Resolution 2020-31493 RESOLUTION NO. 2020-31493
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA,APPOINTING CRAIG H. COLLER TO SERVE
AS THE SPECIAL MASTER FOR APPEALS OF DECISIONS OF THE
HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD, PURSUANT TO CITY CODE
SECTION 118-9(c)(2)(A), FOR A TERM OF THREE (3) YEARS.
WHEREAS, pursuant to City Code Section 118-9(c)(2)(A)(i), appeals of decisions of the
Historic Preservation Board (as to Certificate of Appropriateness) shall be heard by the City's
Historic Preservation Special Master; and
WHEREAS, Historic Preservation Special Masters shall be "attorneys who are members
in good standing of the Florida Bar and have expertise in the area of historic preservation", and
"shall serve terms of three years"; and
WHEREAS, Craig H. Cotler is uniquely qualified, based upon his professional experience,
to serve as the City's Historic Preservation Special Master; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Cotler served in the Miami-Dade County Attorney's Office for more than
35 years, as Assistant County Attorney and Chief of the Zoning, Environmental, and Land Use
Section; and
WHEREAS, as Chief of the Zoning, Environmental, and Land Use Section, Mr. Cotler
oversaw all legal aspects of the County's litigation, appeals, ordinance drafting, and advice for
comprehensive planning, zoning, platting, historic preservation, environmental, eminent domain,
annexation and incorporation, and other related matters; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Cotler has also served as State Chair of the Florida Bar City, County, and
Local Government Law Section, and currently serves on the Executive Council; and
WHEREAS, for the reasons set forth herein, the Mayor and City Commission hereby find
that Mr. Cotler is duly qualified to serve as Historic Preservation Special Master.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that Craig H. Cotler is hereby appointed to serve as a
Special Master for appeals of decisions of the Historic Preservation Board, pursuant to City Code
Section 118-9(c)(2)(A), for a term of three (3) years, expiring on November 18, 2023; provided,
further, that Mr. Cotler shall be compensated at the rate of$175.00 per hour.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this ig day of November, 2020.
ATTEST:
I ` ,2
, Dan Gelber, Mayor
Ra ael E. Granado, city Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM AND
GUAGE D FOR EXECUTION
jr- rt ,', A 1`.%---'‘I)Val2023)
lity Attorney N� Date
IN[OAP OkAIED .s
'...... j 26
Resolutions-C7 U
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: November 18, 2020
SUBJECT:A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA,APPOINTING CRAIG H. COLLER TO SERVE
AS THE SPECIAL MASTER FOR APPEALS OF DECISIONS OF THE
HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD, PURSUANT TO CITY CODE
SECTION 118-9(C)(2)(A), FORA TERM OF THREE (3)YEARS.
RECOMMENDATION
Appoint Craig H. Coller to serve as Special Master for appeals of decisions of the City's
Historic Preservation Board.
ANALYSIS
Pursuant to City Code Section 118-9(c)(2)(A)(i), appeals of decisions of the Historic
Preservation Board (as to Certificates of Appropriateness) are heard by the City's Historic
Preservation Special Master.
The City Code requires that Historic Preservation Special Masters be "attorneys who are
members in good standing of the Florida Bar and have expertise in the area of historic
preservation." City Code Section 118-9(c)(2)(A)(ii). Historic Preservation Special Masters shall
serve terms of three years; provided, however, that they may be removed without cause upon a
majority vote of the City Commission.
Upon the determination of the City Attorney that Craig H. Coller possesses the knowledge,
skills, and attributes to perform as a Special Master pursuant to City Code Section 118-9(c)(2)
(A)(ii), and my concurrence in such determination, I am recommending that the City
Commission appoint Mr. Coller to serve as the City's Special Master for appeals of decisions of
the Historic Preservation Board.
Mr. Coller has extensive experience as a local government attorney, having served in the Miami-
Dade County Attorney's Office for more than 35 years, as Assistant County Attorney and Chief
of the Zoning, Environmental, and Land Use Section. As Chief of the Zoning, Environmental,
and Land Use Section, Mr. Coller oversaw all legal aspects of the County's litigation, appeals,
ordinance drafting, and advice for comprehensive planning, zoning, platting, historic
preservation, environmental, eminent domain, annexation and incorporation, and other related
Page 358 of 1430
matters.
Since retiring from the County Attorney's Office, Mr. Cotler has represented a number of
municipalities on matters relating to land use, zoning, historic preservation, and other matters,
and serves as a Special Magistrate on Florida Land Use and Dispute Resolution Act
(FLUEDRA)proceedings.
Mr. Coller has served as State Chair of the Florida Bar City, County, and Local Government
Law Section, and currently serves on the Executive Council. Mr. Coller has also taught land use
law and zoning at the Florida International University School of Law, as Co-lecturer.
Mr. Coller holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Miami School of Law, and a
Bachelor of Science degree from Washington and Lee University.
A copy of Mr. Coller's curriculum vitae is attached to this Memorandum.
Consistent with the compensation for the City's code enforcement special masters, Mr. Colter is
proposed to be compensated at the rate of$175.00 per hour.
CONCLUSION
Mr. Coller is uniquely qualified, based upon his professional experience, to serve as the City's
Historic Preservation Special Master. The City Attorney and I therefore recommend that Mr.
Coller be appointed for a term of three (3) years, pursuant to the City Code, which term shall
expire on November 18, 2023.
Applicable Area
Not Applicable
Is this a "Residents Right Does this item utilize G.O.
to Know" item. pursuant to Bond Funds?
City Code Section 2-14?
No No
Legislative Tracking
Office of the CityAttomey/Office of the City Clerk
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
D Resolution
•
Page 359 of 1430