FINAL-Miami-Beach-City-Commission-Appoints-Interim-City-Manager-Raul-Aguila
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City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
OFFICE OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS, Tel: 305.673.7575 PRESS RELEASE
Tonya Daniels, E-mail: tonyadaniels@miamibeachfl.gov
Melissa Berthier, E-mail: melissaberthier@miamibeachfl.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 9, 2020
Miami Beach City Commission Appoints Interim City Manager
– City Attorney Raul Aguila –
Miami Beach, FL – Today, the Miami Beach City Commission unanimously appointed
Raul Aguila as the city’s interim city manager, effective Dec. 12. Aguila has been the
Miami Beach city attorney since spring 2014.
“Raul has been a transformational leader over the years, and I am confident his
leadership and experience will serve our community well during this transitional period,”
Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber shared.
Aguila was unanimously named city attorney in 2014 by the mayor and commission after
having served in the City Attorney’s Office for 23 years. In his role, the city spearheaded
cutting-edge quality-of-life and social equality legislation that has influenced local
governments throughout Florida and the country — including the distinction as one of
the first U.S. cities to enact human rights legislation and domestic partnership
protections. Additionally, the city was one of the first to pass ordinances guaranteeing a
living wage to employees of city contractors and requiring city contractors to provide
equal benefits to the domestic partners of employees.
During his tenure, the City Attorney’s Office handled some of the city’s most important
public and public-private development projects, including the revitalization of Lincoln
Road, the Miami Beach Convention Center, the Loews Hotel, and the New World Center
and SoundScape Park (home of the New World Symphony). Aguila has also
represented the city on its $439 million General Obligation Bond Program, which is
already revitalizing public spaces, public structures, and public security for the future of
Miami Beach.
Aguila’s team has also been working on turning Miami Beach into a model for corporate
sustainability and resilient development practices. His work has been instrumental in
amending the City Code to lay the framework for progressive development practices.
The city’s Green Building Ordinance creates important environmental standards for new
construction (including LEED Gold and the Living Building Challenge). And several
ordinances have been enacted prohibiting the use and sale of expanded polystyrene
(commonly known as Styrofoam) and single-use plastic straws by retail stores and food
service providers.
“I’m humbled and grateful that our City Commission has entrusted me to serve this great
city on an interim basis,” Aguila said. “I look forward to continuing to lead with integrity
and transparency while ensuring progress on the multitude of city priorities.”
We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live, work and play in our vibrant, tropical, historic
community.
Deputy City Attorney Rafael Paz will step into the role of interim city attorney during
Aguila’s service. A national search is underway for a permanent city manager.
City Manager Jimmy Morales announced his resignation two months ago. He recently
accepted a position as Miami-Dade County Chief Operations Officer — overseeing
Water and Sewer; Transportation and Public Works; the Department of Regulatory and
Economic Resources; Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces; Solid Waste Management;
Elections; Aviation and the Seaport. His last day with the city will be on Dec. 11.
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