Resolution 2023-32602RESOLUTION NO. 2023-32602
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA,, ACCEPTING THE
RECOMMENDATION OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND QUALITY
OF LIFE COMMITTEE, AT ITS APRIL 18, 2023 MEETING, TO
APPROVE THE NAMING OF THE FLAMINGO PARK
BASKETBALL COURTS, WHICH ARE LOCATED WITHIN
FLAMINGO PARK, TO COMMEMORATE ARNOLD NOTKIN, A
FORMER PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER AT CENTRAL
BEACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (NOW FIENBERG FISHER K-8
CENTER), LONG-TIME COACH AT FLAMINGO PARK, AND
PRESIDENT OF THE POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE, WHO
PERISHED IN THE TRAGIC COLLAPSE OF CHAMPLAIN
TOWERS ON JUNE 24, 2021; SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING ON
JUNE 28, 2023, PURSUANT TO SECTION 82-503 OF THE CITY
CODE, TO CONSIDER WHETHER TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED
NAME BY A 5/7THS VOTE; AND DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO
PROVIDE PUBLIC NOTICE OF THE HEARING CONSISTENT WITH
THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 82-503(a)(5).
WHEREAS, at the February 22, 2023 City Commission meeting, pursuant to section
82-503 of the City Code, the Mayor and City Commission referred a discussion to the Public
Safety and Neighborhood Qualify of Life Committee (the "Committee") regarding a
recommendation on the naming of a facility or other portion of Flamingo Park to commemorate
Mr. Arnold Notkin, a former physical education teacher at Central Beach Elementary School
(now Fienberg Fisher K-8 Center), long-time coach at Flamingo Park, and President of the
Police Athletic League, who perished in the tragic collapse of Champlain Towers on June 24,
2021; and
WHEREAS, at the April 18, 2023 PSNQLC meeting, the Committee gave a positive
recommendation and supported the request to name the basketball courts located within the
interior portion of Flamingo Park in honor of Mr. Arnold Notkin, as well as placing a plaque to
commemorate Mr. Notkin; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Arnold Notkin, known by many as "Arnie," was a Parks and
Recreation coach in the 1960s and 1970s, working primarily out of Flamingo Park, in addition to
other sites such as Crespi Park and Tatum Park; and
WHEREAS, he also worked as a physical education teacher at Central Beach
Elementary School (now the Fienberg Fisher K-8 Center) for approximately 40 years, and his
mentorship impacted youth in Miami Beach communities throughout that time; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Notkin was the President of the local Police Athletic League and he
did a great amount of volunteer work and he was beloved by the countless students and
children he impacted over many years; and
WHEREAS, family and friends would like to honor Mr. Notkin by naming the basketball
courts at Flamingo Park after him, which was an area where he spent years coaching
participants in Miami Beach Parks and Recreation programs; and
WHEREAS, the Parks and Recreation Department has been in contact with Mr.
Notkin's family to prepare the design for the plaque, which will .be shared at the public. hearing
on June 28, 2023.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR ' AND CITY
COMMISSION. OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City
Commission hereby approve the recommendation of the Public Safety .and Neighborhood
Quality of Life Committee made at its April 18, 2023 meeting to name the basketball courts at
Flamingo Park to commemorate Mr. Arnold Notkin, a former physical education teacher at
Central Beach Elementary School (now Fienberg Fisher K-8 Center), long-time coach at
Flamingo Park, and President of the Police Athletic League, who perished in the tragic collapse
of Champlain Towers on June 24, 2021, pursuant to Section 82-503 of the City Code, to
consider whether to approve the proposed name by a 5/7ths vote; and directing the City Clerk to
provide public notice of the hearing consistent with the requirements of Section 82-503(a)(5).
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 17th day of May
ATTEST:
MAY
.7V
Rafa E. Gra ado, City Clerk
Dan Gelber, Mayor
2 Z 2923
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
City Attome
S - I_�- Z-3
Data
Resolutions - C7 B
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Alina T. Hudak, City Manager
DATE: May 17, 2023
SUBJECT:A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF
THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE, AT ITS
APRIL 18, 2023 MEETING, TO APPROVE THE NAMING OF THE
FLAMINGO PARK BASKETBALL COURTS,, WHICH ARE LOCATED
WITHIN FLAMINGO PARK, TO COMMEMORATE ARNOLD NOTKIN, A
FORMER PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER AT CENTRAL BEACH
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (NOW FIENBERG FISHER K-8 CENTER), LONG-
TIME COACH AT FLAMINGO PARK, AND PRESIDENT OF THE POLICE
ATHLETIC LEAGUE, WHO PERISHED IN THE TRAGIC COLLAPSE OF
CHAMPLAIN TOWERS ON JUNE 24, 2021; SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING
ON JUNE 28, 2023, PURSUANT TO SECTION 82-503 OF THE CITY CODE,
TO CONSIDER WHETHER TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED NAME BY A
5/7TH VOTE; AND DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO PROVIDE PUBLIC
NOTICE OF THE HEARING CONSISTENT WITH THE REQUIREMENTS
OF SECTION 82-503(A)(5).
RECOMMENDATION
Approve the recommendation of the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life
Committee on April 28, 2023 for the naming of the basketball courts at Flamingo Park to
commemorate Mr. Arnold Notkin, a former physical education teacher at Central Beach
Elementary School (now Fienberg Fisher K-8 Center), long-time coach at Flamingo Park, and
President of the Police Athletic League, who perished in the tragic collapse of Champlain
'Towers on June 24, 2021, pursuant to Section 82-503 of the City Code, to consider whether to
approve the proposed name by a 5/7ths vote; and directing the City Cleric to provide public
notice of the hearing consistent with the requirements of Section 82-503(a)(5).
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
At the February 22, 2023 City Commission meeting, a discussion pursuant to section 82-504
of the City Code, for a recommendation on the naming of a facility or other portion of Flamingo
Park to commemorate Mr. Arnold Notkin, a former physical education teacher at Central Beach
Elementary School (now Fienberg Fisher K-8 Center), long-time coach at Flamingo Park, and
President of the Police Athletic League, who perished in the tragic collapse of Champlain Towers on
June 24, 2021, was referred to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Cormmittee
Page 252 of 945
("PSNQLC").
At the April 18, 2023 PSNQLC meeting, the Committee gave a positive recommendation and
supported the request to name the basketball courts at Flamingo Park in honor of Mr. Arnold
Notkin, as well as placing a plaque to commemorate Mr. Notkin.
ANALYSIS
Mr. Arnold Notkin, known by many as "Arnie," was a Parks and Recreation coach in the 1960s,
and 1970s, working primarily out of Flamingo Park, in addition to other sites such as Crespi Park
and Tatum Park. He also worked as a physical education teacher at Central Beach Elementary
School (now the Fienberg Fisher K-8 Center) for approximately 40 years, and his mentorship
impacted youth in Miami Beach communities throughout that time. Mr. Notkin was the President
of the local Police Athletic League and he did a great amount of volunteer work. He was beloved
by the countless students and children he impacted over many years.
Family and friends would like to honor Mr. Notkin by naming the basketball courts at Flamingo
Park after him, which was an area where he spent years coaching participants in Miami Beach
Parks and Recreation programs. The Parks and Recreation Department has been in contact
with Mr. Notkin's family to prepare the design'for the plaque, which will be shared at the public
hearing on June 28, 2023.
SUPPORTING SURVEY DATA
N/A
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The Parks and Recreation Department will be covering the costs through its current budget.
Estimated at $6,000 (if pedestal is required)
Amount(s)/Account(s):
Estimated at $6,000 (if pedestal is required)
Account: 011-0950-000349-28406-545-00-00-00-
Applicable Area
South Beach
Is this a "Residents Right
to Know" item, pursuant to
Citv Code Section 2-14?
Yes
Strategic Connection
Non -Applicable
Legislative Tracking
Parks and Recreation
Sponsor
e .� _ . 1 •
�t
No
Page 253 of 945
Commissioner Steven Meiner
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Exhibit A— Referral Memo from February 22, 2023 Commission Meeting Item C4Q
Page 254 of 945
NEW BUSINESS 18.
AA1AAA1 BEACH
COMMITTEE MEMORANDUM
TO: Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee Members
FROM: Alina T. Hudak, City Manager
DATE: April 18, 2023
SUBJECT: DISCUSSION PURSUANT TO SECTION 82-504 OF THE CITY CODE, FORA
RECOMMENDATION ON THE NAMING OF A FACILITY OR OTHER
PORTION OF FLAMINGO PARK TO COMMEMORATE MR. ARNOLD
NOTKIN, A FORMER PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER AT CENTRAL
BEACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (NOW FIENBERG FISHER K-8 CENTER),
LONG-TIME COACH AT FLAMINGO PARK, AND PRESIDENT OF THE
POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE WHO PERISHED IN THE TRAGIC COLLAPSE
OF CHAMPLAIN TOWERS ON JUNE 24, 2021.
HISTORY:
At the February 22, 2023 City Commission meeting, a discussion pursuant to section 82-504 of
the City Code, for a recommendation on the naming of a facility or other portion of Flamingo
Park to commemorate Mr. Arnold Notkin, a former physical education teacher at Central
Beach Elementary School (now Fienberg Fisher K-8 Center), long-time coach at Flamingo Park,
and President of the Police Athletic League who perished in the tragic collapse of Champlain
Towers on June 24, 2021, was referred to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life
Committee CPSNQLC").
ANALYSIS
Mr. Arnold Notkin, as known by many as "Amie," contributed to the City of Miami Beach for
approximately 40 years as a physical education teacher at Central Beach Elementary School
(now the Fienberg Fisher K-8 Center). He was also a long-time coach at Flamingo Park and
worked at other parks such as Crespi Paris and Tatum Paris in the 1960s and 1970s. Mr. Notkin
was the President of the local Police Athletic League and did a great amount of volunteer work.
He was beloved by the countless students and children he impacted over many years.
The Parks and Recreation Department has been in contact with his family, and they would like to
honor Mr. Notkin by placing a plaque at the Flamingo Park basketball courts; an area where he
spent years coaching participants in Miami Beach Parks and Recreation programs.
CONCLUSION:
Discuss commemorating Mr. Arnold Notkin by placing at plaque at the Flamingo Park Basketball Courts.
Page 265 of 969
Applicable Area
South Beach
i' .. - .1
. iIt-1119
City Code Section
Yes
ATTACHMENTS:
Does this item utilize G.O.
Bond Funds?
No
Description Type
0 Exhibit A —Referral eferral Memo from February 22, 2023 Commission Meeting Rem C4Q Other
Page 286 of 969
Committee Assignments - C4 Q
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Vice -Mayor Steven Meiner
DATE: February 22, 2023
SUBJECT. REFERRAL TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY
OF LIFE COMMITTEE, PURSUANT TO SECTION 82-504 OF THE CITY
CODE, FOR A RECOMMENDATION ON THE NAMING OF A FACILITY OR
OTHER PORTION OF FLAMINGO PARK TO COMMEMORATE MR.
ARNOLD NOTKIN, A FORMER PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER AT
CENTRAL BEACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (NOW FIENBERG FISHER K-8
CENTER), LONG-TIME COACH AT FLAMINGO PARK, AND PRESIDENT
OF THE POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE WHO PERISHED IN THE TRAGIC
COLLAPSE OF CHAMPLAIN TOWERS ON JUNE 24, 2021.
ANALYSIS
Pursuant to Section 82-504 of the City Code, please place on the February 22, 2023 City
Commission agenda a referral to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Qualify of Life
Committee (PSNQLC) for a discussion and recommendation for the naming of a field or other
portion of Flamingo Park to commemorate Arnold Notkin, known by many as "Amie," who
perished in the tragic collapse of Champlain Towers on June 24, 2021.
I understand that Mr. Notkin contributed to the City of Miami Beach for approximately 40 years
as a physical education teacher at Central Beach Elementary School (now the Fienberg Fisher
K-8 Center). He was also a long-time coach at Flamingo Park and President of the local Police
Athletic League and beloved by the countless students and children he impacted over many
years.
Last year, the City of Miami Beach honored Manuel Lafont, a former coach at North Shore Park,
who also died in the Champlain Towers collapse, by naming the North Shore Park baseball
fields in Mr. Lafont's honor. I propose that the City Commission consider a similar naming in
honor of Arnold Notkin and his legacy of serving students and children in the City of Miami
Beach.
Please do not hesitate to contact me or my aide Robert Novo if you have any questions.
SUPPORTING SURVEY DATA
N/A
Page 263 of U89
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
N/A
Is this a "Residents Right
to Know" item, pursuant to
Chi y Code Section 2-14?
Yes
Legislative Tracking
Vice -Mayor Steven Meiner
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Does this item utilize G.O.
Bond Funds?
212
Rochester native in Miami condo with wife when it collapsed (Article)
Page 269 of 2689
fq#ttf'� JOWULD Joemeetat
Tragic end to love story: Rochester
native in Miami condo with wife when it
collapsed
Howard Cohen Miami Herald
Published 3:10 p.m. ET July 14, 2021 1 Updated 3:37 p.m. ET July 14, 2021
Two days before the Champlain Towers South condo building fell in Miami, Myriam Caspi
Notkin shared a meme she had seen on Facebook.
One day, you are going to hug your last hug, kiss your last kiss and hear someone's voice for
the last time. But you never know when that time will be. So live every day as if it were the
last time you will be with the person you love.
That last day was June 24.
Myriam, a retired paralegal and banker, and her husband, a retired physical education
teacher in Miami Beach, were inside their home, Unit 302, at Champlain Towers South when
the Surfside condo collapsed.
"I would do anything to give her one last hug," her granddaughter Jessica Samuelson
Brutman said on Facebook in sharing her grandmother's post in the immediate aftermath of
the tragedy.
Arnold "Arnie" Notkin's body was found and identified on July 9, police said. The couple's
family is still awaiting word on Myriam, her daughter Belinda Caspi Wiseman said Tuesday.
The Notkins: An American love story
What a life they had. What a love story.
Both had had families and grown children before they met and married in August 1993•
Heartbreak: Surfside mayor tells story of 12-year-old girl who lost father, uncle in condo
collapse
Page 269 of 2609
"They honeymooned in New York City where I played tour guide and they got to see many of
their favorites in person like Regis Philbin and Jackie Mason," Wiseman said.
"Funny story: My mother always loved to meet famous people and take pictures with them
and stopped Jackie Mason in the middle of Broadway and her flash wasn't working. She got
Jackie to wait while I ran to the local.photo shop to get her a new flash," Wiseman said with a
laugh. "But she was happy."
The Notkins bought their apartment in Surfside in 1994, according to Miami -Dade property
records, and loved to go to the movies and restaurants. Myriam enjoyed playing Rummikub,
a tile -based game that combines elements of the card games rummy and mahjong, her
daughter Dianne Ohayon said. She loved and led water aerobics with her girlfriends.
Florida condo collapse: In honor of the Surfside victims
Arnie, as everyone called him, enjoyed sports on TV, especially baseball, and word search
puzzles.
Together, the couple watched nightly "Family Feud" and "Wheel of Fortune" game shows on
TV.
"Mom was the best at solving the `Wheel of Fortune' puzzles," Ohayon said. "They liked to
travel together. They liked to go shopping at the mall together. Arnie loved bumping into
familiar faces and striking up a conversation. Whether it was someone in the lobby of their
condo or at a restaurant, he loved talking to people."
"She loved her family and her temple," Wiseman added.
The Notkins were regulars at Temple Menorah where at least 35o had gathered on Sunday,
July 11, for their joint memorial service.
Paying tribute: Memorial wall captures heartache in Surfside
"Arnie Notkin, everyone's good guy, was eulogized as a teacher and coach who put troubled
youngsters on the right path by putting them on the right team or safety patrol. Memories of
Myriam brought hushed chuckles from the congregation when Rabbi Pearlson talked about
the constant emails from her account. So, he wasn't the only one paying for AOU" her
friend Norma Orovitz said in an email to the Miami Herald.
The two were pals together at the Surfside Community Center's water aerobics class — the
"Esther Williams class, Orovitz noted. llfXjjJs driving force.
A developing tragedy: Continuing coverage of the Miami condo collapse
Allen Notkin, Arnie's son, last saw his dad at his Cooper City house to celebrate Father's Day
on June 20. He also celebrated his dad's birthday in May with Arnie and Myriam.
Like so many after losing a loved one, the younger Notkin's feelings are nagging and
universal: Why didn't I thank him? he wishes.
But he's honoring his father by celebrating a life lived well.
"My dad had a great life and he loved so many people." The loss, and the unfathomable way
in which it happened, is not a positive, Notkin acknowledges. There's one salve against the
pain.
"I'm celebrating what he's done for people and what he's done for me and my brother and
sister and I'm just honored."
PE teacher's life lessons
Arnold Earl Notkin was born May 3, 1934, in Rochester, New Hampshire, and moved
to South Florida to attend and graduate from the University of Miami in the 195os. Notkin,
who served in the Army during the Korean War, earned his master's in science and education
from Nova Southeastern University.
After graduation, Notkin began his 40-plus-year career as a physical education teacher and
coach, working with generations of students at Miami Beach elementary schools Leroy D.
Fienberg, Nautilus, North Beach and Central Beach.
Notkin taught pee wee football at Flamingo Park and was president of the park's Police
Athletic League, "his favorite thing," his son recalled.
Among Notkin's greatest gifts: tapping into a kid's talents and honing them.
"He enjoyed the problem student because he thought he was helping somebody," his son
Allen said. "My dad enjoyed helping people find their strength. My dad got -the greatest joy
out of that."
Making the misfit kid who couldn't catch a ball feel good about himself by finding something
he could do and championing that skill? That was "Mr. Notkin" to generations of Fienberg
kids.
Page 261 of 2689
"Arnie Notkin was the kind of man that, even back in the `70s, taught and coached everybody
the same," said Diana Hernandez, one of his students at Leroy D. Fienberg Elementary
School. "If a girl was better than a boy at any sport, he'd put us in the game at whatever
position. He treated his girl jocks — as I call us — exactly the same as the boys and gave
everyone the same opportunities.
"I still possess dozens of certificates and awards signed by him which I will cherish forever,"
Hernandez said. "I was always proud to make him proud. He instilled great sportsmanship in
all of his students. He will be missed by many generations."
Caught on camera: Security camera captures exact moment Surfside condo partially
collapses
Hernandez's Fienberg classmate Oyuki Burgos said on Facebook: "I will never forget how Mr.
Notkin took my brother Jose and me under his wings, encouraging us to play sports, become
Safety Patrols. We were still taking ESL classes and he was instrumental in making us feel
comfortable in adjusting to a new life in the States. I remember our first summer here. He
got us scholarships to attend summer camp, something our parents could not afford, and
what an experience that was."
As such, Notkin was honored earlier this year by the Miami Beach Kiwanis. At the dinner,
scores of people approached Notkin's family to share stories of how he had inspired them.
"That made me so proud. So amazing," Allen Notkin said. "As a child you always think your
dad is the best. I'd go to dinner and people would come up to me and tell me stories of my
dad that would reinforce what I believed. I could be at Aventura's Brio and the waiter says,
`Your dad helped me through this.' There's always a story. These people reinforce what you
believe about your parents. That they're perfect."
Escaping Castro's Cuba
Myriam Caspi Notkin was born in Havana, Cuba, on Jan.17,1940.
"She escaped Castro's Cuba in the fall of 196o with her parents Sara, Jacob and grandmother
Rebecca and moved to South Beach," her daughter Belinda Caspi Wiseman said. "She
married my dad Victor — another Cuban Jew — in June 1961 and went to Atlanta for a brief
time and on to New York where they got together with two other Jewban couples, friends of
theirs, and they all rented in the same building. Two years later, they moved back to Miami
Beach when they were pregnant with meRtO20dedtheir lives."
More: Miami mayor urges help for Cuban people
Myriam worked as a paralegal in the 1970s and `8os and then moved on to her banking
career with SunTrust Bank. She was the only bank employee at the time fluent in Spanish,
Yiddish and English, her daughter notes. Not a bad combination in Miami.
"She made them feel at home. She remembered everyone's birthdays and anniversaries and
it's those small details that endeared her to so many," Wiseman said.
Said Norma Orovitz: "Myriam had beaten Castro by outliving him. Myriam had beaten breast
cancer. Myriam had made a good life with Arnie after having been widowed. She was a
retired banker, trilingual in English, Yiddish and Spanish, a community dynamo, bold in
whatever language. We all loved her. She called me Normita. I miss that already."
Survivors
Myriam Caspi Notkin's survivors include her daughters Belinda Caspi Wiseman, Dianne
Ohayon and Jackie Samuelson; seven grandchildren; and her sister Graciela Lazoff.
Arnold Notkin's survivors include his sons Allen and Michael Notkin and his daughter Lori
Hayward, and seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Miami Herald reporter Howard. Cohen, one of those misfit kids, was one of Mr. Notkin's PE
students at Leroy D. Fienberg in the early 197os. He still has his certificates, signed by
Arnie, too.
Page 269 of 2689