Good evening. Good evening everyone. Please be seated. We'll be starting the meeting now. >> She was like, "Why are we ordering ham?" And I'm like, "Stay like let's just try it." >> No worries. >> We're just excited about >> Yeah. Yeah. It's all right. It's all right. Great,
sir. All right. >> Welcome, welcome everybody to the South Miami City Commission meeting, Tuesday, November 18th. Um, please silence or turn off your cell phones. Um, madame city clerk, could you please call the
role? >> Yes. Vice Mayor Vice Mayor Corey >> here. >> Commissioner Rodriguez >> here. >> Commissioner Bonish >> here. >> Commissioner Cay >> here. >> You have a quum. >> Thank you. who I'm sitting in tonight for the mayor who may be joining us
later virtually. He's out of town. Um so we'll start the uh evening uh with a moment of silence and then the pledge of allegiance. So please stand. Uh for today I'd like you to recognize Miami Day County Sheriff Deputy Devin Harmo
who unfortunately and tragically lost his life in the line of duty recently. So if we can keep his family and the entire police force in our thoughts and prayers, uh please join me in a moment of silence.
>> Commissioner Benich, would you like to say the pledge? >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God, indivisible, with liy and justice
for all. >> Thank you very much. Um I believe we have one presentation tonight and that's an update on the uh parks and recreation master plan. Welcome parks director. >> Peterson um of Kimbley Horn and
Associates. She's a community planner and she's the project manager for our parks and rec master plan. She's going to quickly o give a overview of the work completed to date. Um a summary of the community survey results that we received. Uh review the level of
services um and some benchmarks against other municipalities and next steps in our master plan process over the next three to four months until completion. >> Thank you commissioners. Um, it's been a couple months since I've been here to present to you. So, we just
wanted to give you an update on where we've been since um, August, I think, was the last commission meeting we've been at. And so, hold on. There we go. So, this is a schedule of where we've been and where
we're going. As you may remember, we kicked this project off in May. We went and visited all your parks and facilities, gave them scores. We met with your staff to talk about your programs, your operations, your maintenance, your funding, and how all
of that was going as well as did a pretty robust public engagement. Then we also worked on starting to look at level of service, which is something that I know we've talked in this room quite a bit about in terms of is it acreage, is it something else, what does this look
like for the city of South Miami for the next 10 years? And so that's brought us um to where we are today. Um, and right now we're working on wrapping up the needs assessment. So that is there's 12 measures, quantitative and qualitative,
that really assess your parks and recreation system to give you um an overview of what it's like and to build the foundations of our recommendations. And so this week is really the culmination of that. Then we will put everything into a PDF, share it with
staff, and once it's reviewed by them, share it with you all to really culminate the first phase of this project. And I'll talk about a couple of engagement opportunities this week that we're doing to wrap that piece of it up. Um, as part of that needs assessment,
um, these are items that we've done since last time we talked. So, we mentioned last time that we were aligning with regional and local efforts. We had held several focus groups over the summer with uh other stakeholders, other agencies that mentioned some additional plans to wrap
into this. So, we've looked at everything that you see on this list, plus the landscape master plan and the hometown district branding effort to tie it all into the recommendations that we'll make for the parks and recreation system. This is new information for you all.
This is basically the scores of um visiting all your parks and facilities. Everything is out of a hundred. Um if you see something in orange, it means it's below expectations. So, it's really great news that there are no parks that
scored that low in this system. Um the highest scoring parks you can see there on your screen. A lot of these are due to the amount of use we saw there or recently um improved facilities at some of these locations. In terms of some of
the other um categories where maybe there's more room for growth, um access and linkage is the lowest. And so that's that access and connectivity that I think all of you knew was going to be a big piece of this project. And this is kind of showing that um observational
findings in support of that. So, this is um a map that shows where the parks um are obviously located through the city with those evaluation scores with them. I think it's especially important to note as um
developments come in around city hall and along the underline, those parks in the core of the city are working really hard and some of them are a little bit lower in terms of their score today. And so we will be making recommendations to
increase, you know, the performance of some of those parks as well to ensure that especially as they see more use over the next 10 years, they're keeping up with that demand. Additionally, we looked at a lot of demographics and development patterns in
the city to see how this might impact the parks and recreation system. I don't think any of the facts on the screen are necessarily new to you, but I think you know putting them through the lens of parks and recreation. So with the understanding of developments like
Avalon, the link and Sunset Place, what is that going to mean for, you know, smaller park spaces or connectivity to park spaces for renters and other residents? and how I might we be able to recommend really high quality, high
performing spaces, especially um with the demographics that we're seeing increase in South Miami over the next 10 years, there's going to be additional demand for cultural events and cultural programming um things like so my sounds that you're already doing, but
additional programming like that as well as group fitness in programs. So that's um two of the biggest um indicators based off of the market demand for the population you're going to see increase in South Miami. So how can we start to plan for that?
And so then we, you know, layered these demographics on maps and um so just looking at where are certain populations based in the city, especially when it comes to, you know, households without a vehicle or households below the poverty
line that may need low barrier, you know, access to recreation. and where are those people located and how might we make different recommendations to ensure accessibility for all residents of South Miami in the future. Additionally, when we start to think
about where the youth population is located, obviously the joint use with schools has been a big piece of this. I know you all have seen some concepts for those sites that is built off of the data that we've been gathering for this parks and recck master plan. But how might we also target additional
improvements in areas where youth is going to increase in the next 10 years for environmental programming for group fitness for sports and how can we really target the areas of the city that may need that most. And that layers into
level of service. Like I mentioned, um access is one way to think of level of service and so is acreage. Currently the city has the standard of 4 acres per thousand. And um all that this chart goes to say is right now the city is currently
providing 3.6 acres per thousand. That does not include the underlying that does not include Lum Trail, any future acquisitions, any school property. that's simply city-owned and maintained parks. And so when you start to look at
how when you add in if it's the underlying, if it's new acquisitions, um Snapper Creek, Ledlum Trail, we start to that 3.6 moves to 5.4 acres. And so we're starting to work with staff to
understand what do we want to consider when we're considering acres per person and how might then we make some recommendations for is there a different way to think about public private partnerships when it comes to providing private parkland. Maybe it's not acres
of parks. Maybe it's amenities. Maybe it's mixeduse trails. So we're working through that right now. This is simply you know the data stage of what the findings are. And pretty interestingly, this is that 3.6. Again, very importantly, that
doesn't include the underlying Lulham Trail. Um, you can see how you are compared to some peers. And the national average, the national average is kind of extreme in this situation because you're comparing yourself to very, very large
park systems that have open space, mountain parks, hundreds of thousands of acres. So, that one is a little hard to compare yourself to, but I think especially when you look at Pinerest or Coral Gables, if you start to include the underline in here, you do have more
acres um you know, per thousand than those communities. If you don't, you're a little lower. Again, we don't have the recommendations yet. Simply showing you the data of this is where we stand. So, now what do we want to do to help you close that gap and provide for more park
space and access to those parks in the future? Um, these maps are a little small on the screen, but essentially what this goes to show is 99% of South Miami residents have access to a park within 10 minutes of their home. That's the national standard really set
by Trust for Public Land for access to park space. And something that we've been talking with staff about is pushing the city of South Miami further, looking at within five minute walk, right? So, obviously that puts some of your city in a gap. Um, but what could we do to make
sure that every resident has a park within five minutes of their home is something pretty outstanding and way above national levels. So, we're just starting to look at access as another benchmark for park provision and park access. And a quarter mile is about a five
minute walk, just so you know. Um, we also looked at the level of service for your facilities. So this takes into account you know every bench in your system, every ball field in your system, every court and you know what do you have enough of, what do you need
more of and so in order to maintain you know the current level of service you are providing today the list on the screen is what you will need more of by 10 years from now. Um, when you start to compare yourself against national peers of the same size jurisdiction with the
same amount of funding for parks and recreation, the biggest gaps are in indoor sports amenities, and indoor or outdoor aquatics. Um, and then South Miami exceeds those same national standards for dog parks, multi-use
fields, playgrounds, and small courts. So, basically provide a really good amount of those. Maybe we do something to increase indoor sports and aquatics. So, those are some of the things we're looking at and how they benchmark both
locally but then nationally as well. Um, this is staff and funding. So, a lot of numbers. I think the biggest takeaway here is the city has made a very big commitment in the last, you know, three years or so, especially to invest in
parks and recreation spaces. Full-time positions for parks, recreation, and cultural services has increased 30% since 2022. And the capital spending in that amount of time has also doubled. So, right now there's, you know, a good
core staff doing a lot with a little, I think. um especially compared to other communities work we work with around the country you know the staff is doing and the systems doing a very exceptional job of capturing revenue so the revenue per capita rate at $96 is is much higher
than we see across many systems you can see here it's compared to other local jurisdictions Pinerest is the only one that does a little bit better in their revenue capture obviously a very different community as well but just I think that's a very commendable job by
staff and by the system. So, how can we continue to, you know, craft recommendations of put a fee policy in place, you know, look at program revenue to continue that work over the next 10 years? Um, and then just a brief summary of the
public engagement. I think you all knew we had an in-person workshop here in this room back in August. We also hosted three virtual focus groups. We had um dozens of stakeholder interviews earlier in the summer. Uh most recently, we were at the Safe Straits Halloween event,
which was great. We've absolutely underestimated the amount of candy we would need for that event. Um a thousand pieces did not go very far. Um and then we had our survey. I'm going to skip actually through kind
of the summary of the engagement that we did earlier in the summer just because I know I've talked individually with some of you about how this has gone. just to spend a little bit more time on the survey which is new information for you all. So at the end of that survey we had
348 responses which makes it a statistically valid survey. Its margin of error is less than 5% which means this is statistically representative of households in South Miami. we were able to wait by demographics to ensure that
um it was representative of the actual households in South Miami. The full survey report will be available by next week. So, we'll make sure you all get a copy of that if you haven't already. I think the biggest takeaways, everyone uses your parks. Everyone loves
your parks. Um 99% of residents that took the survey visited a park um recently and 80% of them said the quality of the parks was excellent or good. Um one of the biggest areas for improvement is availability of
information about the parks and about programs. People rated lower um you know not very good. Additionally um you know we asked questions you know what are the your goals how do you want parks to work for you? What are your goals for them?
Protecting and improving the environment ranked very high as well as providing connectivity via trails and then making it a desirable place to live and work. Um Dante Facel was the most visited park. Um most people, you know, are
walking or using trails. Um that was one of the highest activities. So I think all of this goes to show again reinforcing that access and connectivity is going to be a very big part of the plan's recommendations moving forward. Um here are some of those themes again
like I mentioned the natural environment the active mobility. You know when asked how we should balance maintaining what we have and investing in something new we're practically split down the middle 5050. So, I'm going to, you know, create
recommendations that try to bridge the gap there. Um, but I think also something very notable is 80% of residents that took the survey, which is representative of all residents, um, say that the parks are safe and inviting,
which is very high when compared to national benchmarks with the same survey question. Um again areas of opportunity like I mentioned just availability of information. Um the top um we asked you know what is the main reason you do not
visit your parks more or do not participate in more programs and it was awareness of what is there what is out there. So I think definitely making some recommendations around that. When it comes to facilities that need more improvement, it's natural areas, restrooms, lighting, and tree coverage,
which I'm sure is not news to you all. Um, and then, uh, the programs definitely rated lower than facilities and especially camps and fitness classes, and we know there is going to be an increased demand for fitness classes in the future. So again, Rita,
you know, there's similar themes that we heard across some of these measures that we're going to be starting to summarize in terms of our needs assessment, which is the report that we'll be finalizing over the next week or so, and then giving a copy to staff and then you all to see that first kind of half of the
endeavor. Um, so from there, like I mentioned, finalizing that needs assessment this month. Then we'll go into really the strategic implementation planning, which is the capital improvements, acquisitions, program and funding recommendations, really the meat on the
bone of the plan. Um, to have something a draft version to show you all by early February. So, that's where we're at on this schedule. I know that was a lot of new information pretty quickly, but just wanted to leave time if you all had any questions. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Great presentation.
Uh, does anyone on the commission have any questions? Uh, sure. Commissioner Rodriguez. >> Hi. How you doing? Um, so couple questions. The when you posted the acreage there, are you already looking
into the future for example like uh Dr. Price Park that it's going to be a passive through park, but it's still going to become a park. And also Manor Lane once that's all closed. Is that part of that number or >> the number you see on your screen? This
3.6 six does not include those projects. Okay. >> But the number if those projects are included is 5.4. >> Okay. >> So we have done it both ways. We just um you know those are a little bit more hypothetical right now. And so we have
drafted you know just based on what's in your system today. And then we also have a number that includes the 5.4 includes both those efforts the underlyer creek. >> Okay. Um quick who did the evaluation for the
parks rating? >> So the park evaluation is observational and so it depended it's the scores are going to depend on the time and day that you do them. Um I did them along with um my landscape architect's partner. So we visited all the sites both of us. We
have a standardized form that we use across all systems that we work with and it's based off of um project for public spaces. So it's across 32 different criteria in those categories um here. And so again, it's dependent on
the day and time you visit. So we were here in May. School was not in session. It was a weekday, midday approximately when we were here. So these eb and flow a little bit. >> Do you do you interview people at the park or you just do it on your own? uh we just do it on our own but if people
are there and usually people are curious what we're doing we just tell them a little bit about it and we any of the kind of interviews or information we gather from people there are documented as part of the appendix to this project. >> Okay. And my last question would you give us um because I I'm I'm thinking of
the city and and walking and pretty much I mean everywhere that that I can think of you're pretty much five minutes away from a park. So, are you going to give us those locations where they're not? That way, we can focus on those areas. >> Yes. And so, the map here on the top
left, the darkest color blue. Okay. >> That's five minutes. So, you can see that anything white within the city boundary there does not is not within five minutes. >> Um, and then the map right next to it, that's now 10 minutes. So, you can see
that 5 to 10 minute range is where you capture most of your city. And I think also importantly when you start to look at 15 minutes, you know, you're getting into a lot of other jurisdictions and how and I think that's a big thing here. You know, a lot of people drive through
South Miami going to work are near here going to school. How can we also capture visitors as well to increase revenue is something we'll be thinking about as well. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. That map's very
helpful. Obviously, it gives us some strategic ideas of where to potentially put parks. Were there any other questions from the commission? >> Uh, one question, Commissioner Benich. >> I I can't figure out if this captures
the Girl Scouts area that we're that we're taking. >> This does um capture Girl Scouts. Yes. Right across from Palmer Park. Yes. >> Yes. Thanks. And then um also I would be remiss to forget and I almost did forget if it
wasn't for Quinc but um Thursday evening in this room we have a public workshop we will be going through these findings in a little bit more detail and then doing small group activities about really implementing recommendations to help you know bridge the gap between
these and that starts at 6:30. >> All right. Well, thank you again. Thank you very much. And we definitely look forward to Oh, I'm so sorry. Uh, Commissioner Kaya, you have the floor. >> Thank you, Vice Mayor. >> No problem. >> Um, we I didn't see anything too much on the public waterway systems. Is there
any feedback or any remarks on that that we should we we've had different opportunities and capital improvement projects that we've spoken about with the waterway systems and possibly addressing that, but I didn't see anything really addressed with that. Can you can you give us a little bit more
background on that? Yes, definitely. And so waterways was included in one of the three focus groups we did. So in terms of when we were talking about access and connectivity, we included the waterways and some stakeholders around that from the water management district as part of
that conversation to just understand a little bit from their perspective the feasibility as well. And then I think um again in this access map you start to see the importance of the canal as it runs through the city when you're starting to think about that five minute
walk. And so as we move into recommendations, blueways will definitely still be a piece of this. Um but we haven't done anything other than initial conversations with the water management district and stakeholders at this time. >> Thank you. >> Yes. And thank you again. And again, we
we look forward to the next phases of the project. We really appreciate it. >> Of course. Thank you all. >> Thank you. Um quick cleanup item. We have an add-on. Um does is anybody opposed to this or can we make a motion to add it to the agenda?
Any uh a motion? >> Uh add on F1 Serbia item. >> Okay, >> I'll move it. >> A second. >> I'll second. >> All right. Wonderful. Okay. Okay. So, we're going to add that to the end of the resolution. So, it'll be a new kind
of number nine there for your uh recordkeeping. Um, and next up is the approval of the minutes of October 21st. Um, can I have a motion to approve the minutes? >> I'll move the motion. >> Second. >> All right. Uh, the minutes have been
approved and Oh, so we have to vote. My bad. >> Commissioner Cay, >> yes. >> Commissioner Rodriguez, >> yes. >> Commissioner Bonish, >> yes. Vice Mayor Corey. >> Yes. And do we also have to vote for the placerbia item because I don't know if we did that or not to add it. No. Okay.
Great. Thank you. Um All right. So then we'll move on to the city manager report. >> Welcome assistant city manager. >> Thank you. Our parks and rec team in partnership with Interval International is introducing a new community focused
initiative that's aimed at spreading holiday cheer this year to South Miami families. So, for the first time, the city's annual toy giveaway is going to feature home deliveries directly to South Miami Children, delivered by Santa's volunteers. Families who want to participate can register online. They have to register by Sunday the 24th, um,
November 24th, and provide their child's toy preferences. So, we're going to do our best to make sure that the child is going to provide three preferences to provide one of their favorites and a volunteer will deliver it to their doorstep on December 20th between 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Um, I want to say congratulations to South Miami Gregos
Pee-Wee cheerleaders who earned third place and the varsity cheerleaders who captured first place at the Orange Bowl cheer competition. A special shout out to their parents, coaches, the team commissioners for making that all happen. >> Congrats. >> Congratulations. Um, this Friday we have
the city's Thanksgiving giveaway that's happening in the community center. Begins at 6 PM for residents and will go until we run out of supplies on that night. I want to make a note that on the manager's report, there's a November 19th date for uh the ribbon cutting at South Miami Park for the restroom and
concession building, but that's been pushed back to December 11th. So, just a correction on the printed report. And unless there are any questions, I want to bring up Chief Hatfield, who's going to share some information on police staffing and demographics. Thank you. Question. >> Yes, sir. >> Sorry. Go ahead, Commissioner.
>> Sorry. Sorry. Uh, Chief, for the Interval gift drive, are we doing anything to drive >> people to bring gifts to that location? What What can we do to drive more traffic or more gifts to Interval? Is there anything that we can do publicly announce it us ourselves? >> So, they're working in partnership with
us and we're going to have a marketing campaign going out. >> Okay. The parents will register for the gifts that their kids want and we will provide it in partnership with Interval and deliver it straight to the children. So, we weren't getting a great turnout on the toy drive in past years. So, they're trying something new in order to
make sure that kids get what they want and we can go to them. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> And welcome, Chief. >> Good evening, Vice Mayor and Commissioners. Uh I'm pleased to report that the police department remains at full staffing. Uh we are still doing
recruitment efforts for our two part-time positions that were authorized in the current budget year and there are u oral interviews underway for those positions to be filled. As part of that, uh I'm pleased to also announce that and you know nationally uh most police
departments, public safety, but police departments more specifically struggle to meet the demographics of their community that they serve. Uh those specifically the nationally recognized minority communities. Uh, and I'm pleased to announce that we have not
only achieved our demographics, but we have exceeded those demographics within our police department's recruitment efforts. And I applaud our officers uh as well as this commission for all the recruitment uh that has been allowed us to maintain a full staffing for quite a
period of time here. Uh we've planned for our future. Uh we lean forward into it and that's what's keeping us uh at full staffing. the the demographics uh and also include uh 30% of our nearly
30% of our workforce is uh female which nationally is 12% in law enforcement. So many agencies are doing a 30 by30 initiative. We have already achieved it. So I'm I'm pleased to announce that as well. And it's important because
female officers nationally uh use less force, use less excessive force, uh are generally uh less involved in uh internal affairs investigations or complaints
uh as well as uh help with regards to sexual battery investigations. Uh they're seen as more approachable. And again for the demographics piece, you know, representing your community uh and your demographics will also, you know,
break barriers for us in the community. >> Thank you. Any questions? That's all I have. >> Oh, thank you. Any questions? >> I just >> Sorry. We'll do Commissioner Kay first. He had his hand up first. >> Chief, congratulations. I I also wanted to tell the community that we just had
two employees just come on board. Can you talk a little bit about them, who they are, and what they're going to be doing for the community? >> Yes. So, we've had uh two new officers come on board. Uh the the two uh recently graduated the the police academy. One was a homegrown internal uh
communications officer uh and Barbie. And then our second officer, Officer Rosio, uh was recruited again by one of our officers, Officer Barbie, uh in the academy to join our police department. and she was uh recognized at the Miami Dade North College at the School of
Justice for being uh her leadership award. >> Thanks, Chief. Yes, sir. >> Congrats again. >> Uh Commissioner Roz, >> I just wanted to commend um the South Miami police force. Um there was the issue at Kameayor and one of the partners gave me a call and he told me
that nothing but praises to the police force and the detective which was a female. I'm sorry I I don't remember. I don't know uh which one it was, but uh he had nothing but good things to say about it and that the police force and the detectives were amazing.
>> So, I commend the police force on that. >> Thank you, sir. Appreciate it. >> Thank you. And Commissioner Benich, >> I I'm happy to hear that we've got a diverse police force. I don't want that to come at the expense of a qualified police force. So, I think that as a
city, we need to weigh that and make sure that we stay on the right side of it versus the seemingly right side of it. If I I mean, I that doesn't sound right, but I want the best and the brightest, not something to fill a quota. And in addition to that, I I
think we keep our people because we're awesome. Like our police, you know what? I'm biased, I think. But I think you guys do an amazing job and I thank you guys very much for taking care of us. Yes, >> we thank you as well for taking care of us. >> And thank you, Chief. We've seen tremendous growth in our police
department since since you've been here in the recruiting side, especially. So, thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. All right. So, we will move on to the uh city attorney's report. >> Uh no news from the lawyers is good news. All right. Thank you. All right.
So, we will open up to public remarks. If you have not yet, you can sign up in a sheet in the back of the room um to speak. Uh, so anyone who has Oh, actually I don't have that sheet here. >> Want to get it. >> It's coming. It's coming. >> Oh, thank you, Brandon.
Yes. >> Thank you very much. Sorry if I uh butcher anyone's name. First on the list here is Jason Lopez. Jason, name and address for the record, please. >> Jason Lopez, 7730 Southwest 65th Place.
Um, I'd like to follow up on the presentation earlier that promoted the idea of a five minute walk to parks. Uh, I know that you guys have heard me ringing the parks doorbell a lot lately, but it's a great concept and I think that if South Miami could attain such a
level, I think we would be something to really be proud of. Not that we aren't already, but that's like next level stuff. And if we can get to next level stuff, we should. Um, on that note, I know the city's making large investments in landscaping. Um, and I'm here to
encourage you to plant smaller. Uh, there's this notion that larger things is better for, you know, I guess the feeling or whatever it is. But if you go around to some of the projects that have been installed in the last couple years,
those trees still aren't established. And the city made, you know, great expense into planting them. And you can plant five, ten times as many plants with the same amount of money if you planted smaller, much less effort, much
sooner to establish. Um, so we could have a larger canopy, you know, we could have more plants around for less money with less involvement. So I just like to encourage the city to consider concepts like that because if you look around town, everything is planted large, everything's planted big. And when you
think about a plant that's in in a small pot, it's popped bound one time, it's pot. We put in the ground, hurricanes come and we don't have safe trees for south. So if you put things in the ground when the roots are at their youngest phase,
you get the best establishment and we will have the best canopy for less money. Thank you. >> Thank you, Jason. Um, next on the list is Denise Martinez. Name and address for the record, please.
>> Sure. Denise Martinez, 5831 Southwest 83rd Street. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Good evening, Vice Mayor and uh commissioners. I'm actually here for an upcoming uh discussion item, which is the legacy sewer connections. I believe Mayor Fernandez has spoken with all of
you. We are requesting for all of you to please help us with a extension for the rest of the residents that are going to soon be receiving NOR's uh notices of required connections. Anyone who's on a sewer on a septic, excuse me, and is on a legacy sewer line will be receiving
these uh notices. The problem with these notices is they're only giving us 90 days to connect. And unfortunately, uh, for these legacy sewers, when they were installed, there was not the foresight to install sewer laterals. In doing a lot of research for myself and my neighbors who received these letters,
the sewer lateral permitting alone takes 8 to 12 months. So, the 90-day timeline is not only feasible, it's cruel. Not to mention, the costs that are associated with installing a sewer lateral are pretty insurmountable for a lot of us. So, we're asking for your support. um of
the mayor and his request to please uh help us get this extension for the um entire city who's going to be receiving these these north connection letters to give us a lot more time to be able to handle this situation. Thank you. >> Thank you very much, Denise. Um John
Sha. Oh, sorry. >> Mayor. >> Yes, sure. >> So, uh just just to let you know, city manager, public works, all of us are well aware what's going on. We're working on it. We understand how long ago that used happened. So, I know the whole city's involved and we're all
getting helping out. So, we we'll get some feedback. >> Thank you. Um John Shaw, >> I feel this is backwards. Uh had I, you know, if I was speaking before Denise, I would be the little band that's opens for the headliner. And so, she's done a
lot of work. coming. We appreciate her as a neighbor, but there are three of us in a row, actually four of us on our block that are going through this. And uh Diane and I are retired. I'm a retired teacher. She's retired nurse. Uh we've got we got financial stuff going
on. Our son uh has been fighting um uh melanoma for my multiple myoma, sorry, since June uh June of this year. We've been out there. We've we've also helped him financially. So you know this is our is this is our issue this is our thing
that we have to do but it's a personal thing and it's I think all of us are looking at the impact of the financial cost here and the timeline at which we have to go I got to say that when we talk to the county things have been curt
things have not been helpful we have not gotten we've gotten a letter that doesn't tell us much except 90 days and then when does the axe fall then or what happens to you and it's really not the way government should be handled. So, uh we we appreciate a warm hand from you
guys. Uh we're in a community. This is the the the town of Pleasant Living, you know. We just appreciate what you can do for us. Thank you. >> Thank you very much, John. Um I apologize in advance to Leani Pador.
>> Okay, I got the first name. Hi, my name is Len Patter, the 5851 Southwest 83rd Street. >> This is the 83rd Street gang right here. >> And I concur with what Denise said and
what John saw Shaw said. This uh 90day process by December. My I have my uh certified letter right here. You have within 90 days to respond
by way was by I mean by the end the beginning of December. Really? And you they say here you have to hire your own engineer, get your own plumbing surveys. It doesn't seem reasonable to me. And
again, I've lived here for close to 50 years now. I have worked in the court system. I was out of the Air Force. And I really appreciate your attentiveness to this problem
because it is a problem and anything y'all can do for us, it's greatly appreciated. >> I love my neighbors and I love this house right after. >> Thanks. >> Um yeah, and and just to let you guys know, this discussion items occurring immediately after a public comment, so
you won't have to wait too long. You're welcome. All right. Uh Lee Jacobs is next on the list. Good evening everyone. Lee Jacobs, 6860 Southwest 77 Terrace. Um uh I live in a
neighborhood where the lots are small. It was like I think it was zoned for shotgun houses and you could buy two or three lots. So they're close together, you know, 60 feet or so. So the house next door to
me sold for over a million dollars. And it's not a tear down. They gutted it. And so for a week there were uh set dumpsters coming. They tore out the walls. They tore up the concrete,
jackhammered it, and took seven dumpsters away in that week. And my wife called the city to see what they would allow. And we found out that the ordinance says they can work 5 days a week from 7 till 6:00 p.m. No work on weekends.
And on Saturday that week, a cement truck came and started pumping concrete at 8:00. We called code enforcement and the police. The police arrived about 45 minutes later and the poor was complete when the police arrived. So the
policeman said, "Well, they don't know the law. We don't do anything." And I'm fine with that. Uh but the thing was the um the officer told us that he would file a report to code enforcement. So next week I called code enforcement to
see if they got a report and they didn't. And I asked code enforcement if there was a building permit at the house and I never got an answer to that. Never called me back. So I called the
mayor about four times and he got the inspector to come and he shut it down. And what I want to know is there a standing order for the police to not get involved in code enforcement?
>> Are they probably they're not right. >> Yeah. If you want, I could direct the the question to the city attorney >> through the vice mayor. Uh >> the city police does not it's not a code enforcement board. They enforce criminal
laws. >> You're right. Okay. So, I understand that. But could they file file a complaint so that code enforcement would be notified to act on it? >> They can pass along the complaint. Yeah, that that would help. But if they aren't
going to do it or if they don't want to or they're too busy, why don't you hire another code enforcement officer to be on duty for Saturdays? Because Saturdays is when the chainsaws come out, when everything happens and nothing can be
done. I hope some of you will work on that. There's a a space on weekends where they can do anything they want. And it's about money. So if you can get something done on Saturday, a five, six
day week is better. And there is an ordinance. It's a noise ordinance, I found out. And uh a cement truck with a pump is too much noise. There's nothing you can do about it. So you made the law, but it doesn't work. Do you
understand? So what could you do about it? >> Thank you. We could we could definitely take it into consideration. Maybe we can discuss it in our commission comments as well. >> Okay. Thank you. That's >> appreciate it, Lee. >> All right. And um I can't quite see um
everybody on Zoom, but does anybody on Zoom have their virtual hand raised or would anybody like to speak? >> Anyone on Zoom? >> Looks like Stefan Le. Uh >> Stefan Le, you're you're recognized. >> Please unmute yourself.
Stephan, please unmute yourself. >> Hello. Can you hear me? >> There you go. Go ahead. >> Hello, my name is Stefan Leo. I'm 14931 and 164 Terrace. Um, I'm a concerned citizen regarding the uh South Miami Park tree planting project. I'm a
certified arborist and own a plant nursery. My kids play a lot of soccer and I spent a lot of time at this park. We've been particularly happy with the upgrades that have been provided to the park in the recent years. So, we thank you guys for that. The plans for this project require these
trees to be graded Florida fancy. Based on my experience in the nursery industry, the prices given by the contractor seem inadequate to provide the city with the DBH, height, and spread of the trees being proposed in the documents. One example would be the pigeon plum.
The specifications for this tree is 4 in DBH, 16 ft tall, and a spread of 10 ft. I've confirmed with multiple local nurseries that the cost to purchase these trees with these requirements are roughly $2,000 to $3,000 each. This does
not include installation or delivery. The contractor has quoted to furnish and install these trees at $1,200 each. There are multiple trees on the plant schedule that have seem to have a similar problem. I'd just like to request that prior to the board award the contract. Please
confirm the contractor in writing that these trees being installed will meet the requirements as outlined in the plans and that the trees being installed will not be substituted with lesser requirements or a different type of tree. Thank you guys for your time.
>> Thank you Stephan. And I'd be happy to pull that item just to have that question answered when it comes up. I believe it's uh number one. Yeah, number one. So it'll be our first resolution that we read. But thank you very much, Juan. Appreciate it. Um, is there I know some uh people just arrived here. Was
there anybody who did want to speak? You can sign up and still come up and speak. Otherwise, we can close public. Oh, go ahead. >> Real quick for for the record. Javier Avenue with the law firm Bills and Sunberg. There's an item uh a first reading ordinance item. I don't know if you prefer that I speak at that time.
When that item comes up, it's probably more appropriate. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. So, seeing no other further comment, uh we will close um public comment and move on um to Oh, I got a
little lost here. Are we on um >> discussion item? >> Discussion. Oh, yeah, of course. Yes, the discussion item that everybody came here for. All right, great. Uh Alex, actually, if you don't mind coming up and teeing this off for us, it' be great. Thank you. Uh, Vice Mayor, while
Alex is coming up to share a little bit of the background and the work that he's been doing on this, I wanted to uh put forward uh two things that the mayor certainly intended uh this board to consider as as a way to maybe facilitate some assistance um of this. Again, the
this situation is is not related to our current septic sewer project. These are uh projects that were done some back 25 years ago. Um Mayor Fernandez wanted to put forward a couple items. Uh Miss Martinez alluded to one of them was uh that potentially the city could assist
in an application to ask the environmental quality control board, the QCB at the county to provide a a three-year extension. Uh so that was one ask that that he was going to present to you. And certainly the second thing he would look for uh support from the commission would be um that we would
assist and identify any funds that could assist a homeowner with the issue of lateral installation. Um, so those are two items for your consideration when you're deliberating. Uh, I'll certainly allow Alex to give you a background because he he got engaged and involved in this matter, has been assisting and troubleshooting with Miami date county.
>> All right. Thank you. And Alex, you're recognized. >> Thank you. Alex Moz, director of public works. Uh, the manager gave a great overview of what's going on there and what the solutions are. Uh, we have been in touch with Miss Martinez and uh, she has been a great advocate, let me say, for herself and for her neighbors. I I
will admit I've worked with a lot of people over the years and she like knows this issue. She knows it better than than we do. Uh so the the good news is we have been in in in communications with Durm. Uh and they're very very willing to cooperate the county environmental, you know, agency. Uh as
you've heard, there is a requirement to connect when the sewer lines are in. Uh the manager alluded to the years. It looks like these lines were late 90s, probably 1999. Uh and then recently there was a trigger. There's some work being done on on one of the lines, somebody connecting. So, the department
went out and looked at the greater area and found some residents that had not connected. Uh, overall, actually, it appears, at least a preliminary review, it appears that there's about 169 properties uh in the city proper that what might be in the same situation
where they would have to connect. Doesn't mean they're all under enforcement. Doesn't mean they all have a letter. They're at different, you know, varying uh levels of having been communicated with by communicated with by the county. Uh in the case of of of these folks, there's also no lateral there. So, uh technically, they would
have to do work in the rightway. Uh that's just the way the systems were put in back then without lateral. So, there's a line, but they don't have lateral. So, they got to do the work on their own property plus on the on the public property. Uh so, we're working. The good news is I was actually uh meeting with the department yesterday and they're working with us on uh doing
exactly what the the manager described and the mayor had described in terms of appealing on their behalf. and we're talking about a time frame for that that would allow for sufficient uh time for folks to prepare. Uh our exemption doesn't uh uh prohibit applying for an exemption doesn't prohibit anyone else
from extending it further or going on their own even when that one would expire potentially uh in the future. So I will tell you, you know, having uh knowing these folks, they're they're very willing to work with us and they understand the difficulty that the current code imposes. the way it's written uh just requires that connection
and the 90 days is not something they came up with and they did receive I saw the letters they received those letters but the like I said we met with them and they're very willing to work with us on that extension and uh uh making it a good period of time uh that's not 90 days it's definitely a lot more than 90
days to allow for uh this issue to be dealt with. >> Thank you very much. And uh before we open up discussion amongst ourselves does anyone have questions for staff? Uh, Commissioner Rodriguez, >> uh, director. So, do we know what the
the cost implication is to the resident? >> No, it depends, right? Everybody property is going to be different. You got to get a a plumbing permit. You got to go to W water and sewer, get an allocation letter. Uh, so you got to get also approval from water and sewer. You got to pay the fees. So, there's design involved. You hire have to hire a
contractor. There's a lot involved that goes into this. So, no, it'll be different for every property. >> Correct. Um and if uh for the public for the public space um obviously then we we would have to figure out what the cost would be
times 169. >> Uh yeah, if we were to pursue something on the as the manager mentioned and the mayor had mentioned about pursuing a grant then yes we would have to get an idea >> but it would be you know it's it's a we have to figure out how to approach it right because it's private property plus it's the public property side
>> to figure out how people want to do it. Some folks are going to want to do it themselves. Maybe someone say I don't want to do anything, right? If somebody if there's another way of dealing with that, but it typically is a private property matter. But >> and my last question is how how does it look so far in your discussions with the county as far as getting the extension?
>> They they were very positive. I mean ultimately it goes to the board, the EQCB, the environmental quality control board. Ultimately it goes to them but with a recommendation from the department. So that's important that you know the specifically the Durham director provides a recommendation. Uh so that that would you know something
that we're working with together it's going to make it a lot better. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Um and I believe uh Commissioner Benich was next and then we'll go to Commissioner Cay. >> Oh uh just if you don't mind just letting us uh get through these initial questions and then
>> Right. Right. We I I can't speak for the I can't speak for the department. Obviously, it's a different entity, but that's they understand if there's an appeal, they're not going to pursue those fines, and they haven't done that in the past just based on past practice. >> All right. Thank you. And then, uh, Commissioner Benich.
>> Okay. Just so that people who may be listening, watching, whatever, can you explain what the difference is between what we're doing right now, which I believe the tube is running straight down the street and it's got all these little things, so you just have to hook up your house to what's there,
>> right? Is it I understand but I'm I'm asking the director if we could please just let the conversation happen this way. >> Thank you. >> So yeah the project that we're doing now uh on in for it's a septic to sewer project uh there in the south part of South Miami or Donte Facel Park for
those of you that may may not know uh for in the audience is the the city is putting in a septic to sewer conversion project. In this case, we are doing the laterals as the city. So, the property owners only have to come to the property line and connect. In the case of these
1999 lines, it appears as if the laterals are not there. So, that's where I mentioned there was an extra burden uh for those homeowners because you have the lateral issue. Uh which that's the importance of finding a grant or some way of resolving that would be great. >> And was that common during the time that
that was done? >> Yes. Apparently, yes. There wasn't a requirement at the time to do the laterals. >> Okay. So then in in fairness, I'm asking him these questions because I think everybody more than just you guys should know this information. So the way the sewer runs, you've got a big thing over
here. Then every street has a line that comes down. They have a line that comes down, but nothing that opens up that line to their home. >> Okay. So we would be looking at kind of a a double whammy for the people that had this done in the 90s that didn't
connect in the last 20 something years, >> right? >> Do we know if within the last 20some years has it just been dormant from the county and all of a sudden, you know, it just like with, you know, like the business taxes and all these other things that all of a sudden one person
does and it's like fury, >> right? So they the way they it's been described to us and Miss Martinez knows because she's received those emails and asked the questions. She asked them before I did actually uh which is what triggered this and so there was uh a
local uh home that connected and so when they were going through that process they looked at the greater area. So what Durham has explained what the folks there have explained to us is exactly that when they get applications or something in the area that triggers a a greater review they'll look at the greater area. The part that we're still
trying to figure out is and and we asked those questions both of us together is why are some folks getting it and others not getting it? Because as I mentioned earlier, there'sund and apparently 169 properties. >> Yeah. Because if they've never gotten any notice whatsoever from when that line was shot down their street,
>> right? >> You know, I know that in in West Miami, and I and I say this all the time, it's just because I grew up there, so I lived it. >> Residents had a certain amount of time that they had to comply So the the line went down your street
and you had to come hook or crook connect within I'm going to make up a number three years you had to have the connection done. So did that happen here at all? Does any or did they just get essentially ignored until this thing kicked it off? Do we know?
>> So some folks would have connected on their own. I don't know. We don't know if there was any prior enforcement. Haven't seen that. Uh so some folks would have connected on their owns and others just never got noticed. That's the part that's hard to understand because it's been so long. >> 1999. >> Okay. And then lastly, I'm sorry I'm
taking all the time. >> Um, when we say we're looking at grants and what have you, we're talking about grants to cover their private costs >> potentially. That's what a grant would be for. Yes. uh co un unrelated to this
when we were just talking in our one of our regular grants meetings a few weeks ago we did see a grant exactly for this type of activity so it looks like some of that this does exist out there but yeah it would be for homeowners probably I'm I'm speculating so we'd have to see
exactly how the grant program works but probably for the homeowners to benefit from the grant if the city applies that's the one that we saw >> okay thank you >> thank you and uh commissioner Kai director. Um, out of the 169 homes, do we know how many are connected already?
>> No, those are the ones that would have to connect. >> So, all 169 have not been connected besides the one that triggered it, let's say. Right. >> Correct. >> Is that what we're assuming here? >> About Yeah. The universe is uh that are not connected. >> 169. >> Yeah. Based on the research that they did and they're doing this research countywide, not just for us,
>> but it looks like there's about 169. I have to We just got the list. I want to vet it to make sure it's accurate, but that was the number. Yes. So what we're saying is that in the 1999 there was a lateral that ran right across the street but there was no Y to connect to the actual houses themselves or to the to the to the property line itself.
>> Correct. To the property line. >> Okay. Um for the board meeting, can we uh provide a letter from the city urging them to approve this so they can get an extension on? Is that something that we can do as a city? Maybe I'm asking the attorney or city manager on what we can
do as a as collectively as a commission to write a letter or give our support to our community. >> I think I think what uh we would uh intend to do uh if that's a direction that we would apply um uh on behalf uh and and by virtue of that obviously
that's you know signal support right if if the city but we need to kind of drill down on that as to what the mechanism is. Can we do it holistically for all those residents as a city? uh or support them individually. We gota but we would uh signal our support obviously
>> and my and yeah to the manager's point about holistically that was our my conversation with the department was exactly that was us applying on their behalf. They were very open to doing exactly that and getting the connection exemption for x number of years. >> Okay. Yeah. >> So I I'll I'll I'll move for that and
hopefully our colleagues will will all get together for that. But uh last question and this is more for our residents. Um, I just did a lateral in a property that I own as well and it was slightly difficult, right? Uh, the process of getting a survey, getting civil plans,
uh, having a connection from the sewer that I I had to deal with Coral Gables that at that moment and Miami day water sewer. So, it was very complicated. I understand what you guys and I know how much I paid. Um, saying that, I'm also on the board of the Green Corridor. If
you guys are not aware what the green corridor is a PACE program. So when we get down the pipeline and we have to figure out how to make on our side do which I believe we should or somebody with the county or the or wasa um once we provide the laterals the connection
opportunities whether it's cash whether it's a loan from a bank or if we use uh the PACE programs that is a tax initiative that's on your tax basis. Um and so we can use Y green. There's a whole bunch of different systems that are out there that they'll pay for you
that use the contractors and it just goes on your tax lean. Um when you sell it, it gets paid off or you pay it off little by little. Just so you guys know, there is opportunities out there. Um and if you guys want, uh I'm talking to the public. If you guys want to reach out to me, we can talk about that because I am on the board and I understand all the
different opportunities there. So, let's just get the ball started to make sure that we understand who's affected, how we can make the extensions, and then figure out how we're going to connect the laterals and then help you guys out on actual making the connection, the private connection to it. Um, I think
it's worth it. Um, I think it's environmentally friendly. We're all big supporters of that here on the commission of of septic to sewer. Um, so luckily, it's already there. We just got to figure out how to connect it and with your patience, we'll make sure we'll get there. >> Yes. And if I may through the chair is
um we will reach out based on I'm anticipating your your action uh based on on today we'll reach out to the department and the resident's concerns about the fines and you know letting them know we'll be pursuing this so they can uh obviously put a stay on that. >> Right. Thank you. And I and I do believe
we have uh a majority of the commission in support of uh supporting the extension. Is that right? >> Okay. So what uh what type of direction any other details in that direction that you require? >> No. >> Yeah. >> Unless the attorney has something else. >> Just to clarify, you're what you're
saying is that you would want the city to to explore applying to the EQCB to to obtain the extension. >> Yeah. Well, >> or simply to support their their request for an extension. >> Yeah. I think that Oh, sorry. >> Vice Mayor.
>> Oh, go ahead. Go ahead. Um, as the director said, I think I think I mean it's it's our responsibility to protect our residents and we should apply and through through us for for them. That's that's my view and you know show the county that we're in support of our
residents to give an extension. I think 90 days is crazy to just throw this on people especially during the holiday season. >> Yeah. >> I mean that's >> is there is that cringe? >> Yeah. >> Go ahead to Tony's question. And I just want to reiterate that the mayor u had
asked me to relay you know his message as to he would hope that um the commissioner would support us applying >> on behalf of so I just want to share that that's exactly what he would put forward if he was here that we would submit an application on behalf of >> All right.
>> So do we I I'll move the motion to we do I just want a quick question. >> Well I I don't uh sorry go ahead commissioner guy quick question. >> So uh Mr. Mr. Attorney, do we is there other options that we can provide? I'm sure I'm sure the mayor already worked on this a lot already, but is is there
any other options that we can do besides applying on on their behalf that might be more beneficial? That might be more I I don't know. I'm just asking because I don't know that process. >> Yeah, it's a good question. Unfortunately, the law is that they have to connect within 90 days of having it available. I mean, that's just what the
law is. We would have to seek a variance of that, which is how you get an extension. We did it uh recently with sub area K. We did it a year and a half ago. >> Um actually even a year ago or so. Yeah. Um and we were able to to get some time uh for our residents there. This is
slightly different just because it's been in place for so long, but it would I I think it's it's a it's a doable request. Um that's this is the most efficient way. The only the only other option would be to change the law. >> Okay. Got it. >> Yeah. And uh sorry, just we we have
applied that direction. Did anybody have any questions about that in particular in in terms of supporting? Because there is a second um question that the that the mayor had which was if we would be um willing to also go out for grant money for this as well or to apply for
grant money for this. >> Yeah. And and now we would have to do a little bit more work to to identify what that is and how it would look and so we can certainly share uh as we take a look at opportunity share that with you further. But I think in concept it was like if that was an interest in pursuing that that was a second mayor's ask
>> and and I sorry I believe commissioner Bonich had a question too. >> I I have a clarific question for clarification and then I just have a comment for the Alex Munoz in the back. Um the
question is I think that we need to be careful when we're having this conversation because we're t we're talking about the tea and the private property at the same time when this was done the city was not responsible for
that tea connection. So I I think without knowing what that cost implication is, we have to be very careful with our words so that we don't end up in a position where we have promised something that we do not know that we can deliver. So I think that
acting prudently would be in everyone's best interest. I say, you know, we ask for that extension and then, you know, together, whatever, however it gets done, we understand what we should be responsible for based on what the
reality of the situation is versus what we would maybe like to do and then what the homeowner would then be responsible for. And then to the director, I say again, the city of West Miami did this and they
did it in a much different way than what I am seeing happened here. The city of West Miami actually helped their residents. There was an entire program in place and I I urge you to call their public works because there's probably still people there that were there at
that time. Um, and ask them how they did it because it was more of a one-stop shop. They didn't have to go to the water. They didn't have to go to here. they didn't have to go to all these all these things. It all was one package. So, it was a very interesting way of doing that. So, I suggest just just
reach out to them because they might have words of wisdom. >> We can definitely look into that. Your your comments are right about the laterals first of all. We'll look into that. I was just describing the process of a typical connection and I also I left out abandon the septic tank which is the last part of the process. >> Thank you. and Commissioner Rodriguez.
>> Um, I don't know if this is a question uh for the uh city manager for the city attorney, but I think so what the mayor proposed. I I I agree with both, but I think we should put them as two separate items. So, the important part right now is to get the 90-day extension so the
residents can feel comfortable that they're not being pressured by the city. And Miss Martinez, right? I mean, you said it right. just getting the W was permit alone is going to take more six months probably. So I would say we do that part first getting the extens
working on on their extension and then bringing back the item I guess as far as going for the grant and all that you know once you have more information on the on the on what needs to be done for them. >> Yeah. So I I like that. Could would the board agree to a direction uh uh that
basically states, you know, uh we would like to apply for them and support the extension and have you come back to us with um grant opportunities and how that would be split up based on more information that we could gather.
>> Is that is that acceptable to everybody? >> Okay, great. And and just for a point of clarification, if I may, Vice Mayor, yeah. Is we'll be seeking more than a 90-day extension. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Three year. Well, three year. >> Do do >> I think that's fair. >> We'll see what they're willing to support, but yes, that that would be a
goal. >> Sorry. >> Yeah. Sure. >> We We're giving our residents five years, right, on the septic to sewer. >> Yes. >> So, I mean, we should >> Yeah. I just want I just wanted to make sure that it's going to definitely be more than 90 days. >> Okay. >> All right. Great. Thank you very much. And and thank you everybody for coming.
Uh uh I'm I'm sorry that you're going through this. We're supporting you as best as we can. >> Thank you very much. >> Um next is to the uh board and committee appointments. Uh I believe there's a board appointment from Mayor Fernandez. If we could just read that into the
record, please. >> Yes. Monica Soo Rodriguez has been appointed by Mayor Fernandez to the green task force for a two-year term ending November 18, 2027. Erica Hubs has been appointed by Mayor Fernandez to the Historic Preservation
Board for a two-year term ending November 18, 2027. >> Thank you very much. Um, moving on to the consent agenda items. I was going to see if anybody wanted to discuss anything, but we did get a comment um from public hearing on consent agenda
item one. I was curious as city manager if you had um any details on that that we might want to discuss or >> Yeah, vice mayor. What what I would say is obviously the the item um u the vendor would have to perform as
specified. Uh so obviously that's something that the department would monitor as far as their project. So there's specs that they have to uh abide by and so uh we would ensure that they would stay within those specs. >> Okay. Thank you. And uh is that satisfactory for everybody? Do does
anybody want to discuss a consent agenda item one or two? Okay. Uh could I have a motion to approve? >> Read them. >> I think yeah to read them in the record. Sorry. >> Yes. Item one, a resolution of the mayor city commission of the city of South Florida selecting and awarding a
contract to V Engineering Corp. for a new tree planted in amount of $84,50 together with a $10,000 contingency for a total project cost and amount not to exceed $94,50 pursuant to invitation to bid number
PR206-01. Item two, a resolution of the mayor and city commission of the city of South Florida approving a change order pursuant to contract for construction with Mario's Painting and Construction Inc. for Gibson Belta Community Center floor replacement and miscellaneous
maintenance project in amount um $18,73344. >> Thank you very much. Uh and do we have a motion to approve those items? >> Move the motion. I'll move the motion for both for >> All right. Thank you.
>> Okay. Commission Ambonish. >> Sorry, I was discombobulated. Yes. >> Commissioner Cay. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Cory. >> Yes. >> Does the agenda pass 4 Z? >> All right. Uh, thank you. And, um, uh, I
was thinking maybe we could take some of these items out of order, uh, to address some of the, uh, people in the audience here. Um, which one? Oh, sorry. Um, six and seven. Uh, we Yeah, we have a we have a public hearing
for that, but the applicant wishes to defer. Um, would we be able to open up the public hearing to see if anybody wishes uh to speak on that item? >> If I may, we should we should not open the public hearing. If people want to speak, um, they'll they're going to have to come back. The the application wasn't
quite ready. Okay. >> We should see if there's anyone in the audience first. >> Okay. Is there anyone in audience here for items six and seven? >> Okay, >> great. >> So, yeah. Uh uh would anybody like to make a motion to defer these items?
>> We need >> It would be a deferral to a date certain to December 2nd. >> December 2nd. >> I'll move that. >> I'll second. >> All right. To December 2nd for both items. >> No, both six and seven. Yeah. >> Okay.
Um, Commissioner Monish, >> yes. >> Commissioner Cay, >> yes. >> Commissioner Rodriguez, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Corey, >> yes. >> Both items defer to December 2nd. >> All right. And, um, uh, Mr. City
Attorney, is it okay if we took 9 and 11 together? >> Uh, yes. Was it two? So many me. >> Yes. >> Yes. Yes. >> All right. >> Uh, I think Hang on. I believe it's >> eight. >> Eight. >> Eight. Sorry. Eight and 11. Yeah, no worries. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, we need to we need to do eight
first. >> Okay. >> As long as we do it in that order. >> Okay. Perfect. >> But the public hearing can serve. >> All right. >> Yes. Item eight. A resolution of the mayor city commission of the city of South Florida holding the second public meeting required under section 255.065
065 for 3 C Florida statues and making the public interest determination to proceed with the unsolicited proposal from Somi Podel Center LLC for a podal center on the rooftop of the city of South Municipal Parking garage
authorizing the and directing the city manager to proceed with negotiation of a comprehensive agreement for the project. >> Thank you very much. And uh Mr. City attorney, if you don't mind uh giving some background on this. Sure. Sure. Thank you, Mr. Vice Mayor. The um so the
item number eight before you is the uh the public interest determination item. You had the first public meeting at the last commission meeting two weeks ago. Uh you are now having the second public meeting under section 255.0653C. uh in order to make the public interest
determination. Uh your the recital in your resolution uh detail what those benefits are as does the memo. Uh there's been a public interest analysis in accordance with the statute and uh benefits to the public have been identified including the benefits
themselves, the financial structure and economic efficiencies to be achieved by the proposal, the qualifications and experience of the private entity that is submitting the proposal um and their ability to perform the project, the project's compat compatibility with surrounding infrastructure and uh any
public comments that that were advanced at the first public meeting which there were none. So, uh that is what is before you. Um it is a public meeting. You should probably uh take any comment if there happens to be any comment. Um and if you have any questions, we can answer those.
>> Thank you. Uh this is now open to public hearing for anyone who would like to speak. All right. Seeing no uh no one in the public uh speaking, uh does the commission wish uh to discuss this item? Oh. Uh, is there anybody on Zoom who
would like to speak as well? >> Please raise your virtual hand. >> Seeing no one on Zoom, uh, would the commission like to discuss this item? >> Okay. Uh, >> no. Uh, no. This is this is the second
resolution. It's it's so it's it's a new resolution, but it's the same concept as before. I would ask that if there is a motion and you want to move forward that you that the motion include uh that you've evaluated the public interest factors um and that you determine it to be in the public interest and that you
uh direct the city manager to proceed with this uh w with uh the negotiations as an unsolicited proposal without bidding the item. >> Well, that's a mouthful for a motion. Who wants to take that one? >> Um >> what he said.
>> Okay. If if I may um really quick through the vice mayor. >> Yeah, no problem. >> Um to the city Well, >> yeah. >> To the city. If I if I recall correct, the last time we read this, there were three options as far as like the the fee structure. So, we ended up we ended up
going with the 18,000 for the use of the five courts or the 15% >> uh whichever greater. >> Commissioner, that's going to be the next item which is comes right after this. >> Okay. >> Yeah. And we can get into that. >> Okay. This is really about the direction to the manager to move to proceed with the process.
>> Then I I'll move the motion to proceed with the item. >> Okay. Any second? >> I'll second. >> All right. >> Um, Commissioner Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Cay. >> Yep. >> Commission Monique. >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Corey. >> Yes. >> Item pass 4 Z.
>> Wonderful. And if we could move to item 11 as well so that we can um wrap up the pedal issues. >> Yes. Item 11. An ordinance of the mayor and city commission of the city of South Florida approving and authorizing a franchise and comprehensive agreement with Sony Padel Center LLC pursuant to
section 255.065 for the statutes for Pedel Center on the rooftop of the city of South Municipal Parking Garage providing for the required statuto findings and authorization prior to execution of the comprehensive agreement.
>> Thank you very much. This is also a public hearing item. Anyone who would like to speak, uh, please come to the podium or raise your virtual hand. Seeing no one, we'll close the, um, public speaking. Would the commission like to discuss this item?
>> Uh, >> so I believe Mr. Rodriguez had a question about the fee structure. >> So, and I apologize because on a in the analysis report, it shows that fee structure. So, it's also on 11. So I that's that was the confusion but so that's the one that at the end of the
day we move forward to go with or we're voting on that now. >> So you what you are voting on now is the first reading of two readings of the actual uh entering into an agreement and on the form of the agreement. And the form of the agreement to answer your
question um it's it's the greater of an $18,000 a month flat free or 15% of gross revenues. >> Okay. That's what that's what is in there. All right. Um and then there there is one additional item I just want to bring to your attention that is not
in your agreements. You guys had all seen the agreement up to now. Uh the uh mayor wanted to introduce a termination for convenience uh after three years. So um I would ask the the uh if the applicant has any if
the proposer has anything to say on that. Yeah. uh with a notice provision of uh some amount of time either whether it's 90 days, 120 days or 180 days. >> Good evening uh commissioners uh Mr.
Manager. Uh obviously we would like to have uh uh enter into a negotiation period where we discuss this. Um you know we feel that just as we're kind of doing this in public which probably is the right way to do it but we feel that three is a little bit limiting. Um, we
do understand that you want to preserve the opportunity to have access to your parking as the city grows. And so I think we're pretty close on this. And so as we cross tonight's hurdle and we enter into negotiations, I think this is
something that will be hammered out. >> So are we comfortable uh including that or leaving it off till second reading? >> I I I think three years is a little tight. I mean you got to give them some time to Bro, I don't >> what I would ask is for direction
generally and then we we can uh the manager can enter into negotiations >> with a proposal and bring you back on second reading. >> If if we just are granted the direction then we can have this negotiation and I appreciate your sentiment. >> Um
>> uh Commissioner Benich. >> Thank you. I I think if we leave it on at three on paper right now and start that as as where we have our conversation, we're better than having nothing in there. So I I would go with having three seems like they're okay
having that in there to begin negotiations. We will be seeing this again. So hopefully we'll see something that works for everyone at the second goround, but at least this gets the ball rolling in in that direction.
So I'm I'm fine with that to open up negotiations. Are you as well, >> Commissioner? Okay. >> So then um yeah, can I entertain a a motion then to approve with that >> with that change three years with 180 days of notice? Yeah. As of right now
and then we'll we'll enter into those. >> So I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm >> the change is to three years, but what is it currently right now? >> It is there is no termination for there is no termination. >> This would introduce a termination for convenience option. >> Okay. uh available to the city after three years um according to what we're
discussing right now um with 180 days notice before we would before the termination is effective >> and if we uh city manager I believe you >> yeah just thank you vice mayor just to add a little bit of color because the the the u the reason for it and the mayor had brought back he had spoken to
me is obviously this is a parking garage it was intended to be used as a parking garage uh we had delayed activation of the rooftop while we were doing the parking study and analyzing, you know, what's coming. Um, and so, and so that provision is for that reason that that we would have an ability in in in some
time. Obviously, I think there's an appreciation to to allow to recover the investment. Uh, but that there would be a time period where we have that ability in the event that we see that things are hopefully if we if we need it, that's a good sign. Um, and and that's the background behind this particular term
with enough notice provision that that would u allow that to happen. So, I just want to add some additional color to that. Okay. Thank you. And Commissioner Mech. >> Commissioner Rodriguez, is there another number you'd be more comfortable putting in there? Are you okay with starting at
three? Because you're not looking. Okay. >> No. >> You're like, >> "No, no. I'm just thinking. Okay. I'm good to move it forward to start negotiations." >> Okay. >> All right. Wonderful. Thank you. Uh, so did we already have a motion? No. No.
>> I'll move it. I'll second it. >> All right. Thank you very much. Uh uh >> we have to >> Commissioner Cayenne. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Bonish. >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Corey. >> Yes. >> Item passes 4 through
>> and thank you very much for >> Thank you, Commissioners. And thank you, Mr. Manager. >> Great. >> Yeah. Number nine. Right. Yeah. >> Um and we'd like to call number nine, right? Yeah. Number nine, please. because I believe we have some people here for that item.
>> Item nine in the ordinance of the mayor city commission of the city of South Florida amending sections 20-8.2 20-8.3 20-8.4 and 20-8.8 of article 8 transit supported development district of the land development code to revise
regulations relating to student housing. >> Thank you very much. Um this is also a public hearing item. So, anyone who'd like to speak, please come to the podium or raise your virtual hand. >> Well, yeah, I believe I >> uh you >> would you like me to have staff?
>> Is Mr. Alvarez >> is Mark >> nearby? If not, I can give a synopsis. >> Yeah, >> he's here. Okay, >> he's here looking for him. >> We're just waiting on the staff update. Should we move on to another item maybe?
>> Okay. We just too. >> Yeah. >> Oh, there he >> is. >> Oh, okay. Great. >> Come on down, Mark. >> Good evening. Um, has it been introduced already? >> Oh,
>> okay. The item's been introduced. >> Uh, yeah. Has it was it read into the record? Did you read it? >> Oh, it was. That's right. Yeah. >> Oh, >> okay. Sorry, I'm I'm late. >> We have a presentation. So, this is for the student housing ordinance first
reading. And as soon as we're on, so this is for um first reading of student housing as a as a differentiated use or residential use in the TSDD. Is there something wrong
with it? That's not There's parts of it that I'm missing. Okay. Well, that's not good. Um so the reasons why are to address the demand for student housing which we find living near University of M Miami that we do
have a large demand for student housing. Um we have the ideal place for students to live being next to the transit station the metro rail station. We provide additional users to support mobility alternatives from the beginning in the downtown. We want to establish a
large number of a high density of people in the downtown to support the businesses to support transit to support other mobility alternatives. Very often when we try to have other mobility alternatives, transit or anything else, we don't have enough people who use it.
The idea that we could introduce a large body of young people who are more willing, more adaptable to those would be something that we want to do. And finally, we look at this as a we've had a lot of discussions about student housing within the neighborhoods of South Miami. This is instead of a
restrictive approach, this is a supply side approach. In other words, we would provide the supply of appropriate student housing for um for that demand. And hopefully we would relieve the neighborhoods by doing that of the amount of student housing that's
happening in the houses in our neighborhoods. What student housing is is um basically it's a co-living arrangement so that we would have um apartments basically that are geared towards students having
multiple more rooms than is typically found in apartments market rate apartments and it would still have all the facilities would have a kitchen and bathroom um and bedrooms and a shared living room. One of the key differences would be that um that of course it would
be rented by the room. So, we have a few goals in creating this ordinance. It's it's a little bit more than just establishing the use. We wanted to establish it as something that's different from regular residential. We want to have criteria to establish it in
a way that we can say this is student housing and we enforce it in a way that it stays student housing. We want to limit the location of student housing. We have concerns about it being a more intense use. We want that use, but we want to locate it carefully so that we don't impact the neighborhoods. And we
have to establish residential density. Um, one of the things we'll discuss tonight is how we establish residential density for student housing. It is um a little bit different and we have again it's a it's going to be a little more intense. It has more students, more
unrelated people per apartment than would be typically u expected in multif family residential. Um, we would like to also regulate vehicle parking. That will be a lot of discussion tonight too. It's it's a little bit it's a different situation than we find in multif family
residential. I am so sorry. Um, uh, we would require also the provision of bicycle parking. Again, we're looking at the alternatives for mobility and we know that we would establish a type of residential use that has younger people who are more willing to uh, use those
alternatives. Excuse me. Um, so the definition in in section 20-8.2 and 20-8.4, we have we have established a definition for what student housing is between that
definition and the um uses the permitted uses. We have established a definition. We call it in quotes off-campus student department. So this would be the actual name of the use. Um it is again we're establishing this as a residential land use. That's important for our
comprehensive plan that this will be residential and not a commercial use as a hotel would be a commercial use because this is not temporary housing of that nature. Um it's for college students but it's it's only for college
students. It's not for anybody else affiliated with the college. It's strictly for students. Um it is a co-housing type of a unit which again is different in that is multiple unrelated people that are paying for the room
essentially within an apartment and therefore different from multif family. Um they typically have individual bedrooms for each student. They often have individual bedrooms and end suite bathrooms going with those those rooms. Um they may that's not necessary though.
They may have bathroom out in the hallway of the apartment. That's common to the apartment. Um, typically they will they will always have common living rooms and common kitchens. Each unit must be secured by a locked door. So, this is again this is not a dormatory. A dormatory would be the room
that goes into a common hallway and that's it. This would be an something that looks like an apartment unit that has individual bedrooms. It still has a locking door to the building's hallway. Um, but each room is for an individual student. We can allow it as a mixed use
in the TODA subdist of the TSDD. Um, we will, and we'll get to this in a minute, we are also looking at certain places in the TSNA, which is a residential only uh subdist. And we but we would still allow ancillary uses to that residential use,
the same as we do often with residential uses where we allow a small shop. This uh expressly for the people that live in that building. Um it would be necessary that and those would be single-use buildings in the TSNA because we don't
allow mixed use in the TSNA. Um it would be have to be under unified management which is mostly similar to apartment buildings anyway. Um the rental agreements would be for a maximum of a year. uh a little different. Most rental agreements are for a year, but this one
we strictly control that it cannot go over one year because we want it to be termed. We'd like it to be term to term, but we're going to go for a year and that establishes that person comes, they live for a year, maybe they transfer out the next year. So, we want to
accommodate that. And the lease, they're very different from multif family. The lease is for each one bedroom. So in other words, it's a lease for each bedroom that is under unified management for the building. So it's not like somebody who owns an apartment and and co-leases it. It's different in that way
and that's a very significant difference. So I wanted to go over a little bit of what we have in our zoning code already. I I explained what the uh definition is and I explained how the permitted uses are.
There's there are some very fine differences between how we've established multif family and what we've established as the definition of family for the rest of the districts in the co in the zoning code. So we establish multif family housing as being pretty much linked to a family. However, the
definition of family when we were doing um when we were actually making the changes to the code for the downtown and for some other areas of the code and we were doing the comprehensive plan amendments, we looked at the definition of a family that's in our code and it's
it's barely constitutional considering now what we have to include as families. So there are um I there's the yellow, green and sort of magenta colors of highlighter. So when we define families, the traditional is two or more
persons who are related by blood, marriage, um or adoption. But then we can also we also must include a group of unrelated individuals up to three individuals would still be a family that could be in a multif family dwelling.
That gets very close to the definition of students. In fact, you could have students up to three living in a multif family. And this is part of why we wanted to start establishing a definition, an actual use of student housing. So, we could better control it, better regulate it, and and work with it
because we have a lot that can happen in between lines. None of these would still allow student housing because it wouldn't allow the rental per unit, per room, sorry. But we're I'm just I want to walk you through all the definitions. And then the final definition on that is
that it it could be a group of more than three people who are unrelated. And it's that is a very loose definition. That's the last part of it. And again, we want to establish student housing as an actual use. And the the last piece of it
really is that we rent it by the room, but not as a sub lease. We're renting it by the room from the unified management. So again, I I wanted to give you that as a contrast because we'll we may have to talk about that a little bit later. Um the places where we are going to permit it, again, there's a lot of
sensitivity. We recognize that the use person for person is a little more intense. If we do have students using a building, they may travel a lot more, probably do. Um, and again, we want them to travel on scooters and bicycles and
rental bicycles and transit, but it's still more activity on the street. We want that, but we want to control the location just as when we talked about the tsd and we wanted to concentrate the most intense and most dense parts around the metro rail station and very carefully treat the parts around that
are adjacent to the neighborhoods. So, we were only allowing it in the TODA in general. That's the magenta area. But as we worked through the ordinance, uh I think heading towards the planning advisory board, we realized that there are also areas that were always thought
of actually for student housing, but they are TSNA. They're the neighborhood fringe. And we wanted to have those areas accessible to the university. And in particular, they are some you can see
them along Red Road. We have two two sites where they are across the street from the university and they're absolutely a good location just as Red Commons for student housing. So we've created an exception on this to allow TSNA but again controlling it much more
carefully. Its density would be lower just as a TSNA is and we would require that it be directly adjacent to a university property in other words the property or across the street. Um, so we
do have an allowance for TSNA as well. That wouldn't work for most of what's uh south of 74th Street. That would not work for what's uh west of 62nd Avenue, but it it does focus on those properties. So again, I I went over I actually went
over all this. Um I so I won't belabor it, but it is it's again it's a residential use. It's a term use. It's not temporary. Term meaning it's a year. Um differentiated from temporary or seasonal residence rented by the individual students by the room and
secured by a common hallway. We would have just as we do with apartments, we don't want uh extremely small rooms. So we have established in this code a limit of minimum size room of 100 square feet that would include any in suite
components. Yes, commissioner. >> 100 square feet. Maybe I'm stupid. That's 10 by 10. >> Yes, it is. >> And you're saying 10 by 10 including a bathroom? >> No. >> Okay. I'm like, what? >> I mean 10 by 10 is is tiny. >> We we expect them to be larger. And we
again we want to establish a minimum. If we want to have a discussion about the actual numbers, we can do that. >> I know most bedrooms, most market bedrooms are about 200 like 13 by 13. >> Exactly. >> So >> yeah, because 100 square feet >> Yeah. It's tiny.
>> That's a closet. So um what's more, you know, and I think there's going to be a number of places along the discussion tonight where the numbers we could refine them a little more between first and second reading, but we want to establish a framework that does certain things. Um but I agree
with you. It's a very small room. People once lived in rooms that size, but not anymore. Anyway, um so as far as the density, the method here is that we want we need to tie what we needed to do is establish a
density that works with the number of rooms because we have what's typically what we typically see in multif family is going to be a mix of studio, onebedroom, twobedroom, three plus bedrooms. Typically, it seems that mostly those
come in around 10% one in efficiency. I'm sorry, 10% efficiency. Uh 45% of them will be ones, 45% will be two bedrooms, and the remaining small amount 10% will be three
or more bedrooms. Again, the numbers are general. We could refine this a little bit more as we go through it, but we what's most important here is to establish a link between the rooms. We need to do the student housing by the rooms because we have generally uh units
that have four and the sweet spot seems to be four bedrooms, maybe three. There's some fives. There might even be sixes, very few ones. Uh so we need to create a link because we're dealing with different not apples and oranges but
different kinds of apples. But the important part is that we have a uh a link that comes back because we need to as a as a residential use we need to include this as part of our analysis in the comprehensive plan and we don't want to send to the state uh an idea of
including rooms as our density. We want to convert it and then send it as a dwelling unit density. So again, we may have more discussions about this, but we did an equivalence of the 100 and 200 units per acre, one 200 for the TODA
with bonuses, 100 for the TSNA, and we get to about uh 400 units an acre. So again, we may refine these a little more. It depends on what we think the actual uh mix of units are that we see typically for for market rate
residentials. parking. Um, this has been probably the most uh difficult topic. There are a couple of things that we we should cover. So, we we started this ordinance traveling at um
at a quarter of a unit, a quarter of a space per room. And again, we've decided it was better to instead of counting by the unit, by the dwelling unit, but go by the room. um on the planning board's recommendation that is before you in
exhibit B as um as one one half a space per bedroom. Um one of the things that we observe is that our the TODA the the core district of the TSDDD has a very aggressive parking requirement.
Aggressive meaning very low cars for per unit. And that's actually above that's more parking than the T than multif family residential requires in the TODA. The thing that we want to avoid and I I'm saying this because staff is
recommending something a little different than the PAB. The thing that we want to avoid is I presented the definitions of of multif family residential and student residential to you because one of the things that can easily happen is we could have driven by
the parking rates, we could have developments that shop whether they're residential or student housing and we would like to not drive that because of a parking difference. It may still happen but we don't want to be the cause of that. We're driving it because we
have right now if this ordinance if exhibit B were to go forward it would require almost double the amount of parking for student housing as for uh multif family residential and there may be we can go I've heard arguments for
both that it is a more intense use but on the other hand everybody that we've talked to says that the parking will rent separately from the unit. So it creates another aspect of this that we're it's somewhat self- selecting and the market can be controlled internally
within that management. That gets us into a situation where we're not really exactly sure what that rate is. So it's it's not something that's well documented nationally and where we can find examples. They're out they're not in urban areas and the ones that are in urban areas we can't really
find good examples because they mix in with the urban area. So, um, for comparison, Miami Dade does have a, um, a parking rate for per university and college. Um, it's a little different. It's not exactly focused on this kind of residential, but
they're using two spaces per three bedrooms. Um, they include that also for dormatories. So, it's two, it's basically twothirds. Um, the city of Miami has a co-housing, which is his co-housing, and they use half a space per bedroom. We looked at Coral Gables
and North Miami, but they basically treat it as multif family. So it's more typical one car for an efficiency, one car for one bedroom, two or some fraction of two above two or below two for two bedrooms. So those they don't
really cover this. Again, typically the student housing, the parking is rented separately from the rooms and that creates a very different situation for us. Um, so finally, we're we're recommending is the staff recommendation is for it to be pretty much the same as
what is for multif family in the TODA. This way we don't have that sort of cross shopping between residential and student housing. So we we put it at two uh one space per up to four bedrooms. After four bedrooms, a five bedroom would just go to two spaces. To keep it
simple, we're probably providing a very strong disincentive. five bedrooms. Did you have a question? >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Um and finally, bicycle parking is is part of this. We do uh encourage these
uses to have I'm sorry. Um sufficient shared bicycle spaces. So, we're requiring one for 15 bedrooms. um which I can honestly tell you there's some we looked at Coral Gables and although they didn't have a separate parking ordinance
for student housing they did have student housing bicycle parking and there was something like one per 50 I mean uh about three times I said it the wrong way um and then we're recommending one per 15 bedrooms and then one outdoor
bicycle rack for visitors for at one per 15 dwelling units which is very close which is about the same as our TODA requirements and then one indoor storage space per four bedrooms again for for uh visitors mostly but maybe some overflow.
So we're we're really encouraging uh this kind of development to have a lot of bicycle parking. We do have in the to in the TSDDD a an equivalency factor for scooter and motorcycle spaces at 5% and we've increased that to 10% again trying
to encourage for parking to have a a different mix of vehicles and again anyone in Miami we see a lot of people riding scooters and so forth we know that that works. >> So that's it that's for the presentation and uh I know there's a lot of questions. >> Thank you. Thank you very much. Before
we open to public comment, uh, uh, commissioners, any questions of staff? I believe, uh, Commissioner Kai was first. Go ahead. >> I have a few questions. Um, the allocation that we're doing for student housing right now in the Todd district is everything that was in magenta,
right? Can we pull up the uh thing again, please? Sorry. >> So, that allocation is through Commerce Lane all the way across everything that's in Magenta. >> Correct. So my I have a concern that we if we open this
all up to to that district that we can be inundated with student housing in the area. I'm not a big fan of that. So what what I would propose is that we put a certain distance from the metro station and from 57th Avenue. I mean, there's
only one or two locations that are TDNA anyway, >> but from the metro station that we allocate a certain distance because I don't I personally uh colleagues, I do not want student housing everywhere in that district. Um, if there spot their spot opportunities and they come for
variances, they can come to the commission and we can approve it as so. But as of right, I I I'm not comfortable increasing everything in magenta there. So, you know, one of one of the recommendations that I would make would be to limit the actual distance from the
metro station. Secondly, um we had something on the lease lease duration. You had maximum one year. >> Yeah. >> Why one year instead of two years on a maximum? Why would it just be a minimum? Just ask me.
>> Instead of minimum one year, you did maximum one year. Like why can't you do two years, please? Um, we we could get your thought process there. So, >> we're trying to focus it on student housing and not allow it to become
regular housing. Although most leases are are one year. I mean, it's just we wanted to create that sort of need to turn over so that we don't have people lingering there for sort of a long term. >> I mean, most I mean, sometimes we've lived on student housing for two years.
So, I would just ask you to just make sure you talk to some of the people that do student they do one or two year limitations on it. >> I'm not I don't it doesn't matter to me, but I just think that one year max is limiting a little bit. It gives you the opportunity to actually get two-year
leases and they're comfortable and they can plan for them. Just whatever. >> Okay. >> Um we had we did we speak about retail on the first floor? >> Uh I didn't but it is in the presentation and we do have an allowance for it. Yes. So my my understanding of
the allowance on retail on the first floor was a percentage basis of the floor uh square footage. Is that accurate? >> Yeah. >> Okay. So why would we limit or maximize what we can do there? And especially in that district, you know, why why was the
limitation so much smaller for retail? >> Yeah. So the student housing can occur in two places. TODA allows mixed use. We have no problem there. The TSNA we established as a residential area and so we have to keep it small and make sure
that it's um >> ancillary. In other words, it's related to the use related to the residents inside the building. The reason for that is twofold. One is uh for the impacts to the neighborhood. The other reason is that we don't want to unravel the
residential designation of those properties for the purposes of live local exposure. So the limitation strictly at the TSDA >> the TSNA >> TSNA sorry. >> So colleagues uh you know that specific area across the street we have retail
across the first floor as well. We just need to look into to make sure and understand that there is disruption there. I'm I'm of the of the mind thought process here that we need a little bit more in that area whether
it's restaurants, whether it's retail. Um, you know, the community's been begging for it. So, I would just think about expanding that for especially in that specific area. >> So, >> Oh, no, no, go ahead. >> Um, so we can we we can talk about that.
>> Okay. Um, when we when we have all these limitations from a commercial and and what what what is a form of and maybe this is to the city attorney, what is a form of enforcement or like if if
someone violates certain rights of how long they're staying in there, how many people are living in it, there's no enforcement. What what right do we have as a city to enforce that? So any any violation of code is subject to potential code enforcement. Um that so
that's that's one one aspect. >> If it's a condition of approval, you've got the you know the ability to to uh all of our resolutions always relate back to those conditions and provide for enforcement of those conditions which include revocation of BTRs and CUS and
that kind of thing. >> Okay. Thank you. um on the limitations of the of the bedroom areas at 10 by 10. Um have we done an understanding of what the rest of the market is doing when it comes to actual
bedrooms? I mean, we've toured I know Commissioner Rodriguez and I toured uh a couple different facilities with the bedroom sizes. Is that something that's common at a 10 x 10 or did we do that type of research and understanding of what >> 10 x 10 is small? We we and like I said
we can we can make that number bigger. We don't want to make it too big. So we started on on something fairly small >> quite small. Um just to again the framework was important to get some kind of minimum in there. Um but we can we can discuss the number.
>> Just in my research study when I've done a lot of student housing the abilities to do over five and six bedrooms >> in a certain unit they're not as feasible or they don't get rent as easily because they're difficult. A lot of people want to stay together. So when you do that, you have to pack them in sardines and that's where you get the 10
x10s. Not a big fan of that. Um, so let's figure out, in my opinion, how do we get them a little bit bigger than that? Understanding what our partners in the area might want to do versus what's going on. But that that'll be my suggestion. >> Yeah, I most of the ones that I've seen are more in the range of 150, which is
still small, but it's not >> it's better tiny >> 12 x 12. That's fine. Um, so the the other proposal, so the last question I had was on parking ratios. >> So your recommendation is to do a half or is it a one to one per unit?
>> It's a it's a it's a it's >> it's half now, but you were saying >> for a unit up to four bedrooms, which is coming down to a quarter. And the reason for that is that's exactly what the TODA multif family is. Um it if we did something more we would
have more parking requirement than for regular residential which creates a situation I think where we're going to have some shopping between on the uses back and forth. >> A current t to you saying a current toa has one to one up to four units per unit.
>> It's actually it's three four bedroom sorry fourbedroom unit could have one one parking spot. >> Um yes in the toa is It's 75 for an efficiency or a onebedroom and then for everything after that it's one space. We
have a very aggressive parking regulation for the TODA. The rest of the TSTD um goes up to a space and a half at the two and threebedroom. >> We don't see we don't see the market going up to four bedrooms. A lot of these multif family units anyway. Mostly
if it's going to be two and three bedrooms max, >> right? >> But I understand what you're saying. >> Yeah. I mean, >> what is RTZ doing in in the Gables? Uh, I know Landmark is proposing an opportunity. Have we looked and studied what's going on there at >> familiar with it?
>> Okay. >> I have. So, there's also Landmark has an opportunity that their student housing where they developed 14 bedrooms, six spots. 14 beds, six spots. That's a ratio of 3 to seven, which is a little bit more
aggressive than half. Okay, let me research this a little bit further. I don't I'm not I'm not sold on what to do. Pardon there. >> Okay, that's all the question I have. Thanks, colleagues. >> Thank you, Commissioner. If I could just jump over here and then I'll go back to Commissioner Rodriguez. Commissioner Leech,
>> I I think first when we are comparing student housing to multif family, we're it's same same but different because when you're in a multif family, you've got a mom, a dad, and usually, you know, one small kid, two small kids, whatever. that the chances that all four people that are living in a two or threebedroom
apartment are all going to be driving cars is minimized where I think if you look at college students and and I am of the benefit I have two college students right now um I
think probably 70% of them are bringing their cars and while I understand that we want to give them you know a minuscule spot in the garage and then price everything else out. I think you can't price it out if it's not there,
right? So, if we were to say, "Hey, you need a quarter of a parking space for an apartment with four bedrooms in it, and I'm making this up. I mean, I understand what the number is, but if if we end up with one parking space for a four bedroomedroom apartment,
we all know a parking space is the most expensive thing to build. So, nobody's going to be gratuitously building parking spaces, at least not that I I wouldn't do that with my money. Maybe I'm crazy, but I I understand what you're trying to do with multif family
and student housing, but it it doesn't mesh. And if that means we have to make multif family have more parking spaces so that we don't run into the issue, I'd rather that way than not enough parking. Because this idea that people don't have a car, and I know I've said this a thousand times, is ridiculous. I
If I talk to 25 people, 23 out of those 25 people are going to have a car. I If you look at Vox, those kids are in and out all day. So, sure, some of them scooter. I scooter, but I still have a car >> and I want a place to put my car and I and I don't necessarily want to pay, you
know, $200 more a month to say I can park my car there. So, I I think we need to hit a sweet spot. I don't think that we are there. I I would more on what Miami date county is doing which is twothirds for per bedroom whatever. Um
so I'm with Commissioner GA where I think that needs more work. Um when you were saying it's 400 units per acre. What do we have across the street with what's getting built right now? >> 6075 that's 200 units an acre.
>> Okay. So this is double that and that was the most dense property that we had. >> That's bedrooms. We're talking about bedrooms, right? >> Okay. >> Bedrooms versus units. >> Yeah. >> It's actually 196 across the street. >> 196 across the street. So,
>> how does that kind of pan out? I don't know the answer. I don't need you to answer it right now. I just these are things that I want you to think about because it's obvious that I think we have more questions than answers at the moment. >> Um, and then oh my goodness, the shops
on the first floor. I understand what Commissioner Kai is saying about wanting to activate those spaces, but when you're in TSNA and you are in these two units that are away from the Redro Commons, I guess it's called,
>> the next one over, Red Roads Common is not backing up into people's homes for the most part. you if you look at the way that the retail is set up and you look at everything, it really is more part of that commercial core than it is the other
one. The other one is essentially surrounded by residential. So that's why I think having a smaller footprint and having it be ancillary to what's in the building is important because if not, we're going to start seeing creep because realistically right now they bought
those two. But if this thing took off like gang busters, you'd have someone asking you for a variance the next block down or the next block down or the next block in. >> We say no. >> But but that's us. But we have to think of people who aren't us in the future.
They might not have. >> You reminded me of something I didn't say about that topic. And we have in our own comprehensive plan you the word creep reminded me that we um we have a policy that says we shall not encroach into the residential areas with commercial development.
>> This could be seen as that. So this is why we want to keep it as ancillary >> and and small >> and and I agree with Commissioner Cay. We don't want to become the hub of student housing because just like we had a conversation a year ago about not
becoming the hole in the donut for affordable housing, we don't want to be the hole in the donut for student housing either. >> And and I would even venture to say we need to tighten really tighten where
this can happen. >> Thank you, Commissioner Benich. Commissioner Rodriguez. >> Good. How are you? >> So, couple questions. I didn't see any there. What What are the max unit?
>> The the maximum number of units. >> Yeah. Bedroom. >> It would be it we would have it at 400 right now. >> 400. I'm sorry. 400 per acre. Excuse me. >> No. No. But one unit can have five bedrooms. Oh, we don't have an upper limit on the number of bedrooms per
unit. >> So, they can do as many bedrooms as they want. >> We we've seen up to five. >> I don't I think that's a lot. >> Typically, your mostly typical multif family is going to be ones and twos, a few threes and bigger.
Um, it seems that what's typical for the student housing is that the sweet spot is around four four rooms per unit. for one bathroom. >> We didn't we did not include a bathroom requirement. So this market
>> I think I think it's important to require that and for example many moons ago when I was in college this kind of when this all student housing per bedroom we each had our own bedroom our own bathroom within
our bedroom and I think that that makes it much more its own unit for the student and then there's the common area. you might want to think about the bathroom requirement because you know I don't think it's fair that if
developer decides to do four bedrooms and then one bathroom and all four students are going to have to share one bathroom. So I I think I think there needs to be at least a minimum something to address that.
>> How many uh how big are there? I don't know actually. Um I didn't Yeah, I didn't have any floor plans to use for >> box. Those units
look I would research what that is and maybe maybe how do they at what 23 >> for the Vox. >> Yeah. >> I'm I'm not sure because the garage they're they're telling us that again
it's operated and price differently from the from the units. >> Okay. >> Um I've heard different stories about it to be honest. So I'm not really sure. I I agree with uh Commissioner Bonich and Commissioner Kai
as far as the parking. I think Miami, I would I would venture to go more into range and and change the residential like something to think about. And then um
also what Commissioner Kay said reinforced was I think we should set a distance. I think that was a great idea by Commissioner K as far as setting a distance of where we can
become all that. >> My my biggest things are I don't think we should think Five and six are too much and I think that we should do a minimum on that. >> You mentioned something else about uh
changing the requirement on residential that would require a separate ordinance. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I'm just saying because you're trying to keep this the same as uh >> the residential that's around it, right? The requirement. Anyway, >> I would I would tend to venture
like Commissioner said rather than bringing the Because as she said, I I tend to agree with that. You could have a family there. You can have uh one person with a two bedroom. I've seen that I've had friends that had one bedroom, two
bedroom condos for them and one car. So, but with student housing, chances are that more of them are going to have a vehicle than >> um Sure. We we do have to open for public comment and then move to discussion. But you're are you asking any question? No, this isn't discussion.
This is still a public hearing. >> Vice Mayor. Yeah. If I could just offer one clarification. The def the uh definition of off-campus student apartments includes one bathroom per uh per student.
Yeah. One one student per bedroom and one bathroom per student. >> Okay. And if if if we have any other questions for staff, uh if not, I'll open the public hearing and then we can move to discussion ourselves to give direction. Sound good? All right. Thank you so much, Mark. We really appreciate
it. >> Um Oh, thank you. Um so, uh we'd like to open to uh public remarks. Anybody in person on Zoom who would like to speak, please come to the podium. Uh your name and address for the record, sir.
>> Good evening, Mr. Vice Mayor, Commissioners, Mario Garcia Sera with offices at 600 Bickl Avenue uh here this evening representing Subt Acquisitions LLC. They are the contract purchaser for the property located at 6404 and 6504 Southwest 57th Avenue. And I'd
say the one overreaching message perhaps that I have for you this evening is that this is legislation which makes sense. It's going in the right direction. It's it's what the market is essentially requiring. this is happening. Uh, and you have the industry that's engaged. Myself, my my client, other developers
that are in this space are looking to collaborate with the city to bring about, you know, regulations and an ordinance that makes sense. And so many of the issues that you were discussing, it was interesting because when my clients started developing their project or designing their project, they were basing it just on the multif family
regulations that exist today. these student housing regulations came up and indeed they're addressing a very significant need which is the fact that the definition of family in South Miami does not really coincide with what would be the typical situation of more than three unrelated persons living together
in student housing. So just for that purpose it's important to get this legislation done. Uh so many of the other issues that we were discussing about parking is very interesting. parking where we end up in our project. What we were parking it as multif family, wouldn't it be too far away from
the parking requirement if you were to go with 0.5 uh cars per 0.5 parking spaces per per bedroom? >> Bathrooms, every unit already had as designed, every bedroom already had a bathroom. On the issue of minimum unit
size, it's interesting. And the only place where it really came up in our design was in the one-bedroom units because the one-bedroom units have their own living room and then have their own bedroom. If you count just the bedroom space where literally somebody sleeping in, you come in slightly over, excuse me, under 100. It's 912 square feet, I
think. But you've got a closet, you have a bathroom, you have a separate living area. All that I think should be taken into consideration as far as what's the actual living area of that uh of that unit. Um, you know, we have to be sensitive too to what uh how these
projects can be financed. The the issue of how many unrelated people can be living together is very important to lenders that are going to be out there that are going to finance this project. The idea of, you know, can there be some small subset other than students that potentially live here? Uh, you know,
perhaps renting out a whole unit with all the bedrooms is also important to to lenders. So, the one thing I would say is so many of these issues I think we're coming very close to what the reality is of what the market wants to to put out there in order to have a pro a product that works compared to what's being
recommended and so if we could just continue working together between first and second reading the industry and the city to get something that's going to work for everybody. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Uh anyone else who would like to speak please come to the microphone
>> again for the record Javier Avenue with the law firm of Bills and Sunberg 1450 Burggo Avenue. Um, I will echo many of Mario's uh comments. Um, I think this is good legislation. I think we're uh definitely rowing in the right direction. Uh, we've heard your comments
and your sentiments. I do think um there is uh and Mark alluded to it um in his presentation. Uh I think we need to be mindful of the differences between the TSNA and the TODA. Um there are obviously differences uh both from a neighborhood standpoint uh from a
context standpoint and candidly from a density and intensity standpoint. Right? The decision was made when the T when when the TODA and TSNA regulations were put in place to have very different density uh uh calculations for the TSNA for instance is 100 dwelling units per
acre from a multif family standpoint whereas for TLDA it's it's uh it's 200 units for to the acre. you have a 16story height uh limitation in the TODA and you have a six-story height limitation in the TSNA, right? So, we we want to be mindful of that when we're
thinking also of the same type of projects um uh from a student housing perspective. So, I think there are opportunities there to evaluate the bedroom count because as a as the current legislation stands, your your cap of 400 bedrooms uh per acre is the
same in the TSNA and the TODA, which doesn't really make uh a lot of sense if you're at 100 dwelling units per acre on the TSNA and you're at 200 dwelling units per acre on the on the TODA. you know, it I'm not suggesting that it needs to be double, but there's there's got to be some sort of uh of difference
there to account for the the higher density count because as Mark said, unfortunately, what will happen, you know, from a market standpoint is people will look at, you know, multifamily uh as an option uh as opposed to, you know, doing it the right way under under a
proper student housing uh legislation. Um and and then with respect to parking, obviously there's lots of sensitivities around parking. I I get it. I also have a college age student happens to live in a different city, a city that has, you know, arguably a different public transportation system. I get that. I've
heard that many times. But but with respect to parking, you know, when when folks come in to rent these units, they're they're they're going to be offered X, Y, or Z as an option. And so if there's not the availability for if you have a car and that's an important aspect of where you're moving into and
there's not a a ready availability for it, they're the the developer is not going to be able to rent that unit. And so there is a a a driving, you know, push and pull. Obviously, from a zoning perspective, we want to have the right amount that calculates the the, you know, what what the needs are from a
community standpoint, but at the same time, the market drives uh some of those factors. and you know when you're in close proximity as Commissioner Kaya said to to rail um that that does drive uh to drive the optionality for those
students. So um you know I I'm confident that we can continue to work with staff to address some of these uh remaining items. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. And uh is there anyone else who would like to speak in public comment in person or online? Please raise your hand.
Seeing no one, we'll go ahead and close public comment here. Now, we did um uh discuss some items, but I'd like to open this for discussion. If someone could move it for us to discuss so we could give direction uh to the um city attorney. >> You need to move it right away. You want
to >> or just just to discuss the motion? >> I'll go for this. >> Yeah. >> Um do we city Mr. City attorney? Do we have a different um wealthy obviously have
different density units for the Todd A >> TODA and TSNA? Yes, we do. We have two different >> Yes, two different densities. But are we keeping the same density when it comes to actual units like bedrooms per per acre? >> So 400.
>> So yeah, let me let me answer what I think you're asking. I I think I think under um in TSNA we allow 100 units per acre. In toa, which is a more intense district, we allow up to 200 units per acre when you when you're getting bonuses. Um however, in our ordinance,
what we have proposed it Mr. Armeno is right. We we are proposing at this time uh the same bedroom cap, which would be 400 bedrooms per acre for both. That's what's in the ordinance that's in front of you. >> Okay.
What's the thought process behind that? >> Why is it the same? >> Do we know? >> No, I I I think we were we were looking to to to limit it, but Mr. Alvarez can can address that. >> No, I believe Mr. Right. We we need to
>> It's a fairly >> That's fair. >> Yeah. >> Um Mr. Raino said some things that, you know, we we should consider as well. Market market drives a lot of this stuff, right? Um the market is starting to drive down parking. So, I I don't
want to be too restrictive. This is just my personal opinion. I don't want to be too restrictive on parking. I've seen situations where you have 14 bedrooms and only six parking spots and they're rented, you know. So, the ability for them to walk across the street to go to school, the ability to take the metro station, the ability to take the
underline to get to school, let market drive that, right? I think that we set our certain limitations on what that number should be and let it be. Um market will drive how many bathrooms are in there, right? someone wants to have four bedrooms and one bathroom, the likelihood that they have to lower the
rent or not rent at all, that's on them, right? >> No, I'm just saying like it what my my overall picture and statement here is that market a lot of this stuff will be driven by market. >> Um, so let's just be conscious of that when we make some of those decisions.
Well, sorry. If I if I could just I think what I heard generally was about like four buckets of discussion and that we could then provide as direction because this is the the first reading. I heard one on zoning where obviously I
think we're all of the mind to maybe tighten up the zoning so that there's less potential availability for student housing so that we can have more of a mixture of other usages. Another one was on unit size. Um, that's something else we can discuss. Another was on parking
and then of course bathrooms was brought up. But >> well that was that was clarified already by the city attorney. Okay. They're required to have one for one. >> So on the zoning side I everybody is of of the mind as well that between first and second reading we should find a way to tighten the availability of
>> to limit >> limit it. Yeah. Okay. >> Agreed. >> So that would be one piece of direction. On the other side with unit size, are we all in agreement that um 100 uh uh square feet too small for a single unit
or for a room? >> I I think >> are you >> and Commissioner Cay? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So maybe we can look into some uh comparables especially looking at Vox and some of the other products in the market to see where we might be able to increase the minimum.
>> One one question u Mr. Garcia Sarah had brought up >> bedrooms >> the the situation when it's a one it's a onebedroom so you you actually have the entire apartment. >> Yeah. >> So maybe we count for that specific instance but it was a it was a fair point. >> Yeah that's a fair point.
>> Okay. And then the last part on parking uh and Commissioner Kay just made a comment on this. Were we okay with the um half a parking space per bedroom or do you want to increase it to 2/3? I mean, good question.
>> I I just think that knowing that parking is the more expensive thing to do in building to say that we're not going to mandate something that I I understand market drives a lot of things. I I get you. But
if there are no guard rails, then that parking space and and I'm not saying you guys would ever do this. I'm just saying in general, if you had 14 units and six parking spaces, it could get a little crazy. Okay, that parking space which was $150 then
becomes $500 then becomes $700 then you know we're fighting like New York. You know people in say you know beating each other up in the street for a parking space. Um we don't want to push these students especially in TSNA into the neighborhoods and that is what will
happen when you don't have enough parking. they will find a place to put their car. And if you're at Vox, yeah, you're lucky. If you're, you know, across the street from Vox, maybe you can rent a spot in that garage if they have it. But we're we're supposeding
based on pins on a map and and we can't really function that way. So, knowing that, I think we need to put a realistic parking number in there. and whether that is, you know, half a parking space, twothirds. Sorry, Mark. I think you're
parking cuckoo. Um because you don't like parking. Um but so I, you know, when I look at you, I'm like, I don't want your opinion. Um but I I think we need to find like a a a sweet spot for that that is realistic, that is not supposeding that everybody's going to
hop on a bike. Because while you might hop on a bike the first day in April, you're not hopping on the bike in April, you're ready to throw the bike at, you know, somebody because it's 600 degrees outside. >> So, you know, we we have to keep all of
that in mind. >> So, are uh between first and second reading, would we want to make any modifications to half a parking space per room? I'm comfortable with it again as a as as a minimum and because it's
competitive and comparable to the other products we have. Obviously, they mentioned before some of the risks associated with uh choosing another zoning instead um could be an issue, too. Does anybody have interest in increasing the parking requirements
between first and second? >> I don't >> I don't >> I mean we're we're I think we're I I think we think responsible for us to do it >> to increase it. >> Uh to increase it. U >> maybe we can hear more information on second reading.
>> So I guess he he can help guide. >> Perfect. He could be the deciding vote on second reading. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So perfect. So we won't at this time we won't add any direction on that. Um but we did on the um unit size and on the zoning. >> You you want us to come back to you with
some information uh regarding those parking ratios. That way you can have a little bit more more information. Sure. Yes. >> Oh, sir. Sorry. Go ahead, Commissioner. >> And I think it's important to note that uh we kind of have an idea at Vox what
they're looking at, which is like 60%. So about 60% of their rooms have a car. Something to keep in mind. I don't know how that breaks out to Mark's. >> It would be I think that would equate to
6 >> 6. There you thank you math man. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> But they had box had an opportunity to get a relationship with more parking. So they cater to that. >> Doesn't necessarily mean that's what the market bec
allocated. >> Yeah. That's why I'm saying they're like in a privileged position. They they built next to a massive parking lot. >> It's like Commissioner Rodriguez having his own bathroom in his room. I I didn't have that. >> Yeah. all the way down the hall in a towel.
>> Yeah. Well, >> I don't I don't know what that is, but All right. Um, we'll go ahead and if anybody would like to do a a a motion to approve with some of the direction for second reading, >> I'll move it. >> I'll second. >> All right.
>> But so, is it clear to the >> Yes. Yeah. Thank you. >> Commissioner Cay. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Bonish. >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Corey. >> Yes. passes 4 through on first. >> All right. And thank you very much uh for coming out tonight.
Um we're moving on to um resolution five. >> Resolution resolution five. A resolution of the mayor and city commissioner of the city of Southland, Florida, approving and authorizing a renewal agreement with Central Square Technologies for the South Police
Department's computer aided dispatch records management system and mobile field reporting software for a one-year term in amount of 129,13 >> um and 37 with the option to renew for two additional one-year terms.
>> Thank you. Is there any discussion on this item? It's a public hearing as well. >> Uh yes. Uh anyone from the public would like to speak on this item in person or on Zoom? >> Seeing no one, I will close the uh uh
public remarks and uh can I have a motion to approve this item? >> I'll move it. >> We're on five. Yeah. Police. All right. Thank you.
>> Sorry about that. >> Commissioner Bonish, >> yes. >> Commissioner Rodriguez, >> yes. >> Commissioner Cay, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Cory, >> yes. >> Item passes 4 Z. >> Thank you very much. Um and we'll move to um item 10.
>> Item 10. Item 10. An ordinance of the mayor city commission of the city of Senorum selecting and award franchise agreement to Maya Catering and Advance Inc. for the concessionary operation and management services at Palmer Park and South Park for a 5-year term pursuant to
request for proposals number PR 2025-14 authorizing the city manager to negotiate and to enter into a franchise agreement. >> Thank you. Is there any discussion on this item? >> No, >> it's a public hearing.
>> Um would anyone from the public like to speak on this item? Uh, seeing no one in person, anyone on Zoom? Seeing no one on Zoom, we'll close the uh, public remarks. Could I have a motion to
>> I have a quick question. >> Oh, sorry. >> Sorry. Um, I guess to the manager or to uh, Quinton, uh, what kind of food is it that they're providing? >> I'll let the director elaborate on food
specifically. Good evening again. Quinton Pew, director of parks, recreation and culture. Um, some of the entre that he included in his proposal include grilled chicken Caesar wraps, Angusen veggie burgers, salads, turkey hot dogs, uh,
chicken nuggets, and he also mentioned um complimenting a rotating weekly special such as Taco Tuesday. Forgive me if I mispronounce any of the following um menu options. Um lechon
punik and Maya's Cuban uh signature sandwich along with some other healthy um items such as empanadas croquets. I'm not going to even try that one. Fries and popcorn. Uh churros fla uh some fruit
cups, bananas, apples, things of that magnitude. as well as some um assorted candy and um chips and things of that magnitude. >> If it was for menu item from Chipotle, he would have pronounced it appropriately >> because he's there four out of five days of the week. >> Um
>> Director Pew, I did have a question. I know we um have an effort to try and get defibrillators out into these locations. Are these uh vendors in any way, shape, or form helping us with that? No, but there will be one in the concession um stand area as well as in
our main office. Uh we did receive the final proposal uh for those units. So hopefully over the next 30 to 45 days those will be deployed at multiple parks, Palmer Park, uh South Miami Park, um new ones at Dante Pel and then we'll
be um um replacing the ones at the community center as well. >> All right. I appreciate that. Thank you. >> No problem. Um, okay. Uh, were there any additional questions? >> Okay. Uh, could we have a motion to approve? >> I'll move. >> We already moved.
>> We did move it to >> No, I see. Oh, >> so I'll move it. >> I'll second. >> Commissioner Cay, >> yes. >> Commissioner Rodriguez, >> yes. >> Commissioner Bon, >> yes. >> May Vice Mayor Corey, >> yes. >> Item passes 4 Z.
>> All right. Thank you very much. We are going to move to um item four now. >> Yeah, I know we're moving all over the place. Item four, a resolution of the mayor and city commission of the city of South Court for approving the proposal and
project agreement with SRS Engineering for additional design and post design service services related to the modified repairs of the South West 63rd Court Bridge over Twin Lake Canal for a lump sum fee not to see $217,15987.
>> All right, thank you very much. Is there any um discussion item for this or any discussion for this? >> I have a question. >> Okay. Uh go ahead, Commissioner Benich. >> I just want to make sure this is what we're looking at based on changing the
deck and all of that. There's not anything we haven't talked about. >> That's correct. Um this this item would only be needed if item three were approved, which is a warning to the contractor. Uh in this case it would be to redesign based on a new methodology that would replace the deck as you
mentioned and um uh as described in in the prior meeting that we had when we introduced uh this item as to how the contractor would approach it. So this would be to have SRS design which would take about roughly six weeks based on our prior
discussion. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. Um so uh could I have a motion? I'll move the motion. >> Somebody else second. >> I'll second it. >> Yes. Commissioner Bonish?
>> Yes. >> Commissioner Cay? >> Reluctantly, yes. I'm just kidding. >> Commissioner Rodriguez, >> yes. >> Vice Cory, >> yes. >> Item passes 4 zero. >> All right. So, I did want to take this opportunity to put the add-on in. >> We didn't do item three, though. You
know, >> we didn't do item three. Okay. Item three. Okay. Sorry. All right. Let's do item three then. Sorry. >> Okay. Item three, every city commission of the city of South Florida selecting and awarding a construction contract to Southern Road and Bridge LLC for the
Southwest 63rd Court Bridge repairs project in amount of 3,399,862 pursuant to section 255.20C1 and 255.20c5 for the statutes. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Uh commission, any discussion? >> All right. Uh move the motion. >> Could we hear a motion? >> Move it. >> I'll move the motion. >> I I'll second for Commissioner >> K.
He's staying away from >> Commissioner Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Bonish. >> Yes. Commissioner Cay. >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Corey. >> Yes. >> Item passes 4 Z. >> Great. Um and yes, if we could uh take
on the um add-on item F1, please. >> Yes. A resident of the mayor and city commission of this city assignment further approving a revised task five scope of services and fees and amount not to exceed 1,151,544.90 for the project scope from plusia LLC
DBA design for placemaking branding and urban design services for the hometown district located on Sunset Drive and adjacent streets. >> Thank you very much. as this was an add-on. Um, city manager, do you mind uh
just giving us a brief update on it? >> Yes, vice mayor. um commissioners um this item u as we uh presented during our um sunshine meeting and goals session um and provided an update as well on um the original task five as
approved which is uh construction drawings and engineering and it's revised u proposal uh to uh be able to accommodate uh the current project as as designed through after sharet and and input from the commission. So, uh we
have presented uh this this item showing and describing uh how each of the disciplines uh were influencing its pricing. Uh so, in this case, it's an approval for task 5 um which would take us through construction drawings of a million uh a million46859.
There's a 10% contingency uh potentially if if it's necessary that equates to 104 104,686. Um so this approval would uh allow uh the continuation of the project and getting us through uh task five um and
construction drawings. I I will say that um there was a request uh to bring forward an option for the additional street that had been identified. Uh that portion was not ready. So it's not before you. So we would bring that to you when that um that proposal is ready.
Um and and so obviously we wanted to get this to you. That's why we added it on because all the information was right up to the last minute, but u that's still pending and we'll bring forward the option on the additional street as requested. >> Thank you very much. Uh Commissioner, is
there any discussion on this item? >> Oh, Commissioner Bonich. >> Thank you. I I just want to make note in case in the public they haven't opened the attachments. This is originally earmarked at 3:109.
It has an increase of 735944. So while we're approving 1 point blah blah blah, 310 of that was already accounted for in the working budget. So it's really the increase of 735 or 736
essentially. >> Thank you very much, Commissioner Benich. Uh can we have a motion on this item? >> I'll move it. Second. >> Commissioner Bnish. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Kay. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Corey. >> Yes.
>> 4 Z. >> All right. I believe we have um item 12 left. >> Yes. >> Just quick. Does that This is Do we have another vote on this or that's it? This is >> No, that's it. >> We We'll be bringing uh the uh the option >> the option. >> Yeah. Standalone item that that um you
would you would approve. >> Yeah. Um, and so we have to bring this to I'm hoping the next commission meeting, >> but this portion they can get started. >> Yes, sir. >> Hurry. We should pop the >> I agree.
Item 12, an ordinance of the mayor and city commission of the city of South, Florida, authorizing the issuance of a general obligation note of the city of South Miami for not to exceed $6,700,000 for the purpose of financing the cost of cover improvements, bridge repairs over
the Twin Lake Canal and the acquisition of land for park development and paying cost of issuance of the note, providing for supplemental resolution setting forth the details of said note, approving the selection ction of Tuis Bank to purchase the note and provide a
line of credit in connection therewith authorizing the city manager and city official to negotiate with Chuis for purchase of the note and the terms of the line of credit. >> Thank you very much. Uh commission, any discussion on this item? >> Should we have a summary?
>> Oh, sorry. That's right. Uh Chip, do you mind giving us a a breakdown here? >> Sure. I I I'll just give you a high level overview and certainly our CFO uh it's a a little under the weather maybe has a very white voice today uh so I'll
try to advance it as much as possible and certainly Alfredo who worked uh with our financial adviser on this as as um we had previously discussed um we were going to pursue and take advantage of line of credit uh to further uh several
projects. Originally we had discussed packaging our infrastructure projects uh the two the two culverts and the bridge into into a borrowing. Um during that time we we also then pursued the acquisition
um of that manner lane parcel. So this line of credit uh anticipate uh those projects. uh there was an RFP in cooperation with our uh financial consultant PFM u and we received four proposals for from four different
institutions. Um what's before you is recommending uh to partner up with truest um bank to be the entity that will provide this line of credit for us. This um is six up to six mill $6.7 million. um Troy had had the most
favorable rate um at at uh and what I will tell you is I want to make sure I don't forget u part of this is also to hopefully leverage and take advantage of when we retire the debt on the garage which be October of 26. So, um, one of the things that we've discussed
internally is to potentially use there'll be some draw down immediately because of the closing costs, uh, that that we're going to incur, um, and then the, uh, financial advisor and and and attorneys and so forth. Uh, I think that's to the tune of $50,000. But any further draws, uh, uh, what we
have discussed is to use some cash, uh, in the interim and try to get us closer to that date of October of 26th. And so when we do draw down and then there's payments expected on that um we would have retired the the other debt. And so that's an approach that that we've
discussed. Um and so we would use this kind of this line of credit as a bridge loan. Ultimately uh part of we also discuss is uh the voters that approve a general obligation bond of up to 65 million. if and when that also comes
into the picture from a financing standpoint that this uh we could roll these uh this into you know the bigger financing a lot of details on on the elements of the proposal and certainly happy to have Alfredo t take you through deeper on on any of that um but that's
the high level and certainly can answer any more questions that you have >> thank you very much uh and uh commissioner Benich I believe you had a comment Don't I always um I I know I sound a lot
like a broken record when I say that we we have financial creep. You know, we we start out with a number, then we move a little, and then we move a little and move a little and move a little. And when I say we, I don't mean me. Um,
I it's easy, I think, to lose sight of what this means to our residents, what it means to every everybody's individual pocket. And I always I always find it interesting because we talk about residents like there's somebody else, but it's us. It's my pocket. It's your
pocket, your pocket, your pocket. And when I look at our operating budget and I see things that are not going to happen or I don't feel are going to happen in the near term like the South Miami parking lot, South Miami Park parking lot at $1.25 million, Dante
Facel building at $3.8 million. We essentially have $5 million just sitting there. And I think it's important to note that the director of finance I had a conversation with him today and
he did say right now it's it's cheaper to borrow than it is to use our own because the interest rate is that favorable. So I I say this knowing I'm going to vote yes on this simply because of that. But I I urge us all to really
pay attention because when we started talking about this, it didn't include Manor Lane. And now all of a sudden, Manor Lane is part of this at over a million dollars. Right around the corner, we're looking at the landscaping of this city and we're looking at the
placemaking hopefully sometime in my lifetime. Um and so you know we we finally crossed the bridge and just approved five at a tune of an additional 735 you know 730 something thousand.
That's a lot a lot a lot of money. When we talk about realistically if we start to do that placemaking we're talking about $15 million easy without even thinking about it. Landscaping is another couple million dollars. And I
think it will be very easy. Like they say in Spanish, yak, since we're already doing A, we might as well do B. You get to B, we might as well do C. And by the time you turn around, you've spent another $10 million of somebody else's money because it is not
our money. So I think in this case it's important to say yes simply because right now the interest rates are favorable to us. So it' be stupid for us to use our own money when we'll be making money on the money we don't use. But that's not
always the case. And I think we need to be really really critical of how we're spending our money because I worried before and I still worry that everybody And and when I say everybody,
I don't mean just the five of us. I everybody. We we see it with our residents. We see it with people we talk to where we've kind of maybe lost sight a little bit of what a million dollars is and what multi-million dollars are because it's an abstract concept, but
it's not going to be abstract when we have to pay for it. >> Thank you very much, Commissioner Benich. Uh did anyone else have uh any discussion? Good. Commissioner K. >> Well, to the city manager, um, the rate
is variable or is it fixed? >> Variable, right? >> Variable, right? >> It's a line of credit, right? So, it's variable. >> So, the understanding so all we're doing is opening the line. So, giving us the opportunity to be variable. That's all we're doing here. I agree with you that
we need to be very conscious about what we're doing. Most of the designs and the efforts that we do, we have an understanding how we're going to go pay for it the long term. But you're right. We just got to be very careful of mission creep. Um, so thank you for reminding. >> Yeah, thank you. And I do think it's
always important to ask the question. Of course, you look at everything. We had the referendum for the bond. I do think that was the city telling us that they want to see our services keep up with with with the neighborhood. And I think that's uh what we're doing here as well. But thank you everybody for your input.
And uh is there a motion on the item? >> Second. Commissioner Cay, >> yes. >> Commissioner Rodriguez, >> yes. >> Commissioner Bonish, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Corey, >> yes. >> Item passes 40 first. >> Thank you. And then all that leaves for
us tonight is commission uh discussion. Does anybody have anything they want to bring up? >> I would like to say one thing. >> Absolutely. Commissioner Rodriguez. So, I ju I just want to say um it's funny that uh it was exactly a year ago that I joined you fine gentlemen uh left
people. Uh so, I just wanted to say that I can't believe it's been a year already. So, um it's been great working with you guys. It's been great working with staff and I look forward to the future. >> I'm glad you're here. >> Congratulations. >> I'm glad you're here. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you very much. Um and yeah, I'll just add one additional thing. I wanted to thank the city um for all the holiday decorations. I went around with my three-year-old daughter. She sat on everything you could sit on and some things you're not supposed to sit on.
So, but she had an absolute blast. Thank you to uh thank you to the city. Thank you to Commissioner Benich who's always spearheaded doing more and more and more there. I think we are making our downtown magical for the holidays. So, thank you. >> Yes, absolutely. >> Very good job today, Brian.
>> Oh, thank you. >> Done us all. Oh, thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you for stepping in. >> All right. Thank you everybody. Meetings adjourned. >> Thank you.