Resolution 2022-31984RESOLUTION NO. 2022-31984
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, AT ITS OCTOBER 29, 2021 MEETING, TO
APPROVE THE PLACEMENT OF A COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE
NEAR THE RACQUETBALL COURTS IN FLAMINGO PARK, IN
MEMORY OF GENE HOWARD; SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING ON
FEBRUARY 9, 2022, PURSUANT TO SECTION 82-504 OF THE CITY
CODE, TO CONSIDER THE INSTALLATION OF THE
COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE; AND DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO
PUBLISH THE APPROPRIATE PUBLIC NOTICE.
WHEREAS, during the October 13, 2021 City Commission meeting, the
discussion on the placement of a plaque near the racquetball courts in Flamingo Park in,
commemoration of Gene Howard was referred to the Neighborhood and Quality of Life
Committee; and
WHEREAS, at the October 29, 2021 Neighborhood and Quality of Life
Committee Meeting, the Committee approved the placement of a plaque near the
Flamingo Park racquetball courts in commemoration of Miami Beach resident Gene
Howard; and
WHEREAS, Gene Howard believed wholeheartedly in public access to sports
and was a devoted racquetball player in Miami Beach; and
WHEREAS, he began playing handball and racquetball at Flamingo Park in
1966, and did so continually at these public courts until 2011, when he was 70 years
old; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Howard won the statewide singles championship for the over -50
division in 1992; and
WHEREAS, he also shared his passion by recruiting many young players to the
game and always played to win, no matter the discrepancy in ages; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Howard enthusiastically supported his community as a former
chairman of the Miami Beach Golf Program, founder of the Billy Shockett Golf
Tournament, and sponsor of a baseball team at Flamingo Park in the 1980s; and
WHEREAS, it would be fitting and appropriate to place commemorative plaque
near the racquetball courts in Flamingo Park in honor of "Racquet Gene" Howard.
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, at its October 29, 2021 meeting, approving the placement of a
commemorative plaque near the racquetball courts in Flamingo Park, in memory of
Gene Howard; set a public hearing on February 9, 2022, pursuant to section 82-504 of
the City Code, to consider the installation of the commemorative plaque; and direct the
City Clerk to publish the appropriate public notice.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 20th day of January 2022.
ATTEST:
IFCC RPQORATE D
Rafael E. Granado, City Cl
-JAN 2 5 2022,
Dan Gelber, Mayor
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
City Attomey
I - 9- 2 -
Date
C7 -Resolutions R
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Alina T. Hudak, City Manager
DATE: January 20, 2022
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, AT ITS
OCTOBER 29, 2021 MEETING, TO APPROVE THE PLACEMENT OF A
COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE NEAR THE RACQUETBALL COURTS IN
FLAMINGO PARK, IN MEMORY OF GENE HOWARD; SETTING A PUBLIC
HEARING ON FEBRUARY 9, 2022, PURSUANT TO SECTION 82-504 OF
THE CITY CODE, TO CONSIDER THE INSTALLATION OF THE
COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE; AND DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO
PUBLISH THE APPROPRIATE PUBLIC NOTICE.
RECOMMENDATION
The City Administration recommends accepting the recommendation of the Neighborhood and
Quality of Life Committee, at its October 29, 2021 meeting, to approve the placement of a
commemorative plaque near the racquetball courts in Flamingo Park, in memory of Gene
Howard; setting a public hearing on February 9, 2022, pursuant to section 82-504 of the City
Code, to consider the installation of the commemorative plaque; and directing the City Clerk to
publish the appropriate public notice.
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
During the October 13, 2021 City Commission meeting, the discussion on the placement of a
plaque near the racquetball courts in Flamingo Park in commemoration of Gene Howard was
referred to the Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee.
At the October 29, 2021 Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee meeting, the Committee
approved the placement of a plaque near the Flamingo Park racquetball courts.
ANALYSIS
Gene Howard believed wholeheartedly in public access to sports and was a devoted racquetball
player in Miami Beach. He began playing handball and racquetball at Flamingo Park in 1966,
and did so continually at these public courts until 2011, when he was 70 years old. Mr. Howard
won the statewide singles championship for the over -50 division in 1992. He also shared his
passion by recruiting many young players to the game and always played to win, no matter the
difference in ages.
Page 359 of 1313
Mr. Howard was known to give back to his community. He sponsored a baseball team at
Flamingo Park in the 1980s; and chaired the Miami Beach Golf Committee. He also founded
the successful Billy Shockett Golf Tournament, which raises funds supporting junior golf in the
City.
SUPPORTING SURVEY DATA
N/A
Applicable Area
South Beach
Is this a "Residents Right
to Know" item, pursuant to
Cly Code Section 2-14?
Yes
Strategic Connection
Non -Applicable
Legislative Tracking
Parks and Recreation
Does this item utilize G.O.
Bond Funds?
No
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
❑ Exhibit A— Ref to NQLC: C4Afrom October 13, 2021 Commission Meeting
❑ Resolution
Page 360 of 1313
Committee Assignments - C4 A
MIAMI BEAH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Commissioner Micky Steinberg
DATE: October 13, 2021
SUBJECT: REFERRAL TO THE OCTOBER 29, 2021 NEIGHBORHOOD AND QUALITY
OF LIFE COMMITTEE MEETING TO DISCUSS A PLAQUE IN
COMMEMORATION OF GENE HOWARD.
ANALYSIS .
Please add to the October 13, 2021 Commission Meeting agenda a referral to the next
Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee (NQLC) meeting to discuss a plaque in
commemoration of Gene Howard (Racquet Gene) to be placed near the racquetball courts at
Flamingo Park.
SUPPORTING SURVEY DATA
N/A
Applicable Area
South Beach
Is this a "Residents Right
to Know" item, pursuant to
City Code Section 2-14?
No
Strategic Connection
Non -Applicable
Legislative Tracking
Commissioner Micky Steinberg
Does this item utilize G.O.
Bond Funds?
No
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
o Gene Howard and Miami Beach Sports
Page 368 of 1895
From: Heidi Tandy
To: Steinbera. Micky
Subject: Gene Howard and Miami Beach Sports
Date: Monday, September 27, 20217:41:47 PM
Gene Howard was devoted to Miami Beach Racquetball and to Flamingo Park. He believed
wholeheartedly in public access to sports. He began playing handball and racquetball at
Flamingo Park in 1966 and played continually at the public courts until 2011 when he was 70.
Prior to play - and because the courts were not always well maintained, he and his friends
cleaned the courts with old newspapers. He worked collaboratively with MBPD to relocate
anyone who tried to sleep in those very hot four -walled courts. With no place to change from
business attire to shorts and tees, Gene changed at his car!
Gene recruited many young players to the game and always played them to win- no matter
the discrepancy in ages -- including his daughters, and son-in-law, Aaron Tandy, now the rising
chair of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce. (He once closed a real estate deal with a
player 40 years his junior with a killer serve). Gene won the over -50 Statewide singles
championship in 1992. During that competition he sustained a cut over his eye that he tried
to stitch himself!
Gene Howard also sponsored a baseball team at Flamingo Park in the 1980s—the Gene
Howard Properties team—with star players Tony and Kent Kay. Gene chaired the Miami
Beach Golf Committee and was the founder of the successful Billy Shockett Golf Tournament
which raises funds supporting junior golf at Miami Beach public courses. Gene loved Flamingo
Park and Miami Beach with all his heart.
Our family can think of no greater honor for his memory, and no better memento of those
years surrounded by the chirp of blue racquetballs on the Flamingo Park courts, than a
commemoration of "Racquet Gene" Howard on his beloved mint -green courts, open to the
Miami Beach sky.
Thank you for your consideration of this request.
Best,
Heidi Howard Tandy
Page 369 of 1095