LTC 538-2023 Motion from the Police Citizens Relations Committee's November 6, 2023 Hybrid MeetingOF FIC E OF TH E C ITY M A N A G ER
LTC # 538-2023 LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
Honorable Steven Meiner and ~rs of the City Commission
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk,/~\
December 05, 2023
SUBJECT: Motion from the Police/Citizens Relations Committee's November 6, 2023 Hybrid
Meeting
The purpose of this Letter to the Commission (L TC) is to inform the Mayor and Commission of a
motion made by the Police/Citizens Relations Committee at their November 6, 2023, Hybrid
Meeting.
BACKGROUND
In the Spring of 2024, the Police/Citizens Relations Committee (PCRC) sent an L TC strongly
encouraging the City Commission to create a task force or committee to address how the City
handles the concerns raised during the month of March in the Art Deco Cultural District (ADCD),
not so affectionately dubbed Spring Break". Supported by Commissioner Dominguez, the
previous City Commission tasked the PCRC with the responsibility of addressing the concerns. As
such, the PCRC created a subcommittee to discuss and come up with recommendations. The
included document is the deliverable of the first phase of the subcommittee.
The recommendations are derived from the input from members of the PCRC, local businesses
and other key stakeholders with overwhelmingly positive feedback. It is the Committee's hope that
the Commission accepts and embraces them, and that they are a valuable tool in handling some
of the urgent concerns expected to be raised, yet again, during Spring Break.
MOTION
Members present: Chairman Seth Feuer, Mark Brill (V), Lisa Cole, Alexander Fryd (V), Joanna
Kravitz, Lisette Lopez, Michael McManus, Jill Shackett
Members absent: Vice Chair Daniel Aronson, Christine Klingspor, Moshe Rothman, Mark
Weithorn, Samuel Rabin
The Miami Beach Police/Citizens Relations Committee makes a motion to ratify and
send the Spring Break Short Term Recommendation to the City Commission.
Motion made by: Michael McManus
Seconded by: Lisette Lopez
Motion passage: Unanimously, 8-0
REG:WAJ:cmrp
S H O R T T E R M D E LI V E R A B L E S - M A R C H 2 0 2 4
P L A N N I N G
• Having a different plan every year is confusing. Furthermore, it strongly suggests there is
no long term strategy for dealing with the issues at hand. We recognize steps are in
place and substantial actions have been taken that are already focusing on this
• It also goes without saying that shutting down the City is something that we must avoid
at all costs when possible
o Recommendations
■The PCR simply recommends that in the future, the plans ratified this year
be amended and lessons learned be incorporated as needed, versus
implementing different plans every year. Messaging is everything, so
avoiding the introduction of new plans in future years will be valuable with
our positive messaging efforts
■The PCR urges the Commission to work with the City Manager to do
everything within their powers to avoid having to declare an emergency,
as it is just not good for the City at large. The PCR highlights the
importance of fortifying the High Impact Ordinance in such a way that it
minimizes the likelihood the City Manager will need to implement
emergency measures in the future
COMMISSION MEETINGS
• Emergency Commission Meetings during the high profile events become a conduit for
the media and others to laser focus on the issue during this timeframe. These should
and likely could be avoided
• Furthermore, during an Emergency Commission Meeting In March 2023, The City
Commission went against the City Manager and Chief of Police's recommendation of
shutting down the City at the tail end of spring break. This was a public decision and was
being captured by the media for broadcasting as the decision was made
• The City Commission and Administration clearly cares deeply about what is transpiring
and addressing just that. This is clearly evident through the difficult conversations and
decisions they take on during such times. That said, and with all due respect; City
Leadership not being on the same page sends out a negative message to its residents,
businesses, tourists, employees, and future visitors. Furthermore, if a negative outcome
transpires as a result of the Administration's recommendations, the responsibility of such
decisions then can fall on the Commission rather than the Administration
o Recommendations
■By setting a meeting schedule in advance in place of Emergency
Commission Meetings, the concerns can be discussed in a lower profile
manner and decisions made there from. Any needed adjustments for the
spring break time period might be considered as a planning tool, versus a
reactionary emergency commission meeting while the atmosphere is so
heated. This would be a business as usual meeting. This minimizes the
likelihood of attracting those wanting to broadcast any less than optimal
hot button topic being discussed to the conversation as it's happening
■Focus the responsibility of decisions such as this on the City
Administration during these high profile times. We have highly capable
professionals in these positions. If they are not performing accordingly,
then that should be handled outside of the spring break period that
commands so much attention while in a heated atmosphere
COMMUNICATIONS
• It is worth noting that there are about five days each year that become highly
problematic and high profile during the spring break period. Through education and
communication to residents, businesses, and employees of the businesses on Miami
Beach, there is an opportunity to change the perception of these stakeholders of what is
truly transpiring, highlighting the concerns at hand while also celebrating the many
successes and great things going on in Miami Beach at large
o Recommendation
o The PCR suggests not losing sight of the ball, letting the tail wag the dog.
Through the handful of days we experience more significant issues, the focus
should be on the many positive messages this amazing city can tell
• The City does an excellent job with Communications at large. The PCR has discussed
ways in which communications can be enhanced and broadcast more widely, and we
have come up with the following:
o Recommendations - Regular Communications
■Dedicate one page each quarter in the Miami Beach Magazine to the
MBPD. On the page(s):
• Focus on the MBPD and highlight the different departments within
it
• Illustrate the many successes and wins of the department
• A strategic set of statistics can be broadcast each month that will
facilitate residents having a better understanding of the true state
of crimes happening in Miami Beach, facilitating a more positive
perception of safety
• These messages starting in January can focus on managing
expectations on what to except in March
■Regular Communications from the MBPD
• Have an MBPD e-newsletter with the same info from above,
though it can include more regular statistics and topics relevant
specifically to them in a more timely manner
• This can be sent more frequently in preparation of and during the
spring break period
o Recommendations - February & Preparing Constituents for March
■Create an awareness campaign for what to expect in March 2024, and
broadcast it via:
• Miami Beach Magazine - Two page spread on statistics,
preparation for the spring break period, and working positive
messaging about it whilst also giving readers info on whom to
contact with any concerns or issues
• N e ig h b or h o o d A s s o c ia tio n M e e tin g s . F o c u s o n th e m e s s a g in g in
J a n u a ry , a n d a u g m e n tin g th e m in F e b ru a ry , m o re a b o u t w h a t to
e x p e c t, h o w to re a c t, e tc .
• C a p ta in s a n d N e ig h b o rh o o d R e s o u rc e O ffi c e rs c a n s p e a k a t
n e ig h b o rh o o d a s s o c ia tio n m e e tin g s a s w e a p p ro a c h S p rin g B re a k
to g e t o u t c u s to m iz e d m e s s a g e fo r th e ir s e c tio n s o f th e c ity to g e t
th e b e s t p o s s ib le m e s s a g in g o u t
• E n h a n c e p ro g ra m s lik e th e a d s o n tro ll e y s , M ia m i B e a c h
M a g a z in e , e tc .
• V id e o s & S o ci a l M e d ia c a m p a ig n s h ig h lig h tin g th e M B P D in a c tio n
a n d s u c c e s s s to rie s a n d h o w th e M B P D w o rk s s o h a rd fo r th e
C M B
• U s in g o rg a n iz a tio n s lik e th e C h a m b e r o f C o m m e rc e , To u ris m
B u re a u , T h e B e a c h C h a n n e l, H o te l A s s o ci a tio n , G M C V B , M t.
S in a i M e d ic a l C e n te r, B ID 's , e tc .
• C o n v e rs a tio n s w ith th e C h ie f, C o m m a n d S ta ff , lo n g tim e o ffi c e rs
w h e n a n d w e re p o s s ib le th ro u g h th e s e d iffe re n t o rg a n iz a tio n s .
W ith th e u n d e rs ta n d in g th a t th e ir tim e b e c o m e s v e ry c ritic a l a n d
n o t a b u n d a n t d u rin g th e s p rin g b re a k p e rio d
o Recommendations - March / Spring Break
■Establish a formal internal operations and communications center for the
duration of the spring break period, components to be identified by the
City Manager's office
• This center could have a director to oversee and coordinate
operations whilst it is in existence
• This could include key staff from the City Manager's office and key
departments, such as the MBPD, Communications & Tourism, etc.
• Establish a point person for the press similar to above that are
agile and able to address the pointed questions the City may get
from them while answering with positive messaging to neutralize
hot button topics
• Create a hotline if deemed fit to respond to the concerns of our
residents, businesses, employees, tourists, visitors, etc.
• Establish a protocol for the Mayor's office and City Commission for
handling communications with the press. While this is a far reach,
ideally elected officials not speaking with the press on hot button
issues serves the City better, and we encourage them to only
speak on positive messages from the City. Elected officials
messaging can be serious but positive. We suggest considering
any hot button issues be directed to the contact that handles the
press in order for the messages delivered to be as positive and
proactive as possible, enhancing the Miami Beach image and
brand
• C o n s id e r h o ld in g a c o m m u n ic a t io n s / p u b lic re la tio n s w o r k s h o p
fo r a n y o n e w h o w ill b e a p p ro a c h e d b y t h e p r e s s in b e s t p r a c t ic e s
fo r a d d r e s s in g q u e s t io n s
SHORT TERM RENTALS
• We recognize that the City Administration has made significant strides in addressing the
daily rentals of private properties (vis-a-vis Air BnB and other similar programs)
o Recommendation - We encourage the Administration to continue to assign as
many resources as possible in identifying such properties, as it goes without
saying, that are a considerable contributor to the concerns at hand.
Note: At time of the meeting to ratify these recommendations, there are plans in place for March
2024 that are still being finalized. That said, we will have a new Mayor and three new City
Commissioners in November/December of this year. This will have an impact on the plans and
direction of the City for March 2024