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R5 B Miami Beach United VNV LAIE'N9.:NAj Granado, Rafael S /N7 }2.t� ), 1R c- / C OCT 1 7 2018 J From: Miami Beach United <info@miamibeachunited.org> Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2018 6:31 PM To: Granado, Rafael Subject: MBU Resolutions at City Hall on Wednesday, October 17 Advocate for Residents of Miami Beach We are a community-based 501 (c)4 not- for-profit organization providing Miami Beach residents a cohesive voice for city-wide issues that impact our quality of life. Click here to join us! Wr" ;- s. _ r• • = I I�\,11 f` „ ' i s _ /1// ` '/jam•] �; \ .9 4',',LA, A yam �-;, '. , ``,, /" s`' ( 4 ' _fifly 4 .A,1 I �' 4p. r October 17, 2018 : Another Busy Day at Commission Chambers! These are Miami Beach United's Resolutions: • Agenda Items R5-A and R5-B - North Beach Town Center - Central Core Comprehensive Plan Amendment and Central Core Land Development Regulations • Agenda Item R5-C - Ordinance Regarding Architectural District Parking Height Restrictions • Agenda Item C4-f - Ordinance Amendments for 500-700 Alton Road Projects 1 Want to read the proposed Commission agenda items and get info about the Commission meeting on Wednesday? Click -= Want t• ontact your elected officials direct) Click 1 e =: Comm -ti am. - ..•n the 3rd floor of City Hall. There is a Sutnick Hour, at which residents may address the Commission on any subject, from 8:30-9, and 1:-1:30. Miami Beach United positions on Referenda Items on November 6, 2018 ballo The Miami Beach United Board of Directors voted overwhelmingly to support the following three referenda items on the November 6, 2018 ballot. Miami Beach Referendum 3 -SUPPORT Referendum Re: Approval of City's Lease of City Property for Convention Center Hotel Should City lease 2.6 acre property at northeast corner of 17th Street and Convention Center Drive to MB Mixed Use Investment, LLC for 99 years, requiring, per Resolution 2018-30425: • Construction/operation of 800 room Hotel (maximum height of 185 feet), connected to Convention Center, • No City funding, • No gambling, • Rent to City after Hotel opens, including greater of: guaranteed rent ($16,616,242 over first ten years, adjusted thereafter), or percentage of Hotel's revenues annually? Miami Beach Referendum 5 -SUPPORT $198,000,000 General Obligation Bond issue to improve City's neighborhoods and infrastructure To improve the City's neighborhoods and infrastructure, including stormwater and flooding mitigation projects, sidewalk and street renovation and repairs, protected bicycle lanes, pedestrian paths, landscaping, and lighting, shall the City be authorized to issue general obligation bonds, from time to time, not exceeding $198,000,000 in aggregate principal amount, payable from unlimited ad valorem taxes, bearing interest not exceeding the maximum legal interest rate, and maturing no later than 30 years from issuance date? Miami Beach Referendum 6 -SUPPORT $72,000,000 General Obligation Bond issue for City police, fire, public safety, and security improvements To improve the City's police, fire, and public safety facilities, equipment, and technology, and to improve lighting and security throughout the City, shall the City be authorized to issue general obligation bonds, from time to time, not exceeding $72,000,000 in aggregate principal amount, payable from unlimited ad valorem taxes, bearing interest not exceeding the maximum legal interest rate, and maturing no later than 30 years from issuance date? Miami Beach United is not taking a position on the remaining three items. Read the MBU Resolution in its entirety by clicking HET E. Generate your customized sample ballot for the November 6, 2018 HERE. Opposition to Ordinance Regarding 2 Architectural District Parking Height Restrictions Exemptions Agenda Item R5-A (Formerly R5- C, R5-D and R5-F) • Executive summary: The City is seeking to allow increased height for a parking garage structure in an architectural district. Why It Matters • The height restrictions were put in place for this architectural district to protect the character of the neighborhood; this exemption would allow a structure which overshadows the adjacent contributing buildings. • The City has documented a declining trend in parking usage over the past three years, and the City is encouraging usage of public and/or shared ride transportation issues; therefore building excessive height to allow for more parking spots seems counter to the stated facts and goals. • If an exemption is made in one historic district, someone seeking to do the same in another historic district will be able to point to this case as a precedent. • MOREOVER, Miami Beach United feels it is imperative that the Historic Preservation Board sees/vets any plans in an architectural district PRIOR to it going to Commission for a vote. Miami Beach United is IN OPPOSITION TO this ordinance. Read the MBU Resolution in its entirety by clicking HERE. Read the Commission documents by clicking HERE. . .. .. .. . Opposition to Ordinance Amendments Regarding the 500-700 Alton Road Project Agenda Item C4-A (Previously C4-F) Executive summary: The City is seeking to make significant alterations to the code for a massive development project, including but not limited to vacating a public right of way, and increasing height limits, without a public referendum. Why It Matters • Miami Beach United objects to the referral of rezoning and land development regulation amendments to the Planning Board unless and until a fully negotiated development agreement, spelling out every detail, has been completed. The Planning Board should have the benefit of complete information before rendering a recommendation. Restating the original position: • This development project is important because it sits at the southern gateway to the City of Miami Beach, and is the first thing visitors crossing the MacArthur Causeway will see. Currently, and for the last number of years, the site has been home to a derelict building and surrounding underutilized land. There is a great desire to see these city blocks developed in an appropriate manner; this should be a legacy 3 project. • Based on a review of the City charter, we believe the proposed transaction violates the charter by circumventing a required public referendum for the purpose of benefiting a single for-profit developer. • Because of the dangerous precedent that would be set by allowing a tripling of FAR on one property and a six-fold increase (although that number seems to be increasing daily) in the height of a tower on that property, the City charter must be respected and followed by scheduling a City-wide referendum on this project before it is allowed to move forward. Miami Beach United is IN OPPOSITION TO these amendments. Read the MBU Resolution in its entirety by clicking i_EITE. Read the Commission documents by clicking HERE. Opposition to SOME Potential Advertising Revenue Streams Agenda Item R7-V (Previously Finance Committee Memorandum Dated July 13, 2018 Subject: Potential Revenue Streams From Advertising) Executive summary: The City is looking for new ways to generate revenue to shore up the budget for next year and directed Staff to investigate advertising options. Why It Matters While some of the ideas have merit, there were also included options to allow outdoor advertising and billboards in the City in various locations. Billboards are not currently permitted in the City and this position should not change. Miami Beach United supports innovative initiatives like thoughtful co-branding/licensing deals which can elevate the brand and image of the City. We also support initiatives to sell the naming rights to the Miami Beach Convention Center. HOWEVER, Miami Beach United unequivocally opposes ANY advertising options in the public right of way, whether on the exterior of parking garages or on the Fleet Building. Miami Beach United is IN OPPOSITION TO these amendments. Read the MBU Resolution in its entirety by clicking HERE. Read the Commission documents by clicking HERE. Save the Dates ! Forums on key city-wide issues (and another members-only social event) are coming up! 4 November 13 - Re-Imagining Ocean Drive December 4 - Sea Level Rise Details to Follow! *Not a member? Not a problem! Click here to loin - your $25 will get you into this event, and cover your MBU membership through 2019. The New MBU Resident Scorecard: Coming Soon! Miami Beach United will compile a scorecard to educate and inform residents. The new "Resident Scorecard" measures Commission and Committee votes to show how resident- friendly the City of Miami Beach Mayor and Commissioners are. Here's how it works: • Miami Beach United identifies and tracks issues that affect Miami Beach residents'quality of life. • Official votes cast by elected officials are logged and scored on a scale from 0-100%. The highest score represents the most resident-friendly voting record. • The resident scorecard will be updated monthly, distributed over email and shared on social media. 2018 MBU Board of Directors Officers Nancy Liebman, Chairwoman Emeritus; Co-President Tanya K. Bhatt, Co-President; Marketing & Communications Saul Gross, Treasurer Herb Frank, V.P. Membership & Nominating Wanda Mouzon, Recording Secretary Directors Ryan Barras Hortense De Castro Jorge Gonzalez Jack Johnson Adam Kravitz Sarah Leddick Margaret Pulles Machado Jonathan Parker Kirk Paskal Ron Starkman 0 5 Our Mission H Dedicated to improving the quality of life for Miami Beach residents, managed and measured growth of our city. and ethical leadership of government—for a vibrant RESIDENTS.NEIGHBORHOODS.QUALITY OF LITE city rooted in history. its people. resources and neighborhoods, with focus on the future — by providing educational and analytical focus on the organization, structure, policies and performance of Miami Beach government. Miami Beach United I Streamline Properties/Saul Gross, 1125 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139 Unsubscribe rgranado@miamibeachfl.gov miamibeachfl.gov Update Profile I About our service provider Sent by info@miamibeachunited.org in collaboration with Constant Contact,s Try it free today 6