Thank you, John. Good evening, everyone. Today is Tuesday, May 20th. Uh we'll now call the meeting of the South Miami City Commission to order. Madame Clerk, if you can call the role, please. Mayor Fernandez, present.
Vice Mayor Corey, present. Commissioner Bonich, here. Commissioner Cay here. Commissioner Rodriguez here. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Uh, if I could ask everyone in the audience to welcome first, if you could please also silence your cell phones, we greatly appreciate
it. Uh let's stand for a brief moment of silence followed by the pledge led by Commissioner Kay 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. Please be seated. Thank you. You may. You're you're recognized. Good evening. I just want to say a big thank you to Dylan Corey for giving me this beautiful beautiful bracelet. Thank you very much, Dylan,
for thinking of me. Thank you, Madame Clerk. Do we have any presentations this evening? We have one from the police department for unit citation award. Please chief, you're recognized.
Good evening, mayor, vice mayor, commissioners, uh, city manager, city attorneys. It's my honor to stand before you today to recognize an exceptional group within our police department. The Criminal Investigative Division has shown what it means to go above and beyond in service, professionalism, and
dedication throughout 2024. Despite being a small unit, they handled 673 cases with a clearance rate well above the national average. Their work led to 64 felony arrests, over $387,000 in recovered property, and the
removal of dangerous narcotics from our streets. They processed crime scenes, conducted special operations, and played key roles in programs like Project Lifesaver and our persons with disability registry. Their efforts didn't stop at assigned duties. They
took initiative to proactive uh crime suppression and partnered with agencies like Homeland Security and the Human Trafficking Task Force. On one of these operations, they helped rescue a three-year-old child from an unthinkable situation. It's this level of excellence
that truly embodies the spirit of this award. And on behalf of the department and the city of South Miami, I want to thank each of you for your unwavering commitment, your credit to our profession, and to this community. Congratulations to the Criminal Investigative Division on this
well-earned unit citation award. [Applause] present those awards to them and then want to get a photo opportunity with you all. Absolutely. Thank you.
Let's head on down. in the middle. In the middle Thank you. [Music] We'll do the camera first and I'll do your You do One more second. again. Congratulations
Colleagues, we'll go ahead and set the agenda. Um, I'd like to defer item M2 if there's no objection. We'll show that item as deferred. Yes, sir. Any objection to deferring? We'll defer it indefinitely. Item M2. No objection.
Hey, Madam Clerk, if you can show that deferred. Uh, can I get a motion to add on item F1? I move the item. Is there a second? I'll second. Okay. Any objection to having item F1 added on? Okay. Seeing none,
we'll consider it added on. Any other any other deferral that we would like on the agenda tonight? Before we move on, I have a quick question. Sure. Is there is there a reason why we're deferring number two? I wasn't sure why we're I just I haven't been able to develop it, so my apologies. I got ahead of myself and put it on. I'm going to take it off
until I actually get a chance to on item two. Item M2. Oh, M2. I'm sorry. M2, not item two. I'm sorry. I said item two. M2. Okay. Okay. Sorry about that. Thank you. Okay. Uh M Can we get a motion to Are there any minutes to be approved, Madam Clerk? Yes. Okay. Can I get a
motion to approve the minutes of what date, Madam Clerk? April 15th and May 6th. Is there a motion? I move the minutes. Is there a second? Second. A motion by Commissioner, sorry, Vice Mayor Corey and seconded by Commissioner Rodriguez. Madam Clerk, do you call the
role? Yes. Commissioner Cay. Yes, Commissioner Bonich. Yes, Commissioner Rodriguez. Yes, Vice Mayor Cory. Yes, Mayor Fernandez. Yes. Minutes pass. Thank you. Um, we'll move on to reports.
Mr. Manager, you are recognized. Good evening, Madame Deputy Manager. A reminder that open swim at Murray Park Aquatic Center will officially be open beginning June 9th and that's going to be from 12 to 4 p.m. Admission for kids is just a dollar and adults is $3. Tomorrow we also have our second
community meeting um in reference to the future of the Mango Lots. That's going to be happening at the senior center at 6 p.m. during the regularly scheduled CAC meeting. So the public is obviously welcome to come and attend that. Um, on behalf of city staff, official congratulations to our city manager who
obtained his EDDD. He sent a citywide email. If we don't call him doctor, we're fired. So, congrats doctor. Doctor, doctor. And direct that from the menus because that's not true. That's not true. That's not true. He's embarrassed by it, but
we'll keep doing it. Um and one last thing on the communications and marketing side, we've been working on um with departments to make videos that areformational for the public. So during the manager report moving forward, we'll be showing you some of these videos. The one tonight is how to do business in
Somi. looking to open a business in our beautiful city of South Miami. My name is Hector Abby and I'm here to help you navigate through the process of opening a business. But first things first, we need to contact our planning and zoning department. My name is Marcus Life and I'm a senior
planner for the city. My role is to make sure that your business is allowed at the location where you want to open. I also make sure that the minimum parking requirements for your use are satisfied. Once we've determined that your business is allowed at your location, next step will be to obtain approval, if applicable, from the design review
board, or DRB for short, for any changes to the exterior of a business establishment. That means painting, signs, canopies, etc. In addition, any interior and exterior alterations or any remodeling to be done to the proposed place of business requires that you apply for the necessary permits from the
building department. Permits must be attained prior to beginning the work. Now that you have the approval from our planning and zoning department, let's continue the process. Go to our homepage, go to business, and click on local business tax receipt information. Depending on the type of business, you
would have to contact the fire department for an inspection. You could contact them at 786331-48000. For those professions regulated by the state boards, you would have to provide a state license, doctors, dental offices, etc. Proof of work must come for four or
more employees in the office, proof of sanitation services, a copy of a garbage pickup. All new businesses need to go through durm approval, and that's with Miami date county. That's all done online. I will guide you through the process. I hope this video helped you. We're here to make the process as simple
as possible. So, if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us. That's the end of the manager's report. Thank you. Any questions? Just a comment. I'm assuming the images of the dentists were there to make sure that people understand it's more fun than going to the dentist
office. And congratulations to our manager. Uh are you a PhD or what's the what's the new uh we had add some we had add some letters to your placard there. What are the appropriate ones? Yeah. Uh I was fortunate enough to pursue a doctoral
program uh and it's an ed in uh uh leadership and innovation. So 32 months and I was always ED stands for what? I'm sorry. ED stands for what? Uh doctor of education. Doctor of education. Okay. Thank you. That was a trick question. Um, and so anyhow, just uh was always a
goal of mine and and I appreciate the support. Uh, it does take a village to help somebody get through something like this. So, I appreciate the support of my family here at work uh to get me through something like this. So, I I I walked uh the graduation things that my parents were not able to do. So, it was very special for me. So, I appreciate the
support. No, congratulations and a good example to all of us that were, you know, always something new to learn and Mr. City Attorney or Madam City attorney today, excuse me. Your report, please. Good evening, everybody. We have two items on our report tonight. The first
is the Mandle Stem matter. We did hear back from Mr. Mandle's attorney today. Essentially, there are two issues with the settlement and the easement. Uh Mr. Mandle would like the easement to be limited to fire only, not emergency. And they would also like a survey of the
easement area, which has been ordered. Quentyn so kindly did that. and we're pending receipt of the survey any day now. So those two issues outstanding. Great. Commissioner K has a question. You recognize, sir. Is there a consequence for not having the fire exit or emergency services to the park there?
I would think if the county accepts the limitation to only fire. That should be that should be fine. Is that we're assuming that's happening here? That that's what Mr. Mandle Stem wants to limit it to only fire access, not emergency. Not that term. Okay. Yeah. My
understanding of the reason for the access way is for uh fire apparatus in the event of a fire to be able to access the building. Uh I'm assum we're hoping I guess we're hoping that access for emergency vehicles through the
parking lot uh in response to an incident at the park would be sufficient. But I think I think I I'm assuming our feedback is going to be we we need to get what we need to get to satisfy the county. the county satisfied. Correct. Beyond that, we really are happy to concede on all the
other points, right? Correct. So, we're it's contingent on that. Yes. Correct. Yes. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. The second item is on the city's complaint for declaratory relief against the governor of the state of Florida and the attorney general. We did receive their motion to dismiss this past Friday.
Essentially, the motion states that the city and the mayor do not have standing, legal standing to bring this action, that the matter is not ripe. and that means that there's no imminent actual controversy pending before the court. Um the motion also addressed various merits
of of the lawsuit and was not just procedural. At this time we want to ask for an executive session with the commission next week so we can address the motion to dismiss and possible options for the city moving forward. So I would like uh madame clerk if you could with the direction of the
commission to try to schedule an executive session for next week if possible. No objection to the recommendation. Thank you for the update. Um I I am traveling uh Tuesday, Wednesday and back Thursday morning on a
personal matter. So if we could do the session either Monday if it's not too late to advertise it or Thursday afternoon, Memorial Day. So Thursday afternoon maybe or Friday. Thursday is good on me too. Okay. Then if that's fine with my colleagues, I just ask for indulgence have to Thursday. Thursday
afternoon. Okay. And just to announce publicly on the record, mayor, this is pursuant to Florida statute 286.011 subsection 8, uh, requesting an executive session in the litigation styled city of South Miami, Javier Fernandez versus Ron Desantes, John
Meyer, case number 2025, CA0000005, second judicial circuit, Leyon County. Thank you. Anything else? That's all. Thank questions. Okay, please. You're recognized. When we meet, can we please have all the details
and including costs incurred and everything up to that point? Absolutely. Yes. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, with that, we will close the reports uh and we will open up public remarks. Uh I've got four folks uh on the list. If we could Mr. Kelly, you're
first on the list. Please come forward. Good afternoon. Good afternoon. Just here to publicly invite everyone for Jun celebration will take place on June 21st at the Del Gibson
Center from 2 to 6. will uh have a uh little surprise program for everybody those. So, I'm hoping everybody will show up, have fun, we'll
have some good food, and we'll have a little history of the community. That's all I have. Thank you. Thank you, sir. The mayor. Yes, you're recognized. Mr. Kelly, real quick. I'm sorry. I had a question for you. Is there an RSVP that people need to go to?
I remember last year there were tables so I wasn't sure if there's like a limited space there for you. There's limited space and then you can rbi Kelly44gmail.com. Is there anywhere our social help out with that a little bit? All right. Thank
you. Okay. Thank you. Okay. Next on the list I have Mr. Nick Trouy. Recognize sir. Good evening. Hello everybody. I'm Nick Trudy. I haven't met many of you, but uh I wrote you guys an email this week. And uh so
Danny, I'm Nick. Hi Nick. We've been missing each other uh quite a few times in the last few months. Um, I'm here because I got kind of caught on caught into this uh a little bit after, you know, I think I think a
lot after there's a lot a vacant lot across from the bike store over by 80th and uh 67th Avenue by the CVS and not Max Cycle but Miami Bikes right behind Tom Thumb. Uh, but
the lot is on our side of 80th and it's been there. It had a home on it something like 45 years ago. But, uh, and I know you guys have talked plenty about it and I know you've heard about it. I guess I'm just talking to the to the public. Um, yes, that could be a beautiful lot
for a home. Yes, it could be a beautiful lot for uh town houses, but yes, it could be a beautiful lot for a park. And this is way late. And uh I know there's a lot of stuff going on, but one of the things that's
going on is a zoning change is being voted on. And once that zoning change happens, then we're that much farther away from keeping it small and getting it bigger. I'm from South Miami. I was born and raised here. I went to Lulham. Mr.
Ward was my principal at South Miami Junior High. My kids went to Lelham Elementary School. My wife from Chicago and I chose to move back into Florida, into this neighborhood. I moved three blocks away
from my brother, 10 houses away from the house I grew up in, eight houses away from where my mom resides, and I'm two houses away from my younger brother and his two kids. His niece I just coached on South Miami's junior high football team this
whole summer. In fact, her picture and my picture are hanging on the wall of the community center because we won the day county championship. Did you know that? When's the last time South Miami Junior High won a day county championship?
Okay. Okay, great. Um, I love this community, but I do my thing and I try not to get in the, you know, up in the public's face all the
time. Parks, green space are way more valuable than anything else. I bought my house for $130,000. I went, "What? $100,000 for a house in this neighborhood?" I delivered the paper to these houses. I delivered the Miami news in sixth grade to these
houses. the same house I grew up in. I was shocked two years later when my next door neighbor bought his for 280,000. How do you think I felt last year when my backdoor neighbor paid over a million bucks? Just like all of us, we will
see real estate prices do crazy amazing things while we live here. Some of it will be good, some of it will be bad. And I teach architecture, construction, and trades. I push my kids into the building
industry. All of my friends, I mean, 90% of my friends are in the building industry from developers, construction workers. My mother-in-law is a realtor. I'm not against real estate. I'm not against development at all. But
right now, there is a spot that could be such a sweet spot for South Miami. something that smacks of the park across Coral Gable's waterway when you go go into Coconut Grove. We all go to Coconut
Grove. We go around the circle of Cocoa Plum. We cross the bridge and there's a beautiful park there. This park is situated the same way. It's US1, not the Coral Gables waterway, but it's right off of this new underlying bridge,
underline park. It's literally touching the underlying park and it could be such an entrance to a really sweet part of South Miami that is called Lelum Glades. That's what you know on those on those old plats. That's what they call it.
It's just an opportunity and I just started hearing about it. I've got my I've got a lot of things going on in my life including a beautiful acreage up in Georgia that I'd like to get there but I'm still working at South Miami High School well into my 30 years. I'm in my
32nd half year with no plans of quitting. But I could walk away and say, "Hey, take the money and run, you know, get my mill and go up to Georgia, build a mansion for $200,000." And I may do that, but I don't want to leave this
neighborhood. And I certainly don't want to leave this neighborhood in a better situation than than it had been for me. That park would be fantastic. And I'm gonna tell you commissioners, I know so many of the past commissioners. I mean,
buddies and buddies with them. Julio and I went to high school together. Uh Bob and I played in a band together. Bob Welch, who's gone, by the way. He died putting putting a park together. Lewis Gill stepped in and grabbed hold of that
park and finished it and did a fantastic job. And unfortunately, the last time I talked to Lewis was it down to Facel Park, shaking his hand, telling what a great job he did. He and uh Josh, where did Josh sit? I think Josh sat over there. He he moved around. Yeah, he moved. He used to be there. He used to
be over here. Um they were proud of that. Those guys are proud of that. That's their legacy. I don't know how how possible it is to do a park in the next year or two. Probably not. We're
all short on money. But that that lot has been vacant for 40 years. And I' I'd love to meet the developer. I think I'm going to tomorrow night just to talk. And I will wish him help. I will wish him anything he can. But that lot is that
lot. There's there's 100 lots on that side of Manor Lane Bridge. I'm not talking about my brother Fred's side. I'm talking about that side. 67th Avenue. Tom Thumb. We caught Tom Thumb. I know the intersection is 80th and
67th. One of my sons has a song out on the internet called 67th Avenue and 80th because he grew up on Tom Thumb. That's how important that point is to a lot of us. And I just want to tell you commissioners
that you're going to do a lot of things. You're braver than me. I just told you that today, Danny, to be up here. I've been told 20 times, 30 times, Nick, you should run for commissioner. You'd be commissioner. And I don't. So, I commend
you for that. I commend you for the public service. This is a chance to just say, "All right, let's step back and wait and see. Maybe in a couple years, maybe something happens where buying that park is easy, or buying that land is easy.
But if we move forward with the zoning change, it'll make it that much harder. That's all I have to say. I don't know if anything will come of it, but I think it's definitely something to think about. Seriously, think about
without moving ahead too fast. That's I guess that's my main message tonight is try not to move too fast in decisions, permanent decisions. Thank you for the comments. I have I have a question. You have a question as well? I didn't have a question. I had a comment. Go ahead, sir. I think that one of the things that
we always talked about um was getting a park there. We didn't have the ability to buy it back then, right, when it was available. We didn't have the bond available. That would have been a perfect opportunity to use the bond. We're big fans of building parks. We've done it now for our, you know, going on
three years now. That was a great opportunity. The problem is I think we missed we missed the mark because we didn't have it to build it. It we we can still look at it. Um, it'll be complicated because we can't do things to or slow things down for the other cause, you know, to restrain or restrict
the current owner. That's not that's not kosher. Um, but I'm I'm with you. I agree with you. I think most of us do here. It's it's just I think we miss the opportunity and that's why we have to move on. The current the current owner and I feel for his his situation. You
know, I certainly don't buy things to lose money. I don't invest in things to lose money. The current owner took a chance on a zone that he was hoping would be changed. If anybody promised him it would be changed, then somebody said the wrong thing. I'm not saying
anybody did at all. I'm not accusing him. But if if his buddy said, "Ah, you can get that changed." They told him the wrong thing because he could get it changed, but it's doesn't it shouldn't be a you know a done deal before. So if he builds a beautiful house there, then
we get a beautiful house. If he can get all the permitting to be a beautiful house, then he gets a beautiful house. But I'm just saying if it makes that next move, then you can then we all can just completely give up our chances of it being anything than
that. It had a house there once. If somebody has a nice residence there, but I'm just say saying slow down on the moves. That's all. Thank you. And I think, you know, I appreciate you coming out. One of the things that the last the first time this was before us, we deferred the application based on
comments. U again, I continue to invite you, you mean you guys, your family is is the neighborhood in many ways, the heart of the neighborhood. If you can get us some feedback from neighbors about that, they share the sentiment. I think it's certainly worth having a conversation as day as whether we want to do something extraordinary here. And
I mean, I you know, we can certainly speak to council about what our options are. uh you know maybe we consider taking property for this for this public purpose. Now that's comes that's going to come and I the reason I want to make sure there's widespread support sure is because that's not going to come without
substantial cost you know uh whether the zoning change is approved or not approved at this point there isn't uh there's an investment back expectation on the part of that owner and getting to evaluation you know of a jury or otherwise not going to be a it's not I I don't anticipate to be an inexpensive
proposition that said I do recognize that you know green space as commissioner Mr. Cay mentioned we we are going through a 10-year parks master planning process. There are certainly sites that I spoke to our consultant about pursuing for acquisition and so we we do there are opportunities want to
pursue them. This one I think we had kind of written off because two years ago when it was there was an event where was on the market we were not in a position to take it down. But I know that feeling. Yeah. Yeah. No, that house behind me Yes. was offered to me several
times. And not for a million. Not even close. But thanks for coming, Officer. We appreciate it. Yeah. Okay. My son works for City of South Miami and it has been the best thing for that kid for the last two and a half, three and a half years. I just want to say that because I know Quinton's right over there. Thank
you. Appreciate that. Nice meeting you, Nick, in person. Mr. Ward, you're recognized. Good evening. You know, he's a good example of what we had at South Miami Junior High for the many years. He got his start with a wood shop
teacher by the name of Eric Stevens and he's now in a similar profession and also I think it's South Miami Senior High. I'm not sure. But anyway, it's always good to see an old
alumni here. And uh he's his family's been around a long time. Let's put it that way. And and I don't know if he recognized me to make himself feel younger, but I've been
retired 33 years, so you know how old he is. Now, couple of things briefly. Commissioner Rodriguez. The other day I saw a sign, political sign. Elect Commissioner Rodriguez is on the
southeast corner of 76th Street and 59th Avenue. So, I'm sure you'll be glad to save that tomorrow. Hopefully, I won't need it anytime soon. The other thing I'd like to mention, and I mentioned it at one of the other commission meetings, is as I was coming
up here today, I come 62nd Avenue across the highway to Sunset. 62nd Avenue, no traffic signal era to let a traffic person go
across. It's dangerous. And I mentioned it before and I just can't believe that a city would allow something. I didn't know it'd be that difficult to put an error in a in a in in a traffic light. I mean, this is
something if it didn't sink in the last time, please look into it and try to get it done because sooner or later there's going to be an accident. And if there hadn't already been, I don't know, but it's a difficult uh situation. the people dash across
when the light first turns and there's also sometimes they're they're close to accidents. The last thing I want to say is I've been around this city since 1961 and I've seen a lot
happen. But one of the things that's happened here recently that it's extremely positive thing. This city is putting I don't know who's responsible for it, but this city is putting something on Facebook almost every day
about city activities. And I'll tell you this is one way that you these people don't come to commission meetings but a lot of them read Facebook and I can tell you that a lot of people appreciate the information that's being displayed
through Facebook about the city and uh one last statement I sit down with. He said he paid 169 for his house and the value of it. I bought my house in 1965 for $65,000. You you win.
I said that wrong. $18,000. $18,000. Thank you, Mr. Ward. Uh Mr. Lopez, you're next on the list. Is there anyone else who'd like to address this commission in public remarks? If you've not already registered, please do so in the back or uh with staff here from the front. Thank you. So, you're recognized.
Good evening. Jason Lopez, 7730 Southwest 65th place. uh he was my vice principal at South Miami. Also, his son Steve was my broadcasting teacher for three years at the at South Miami Middle School. So, good to see you again. Um
I'd like to echo what Nick brought up about not moving too quickly on reszoning the property on Manor Lane and on 80th Street. uh we have one chance to hold on to it seems like at this point and it is now up for discussion for the
city to consider which is the first time kind of ever it seems like. Um and if we do reszone then I do think the opportunity to turn this into a park is lost. I know that the idea for me was brought up by this commission. It was brought up again by this commission and
I think it's an awesome idea. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get you the information that you need to from the residents. So I ask you, what is the information you need to see from the residents? What's it look like? How is it presented? Because you said, Nick,
go talk to people, come back to me. How is that information shared with I'll just speak for myself and my colleagues elaborate. I I' I've seen, I think, six emails from folks in the neighborhood. Emails are good. Emails are good. I mean, I think if we get if if that is the if it feels like that's the general
sentiment, I I'm, you know, I'm certainly going to have an offline conversation with council, see what our options are. And, you know, maybe I just want to be sure I present. But again, we just I think all of us want I mean, we had we had this
conversation, a related conversation with the mango lots that you heard about this evening. There's a public hearing tomorrow night about it. Um, we got a lot of feedback from folks when when the item was brought forward in terms of what we were going to do
with it. The CRA had 15 or 20 years ago earmarked that plot of land for development. Some of us had, you know, remarked that she remain a park, right? Had that discussion because what might happen in the neighborhood. It turns out we get a lot of feedback that people would like to preserve it just the way
it is. So, we're having conversations about what we do there. Again, we don't have a development application from a private party. It's publicly owned land. So, we can take we can take our time and be more deliberate with it here. We have to act, you know, fairly with the developer. There is I'
I'd like to echo what he brought up saying that that that person did take a chance buying this property and just because they bought it doesn't mean they get the opportunity to resone it necessarily. There are a number of challenges challenges with the property
that have been brought up that make it a tricky spot and just because they purchased it does not mean that they get the right to put so many units on it. And so I ask you guys to really consider and if if it means being slowed down
slow it down a little while. So thank you very thank you for your comments. Yes ma'am you're recognized. I I just want us to keep in mind that this is privately owned property.
There are limitations to what I feel we can do. And the flip side of that is there is a lot of conversation about well why don't we just buy it? But I think that when we have those conversations, there has to be a certain
sense of fiscal responsibility that goes with that because there are 12,000 of us, not, you know, 40 of us or what have you. So it's it's in essence, it's all of our money. And I'm not saying one is better than the other. As a matter of fact, when it first came up,
I you were here, you know what I thought. Um but I think that to give huge hope I think we need to temper that because the reality is it does belong to someone. It is private property and we have no idea what goes
with that. So I think that writing emails and all of that is great but we need to continue to have that based in reality and what we can actually do. Okay. He he wants to say something. He's going this to me, but I'm not. Yeah. No, I I I mean I think I think let me just and I I mean I at least I'll speak for
myself again. I'm not under any um any notion that again as I said from the beginning, this is not an easy undertaking given where we are, right? Uh, I wish we were in the position in this position two years ago
before there was an application pending with the prospect of being able to purchase something and knowing that we had a future operations to structure some financing to do it. We weren't there unfortunately. Um, you know, I think could it be done? Yes. Is it
likely? I'd say probably right now not. So, but that doesn't mean we can't have a conversation and understand what what our exposure would look like so we can weigh that against, you know, the opportunity cost of doing it. Absolutely. I just want us to stay in reality. Yeah. I had one more comment.
The lots on 77 terrace, we had a hard conversation about that as well. That was perfect. 15,000 30,000 square feet of land and a prime location. We didn't have the opportunity to do so. That would have been a great opportunity to do so too.
You know what's the saying? A dollar, you know, minute minute late, dollar short, whatever it is. A day late. I always mess them up. It's my fault. But you want you understand what I'm saying. If you're going to come up and speak, we'll give you one more crack.
I won't say who it was, but at the last meeting when I was in the back of the room and the idea was brought up this Someone in this room did pat someone else on the back saying like, "Hey, good idea." And it was on this side of the room.
Okay. I don't understand what that means, but we talk. I'll put it plainly. The developer patted the other guy on the back saying, "Hey, maybe they'll buy the property as a park." At the time, it was a park. They're openminded. That's all. Thank you. Thank
you for clarifying. Thank you. For $2 million. We'll see how much it costs. Yeah. How much does it cost? Okay. Is there anyone else who'd like to address this commission in public remarks? Seeing no one in the chamber, madame clerk, is there anyone online who would like to make comments, public remarks? It's okay.
No one online has their handle. Anyone online for public remarks? Okay, seeing no one, we will close public remarks at this time. Uh let's move on to the discussion items. Um M. I believe you are leading the discussion
on M1 Berg glass. Good evening, development services director. So um a few commission meetings back um we were asked to look at the bird safe glazing and the cost and permissions of having this requirement in our zoning code. Um I
prepared a memo which has the different options because um I think there was some confusion on what are the options for birthday blazing like there's only like one type but there isn't there a lot of different ways of of doing of accomplishing this and then we also I also tried to give you some uh information on cost increase of using
impact glass versus this bird safe glazing. Um those numbers are the best guess I could get because there isn't really a lot of information out there on this. Um, I don't know if you had a chance to look at the memos, but if you have any questions, I'm happy to answer them.
My only question again, your recommendation was uh what for the benefit of the audience? I would keep the ordinance as it is. I think it's a good ordinance. I I you know, and if we have a developer that really feels that it's a hardship, they could provide proof that is it is a hardship and then
perhaps it could come to this commission for consideration, but you know, absent of actually having that really shows that this is a hardship. I think it's a good ordinance. I believe your analysis did not suggest that we change the strike zone. I know the strike zone or the impact zone is limited to was that
75 ft? 100 feet. 100 feet, excuse me. Okay. So, everything north of 100t is outside of the typical flight path of most birds. Yes. Okay. Further questions or comments? None. Okay. Thank you for the analysis. We appreciate it. You're welcome. Okay. Uh, moving on. Uh, madam
clerk, on items N1, N2, and three, does that require action or do they need to uh are they just need to be read into the record? They just need to be read into the record. No action. Then if you can read items N1, N2 and N3. Would you like to discuss any of them? I I I just want to make a comment. Yes, if I may.
On those or on the prior in general on on on this topic? Okay. Go right ahead, sir. Yeah. Thank you. Through the mayor. So, I just wanted to bring up um obviously we all have the appointments that we're we're supposed
to make for each board and you know it's our right to to put whoever it is that we want to put on on certain boards. Um I would like to recommend that maybe we take some sort of action as far as
limiting, you know, these appointees to one board and not multiple boards. And again, this is not this is in general to anybody who's who's applying or who we're looking to put into one of our boards. And my example for this is we
have uh someone who's being appointed to a board today who already sits on another board. So this person is going to sit on so if I I will be on the design review board. He will have
presentations shown to him, a decision will be made and copy and comments will be made with a vote. Then it goes to the planning board and that same person is going to review again the same project with the
same comments and the same thing. So all I'm saying is, you know, we should have a a a a diversity between the boards. You know, like like Commissioner Guy always says, you know, we want to be best-in-class. Well, to be best-in-class, we have to have, you
know, different perspectives and different ideas. So, I just think that we should enforce or do something where we limit that an appointee would be restricted to serving just one board. So
just just a clarification I think are you is your concern related specifically to um boards that have similar but not overlapping jurisdiction on the planning side because I there are examples of
individuals who serve on multiple boards maybe not on related subject matter. True. Exactly. So the Okay. So I just I just want to clarify what the intent is. Yes. Yes. You're correct Mr. Mayor. Um, so it would be when it's the same, you
know, same topic, same same things that you're reviewing. It just seems like it's repetitive. Okay. So, so I I'll just just and I'm not appreciate the comment. I think it's a fair observation. Madam City attorney's attorney, any any concerns about having an individual sitting on
both review boards from a pro due process or process standpoint period in terms of conflicts that may emerge? Not that I can think of at the moment, but our code does allow for an appointee to sit on more than one board in section 2-22. So, okay.
You sat on both the DRB and planning board or I sat on the DRB board as chair and I on the budget and finance board. Okay. Are they two separate? You're just two boards. Yeah. Okay. So, yes, ma'am, you're recognized.
I I understand things might not be in the charter or what have you, but I think it's interesting is budget and finance and design review board like you're saying, two different tracks. And I think that, you know, you can be on the
Marshall Williamson scholarship and the planning board or what, but I I do understand the sensitivity to sitting on two boards that are looking at the same thing back to back back to back and not even back toback. Even if you saw one this
month and the other one two months from now or three months from now, if I were the person with my plans running through there and I kept seeing the same person, I I you know I don't again I don't it's uh got you you know I
remain purposely ignorant about our our land development regulations, right? Given that's what I do. So I don't try to dominate the conversation. But remind me madam city attorney not every application that goes to DRB goes to planning board. Correct. So there, you know, again, that's why I said similar
but not overlapping jurisdictions because I think there are certain projects where I think Commissioner Rodriguez's point is absolutely valid. But there are also applications that will never likely will go again madam attorney you can elaborate on this
further would like be more likely to go to DRB since all of them tend to but never go to planning board right and so that individual you know in many cases will only be apping once now that said now that said I again I think it's a
well-made point um there's another layer here of sensitivity to the conversation given who the individual is can I tell you But it has nothing to do with I I know it does not. But I just I know that some people will infer that from the conversation. And I and I and so just to say I'm going to look to my colleague
who is the person who nominated this person for for the position to see what his preference is first before I bring it back to Clay to close a discussion how we want to dispense with item N3. Okay. One thing. Can we wait to let him
hear from one? Yes. Okay. Thank you. You're recognized, Mr. Vice Mayor. So yeah, obviously I think the way that we receive volunteers and their volunteers in the city, I really try to not have
that be an an exclusive endeavor. And when we have people who do serve on multiple boards, I can think of a couple off the top of my head. They're some of the, you know, best and brightest on our boards. They're people who have given so much to the city. I have never really
seen. Obviously, they share some similarities. They are two of I guess you could say maybe our weight boards in terms of decision they make. One of them is enforcement board, one of them's a advisory. Um, but I do think that they're different enough and I do think that you might end up finding those
situations um where the best and brightest might want to be on those two boards that I wouldn't want to restrict the city from that. Of course, the way that we receive volunteers, a lot of times we go out and we talk to them, a lot of times people come up to us and I would feel I would be remiss to not
accept a talented person to serve on one of our boards. I just and and someone with with his credentials, I'm very I'm very happy that he was willing to dedicate extra time to do that. So So if I because I don't want to spend a lot of time on this and I want to just suggest
maybe Mr. Mr. Vice Mayor, if you want if let's if if you're willing, let's defer action on N3 and maybe you can talk to M, you know, the appointee about whether he's interested in pursuing the appointment still given the conversation or maybe he wants to serve on an
alternate board. He might be he might be inclined to just, you know, volunteer for something else if possible because I'd love to fill the vacancy. I'd love to just push it through and have the conversation with him about maybe withdrawing. Okay. Okay. Fair enough. Okay. Okay. So with that,
um, yes, you're recognized. All I want to say is everybody remember I said we should roll DRV into the planning board. Perfect example. You can't think for a second. I let that one pass.
Okay. Point point noted. Um, okay. Yes. If I may, um, uh, city attorney, I believe that the, so any project over 40,000 square feet goes to both, DRB and planning board. I
think the only ones that don't go to both is residential. That's the only one. So if you have a small residential, it's not, but all the main big important projects that are coming through the city all go through both boards. Correct?
Yes, that's my understanding. But we can ask Miss Sudami who's here just to confirm anything over 4,000 square feet or greater than four stories. So all major projects. Okay. So
um do we want to we typically would move these or there's there's no is there there's no action required other than reading the names. We do not have to vote them as a board. You don't have to vote. I just have to So again, this is an appointment. prerogative of the vice mayor. So I would just ask the clerk to
read the names into the record and vice mayor if you're gonna have a convers if you want to have a conversation with your appointee about this after the fact. I think and and if I could I I really do appreciate the feedback and I do think that there are some valid points here. I do also want to fill vacancies in our board and I do want to
give people who are you know interested yeah okay so would you like me to read all three or leave the third one? Let's proceed. If it if it does not require action by this board and it's the prerogative of each board member to appoint whoever they deem fit, then let's go ahead and read them into the
record. Okay. So, N1 is Dick M. Ortega has been appointed by Commissioner Bonich to the budget and finance committee as per city charter article 2 section 8A for the fiscal year budget 2025-2026. He will be replacing
Alexand Renzo Renzy has been appointed by Mayor Fernandez to the design review board as per charter article 2 section 88 for a two-year term ending May 20th 2027. And three, Daniel Gara has been
appointed by Vice Mayor Corey to the design review board as per chart city charter article 2 section 8A for a two-year term ending May 20, 2027. Thank you. Uh, show those individuals appointed. Uh, madam clerk, if you can
read, uh, item one on the agenda, please. A resolution of the mayor and city commission of the city of South Miami, Florida, approving the reappoint of Jose Fernandez to the pension board of trustees. Okay.
Um, is there a motion item one, please? I'll move the motion. Okay. Second. Have a motion by Commissioner Cay, a second by Commissioner Rodriguez. Any discussion? Seeing none, Madam Clerk, please call the RO. Commissioner Cay, yes. Commissioner Bonich, yes.
Commissioner Rodriguez, yes. Vice Mayor Cory, yes. Mayor Fernandez, yes. Item passes. Great. If we can read item two into the record, please. A resolution of the mayor and the city commission of the city of South Miami, Florida, approving a proposal and
project agreement with SRS Engineering, Inc. provide additional construction phase services for the sanitary sewer improvements sub area K phase 1 project in the amount of 123,769.31. Thank you for that. Uh Mr. Manager, uh
you're recognized. The uh we're discussing item one, right? Yes, sir. Yeah. Next item two. Item two, doctor. Item two. Yes, it's two. Sorry. Yeah. All that all that education and he's, you know, can't count. I've lost all my brain power. Um, so, uh, we're
bringing this before you, uh, as anticipated, uh, regarding management of our project. This is a contract with our design engineer for our septic to sewer project. Um we uh the project had a notice of proceed originally of 270 days
uh which uh that would be uh sometime in May. We understood when we started the project there were some changes by Miami Day water and sewer that also affected that timeline. And then since then you've been aware of some of the challenges with the project which also has extended itself somewhat. Um as as
of late um some speed has been picked up given that some of the challenges originally on the leg of 85th Street are are are not did not trans forward to some of the other streets. So this this proposal brings forward the ability to maintain our design uh our engineer of record um through the project which we
have a date slated for October. That doesn't necessarily mean that the pipe work uh would go through October but we once the pipe work is finished which we're pretty close to finishing the pipe work and restoration. Then the focus is on the pump station and the ement. So this allows us to maintain our engineer
record through uh October um with extending their services for oversight of the project with a cost of $123,769. Questions of the manager? Okay, seeing none, is there a motion? I'll move the motion. I'll second. Have
a motion by Commissioner Kaya, second by Commissioner Bonich. Madam clerk, please call the role. Commissioner Cay, yes. Commissioner Bournes, yes. Commissioner Rodriguez, yes. Vice Mayor Coring, yes. Mayor Fernandez, yes. Item passes by.
Thank you. You can read item three, please. A resolution of the mayor and the city commission of the city of South Miami, Florida, approving and authorizing the waiver of certain event related fees and costs in an amount not to exceed $3,935.60
pursuant to section 15B-6 of the city code for a special event known as the Junth celebration presented by the South Miami Black Cultural Affairs Foundation, Inc. to be held on Saturday, June 21st, 2025 at the Gibson Bethl Community
Center. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Uh Mr. Manager, is there any presentation from staff on this? No, not necessarily. Uh this is an item that has been before us uh the prior year. And so in this case, we're uh the waiver before you for $3,935.60 encompasses some of the police
detail, um the parks, recreation staff, special events fee, and this is uh mirrors what we've done in prior years for this event. Any questions for my colleagues? Seeing none, I'll just say thank you to Mr. Kelly and the foundation for organizing the event yet again, and we look forward to seeing you
on Saturday the 21st. Uh, is there a motion? Uh, move the motion. Second. We have a motion by Commissioner Rodriguez, a second by the vice mayor. Madam clerk, please call the role at item three. Yes. Commissioner Cay, yes. Commissioner Bonich, yes. Commissioner Rodriguez,
yes. Vice Vice Mayor Corey, yes. Mayor Fernandez, yes. Item passes. Thank you. Uh, Madam Clerk, if you can read item four, please. A resolution of the city commission of the city of South Miami, Florida, approving the proposal and project work
purchase order with EXPUS services, Inc. to provide surveying, mapping, and subsurface utility engineering services for the placemaking, branding, and urban design services project relating to the hometown district on Sunset Drive and
adjacent streets. Thank you, Madam Clerk. U colleagues, any questions? You'll just for the benefit of the public, this is the survey work needed to complete uh the design for the improvements within the town center uh ori district.
Um there's no need for a presentation from staff. I'm happy to entertain a motion. I'll move the motion there. Okay. Motion by Commissioner Kai. Is there a second? Second. And a second by Commissioner Rodriguez. Madam Clerk, if you can call the role on item four, please. Commissioner Cay. Yes. Commissioner Bonich.
Commissioner Rodri, sorry, my microphone is off. Commissioner Rodriguez, yes. Vice Mayor Cory, yes. Mayor Fernandez, yes. Item passes by. Okay, we'll move on to item five, which is a public hearing. Uh, madam clerk, if you can read that for the record, please. A resolution of
the mayor and city commission of the city of South Miami, Florida, approving a multi-year first amended interlocal agreement with Miami date county for inclusion in the county curbside recycling program authorizing the city manager to negotiate, finalize, and
execute the first amended interlocal agreement with the county. Mr. Manager, you're recognized. Thank you, mayor. Um commission, this item uh is our agreement for curbside recycling program. Um, as you know, we contract through the county and have a thirdparty
vendor providing that service. The county most recently went through a process of um rebidding the zones within the county which obviously um as a result of that uh the vendor providing our services changed waste management uh
was able to win that zone uh through the county process. So this uh agreement um amends our interlocal with Miami Day County. Uh this is a first amended agreement with a stipulated increase u that is effective um uh April 1st 2025
and then with a 3% CPI um bringing our uh monthly charge per household the total of $742. Um and then um October one uh obviously that'll be revisited from a consumer price index standpoint with a
cap of a range of 3 to 5% increase depending on the CPI. So uh we had this item uh previously but we were still working out some things with Miami date county. Uh so the total total cost of this service uh to date in October
October one we estimate to be about $261,620. Um, and that's assuming a 3% change. Colleagues, any questions? I have a question. Um, sir, Mr. Manager, um, this
is this is weekly still, right? Where the pickup is is weekly, correct? Have we ever have we ever thought of maybe switching it to going bi-weekly? We we have had that conversation. Yes. Funny you mentioned that. Yeah. Commissioner, there have been conversations that predate uh your your
your time here in the on the commission. Um there have been some conversations. We did some analysis. Uh the last analysis, I believe I recollect if we switch from uh weekly back to bi-weekly, I think there was about a $53,000 reduction in cost. Um over a
5year period, when the city first converted, I think there was about a $40,000 increase when it went from bi-weekly to weekly. And then we've had other increases throughout that were as a result of the county vendor changing their pricing structure in the county increasing that and and now with these
new contracts. So um the analysis the most recent analysis which was done some a few months ago I guess the last time we actually talked about it a $53,000 difference savings if you will if we went to a bi-weekly. Okay. Well, something else that we're trying to do with the new company and we've discussed
it with them is to uh when uh our recycling is picked up on a Wednesday, traditionally uh that route then extended to other parts of the county and co-mingled what was picked up with the city. So, city really never had a data point as to how much volume we were generating. So, we've talked about
having them on one particular Wednesday and we're letting them sort of get transition into servicing the city that that maybe they would pick up and it go straight uh to the facility and try to get a volume count. So, at least we have a data point on how much volume we generate. Um so, that's something we're
going to discuss. The reason for for me bringing that up, it was always a question, you know, are we recycling more? Because we went to weekly. Um don't have any proof that we are. We know we're picking up more frequent, but we have no proof that we're recycling more. It may be a perception, but we just We don't have any evidence that so we'd like to obtain that information. So
I think that kind of summarizes a few conversations that this commission has had over time. Okay. Thank you for that last comment because it avoids me having to ask a question. Mr. Gay, no, I think he answered the question. My question was we're now that we have the new company, we're going to try to get a baseline and you answered that and I
think that you know as director Munoz is here as well, we we have a better chance of really strategically understanding recycling and and a lot more services that we can provide our residents. So, I'm looking forward to that. I know we've had conversations about that over here in the last couple of days, but I'm looking forward to what the city's going
to do with recycling and all waste services and composting, water management. It's it's a bright future for the city of South M. Um, Commissioner Bich, I I just want to say that we continue to
see the cost of recycling go up and up and up. I not gonna say it again because you all know what I feel about recycling. Oh, really? You don't remember? Um I swear I couldn't have wish if I tried.
Sarcasm on his part. Yeah. And um I I feel that saying yes to this while we're having the conversation of having a dedicated truck is almost like, you know, with Obamacare, you have to vote yes if you want to be able to read what's in the document. Um, I I feel
like this is the same exact thing. Like, oh, you think it's great? Say yes and then let's talk about it. I'm not going to say yes, but I I would like for you guys to consider that while you're thinking about whether you're going to
vote yes or no. It's essentially pay me upfront and then we can try and figure out if we're doing it or not. It just Sorry, I'm I'm I'm would appreciate some clarity. When you say pay me up front, what do you Well,
right. We We still don't know if we're recycling more because we're doing it every week, but we're going to say most likely yes to this, take the hit of the increase, and then like the city manager was just saying, see if we can get a appreciate what you're saying. I was I
just didn't follow that that last opposite. Yeah. Uh Vice Mayor Corey, and then I'll ask a question. All right. Thank you. Obviously, I I think this is very important initiative. We could we should continue, but I was wondering as well with the data points if at all possible because I would love for us to
get better at this as well. I know that we're going to collect and weigh. I don't know if there's any way possible we can measure our own levels of contamination that, you know, um we might be able to improve upon throughformational campaigns, through
other processes. But I feel like if we don't know how much we're recycling and we don't know how much is contaminated, we can't really get better at it in any, you know, strategic way. So, if we're able to do that, that would um be great for processes moving forward.
Just on that, I I did uh uh have a conversation. So, there there was a lag when Waste Management was awarded the zone to when they actually started servicing um to maybe about four four and a half months. So, early on we did to waste management about that and maybe you know some ability to to have that as
well as a data point and uh that wasn't as firm as picking up on a Wednesday and knowing what our volumes but certainly is one of the things that we want to try and obtain. I know other communities have an estimate um and we don't. So, we'd like to be able to have that. And and if I may, I just think our city's
ability to communicate with its residents and our residents pride in recycling and being green. I do think that that could be a really good combination for us to figure out how to reduce our contamination and maybe even model that for the rest of the county if other cities aren't doing that.
But, Mr. Manager, just a quick question. So executing this contract just guarantees the service on a per door basis. Correct. On a per what? On a the co what's the cost basis is per door. Correct. This brings it to 742 per door per month. The vice mayor's question.
Should we decide that we want to roll back or or or pull back on the frequency of the service? Are we impeded from doing that if we execute this contract or do we have the flexibility to say to basically pay for what we're putting into the system? Yeah, we're not
impeded. Uh what I would need to make certain is is there a window of time when that would be allowed versus just at any time. Um like canceling the contract would have to be within 30 days of a termination date. So uh we wouldn't we wouldn't want to cancel the contract. The question is we we would want want
the right to modify the frequency of when we pick up waste and we had the discussion. I I mean I would I would like to have us preserve that flexibility because I mean again I think you know we've been we've been flying blind on anformational basis. We all may have our uh assumptions about what is or
is not happening in terms of the frequency but I would like to get get some baseline data in the door and then maybe we actually go we roll it back for a month. we could pick a random month and and vary the frequency to see if there is a huge delta in terms of what's
put into one bin versus the other right um and I don't know whether we can even you know by way of collecting our own data whole households to find out if you know my recycle bin is certainly not even halfway full during the course of a
regular week no I mean I mean I I I am the big I'm a chronic drinker of spin drift and so I'm putting putting aluminum cans in there all the time. Uh that's what I'm trying to do to stop drinking Coca-Cola, but with no success as you can see. But um
so that's the majority of that in plastic bottles or other items, but even we're pretty aggressive about it. We're not filling our we have I mean they're large bins. They're not they're not small bins. Uh we could possibly also get larger bins that are the same size
as our trash bins and pick up less frequency and just have pick up the same capacity, the same the same raw same raw quantity. So I mean I I think as long as the contract allows us some flexibility to experiment so we can really find out what is happening and what the consumer beh what the consumer behavior is at the
household level. Um, you know, that would be my that would be my pre hope hopeful preference in terms of how the contract is styled. And I don't, again, I'm open to thoughts from Mr. Munos and others about how we can maybe start to collect some of that data without having to wait on the operator to do it for us.
Maybe just surveying households and, you know, via email and saying, "What is your practice? What's your experience?" And if we get a sample of 500 people in the city, that's a pretty accurate probably going to be a pretty accurate representation of what the typical behavior is at the at the household level.
Yeah, Mayor, we we uh we're certainly going to move quickly with them to try to get that Wednesday pickup so we can u but obviously when they were transitioning there were some hiccups as we all know with some neighborhoods are missed. Yeah. So so we said let's pull back and let them get that straight. Um so it's one of the first things that we want to discuss. Uh and we had discussed
with the county uh the issue of of maybe converting when when this commission was asking us to potentially a bi-weekly and and we got new rates on that and some estimates. So we had have had those conversations with the county through this conversation. There was also waste management said, you know, those that
are power users could also get a larger bin if they're concerned that they're going to, you know, not be picked up uh or they're going to not be able to fill their their their bin or they're going to be fill their bin and because you're going to pick it up less frequent. So there's larger bins that could be made
available as well as an option. So um we we will be reaching out to waste management to see. So So you and council, do we have I mean is the is the contract style that would allow us that flexibility? Is it a question we need to answer? Do we need to ask? Yeah, if I may, mayor, right now you select a
service frequency in the agreement. Any changes are technically an amendment to the agreement which requires both parties consent. We can try to ask the county for some flexibility to change the frequency level. Does the county collect weekly?
I don't I don't believe they do. I think they do across the street. Really? No. County is bi-weekly. I think it's bi-weekly. So again, I I I'm uninccorporated. Mine is picked up bi-weekly. So look, I think we we need to have a provider. We're not going to
get better pricing terms than what we get under this contact under this contract. So I think we need to approve the contract maybe with this with the stipulation that we want you to ask the provider whether we can
uh write in some flexibility to either increase or reduce the service frequency to no less than on a bi-weekly basis. That fair colleagues any objection to that modification? Okay. No, actually that that's the
reason why I asked the whole bi-weekly thing is because actually my bin and I recycle and I drink a lot of sparkling water and my bin is actually much less than than what it used to be. So that's actually why I asked the question. So I agree in everything you're saying. So So with that modification, any further
discussion? I' I'd move that we adopt item five with the modification uh given to council. Is there a second? I'm sorry. What was the question? Sorry, I think we've wrapped I think we've wrapped up our discussion on this item moving forward. Correct. So, I would
move that we'll open up the public hearing. Well, let's open up the public hearing. So, this is a public hearing item on our entering into a the county into a a contract for curbside recycling pursuant to our interlocal agreement county. Uh if there's any member of the
public who'd like to address this commission on item five, please come forward at this time. Seeing no one in the chamber, madam clerk, is there anyone online? No one on Zoom. Okay. Okay. With that, I'd like to move the item with the amendment that we
have the ability to change the frequency of service whether up or down, but at at at no time less than uh on a bi-weekly basis. So So question, sorry. Yes, sir. The mayor. Um, so what did they say now?
Well, I would I would imagine they will say yes because their service level with the county is bi-weekly. I mean, okay. So, my question still lies. What do they say now? I guess this item will come back if this contract takes effect when
actually April 1st. April 1st. Yes. Like last April. This April. April 1st of 20. Yeah. So, we're not So, right now we're operating outside the contract. We've been operating outside the contract for a month and a half. They say no, let's put it back on the next agenda and we'll discuss it then. I mean, right now we're
operating out of contract. Yes, mayor. We can present the change to the county. Okay. What we want to avoid is having to take the agreement back to the board of county commissioners for any changes. Okay. Okay. So, that would be my motion. Is there a second? A second. Okay. So,
madam clerk, we have a motion by myself, a second by Commissioner Rodriguez. If you can call the role on item five, please. Yes. Commissioner Cay. Yes. Commissioner Bonich. Sorry, I couldn't get the microphone on. Are you Are you a no or yes this time? I'm I'm a no. I even with the
modification. Can I tell you? I'm just I You know what? It's not It's not even that. I just worry that that this is going to come back and it's going to be like, "Oh, okay. Let's go." So, if I vote yes now, that just means we talk about it again. Not that we're saying yes to anything. Correct. All right. All right. You guys, you know what? You got
a lot to think about. I'll vote yes in the meantime. We have to respect. Commissioner Rodriguez. Oh my. Yes. That was terrible. Vice Mayor Corey. Yes. Mayor Fernandez. I'll vote yes. Reluctantly.
I'm just joking. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Can you read item six, please? a resolution of the mayor and the city commission of the city of South Miami, Florida, authorizing the city manager to negotiate and execute an agreement for external audit services pursuant to
request for proposal number FN2025-02. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Uh, Mr. Riverall, I believe this is your item. Let me spare you the trouble. Do we need do we need a presentation from staff on this item? Actually, since it is a public hearing, can you give us a quick two-c summary of what the item is
for? Good evening. Um, as you're aware, municipalities, jurisdictions, of public entities in the state of Florida require an audit every year. Um, we have in our charter mandatory rotation of new auditors every six years. used to be three years, now it's six years, which
is one of the improvements or one of the modifications that was brought before in a referendum to the uh public and they voted with the uh in agreement. Um what you have before you is our agreement with the CFLG, our last auditors, has ended and terminated. What you have
before you is a new agreement for six years with a new auditing firm which was done through the solicitation process in compliance with Florida statute. Um we had an evaluation committee evaluation committee made a ranking and before you
the city manager has a recommendation. Thank you sir. Questions of Mr. Riverall. Seeing no questions uh let's open this up to this item to public hearing. Uh any member of the public is invited to come forward and speak to this commission on item six which is the
approval or authorizing the mandate to negotiate and execute an agreement for external auditing services. Seeing no one in the chamber at this time. Madam clerk, is there anyone online? No one on Zoom. Okay. So we will close the public hearing on item
six. Colleagues, again, any questions? Is there a motion? So I I do I do have a question for the manager. So you're recognized. So we are voting here to give the contract to Citroen. Yes, sir. I'm good. All right.
Okay. Okay. With that, is there a motion? I move the motion. Is there a second? Second. Have a motion by Commissioner Rodriguez and a second by Vice Mayor Corey. Madame Clerk, if you could call the role, please. Commissioner Cay. Yes. Commissioner Bonich. Yes. Commissioner Rodriguez,
yes. Vice Mayor Cory, yes. Mayor Fernandez, yes. Item passes. Thank you, Madam Clerk. If you can read the add-on item, please. Yes. A resolution of the mayor and city commission of the city of South Miami,
Florida, rescending resolution number 024-24-16129, which authorized the city manager to execute certain mutual aid agreements, memorandums of understanding, and other procedural law enforcement agreements with governmental entities, including any amendments or
renewals thereto on an ongoing basis. Okay. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Um colleagues, this item we considered uh before, not intending to uh beat a dead horse, but
um we didn't take action on this item. I think um it's probably appropriate still as decisions like these historically have were made by the city commission prior to the delegation. And um I think that's all I really have to
say about the item. Um, if there is are there no questions, I'm happy to entertain a motion or entertain any questions any of you may have. I'll move the motion. Mayor, I'll second. Okay. Okay. Madame clerk, if you could
call the role, please. Yes. Commissioner Cay, yes. Commissioner Bonich, no. Commissioner Rodriguez, yes. Vice Mayor Cory. Yes. Mayor Fernandez. Yes. Item passes. Four.
One. Right. 41. Thank you. Madam clerk, is there anything else on the agenda for discussion this evening? No. Mayor, colleagues, are there any board reports that you'd like to make before we adjourn? Any board reports, commission reports,
comments? No. Okay, you're recognized, ma'am. Thank you. I I believe that we understand hopefully the gravity that the decisions that we make here have in the real world and the
things that we do, how they are perceived by others. And when we make decisions, whether they're good or bad, they have a certain gravity to them, intended or unintended consequences because of that are the
ones we have to live with. So I ask you when you walk away from here tonight to take that with you because I think sometimes we say do vote don't vote things and easy to get up and
walk away from it and that's not fair to our residents. RJ, you're recognized. So, I just wanted to say to the city manager that, you know, my vote is in no way a reflection
of my confidence in you and in the deputy manager. I just want you to know that from from me. Um I just feel that ultimately it's there is no separating. So I just feel
you know it's up to the commission but I just wanted you to know that you know please don't feel that that there's any lack of confidence at least from my behalf. I I have full confidence in you. Okay. I I just want to thank all of us there. You want to be recognized? Yes. Yeah. I would just like to say a comment
that we had uh the sixth grade class here from uh Somi Somerset Somi. Uh we had over close to 100 kids, 80 kids here. I know the chief and this team did a really good job and they were super excited with all the toys that we have with the police station. I know parks
and recck, thank you Quinton, Director Po, for for taking the kids. I know Commissioner Rodriguez, that was his first time with the field trip and he had a lot of the kids he knew there and the mayor showed up. It was a really really fun time and the kids really really appreciate it. So I'm glad the
second year of our annual field trip from Somerset Somi was a success. Thank you. Assistant city manager was great. Appreciate it. No, not this time. No, not this time. There's too many of them. But no, I I echo the comments and I'm sorry,
Commissioner Mr. Rice, I skipped over you. My No worries. I just wanted to say, you know, we've had a series of residents that have come in that have had issues. We've had some bigger issues happening. trees falling, things like that. Uh uh and when we've gone and when I've gone and spoken with residents,
I've been on the STS a while now, I don't think residents have ever had the level of engagement they have with the commission that they do now. When I go to speak with them, you know, they tell me they've spoken with people. They, you know, they feel great that pretty much everyone in the commission is is talking
to them and hearing them. So, I just wanted to thank everybody here. Um, I wouldn't say that we're the greatest amenity to the city of South Miami. I think we're probably somewhere down hopefully top 10, but uh but just my
perception of it is that you're all doing a great job. So, thank you. Thank you, Mr. Vice Mayor. Um, one, I want to congratulate our our city manager again on a very distinguished and special achievement.
Um, he relayed a story to me which I hadn't heard, which I hope you don't mind me sharing, which um, you know, I always joke that I I get mad at my high school guidance counselor for not telling me to go into the fire service after I read their fire contract because uh, I could have gone to law school for free, probably undergrad as well. But he
was sharing with me that it was a point of uh, contention with his father uh, when he made the decision to go into public service. And um Chip, I'm sure that you already feel this way, but I think it bears mentioning that I'm sure that he's looking down on you and probably beaming
with pride that you have uh far exceeded probably anything he might have expected or hoped for uh when you had that conversation probably many years ago. um known you a long time, always been very impressed with your professionalism and uh and we I think we all we all saw you
go through that experience as someone who's worked myself and gotten their professional degree while working and raising a family and dealing with all the uh hardships that life brings. Uh just want to say kudos again on a remarkable achievement. At the next meeting, I'm going to bring you your own
personalized pocket protector, right? since you've now achieved extraordinary nerd status with your PhD. And we may bring you a lab coat, you know, with the name Dr. Glaciius. And I don't know if you like to smoke a pipe, but maybe an ascot. And a smoking pipe might be in order as well. But we we talked about
getting you a gift. I hope this doesn't violate the Sunshine uh laws, but we thought it might be more appropriate probably get you some tickets to uh the upcoming uh World Club um soccer event as a as a gift to uh commemorate the
event. So hopefully we can talk about getting you some tickets here in the next few weeks, something we all decided we would would chip in on. So I just wanted to acknowledge the accomplishment and say we're all extremely proud of you and how well that that accomplishment not only reflects upon yourself but certainly our organization. So, thank
you so much. I I mayor and commission, I appreciate the uh the words and certainly uh like I said, it does take a village, everybody's patience, support. I had several emails drafted that I was abandoning the program multiple times and um I was I was walked off that
ledge, but u it certainly take your patience as well because, you know, it take commitment and travel and so forth. So, appreciate the kind words and yeah, it's more meaningful than just being a lifelong learner. certainly opportunities that my parents never had. Um, and I had a picture of them in my back pocket when I walked across the
stage. So, um, that that was still driving. So, I think I'll keep my coolness. I'll I'll avoid some of the other things that you don't want the pocket protector or the ascot or fight. No, it'll it'll it'll hurt my soccer credibility. Yeah. Um, that you really hit a nerve there. So,
but I appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you again for uh extraordinary leadership and example. So, And I'm sorry you were not able to join the fire service. It definitely would have been very rewarding for you. I probably I probably would have dragged you all down. So, uh yeah. Okay. Without further
comment, we stand a journ. Thank you everyone. Go Panthers. Yeah.