Meeting Minutes - ADCD No. 18 (10-29-2021) Mayor’s Art Deco Cultural District Panel Meeting 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 29, 2021 MEETING MINUTES Panel Members • Jonathan Plutzik, Chair (P)
• Jonathan Freidin, Vice Chair (A)
• Nisi Berryman (P)
• Nicole Bostick (A)
• Daniel Ciraldo (P)
• Thomas Donall (P)
• Ricardo Dopico (P)
• Robin Jacobs (P)
• Kim Kovel (P)
• Jane Krupp (P)
• Marc Lawrence (P) • Dawn McCall (A)
• Salem Mounayyer (A)
• Jennifer Roberts (P)
• Curtis Slipman (P)
• John Stuart (A)
• Ricardo Tabet (A)
P = Present; A = Absent
I. Call to Order
Chair Jonathan Plutzik opened the meeting at 11:04 a.m. and welcomed all in attendance. He mentioned that he expects Bernard Zyscovich to provide a more finalized version of his conceptual vision plan in December 2021 for discussion by the committee and presentation to the
City Administration. The City Commission will then meet in the new year to review and adopt the final version. II. Progress Update on Quick Wins: Cleanliness Miami Beach Sanitation Director Bradford Kaine addressed the committee and went over the “Quick Wins” list—actionable items suggested by the Panel—within the purview of the Sanitation Department. He informed the committee that the Sanitation team constantly cleans graffiti and has implemented more frequent cleaning and trash pickup in the district than was previously conducted. Panel member Jane Krupp suggested that the City look into installing locks on all trash receptacles in order to avoid people accessing trash receptacles for unauthorized purposes.
Discussion ensued. III. Update on Restaurant Recovery Outdoor Seating Pilot Program and Sidewalk Café Permit Program Right-of-Way Manager Otniel Rodriguez stated that on Wednesday, October 27th, 2021, the City
Commission directed the City Manager to reopen Ocean Drive to one-lane traffic flowing
Mayor’s ADCD Panel Meeting Minutes – October 29, 2021
Page 2 of 3 southbound. The reconfigured plan will be implemented in no sooner than 45 days. Mr. Rodriguez informed there will be an opportunity for restaurants to apply for a permit to install a parklet on the west side of the street where parking spaces exist in the right-of-way, and operators must comply with the City’s design guidelines. The Restaurant Recovery Outdoor Seating Program, which permitted certain restaurants to expand their footprint was extended to January 31st, 2022—excluding Ocean Drive. This means
that, for Ocean Drive, the program will expire on November 30, 2021. Mr. Rodriguez noted that, in accordance with the City’s annual BTR renewal process, restaurants
have already applied for their regular sidewalk café permit. Per City Commission adopted legislation, the sidewalk café permit fees were increased significantly this year from $27 to $150 per square foot. However, there is a voluntary City subsidy program whereby, if the restaurant
agrees to and demonstrates that it does not: serve drinks in excess of 22 ounces in the public right of way, allow any vape or hookah consumption, and implements staff uniforms, them the City shall adjust the annual sidewalk café permit fee to $25 per square foot. Mr. Rodriguez
explained they have a similar subsidy program for the parklet program, but the fee structure is a little different. He expressed that their main goal is to have all restaurants permitted by the end of November prior to the street reopening.
Chair Plutzik reminded the committee that Art Basel will be here in early December. Discussion ensued following Panel member Tom Donall’s motion regarding proposing a delay in impacts on Ocean Drive related to reconfiguring the street and restaurant installations until after the New Year’s holiday. Motion: In light of the October 27, 2021 direction by the City Commission regarding the Restaurant Recovery Outdoor Seating Pilot Program, the Sidewalk Café Permit Program, and the Ocean Drive Interim Reconfiguration, the Committee recognizes the complexity involved in removing existing cafes from the right-of-way and installing new parklets when Art Basel and the holidays are soon approaching. The Committee
encourages the City Manager to carefully consider potential adverse impacts, to avoid construction during high impact periods, and perhaps refrain from implementation until after the New Year’s holiday.
Motion made by: Tom Donall Seconded by: Daniel Ciraldo Passed: 11-0 IV. Update on Ocean Drive Interim Reconfiguration Transportation Assistant Director Josiel Ferrer informed the committee about the City Commission’s direction at its October 27, 2021 meeting regarding the Ocean Drive Reconfiguration. This included the City Commission’s direction that the northbound lane on
Ocean Drive be converted into a two-lane bicycle lane with a buffer in between the north and south lanes. Panel member Jane Krupp asked how the City will prevent automobiles from entering into the bicycle lanes. Mr. Ferrer advised that design plans were still in the development stage,
but he would address this concern during the design process. Panel member Daniel Ciraldo suggested installing physical barriers between the automobile and bicycle lanes to achieve this
Mayor’s ADCD Panel Meeting Minutes – October 29, 2021
Page 3 of 3 purpose. V. Panel Member Discussion No further discussion. VI. Public Comment
Mitch Novick, member of the public, inquired whether the City intended to remove the green bollards on the side streets immediately west of Ocean Drive. Mr. Ferrer said that the bollards will
be removed once the reconfigured traffic plan is implemented. Ceci Velasco, Executive Director of the Ocean Drive Association, stated that there are 37 hotels on Ocean Drive with approximately 1600 hotel rooms and she would like for the City to ensure the Reconfiguration plan is prepared
with keeping those hotels in mind. Chair Plutzik informed the Panel about the straw ballot item on the November 2, 2021 general
election ballot, proposing to implement a 2 a.m. end for alcohol sales in the Entertainment District item. The Panel decided not to make any recommendations regarding this item. VII. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 12:50 p.m. Next meeting date: November 19, 2021