BIE - Re-Establish Sister Cities Program (03/01/2024)City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
TO: Honorable Mayor Steven Meiner and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Alina T. Hudak, City Manager
DATE: March 13, 2024
SUBJECT: BUSINESS IMPACT ESTIMATE FOR:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 2 OF THE
MIAMI BEACH CITY CODE, ENTITLED "ADMINISTRATION," BY
AMENDING ARTICLE III, ENTITLED “AGENCIES, BOARDS AND
COMMITTEES,” BY AMENDING DIVISION 15, ENTITLED “SISTER
CITIES PROGRAM,” BY AMENDING SECTION 2-181 THEREOF TO RE-
ESTABLISH THE CITY’S ADMINISTRATION OF THE SISTER CITIES
PROGRAM, BY AND THROUGH A COORDINATING COUNCIL
APPOINTED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION, WITH THE CITY
ADMINISTRATION TO PROVIDE STAFF SUPPORT FOR THE
PROGRAM AND SERVE AS LIAISON TO THE COUNCIL; AND,
PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Is a Business Impact Estimate Required?
☒Yes ☐No (If no, please check one of the boxes below)
If one or more boxes are checked below, this means the City of Miami Beach has
determined that a Business Impact Estimate for the above-referenced Ordinance is not
required by State law.
☐The proposed Ordinance is required for compliance with Federal or State law or
regulation;☐The proposed Ordinance relates to the issuance or refinancing of debt;☐The proposed Ordinance relates to the adoption of budgets or budget
amendments, including revenue sources necessary to fund the budget;☐The proposed Ordinance is required to implement a contract or an agreement,
including, but not limited to, any Federal, State, local, or private grant or other
financial assistance accepted by the City;☐The proposed Ordinance is an emergency ordinance;☐The Ordinance relates to procurement; or☐The proposed Ordinance is enacted to implement the following:
a.Part II of Chapter 163, Florida Statutes, relating to growth policy, county and
municipal planning, and land development regulation, including zoning,
DocuSign Envelope ID: FDAF26D9-84C0-42F7-9282-098C608A3715
Business Impact Estimate
Page 2
development orders, development agreements and development permits;
b. Sections 190.005 and 190.046, Florida Statutes, regarding community
development districts;
c. Section 553.73, Florida Statutes, relating to the Florida Building Code; or
d. Section 633.202, Florida Statutes, relating to the Florida Fire Prevention Code.
If none of the above exceptions apply, this Business Impact Estimate is hereby provided
in accordance with Section 166.041(4), Florida Statutes.
1. A summary of the proposed Ordinance and its purpose is more fully set forth in the
Commission Memorandum accompanying the Ordinance, as well as in the recitals to the
Ordinance itself, which are attached hereto.
2. The City of Miami Beach estimates that the proposed Ordinance will have no direct
economic impact on private, for-profit businesses in the City of Miami Beach, that the
proposed Ordinance will have no direct compliance costs that businesses may
reasonably incur; that the proposed Ordinance will not impose any new charge or fee for
which businesses will be financially responsible, and that the proposed Ordinance will not
impact the City of Miami Beach’s regulatory costs and will not generate any revenue from
new charges or fees.
3. Good faith estimate of the number of businesses likely to be impacted by the proposed
Ordinance:
The City of Miami Beach estimates that no businesses are likely to be impacted by the
proposed Ordinance.
4. Additional comments: N/A
DocuSign Envelope ID: FDAF26D9-84C0-42F7-9282-098C608A3715
Ordinances - R5 B
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO:Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM:Alina T. Hudak, City Manager
DATE:March 13, 2024
10:15 a.m. Second Reading Public Hearing
SUBJECT:AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA,
AMENDING CHAPTER 2 OF THE MIAMI BEACH CITY CODE, ENTITLED "ADMINISTRATION," BY
AMENDING ARTICLE III, ENTITLED “AGENCIES, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES,” BY AMENDING DIVISION
15, ENTITLED “SISTER CITIES PROGRAM,” BY AMENDING SECTION 2-181 THEREOF TO RE-ESTABLISH
THE CITY’S ADMINISTRATION OF THE SISTER CITIES PROGRAM, BY AND THROUGH A COORDINATING
COUNCIL APPOINTED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION, WITH THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO
PROVIDE STAFF SUPPORT FOR THE PROGRAM AND SERVE AS LIAISON TO THE COUNCIL; AND,
PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
RECOMMENDATION
The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission approve of the Ordinance.
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
A sister city, county, or state relationship is a broad-based, long-term partnership between two communities in two countries. A
relationship is officially recognized after the highest elected or appointed official from both communities sign an agreement to
become sister cities.
A city may have any number of sister cities, with community involvement ranging from a half dozen to hundreds of volunteers. In
addition to volunteers, a sister city organization can include representatives from nonprofits, municipal governments, the private sector,
and other civic organizations.
Each sister city organization is independent and pursues the activities and thematic areas that are important to them and their
community including municipal, business, trade, educational, and cultural exchanges and projects with their sister city.
Sister Cities International (“SCI”) is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, that serves as the national membership
association for individual sister cities, counties and states across the United States. The mission of SCI is "to promote peace through
mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation – one individual, one community at a time.” This network unites tens of thousands of
citizen diplomats and volunteers in nearly 500 member communities with over 2,000 partnerships in more than 140 countries.
The City of Miami Beach is a member of SCI and currently has thirteen (13) Sister Cities affiliated with the City including (1) Alrnonte,
Spain; (2) Basel, Switzerland; (3) Brampton, Canada; (4) Cozumel, Mexico; (5) Fortaleza, Brazil; (6) Fujisawa, Japan; (67 Ica, Peru;
(8) Krumlov, Czech Republic; (9) Nahariya, Israel; (10) Pescara, Italy; (11) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; (12) Santa Marta, Colombia;
and (13) Odessa, Ukraine.
The program offers opportunities for the City to engage with its Sister Cities, establish partnerships, cultural exchange, promote
tourism, educational opportunities, and collaborative projects.
Typical areas of focus for Sister Cities includes:
Arts & Culture
Sharing cultural traditions, from music and art to food and fashion, is a powerful way for two communities to learn from each other. The
types of cultural exchanges arranged by different Sister Cities are diverse --- connecting people from an array of backgrounds on a
fundamental level.
Business & Trade
Sister City programs organize trade delegations, boost tourism and economic development, and create connections between a wide
variety of institutions, thought-leaders, entrepreneurs and businesses.
Community Development
Officials, businesses and other community members in Sister Cities have unique opportunities to learn from each other in policy
areas such as sanitation, water, health, transportation, tourism, sustainability, security, economic development and education. Sister
City communities are also well-placed to provide assistance to each other to address challenges and solve problems.
DocuSign Envelope ID: FDAF26D9-84C0-42F7-9282-098C608A3715
City communities are also well-placed to provide assistance to each other to address challenges and solve problems.
Youth & Education
Youth opportunities are a critical part of many Sister City programs. Common activities include school exchanges, institutional visits
and sports tournaments. In an increasingly connected world, the ideals and collaboration are as important now as they have ever
been.
Prior to April 10, 2019, the City's Sister Cities Program (the "Program") had been administered by the City, with oversight by a
volunteer Coordinating Council (the "Council"). The Office of the Mayor and City Commission served as the supporting staff. On April
10, 2019, the Mayor and City Commission adopted Ordinance No. 2019-4257, removing the Council structure from the City Code,
and contracting with the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce (the “Chamber") to administrator of the Program.
ANALYSIS
To provide greater transparency and direct control of the Program, Commissioner Dominguez, the ordinance sponsor, recommends
re-establishing the City’s administration of the Program, with oversight by a volunteer Council appointed by the Mayor and City
Commission. The composition of the Council would consist of nine (9) members. Eight (8) of these members would be direct
appointments, with two (2) appointments made by the mayor and one (1) appointment made by each commissioner. One (1) member
would be appointed at large and be a representative of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce.
As approved at First Reading on December 13, 2023, the draft ordinance provided for the Office of the Mayor and City Commission
to serve as the supporting department of the council. Following First Reading, the sponsor discussed, with staff, the potential for the
City Administration to manage the program and support the Council, possibly through the Economic Development Department.
Based on City staff recollection of prior Program administration through the Office of the Mayor and City Commission, it is
understood that Program administration by the City could require significant staff resource. Though not all Sister Cities are routinely
active, it is anticipated that as existing Sister Cities and elected officials become more engaged in a meaningful and methodical
manner, more activity and costs will be generated.
Although approved at First Reading, the Mayor and City Commission also referred the item to the Finance and Economic Resiliency
Committee (FERC) to discuss the potential fiscal impact of transitioning administration of the Program back to the City.
In Fiscal Year 2023, the Chamber received $20,000 from the City to administer the Program. The Fiscal Year 2024 Budget includes
a $25,000 allocation for the Program and, to date, the Chamber has yet to request the funds from the City. Based on recent
discussions with existing Council members, it is the understanding of the Administration that many costs associated with the Program
had been offset through donations and leveraged resources garnered through the Chamber.
On February 23, 2026, the FERC discussed the Program and offered a favorable recommendation to transition administration of the
Program back to the City and to prioritize enhancing the existing Program budget by an additional $15,000 (for a total of $40,000)
through the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget process.
BUSINESS IMPACT ESTIMATE:
In accordance with Section 166.041(4), Florida Statutes, the City of Miami Beach is required to assess whether a Business Impact
Estimate is required for the subject ordinance. As noted in the attached, a Business Impact Estimate is required for the subject
Ordinance. The City of Miami Beach estimates that no businesses are likely to be impacted by the proposed Ordinance. The
Business Impact Estimate was published on the City’s website (https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices/) on
March 1, 2024.
LOBBYIST DISCLOSURE:
In accordance with Resolution No. 2023-32857, adopted by the City Commission on December 13, 2023, the following information
has been provided by the primary item sponsor as it relates to the subject ordinance amendment:
1. Was the Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in
lobbying? No
2. If so, specify name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s): N/A
SUPPORTING SURVEY DATA
N/A
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
As the existing $25,000 in Program funding for Fiscal Year 2024 currently remains with the City, the Administration will inquire with the
Chamber about any Program-related expenses incurred by the Chamber during Fiscal Year 2024. If expenses exist, it is
recommended that the Chamber invoice the City for these expenses, with any balance to remain with the City to cover Fiscal Year
2024 Program costs incurred by the City. For Fiscal Year 2025, the total fiscal impact would be $40,000 should the Program budget
be enhanced by $15,000 through Fiscal Year 2025 budget process.
CONCLUSION
The Administration supports transitioning administration of the Sister Cities Program back to the City with staff support for the
Program to be provided by the Administration. Should responsibilities for Program administration return to the City through the
DocuSign Envelope ID: FDAF26D9-84C0-42F7-9282-098C608A3715
Administration via the Economic Development Department, existing staff resources could initially absorb the transition during
Fiscal Year 2024. However, through the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget process, the Administration recommends augmenting staff
resources with a part-time position no later than one (1) year following the transition (mid-year Fiscal Year 2025), when Program
activity is anticipated to have increased substantially. The recommended staff resource would serve to generally support the
Economic Development Department in managing its current and anticipated workload. Support and coordination for the
Program through the Administration would include an annual work plan with measurable goals and deliverables.
Without a reliance on Chamber-leveraged donations and sponsorships, the City may incur expenses not currently impacting
Program administration under the Chamber. Therefore, the Administration, in alignment with the recommendation of the
FERC, also recommends a $15,000 increase to the annual Program budget for a total of $40,000 beginning in Fiscal Year
2025, subject to appropriation by the Mayor and City Commission through the Fiscal Year 2025 budget process.
Applicable Area
Citywide
Is this a "Residents Right
to Know" item, pursuant to
City Code Section 2-14?
Does this item utilize G.O.
Bond Funds?
No No
Strategic Connection
Prosperity - Market and promote Miami Beach as a world class arts, culture, and quality entertainment destination.
Legislative Tracking
Economic Development
Sponsor
Commissioner Dominguez/Commissioner Bhatt/ Commissioner Rosen-Gonzalez
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Referral Memo
Ordinance Re-Establishing Sister Cities Program
DocuSign Envelope ID: FDAF26D9-84C0-42F7-9282-098C608A3715
DocuSign Envelope ID: FDAF26D9-84C0-42F7-9282-098C608A3715
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 2 OF THE
MIAMI BEACH CITY CODE. ENTITLED "ADMINISTRATION." BY
AMENDING ARTICLE III, ENTITLED “AGENCIES. BOARDS AND
COMMITTEES,” BY AMENDING DIVISION 15. ENTITLED “SISTER
CITIES PROGRAM,” BY AMENDING SECTION 2-181 THEREOF TO RE-
ESTABLISH THE CITY’S ADMINISTRATION OF THE SISTER CITIES
PROGRAM, BY AND THROUGH A COORDINATING COUNCIL
APPOINTED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION, WITH THE
CITY ADMINISTRATION TO PROVIDE STAFF SUPPORT FOR THE
PROGRAM AND SERVE AS LIAISON TO THE COUNCIL; AND,
PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Sister Cities International (“SCI”) is a nonpartisan 501 (c)(3) nonprofit
organization, that serves as the national membership association for individual sister
cities, counties and states across the United States; and
WHEREAS, the mission of SCI is "to promote peace through mutual respect,
understanding, and cooperation – one individual, one community at a time"; and
WHEREAS, the City is a member of SCI and currently has thirteen (13) Sister
Cities affiliated with the City; to wit: (1) Almonte, Spain; (2) Basel, Switzerland; (3)
Brampton, Canada; (4) Cozumel, Mexico; (5) Fortaleza, Brazil; (6) Fujisawa, Japan; (7)
Ica, Peru; (8) Krumlov, Czech Republic; (9) Nahariya, Israel; (10) Pescara, Italy; (11 ) Rio
de Janeiro, Brazil; (12) Santa Marta, Colombia; and (13) Odessa, Ukraine; and
WHEREAS, the City’s Sister Cities Program (the “Program”) offers opportunities
for the City to engage with its Sister Cities, establish partnerships, cultural exchange,
promote tourism, educational opportunities, and collaborative projects; and
WHEREAS, prior to April 10, 2019, the Program had been administered by the
City, with oversight by a Coordinating Council (the "Council"), with the Office of the Mayor
and City Commission serving as the supporting City staff department; and
WHEREAS, on April 10, 2019, the Mayor and City Commission adopted Ordinance
No. 2019-4257, removing the Coordinating Council structure from the City Code, and
contracting with the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce (the “Chamber”) as the
administrator of the Program; and
WHEREAS, in order to provide greater transparency and direct control of the
Program, the Mayor and City Commission wish to re-establish the City’s administration
of the Program, with oversight by a Coordinating Council appointed by the Mayor and City
Commission and staff support by the City Administration.
DocuSign Envelope ID: FDAF26D9-84C0-42F7-9282-098C608A3715
NOW, THEREFORE. BE IT DULY ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Sections 2-181 of Division 15, of Article III, of Chapter 2 of the City Code,
entitled "Administration," is hereby amended as follows:
CHAPTER 2
ADMINISTRATION
ARTICLE III. AGENCIES, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
DIVISION 15. SISTER CITIES PROGRAM
Sec. 2-181. Established; purpose; administration, supporting department.
(a)Established . There is hereby established a Sister Cities Program, whose purposes,
power and duties, composition, membership qualification, and general governing
regulations are as set forth in this section.
(b)Purpose. The purposes and powers and duties of the Sister Cities Program are as
follows:
(1) Cause the people of the city and the people of foreign cities to acquire a
consciousness of each other, to understand each other as individuals, as
members of their community, as citizens of their country and as part of the family
of nations;
(2)Promote, as a consequence of such knowledge and consciousness, a
continuing relationship of mutual concern between the people of the city and the
people of its sister cities; and
(3)Promote art, cultural, educational and business exchanges between the city and
its sister cities.
(c) Composition . The council shall consist of coven nine (;9) members. Eight (8W of
these members shall be direct appointments, with two (2)one made by the mayor and
one (1) made by each commissioner. One (1) member shall be appointed at large and
shall be a representative of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce.
(d) Knowledge and experience . The members of the council shall be persons who are
interested in furthering the purpose of the program. The council may establish individual
sister city committees, and any person interested in furthering the purpose of the program
may become a member of an individual sister city committee upon approval by the
council. To qualify, the person shall present a resume and a letter of interest to the
committee chairperson.
SuDDortinq deDartment. The G
Administration shall provide staff support con'o as the supporting dopartmont for the
program and serve as liaison to the council.
2
DocuSign Envelope ID: FDAF26D9-84C0-42F7-9282-098C608A3715
(6)
be established by the city commission by resolution.
+ + +
SECTION 2. CODIFICATION
It is the intention of the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach,
and it is hereby ordained that the provisions of this ordinance shall become and be made
part of the Miami Beach City Code. The sections of this ordinance may be renumbered
or relettered to accomplish such intention, and the word "ordinance" may be changed to
"section," "article," or other appropriate word.
SECTION 3. REPEALER
All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith be and the same are
hereby repealed .
SECTION 4. SEVERABILITY
If any section, subsection, clause or provision of this Ordinance is held invalid, the
remainder shall not be affected by such invalidity.
SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE
This Ordinance shall take effect on the day of ' 2024.
, 2024.PASSED AND ADOPTED this day of
ATTEST:
Steven Meiner, Mayor
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk
(Sponsored by Commissioner Laura Dominguez)
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECLrrioN
a --}I - XL,
Dei
3
DocuSign Envelope ID: FDAF26D9-84C0-42F7-9282-098C608A3715