Resolution 2021-31915RESOLUTION NO. 2021-31915
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE
RECOMMENDATION OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND QUALITY OF
LIFE COMMITTEE AND, PURSUANT TO SECTION 82-503 OF THE
CITY CODE, APPROVING, BY 5/7THS VOTE, FOLLOWING A DULY
NOTICED PUBLIC HEARING, THE NAMING OF THE NORTH
SHORE BASEBALL FIELDS, WHICH ARE LOCATED WITHIN
NORTH SHORE PARK AND YOUTH CENTER, AS THE "MANNY
LAFONT BASEBALL FIELDS", IN MEMORY OF MANNY LAFONT,
A VICTIM OF THE SURFSIDE CHAMPLAIN TOWERS BUILDING
COLLAPSE.
WHEREAS, during the July 28, 2021 City Commission meeting, a referral Ito
the Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee ("NQLC") was made to hold a
discussion regarding naming the North Shore Park baseball fields after Manuel "Manny"
LaFont, a victim of the Surfiside Champlain Tower collapse; and
WHEREAS, at the September 20, 2021 NQLC meeting, the Committee gave, a
positive recommendation and supported the request to name the baseball fields after
Mr. LaFont; and
WHEREAS, at the October 13, 2021 City Commission meeting, the Mayor and
City Commission accepted the recommendation of the NQLC, approving the naming of
the North Shore Park baseball fields, located within the North Shore Park and Youth
Center, in memory of Mr. LaFont; and
WHEREAS, a public hearing is set for October 27, 2021, pursuant to Section
82-503 of the City Code, to consider whether to approve the proposed name by a 5/7th
vote; and directing the City Clerk to provide public notice of the hearing consistent with
the requirements of Section 82-503(a)(5); and
WHEREAS, Manny LaFont, father and North Shore Park baseball coach, lost
his life at the age of 54 during the tragic Surfside Champlain Tower collapse on June
24, 2021; and
WHEREAS, Mr. LaFont was a parishioner at St. Patrick Catholic Church j in
Miami Beach where his children attended school; and
I
WHEREAS, North Shore Park was Mr. LaFont's second home, where he
coached his son's baseball team and shared his lifelong passion; and
WHEREAS, Mr. LaFont was known the have deeply cared about the
development of all the athletes he coached and across the field; and
WHEREAS, upon Mr. LaFont's passing, the kind gesture of naming the North
Shore Baseball Fields was proposed, in recognition of Mr. LaFont's dedication to his
community, and approved by the City Commission; and
WHEREAS, the plaque will be placed on a pedestal in the batting cage area
the North Shore Park and Youth Center where Mr. LaFont spent most of his tir
coaching; and
WHEREAS, the total cost for the plaque is $1,460.00, and the pedestal
installation cost is $5,900.00.
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 Neighborhood And Quality Of
Life Committee and, pursuant to Section 82-503 of the City Code, approve, by 5/7ths
vote, following a duly noticed public hearing, the naming of the North Shore Baseball
Fields, which are located within North Shore Park and Youth Center, as the 'Manny
LaFont Baseball Fields", in memory of Manny LaFont, a victim of the Surfside
Champlain Towers building collapse.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 27th day of October 2021.
ATTEST:
0 V 0:.
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk
Dan Gelber, Mayor
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
(-)Z�
City Attorney `,*
Date
Resolutions - R7 C
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Alina T. Hudak, City Manager
DATE: October 27, 2021
5:06 p.m. Public Hearing
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF
THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE AND,
PURSUANT TO SECTION 82-503 OF THE CITY CODE, APPROVING, BY
5/7TH VOTE, FOLLOWING A DULY NOTICED PUBLIC HEARING, TIE
NAMING OF THE NORTH SHORE BASEBALL FIELDS, WHICH ARE
LOCATED WITHIN NORTH SHORE PARK AND YOUTH CENTER, AS THE
"MANNY LAFONT BASEBALL FIELDS," IN MEMORY OF MANNY LAFONT, A
VICTIM OF THE SURFSIDE CHAMPLAIN TOWERS BUILDING
COLLAPSE.
RECOMMENDATION
The City Administration recommends approving by 5/7ths vote, and pursuant to Section 82-503
of the City Code, the naming of the North Shore baseball fields, which are located within the
North Shore Park and Youth Center, as the Manny LaFont Baseball Fields, in memory of Manny
LaFont, a victim of the Surfside Champlain Tower collapse.
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
During the July 28, 2021 City Commission meeting, a referral to the Neighborhood and Quality
of Life Committee ("NQLC") was made to hold a discussion regarding naming the North Shore
Park baseball fields after Manuel "Manny' LaFont, a victim of the Surfiside Champlain Tower
collapse.
At the September 20, 2021 NQLC meeting, the Committee gave a positive recommendation
and supported the request to name the baseball fields after Mr. LaFont.
During the October 13, 2021 City Commission meeting, the Commission accepted the
recommendation of the Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee, at its September 20,
2021 meeting, to approve the naming of the North Shore Park baseball fields, located within the
North Shore Park and Youth Center, in memory of Mr. LaFont. A public hearing was set for
October 27, 2021, pursuant to Section 82-503 of the City Code, to consider whether to approve
the proposed name by a 5/7th vote; and directing the City Clerk to provide public notice of the
hearing consistent with the requirements of Section 82-503(a)(5).
Page 189 of 226
ANALYSIS
Manny LaFont, father and North Shore Park baseball coach, lost his life at the age of 54 during
the tragic Surfside Champlain Tower collapse on June 24, 2021. Mr. LaFont was a parishioner
at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Miami Beach where his children attended school.
North Shore Park was his second home as he coached his son's baseball team and shared his
lifelong passion. He was known to have deeply cared about the development for all the athletes
he coached across the field.
With his passing, the kind gesture of naming the North Shore Park baseball fields was
proposed by the community and approved by the City Commission. The plaque will be placed
on a pedestal in the batting cage area at the North Shore Park and Youth Center where Mr.
LaFont spent most of his time coaching. The total cost for the plaque is $1,460.00, and the
pedestal and installation cost is $5,900.00.
SUPPORTING SURVEY DATA
N/A
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The Parks and Recreation Department will be covering the costs through its current budget.
Plaque: $1,460.00
Pedestal and I nstallation: $5,900
Amount(s)/Account(s):
Plaque: $1,460.00
Pedestal and Installation: $5,900
Account: 011 -0950 -000349 -28 -406 -545 -00 -00 -00 -
Applicable Area
North Beach
Is this a "Residents Right
to Know" item, pursuant to
City Code Section 2-14?
Yes
Strategic Connection
Non -Applicable
Legislative Tracking
Parks and Recreation
Sponsor
Commissioner Michael Gongora
ATTACHMENTS:
Does this item utilize G.O.
Bond Funds?
IM
Page 190 of 226
Description
❑ Exhibit A- Referral Memo C4J from July 28, 2021 Commission Meeting
❑ Exhibit B — Plaque Design
❑ Resolution
Page 191 of 226
Committee Assignments - C4 C
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Commissioner Michael Gongora
DATE: July 28, 2021
SUBJECT: REFERRAL TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND QUALITY OF LIFE
COMMITTEE - DISCUSSION REGARDING NAMING THE NORTH SHORE
BASEBALL FIELDS AFTER MANNY LAFONT, A VICTIM OF THE
SURFSIDE CONDO COLLAPSE.
ANALYSIS
Please place on the July 28 Commission meeting a referral to Neighborhood and Quality of L
Commitee regarding a discussion of naming the North Shore Baseball Fields after Mar
Lafont, a victim of the Surfide Condo Collapse. Manny LaFont was the proud father of So
(10) and Mia (13) who attended St. Patrick Grade School in Miami Beach. A petition which w
started on June 28 has already 1, 713 signatures to petition for the City to name the No
Shore Baseball Fields after Manny Lafont. Please find below the wording from the petition:
"The tragic events in Surfside have affected many and have reached across numerous
communities. From families and friends, neighbors and visitors, parents, sons and daughters
and even coaches. Our own Miami Beach baseball community lost a great friend and coach in
Manny LaFont.
Manny was a fixture at the park, always ready with a heartfelt hello, and generously giving of his
time and knowledge to anyone who asked or needed a little help or encouragement. Myself, and
many others, coached with Manny as our boys and girls developed and grew through the years.
We shared many a laugh, tear and moments of pride as the kids played, all the while with a smile
on his face and a gleam in his eye.
On more occasions than I can remember, Manny would bring Santi for some father and son
practice only to be inundated with questions and pleas for help from other parents. He never
waivered and always gave freely of his time, even if it meant having to stay longer with Sant! for
their own time. He touched so many lives, created a joy and love for our sport, and selflessly
gave all whenever ask.
Although Manny has thrown his last baseball, there could be no better way to help preserveour
memories of him and his legacy by dedicating North Shore park baseball fields in his memory.
In loving memory of Manny Lafont, please help make this happen."
Please feel free to contact Diana Fontani should you need any addition information.
Page 292 of 21362
SUPPORTING SURVEY DATA
N/A
Applicable Area
Citywide
Is this a "Residents Right
to Know" item, pursuant to
City Code Section 2-14?
Yes
Legislative Tracking
Commissioner Michael Gongora
Does this item utilize G.O.
Bond Funds?
No
Page 292 of 21362
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