Revised CRB Letter to Commissio
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33139
www.miamibeachfl. ov
Charter Review and Revision Board
August 26, 2004
Honorable Mayor David Dermer and members of the City Commission:
The purpose of this letter is to summarize the actions taken at the August 12, 2004 Charter
Review and Revision Board and to transmit the recommendations of the Board for your
consideration, as they relate to the upcoming Special Commission meeting of August 30,
2004.
We understand that at this meeting, the City Commission may consider potential ballot
questions regarding district elections for commission members and changing the City's
form of government.
These charter related issues were thoroughly debated during the term of the Charter
Review Board and after due consideration the Board previously concluded on April 9, May
29 and June 10, 2003, that here should be no change to the City Charter. The issue of
district elections for commission members is an extremely complicated matter that has
been considered by Miami Beach in the past, including twelve years ago during the last
charter review process, during the deliberations of the 1993 Mayor's Blue Ribbon Panel on
Diversity Issues and the 1994 Voting Rights lawsuit filed by Hispanic voters in the City of
Miami Beach. This issue is likely to elicit United States Department of Justice analysis and
review concerning compliance with the Federal Voting Rights Act.
Changing the form of government would be one of the most dramatic and important actions
a municipality can take. Any consideration of these issues should ensure that all aspects
of the potential modifications are fully considered. In addition, issues such as,
compensation, term of office, term limits, qualifications, residency, etc. are all matters that
are inter-related and which need to be considered.
If the City Commission is convinced, that either of the above mentioned changes are
necessary, the Board believes there is not enough time to inform the public about the
consequences of their vote at this time. Proceeding without further deliberation and public
participation would leave many questions unanswered and improperly affect the outcome
of the referendum. Following a full public process, the City Commission would have all
relevant information to make an informed decision on whether to present these significant
charter changes to the public for an informed vote.
Charter Review and Revision Board
August 24, 2004
Page 2 of 2
With regard to the transportation issues (i.e. 63rd Street Flyover and the Bay Link project),
this Board has no jurisdiction and thus takes no position.
The above recommendations were unanimously endorsed by the Board and are
respectfully submitted to you for your careful consideration. In conclusion, we believe The
Charter is a good governing document for the citizens of Miami Beach. We appreciate
having been given the opportunity to serve the Commission and the citizens of Miami
Beach.
Respectfully submitted,
Chairman Steve Zack
Vice-Chair Jonathan Beloff
Board Member Ricky Arriola
Board Member Victor Diaz
Board Member Seymour Gelber
Board Member Larry Herrup
Board Member Abraham Laeser
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