiving commissions on ancillary services that were being offered directly from the carriers. Correct. So this >> right now they're receiving a commission from the carriers. >> Correct. So I think what the commissioner is asking is are we in the
same worse better economic position that we were before. >> I don't want to translate your words but that's what I'm understanding that >> I I think that's what >> I think I think his measure is what's the total amount that the broker is being compensated for procuring these services for us. >> Am I correct? Mhm.
>> The difference is that previously we had a line item in our contractual services where the city was paying the broker directly and now the broker is getting their >> understood. But I think at the end of the day it comes it's probably it becomes part of our premium base you know is how I would rephrase it. So I
think just from anformational perspective what is the total do we know the total amount? If we don't know it say we don't know it we'll look into it. We'll get back to it. That's fine. I would have to go and see exactly what they were getting for all the ancillary services or higher broker. >> So, we can table this item for a few minutes. We can get the commissioner's
questions and we'll revisit this and and hopefully vote it up. Okay. Thank you. So, we'll table item one for now until we get that information. Um, but we're waiting if we can read uh item four, which is a second reading ordinance. >> Go ahead,
>> please. >> Item four. Ordinance of the mayor and city commission of the city of South Florida amending article 3 zoning regulations section 20-3.6 supplemental regulations of the land development code relating to accessory storage or recreational vehicles in single family
residential prior properties. >> Thank you. Um is there a staff presentation on this item? Mr. Manager >> handle it. >> This is for ordinance. Yeah, ordinance. >> Yeah, it's an ordinance. So, uh, mayor, I just wanted to draw your attention to what changed. You, you all heard this on
first reading. Um, what we eliminated based on your input was any, uh, possibility for a guest to bring an RV onto property. So, it's all tied now to the current property owner. So, what what you saw before, it's the same situation only, um, it it is limited to
the to an RV owned by the current property owner >> and and we've required registration. Correct. >> And we absolutely require registration. Yeah. Colleagues, any questions about the changes in the draft ordinance? Seeing none, um, this is a public hearing item, so we'll open up the floor for public hearing. This is an ordinance
amending the city code to provide for rules regarding the storage of recreational vehicles on private property. If there's any member of the public who'd like to address this commission on this item, please come forward at this time. And clerk, is there anyone online? >> Anyone on Zoom, please raise your virtual hand if you'd like to speak on
item four. Seeing no raised hands online and no one coming forward in the chamber, we will close the public hearing. Colleagues, any final comments or questions? Seeing none, is there a motion to adopt item four?
>> I move the item. >> Okay. Is there a second? >> I'll I'll second it. >> Thank you. We have a motion by uh Vice Mayor Corey and a second by Commissioner Bonich. Uh Madam Clerk, if you can call the role, please. Yes. Commissioner Bonich. >> Yes.
>> Commissioner Cay. >> Vice Mayor Corey. >> Yes. >> Mayor Fernandez. >> Yes. >> Item passes 31. >> Thank you, madam clerk. If you can read item five, please. >> Item five. An ordinance of the mayor and city commission of the city of South Florida amending article 2 departments
of chapter 2 administration and city government of the city code to to provide for the establishment of the city departments annually in the adopted budget ordinance together with estab establishment of duties and functions of each city department to clarify that
charter officers and their staff are not departments. >> Thank you madam clerk. Uh Mr. City Manager city attorney brief overview on this item. Uh same same as what you saw in first reading. >> Can for the benefit of the public that's here explain what the item does very briefly and any changes. Thank you. >> So this is cleaning up some some uh
discrepancies in our code between how we how we are set up uh our different departments and what the code says. Uh this was kind of outdated information. It came up when we were looking at the charter um and looking at the the the combination of the charter with with
these these provisions. So what we're doing is uh deleting uh a lot of this and setting forth all of the departments in our budget as we do every year. Uh we have all the different departments listed. So uh that's the most efficient way to to do this. So we're trying to
streamline the process. Thank you for the summary. Colleagues, any questions of the manager or city attorney? Seeing none. Again, this is a public hearing item. So, any member of the public is invited to come forward at this time and address this commission on
item five, which is an ordinance to uh establish city departments annually in conjunction with the adopted budget ordinance. Uh again, any member of the public is invited to come forward. Madam clerk, is there anyone online? >> Anyone online, please raise your virtual hand.
Okay. >> Seeing no one in the chamber and no one online, we will close the public hearing. Is there a motion on item five? I'll move it. >> Second. Okay. Have a motion by Commissioner Bonich and a second by Vice Mayor Corey. Madame Clerk, when you're ready, if you can call the role, please.
>> Yes. Commissioner Bonich, >> yes. >> Commissioner Cay, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Corey, >> yes. >> Mayor Fernandez, >> yes. >> Item passes 40. >> Thank you. Uh, while we're waiting on um CA1, let's go ahead and start the presentations. Uh, since we do have
members of the public here on this item, can we take up the mangle lots item first, Mr. Manager? Mayor, um this um item is before you at the request of the commission um who instructed the administration to u host three community meetings um after this
commission uh had an item uh before them on uh how to deal with what has been coined, you know, the mango lots um and and potential future use of that. Uh the commission directed the administration to host three community meetings and and get feedback from the community to
discuss um the potential for keeping the that those properties completely passive um or a combination of keeping it passive with a a portion that would also have some affordable housing which uh has been was a long-term initiative
through the CRA to try and uh bring some affordable housing um to to that to that property. as you uh know a portion of that was also named for uh for former mayor Dr. Anna Price. Um so that was
still uh in any scenario that would still be the case. Um electronically uh we also put out a survey. We were asked to put out a survey for members of the community to be able to to weigh in and vote. Uh from that standpoint um in that case I can report that the 46
had voted to keep it as a park only and 11 had voted to have a park and affordable housing on the site. So 46 park only and 11 um other voices came to the community meetings and and people shared their thoughts and views uh understanding the need and challenge of
fulfilling uh the housing uh crisis. um and other members of the community just shared that they'd like to see that stay in its current state um for the future. So your direction to the administration was to bring that back for you for you to deliberate and then
give further direction to ourselves and the city attorney on what to bring back if anything um as it relates to that property. >> Thank you, Mr. Manager. Colleagues, uh comments or questions? Where would you like to start?
Let me let me No, that's fine. Let me give us gonna be >> I'll give us some quick context and then we'll go from there. Um so if if you followed this discussion when it originally came up about three months ago before this board uh we had heard that over the tenure of existence term
existence of the CRA that uh a portion of this property uh was designated for uh affordable workforce housing development. Um, this commission at the time, I think in an effort to kind of uh advance
uh that plan and be consistent with what we understood to be the express preferences of the neighborhood, we're kind of marching along that direction. And um we decided to hold a series of community conversations about priorities, given that we heard some uh
feedback that given changes in the neighborhood, we'd be better served in keeping uh these lots in their current in their current condition, which is unimproved and has green space. We had already made a decision to designate about 8,000 square feet, which is a portion of the lot closest to uh north
of the Marshall Williamson Homestead um as a park in uh honor of uh the Reverend Dr. Anna Price who passed away recently and served as our city's first African-American mayor, but the other portion was left uh for feedback from the neighborhood. I think given what
we've heard and given kind of the change conditions, including the fact that there are uh large larger buildings that probably were ever contemplated during the term of the CI being built adjacent to the site. I'm c I'm certainly supportive of keeping the lots unimproved and improving them as a as a
passive park. uh consistent with the expressed preferences of the neighborhood. Uh but open to hear everyone else's feedback and thoughts on the subject. Yes, sir. >> Mayor, and and I I um forgot Commissioner Rodriguez had uh communicated to me if I could share on his behalf, >> please. >> That his preference would certainly be
leave it in its current state. >> Okay. Further comments and thoughts, colleagues, >> I just have something to float out to you guys. >> Yes. I know that we've had discussions about this in particular in
the past and found no real place for lack of the right word for it. You know, there was a Mrs. Marshall Williamson and there is nothing in this city that I know of that reflects anything that has to do with her but without her.
>> Yeah. you know. So, I think if we're taking that whole area and making that whole park, you know, making that whole thing into a park, I think we need to consider maybe putting her name on it because it was her yard. So, either we, you know, put both their names on it, we
find something and we put her name on it, but we can't kind of keep kicking the can when it comes to her. And I'm not saying we are. I'm just saying by virtue of not discussing it left it. >> Agree. I think it's um I think it's a really valid point and I think one thing we should do immediately if you're if
you'd like to bring it is something we do every year to honor and commemorate their memory and obviously their focus on improving the lives of students in that neighborhood and beyond is I think we should add her name certainly to the scholarship fund. I think that would be
uh one thing we can do without uh you know any really thought or deliberation. I think with respect to the green space it makes sense as well. We have taken the step to commemorate a portion of it. So we should probably have a broader conversation and get staff's feedback on
whether we do something that basically I have always seen this side as a potential kind of um historical campus where maybe in the future we can acquire the homestead from the family and kind of keep that little
pocket and the home as kind of a a historical marker for the history of the neighborhood and its evolution. um certainly talked to James about it and been delinquent and getting with him about meeting with the family and kind of setting up a possible gift that way. But I think if that's
uh a vision that the that the commission shares, I think then maybe recasting the park and maybe having a memorial garden in the in a in a larger park in honor of the former mayor would be appropriate. So, but I think it needs some more thought before we decide to go in that direction. But I think certainly
recognizing her, I would I would be um a fan of at the very least changing the name of the scholarship fund to commemorate her right away. >> Yeah. And and I think if if we do nothing else and don't name any part of this after her or whatever, we maybe
want to consider Marshall Williamson Park, which is, you know, across the street, >> naming it Marshall and >> I don't know what her name is, but Mrs. Marshall Williamson Park. like notice I'm sitting up here. I don't know her name. That's a problem, I think, for all
of us. >> Appreciate the perspective. >> Thank you >> for the comments. Yes, sir. >> And I think that's a great comment. And obviously, we did end up adding it to uh the plaque that's on on there as well. So, that's good. But obviously, a broader recognition would be would be
good. And I do think it's great to to go by the wishes of the community. I do think that I mean as a passive park I I do understand I I wouldn't say like not improving it at all I yeah certainly uh some way of activating the park while
maintaining it being passive would probably be >> the best thing for us to do because I think we could further enhance it while keeping it passive. >> Yeah, I I I agree. I think that um you know not I think revolutionary but certainly some enhancements you know uh to the park minor enhancements would be
appropriate including I'm not sure when the last time those those um fruit trees have been have been pruned or tended to. So we should we should probably make sure that we invest some money in our budget to um in this coming budget to >> um at least better curate that space.
>> Yeah. And I think it's a great place for us to really try something where where all the improvements can be very natural. Yes. And passive and and really go all out to to maintain the natural, you know, aesthetic. >> Further thoughts, commissioner?
>> Yeah, I I I echo your guys sentiments on that. It's very difficult lot to do affordable housing there. uh we would probably need to figure out a partner and it's not a very feasible place to do it with the current zoning that we have. If we wanted to increase it, it's still
difficult. So, I I agree. It's it's not it's not a good point, a good place to to do affordable housing. It just doesn't fit what we're what what we could possibly do there. So, I agree with with all you guys on that. >> Okay. So, I think uh Mr. Manager, the
direction's clear. We're just going to uh keep it as a passive park and we'll discuss in this budget if we want to set aside a few bucks to begin to make some improvements to and improvements we mean you know natural improvements to the park. Okay. >> With um certainly with uh moving forward
with the res resolution that was passed on the Dr. Anna Price uh park naming and and the portion that was outlined in that legislation. Yes, we we I think we want to I think we definitely want to keep we want to honor
her memory at that location. I think that's the most obvious one I can think of. Um we'll have we'll have some more discussion I think individually with you about uh if we go beyond that. Okay. Okay.
>> Uh okay. I think we'll move on from M2. Uh any member of the public I'm happy to open up the floor. Mr. Levi, did you want to say something? Mr. Good evening, sir. >> Good afternoon, Levi Kelly, 6250 South at 60 Avenue. Um
I understand that um the position that that you guys are uh pushing um this particular project but I want to speak on behalf of some of the other people who didn't participate in the survey and didn't um
um have an opportunity in in what I've been told and as u u that pay not necessarily uh for developing there but they want to know where are they going to be looking to put some
affordable housing. I think at the end of the day what we're looking at is that we need housing. Uh we we I mean again we we have a list of about 40 people right now begging to come back to South
Miami and they're holling about the the situations down south where quite frankly crime is a little bit up and they want to get their kids back to a more safe environment which is a
credit to our city and that um we need to think hard about what we can do and what we can develop under this city uh guidance because we get nothing from the county and and I'm
just being frank with you that that lottery system they got it does it doesn't provide for us to be frank and I just I want to make sure that that I'm speaking on their
behalf because I know a lot of them are are going to be disappointed with the fact that uh it's it's been deemed uh to leave it completely undeveloped as passive. I have no problem with that. I'm a retired park ranger so I can go out and hug the trees too. Um but the
fact that um you know I think we have to set priorities also. We got people that need to lay their head under some shelter someplace. So I I think you you really got to think hard about that. I know in our last uh uh CAA meeting, see I want to say CAA uh
our last community meeting uh the question was was raised to the point where how many people received the survey and there was about 30 people in the room and only two said they received the survey. So I I don't know we we also
probably need to look at a better way of delivering information and and that type of stuff to the community. So, uh I think that uh as we move forward, we we need to
to uh look deeper into to the actions we take there and uh we need to uh start u doing a better job of doing our our research as it relates to the community at large because we we
want to make sure we honor Mr. Williams and his family, but we also want to make sure that facts are completely correct. So, >> so Levi, I I I I want to just give the manager an opportunity just to explain to the public how we did do the outreach. So, there's that's clear. And then I wanted to ask you
>> just if we can kind of connect if you do have 40 families, I think one piece of helpful information to us is do we have any sort of demographic information about the household size and household income? >> Okay. >> Because as we're trying to fashion opportunities, we want to make sure we're speaking to people who really want
to come back. >> Okay. and delivering product that's actually accessible to them. >> I think >> so if we can if we can if we can talk offline about that I I'd welcome the opportunity. >> I think Jamie and I had have that working list and >> and if not maybe it's something we can have our staff help you guys >> okay >> call out that information. It's again
for the purpose of understanding where the need is from people who actually want to come back and we can then as we see opportunities begin to kind of structure programs that you know help them get in at a price point that we that they can afford if that's possible. And one last uh comment and then I think we need to uh follow the lead of this
young lady over. She came with an idea as to how if we could better probably make some some inroads in into reducing the the the type of uh financial commitments to try to get people back in. So, but we'll we'll have that
discussion later on. Thank you guys. >> Thank you, sir. Mr. Andrew, did you want to add? >> Yeah, Mayor. Thank you. I Yeah, Mr. Kelly, you know, brings up a a very important point that we have discussed as of recent, which is, you know, how do we penetrate our communications for everything that we do beyond sort of social media and things like that. Uh
because of that, during this effort, uh it was multirong, there was a direct mail that went to all the households that were under uh that lived within the former CRA footprint. So, it was direct mail and then staff, city of Miami, city of South Miami, excuse me, uh staff handd delivered.
>> We'll have their heart. Yeah, it's a it's a I went way back um delivered a a a door hanger which had QR code that would direct them. So, we did a doortodoor door hanger besides social media as well obviously and and the community outreach meetings. So, um
those additional efforts uh were put in place because of wanting to ensure that we tried to reach as many households as possible. Obviously, um more more could be done from the standpoint Mr. Kelly and I have talked about from an ongoing standpoint. What do we set in place that would continually communicate in those
ways with members of our community that may not necessarily uh you know have a social media account or or follow things from that standpoint. Thank you. Thank you, sir, for that clarification. Okay. Uh let's move on to item M1. >> I have someone on
>> on Zoom. I'm sorry. >> Yes, >> Miss Williams. Um if you can unmute yourself, you're recognized. try to >> Hello. Can you hear me? >> We can. Good evening. >> Good evening. Um I just, you know, welcome back everybody. Hope some
school's back in session and back to the rigma roll, but I just wanted to say um I've been joining a couple of times online. I've been um working really late um so I haven't been able to be in person. Um, but I just wanted to um from my behalf and and my neighbors um we
want to thank you guys um because I know this is not has not been an easy thing um when you have different parts of communities that are asking for some vastly different things and I want to thank you um for prioritizing um what the community that is living
there uh our current um people that are in that immediate area and then other families who share the same thoughts that we do um as South Miami residents. Uh, you know, as a resident here, I try to partake in most of the things. I I still go to Sunset Place even though I
know it's, you know, kind of on the windown. I attend, you know, things at Dante Facel Park. I go throughout the um different things that we have, the art festival. And so, as a community member, I'm just very grateful that, you know, our voices are being heard. Um, I am a
person that's that truly believes in um and equitability and and making sure that everyone has a fair shot. Um, and I think that one thing that um maybe for the future um is like um like you guys were talking about is looking into opportunities um not just for that
because there's some other concerns I have um regarding some other things um in the city that I'd like to talk with you about outside of this but we I'm very grateful to hear that that the things that we are looking forward to especially given the fact that we have these projects that are already done
deals. We have the project that's over there with Somi Park. We have a second version of that. We are going to have some upzoning and upscaling of some other projects in the immediate area, one in the county side. And so given all of that, um it's very hard to digest as a person that has to endure that daily.
Um, but I also think that it's going to be a pleasure to look and see and be able to still eat that fruit that's some of the best in Miami Day County outside of the Redlands and to be able to breathe air and have some kind of calmness in that immediate area um to kind of offset some of the other things
that are going on that have been beyond our control. So, I thank you guys so much for your due diligence and your effort and and and I'm truly appreciative and I know I speak for Angela who's sick and was not able to make it there this evening. So, thank you guys. Thank you, Miss Williams.
Madam clerk, anyone else online? >> No. >> Okay. Uh, with that, we've given the manager direction. Let's move on to the presentation on M1 or discussion item M1, please. Mayor, you had asked at the last uh
commission meeting uh when it came up um we had mentioned that there was a a new law on the books uh regarding wait is M1. Yeah. Platty. Yeah. >> Uh whether we had the opportunity now that there was a state directive to uh
change our subdivision code, our platting code to enable applicants to get plats approved administratively. Um and that's what the state law provides for. However, what they when they enacted the state law, they left in place a provision that says that uh any
conflicting law from a charter county will take precedence over the statute. And it just so happens that our county in its infinite wis wisdom has a provision that requires the governing body approve a plat. Um county takes a
position that that is in direct conflict with the state law. So the state law would not apply. Either we're going to be the ones approving it or the county commission is going to be the one approving it. So, I would not recommend that we alter our subdivision code. >> Agree. Colleagues, any questions? Okay.
Okay. We'll move on from M1 to M4 then. I think that's a city attorney. Again, this is SP 180 and uh limitations on new regulations. >> Okay. So, I'll try I'll try to narrow make it as succinct as possible. SB180
is an emergency uh emergency operations, emergency uh uh response statute. Um it does many many things all dealing with her the hurricane aftermath or any any kind of natural emergency. Um, it has
one additional provision tucked in at the end on the last day of session which essentially says that any burdensome regulations without defining what that means that are enacted between um roughly the summer of 2024
and July 1st of 2027 are uh cannot be enforced against an applicant and need to be repealed if the applicant raises them. It's unclear what any of that means. Um, it's unclear how that
would be applied towards, let's say, like a mixed ordinance, an ordinance that gives as much as, you know, at at the same time as as tweaking kind of the, you know, calibrating the law. Some of those calibrations may be more restrictive, more burdensome. So, it's unclear what it would do to a law like
that. you know, from one reading, it could allow an applicant to cherrypick and get the best of of, you know, all the good stuff from a law that that they want and and to reject anything that that restricted them further. So, uh for that reason, there are a number of municipalities that are suing uh the
state um essentially to challenge this law. This this law, as I said, it runs it would run through July 1st of 2027, but it could be there's a new year for each hurricane that comes through. So that ch July 1st of 2027 could be extended uh infinitely if there's a
hurricane every year that that includes Dade County in its in within the emergency declaration. So um that's kind of the long and the short of it. I'm happy to answer any questions, but essentially this I I wanted to raise this because there are a number of
municipalities that are suing the the state and if the city wanted to participate in that they they can. They do not have to. I'm just so far I believe six cities have signed on. I think another >> I'm going to guess that Commissioner Williams is very enthusiastic about this idea.
>> I I understand and and that and that's fair but >> but I have to raise I have to raise the the the opportunity >> colleagues first any questions before we open up to comments? No comments yet questions? >> No questions. >> How how many other cities have uh
>> so far so far six and there are another there are probably double digits that are considering it this week. Can you list those the six? >> Uh, if you know them. >> I think I have some. >> Are there any other in Day County? Any others in Date County? >> In Date County. Let's see. Let's see who else is on here.
Uh, let's see. Uh, Weston Edgewater and Deltona. Uh, they are not in Day County. Uh, let's see who else is in here. >> You can name them. It's fine. Just curious. >> I'm sorry. >> If you want to name them, go ahead. Uh, I'm happy. I just don't have I don't have the entire list here. Okay. Um, I
just I'm trying to find the ones that I have. North Bay Village and potentially Miami Springs are considering it uh within a matter of weeks. Um, I don't know where KASK and Pinerest are at. >> Colleagues comments. Commissioner Bonich,
>> you want me to kick it off? >> Go ahead. >> Okay. Considering the amount of money and time that we are investing in another lawsuit that we're currently involved in, I think that to pick this up would be foolhardy. It
doesn't make any sense, especially because last I checked, we are standing alone on the one that we're in and this one already has multiple people and more people that want to sign on. So, one way or the other, we would benefit if it goes through or if it doesn't go,
whatever happens. They don't necessarily need us or our money. Our money is already being spent somewhere else to the tune of, you know, five, six times what this is. So, >> okay, further comments.
>> I echo her comments. I think that it's something that we can hold off on it. There should be a lot more municipalities going after it. So, we'll just benefit and hold off on it. That's my opinion. >> And I don't disagree. I think whatever happens short of an outright invalidation of the law, we're going to be litigating on this ordinance probably
on on many occasions to come. So, I'm happy to wait. So, um seeing that we'll close discussion on item four. If you could just keep us apprised of progress. Um what is the go what's the date by which you anticipate the lawsuit will be
filed? >> I think in another three to four weeks. >> Okay. Okay. Thank you for the report, colleagues. Uh, anything else? I think we can jump back to CA1. So, Madam Manager, did you have an answer for us?
So, some rough numbers. We were paying $2,500 a month. So, it was $30,000 the contract that we were paying to the last broker. She was receiving 20% commission on the gap insurance that the city had. So that was an additional about $37,000
that she was receiving from the carrier. So about 67,000 plus the ancillary services which I don't have the exact numbers to but for example AFLAC dental etc. Um this year uh USI is at about 73
with all the services. >> All right. Thank you. Okay, colleagues, any any further questions on item one again, which is a resolution to renew the health insurance coverage with curative insurance company
and which results in the payment of a six commission 6% commission to our broker on the premium. So, is there a motion? >> I'll move it, mayor. >> Okay. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Have a motion by Commissioner Cay and a second by Vice Mayor Corey. Madam
Clerk, if you can call the role, please. Yes, Commissioner Cay. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Bonish? >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Cory? >> Yes. >> Mayor Fernandez? >> Yes. >> Item passes. >> Okay. And thank you for the information. Uh colleagues, I don't see anything else on the agenda. Am I mistaken? >> Commission reports. >> Commission reports. Anyone have anything
they'd like to share with the body? Okay. Seeing no reports, we stand adjourned. Thank you.