2018-30232 ResolutionRESOLUTION 2018 -30232
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, WELCOMING AND ENCOURAGING
AMAZON TO OPEN ITS SECOND HEADQUARTERS IN MIAMI -
DADE COUNTY, IN VIEW OF THE COUNTY'S DIVERSE
COMMUNITY AND BROAD ANTIDISCRIMINATION LAWS
THAT PROMOTE DIVERSITY, EQUALITY, AND INCLUSION AT
THE CITY AND COUNTY LEVEL.
WHEREAS, Amazon is a publicly traded U.S. corporation and is a leading internet
retailer and technology company; and
WHEREAS, in 2017, Amazon launched a public search and issued a Request for
Proposal ( "RFP ") to identify a second headquarters site; and
WHEREAS, Amazon's second headquarters is expected to employ as many as 50,000
new full -time employees, and will require over $5 billion in capital expenditures; and
WHEREAS, on January 18, 2018, Amazon announced that, out of 238 proposals from
across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, it had chosen 20 metropolitan areas, including Miami, to
move forward to the next phase of the selection process; and
WHEREAS, Amazon has long been a supporter of gay rights and antidiscrimination
legislation; and
WHEREAS, Amazon's requirements for its second headquarters include "a compatible
cultural and community environment for its long -term success," as well as "the presence and
support of a diverse population "; and
WHEREAS, an ad hoc group of gay rights activists has sponsored a campaign urging
Amazon to reject nine states (including Florida) that have not adopted statewide laws prohibiting
discrimination against the LGBT community; and
WHEREAS, though the State of Florida has not yet enacted statewide legislation
protecting individuals on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, both Miami -Dade
County and the City of Miami Beach boast comprehensive antidiscrimination laws and policies
that promote diversity, equality, and inclusion in our communities; and
WHEREAS, the Miami -Dade County Human Rights Ordinance prohibits discrimination in
employment, public accommodations, and housing on the basis of race, color, religion,
ancestry, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, disability, marital status, familial status, gender
identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, or actual or perceived status as a victim of
domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking; and
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach Human Rights Ordinance prohibits discrimination in
employment, public accommodations, housing, and public services, on the basis of actual or
perceived differences of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, intersexuality, gender identity,
sexual orientation, marital and familial status, age, disability, ancestry, height, weight, domestic
partner status, labor organization membership, familial situation, or political affiliation; and
WHEREAS, Miami -Dade County is home to a diverse and thriving community of 2.7
million residents; and
WHEREAS, to reject this region because of our State's laws would (i) send the wrong
message to national and international employers seeking to relocate their operations, (ii)
discourage cities and counties from adopting broader antidiscrimination laws and policies than
those that apply statewide, and (iii) harm South Florida's diverse residents who could benefit
from new job opportunities; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission believe the opening of Amazon's second
headquarters in the Miami area would serve the best interests of the residents and visitors of
the City of Miami Beach, Miami -Dade County, and the State of Florida; and
WHEREAS, Amazon's presence and business operations in Miami -Dade County would
lend support to the historic and longstanding efforts of civil rights advocates and local
governments in South Florida to promote diversity, equality, and inclusion.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and the City
Commission hereby welcome and encourage Amazon to open its second headquarters in
Miami -Dade County, in view of the County's diverse community and broad antidiscrimination
laws that promote diversity, equality, and inclusion at the City a nd County level.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 7 day of //ki'Gl//A-- , 2018.
ATTEST:
Ra ael Granado
City Clerk
(Sponsored by Commissioner Michael Gongora)
Dan Gelber
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXE UTION
C71-46t"1--- 3 18
City Attorney Date
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