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Resolution 2024-33005 RESOLUTION NO. 2024-33.005 A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPOINTING ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER RICKELLE WILLIAMS AS INTERIM CITY MANAGER UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE CITY COMMISSION APPOINTS A PERMANENT CITY MANAGER AND THE NEW CITY MANAGER COMMENCES THEIR TERM OF EMPLOYMENT, WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT MS. WILLIAMS WILL RETURN TO A PERMANENT POSITION NOT LESS SENIOR THAN HER CURRENT POSITION AS AN ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER ONCE THE PERMANENT CITY MANAGER'S EMPLOYMENT TERM COMMENCES; AUTHORIZING THE CHAIR OF THE FINANCE AND ECONOMIC RESILIENCY COMMITTEE TO NEGOTIATE THE TERMS OF AN INTERIM CITY MANAGER EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH MS. WILLIAMS, WHICH AGREEMENT WILL BE SUBJECT TO FINAL APPROVAL BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION AT THE MAY 15, 2024 CITY COMMISSION MEETING; AND FURTHER, DIRECTING THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT TO COMMENCE THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS FOR THE SELECTION OF A PERMANENT CITY MANAGER, AND PROVIDE AN UPDATE TO THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION NOT LATER THAN THE MAY 15, 2024 CITY COMMISSION MEETING. WHEREAS, on March 28, 2024, City Manager Alina T. Hudak submitted her letter of resignation to the Mayor and City Commission; and WHEREAS, subsequently, Ms. Hudak advised the City Commission that her last day as the City Manager would be June 26, 2024; and WHEREAS, based on the City Commission's desire to level the playing field for the recruitment process for the permanent City Manager p3sition, the City Commission determined that it would only appoint an Interim City Manager who would agree not to apply for the permanent position; and WHEREAS, following Ms. Hudak's resignation, on April 3, 2024, the City Commission appointed Assistant City Manager Rickelle Williams to serve as Interim City Manager, effective April 4, 2024, until such time as a permanent City Manager is selected and commences the term of their employment, with Ms. Hudak to provide support to the Interim Manager during the transition period through June 26, 2024; and WHEREAS, Ms. Williams, who started her career with the City of Miami Beach as Economic Development Director in September 2020, is a dedicated public servant with an outstanding work ethic, and was promoted to Assistant City Manager in November 2022; and WHEREAS, as Interim City Manager, Ms. Williams shall report directly to the City Commission and exercise all powers of the City Manager, and return to a permanent position not less senior than her current position as an Assistant City Manager once a permanent City Manager is appointed and commences the term of their employment; and WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission authorize the Chair of the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee to negotiate the terms of an Interim City Manager Employment Agreement with Ms. Williams, which Agreement will be subject to final approval by the Mayor and City Commission at the May 15, 2024 City Commission meeting; and WHEREAS, furthermore, the Human Resources Department is directed to initiate the recruitment process for the selection of a permanent City Manager and provide an update to the Mayor and City Commission not later than the May 15, 2024 City Commission meeting. 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 appoint Assistant City Manager. Rickelle Williams as Interim City Manager until such time as the City Commission appoints a permanent City Manager and the new City Manager commences their term of employment, with the understanding that Ms. Williams will return to a permanent position not less senior than her current position as an Assistant City Manager once the permanent City Manager's employment term commences; authorize the Chair of the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee to negotiate the terms of an Interim City Manager Employment Agreement with Ms. Williams, which Agreement will be subject to final approval by the Mayor and City Commission at the May 15,2024 City Commission meeting;and further, direct the Human Resourced Department to commence the recruitment process for the selection of a permanent City Manager, and provide an update to the Mayor and City Commission not later than the May 15, 2024 City Commission meeting. PASSED and ADOPTED this 3rd day of April, 2024. ATTEST: 7.xf, APR 2024 Steven Meiner, Mayor Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM&LANGUAGE • &FOR EXECUTION ti 'y, • City Attorney Date It 's INCORP ORAAED s . 'Or �Q�,. ,, •26 New Business and Commission Requests-R9 AO MIAMI BEACH COMMISSION MEMORANDUM TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission FROM: Mayor Steven Meiner DATE: April 3,2024 SUBJECT: DISCUSS/TAKE ACTION,SELECTION OF NEW CITY MANAGER. BACKGROUND/HISTORY Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying?No If so,specify name of lobbyist(s)and principal(s): N/A ANALYSIS On March 28, 2024, City Manager Aline T. Hudak provided the City Commission with 90 days prior notice, a copy of which is attached hereto, that she is stepping down at the end of June,following her successful execution of the City Commission's Spring Break 2024 Action Plan. Under the City Charter, the Mayor and City Commission appoint the City Manager, the chief executive officer of the City who is responsible to the City Commission for the proper administration of the City's affairs. In view of the many challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, and the momentum the City Commission has achieved in just a few short months on many matters, I believe that it is in the best interest of the City to move forward with a City Manager selection swiftly. I know my colleagues will join me in thanking City Manager Hudak for her professionalism and service to our City. I look forward to discussing this matter at the April 3, 2024 City Commission meeting, in an effort to proceed with a selection which provides for stability and continuity for this critical management role. SUPPORTING SURVEY DATA N/A FINANCIAL INFORMATION N/A Is this a"Residents Right to Does this item utilize G.O. Know"item,_pursuant to Bond Funds? City Code Section 2-14? No No Legislative Tracking Mayor Steven Meiner ATTACHMENTS: Description Alina T.Hudak,City Manager Resignation Letter MIAMI EA City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive,Miami Beach,Florida 33139,www.miamibeachfl.gov Alina T. Hudak, City Manager Tel:305-673-7010 1 . March 28, 2024 Dear Mayor and Commissioners: I am writing this letter, pursuant to Section 10 of my Employment Agreement, as notice of my decision to resign as City Manager, effective 90 days from today on June 26, 2024. Please know, as always, I am committed to working day and night on behalf of our city until the end of my tenure. It has been one of my greatest career achievements to serve as the City Manager of this beautiful, historic and global destination. When I was appointed Manager in April 2021, the City was still in the throes of the COVID- 19 response. Financially, we had many unknowns. We were struggling and fighting for every penny of federal funding. We were vaccinating, testing and simultaneously dealing with high-impact weekends on our streets. Many labor issues had been pending, contracts had been on hold and construction projects had been suspended. Our workforce was not only battling the spread of COVID-19 at home and at work, but it was also taking on special response projects in addition to the day-to-day responsibilities. Marked by uncertainty and anxiety, this was a difficult time for everyone. We have faced other challenges in the last few years as well, including the coordination of one of our largest disaster responses following the horrific collapse of the Champlain Towers South condominium in neighboring Surfside. We also had our own infrastructure emergencies and storm activations.The month of March and Memorial Day weekends challenged us and our resources for multiple years. The collective "we" stabilized the City —allowing it to continuously thrive. Millions of dollars in capital projects and groundbreakings are regular occurrences once again, and our public safety data shows violent crime has significantly decreased. Today, I am proud to leave a City that is financially sound and in the best position it has been in a long time. Reserves are stronger than ever in Miami Beach history. Our bond ratings are outstanding, and our two most recent general obligation bonds are on track to change the face of our City dramatically as our tourism-based economy and brand continue to grow. As many of you know, I am happiest when I am out in the field and on the streets with our many employees as they deliver direct services. To all of them—from our First Responders to our Code Officers, Park Rangers, Parking Enforcement Officers, Public Works and Sanitation crews—every employee who is out every day and night— I'm sincerely grateful for your selfless service. Our over 2,000 employees embody the true definition of public service. They have been the highlight of my city leadership. We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live,work,and ploy in our vibrant,tropical, historic community. To our dedicated and accomplished leadership team, I am indebted for your commitment, creativity and willingness to take on any task that I have asked of you. I want to take a special moment to thank my colleagues and fellow charter officers, City Attorney Rafael Paz and City Clerk Ralph Granado. They too have been instrumental in the success that we have enjoyed. To my very small, but mighty, senior team and all who work in the City Manager's Office, THANK YOU. Your dedication, loyalty and work ethic are much appreciated and valued. It has been my honor to serve with all of you. You are not just my professional colleagues, but forever my extended family. There is always much more to be done. The day-to-day operation of the City is challenging • enough without all the ambitious projects we have pending over the next five years. I am confident the team I am leaving in place will provide continuity and outstanding support for our next City Manager. To each of you current and past elected officials, thank you for your support, leadership and friendship. I want to express my most sincere appreciation, respect and affection for our beloved City, its residents and businesses. I will always love Miami Beach as much as my Cuban refugee family did so many years ago when we first enjoyed its beautiful beaches and the ocean breeze. Public service is a noble and aspirational profession. I continue to live by the core values that my parents instilled in me—service, integrity, honor, respect, humility and hard work. I leave you with my favorite quote from President Theodore Roosevelt's speech, Man in the Arena: "It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deed could have done them better, the credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming;but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows great enthusiasm..." It has truly been an honor to be the first woman in this arena. Sincere , Lc_.-) Ali T. Hudak City Manager We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live,work,and ploy in our vibrant,tropical, historic community.