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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 iiiitia
MONIS.N(G SOMHOODS.ODAUIY Of Uf!.
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!
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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
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Want to read the proposed Commission agenda items and get info about
the Commission meeting on Wednesday? Click
Want to contact your elected officials directly he =: • -
Comm •ambers on 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 HIEI JiE.
Generate your customized sample ballot for the November 6, 2018 HERE.
•
Opposition to Ordinance Regarding
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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
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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 _iE_'tE.
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!
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November 13 - Re-Imagining Ocean Drive
December 4 - Sea Level Rise
Details to Follow!
*Not a member? Not a problem! Click here to join - 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
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Our Mission
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 IIFE. city rooted in history, its people. resources and
neighborhoods. with focus on the future — by providing
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structure. policies and performance of Miami Beach
government.
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Beach, FL 33139
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