Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2026-34252RESOLUTION NO. 2026-34252 A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, CONSENTING TO THE APPOINTMENT OF DEBORAH TACKETT AS THE PLANNING DIRECTOR OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH. WHEREAS, the City's current Planning Director, Thomas Mooney, has announced his retirement effective July 2026, after thirty-three (33) years of honorable and dedicated service to the City of Miami Beach; and WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission recognize and appreciate Mr. Mooney's commitment, professionalism, and leadership during his twelve (12) years as Planning Director and his many years of service to the community; and WHEREAS, following a thorough review of internal leadership talent, the City Manager has appointed Deborah Tackett to serve as Planning Director; and WHEREAS, Ms. Tackett has served the City for twenty-three (23) years in multiple planning and historic preservation roles, including Planner, Senior Planner, Principal Planner, and, since 2014, as the City's Historic Preservation and Architecture Officer; and WHEREAS, throughout her tenure, Ms. Tackett has demonstrated exemplary expertise in zoning analysis, development review, historic preservation, legislative drafting, and the development of master plans for the City's neighborhoods; and WHEREAS, Ms. Tackett's extensive experience, deep institutional knowledge, and proven leadership uniquely qualify her to lead the Planning Department into the future, ensuring smart, sustainable, and preservation -minded growth for the City; and WHEREAS, based on the qualifications outlined in the attached resume and consistent with the leadership transition described in the memorandum, Deborah Tackett will assume the role of Planning Director effective June 29, 2026; and WHEREAS, Ms. Tackett holds a holds a Master of Science in Historic Preservation from Columbia, awarded in May of 2002; and WHEREAS, Ms. Tackett was awarded a Bachelor of Architecture from University of Miami in August of 2000; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 4.02(b) of the City Charter, the City Manager has the power to appoint the directors of City departments working within the City administration with the consent of the City Commission; and WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission wish to consent to the appointment of Deborah Tackett as the Planning Director for the City of Miami Beach, Florida. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City Commission hereby consent to the appointment of Deborah Tackett as the Planning Director for the City of Miami Beach. PASSED and ADOPTED this do day of VRC14.,, 2026. T�� - S even Meiner, Mayor ATTEST• --,,,,,,,, MAY 2 6 2026 Rafael E. Granado. Citv Clerk APPR(:VEE)AS TO FORM & LANGUAGE 8. =UTIC:)N City yr Uate F Resolutions - C7 F AAIAMI BEACH COMMISSION MEMORANDUM TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission FROM: Eric Carpenter, City Manager DATE: May 20, 2026 TITLE: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, CONSENTING TO THE APPOINTMENT OF DEBORAH TACKETT, AS THE PLANNING DIRECTOR OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH. RECOMMENDATION Pursuant to the requirements of Article IV, Section 4.02 of the City Charter, it is recommended that the Mayor and the City Commission adopt the attached resolution consenting to the appointment of Deborah Tackett as the Planning Director for the City of Miami Beach. BACKGROUND/HISTORY The Planning Department is undergoing a leadership transition following the announced retirement of current Director Thomas Mooney, effective July 2026. Mr. Mooney has served the City for 33 years, including 12 years as Planning Director, and has been instrumental in advancing the City's planning and development initiatives. Based on the qualifications outlined in the attached resume and consistent with the leadership transition described in the memorandum, Deborah Tackett will assume the role of Planning Director effective June 29, 2026. Her extensive twenty -three-year tenure with the City —including her service as Senior Planner, Principal Planner, and Historic Preservation and Architecture Officer —demonstrates the comprehensive experience and leadership foundation that supports this appointment In 2014, Ms. Tackett was appointed as the City's Historic Preservation and Architecture Officer, a role in which she has helped shape the regulatory framework governing planning, land use, and historic preservation. Her extensive experience, leadership, and deep knowledge of departmental operations position her well to guide the Planning Department into its next chapter. ANALYSIS Deborah is a proven, dedicated city servant and who is extremely competent and respected in her profession. The City has benefited from her dedication to the field of urban planning and historic preservation throughout her twenty-three year career with the City. As the Director, Deborah is qualified and uniquely positioned to leverage her experience, skills, and substantive knowledge in the field to lead our city into the future through smart and sustainable development. FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT The Position for the Planning Director is fully budgeted in the Planning Department salaries. 226 of 1709 Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate? (FOR ORDINANCES ONLY) If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on: See BIE at: https•//www miamibeachfi.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices/ FINANCIAL INFORMATION The salary is fully budgeted in the General Fund for the Planning Department. CONCLUSION Pursuant to the requirements of Article IV, Section 4.02 of the City Charter, it is recommended that the Mayor and the City Commission adopt the attached resolution consenting to the appointment of Deborah Tackett as the Planning Director for the City of Miami Beach. Applicable Area Citywide Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item, pursuant to City Code Section 2-17? No Is this item related to a G.O. Bond Project? No Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s): Department Human Resources Sponsor(s) Co-sponsor(s) Condensed Title Appoint Deborah Tackett as Planning Director. HR Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only) 227 of 1709 Deborah Tackeit, AICP Professional Summary Highly accomplished professional in the fields of urban planning and historic preservation, with over 20 years of experience. She possesses extensive knowledge of the principles, methods, and practices of historic preservation, planning, urban design, architecture, and public administration. Her work is consistently recognized for performance excellence, and she is deeply committed to serving her community. Experience City of Miami Beach, Planning Department Historic Preservation & Architecture Officer / Chief of Historic Preservation, 04/2014 to Current Fall 2025, 1 began serving as staff to the City's Planning Board. Primary responsibilities include drafting legislation and preparing staff recommendations presented to the Planning Board at monthly meetings. Prior to 2025, 1 was responsible for managing, organizing and supervising all activities and staff of the Historic Preservation division within the city. Primary responsibilities include: review of all development for projects located within the city's 14 local historic districts; review of all requests for Certificate of Appropriateness; meet with architects, property owners and attorneys to review projects and to provide guidance pertaining to zoning, design and preservation requirements; coordination of the City's Certified Local Government program with the State; meet with members of the public, historic preservation groups and neighborhood associations to discuss concerns relative to historic preservation; provide professional support and attend all Historic Preservation Board meetings including the presentation of staff recommendations; provide professional expertise to the Planning Board, City Administration and City Commission relative to urban design, land use, planning and preservation matters; draft legislation amending the city's land development regulations; prepare and present historic designation reports; coordinate preservation activities with other city departments in order to achieve high quality urban design; coordinate all Arts in Public Places Projects located within historic districts; and provide assistance to the City Attorney's Office with regard to litigation involving historic properties. Notable achievements include the development of Historic Districts Resiliency & Adaptation Guidelines to assist the city and property owners in adapting and modifying historic buildings; the creation of GIS based historic properties database available to the public through the City's website; the adoption of 3 local historic districts, 4 historic sites, and 3 district expansions; creation of an interdepartmental development review committee for major projects; and development of Post War Modern Design Guidelines offering an illustrated guide for property owners. Principal Planner/Senior Planner, 08/2006 to 04/2014 Served as principal staff to the City's Historic Preservation Board under the direction of the Assistant Planning Director. Responsibilities included the preparation and presentation of staff recommendations to the Historic Preservation Board, development of master plans for 228 of 1709 neighborhoods, provided detailed zoning analysis for proposed projects; review of all major building permits for projects located within any local historic district, managed the City's Ad Valorem Tax Exemption program for historically designated single-family residences. Bermello Ajamil & Partners Inc. Miami FL Project Manager, 01 /2006 to 08/2006 Served as part of a consultant team hired by the City of New Orleans to develop a Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan following Hurricane Katrina. Provided overall direction and administrative support to the prime consultant, Lambert Advisory. The final plan established a vision for the future of fifty flooded neighborhoods, tailored to each neighborhood's requirements. Responsibilities included the oversight of seven sub -consultants tasked with preparing neighborhood -specific designs by planning region. Work included analyzing early action projects such as land assembly, transportation, infrastructure improvements, and long-term initiatives desired by the community. The plan was adopted by the City Council in 2008 after numerous public meetings and extensive community outreach. I also served as the Urban Designer for the City fa Homestead. es denial development, drafting the Responsibilities ntincluded formulating and presenting recommendations for commercial Commercial Design Standards Ordinance approved by the Planning & Zoning Board, managing the Transportation and Transit Master Plan, amending the City's Comprehensive Plan, and overseeing the development of a concurrency management system. City of Miami Beach Planning Department Planner, 09/2003 to 01 /2006 City of Miami Beach — Miami Beach, FL Deborah performed various duties within the Planning Department, including reviewing applications for building permits, design, and certificates of appropriateness Prima responsibilities pons'bilrt es ensure compliance assisting City's Land Development Regulations and design guide Primary property owners, developers, architects, and attorneys with zoning, design, historic preservation, and land use matters, conducted onsite inspections, and updated the City's Comprehensive Plan. Dade Heritage Trust, Miami, FL Assistant Director, 05/2002 to 09/2003 As Assistant Director, I assisted the Executive Director with administration, programming, marketing, and public relations. Oversaw the Facade and Conservation Easement program, administered a endangered historic properties, organized major cultural and fundraising revolving fund to save events, prepared public and private grant applications, and attended City Commission, County Commission, and Historic Preservation Board meetings to advocate for preservation policy. Education Master of Science in Historic Preservation, 05/2002 Columbia University — New York, NY Bachelor of Architecture, 08/2000 University of Miami — Miami, FL 229 of 1709 Additional Information • AICP Certification — American Institute of Certified Planners, 2025 • Recipient of Excellence in Government Award, Presented by AIA Miami, October 2025 • Past Chair of Coral Gables Historic Preservation Board • Guest lecturer at the University of Miami School of Architecture and College of Engineering • Guest lecturer at Florida International University Urban Studios • Presenter at National Trust for Historic Preservation conferences • Panelist at Aspen Ideas: Climate conference • Recipient of awards of excellence from Dade Heritage Trust and the Miami Design Preservation League 230 of 1709