2014-28507 Reso RESOLUTION NO. 2014-28507
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA RECOMMENDING MS.
BARBARA S. HERSKOWITZ AND MS. CHRISTINE A. GUDAITIS
FOR THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD.
WHEREAS, on June 18, 1998, the Mayor and City Commission approved Resolution
No. 86-18488 and entered into an Agreement with Miami-Dade County that authorized the
County among other things, to provide library services to the residents of the City of Miami
Beach; and,
WHEREAS, the Miami-Dade County Commission adopted Ordinance No. 86-65,
which expanded the composition of the Miami-Dade County Library Advisory Board by two
members; and,
WHEREAS, as stipulated in Section 27 of the Agreement between the City and the
County, the Mayor and the City Commission, upon recommendation by the City Manager,
shall appoint two members to the Miami-Dade County Library Advisory Board; and,
WHEREAS, the City is committed to ensuring that our libraries remain properly
funded, professionally staffed, and adequately stocked with the materials and books the
public expects; and,
WHEREAS, the City wants its representatives on the Miami-Dade County Library
Advisory Board to have input on the Master Plan formulated by Mayor Carlos Gimenez's
Blue Ribbon Task Force for the Miami-Dade Public Library System; and,
WHEREAS, the City wishes to continue to serve and represent its citizens on the
Miami-Dade County Library Advisory Board; and,
WHEREAS, the City Manager recommends two qualified candidates: Ms. Barbara S.
.Herskowitz and Ms. Christine A. Gudaitis, to be appointed to the Miami-Dade County Public
Library Advisory Board.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH,`FLORIDA, that, based on the
recommendation of the City Manager, Ms. Barbara S. Herskowitz and Ms. Christine A.
Gudaitis are to be appointed as the City's representatives on the Miami-Dade County Library
Advisory Board.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 26th day of February, 2014.
ATTEST:
Raf el Granado CITY •I� � t evine MAYOR
APPROVED AS TO
* (J :
INCORp ORATE: FORM & LANGUAGE
&FOR EXECUTION
6 '•. C.� t
City Attorney 1 Date
BARBARA S. HERSKOWITZ
4345 Jefferson Avenue
Miami Beach,FL 33140
305-788-8989
yalemiamiaaol.com
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
ACCOUNTING AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
• Prepared monthly consolidation reports and entries
• Generated l0k and annual reports
• Projected forecasts for the cruise line and subsidiaries
• Compiled annual budget for the entire company
• Developed and wrote the General Ledger manual
• Programmed the computer system
• Trained company employees on the computer application
• Ten years experience in all phases of accounting
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
i
• Excellent written,oral,and interpersonal communication skills
• Problem solver/team player with proven leadership qualities
• Able to lead a team or work independently
• Proficient in Microsoft Word
• Create budget and work within parameters of budget
MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
• Manage and supervise volunteers
• Deal with vendors
• Handle public relations for events
ORGANIZATION SKILLS AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS
• Write all event invitations and literature
• Identify appropriate.location for events
• Plan fundraising events for 500 plus attendees
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Agenda Item A
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EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
• Financial Reporting,Carnival Cruise Lines,Miami,FL
0 Mortgage Loan Accountant,Centrust Savings Bank,Miami,FL
CIVIC AFFILIATIONS
• Greater Miami.Hebrew Academy School,Member of the Board of Directors
• Miami Beach Board of Parks and Recreation
• Miami Beach Board of The Status of Women
• Miami Beach Board Waterfront Protection
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CHRISTINE A. GUDAITIS
2155 Washington Ct.9603 •Miami Beach,FL 33139
i (305)431-4397 •cagudaitis @yahoo.com
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LEGAL EXPERIENCE
VER PLOEG& LUMPKIN, P.A., Miami, Florida
Shareholder: January 2009—Present
• Represent construction, pharmaceutical, chemical manufacturing and other corporate
clients in complex commercial coverage litigation in state and federal courts in Florida
and nationwide
• Counsel corporate clients on insurance programs,liability and risk management
• Review and provide guidance on client contracts impacting coverage and liability
• Supervise national large-scale litigation for corporate clients
• Communicate and coordinate litigation with corporate officers and general counsel
• Tried cases in Florida's state and federal courts and in the Southern District f New o e York
• Represent individual policyholders in insurance coverage and bad faith disputes
• Conduct mediations and arbitrations
• Negotiate and draft settlement agreements
• Manage,direct and train associates and staff
i
• Oversee firm's charitable contributions and affiliations
Associate: September 2001 —December 2008
• Prosecuted and defended federal and state appeals
• Drafted and successfully argued case-dispositive motions in state and federal courts
• Participated in all aspects of litigation from client intake through trial
• Trained and mentored new associates
• Developed,implemented and managed associates' meeting program
Law ClerklSummer Associate:January 2000—May 2001
• Assisted in drafting pleadings for use in state and federal litigation
• Researched and drafted legal memoranda
• Prepared attorneys for hearings, depositions,and trials
Conducted prospective client interviews
EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW,Coral Gables, FL
Juris Doctor,Cum Laude,2001
Law Review: University of Miami International and Comparative Law Review
Honors: Dean's Merit Scholarship Recipient, 1999-2001
Dean's List, 1999
CALI Excellence for the Future Award,2001
Activities: Moot Court Board, 1999-2001
Phi Delta Phi Honor Fraternity, 1999-2001
MOUNT HOLYOKE COLLEGE, South Hadley, MA
Bachelor of Arts in Politics;Minor in English, 1990
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BAR ADMISSIONS: Florida, 2001; U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Northern Districts of
Florida,2001;Middle District of Florida,2004; Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals,2004
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Christine A.Gudaitis(cagudaitis(a,vahoo.com) Page 2
PUBLIC SERVICE AND COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS
• University of Miami Citizens Board,2008—Present
• Mount Holyoke College Alumnae Representative,2004—Present
• Director and Past President,Miami-Dade Public Library Foundation,2008—2012
• Director, South Florida SPCA/Help the Horses Organization,2009—Present
• Panelist,United Policyholders"Ask an Expert"Forum,2012—Present
• MemberNolunteer,Young Patronesses of the Opera(Miami),2006—2012
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
• Dade County Bar As Construction Law Committee
• Commercial Real Estate Women of Miami
• Florida Justice Association
• Miami-Dade Justice Association
• Florida Association of Women Lawyers
• American Bar Association
RECENT PRESENTATIONS
• ABA Women in Insurance Network CLE Workshop: When Food Goes Bad: Coverage Issues
Arising from Contamination Claims,Chicago,IL,October 15,.2013
• MC Consultants 7th Annual East Region Construction Defect& Insurance Coverage Conference,
After the Storm!Insurance Issues Arising After A Hurricane,Orlando,FL,June 19-21,2013
• ABA Hot Topics in Florida Insurance Coverage:Proving Covered Damages:Litigating
Construction Defect Cases,Miami,FL, May 30,2013
• NC Bar Association: Why Do We Call It Bad Faith?North Carolina/South Carolina Claim
Practice Trends,Co-organizer and Presenter: Where Policyholder and Insurer Disagree,
Charlotte,NC,April I]-12,2013
• Daily Business Review: Corporate Counsel Summit,Insuring a Business:Is Your Client Covered
for That?,Fort Lauderdale,FL,April 5,2013
• Windstorm Insurance Network, 14th Annual Conference,Assignment of Benefits:Is My Name on
the Check?,Orlando,FL,January 28-30,2013
• MC Consultants 6th Annual East Region Construction Defect& Insurance Coverage Conference,
Update on Coverage Issues for Northeast/Mid-Atlantic/Southeast Regions, Boca Raton,FL,June
6-8,2012
• Windstorm Insurance Network, 13th Annual Conference, When the Wind Claim Gets Off Track:
Documenting and Resolving Adjustment Disagreements,Orlando,FL,January 30—February 2,
2012
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
• Construction Today Monthly,Ensuring the Right Coverage,November/December 2012
• Inside the Minds Series:Negotiating Insurance Policy Disputes,Aspatore Books,2011
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Christine A.Gudaitis
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Christine A.Gudaitis is a shareholder in the law firm of Ver Ploeg& Lumpkin.P.A. She
concentrates her trial and appellate practice in the areas of insurance coverage and bad
faith litigation, representing both individual and corporate policyholders. Ms. Gudaitis
has written extensively on the subjects of insurance coverage and bad faith,and has been
a presenter at various seminars on insurance-related issues. She is admitted to practice
before the Florida Bar and the U.S. District Court for the Southern. Middle and Northern
Districts of Florida,and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
Born in New Jersey, Ms. Gudaitis is a 1990 graduate of Mount Holyoke College and a
2001 cum laude graduate of the University of Miami School of Law, where she was a
Dean's Merit Scholarship recipient. While in law school,she served as a member of the
University of Miami International and Comparative Law Review,the Moot Court Board,
and the Phi Delta Phi I-Ionor Society.
Ms. Gudaitis is a member of the Dade County and American Bar Associations, the
Florida Association of Women Lawyers,the Miami-Dade Justice Association, the
Miami-Dade County Bar Association Construction Law Committee, and the Florida
Justice Association.
In addition. Ms,Gudaitis is Legal Chair and Director for the South Florida SPCA/Help
the Horses organization, a member of the University of Miami Citizens Board, a
volunteer for the Young Patronesses of the Opera, and a South Florida alumnae
representative for Mount Holyoke College.
Ms.Gudaitis resides in Miami Beach.
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176930 I.DOC
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MIAMI
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive,Miami Beach,Florida 33139,www.miamibeachfl.gov
Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
Tel:305-673-7010,Fax:305-673-7782
March 13, 2014
Mr. Raymond Santiago
Director of Libraries
Main Library
101 W. Flagler Street
Miami, FL 33130
Dear Mr. Santiago:
In accordance to Miami-Dade County Commission Ordinance No. 86-65, in which I am
authorized to recommend two (2) membership positions to the Miami-Dade County Library
Advisory Board, I take this opportunity to express my highest recommendations for Ms. Barbara
S. Herskowitz and Ms. Christine A. Gudaitis to serve as members.
I consider both Ms. Herskowitz and Ms. Gudaitis to be especially qualified for the available
membership positions due to their extensive work history, and keen interest in the current affairs
of Miami-Dade County Libraries. I am certain they will be great assets, and contribute much to
the Library Advisory Board. I have attached both of their resumes to this letter, as well as
Resolution 2014-28507,wherein the Miami Beach City Commission recommend Ms. Herskowitz
and Mrs. Gudaitis for the Miami-Dade County Library Advisory Board.
I thank you very much for your time and consideration of my candidates.
If you have any questions, or if you would like to meet or speak to either of the candidates,
please let me know.
Rpe
JI Mity Manager
E
cc: Ms. Barbara S. Herskowitz
Ms. Christine A. Gudaitis
JLM/re
F:\CLER\HATL\_000REGlS\Library Advisory Board-022714\Letter to Library Director-Final.doc
We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live, work,and play in our vibrant,tropical, historic community.
RESOLUTION NO. 2014-28507
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA RECOMMENDING MS.
BARBARA S. HERSKOWITZ AND MS. CHRISTINE A. GUDAITIS
FOR THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD.
WHEREAS, on June 18, 1998, the Mayor and City Commission approved Resolution
No. 86-18488 and entered into an Agreement with Miami-Dade County that authorized the
County among other things, to provide library services to the residents of the City of Miami
Beach; and,
WHEREAS, the Miami-Dade County Commission adopted Ordinance No. 86-65,
which expanded the composition of the Miami-Dade County Library Advisory Board by two
members; and,
WHEREAS, as stipulated in Section 27 of the Agreement between the City and the
County, the Mayor and the City Commission, upon recommendation by the City Manager,
shall appoint two members to the Miami-Dade County Library Advisory Board; and,
WHEREAS, the City is committed to ensuring that our libraries remain properly
funded, professionally staffed, and adequately stocked with the materials and books the
public expects; and,
WHEREAS, the City wants its representatives on the Miami-Dade County Library
Advisory Board to have input on the Master Plan formulated by Mayor Carlos Gimenez's
Blue Ribbon Task Force for the Miami-Dade Public Library System; and,
WHEREAS, the City wishes to continue to serve and represent its citizens on the
Miami-Dade County Library Advisory Board; and,
WHEREAS, the City Manager recommends two qualified candidates: Ms. Barbara S.
Herskowitz and Ms. Christine A. Gudaitis, to be appointed to the Miami-Dade County Public
Library Advisory Board.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that, based' on the
recommendation of the City Manager, Ms. Barbara S. Herskowitz and Ms. Christine A.
Gudaitis are to be appointed as the City's representatives on the Miami-Dade County Library
Advisory Board.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 26th day of February, 2014.
ATTEST:
CITY
Raf el Gran�ado, ERl� ,,° .� ''�' Pp evine, MAYOR
APPROVED AS TO
OF.D1
'nip � FORM &LANGUAGE
r—� fin(.
V•4`? !�` 7s �� Ii' • f—: /d &FOR E
?•�'' Ci�y
Date
Attorney
BARBARA S. HERSKOWITZ
4345 Jefferson Avenue
Miami Beach,FL 33140
305-788-8989
yalemiami(a,aol.com
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
ACCOUNTING AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
• Prepared monthly consolidation reports and entries
• Generated l0k and annual reports
e Projected forecasts for the cruise line and subsidiaries
• Compiled annual budget for the entire company
• Developed and wrote the General Ledger manual
• Programmed the computer system
• Trained company employees on the computer application
• Ten years experience in all phases of accounting
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
• Excellent written,oral,and interpersonal communication skills
• Problem solver/team player with proven leadership qualities
• Able to lead a team or work independently
• Proficient in Microsoft Word
• Create budget and work within parameters of budget
MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
• Manage and supervise volunteers
• Deal with vendors
• Handle public relations for events
ORGANIZATION SKILLS AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS
• Write all event invitations and literature
• Identify appropriate.location for events
• Plan fundraising events for 500 plus attendees
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Agenda Item A
Date 2--2cc° ly
0
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
9 Financial Reporting,Carnival Cruise Lines,Miami,FL
® Mortgage Loan Accountant,Centrust Savings Bank,Miami,FL
CIVIC AFFILIATIONS
a Greater Miami Hebrew Academy School, Member of the Board of Directors
• Miami Beach Board of Parks and Recreation
Miami Beach Board of The Status of Women
Miami Beach Board Waterfront Protection
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CHRISTINE A. GUDAITIS
2155 Washington Ct.#603 •Miami Beach,FL 33139
(305}431-4397 •cagudaitis @yahoo.com
LEGAL EXPERIENCE
VER PLOEG& LUMPKIN,P.A.,Miami, Florida
Shareholder: January 2009—Present
• Represent construction, pharmaceutical, chemical manufacturing and other corporate
clients in complex commercial coverage litigation in state and federal courts in Florida
and nationwide
• Counsel corporate clients on insurance programs, liability and risk management
Review and provide guidance on client contracts impacting coverage and liability
• Supervise national large-scale litigation for corporate clients
• Communicate and coordinate litigation with corporate officers and general counsel
• Tried cases in Florida's state and federal courts and in the Southern District of New York
• Represent individual policyholders in insurance coverage and bad faith disputes
• Conduct mediations and arbitrations
• Negotiate and draft settlement agreements
• Manage,direct and train associates and staff
• Oversee firm's charitable contributions and affiliations
Associate: September 2001 —December 2008
• Prosecuted and defended federal and state appeals
• Drafted and successfully argued case-dispositive motions in state and federal courts
• Participated in all aspects of litigation from client intake through trial
• Trained and mentored new associates
• Developed, implemented and managed associates' meeting program
Law ClerkJSummerAssociate: January 2000—May 2001
• Assisted in drafting pleadings for use in state and federal litigation
• Researched.and drafted legal memoranda
• Prepared attorneys for hearings, depositions,and trials
• Conducted prospective client interviews
EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW,Coral Gables, FL
Juris Doctor,Cum Laude,2001
Law Review: University of Miami International and Comparative Law Review
Honors: Dean's Merit Scholarship Recipient, 1999-2001
Dean's List, 1999
CALI Excellence for the Future Award,2001
Activities: Moot Court Board, 1999-2001
Phi Delta Phi Honor Fraternity, 1999-2001
MOUNT HOLYOKE COLLEGE, South Hadley, MA
Bachelor of Arts in Politics;Minor in English, 1990
BAR ADMISSIONS: Florida, 2001; U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Northern Districts of
Florida,2001; Middle.District of Florida, 2004; Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals,2004
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Christine A.Gudaitis(cagudaitisna,yahoo.com) Page 2
PUBLIC SERVICE AND COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS
• University of Miami Citizens Board,2008—Present
• Mount P
Holyoke College Alumnae Representative,2004—Present
Y g
• Director and Past President,Miami-Dade Public Library Foundation,2008—2012
• Director, South Florida SPCA/Help the Horses Organization,2009—.Present
• Panelist,United Policyholders"Ask an Expert"Forum,2012—Present
Member/Volunteer,Young Patronesses of the Opera(Miami),2006—2012
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
• Dade County Bar Association,Construction Law Committee
• Commercial Real Estate Women of Miami
• Florida Justice Association
• Miami-Dade Justice Association
• Florida Association of Women Lawyers
American Bar Association
RECENT PRESENTATIONS
• ABA Women in.Insurance Network CLE Workshop: When Food Goes Bad: Coverage Issues
_Arising from Contamination Claims, Chicago,IL,October 15,.201')
• MC Consultants 7th Annual East Region Construction Defect& Insurance Coverage Conference,
After the Storm!Insurance Issues Arising After A hurricane,Orlando,FL, June 19-21,2013
• ABA Hot Topics in Florida Insurance Coverage:Proving Covered Damages:Litigating
Construction Defect Cases,Miami,FL, May 30,2013
• NC Bar Association:.Why Do We Call It Bad Faith?North Carolina/South Carolina Claim
Practice Trends, Co-organizer and Presenter: Where Policyholder and Insurer Disagree,
Charlotte,NC,April 1 I-12,2013
• Daily Business Review: Corporate Counsel Summit,Insuring a Business:Is Your Client Covered
for That?,Fort Lauderdale,FL,April 5,2013
• Windstorm Insurance Network, 14th Annual Conference,Assignment of Benefits:Is My Name on
the Check?, Orlando,FL,January 28-30, 2013
MC Consultants 6th Annual East Region Construction Defect& Insurance Coverage Conference,
Update on Coverage Issues for NortheastILVid-Atlantic/Southeast Regions, Boca Raton,FL,June
6-8,20'12
• Windstorm Insurance Network, 13th Annual Conference, When the bind Claim Gets Off Track:
Documenting and Resolving Adjustment Disagreements, Orlando,FL,January 30—February 2,
2012
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
• Construction Today Monthly,Ensuring the Right Coverage,November/December 2012
• Inside the Minds Series:Negotiating Insurance Policy Disputes,Aspatore Books,2011
Christine A.Gudaitis
Christine A. Gudaitis is a shareholder in the law firm of Ver Ploeg&Lumpkin.P.A. She
concentrates her trial and appellate practice in the areas of insurance coverage and bad
faith litigation, representing both individual and corporate policyholders. Ms. Gudaitis
has written extensively on the subjects of insurance coverage and bad faith.and has been
a presenter at various seminars on irnurance-related issues. She is admitted to practice
before the Florida Bar and the U.S. Dititriet Court for the Southern, Middle and Northern
Districts of Florida,and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit_
Barn in New Jersev, Ms. Gudaitis is a 1990 graduate of Mount Holyoke College and a
2001 gran luttde graduate of the Uni%ersity of Miami School of Law, where she was a
Dean's Merit Scholarship recipient. 1;`hile in law school,she served as a member of the
University of Miami International and Comparative Law Review.the Moot Court Board.
and the Phi Delta Phi Honor Societv,
Ms. Gudaitis is a member of the Dade County. and American Bar Associations, the
Florida Association of Women Lawyers,the Miami-Dade Justice Association, the
Miami-Dade County Bar Association Constniction Law Committee, and the Florida
Justice association.
In addition, Nis Gudaitis is Legal Chair and Director for the South Florida SPCA!Help
the Horses organization, a member of the tniversity of Miami Citizens Board, a
volunteer for the Young Patronesses, of the Opera. and a South Florida alumnae
representative for Mount Holyoke Collcoe.
Ms.Gudaitis resides in Miami Beach.
176930 I.DOC
Agenda Item R 9 A
Date 2-Zcr,--ly
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