LTC 019-2012 Town of Surfside IM MIAMI BEACH \4 F n
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC # 019 -2012 LE REARrb &K ISSION
CiT'1 CLERK'S 0� � t;
TO: Mayor Matti Herrera Bower and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager
DATE: January 20, 2012
SUBJECT: TOWN OF SURFSIDE RESOLUTION NO. 2012 -2066.
Attached for your perusal is a copy of Town of Surfside Resolution No. 2012 -2066
Urging the Florida Legislature to reject any and all expansions of gambling in Florida.
JMJP /Ib
Attachment
F:\CLER \$ALL \LILLY\LTC's 2012 \TownofSurfsideResolutionNo .2012- 2066.doc
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF
SURFSIDE, FLORIDA, URGING THE
FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO REJECT ANY
AND ALL EXPANSIONS OF GAMBLING IN
FLORIDA; PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, by Resolution 11-2034 The Town Commission directed the Town
Manager and the Town Attorney to investigate and research methods to prevent gambling in
Miami- Dade County and specifically the Town of Surfside; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Legislature continues to consider various measures that
would provide for the substantial expansion of gambling and potentially allow for casino
operations that rival in size and scope the gambling operations that exist in Las Vegas and
Atlantic City; and
WHEREAS, notwithstanding the assurances of gambling promoters, historically,
large scale casino operations cannibalize non-gambling businesses causing, for instance, the
shuttering of forty percent of all restaurants and one-third of all retail businesses in Atlantic
City; and
WHEREAS, if located near or in Surfside, the community will have to bear the
severe and painful economic and social costs that always accompany expansive gambling,
including reached consequences such as the misery of individuals and families touched by
problem gambling as they are at higher risk of divorce, bankruptcy, child abuse, domestic
violence, crime, and suicide; and
WHEREAS, expanded gambling may also bring corruption of the governmental
process as immensely wealthy gambling companies from all over the world seek to receive
benefits from the local and state governments that regulate their existence and profits; and
WHEREAS, the Town believes that should gambling interests be allowed to obtain
major casino expansion, in addition to social issues, the quality of life will be denigrated by
the enormous exacerbation of traffic and the potential destruction of otherwise commercially
viable businesses in our community; and
WHEREAS, the Town Manager and Town Attorney believe this issue will be pre-
empted by the State and therefore the best course of action at this particular time is to direct
a resolution from the Town urging the Florida Legislature to reject the expansion of
gambling in Miami-Dade County; and
WHEREAS, the Town Commission believes that if the Florida Legislature
approves the substantial expansion of gambling, then any gambling casino in Miami Dade
County be required to be approved through referendum.
Resolution No. !201-2- _96&69
NOW, THEREFORE, BE TT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN OF SURFSIDE,
FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS.
Section 2 . That the Town of Surfside, Florida urges the Florida Legislature to
reject any and all expansions of gambling, including legislation to legalize so- called
"destination casinos" in Florida.
Section 2 . Implementation. The Mayor and the Town Manager are
hereby authorized to take any and all action necessary to implement this Resolution.
Section 3 . Direction to the Town Clerk. The Town Clerk is hereby directed to
send a certified copy of this Resolution to the Florida Legislature.
Section 4. Effective Date This Resolution shall become effective
immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 17' day of January, 2412.
Motion by .... ljCc L4 Or _ 1� �l1 , second by
FINAL VOTE ON ADOPTION
Commissioner Michael Karukin�
Commissioner Edward Kopelman
Commissioner Marta Olchyk
Vice Mayor Joseph Graubart 25
Mayor Daniel Dietch
Daniel Dietch, Mayor
Resolution No. 2012
Page 2 of 3
ATTEST:
Sandra Novo C own Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY FOR
THE TOWN OF SURFSIDE ONLY:
Ly' n M. Dann ieisser. Town A torney
Resolution No.
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