2021 Letter to Miami Beach Mayor and Commissioners ref 1% tax for homeless (2)
2021 PRESIDENT
Steve Keup, Hersha Hotels
VICE PRESIDENT/LODGING
Keith Space, Fort Partners (Four Seasons)
VICE PRESIDENT/RESTAURANTS
Frank Mazza, Graziano’s
TREASURER
Jorge Rivero
HR Management Consultants
SECRETARY
Courtenay Carr Russo
Tropical Delight
CHAIRMAN
Carlos Gazitua (President 2016-2018)
Sergio’s Restaurant
PAST PRESIDENTS
Mary Rogers (2014 – 2016)
Fontainebleau Miami Beach
Henry Delgado (2012-2014)
Smith & Wollensky
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Sunil Bhatt, Genuine Restaurant Group
Amir Blattner, Hyatt Regency Miami
Carmen Casabielle, Imperial Dade
Myles Cheftez, Prime Group
Dean Michael Cheng, FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality
DeAnne Connolly Graham, ROI Media
Lalo Durazo, DZO Restaurant Group
Eugenia Dwyer, Nobu/Eden Roc Resort
Shelly Fano, MDC Miami Culinary Institute
Salo Grosfeld, JR United Industries
Michael Hooper, Hilton Miami Airport
Brian Johnson, Joe’s Stone Crab
Philippe Kalifa, El Patio
Julissa Kepner, Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay
Mohan Koka, Surfcomber Miami Beach
Zoraida Mata, Flemings Coral Gables
David Montoya, Flemings Brickell
Abe Ng, Sushi Maki
Jim Pastor, Specialty Restaurants Corporation
Isabel Porzecanski, Mandarin Oriental Miami
Mohammad Qureshi,
FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality
Chris Rollins, South Beach Group
Sharon Silver, Wenzel Investment Group
Roger Slade, Haber Law
Andrei Stern, Suviche/Novecento
John Sullivan, The Edition Miami Beach
Jackie Tornes, Valls Group
Ana “Ceci” Velasco, Ocean Drive Association
HONORARY/EX OFFICIO
Gene Prescott, The Biltmore Hotel
Chef Allen Susser (President 2006-2009)
Dear Honorable Mayor, Commissioners and Mr. Manager:
We are writing to you on behalf of the members of the Florida Restaurant &
Lodging Association Miami-Dade Chapter, which is comprised of
owner/operators of restaurants, hotels and corporations doing business with
the hospitality industry. We respect and applaud your service on behalf of the
residents and visitors of the City of Miami Beach. Understandably our local
owners and operators of businesses in Miami Beach are equally dedicated to
the City of Miami Beach. They are devoted citizens and important
contributors to the City, the citizenry and the millions of tourists that travel to
Miami Beach to visit.
We are once again stating that we are opposed to the imposition of an
additional homeless and domestic violence 1% tax on food and beverages to
be paid by Miami Beach restaurants. When this was originally heard in 2019,
the City stated that they would seek other streams of funding. While we are
sympathetic to the needs of the homeless, we do not feel that it is fair and
objective singling out one industry - our restaurants to pick up this cost.
Imposing this tax will elevate our Miami Beach restaurants to paying the
highest tax rate in the state of Florida, from 9% to 10%. This creates a
challenge for our restaurants, especially after a challenging two years for the
industry in which, many were forced to close. Let’s work together to seek
alternatives and avoid placing further burdens on our local restaurants.
On behalf of our more than 1500 local hotel/restaurant members throughout
the Miami area and 10,000 statewide, we respectfully request that you vote
to reject Resolution R7Z supporting an amendment of section 212.0306 of the
Florida Statute to allow for collection of 1% homeless and domestic violence
tax. Let’s continue to discuss how we can work together to make our City
better.
Sincerely,
Lynne M. Hernandez and the FRLA Miami Dade Board of Directors
South Florida Regional Director
Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association
Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association. South Florida
P O Box 566263, Miami, FL 33256
(305) 710-3962 Cell
Lynne Hernandez, South Florida Regional Director
Email : Lhernandez@FRLA.org ; web site : www.frla.org