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The Wednesday, October 18, 2023 Commission Meeting starts at 8:30 a.m. with the Sutnick Hour where residents may speak on any topic. The meeting will be held at: Miami Beach Convention Center, 1901 Convention Center Drive, 2nd Floor, Meeting Rooms 222-225;
or Zoom at https://miamibeachfl-gov.zoom.us/j/81392857671; or Dial: 1.305.224.1968 or 888.475.4499 (Toll Free) Webinar ID: 81392857671#
October 18, 2023 – 8:30 a.m.
It will also be streamed live on MBTV Channel 660 on Atlantic Broadband or 99 on AT&T U-Verse, on the City’s website, and on Facebook Live at facebook.com/cityofmiamibeach.
IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK ON AN ITEM DURING THE MEETING:
Via Zoom, please click the “raise hand” button on the screen to raise your hand as soon as the item is called. This will pull you to the top of the list and make it easier for the team to find you in the list of attendees. Or via phone, press *9 to raise a hand to be placed in queue to speak.
Want to read the proposed Commission agenda items and get info about the Commission meeting? Click HERE
Want to contact your elected officials directly? Click here.
ROOFTOP ALCOHOL ESTABLISHMENTS – CUP REQUIREMEN
R5H Sponsored by Fernandez — Second Reading 5:01 PM Public Hearing
Executive Summary:
ROOFTOP ALCOHOL ESTABLISHMENTS – CUP REQUIREMENT AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND EXPANDING THE DEFINITION OF NEIGHBORHOOD IMPACT ESTABLISHMENT TO INCLUDE ROOFTOP ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE ESTABLISHMENTS ADJACENT TO PROPERTIES WITH A RESIDENTIAL UNIT
MBU RESOLUTION:
Miami Beach United SUPPORTS this ordinance. Rooftop bars adjacent to residential buildings can create significant nuisance and noise for the residents nearby. We have many examples of rooftop establishments which are NOT located near residential units which still create chaos, noise complaints and trouble for the residential community, causing continuing calls to Police and Code Compliance. Given this history, it seems clear that any rooftop establishments in residential areas would only further burden the Police and Code departments with noise or behavioral complaint calls. We also suggest this ordinance apply not just to rooftops, but to any open-air space above the ground floor, as well as any rooftop smoking/hookah lounges.
Read the Commission document by clicking HERE
INDOOR RESTAURANT AMBIENT ENTERTAINMENT PILOT PROGRAM
R5K Sponsored by Arriola — First Reading
Executive Summary:
INDOOR RESTAURANT AMBIENT ENTERTAINMENT PILOT PROGRAM IN SUNSET HARBOUR AND SOUTH OF FIFTH FROM 11 AM TO 6 PM, SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS.
MBU RESOLUTION:
Miami Beach United DOES NOT SUPPORT allowing live entertainment, whether ambient or non-ambient, to be performed at commercial establishments in neighborhoods where a majority of residents oppose it. Both the South of Fifth and Sunset Harbour Neighborhood Associations have expressed strong opposition to this proposed ordinance. South of Fifth, supported its statement of opposition with the results of a survey sent to over 3,000 South of Fifth residents (nearly 400 residents responded) in which 76% voted that they were in favor of keeping the existing restrictions on live entertainment in place., Given that Code Enforcement already has difficulty enforcing existing noise ordinances — as evidenced by the extremely low percentage of noise complaints which result in citations — expanding the number of locations allowed to offer live entertainment poses an unacceptable risk to resident quality of life.
Read the Commission document by clicking HERE
NOTICE REQUIREMENTS FOR DISCUSSION ITEMS
R5L Sponsored by Arriola — First Reading
Executive Summary:
ORDINANCE AMENDING ADMINISTRATION AND REVIEW PROCEDURES TO ESTABLISH A NOTICE PROCEDURE FOR CERTAIN DISCUSSION ITEMS THAT ARE SCHEDULED BY LAND USE BOARDS
MBU RESOLUTION:
Miami Beach United SUPPORTS this important ordinance to enhance notification requirements to a property owner when a discussion of their property is included on any Land Use Board agenda.
We believe it is only fair that the owner is aware, from the inception, of any discussion or dialogue taking place by the City about their property which could have a considerable impact on their property. Having been integrally involved in the creation of the City’s Residents Right to Know process, MBU is committed to support legislation which increases transparency and helps to ensure that residents and businesses are fully informed and timely aware of any Land Use Board discussions that may affect them.
Read the Commission document by clicking HERE
ALCOHOL HOURS OF SALE MARCH 2024 – CITYWIDE
R5M Sponsored by Gelber – First Reading
Executive Summary:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 6 TO REQUIRE TERMINATION OF ALCOHOL SALES AT MIDNIGHT AT ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE ESTABLISHMENTS DURING TWO HIGH IMPACT (SPRING BREAK) WEEKENDS IN MARCH OF 2024.
MBU RESOLUTION:
Miami Beach United SUPPORTS this ordinance amendment which would require the sale and consumption of alcohol at alcoholic beverage establishments to cease Citywide at Midnight during two Spring Break weekends in March 2024. Other measures tried in recent years have failed to curb the violence and mayhem which keeps happening during peak Spring Break weekends. While we recognize the typical patron at the City’s alcoholic beverage establishments paying high prices
for drinks are rarely a problem during Spring Break, the clubs, bars and hotels who promote high profile performers at their establishments during this period contribute to the image of the City as an “anything goes” place to be and that, in turn, attracts the massive, unruly crowds who have been taking over streets and the park in the Ocean Drive area. We think a midnight termination for the sale of alcohol to curb promotional activity is worth a try, but this will need to be Citywide to change the image of Miami Beach as the place to be for Spring Break and to treat all businesses equitably.
Read the Commission document by clicking HERE
6/7 VOTE REQUIREMENT FOR FUTURE INCREASES IN FAR
R5Q Sponsored by Meiner & Fernandez – First Reading
Executive Summary:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE RESILIENCY CODE TO REQUIRE AN AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF SIX-SEVENTHS OF ALL MEMBERS OF THE CITY COMMISSION PRIOR TO ANY FUTURE INCREASE IN THE FLOOR AREA OR FLOOR AREA RATIO (FAR) OF ANY PROPERTY IN THE CITY.
MBU RESOLUTION:
Miami Beach United SUPPORTS requiring a 6/7 vote of the City Commission for any increase in the Floor Area Ratio of any property in the City. Because FAR increases have the potential to alter the character of the City, we believe this higher threshold for approval is warranted.
Read the Commission document by clicking HERE
PROCESS FOR FUTURE INCREASES IN FAR
R5R Sponsored by Fernandez — First Reading
Executive Summary:
AN ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH POLICIES, PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS FOR THE REVIEW OF FUTURE INCREASES IN FLOOR AREA AND/OR FLOOR AREA RATIO (FAR)
MBU RESOLUTION:
Miami Beach United SUPPORTS this ordinance and believes that it is imperative in light of SB718 to establish policies, procedures and requirements that will result in appropriate and equitable levels of review for FAR increases; however, we agree with the recommendation of the Charter Review Committee that the process as it is currently proposed can be streamlined to make it more workable.
Read the Commission document by clicking HERE
ALCOHOL HOURS OF SALE WEST AVENUE
R5T Sponsored by Fernandez — First Reading
Executive Summary:
ALCOHOL HOURS OF SALE WEST AVENUE – 2:00 A.M. INDOORS EAST SIDE OF ALTON ROAD – PROSPECTIVE 2:00 A.M.
MBU RESOLUTION:
Miami Beach United SUPPORTS this alcohol ordinance especially because it prevents future 5:00 a.m. bars and night clubs in the West Avenue neighborhood and creates parity between the east and west sides of Alton Road.
However, too many establishments will be exempt, so we urge the commission to further reduce the number of establishments in this residential neighborhood which can serve alcohol after 2 a.m.
Read the Commission document by clicking HERE
AN ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO MOVE THE INTERNAL AUDIT FUNCTION FROM UNDER THE INSPECTOR GENERAL TO UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE CITY ADMINISTRATION
R5AC Sponsored by Richardson — First Reading
Executive Summary:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO MOVE THE INTERNAL AUDIT FUNCTION FROM UNDER THE INSPECTOR GENERAL TO UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE CITY ADMINISTRATION
MBU RESOLUTION:
Miami Beach United DOES NOT SUPPORT this proposed ordinance amendment to transfer the Internal Audit function from the Office of the Inspector General (“OIG”) to a department under the City Manager. The Internal Audit function is responsible for auditing city programs, contracts, and expenditures for the purpose of identifying control issues, noncompliance with municipal laws, inefficiency, mismanagement, and fraud. In 2018 this function was transferred from the City Manager to the newly created Office of the Inspector General to give the Internal Audit staff the independence needed to freely report on deficiencies in the City’s operating departments and insulate them from organizational and political pressure. As was stated by the Miami Beach Audit Committee, oversight of the Internal Audit function by the OIG is “the best way for the City to ensure independence and transparency in its internal audit function, consistent with the intent of the original ordinance and trend toward establishing offices of
inspector general to provide independent oversight of local government.”
The City Manager has stated that she needs audit resources under her direct supervision to properly manage the activities performed by her organization. To address that need, we suggest that the Commission approve additional positions under the City Manager rather than taking resources from the OIG.
Read the Commission document by clicking HERE
ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO MAKE THE AD HOC NEIGHBORHOOD RESILIENCY PROJECTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE A REGULAR COMMITTEE
R5AD Sponsored by Dominguez — First Reading
Executive Summary:
ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO MAKE THE AD HOC NEIGHBORHOOD RESILIENCY PROJECTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE A REGULAR COMMITTEE TO ADVISE THE ADMINISTRATION AND CITY COMMISSION ON POTENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS TO RESIDENT OUTREACH IN CONNECTION WITH THE CITY’S RESILIENCY PROJECTS.
MBU RESOLUTION:
Miami Beach United SUPPORTS this ordinance, which makes this Committee a permanent standing advisory board of the City, allowing the Committee to continue to do the important work of helping the city to better inform and engage residents regarding resiliency infrastructure projects, to build and strengthen stakeholder and community support and feedback, and to highlight areas of concern in delivering critical resiliency projects. MBU is committed to initiatives such as this which afford our residents improved communication on projects which critically impact their lives and property while providing valuable input to enhance future projects.
Read the Commission document by clicking HERE
2024 MBU Board of Directors
Clare McCord, President
Ron Starkman, VP Government Affairs
Saul Gross, Treasurer
Adam Kravitz, Recording Secretary
Hortense De Castro, Membership
Gayle Durham, Strategic Policy & Advocacy
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Amanda Knapp, Administration
Jack Finglass
Jorge Gonzalez
Scott Needelman
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