LTC 060-2019 Hispanic Affairs Committee •
MIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC# 060-2019 LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Dan Gelber& Members of tie City Co j ission
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager 11
DATE: January 31, 2019
SUBJECT: Hispanic Affairs Committee
The Purpose of this Letter to the Commission (LTC) is to inform the Commission of several
Motions passed by the Hispanic Affairs Committee at their January 30, 2019 special meeting.
Members Present: Alex Fernandez, Grace Calvani, Rosary Plana Falero, Jonathan Barrio
By Phone: Gabriel Paez
Members Absent: Francis Trullenque, Angela Diaz
Chairman Fernandez requested that Leonor Hernandez step off the room.
The Committee discussed the support provided by City Liaisons assigned to the numerous
committees. It was acknowledged that City Liaisons assume a significant workload in addition to
the responsibilities of their job with City with no additional compensation. The Committee
discussed the professional work of liaison such as those assigned to the LGBT Advisory
Committee, the Quality in Education Committee, and the Commission for Women as an example
of the work of City Liaison in general.
Motion 1:
Recognizing the hard work of the professional public servants in the City of Miami Beach who
have been appointed to serve as City Liaisons to committees through which residents engage
with the City:
• The Hispanic Affairs Committee, in its advisory capacity, recommends that the City
Administration consider an additional compensation to City Employees who serve in the
capacity of City Liaison to committees.
• It is further recommended that the City Administration consider the work performed by
City Liaisons as part of their assigned duties and responsibilities and be considered as
part of their annual evaluations.
Motion Moved by: Ms. Grace Calvani
Motion Seconded by: Mr. Jonathan Barrio
Motion unanimously approved.
Leonor Hernandez was called back into the meeting.
The Committee discussed the actions taken by the Neighborhoods and Community Affairs
Committee of Monday, January 28, 2019.
Motion 2:
A motion of the Hispanic Affairs Committee supporting the recommendation of the
Neighborhoods and Community Affairs Committee dedicating the dog park within the Bayshore
Community Park as the Exposito Dog Park in honor of former Commissioner Jorge Exposito.
Further, the Hispanic Affairs Committee thanks the Neighborhoods and Community Affairs
Committee and all members of the City Commission present at the meeting for supporting the
recommendation of the Hispanic Affairs Committee to designate an interior portion of the
Bayshore Community Park in honor of former Commissioner Jorge Exposito.
Motion Moved by: Mr. Jonathan Barrio
Motion Seconded by: Ms. Rosary Plana Falero
Motion unanimously approved.
Motion 3:
Acknowledging the success of the January 28, 2019 event honoring Jose Marti, the Hispanic
Affairs Committee recognized the Parks & Recreations Department, the Communications
Department, the Miami Beach Police Department, the Mayor & City Commission, the City
Manager, Chief of Staff Marcia Monserrat, City Liaison Leonor Hernandez, and Commissioner
Gongora's Aide Diana Fontani for their contributions towards a successful event.
Moved by: Ms. Grace Calvani
Seconded by: Ms. Rosary Plana Falero
Motion unanimously approved.
Motion 4:
Recognizing the importance of effectively communicating with a diverse audience, the Hispanic
Affairs Committee urges the City Commission to adopt policy requiring that any press release
and media advisory sent by the City and by its public safety departments be disseminated in
English and in Spanish.
Moved by: Ms. Rosary Plana Falero
Seconded by: Mr. Jonathan Barrios
Motion unanimously approved.
Motion 5:
A motion of the Hispanic Affairs Committee adopting as continued priorities of the Committee
those initiatives advanced by outgoing Chairman Alex Fernandez from 2014-2019 as further
detailed in the attached document and urging the City Commission to adopt those policies
included within that have not yet been adopted.
Discussion:
Vice Chair Gabriel Paez thanked Chairman Fernandez for advancing recommendations of such
importance and relevance to the City of Miami Beach. Ms. Rosary Falero stated that over the
past year it has been a great learning experience in City government serving alongside
Chairman Fernandez. Ms. Calvani stated that the work advanced during the tenure of Chairman
Fernandez was impressive.
Moved by: Ms. Grace Calvani
Seconded by: Mr. Jonathan Barrio
Motion unanimously approved.
Chairman Fernandez passed the gavel to Ms. Grace Calvani for Motions 6 and 7:
Motion 6:
A motion of the Hispanic Affairs Committee proffered by Chairman Fernandez thanking City
Manager Jimmy Morales, City Attorney Raul Aguila, City Clerk Rafael Granado, and their
respective staff, for the support and guidance provided to the Committee during his tenure of
service as a member and as chair of the Hispanic Affairs Committee.
Discussion:
Mr. Jonathan Barrio expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve on the Hispanic Affairs
Committee alongside great colleagues. Mr. Barrio thanked Chairman Fernandez for mentoring
and guiding the committee. Mr. Barrio informed the committee that he looks forward to continue
serving the community as a member of the LGBTQ Advisory Committee.
Moved by: Chairman Alex Fernandez
Seconded by: Mr. Jonathan Barrio
Motion unanimously approved.
Motion 7:
A motion of the Hispanic Affairs Committee expressing great appreciation to Miami-Dade County
Commissioner Rebeca Sosa for the flexibility and support extended to Chairman Alex Fernandez
over his years of service, which has contributed to the success of the Committee in advancing
the public good.
Discussion:
Ms. Grace Calvani stated that Commissioner Sosa is a woman who she admires for her ethics
and dedication to public service. Ms. Rosary Falero echoed the statements made by Ms.
Calvani. Ms. Falero requested to second the motion as she conducts business in the district
which Commissioner Sosa represents. Chairman Fernandez stated for the record that prior to
proffering this motion, an opinion was obtained from City Attorney Raul Aguila, who did not have
any legal objection. The Committee requested that the City Administration transmit a copy of
Motion 7 to Commissioner Rebeca Sosa.
Moved by: Chairman Alex Fernandez
Seconded by: Ms. Rosary Plana Falero
Motion unanimously approved.
cc: Marcia Monserrat, Chief of Staff
Members of the Hispanic Affairs Committee
JLM:LH
SUMMARY OF INITIATIVES PRESENTED AT HISPANIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE 2014-2019:
• Revamp the Hispanic Heritage Month festivities from one event in North Beach to a City-wide, month-
long, event which includes the Festival organized by the Parks & Recreations Department at North
Shore Park and the addition of a concert in conjunction with the Rhythm Foundation, Movie Night at
South Pointe Park, and an annual Honorees Reception.
• To support these events, the Hispanic Affairs Committee prepares and submits a budget request letter
to the as part of the budget process to ensure that the proper process is followed for the consideration of
funding with the goal of avoiding mid-year requests that have not been properly vetted.
• Urging the City to enhance Human Trafficking awareness signage throughout the City with contact
information for resources - including the creation of awareness on the trafficking of domestic workers
& hospitality workers which constitute a modern-day version of version of slavery.
• Urging the City and the Quality of Education Committee to consider recommending to the School Board
curriculum for students for the prevention, identifying, & reporting of human trafficking.
• To place an onerous on private entities and individual to follow and respect ethics Laws:
Urging the City Administration to provide a copy of the City's campaign finance laws and employee gift
policy to anyone applying for a permit from City Hall.
• To protect the transparency of the electoral process for our seniors:
Urging the City of Miami Beach to amend its ethics ordinance to require employees of campaigns who
speak at Senior Centers on behalf of a municipal candidate or campaign to disclose that they are paid
by the campaign.
• To protect our vulnerable residents from predatory practices in the construction industry:
Urging the City to ensure that assistance, information, and resources relating to Special Master Cases
and proceedings be available in English and Spanish.
• To ensure that proposed policies do not result In unintended consequences to the quality of life,
environment, residents of all socioeconomic levels, minorities, and businesses:
Urging the City Commission to adopt legislation requiring the City Manager to provide a social equity
statement as a supplement to any ordinance under consideration for adoption by the City Commission
prior to the public hearing of said ordinance:
o identifying possible non-monetary benefits and burdens that could affect the community;
o identifying possible monetary impacts could affect the community.
o identify social and economic effects (both positive and adverse) of any proposed ordinance
including:
• impacts to the environment (air, noise, and water pollution);
• impacts to man-made or natural resources;
• impacts to aesthetic values; impacts to employment )private and public); impacts to
cost of living;
• impact to small businesses; displacement of housing, people, businesses, or
nonprofit organization(s);
• impacts to traffic;
• isolation of low-income residents, minorities, or businesses from the broader
community; and
• reduction of services or programs to the community.
• To ensure promote the more efficient use of public transportation and to enhance connections within
the first and last mile of travel:
Proposed a private public partnership for subsidized pool rides on transportation network entities(such
as Uber& Lyft) for qualified low income residents.
• Recognized that the extreme level of poverty amongst seniors in the City of Miami Beach is an emergency
that must be addressed as an urgent funding priority:
Supported the proposal for full funding the Senior Meals Program at Unidad of Miami Beach.
• Recognizing that seniors will develop dependency on the meals offered by Unidad of Miami Beach:
Proposed the annual recurring funding of senior meals program at Unidad, subject to the availability
of funds.
• For checks& balances and the proper accountability on the use of taxpayer funds:
Proposed that any annual appropriation by the City to Unidad be subject to annual ratification of the
program budget and operations.
• Supported legislation creating of the Senior Affairs Committee and advocated for its composition to
include an ex-officio non-voting member from of the Hispanic Affairs Committee
• To protect the quality of life of LGBT baby boomer who are entering retirement age:
Urging the City Administration and the City Commission to partner with SAGE to offer trainings to the
City's front-line employees who deal with the public and further encouraged the City to urge
independent social service providers to provide the same training to its employees.
• Recognizing the importance of effectively and professionally communicating to a diverse public: Urging
the City Administration to include as part of the criteria of the competitive procurement process for the
City's Portal the requirement that the main pages be written (not translated) in languages other than
English, and at least Spanish.
• Recognizing the importance of maintaining our seniors active:
Urging the City Administration and its Parks Department to include the Miami Beach Chorus in as many
City activities as possible.
• Recognizing the importance of highlighting the legacy of those who have dedicated their life to
bettering our community:
o Commended the City on the monument dedicated to the memory of Chief Mark Overton.
o Urging the City to dedicate a portion of the Bayshore Municipal Park/Golf course in honor of
the late Commissioner Jorge Exposito.
o Urging the City to dedicate a historic marker at 11 Street & Collins Avenue telling the story of
Alfredo Gonzalez, Sr. who exiled to the United States fleeing political persecution from Cuba
with no resources and who was able to achieve the American dream and make significant
contributions to the City of Miami Beach.
• Recognizing the delicate and priceless work of our professionally trained law enforcement officers of
the Miami Beach Police Department:
Urging the City to examine the feasibility of adopting policy to require as part of future security guard
contracts, that security guards undergo the same diversity/sensitivity trainings as the employees of the
Miami Beach Police Department.
• Recognizing an ever-growing presence of Hispanics on the digital space with a purchase power
surpassing$1.5 trillion and the importance of conducting such transactions in a safe manner.
o Acknowledged the leadership of County Commissioner Sally Heyman in implementing Safe
Trading Zones for online purchases in unincorporated areas of Miami-Dade County
o Advised the City Commission and Administration to identify at least one designated location
within the City of Miami Beach to serve as a safe haven site or"Safe Zone" for anyone seeking
to complete a Craigslist transaction or similar sales transaction that commenced online.
o Advising that the safe haven or safe trading zone be at a location that deters criminal activity,
such as the Miami Beach Police Station or other well-populated and safe locations.
• Recognizing the importance of parental involvement in school activities:
Proposed parental leave for non-essential employees with school-aged children.
• Recognizing the importance of protecting our environment and endangered species:
o Urging the City to place bilingual awareness signs at beach entry points regarding the presence of
sea turtles in our beaches.
o Urging the City to adopt a resolution urging the state to grant local governments authority to
enforce laws pertaining to the protection of Sea Turtles and other endangered species, upon
receiving the proper training, to supplement efforts of the State's law enforcement agency.
• Recognizing that the proposed Convention Center Hotel will reduce the number of daily trips to the
area by transitioning the bookings of the Convention Center from local "drive-in" consumer/trade
shows to "fly-in" conferences and convention; and proposes a well-planned approach to reduce
traffic by internalizing vehicles, the Hispanic Affairs Committee urging the Mayor and City
Commission to take supplementary measures on City-owned assets and infrastructure along 17th
Street, and within the Convention Center District, to help further mitigate any remaining public
concerns pertaining to the creation of additional traffic by considering the following
recommendations:
o As the major stakeholder of real estate along 17th Street, the City of Miami Beach should
consider restricting future development on City-owned property to prohibit the development
of additional transient and non-transient dwelling units along 17th Street, with the exception
of car-light workforce housing.
o To promote pedestrianism between the Convention Center District and Lincoln Road, future
proposed developments along 17th Street and within the Convention Center District, the City
of Miami Beach should consider new policy to only approve those proposed developments
that do not cause an increase in the number of daily peak hour trips than the existing use at
the time of application.
o To maximize the use of existing infrastructure and increase capacity without expanding
existing roads, the City of Miami Beach should consider the implementation of reversible
lanes on 17th Street and within the Convention Center District with the potential of decreasing
congestion by borrowing capacity from the opposite (off-peak)direction.
o To complement the shuttle services and public transportation services that will be available to
hotel guests and further minimize traffic impacts, the City of Miami Beach should consider
designating a dedicated bus lane on 17th Street