Commission Overview
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Commission Overview
The following information was compiled in order to provide a general overview of the
Commission process and some of the terms used in this process.
Definitions:
"Ordinance" means an official, legislative action of a governing body, which action
is a regulation of a general and permanent nature and enforceable as a local law.
See City Charter Section 2.05 Procedures for passing ordinances.
"Resolution" means an expression of a governing body concerning matters of
administration, expression of a temporary character, or a provision for the
disposition of a particular item of the administrative business of the governing
body.
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Commission Meeting Dates
Pursuant to the Section 2.04 of the City Charter, The City Commission shall meet
at such times as may be prescribed by ordinance or resolution. In late October or
early November of each year the Administration prepares a resolution with the
recommended Commission Meeting dates for City Commission approval.
Because of the election in 2001, the 2002 Commission Meeting calendar will be
presented on the November 28 Agenda.
Special Commission Meetings
City Charter Section 2.04. The Mayor, or the City Manager, may call special
meetings of the Commission upon at least twenty-four (24) hours written notice to
each member, served personally, or left at his usual place of abode; provided,
however, that the requirement of such written notice may be waived at a special
meeting by the unanimous vote of the Commission.
Commission Workshops
Are meetings of the whole or part of the City Commission at which extended
discussion, debate and inquiry may take place, but at which no vote or official
action is taken.
Executive Session (Labor Matters)
Are meetings held pursuant to Section 447.605, Florida Statutes, between the
City Manager, City Attorney, relevant staff and the City Commission concerning
r collective barg.aining.
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Closed Executive Sessions
Are meetings held pursuant to Section 286.011, Florida Statutes, between the
City Manager, City Attorney/outside counsel (if applicable), and the City
Commission to discuss pending litigation to which the City is presently a party.
City Commission Agenda
The City Commission Agenda is prepared by the City Manager's Office with the
City Clerk's Office assistance. Pursuant to Resolution 91-20421, which
established a policy whereby matters to be considered by the City Commission
shall be published in an Agenda and submitted to the Mayor and City Commission
on or before the Fridays preceding regular Commission Meetings and at least
three working days prior to Special Meetings. It is also required that any item not
meeting the submission schedule sha,lI only be considered after a finding by the
Commission that such item constitute an emergency matter and should be
considered immediately, requiring a five-sevenths affirmative vote.
Commission Aaenda Sections
The Commission Agenda is subdivided into sections. Presentations and
Awards, Consent Aaenda, Reaular Aaenda, Reports and Informational Items,
and the Redevelopment Aaencv .-..
Presentations and Awards
This section of the Agenda is used to recognize noteworthy events, activities,
or individuals. Proclamations, Certificates of Appreciation, Medallions, Keys
to the City, Plaques, or other special recognition is typically presented.
Consent Aaenda
Items placed on the Consent Agenda are considered by the Administration to
be of a routine and non-controversial nature. Items listed on the Consent
Agenda may be adopted by one comprehensive motion which moves the
approval of the entire Consent Agenda. Expenditures less than $500,000 can
be placed on the Consent Agenda. Expenditures of $500,000 or more are
place on the Regular Agenda.
Any member of the City Commission may request that that a Consent Item be
separated for discussion from the Consent Agenda prior to a motion to
approve the Consent Agenda.
The Consent Agenda is subdivided into C2 (Competitive Bids); C4
(Commission Committee Assignments); C6 (Commission Committee
Reports); and C7 (Resolutions).
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Reaular Aaenda
Items placed on the Regular Agenda require specific action (approve, deny,
defer, or continue) on each item by the City Commission. Any expenditure of
$500,000 or more are placed on the Regular Agenda.
The Regular Agenda is subdivided into R2 (Competitive Bid Reports); R5
(Ordinances); R6 (Commission Committee Reports); R7 (Resolutions); R9
(New Business and Commission Requests); R10 (City Attorney Reports); and
Reports and Informational Items.
Redevelopment Aaencv
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The Miami Beach Redevelopment Agency (RDA) was created in 1973 under
the authority of Florida's Community Redevelopment Act of 1969, which
sought to encourage economic development in blighted areas. From 1973
through 1983, the Miami Beach RDA operated as an independent authority
with a Board of Commissioners. In 1976, the South Shore Community
Revitalization Area was designated. This district encompasses the area
South of Sixth Street, which is now known as South Pointe. In 1983, the RDA
was reorganized and incorporated into the City of Miami Beach administrative
structure. The City Commission serves as the Redevelopment Agency Board
and the City Manager serves as its Executive Director. In 1993, the City
designated a second CRA, commonly known as City Center.
The Dr. Stanlev Sutnick Citizen's Forum. This forum is held during the first
Commission Meeting each month. The Forum is split into two (2) sessions,
1 :30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Approximately thirty (30) minutes will be allocated
per session for each of the subject to be considered, with individuals being
limited to no more than three (3) minutes. No appointment or advanced
notification is needed in order to speak to the Commission during this forum.
How the Mayor or City Commissioner requests an agenda item(s).
The Mayor or any City Commissioner can request the Administration, via a
memorandum to the City Manager, to place an item on the Commission Agenda
for discussion. The Administration will place the item in the R9 section of the
Agenda (R9 New Business and Commission Requests)
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Afteraction: -""",,,
Following every meeting of the City Commission and the Redevelopment Agency,
the City Clerks office will prepare a report called the Afteraction Report. This
report records which elected official made the motion, who seconded the motion,
who voted for and against the motion, and whether the vote was a ballot (roll call)
or voice. In addition, the Afteraction Report records any requests made by the
City Commission, the Mayor or a City Commissioner.
City Code Book and Electronic City Code
The City Code book or paper version of the City Code must be updated each time
a new supplement is issued. Supplement updates are generally issued quarterly.
The electronic City Code is on the City's electronic network and can be accessed
via your computer if the proper software is installed. The Electronic City Code
allows for keyword searches and items can be printed. To access the Electronic
City Code contact the City Clerk's Office. The Electronic City Code can also be
accessed on the internet by going to Municipal Code Corporation website.
The City Code Book and Electronic contains the laws of the City of Miami Beach
and is broken down into four (4) main sections or the City Charter, Related
Special Acts, General Ordinances, and Land Development Regulations.
Charter: The Charter is an essential and fundamental element of every
Florida municipality. No municipal government may exist without a Charter. .........
The City of Miami Beach's Charter contains the Preamble, Citizens' Bill of
Rights, Corporate Existence, Form of Government, Boundary and Power, City
Commission, City Attorney, City Manager and Administrative Organization,
Budget and Finance, Elections, Initiative and Referendum, and Schedules,
Miscellaneous.
Related Special Acts: These are laws which were passed by the Florida
Legislature prior to the Home Rule Charter with was passed in 1957 and
continue to remain in effect.
General Ordinances: The ordinances or laws approved by the Miami Beach
City Commission relating to the City of Miami Beach and codified.
land Development regulation: The ordinance or laws approved by the
Miami Beach City Commission regulating land development and uses in the
City of Miami Beach.
Vice-mayor rotation:
Previous City Commissions have elected to rotate the vice-mayor via resolution,
every four (4) months. The rotation is by group I, II, III, IV, V, and VI. The rotation
is March 1 to June 3D, July 1 to October 31, and November 1 to the last day in
February. Why does the rotation start in November? See City Charter 2.04
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City Commission Meeting Rules.
City Resolution 91-20386 adopted Robert's Rules of Order newly revised (1990 Ed.)
as the general parliamentary law applicable to meetings of the City Commission.
Commission Committees.
Via Resolutions 94-21382, 97-22607 and 98-22693, the City Commission
established four (4) City Commission Committees: land Use and Development,
Finance and Citywide Projects, Neighborhood, and Community Affairs. The
appointment of City Commissioners to these boards are made by the Mayor.
land Use and Development Committee:
Shall here matters related to Planning and Zoning issues and issues
related to specific public and/or private development projects
Finance and Citywide Projects Committee:
Shall hear issues related to municipal finance and City-wide capital
improvement projects.
Neighborhood Committee:
Shall address issues related to the quality of life, including improvement
programs relating to the various neighborhoods throughout the City.
Community Affairs Committee: ,
Shall address issues of concern or interest to the Miami Beach community.
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Boards and Committees:
Appointing Authority
Art in Public Places City Commission
Barrier Free Environment Committee Individual
Beach Preservation Committee Individual
Beautification Committee Individual
Board of Adjustment City Commission by 5(1 vote
Budget Advisory Committee Individual
Committee for Quality Education in Miami Beach Individual
Committee on the Homeless Individual
Community Development Advisory Committee Individual
Community Relations Board Individual
Convention Center Advisory Board Individual
Convention Center Capital Projects Oversight Individual
Debarment Committee Individual
Design Review Board City Commission by 5f? vote
Fine Arts Board Individual
Florida Sister Cities Committee Mayor
Golf Advisory Committee Individual
Health Advisory Committee City Commission
Health Facilities Authority Board City Commission
Hispanic Affairs Committee Individual -.,
Historic Preservation City Commission
Housing Authority Mayor/confirmed by City
Commission
Loan Review Individual
Marine Authority Individual
Miami Beach Commission on the Status of Women Individual (3 each)
Miami Beach Cultural Arts Council City Commission
North Beach Youth Center Oversight Committee Individual
Nuisance Abatement Board City Commission
Oversight Committee for General Obligation Bond City Commission
Parks and Recreational Facilities Board Individual
Personnel Board City Commission by 5(1 vote
Planning Board City Commission
Police Citizens Relations Committee Individual (2 each)
Production Industry Council Individual
Safety Committee Individual
South Pointe Advisory Board Redevelopment Agency
Transportation and Parking Committee Individual
Visitors and Convention Authority City Commission
Youth Center Advisory Board Individual
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