LTC 232-2004 Letter to the City Commission from the Charter Review and Revision Board
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
Office of the City Manager
Letter to Commission No. 232-2004
m
From:
Mayor David Dermer and Date: August 27.2004
Members of the City Commission
Jorge M. Gonzalez \W'-~
City Manager 0 0
Letter to the City Commission from the Charter Review and Revision
Board
To:
Subject:
The attached letter is being transmitted to the Mayor and members of the City Commission on
behalf of the City of Miami Beach Charter Review and Revision Board.
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F:ICLERICLERIFORMSICharter Review Board Transmittalletter.ltC.doc
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33139
www.miamibeachfl.gov
Charter Review and Revision Board
August 24,2004
Honorable Mayor David Dermer and members of the City Commission:
The purpose of this letter is to summarize the actions taken at the August 12, 2004 Charter
Review and Revision Board and to transmit the recommendations of the Board for your
consideration, as they relate to the upcoming Special Commission meeting of August 30,
2004.
We understand that at this meeting, the City Commission may consider potential ballot
questions regarding district elections for commission members and changing the City's
form of government.
These charter related issues were thoroughly debated during the term of the Charter
Review Board and after due consideration the Board previously concluded on April 9, May
29 and June 10, 2003, that there should be no change to the City Charter. The issue of
district elections for commission members is an extremely complicated matter that has
been considered by Miami Beach in the past, including twelve years ago during the last
charter review process, during the deliberations of the 1993 Mayor's Blue Ribbon Panel on
Diversity Issues and the 1994 Voting Rights lawsuit filed by Hispanic voters in the City of
Miami Beach. This issue is likely to elicit United States Department of Justice analysis and
review concerning compliance with the Federal Voting Rights Act.
Changing the form of government would be one of the most dramatic and important actions
a municipality can take. Any consideration of these issues should ensure that all aspects
of the potential modifications are fully considered. In addition, issues such as,
compensation, term of office, term limits, qualifications, residency, etc. are all matters that
are inter-related and which need to be considered.
If the City Commission is convinced, that either of the above mentioned changes are
necessary, the Board believes there is not enough time to inform the public about the
consequences of their vote at this time. Proceeding without further deliberation and public
participation would leave many questions unanswered and improperly affect the outcome
of the referendum. Following a full public process, the City Commission would have all
relevant information to make an informed decision on whether to present these significant
charter changes to the public for an informed vote.
Rue 26 04 03:40p
Steve Zack Esq.
(3051530-9535
p.3
Charter Review and Revision Board
August 24, 2004
Page 2 012
With regard to the transportation issues (Le. 63rd Street Flyover and the Bay Link project),
this Board has no jurisdiction and thus takes no position.
The above recommendations were unanimously endorsed by the Board and are
respectfully submitted to you for your careful consideration. In conclusion, we believe The
Charter is a good governing document for the citizens of Miami Beach. We appreciate
having been given the opportunity to serve the Commission and the citizens of Miami
Beach.
Respectfully submitted,
)Y7 r-
Chairman Steve Zack
Vice-Chair Jonathan Beloff
Board Member Victor Diaz
Board Member Ricky Arriola
Board Member Larry Herrup
Board Member Seymour Gelber
Board Member Abraham Laeser
M:\$CMB\CITYCLER\CHARTER\Correspondence\Revised eRB Letter to Commission82504.doc
Charter Revlew and RevIsion Board
August24~ 200d .
Page 2 of 2
Wjthregard to the transportation issues (i.e. 63'" Street Flyov r and the Bay link project),
this Board has no jurisdiction end thUS takes no position.
The above recommendations were unanimously endor by the Board and are
respectfully submitted to you for your careful oonsideration. In nelusion,' we believe The
Charter is a good governing document for the citixens of Mi mi Beach. . We appreciate
having been given the opportunity to serve the Commission and the cijizens of Miami
Beach.
Respectfully submitted,
Ghairman Steve Zack
Board Member Ricky Arriola
Board Member Seymour Gelber
Board Member Abraham Laaser
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Charter Review and Revision Board
August 24,2004
Page 2 of 2
With regard to the transportation issues (i.e. 63rd Street Flyover and the Bay Link project),
this Board has no jurisdiction and thus takes no position.
The above recommendations were unanimously endorsed by the Board and are
respectfully submitted to you for your careful consideration. In conclusion. we believe The
Charter is a good goveming document for the citizens of Miami Beach. We appreciate
having been given the opportunity to serve the Commission and the citizens of Miami
Beach.
Respectfully submitted,
Chairman Steve Zack
Vice-Chair Jonathan Beloff
----->
Board Member Victor Diaz
Board Member Seymour Gelber
Board Member Larry Herrup
Board Member Abraham Laeser
M:ISCMBICITYCLERICHARTERICorrespondenceIRevloed CRB Letter to CommissionS2504.doc
08/27/2004
10:29
PODHURST ORSECK LAW ~ 7205~01993~3056737254~
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C1t_ R_an<I ReIIision Board
/wgust 24, 2004
Page2of2
Wrth regard to the tranSportation issues (i.e. 630l Street Flyover and the Bay Unk project),
this Board has no jurisdiction and thus takes no position
The above recommendations were unanimously endorsed by the Board and are
respectfully submitted to you for your careful consideration. In conclusion, we believe The
Charter is a good governing document for the citizens of Miami Beach. We appreciate
having been given the opportunity to seNe the Commission and the citizens of Miami
Beach.
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Respectfully submitted,
Chairman Steve Zacl<
VICe-Chair Jonathan Beloff
Board Member Ricky Arriola
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Board Member Seymour Gelber
Board Member Lany Herrup
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Board Member Abraham Laeser
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AUG-26-2004 03:30 PM EDITH GELBER
305 534 1255
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Charter Review and Revision Board
August 24. 2004
Page 2 of2
With regard to the transportation issues (i.e. 63nl Street Flyover and the Bay Link project),
this Board has no jurisdiction and thus takes no position.
The above recommendations were unanimously endorsed by the Board and are
respectfully submitted to you for your careful consideration. In conclusion, we believe The
Charter is a good goveming document for the citizens of Miami Beach. We appreciate
having been given the opportunity to serve the Commission and the citizens of Miami
Beach.
Respectfully submitted,
Vice-Chair Jonathan Beloff
Chairman Steve Zack
Board Member Victor Diaz
Board Member Larry Hefrup
Board Member Abraham Laeser
M:\$CMB\CITYCLER\CHARTER\Correspondence\Revised CRB Letter to Commission82504.doc
Charter Review and Revision Board
August 24, 2004
Page 2 of 2
With regard to the transportation issues (Le. 63rd Street Flyover and the Bay Link project),
this Board has no jurisdiction and thus takes no position.
The above recommendations were unanimously endorsed by the Board and are
respectfully submitted to you for your careful consideration. In conclusion, we believe The
Charter is a good governing document for the citizens of Miami Beach. We appreciate
having been given the opportunity to serve the Commission and the citizens of Miami
Beach.
Respectfully submitted,
Vice-Chair Jonathan Beloff
Chairman Steve Zack
Board Member Seymour Gelber
Board Member Ricky Arriola
Board Member Abraham Laeser
M:\$CMBICITYCLERICHARTERICorrespondenceIDraft CRB letter to Commission SZ.doc
08/26/04 THU 13:02 FAX
~002
Charter Review and Revision Board
August 24, 2004
Page 2 of 2
With regard to the transportation issues (Le. 63rd Street Flyover and thH Bay Link project),
this Board has no jurisdiction and thus takes no position.
The above recommendations were unanimously endorsed by th,e Board and are
respectfully submitted to you for your careful consideration. In conclusion, we believe The
Charter is a good governing document for the citizens of Miami Beach. We appreciate
having been given the opportunity to serve the Commission and thE! citizens of Miami
Beach.
Respectfully submitted,
Vice-Chair Jonathan Beloff
Chairman Steve Zack
Board Member Victor Diaz
Board Member Ricky Arriola
Board Member Larry Henrup
Board Member Seymour Gelber
~~
Board Member Abraham Laeser
C:\WINDOWSITemporary Internet Files\OLK1401Revised CRB Letter to CommISsion 2.doc