2012-27835 Reso RESOLUTION NO. 2012-27835
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF
THE CITY MANAGER, PURSUANT TO SECTION 30-36 OF THE
CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, CONCERNING THE
RE-APPOINTMENT OF ABRAHAM LAESER, ESQUIRE, TO
SERVE AS CHIEF SPECIAL MASTER, FOR A TERM
COMMENCING ON MARCH 15, 2012, AND ENDING ON
SEPTEMBER 14, 2012; PROVIDED FURTHER THAT CHIEF
SPECIAL MASTER LAESER SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO
HOLD HEARINGS AND IMPOSE FINES, LIENS AND OTHER
NON-CRIMINAL PENALTIES AGAINST VIOLATORS OF THE
CITY AND COUNTY CODES AND ORDINANCES, AND SHALL
ALSO BE AUTHORIZED TO APPOINT SUCH OTHER SPECIAL
MASTERS AS MAY REASONABLY BE REQUIRED TO
CONDUCT THE SUBJECT HEARINGS; AND FURTHER
INCORPORATING ALL OTHER MATTERS SET FORTH
WITHIN CHAPTER 30 OF THE CITY CODE, INCLUDING,
WITHOUT LIMITATION, SECTIONS 30-37 AND 30-38
THEREOF, CONCERNING THE COMPENSATION AND DUTIES
OF THE CHIEF SPECIAL MASTER
WHEREAS, Section 30-2 of the Code of the City of Miami Beach provides for an
alternative code enforcement system wherein Special Masters are authorized to hold hearings and
impose fines, liens and other non-criminal penalties against violators of City and County Codes
and Ordinances; and
WHEREAS, Section 30-36 of the City Code, entitled "Appointment of Chief Special
Master," provides for the appointment of a Chief Special Master to fulfill the above referenced
duties; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 30-36 of the City Code, appointment of the Chief
Special Master is established upon the City Commission's acceptance, by a majority vote, of the
recommendation for appointment by the City Manager; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager hereby recommends re-appointment of Abraham Laeser,
Esquire, as Chief Special Master for the City of Miami Beach, for a term commencing on March
15, 2012, and ending on September 14,2012; and
WHEREAS, all other matters set forth within Chapter 30 of the City Code, including,
without limitation, Sections 30-37 and 30-38 regarding compensation and duties of the Chief
Special Master, shall continue to apply and remain in full force and effect; and
WHEREAS, the Chief Special Master and each Special Master, shall be prohibited from
engaging in practice where he/she represents a client in a manner adverse to the interests of the
City of Miami Beach, and shall further be prohibited from lobbying the City during his/her
service with the City.
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 accept the recommendation of the City Manager, pursuant to Section 30-36
of the Code of the City of Miami Beach, concerning the re-appointment of Abraham Laeser,
Esquire,to serve as Chief Special Master, for a term commencing on March 15, 2012, and ending
on September 14, 2012; provided further that, as Chief Special Master, Mr. Laeser shall be
authorized to hold hearings and impose fines, liens and other non-criminal penalties against
violators of City and County Codes and Ordinances, and shall also be authorized to appoint such
other Special Masters as may reasonably be required to conduct the subject hearings; and further
incorporating all other matters set forth within Chapter 30 of the City Code including, without
limitation, Sections 30-37 and 30-38 thereof, concerning the compensation of the Chief Special
Master.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 8th day of February,2012.
ATTEST:
MAYOR
Matti Herrera Bower
o Gil * INCORP
CITY CL RK CRATED:
Robert Parcher �••'•
TA?GENDA\2012\2-8-12Wbe Laeser Reappointment Ch •••��
APPROVED AS TO
FORM &LANGUAGE
&FOR EXECUTION
23 J1
City rney Da
COMMISSION ITEM SUMMARY
Condensed Title:
Re-appointment of Abraham Laeser, Esquire, as Chief Special Master.
Key Intended Outcome Supported:
Increase resident satisfaction with level of code enforcement.
Issue:
Shall Abraham Laeser be re-appointed to serve as Chief Special Master for a term commencing on
March 15, 2012, and ending on September 14, 2012?
Item Summa /Recommendation:
The attached two Resolutions provide for the re-appointment by the City Commission of Abraham
Laeser, Esquire, as Chief Special Master. One Resolution re-appoints Mr. Laeser as Chief Special
Master for Code Enforcement violations under Chapter 30 of the City Code; the other Resolution re-
appoints Mr. Laeser to hear appeals from citations and violations or denials, suspensions, and
revocations of occupational licenses and certificates of use pursuant to Chapter 102 of the Miami
Beach City Code.
Mr. Laeser brings to the City of Miami Beach and the Special Master Program 36 years of experience
as an Assistant State Attorney,where he served as Senior Trial Counsel until he retired in April 2009.
Mr. Laeser is a long time resident of Miami Beach and is active in the community. He served the City
with distinction as a member of the Miami Beach Charter Review Committee.
The Administration recommends approving the Resolutions.
Advisory Board Recommendation:
N/A
Financial Information:
Source of Amount Account Approved
Funds: 1
2
3
4
OBPI Total
Financial Impact Summary:
City Clerk's Office Legislative Tracking:
Bob Parcher, City Clerk
Sign-Offs:
Department Director Assistant City Manager City Manager
TIAGENDA\2012\2-8-12\Abraham Laeser Item Summary.doc
MIAMIBEACH AGENDA ITEM C 7
DATE Z"Y'1 L
OM AAIAMIBEACH
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139,www.miamibeachfl.gov
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor Matti Herrera Bower and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager
Jose Smith, City Attorr e
i
DATE: FEBRUARY 8, 2012 4
SUBJECT: RE-APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF SPECIAL MASTER
1. A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION
OF THE CITY MANAGER, PURSUANT TO SECTION 30-36 OF
THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, CONCERNING
THE RE-APPOINTMENT OF ABRAHAM LAESER, ESQUIRE, TO
SERVE AS CHIEF SPECIAL MASTER, FOR A TERM
COMMENCING ON MARCH 15, 2012, AND ENDING ON
SEPTEMBER 14, 2012; PROVIDED FURTHER THAT CHIEF
SPECIAL MASTER LAESER SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO
HOLD HEARINGS AND IMPOSE FINES, LIENS AND OTHER
NON-CRIMINAL PENALTIES AGAINST VIOLATORS OF THE
CITY AND COUNTY CODES AND ORDINANCES, AND SHALL
ALSO BE AUTHORIZED TO APPOINT SUCH OTHER SPECIAL
MASTERS AS MAY REASONABLY BE REQUIRED TO
CONDUCT THE SUBJECT HEARINGS; AND FURTHER
INCORPORATING ALL OTHER MATTERS SET FORTH WITHIN
CHAPTER 30 OF THE CITY CODE, INCLUDING, WITHOUT
LIMITATION, SECTIONS 30-37 AND 30-38 THEREOF,
CONCERNING THE COMPENSATION AND DUTIES OF THE
CHIEF SPECIAL MASTER
2. A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND RE-APPOINTING,
PURSUANT TO SECTION 102-356 OF THE CITY CODE,
ABRAHAM LAESER ESQUIRE, (CHIEF SPECIAL MASTER RE-
APPOINTED PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. ,
AS THE CITY MANAGER'S "DESIGNEE" UNDER SECTION 102-
356 OF THE CITY CODE; SAID DESIGNATION COMMENCING
WITH MR. LAESER'S TERM AS CHIEF SPECIAL MASTER ON
MARCH 15, 2012, AND ENDING ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2012.
ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION
Adopt the Resolutions.
ANALYSIS
The attached two Resolutions provide for the re-appointment by the City
Commission of Abraham Laeser, Esquire. One Resolution re-appoints Mr. Laeser
as Chief Special Master for Code Enforcement violations under Chapter 30 of the
City Code; the other Resolution re-appoints Mr. Laeser to hear appeals from
citations and violations or denials, suspensions, and revocations of occupational
licenses and certificates of use pursuant to Chapter 102 of the Miami Beach City
Code. Language has been added to one of the Resolutions prohibiting the Chief
Special Master and each Special Master from engaging in practice where he/she
represents a client in a manner adverse to the interests of the City of Miami
Beach, and from lobbying the City during his/her service with the City.
Mr. Laeser brings to the City of Miami Beach and the Special Master Program 36
years of experience as an Assistant State Attorney, where he served as Senior
Trial Counsel until he retired in April 2009.
Mr. Laeser is a long time resident of Miami Beach and is active in the community.
He served the City with distinction as a member of the Miami Beach Charter
Review Committee.
In 1999 he received the William S. Scurr Award for career dedication to
prosecution. In 1996 he received the Eugene Berry Award for Exemplary Career
Service, and in 1996 and 2003 he received the Distinguished Faculty Award.
Since 1997, Mr. Laeser has been an Adjunct Professor in Trial Advocacy at the
University of Miami.
Mr. Laeser has the knowledge, demeanor, skills and abilities, to perform as Chief
Special Master. He will to serve this City with honor and distinction, and his
appointment will best serve the interests of the City. As such, the subject
Resolutions should be adopted.
JMG/REP/LRM/Im
T:\AGENDA\2012\2-8-12\Abe Laeser Re-Appointment Memo.doc
}
A'012 7e�
- MIAMI BEACH
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov!
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
Tel: 305-673-7411 , Fax: 305 - 673 -7254
STATE OF FLORIDA
COUNTY OF MIAMI -DADE
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH:
OATH OF OFFICE
I, Enrique Zamora a citizen of the State of Florida and of the United States of A merica,
1.
and being an officer of the City of Miami Beach and a recipient of public funds as such,
officer, do hereby solemnly swear, or affirm that I will support the Constitution of the
United States and the State of Florida, and that I will faithfully perform the duties of the
Office of Special Master of the City of Miami B h for which 1 have been appointed.
X
que Zamo pecial Master
Sworn :to an ubscribed before me this day of , 201 2.
1
( itn ss) I
We wt-" c:omrnit,ed to providing cxa,le t ser .r_e who 've v vork, and p:oy in our viorow ropicar hisronc
ZO/Z -- o27g � �
im MIAMI BEACH
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive,Miami Beach,Florida 33139,www.miamibeachfl.gov
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
Tel: 305-673-7411 ,Fax: 305-673-7254
STATE OF FLORIDA
COUNTY OF MIAMI-DADE
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH:
OATH OF OFFICE
I, Babak Movahedi, a citizen of the State of Florida and of the United States of America,
and being an officer of the City of Miami Beach and a recipient of public funds as such
officer, do hereby solemnly swear or affirm that I will support the Constitution of the
United States and the State of Florida, and that I will faithfully perform the duties of the
Office of Special Master of the City of Miami Beach for which I have been appointed.
ak Mova Special Master
Sworn to and subscribed before me this /day of G'' /O'l�l , 2012.
X
L A R. MARTINEZ (Witness)
We are carnmitted to providing excellent public service and saleh,to cll who live, work,and ploy in our vibrant, tropical. historic cornrnunity.
I
BEFORE THE CHIEF SPECIAL MASTER IN
AND FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH,
FLORIDA
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER OF THE CHIEF SPECIAL
MASTER APPOINTING OTHER SPECIAL MASTERS
THIS MATTER has come on before the Chief Special Master of the Special Master
program of the City of Miami Beach, Florida and pursuant to authority set forth in Chapter
30, Section 30-36 of the Miami Beach City Code, I hereby reappoint Enrique Zamora,
Esquire and Joe Kaplan, Esquire, and Babak Movahedi, Esquire as Special Masters. I find
that each Special Master has the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform as such. Each
Special Master shall serve and perform all the duties and responsibilities incumbent upon
him/her as required by Chapters 30 and 102 of the City of Miami Beach Code.
Each Special Master appointed by this Administrative Order shall serve until
September 14, 2012, or until a successor has been appointed.
This Administrative Order shall be placed on file in the Offices of the City Clerk and
the City Attorney, and a copy shall be delivered to each of the appointed Special Masters.
Done and Ordered as of this 15th day of March, 2012.
ABRAHAM LAESER, ESQUIRE
Chief Special Master
a oa - 2783
m► I ,
MAMIBEACH
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
Tel: 305-673-7411 , Fax: 305- 673 -7254
STATE OF FLORIDA
COUNTY OF MIAMI -DADE
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH:
OATH OF OFFICE
I,- Abraham Laeser, a citizen of the State of Florida and of the United States of America,
and being an officer of the City of Miami Beach and a recipient of public funds as such
officer, do. hereby solemnly swear or affirm that I will support the Constitution of the
United States and the State of Florida, and that I will faithfully perform the duties of the
Office of Chief Special Master of the City of Miami Beach for which I have been
appointed.
X
Abraham Laeser, Chief Special Master
4
Sworn to and subscribed before me thi day of 2012.
X
(Witness)
i
I
I
We ore corwroted to providing exceflent pr blic Se , . rvice and Sa"etl o ail who live", vvork, and play rn our vibrant, tropical, h;stor,C: comrnurwy.
orb
MIAMI.BEACH
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfI.gov,
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
Tel: 305-6 , Fax:, 305 - 673 -7254
STATE OF FLORIDA
COUNTY OF MIAMI -DADE
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH:
OATH OF OFFICE
I, Joe Kaplan a citizen of the State of Florida and of the United States of America, and
being an officer of the City of Miami Beach and a recipient of public funds as such officer,
do hereby solemnly swear or affirm that I will support the Constitution of the United States
and the State of Florida, and that I will faithfully perform the duties of the Office of Special
Master of the City of Miami Beach for which I have been appointed.
Joe K Ian, Sp ial Master
Sworn to and subscribed before me t is day of �`� , 2012.
X
(WITNESS)
W c re committed fo providing exc:.,lr.;nt publ sc V.4"" ii�,�e:, woxk and plav in our vibront ropical historic co.m nunik,