[Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] How do you feel? Hey, hey, hey. [Music] Hey, [Music] [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. down. Everybody [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. N. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] Hey hey hey. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] Hey hey hey. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] As usual, we are going to start our meeting with prayer Today we are joined by Reverend Kutcher from Greater Bethl, the historic Greater Bethl located in Overtown. He's going to lead us in prayer. Good morning, Reverend Ker. Uh let us bow head and open our hearts. Father God, in the name of Jesus, we come now to just say thank you for being God Almighty. And we come now into this midst of this assembly. Ask that you would open up to us your knowledge, your wisdom, your understanding. And God, we want to take the time to say thank you for a servant that's being remembered uh that's going on. Thank you for the time, the effort. Thank you for every contribution. Thank you, oh God, for the blessedness. And God, we ask that now that you allow your anointing to be in the midst of the assembly. and God lead folk of how to go forth into the place where blessedness will take place into the place where the community becomes stronger become more closer together. We ask, oh God, that you bring together an understanding, bring together a c a a a unity that we would operate in that spirit of communalism that you gave us not only in the meeting, but it will spread out through the community and all of us will be stronger because of what takes place. and we release now the blessings of your presence and the blessings of your love in the unity of your spirit to be a blessing to the community. In Christ's name, let us say amen. Amen. Thank you. Thank you. At this time, we'll recite the pledge of allegiance. I pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. You may be seated. Thank you. Mr. City Attorney, would you please read your statement for the record? Thank you, Madam Chair. Detailed information about the processes, order of business, rule of procedure and scheduling and rescheduling of city commission meetings can be found in chapter 2, article 2 of the city code, a copy of which is available online at www.mmudicode.com. Any person who is a lobbyist pursuant to chapter 2, article six of the city code must register with the city clerk and comply with related city requirements for lobbyists before appearing before the city commission. A person may not lobby a city official, board member, or staff member until registering. A copy of the code section about lobbyist is available in the city clerk's office or online at www.mmunicode.com. The city of Miami requires that anyone requesting action by the city commission must disclose before the hearing any consideration provided or committed to anyone for agreement to support or withhold objection to the requested action pursuant to city code section 2-8. The agenda and the material for the item on the agenda is available during business hours at the city clerk's office and online 24 hours a day at www.mmiamgv.com. Any person may be heard by the city commission through the chair for not not more than two minutes on any proposition before the city commission unless modified by the chair. Public comment at city hall will be will remain open until public comment is closed by the chair. Any person making offensive remarks or who becomes unruly in the city commission chambers will be barred from further attending city commission meetings and may be subject to arrest. No clapping, applauding, heckling or verbal outburst in support or opposition to a speaker or his or her remarks shall be permitted. No signs or placard shall be allowed in the commission chambers. Persons exiting the commission chamber shall do so quietly. Members of the public wishing to address the body may do so by submitting written comments via the online comment form. You can visit www.mmiami.com/meing instructions for detailed instructions on how to provide public comment using the online public comment form. Any comments submitted through the comment form have been and will be distributed to the elected officials, their staff and city administration throughout the day so that the elected officials may consider the comments prior to taking any action. Additionally, the online comment form will remain open during the meeting to accept comments and distribute to the elected officials. their staff and the city administration up until the chairperson closes public comment. If a proposition is being continued or rescheduled, the opportunity to be heard may be at such later date before the city commission takes action on the proposition. When addressing the city commission, the member of the public must first state their name, their address, and what item will be spoken about. Any person with a disability requiring assistance, auxiliary aids, and services for this meeting may notify the city clerk. The city has provided different public comment methods to indicate, among other things, the public's support, opposition, or neutrality on the item and topics to be discussed at the city commission meeting in compliance with section 286.0114, subsection 4C, Florida statutes. Anyone wishing a verbatim record of an item considered at the meeting may request it at the office of communications or view it online at www.mmiamgv.com. This meeting can be viewed live on Miami TV, the city's Facebook page, the city's X page, the city's YouTube channel, Comcast channel 77, and AT&T channel 99. The broadcast will also have closed captioning. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. City Attorney. Thank you again for your attendance. We are here to discuss the district 4 vacancy and how as a commission we should move forward in filling the vacancy. I'd like to take the temperature of my colleagues before we open the floor to public comment to see if they are um interested in appointing or special election or would you like to hear from our constituents first? I'll start with you, Vice Chair. Thank you, Madam Chairman. Madam Chairman, uh I'm of the opinion that this should go to an election so that the vote so that the voters uh of district 4 will decide. Okay. Um district one uh I also share the same feeling. Uh, I think this is should be put up to a special election and I let the voters of the district decide so later on there's no fingerpointing u you know that uh that we did it for other reasons. Thank you. Commissioner Partardo, I'd like to hear public comment and I'm also leaning toward general election special election. Special election. Okay. And as for myself, I believe everyone is aware how I feel about filling vacancies. I believe that the community should decide who their representative would be. It is not for us here to decide what is best for the residents of district 4. And I believe that is what Commissioner Reyes would have wanted having been in this situation before. We've had a discussion about that um when it was me in this similar situation. So um at this time I will open the floor for public comment. Those who wish to speak, please step forward. We'd love to hear your thoughts. Morning, commissioners. Good morning. I'm Rose Fountain, uh otherwise known as Rose Fountain Marshall. I carry my parental name, Fountain, and I'm here to offer my condolences. And uh this is very personal. I'm here for the um agenda item also. Uh I don't really know the procedure but I would myself apply for this position because it's dear to me and I understand what has happened and what has taken place. Now, having said that, I don't know who the candidates are, but uh I'm thinking Fountain Torres. Um there are a couple of people in that area that could handle this position. Uh this is, like I said, I'm I'm trying to be complacent, but this is really uh it's going to take a toll on my community, too. So, I'm I'm asking, you know, consideration for the people that are involved if if they're appointed, if they're just put in this position or if you're electing them, you know, I I would really like, you know, thank you. Good morning. Good morning. Good morning, commissioners, chair and commissioners. Uh, I'm here to support Ralph Rosado as District 4 Commissioner and also uh to make you all aware of this book, Historic Silver Bluff, which you can borrow from your local library and uh or purchase on Amazon. Uh, this was written prepared for the Date Heritage Trust. I've got nothing to do with this book other than to have read it. And uh we need to preserve the architectural designs, the heritage of our neighborhood, Silver Bluff, and also uh to recognize the contributions of people who live there. For example, the pilot of Anola Gray that uh saved the life the potential lives of 2 million American GIS in the Pacific uh uh by uh going on that mission to Japan. uh which ended the war. So, thank you very much. Thank you. My apologies, sir. Sir, may I have your name for the record? Oh, yes. Uh Donald DZ Don Derez, 1852 Southwest 24th Street, Miami. Thank you. Good morning. Good morning, commissioners. Ariva, 61 Northwest 37th Avenue. I'm also the chairman of the LGBTQ advisory board appointed by the late Commissioner Manola Reyes. Uh I would love if we could have a special election. As someone who was born and raised in District 4, I would like to elect my commissioner. Thank you. Thank you. Good morning. Good morning, chairwoman and commissioners. My name is Jesselle Jordan of 360 Southwest 19th Street. That's the Coralgate neighborhood in the city of Miami. In light of Commissioner Manolo Reyes's unfortunate passing last week, I'm here with several other members in our community occupying most of this middle section here to support Rafael Rosado for the um district 4 seat. He has been an active member in our community and uh representing our community and district for many years. He's organized our neighborhood tree plantings. He helped get Douglas Park cleaned up and reopened after it closed for many years. He's mediated with the owner of Seir site to ensure we get a much smaller project than what is possible which would have been to have a bigger project would have been really detrimental to our neighborhood. And lastly, he's always helped keep us informed of important issues in the neighborhood. Thank you very much. Thank you. Good morning. Good morning. Thomas Jelki, 3100 Bickl Avenue. Uh no apartment number. Uh I'm also here uh for a couple of reasons. One, I want to say thank you to the commissioners. Uh I don't think you guys get enough thanks for all you do. Uh I sit on the Miami Parking Authority and I I know that uh you do a lot of work for the city and and often don't hear from people. Uh thank you. So that's the first thing I wanted to say. Um, the second thing is I also want to stand up and support Ralph Lado for the seat and have you please consider uh not having a special election mostly for the cost of of what it is. You have a an incredibly competent, experienced uh and committed human being right here. He basically has a PhD in city management from Colombia uh and would make an incredible person to fit in that role temporarily and people will have the opportunity to elect someone come November. So just putting that out there for you to consider. This would be a temporary thing until the citizens and residents of that uh area can make a decision later. Thank you. Thank you. Good morning. Good morning. Daniel Amador, 3260 Southwest 20th Street. And I rise to mention that a special election does have certain costs involved in it. And given that we are in an election year of 2025 where many where a much greater u voter participation will happen if we were to hold that seat through appointment until the general election in November. Given that the last special election we had, we only had a 12% voter turnout for that one precinct. Uh I believe that an appointment would work best for the time being given that it's just over 6 months from now until the general election. And coincidentally, I'd also like to recommend Ralph Rosado given his civic comm civic engagement as well as help in the community. So, I think it's a a win-win scenario with an appointment, not only from the the district where you get a an effective and a qualified candidate, but you're also saving the cost of a special election. Thank you. Thank you. Good morning. Good morning, Brenda Barank 36 Street. Um, this is a very difficult one, but I think two of you already were here when we happened with uh, Commissioner Data Portilla. And I think it's so important to let the borders decide. We might think about it. is going to save money. But in these times, it's not so much about saving money. If we're going to save money, we have plenty of things that you guys can coordinate to save money. But the borders is the one to need to decide. That way nobody can say down the road that you guys for a special decisions or special interest or one side prefer the other. I think everybody is amazing to be able to serve district 4. I am not even a resident of district 4 and I have been in the co enforcement committee for district 4 since Tomas Francis and now Manolo and I even served district 4. So the four of you need to make a decisions for the borders and talking about the entire district four the ones that they know that today is happened this meeting and the one that doesn't even know that the heating is happening today. So to me especially elections it will be better and safe for everybody. Thank you. Is there anyone else that would like to speak? Good morning. Good morning. Uh, my name is Andre Valina. Call me Andy. 6850 Southwest First Street, Miami, Florida, 33144. First of all, my condolences. Uh, I didn't realize, you know, nor Manolo, I ran I tal I ran against Francis. I submitted to him. He was he was in line with what I needed in Flegami. We have a very special area, a unique situation there. He took care of it. I ran again. My son was diagnosed with uh autism. I backed out. He's doing amazing. Um and recently I ran again and it's not a personal thing. It's I have some more ideas because I know what we're feeling. And I think that the right solution is going to be to work with all of you because the problems rise up. And I heard you in a meeting making a statement with the code department about a process. We'll leave it at that. Eventually I'll meet with y'all. Um I was going to I've had a lot of different thoughts, but I think whoever is going to have this position needs to be familiar with it. What are the issues? And right now I'm emailing Ombberto from parking authority. I've taken it upon myself I have signs uh code enforcement locally have their cell phones and it's been that painful to get that a little higher. That being said, uh I think it's the people. I uh with 3,700 votes, I got 14% with 49 days of of election time. Um so the people are the ones that decide. They're the ones that know the problem. And whoever does uh uh not get elected or appointed, if you really care, you should stay involved and help your commission and help your district, which is what I've been doing. I have worked with uh Mr. Rosado and I have talked to him and I do believe he is the perfect person for that. Not only that, he almost won, but I do think that people need to make that choice eventually. Thank you for your time. Thank you and I'm sorry for your loss again. Thank you. Thank you. Is there anyone else that would like to speak? Uh hello and good morning. My name is Sergio Fenolita. I'm here to support Ralph Rosado uh for this appointment simply because it would um be an excellent temporary solution. the voters are still going to be able to express themselves, still be able to vote for a leader in the community, which may well end up being him. He is the most civic oriented person I've ever known, and he is very committed to District 4 and to the well-being of Miami in general. So, if you would consider him for this appointment, that would be a great stop gap until the election. I think that would be a wise decision. Thank you. Is there anyone else that would like to speak? Go ahead. I was under the impression that an appointment will not be able to run for commission. That's up for debate. I'm just it's a legal impossibility. They can say that they would be a caretaker for the seat and that they will not run, but you could not legally hold them to such a promise. Okay. Just wanted to Yes. Yes. Anyone else that wishes to speak for public comment? Good morning, chairwoman and commissioners. First of all, I want to extend my condolences to the family of Mano Reyes. He was an exceptional public servant. My name is Ralph Rossado. I reside at 3340 Southwest 16 Terrace in District 4's Coralgate neighborhood. I was born and raised in the city of Miami. And I want to thank all the residents and District 4 neighbors that are here today in support of me. My wife and uh Mari and I have owned our home which we built for over a decade. For about 20 years, we have called District 4 home. And it would be the honor of a lifetime to be able to serve with each of you and represent a community that I love so much. I'm a former city manager with experience preparing city budgets, overseeing police and public works departments, even running a municipal post office. I'm ready to hit the ground running today if selected for the appointment. More importantly, for the last 7 years, I've been able to express deep commitment to this community. Um, I've been had I've had the fortune to be the appointee, Manolo's appointee to the citizens oversight board for the $400 million uh bond, Miami forever bond that was approved some years back. and we review projects and budgets and timelines related to flooding, affordable housing, parks, and other critical needs. I currently serve as board chair. I've helped to beautify D4. I've organized volunteers. We've gone door to door. We've gotten over 200 oaks planted throughout the district. More importantly, for several years, the city had a series of parks that were closed down due to contamination issues. The last two to be reopened were Curtis Park and Douglas Park. I organized the neighbors around Douglas Park who had told me that there were drug sales taking place in the park. Not only was it closed, but there were um a series of crime issues taking place and had been neglected. We showed up at city hall, almost 100 people strong, and we got the city that night to replace the light bulbs, mow the lawn, fix the fence, clean up the contamination, and Douglas Park is a huge success to our neighborhood. Most recently, just a few months ago, we organized a rally at my house to get the city's support to urge the owner of the Sears property located at 37th Avenue in Coroway to build a much smaller project than could be done there. And so, it was going to go from 500 units to almost 8,000. And I'm pleased to report that we're actually successful in getting that done. Thank you. I want to thank you and hope to serve alongside of each of you. Again, it would be the honor of a lifetime to work hand in hand with you to represent a district and a community that I dearly love. Thank you. Is there anyone else here that would like to speak? Seeing none, the public comment period is now closed. Gentlemen, I I do want to share with you an idea that I have with respect to appointments. Um I think commissioner said it best. We are not king makers and I think the fairest way to address appointing someone is if we appointed someone that does not live in the district to be a caretaker. Therefore, they could not say I promise not to run and then they go and run. Our charter does not allow for that today. But I just thought maybe we could think about that and maybe we might want to make that a change because for example, Brenda Bettin Court who doesn't live in district 4 would be a fantastic care taker. She wouldn't be able to run. So we wouldn't be um making the scales, you know, because whether you serve for a month or two months, you do have an advantage over a candidate irrespective of if it's four months or six months. Six months in office is a lifetime. Is a lifetime to do more than just a candidate can do. And that is why I do not support appointments because it gives that person an unfair advantage. It doesn't always work, but for the most part, the community I have found, does not appreciate the commission deciding who their representative should be. and which is why I feel so strongly about allowing the community to decide who their representative should be. Um, I'll take a couple of comments from my colleagues to see where they fall after having heard the public comments. I'm going to start with D1 this time and move my way back this way. Commissioner, so um, not not bad, but you know I I really feel that that you know the way I got here was by that by having you know to to go out there and knock on doors and meet my constituents some of what you've already done and some others have done. So I I I feel very strongly that we should and I understand the cost and and by the way let me set the record straight to somebody said I think it was uh the gentleman the difference here is no Brenda I think was the one that said it. Yes. Uh this is going to the special election is going to cost money. It's to the tune of 380K I've been told by by the is that somewhere around the time that's the estimate now that's the estimate in the past it has come in lower once we receive the invoice but that is the estimate so that is the number that I go with around 350,000 uh for the um supervisor elections and then about another 30,000 in public notices but again that estimate could come down so roughly 380k but uh the difference of course in 2019 was when when the prior my predecessor was taken out that and I ran on that election that was there was an election already in November so it didn't cost anything extra that that was you know and I'm saying that to that my disbenefit because if I'm leaning to go right but but you know we got to be truthful with you guys and so you guys you know know exactly you know what's what's uh being talked about here but at the end of the day uh I think uh let the best man or woman win okay uh I don't want you uh if we appoint somebody any fingerpointing you know uh or that anything like that and and also no you know advantage or disadvantage for for anybody I think uh uh you know u the candidates should go out there like some have been doing knock knock knock on doors and get the people's uh vote and and I'll end it with that. Thank you very much. Thank you Commissioner Pardo. I also got here as a product of a special election. So, I'm very much in favor of people having to go and knock on doors and win the votes and communicate and deliver their message. So, I've kind of always been in favor of a special election, but I'm open to listening in special circumstances. One question I did have, Todd, for you was, I know your estimate is 380,000, but you said it came in lower. What did it come in at? If you can bear with me for just one moment. Sure. Is that the question for your district when you ran commissioner? Is this the question for district uh two or just now? My apologies. Um I just need to look find the information in my in my um binder. Uh so the the estimate for the 2023 uh standalone district 2 special election, the estimate came in at 289,210, but the invoice came in at 176657. So significantly lower. Okay, that's why I was just saying it's an estimate. Thank you. Appreciate it, Vice Chair. Madame Chairman, um I I think we've heard from the public that's here today. We've heard from the commission. At this point in time, I'd like to present uh a motion to call for a special election on June the 3, Tuesday, June the 3. People are used to voting on Tuesdays, so we should keep it in a Tuesday, not change it to a Thursday, a Friday, a Saturday. Um, and that is my motion to have a special election on Tuesday, June the 3. I'll second it. I have a motion and a second. All in favor, chair, just just so before you vote, um, so as you are aware, the qualifying period will begin on April 21st and it will go to April 25th. uh from April 21st, which is Monday, through April 24th, which is Thursday, the clerk's office will be open from 8 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to accept qualifying documents. On Friday, April 25th, the city clerk's office will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. So, I just want to make sure that's on the record as to what the qualifying period will consist of. Thank you, Todd. I have a motion and a second. All in favor? I I Yes. I'm sorry. The motion passed unanimously. Now, what I also want to bring to the commission's attention so I can get direction. Todd, I think one, you should have allowed us to vote first and then because everybody was holding their breath to see if the motion would pass. I think you should say again when the qualifying period begins and ends and then um just just for clarity I want to make sure everybody understands the now that we voted in favor of a special election qualifying period will begin. So the qualifying period begins on Monday, April 21st and will end on Friday, April 25th. And so from Monday, April 21st through Thursday, April 24th, the city clerk's office will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to accept qualifying documents. On April 25th, the final day, Friday, the clerk's office will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. So, one additional hour pursuant to the charter, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on that Friday, April 25th. I just want to make sure that was clear um as as well as, you know, a part of the motion, which it was. And then you wanted to make another statement. Yes. I would like to receive direction from the commission. Um, for the 2023 special election, we had three days of early voting. Uh, so since the special election has been scheduled for June 3rd, uh, it would be appropriate to have early voting for um, Friday, May 30th, Saturday, May 31st. Oh, um, sorry. For Thursday, May 29th, for Friday, May 30th, I apologize. Let me walk that back. Should have looked at my calendar before making these statements. So, early voting for 3 days will be the Friday, Saturday, Sunday. The special election will be on June 3rd. So on Friday, May 30th, we can have early voting from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. I'm just asking for directions because I need to clear this through the supervisor of elections office, but the proposal would be to have early voting for 3 days for Friday, Saturday, Sunday on Friday, May 30th, from 8:00 a.m. from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Saturday being May 31st and Sunday being June 1st, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. And traditionally for the district 4 election, we'd use the Shannondoa branch library and the West Flagler branch library as early voting locations. Now, what I'd like to just have direction from the commission to be able to reach out to the supervisor of elections office to run these dates and times and locations and then what I would do is bring back a pocket item at next Thursday's meeting so that we can go ahead and solidify the early voting schedule. May I have a motion? That's a motion for the request of the city clerk as he's asked for it. A second. Second. I have a motion and a second. All in favor? I. Motion carries unanimously. Mr. City Clerk, do you need anything else? No, ma'am. At this time, I will conclude this special meeting for April 17, 2025. Thank you all for your attendance and your advocacy.