2011-27715 Reso RESOLUTION NO. 2011 - 27715
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, CONSENTING TO AND
CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT OF STEPHEN SCOTT AS THE
DIRECTOR OF THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT FOR THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH.
WHEREAS, the City Manager has appointed Stephen Scott as the Director of the
Building Department for the City of Miami Beach; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Article IV, Section 4.02, of the City of Miami Beach
Charter, the City Manager has power to appoint directors of the City departments with
the consent and conformance of the Mayor and the City Commission; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and the City Commission wish to consent to and confirm
the appointment of Stephen Scott as the Director of the Building Department for the City
of Miami Beach.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED THAT THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, have consented to and
confirmed the appointment of Stephen Scott as the Director of the Building Department
for the City of Miami Beach.
PASSED and ADOPTED this /V// day of 5?/-ember 2011.
4P 41 S k
AY" -
ATTEST: 4 ' o P'"•••
...
(,c,tk_ f c&c. r-- -•
CITY CLERK :INCORP ORATED' 41 . APPROVED AS TO
%,,�" •,.�,€ FORM & LANGUAGE
'�h•4'• •. ... � � & FOR EXECUTION
4
'4► cN 26
l
'�'� Date
T:\AGENDA \2011 \9 - 14 - 11 \Stephen Scott Resolution.doc t 01
COMMISSION ITEM SUMMARY
Condensed Title:
Consenting to the appointment of Stephen Scott as the Director of the Building Department for the City of
Miami Beach.
Key Intended Outcome Supported:
• Ensure compliance with Code within reasonable time frame.
• Ensure safety and appearance of building structures and sites.
• Stabilize residential condominiums.
• Increase community satisfaction with City government.
Supporting Data (Surveys, Environmental Scan, etc.): N/A
Issue:
Shall the Mayor and City Commission adopt the attached Resolution consenting and confirming Stephen
Scott as the Director of the Building Department?
Item Summary /Recommendation:
The Building Department provides supervision of construction activities, acceptance of building permit
applications, issuance of all building and trade permits, verification of compliance with the Florida Building
Code and enforcement of codes promulgated by regulatory agencies such as the Hotel and Restaurant
Commission, Miami -Dade Environmental Resources Management, State Departments of Health and
Professional Regulation, Board of Adjustment and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. Plumbing, Building,
Electrical, Elevator and mechanical officials inspect new and existing structures for compliance. The
Director of the Building Department plans, organizes, directs and controls the activities of the City's
Building Department. Under our current organizational structure, a separate Building Official supervises all
regulatory requirements.
Article IV, Section 4.02, of the City of Miami Beach Charter requires the consent of the City Commission
for the appointments of Department Directors.
Following an extensive search for qualified candidates, Stephen Scott has been selected as the Building
Department Director and is being submitted for consent by the City Commission.
Mr. Scott has over 16 years of experience in local government management and a proven record of
undertaking highly responsible and challenging assignments. He previously served as an Assistant City
Attorney for the Cities of Hialeah, Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Mr. Scott also held a number of highly
responsible positions with the City of Ft. Lauderdale, such as Director of the Office of Professional
Standards; Assistant City Manager; and most recently, Director of the City's Economic Development
Department. Mr. Scott is a graduate of the University of Florida and The George Washington University
School of Law.
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:
Ramiro Inguanzo, Human Resources
Sign - Offs:
Department Director Assistant City Manager City Manager
•
T:\AGENDA\2011 \ -14 -11 \Steph&A Scott ITEM SUMMARY.doc
Agenda Item C 7 S'
Date
CA MIAMIBEACH
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
DATE: September 14, 2011
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR D CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, CONSENTING TO THE APPOINTMENT OF
STEPHEN SCOTT AS THE DIRECTOR OF THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT
FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH.
ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Mayor and Commission adopt the attached resolution
consenting and confirming Stephen Scott as the Director of the Building Department for
the City of Miami Beach.
Article IV, Section 4.02, of the City of Miami Beach Charter requires the consent of the
City Commission for the appointments of Department Directors.
ANALYSIS
The Administration has concluded its extensive recruitment for a Building Director and
has selected Mr. Stephen Scott.
In addition to City's own outreach and recruitment efforts, the City retained the services
of Development Services Solutions LLC (DSS), an executive recruiter that specializes in
construction - related staffing. The City received over 700 applications. As part of their
recruiting efforts, DSS identified candidates through referrals, networking, and online
services; screened potential candidates; and submitted written summaries of semi-
finalists candidates. The City also continued to identify candidates and referred them to
DSS.
Those candidates identified by DSS as meeting the City's criteria participated in
telephone interviews with City staff, through which a group of seven finalists were
identified. The finalists participated in the two (2) rounds of in- person interviews
conducted by panels of internal and external stakeholders and representatives who
frequently interact with the Building Department. The panel of external stakeholders
included:
• Russell Galbut, Todd Glaser, Alfredo Gonzalez, Mahli Lee, Donald Kipnis, Scott
Robins, Sandor Scher and Assistant City Manager Jorge Gomez.
Stephen Scott Consent Item
September 14, 2011
Page 2 of 3
The panel of internal stakeholders included:
• Miami Dade County Building Director Charlie Danger and the following City staff:
Richard McConachie (Building Department), Kathie Brooks (Office of Budget
and Performance Improvement), Sonia Machen (Fire Department), Robert
Santos - Alborna (Code Compliance), Fernando Vazquez (Capital Improvement
Projects, and Rafael Granado (Human Resources)
Both the internal and external stakeholder groups unanimously recommended Mr. Scott
as the top candidate. Both the external and the internal groups also recommended two
different candidates as their second choice. All three candidates were then subsequently
interviewed by City Manager Jorge Gonzalez, Assistant City Manager Jorge Gomez,
Human Resources Director Ramiro Inguanzo, Public Works Director Fred Beckmann
and former City of Miami Beach Commissioner and current Capital Improvement
Projects Oversight Committee Chairman Saul Gross. This group also unanimously
selected Mr. Scott as the most qualified and top candidate.
Mr. Scott has over 16 years of experience in local government management and a
proven record of undertaking highly responsible and challenging assignments. He is a
graduate of the University of Florida and The George Washington University School of
Law. He worked as an Assistant City Attorney for the Cities of Hialeah, Fort Lauderdale
and Miami, specializing in commercial litigation and business law, along with labor and
employment law and litigation.
Mr. Scott joined the City of Fort Lauderdale's executive staff in 2002 as the City's first
Director of the Office of Professional Standards. In 2004, he became an Assistant City
Manager in Fort Lauderdale. While an Assistant City Manager, Mr. Scott directly
supervised the City's Building Department and spearheaded a comprehensive action
plan for the Department in the aftermath of Hurricane Wilma.
In 2009, Mr. Scott was appointed Director of the City's fledgling Economic Development
Department, with a mission to make the City as "business friendly" as possible, promote
economic development, as well as streamline regulations and processes during difficult
economic times. During his tenure with the department, while working in conjunction with
other local, regional, and state organizations, Mr. Scott implemented proactive,
professional economic development programs to address both the attraction of new
businesses and the expansion and retention of existing companies in the City of Fort
Lauderdale.
He serves on the Board of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance for Economic
Development, the Board of Governors of the Downtown Council, the Executive
Committee of Business First Fort Lauderdale with the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber
of Commerce. Mr. Scott is a Board member of the Chamber's Beach Council, and also
acts as liaison to the Fort Lauderdale Beach Business Improvement District.
Attached is a resume for Mr. Scott with additional details regarding his professional
background.
Stephen Scott Consent Item
September 14, 2011
Page 2 of 3
CONCLUSION
Given the important role that economic development plays in the City and in the Building
Department, Mr. Scott's background, in particular his experience with economic
development efforts and with creating a "business friendly" environment, will ensure that
the City continues to improve its building development processes, thereby enhancing the
service provided to residents, visitors and members of the construction trade.
Pursuant to the requirements of Article IV, Section 4.02, of the City Charter, it is
recommended that the Mayor and City Commission adopt the resolution consenting and
confirming Stephen Scott as the Director of the Building Department.
T:WGENDA\2011 \9 -14 -11 \Stephen Scott Memo.doc
STEPHEN SCOTT
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
City of Fort Lauderdale, FL
October 2002 to present
Title: Director, Economic Development Department
January 2009 to present
Responsible for the implementation of all of the City of Fort Lauderdale's economic
development incentive ordinances. City liaison to all business organizations throughout
the City, including the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, Greater Fort
Lauderdale Convention and Visitor's Bureau, the Downtown Council, Beach Council,
and the Downtown Development Authority. Staff supervisor for the Fort Lauderdale
Beach Business Improvement District. Designated City point person for all Super Bowl
and Pro Bowl related matters. Act as special Events coordinator for the City for large
events. Supervise City's Fort Lauderdale Beach Community Redevelopment Agency and
a City real estate division responsible for the management and control of approximately
$50 million real estate inventory. Direct report to the City Manager. Serve on the Board
of Directors of the Downtown Council of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of
Commerce, and the Board of Directors of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance for
Economic Development.
Title: Assistant City Manager
October 2004 to January 2009
Responsible for the direct supervision, hiring and evaluation of all Department Heads, as
well as the supervision and operations of the Building Department, Procurement Services
Department, Business Enterprises Department, Finance Department, Office of
Management and Budget, Parking and Fleet Services Department, and Information
Technology Department. Broad spectrum of responsibilities included long range
planning, extensive community outreach, interaction with homeowners associations and
multiple interest groups, review and approval of all City contracts, preparation of agendas
for City Commission meetings, regular interaction with elected officials, and general
oversight and planning for City with population of approximately 185,000 residents,
2600 employees, and $600 million all funds budget. Reported directly to the City
Manager.
Title: Director, Office of Professional Standards
October 2002 - October 2004
Founding Director for Department responsible for investigation, reporting, compliance
and monitoring of all internal claims relating to the violation of local, state and federal
employment laws, as well as all laws relating to minority business participation in City
contracts. Department issues included claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation,
"whistle- blower ", FMLA, ADA, and claims of workplace "unfairness ". Department
focus was reduction and/or prevention of charges filed with local, state and federal
agencies. Developed a Code of Professional Conduct (ethics) for the entire organization.
Advisor to Human Resources Division and Employee Relations Division regarding
employment issues of all types. Responsible for developing and implementing conflict
resolution and mediation programs to minimize employment related conflict throughout
all levels off the organization.
City of Miami, FL
Title: Assistant City Attorney
February 2001 — September 2002
Labor and employment litigation specialist. Litigated discrimination, harassment,
retaliation, "whistleblower ", Family and Medical Leave Act and Fair Labor Standards
Act lawsuits in State and Federal Court, as well as other legal challenges filed in Court or
in arbitration proceedings arising out of four collective bargaining agreements. Acted as
Legal advisor to the Office of Equal Opportunity Diversity Programs, Department of
Human Resources, and Employee Relations Division. Served as legal Advisor to the
Equal Opportunity Advisory Board and the Overtown Advisory Board.
City of Fort Lauderdale, FL
Title: Assistant City Attorney
September 1999- January 2001
Labor and Employment Specialist. Acted as legal advisor to the Office of Equal
Opportunity, Management Practices Committee, Personnel Division and Employee
Relations Division. Represented City in Federal and State Court on constitutional
challenges to City Ordinances. Developed and drafted resolutions and ordinances related
to employment issues, the regulation of alcoholic beverage and adult entertainment
businesses, and general legislative issues as required by the City Attorney. Developed
internal policies and procedures. Monitored compliance with state and local laws
regarding minority business participation in City contracts. Assisted City Attorney as
legal advisor to the Charter Revision Board.
City of Hialeah, FL
Title: Assistant City Attorney
March 1995- September 1999
Participated in varied municipal practice. Labor and employment specialist and general
litigator. Represented the City in negotiations of Collective Bargaining Agreement with
the International Association of Firefighters Union. Legal advisor to the Personnel Board.
Represented the City in more than 30 labor arbitrations with the Police Benevolent
Association, and responded to, mediated and settled complaints filed with the Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission.
Private Sector Experience
Concepcion, Sexton & Stiphany Jerome H. Shevin P.A.
Coral Gables, FL; Associate Miami, FL; Associate
Greenspan, Jaffe & Rosenblattt
White Plains, NY; Associate
EDUCATION
The George Washington University
The National Law Center; JD Conferred
The University of Florida
Bachelor of Arts; Political Science
MEMBERSHIPS
The Florida Bar
United States District Court, Southern District of Florida