Resolution 2024-33168 RESOLUTION NO. 2024-33168 •
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA CALLING FOR
A NOVEMBER 5, 2024 CITY OF MIAMI BEACH SPECIAL
ELECTION, FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUBMITTING TO THE
ELECTORATE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH A
QUESTION ASKING WHETHER THE CITY CHARTER'S
• "CITIZENS' BILL OF RIGHTS" SHOULD BE AMENDED TO
EXPAND UPON ITS EXISTING RIGHTS AND TO
INCORPORATE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY ETHICS
COMMISSION'S POWERS TO ENFORCE AND IMPOSE
PENALTIES (IN ADDITION TO EXISTING CIRCUIT COURT
ENFORCEMENT).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH:
SECTION 1.
In accordance with provisions of the Charter of the City of Miami Beach, Florida
and the general laws of the State of Florida, a Special Election is hereby called and
directed to be held in the City of Miami Beach, Florida, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on
Tuesday, November 5, 2024, for the purpose of submitting to the electorate the question
as set forth hereinafter.
SECTION 2.
That the appropriate and proper Miami-Dade County election officials shall conduct
the said Special Election hereby called, with acceptance of the certification of the results
of said Special Election to be performed by the City Commission. The official returns for
each precinct shall be furnished to the City Clerk of the City of Miami Beach as soon as
the ballots from all precincts have been tabulated.
SECTION 3.
That the said voting precincts in the City of said Special Election shall be as
established by the proper and appropriate Miami-Dade County Election Officials. All
electors shall vote at the polling places and the voting precincts as determined by the
Miami-Dade County Election Officials.'
Pursuant to City Code Section 38-3(b): "...The City Clerk shall further publish, in a newspaper
meeting the requirements set forth in Florida Statute § 50.031 and on the City's website, the
polling places for the election twice, once in the third week and once in the first week prior to the
week in which the election is to be held."
SECTION 4.
Notice of the adoption of this Resolution and of its provisions calling this Special
Election shall be given by publication in the Miami Herald, a newspaper of general
circulation in Miami Beach, Miami-Dade County, Florida. Such publication shall be made
in accordance with the provisions of Section 100.342, Florida Statutes, and Section 38-3
of the Code of the City of Miami Beach.
SECTION 5.
The Notice of Election shall be substantially in the following form:
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA
NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT A SPECIAL ELECTION HAS BEEN CALLED
BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH,
FLORIDA, AND WILL BE HELD IN SAID CITY FROM 7:00 A.M. UNTIL 7:00 P.M.
ON THE 5th DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2024, AT WHICH TIME THERE SHALL BE
SUBMITTED TO THE DULY REGISTERED AND QUALIFIED VOTERS OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH THE FOLLOWING QUESTION:
Charter's "Citizens' Bill of Rights": Amending Existing Rights, Incorporating
County Ethics Commission's Enforcement
Shall Bill of Rights be amended:
• expanding existing right to public records, right to no unreasonable
postponements, and right to notice and be heard on City matters, amendments
including: limits on deferring agenda items, increased public hearings and
notice requirements;
• incorporating Code Chapter 62 "Human Relations" classification categories (on
which discrimination is prohibited) into "Nondiscrimination" rights;
• incorporating Miami-Dade County Ethics Commission's powers to enforce and
impose penalties (in addition to existing Circuit Court enforcement)?
Yes
No
Said Notice shall further set forth pertinent information regarding eligibility of electors to
participate in said elections.
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SECTION 6.
That the official ballot to be used in the Special Election to be held on November
5, 2024, hereby called, shall be in substantially the following form, to-wit:
"OFFICIAL BALLOT"
Charter's "Citizens' Bill of Rights": Amending Existing Rights, Incorporating
County Ethics Commission's Enforcement
Shall Bill of Rights be amended:
• expanding existing right to public records, right to no unreasonable
postponements, and right to notice and be heard on City matters, amendments
including: limits on deferring agenda items, increased public hearings and
notice requirements;
• incorporating Code Chapter 62 "Human Relations" classification categories (on
which discrimination is prohibited) into "Nondiscrimination" rights;
• incorporating Miami-Dade County Ethics Commission's powers to enforce and
impose penalties (in addition to existing Circuit Court enforcement)?
Yes
No
SECTION 7.
The form of the ballots to be used in this Special Election and their preparation
shall be in compliance with all statutory requirements relating to the use of mechanical or
other approved voting machines or devices.
SECTION 8.
Registration of persons desiring to vote in the Special Election shall be in
accordance with the general law of the State of Florida governing voter registration.
Qualified persons may obtain registration forms to vote at the Office of the City Clerk, City
Hall, 1700 Convention Center Drive, First Floor, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, during
normal business hours, and at such other voter registration centers and during such times
as may be provided by the Supervisor of Elections of Miami-Dade County. The Miami-
Dade County Supervisor of Elections will register voters for this Special Election until
October 7, 2024. All persons eligible to vote at this Special Election must be registered
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by the date set forth herein or have registered previously, as provided by law. Each person
desiring to become a registered voter shall be responsible for properly filling out the
registration form and returning it to the Miami-Dade County Elections Department. All
questions concerning voter registration should be directed to the Miami-Dade County
Elections Department, 2700 N.W. 87th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33172; Telephone: (305)
499-VOTE (8683).
SECTION 9.
That voters participating via a Vote-by-Mail ballot in said Special Election shall be
entitled to cast their ballots in accordance with the provisions of the Laws of the State of
Florida with respect to such voting. All questions concerning Vote-by-Mail ballots should
be directed to the Miami-Dade County Elections Department, 2700 N.W. 87" Avenue,
Miami, Florida 33172; Telephone: (305) 499-VOTE (8683).
SECTION 10.
That the City of Miami Beach shall pay all expenses for conducting this Special
Election and will pay to Miami-Dade County or directly to all persons or firms, upon receipt
of invoice or statement approved by the Supervisor of Elections of Miami-Dade County,
Florida.
SECTION 11.
That if the Charter Amendment provided for in Sections 5 and 6 above shall be
approved by a majority of the qualified electors of the City voting on the subject Charter
Amendment, it shall be considered adopted and effective upon the City Commission's
acceptance of certification of final election results.
SECTION 12.
Upon the Charter Amendment's approval by a majority of the qualified electors of
the City voting on such measure in the election and the City Commission's acceptance of
certification of final election returns, the City Clerk is hereby directed to have the subject
Charter amendment incorporated into the City Charter, file such Amendment with the
Clerk of the Circuit Court and file the revised Charter with the Department of State.
SECTION 13.
In the event that some, but not all, of the Charter amendments on the City's subject
November 5, 2024 Special Election ballot are approved by the electors, conforming
amendments shall be deemed to be adopted, and the City Attorney is authorized to reflect
and implement such revisions to the Charter, to the extent necessary to assure that all
amendments adopted conform to one another and to all remaining Charter provisions. If
conflicting amendments are adopted at the same election, the one receiving the greatest
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number of affirmative votes shall prevail to the extent of such conflict.
SECTION 14.
If any section, sentence, clause or phrase of this Resolution or of the ballot
measure or Charter Amendment set forth in Exhibit A and incorporated herein is held to
be invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, then said holding
shall in no way affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Resolution, ballot
measure or Charter Amendment.
SECTION 15.
This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 621 day of 7uty , 2024.
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ATTEST:
EN MEINER
7alf ,,,,,,,,,, MAYOR
RAFAEL E. GRANADO �??� gc ;,
CITY CLERK F. ;
INLORP ORATED
(Sponsored by the Mayor and City Commission)
APPROVED AS TO
FORM AND LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
Attorney ��Date
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EXHIBIT "A"
CITY CHARTER AMENDMENT RE:
CITIZENS' BILL OF RIGHTS-AMENDING EXISTING RIGHTS
AND INCORPORATING COUNTY ETHICS COMMISSION'S ENFORCEMENT
JURISDICTION
BALLOT QUESTION AND PROPOSED AMENDED CITY CHARTER TEXT
NOVEMBER 5, 2024 SPECIAL ELECTION
Ballot Question:
Charter's "Citizens' Bill of Rights": Amending Existing Rights, Incorporating
County Ethics Commission's Enforcement
Shall Bill of Rights be amended:
• expanding existing right to public records, right to no unreasonable
postponements, and right to notice and be heard on City matters, amendments
including: limits on deferring agenda items, increased public hearings and notice
requirements;.
• incorporating Code Chapter 62 "Human Relations" classification categories (on
which discrimination is prohibited) into "Nondiscrimination" rights;
• incorporating Miami-Dade County Ethics Commission's powers to enforce and
impose penalties (in addition to existing Circuit Court enforcement)?
Proposed Amended Charter Text:
CITIZENS' BILL OF RIGHTS
(A) This government has been created to protect the governed, not the governing. In
order to provide the public with full and accurate information, to promote efficient
administrative management, to make government more accountable, and to insure
to all persons fair and equitable treatment, the following rights are guaranteed:
1. Convenient access. Every person has the right to transact business with the City
with a minimum of personal inconvenience. It shall be the duty of the City
Manager and the City Commission to provide, within the City's budget
limitations, reasonably convenient times and places for required inspections,
and for transacting business with the City. . .
2. Truth in government. No municipal official or employee shall knowingly furnish
false information on any public matter, nor knowingly omit significant facts when
giving requested information to members of the public.
3. Public.records. All audits, reports, minutes, documents and other public records
of the City and its boards, agencies, departments and authorities shall be open
for inspection and copying, 'consistent with the requirements of the State of
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Florida's public records laws, at reasonable times and places convenient to the
public.
4. Minutes and ordinance register. The City Clerk shall maintain and make
available for public inspection an ordinance register separate from the minutes
showing the votes of each member on all ordinances and resolutions2 listed by
descriptive title. Written minutes of all meetings and the ordinance:register shall
be available for public inspection not later than thirty (30). days after the
conclusion:of the meeting.
5. Right to be heard So far as the orderly conduct of public business permits, any
interested person has the right to appear before the City.Commission or any City
agency, board or department for the presentation, adjustment or determination
of an issue, request or controversy within the jurisdiction of the.City. Matters
shall be scheduled for the convenience of the public;:and the agenda shall:be
divided into approximate time periods so that the public may know approximately
when a matter will be heard. Nothing herein shall prohibit the City or any agency
thereof from imposing reasonable time:limits for the presentation of a matter
At each-regular meeting of the City Commission there shall be.two Dr. Stanley
Sutnick Citizens' Forums, both attended by a quorum of the City Commission,
one to be held at the meeting's commencement and one to be held after 12:00
noon, at which members of the public shall have'an opportunity to address the
City Commission on matters relating to the City. The City Commission shall
establish bV ordinance procedural rules of order consistent with:this Section
which are necessary for the efficient and effective operation.of the Sutnick
Forums, including setting the order and scope of public items for discussion at
each of the Sutnick Forums.
6. Right to notice. Persons entitled to notice of a.City hearing shall be timely
informed as to the time, place and nature of the hearing and the legal authority
pursuant to which the hearing is:to be held. Failure by an individual to receive
such notice shall not constitute mandatory grounds for canceling the hearing,or
rendering invalid any determination made at such hearing. Copies of proposed
ordinances or resolutions shall be made availableat a reasonable time prior to
the hearing, unless the matter involves an emergency ordinance or resolution.
The City shall also provide targeted neighborhood:notice, timely opportunities
for input, and procedural fairness in hearings .for any proposed policy,
• 2 Editor's note(s)-The following footnote to this section on.citizen's bill of rights was adopted with the
Charter:1"Ordinance"means an official legislative action of the Miami Beach City Commission,which action
is a regulation of a general and permanent nature and enforceable as a local law. "Resolution" means an
expression of the Miami Beach City Commission concerning matters of administration,an expression of a
temporary character, or a provision for the disposition of a particular item of the administrative business of
the Miami Beach:City Commission:
3 See also Miami Beach City Code Section 2-1, entitled "Reasonable Opportunity to be Heard.". • .
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ordinance, project, or other matter that impacts residents' quality of life, as
defined by Ordinance.4
7. No unreasonable postponements. No matter once having been placed on a
formal agenda by the City shall be postponed to another day except for good
cause shown in the opinion of the City Commission, or agency conducting such
meeting, and then only on condition that any person so requesting is mailed
adequate notice of the new date of any postponed meeting. Failure by an
individual to receive such notice shall not constitute mandatory grounds for
canceling the hearing or rendering invalid .any determination made at such
hearing.
Any City Commission agenda item that (i) has been deferred. by the City
Commission member who has sponsored the item and (ii) has not been heard within 3 reqularly-scheduled City Commission meetinqs followinq the meeting
date the item was first placed on a City Commission agenda shall be
automatically withdrawn, and no item based on the. same proposal may be
placed on another :City Commission meeting agenda within the following 3
reqularly-scheduled City Commission meetings unless this provision is waived
by a six-sevenths vote of the City Commission.
8. Right to public hearing. Upon a timely request of any interested party a public
hearing shall be held by any City agency, board, department or authority upon
any significant policy decision to be issued by it which is not subject to
subsequent administrative or legislative review and hearing. This provision shall
not apply to the law department of the City nor to any body whose duties and
responsibilities are solely advisory.
At any zoning or other hearing in which review is exclusively by certiorari, a,party
or his counsel shall be entitled to present .his case or defense by oral or
documentary evidence, to submit rebuttal evidence, and to conduct such cross-
examination as may be required for a full and true disclosure of the facts. The
decision of any such agency, board, department or authority must bebased
upon the facts in the record. Procedural rules establishing reasonable time and
other limitations may be promulgated and amended from time to time.
9. Notice of action and reasons. Prompt notice shall be:given of the denial in whole •
Or in part of a request of an interested person made in connection- with any
municipal administrative decision or proceeding when the decision is reserved
at the conclusion of the hearing. The notice shall be accompanied by a statement
of the grounds for denial.
10. Managers' and attorneys' reports. The City Manager and City Attorney shall
periodically make a public status report on all major matters pending or
concluded within their respective jurisdictions.
11 Budgeting. In addition to any budget required by state statute,-the City Manager
shall prepare a budget showing the cost of each department:for each budget
year. Prior to the City Commission's first public hearing on the proposed budget
4 See Miami Beach City Code Section 2-17, entitled "Residents' Right to Know."
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required by state law, the City Manager shall make public a budget summary
setting forth the proposed cost of each individual department and reflecting the
personnel for each department, the purposes therefor, the estimated millage
cost of each department and the amount of any contingency and carryover funds
for each department.
12. Quarterly budget comparisons. The City Manager shall make public a quarterly
report showing the actual expenditures during the quarter just ended against one
quarter of the proposed annual expenditures set forth in the budget. Such report
shall also reflect the same cumulative information for whatever portion of the
fiscal year that has elapsed.
13. Adequate audits. An annual audit of the City shall be made by an independent
certified public accounting firm in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. The independent City Auditor shall be appointed by the City
Commission; both appointment and removal of the independent City Auditor
shall be made by the City Commission. A summary of the results of the
independent City Auditor's annual audit, including any deficiencies found, shall
be made public. In making such audit, proprietary functions shall be audited
separately and adequate depreciation on proprietary facilities shall be accrued
so the public may determine the amount of any direct or indirect subsidy. Duties,
method of selection, and method of compensation of the independent City
Auditor shall be established by ordinance.
14. Representation of public. The City Commission shall endeavor to provide
representation at all proceedings significantly affecting the City and its residents
before state and federal regulatory bodies.
15. Natural resources and scenic beauty. It shall be the policy of the City of Miami
Beach to conserve and protect its natural resources and scenic beauty, which
policy shall include the abatement of air and water pollution and of excessive
and unnecessary noise.
16. Nondiscrimination. No person shall be deprived of any rights and privileges
conferred by law because of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual
orientation, disability, marital status, familial status, er-age, or any other
classification category set forth in City Code Chapter 62, entitled "Human
Relations."
17. Nondiscrimination in City Employment and Benefits. The City of Miami Beach
shall not discriminate in employment practices and benefits offered based upon
an employee or applicant's race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual
orientation, gender identity, disability, marital status, familial status, er—age, or
any other classification category set forth in City Code Chapter 62, entitled
"Human Relations."
18. Ethics in Government. The public's confidence and trust in City of Miami Beach
operations and government must meet the most demanding ethical standards
and demonstrate the highest level of achievement in its adherence to ethics
laws. City of Miami Beach officials and employees are agents of the people and
hold their positions for the benefit of the public—as public servants, they are to
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observe in their official acts a high standard of conduct and to discharge faithfully
the duties of their office regardless of personal considerations and interests,
recognizing that promoting the public interest and maintaining the respect of the
people in their government must be of foremost concern. In upholding the values
of accountability and responsibility, all city officials and employees shall abide
by applicable codes of ethical conduct, and be subject to all penalties provided
for in such regulations.
19. Improvement of Public Educational Facilities available to Miami Beach Citizenry.
It shall be the policy of the City of Miami Beach to cooperate with the Miami-
Dade County public schools, and with other appropriate governmental agencies,
which will strive to improve the quality and quantity of public educational facilities
available to the citizenry of the City of Miami Beach, Florida.
20. City Assistance to Condominium and Co-op Owners. The City of Miami Beach
hereby acknowledges the purpose and duties of the City's Administration as
assisting condominium and co-op owners to navigate through the City's
permitting process; to facilitate the resolution of other condominium-related
issues with other outside agencies; and to act as a liaison between condominium
or co-op owners, management firms and the City.
(B) The foregoing enumeration of citizens' rights vests large and pervasive powers in the
citizenry of the City of Miami Beach. Such power necessarily carries with it
responsibility of equal magnitude for the successful operation of government in the
City. The orderly, efficient and fair operation of government requires the intelligent
participation of individual citizens exercising their rights with dignity and restraint so
as to avoid any sweeping acceleration in the cost of government because of the
exercise of individual prerogatives, and for individual citizens to grant respect for the
dignity of public office.
(C) Remedies for violations.5
Pursuant to Miami-Dade County law, as may be amended from time to time, and
concurrent with the Miami-Dade County Circuit Court's jurisdiction over suits alleging
violations of this Bill of Rights, the Miami-Dade County Commission on Ethics and Public
Trust has jurisdiction to enforce the provisions of this Bill of Rights and may impose any
penalty authorized by County Code not otherwise prohibited by a collective bargaining
agreement, for a violation of this Bill of Rights, and any penalty imposed by the
5 See Resolution No. 2024- at Exhibit"A", setting forth corresponding ballot measure
and proposed Charter text amendments to subsection (C) of Citizens' Bill of Rights' re:
Forfeiture Remedy, said Resolution calling City's November 5, 2024 Special Election on
said measure.
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Commission on Ethics and Public Trust pursuant to this subsection may be enforced in
the Miami-Dade County Circuit Court.
(D) Construction. All provisions of this article Bill of Rights shall be construed to be
supplementary to and not in conflict with the general laws of Florida. If any part of this
a ticle Bill of Rights shall be declared invalid, it shall not affect the validity of the remaining
provisions.
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Resolutions-C7 C
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: City Clerk Rafael E. Granado
City Attorney Ricardo J. Dopico
DATE: July 24, 2024
TITLE: 1. CHARTER REVIEW BILL OF RIGHTS
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA CALLING FOR A NOVEMBER 5, 2024 CITY OF MIAMI
BEACH SPECIAL ELECTION, FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUBMITTING TO THE
ELECTORATE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH A QUESTION ASKING WHETHER
THE CITY CHARTER'S"CITIZENS' BILL OF RIGHTS"SHOULD BE AMENDED TO
EXPAND UPON ITS EXISTING RIGHTS AND TO INCORPORATE MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY ETHICS COMMISSION'S POWERS TO ENFORCE AND IMPOSE
PENALTIES (IN ADDITION TO EXISTING CIRCUIT COURT ENFORCEMENT).
2. CHARTER REVIEW BILL OF RIGHTS-FORFEITURE
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR R AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA CALLING FOR A NOVEMBER 5, 2024 CITY OF MIAMI
BEACH SPECIAL ELECTION, FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUBMITTING TO THE
ELECTORATE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH A QUESTION ASKING WHETHER
THE CITY CHARTER'S "CITIZENS' BILL OF RIGHTS" SHOULD BE AMENDED
REGARDING ITS CIRCUIT COURT FORFEITURE REMEDY FOR WILLFUL
VIOLATIONS OF BILL OF RIGHTS, TO PROVIDE THAT FORFEITURE IS
SUBJECT TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS (PER STATE LAW)
AND TO ESTABLISH SUCH FORFEITURE REMEDY AS DISCRETIONARY
INSTEAD OF MANDATORY BASED UPON COURT'S DETERMINATION THAT
THE VIOLATOR HAS COMMITTED REPEATED VIOLATIONS OF BILL OF
RIGHTS.
3. CHARTER REVIEW- CHARTER 1.03(C) SALE/LEASE
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA CALLING FOR A NOVEMBER 5, 2024 CITY OF MIAMI
BEACH SPECIAL ELECTION, FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUBMITTING TO THE
ELECTORATE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH A QUESTION ASKING WHETHER
CITY CHARTER SECTION 1.03 SHOULD BE AMENDED TO REQUIRE MAJORITY
VOTER APPROVAL FOR ALL RIGHT-OF-WAY VACATIONS, SALES, AND
LEASES(10 YEARS OR MORE)OF CITY PROPERTY;AMEND REQUIREMENTS
FOR SALES/LEASESNACATIONS; AND AMEND REQUIREMENTS FOR
MANAGEMENT/CONCESSION AGREEMENTS OF 10 YEARS OR MORE.
4. CHARTER REVIEW-CHARTER 2.01 DATE OF ELECTION
A. RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA CALLING FOR A NOVEMBER 5, 2024 CITY OF MIAMI
•
BEACH SPECIAL ELECTION, FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUBMITTING TO THE
ELECTORATE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH A QUESTION ASKING WHETHER
THE CITY CHARTER SHOULD BE AMENDED TO MOVE CITY'S RUNOFF
ELECTION DATE FROM 2 WEEKS AFTER CITY'S GENERAL ELECTION TO
SECOND TUESDAY IN DECEMBER IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING CITY'S
GENERAL ELECTION, ESTABLISH INSTALLATION/ COMMENCEMENT OF
Page 459 of 1750
TERMS DATE AS MONDAY IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING DATE OF RUNOFF
ELECTION, AND IN ORDER TO CONFORM WITH AND ENSURE AN ORDERLY
TRANSITION TO THE ABOVE CHARTER AMENDMENTS, PROVIDE THAT
EXISTING COMMISSION MEMBERS' TERMS EXPIRING NOVEMBER 2025 AND
NOVEMBER 2027 SHALL BE RESPECTIVELY EXTENDED TO THOSE YEARS'
DECEMBER INSTALLATION DATE.
5. CHARTER REVIEW - CHARTER 2.05 PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ONLINE
NOTICES
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA CALLING FOR A NOVEMBER 5, 2024 CITY OF MIAMI
BEACH SPECIAL ELECTION, FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUBMITTING TO THE
ELECTORATE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH A QUESTION ASKING WHETHER
CITY CHARTER SECTION 2.05 SHOULD BE AMENDED TO REQUIRE TWO
PUBLIC HEARINGS INSTEAD OF ONE FOR PROPOSED CITY ORDINANCES
(SUBJECT TO EXISTING EXCEPTIONS), AND TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY'S
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONAL PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF PROPOSED
ORDINANCES ON A PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE WEBSITE IN ACCORDANCE WITH
CHAPTER 50, FLORIDA STATUTES, INSTEAD OF REQUIRING PUBLICATION
OF SUCH NOTICES ONLY IN A NEWSPAPER OF GENERAL CIRCULATION
WITHIN CITY.
6. CHARTER REVIEW-CHARTER 2.07 VACANCIES
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA CALLING FOR A NOVEMBER 5, 2024 CITY OF MIAMI
BEACH SPECIAL ELECTION, FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUBMITTING TO THE
ELECTORATE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH A QUESTION ASKING WHETHER
CITY CHARTER SECTION 2.07, "VACANCIES IN CITY COMMISSION," SHOULD
BE AMENDED TO REQUIRE AN ELECTION TO FILL A VACANCY UNLESS THE
CITY COMMISSION MAKES AN APPOINTMENT TO FILL THE VACANCY WITHIN
30 DAYS, PROVIDE THAT COMMISSION'S POWER TO APPOINT SHALL
COMMENCE UPON VACANCY OR SUBMITTAL OF RESIGNATION (IF FILED)
INSTEAD OF 30 DAYS LATER, REQUIRE APPOINTMENTS BY REMAINING
COMMISSION MEMBERS BE APPROVED ON A SUPER-MAJORITY (MAJORITY
PLUS 1) VOTE INSTEAD OF MAJORITY VOTE, AND CLARIFY ELECTION AND
INSTALLATION DATES REGARDING VACANCIES DUE TO RESIGNATION.
7. CHARTER REVIEW—CONFORMING
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA CALLING FOR A NOVEMBER 5, 2024 CITY OF MIAMI
BEACH SPECIAL ELECTION, FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUBMITTING TO THE
ELECTORATE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH A QUESTION ASKING WHETHER
THE CITY CHARTER SHOULD BE AMENDED TO CLARIFY THE ONE-YEAR
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT TO QUALIFY FOR OFFICE AS "IMMEDIATELY"
PRIOR TO QUALIFYING, CLARIFY FILING REQUIREMENTS FOR QUALIFYING
BY PETITION (CHARTER SECTION 6.03); CLARIFY AND CONFORM TO
FLORIDA LAW THE RESTRICTION ON QUALIFYING FOR MORE THAN 1 CITY
OFFICE, REPLACE CERTAIN OBSOLETE REFERENCE TO "COMMISSIONER"
WITH "COMMISSION MEMBER" (CHARTER SECTION 2.01); AND CONFORM
CHARTER SECTION 1.07 TO INCLUDE ALL NONDISCRIMINATION
CLASSIFICATION CATEGORIES IN CHAPTER 62 OF THE CITY CODE.
RECOMMENDATION
Page 460 of 1750
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
In accordance with Section 8.01 of the Miami Beach City Charter, the Ad Hoc Advisory Charter
Review and Revision Board (the "Charter Review Board" or "Board") has reviewed and
transmitted recommendations for proposed Charter Amendments intended to enhance
governance, transparency, and citizen engagement in Miami Beach. The recommendations
presented represent the Board's best efforts to address key themes identified during its review
process:
1. Enhanced Bill of Rights with improved mechanisms to protect residents' rights.
2. Enhanced protections for public land.
3. Enhanced transparency, ethics, electoral process, and compensation adjustment.
4. Enhanced opportunities for public input and engagement.
5. Clarifications and "clean up".
The Mayor and each member of the City Commission directly appointed the Members of the
Charter Review Board. The term of the Board commenced on February 6, 2023, and expired on
June 30, 2024. The Board's members included:
• Jorge M. Gonzalez, Chair;
• Ronald Starkman, Vice Chair;
• Michael Band, Esquire;
• Julie Basner;
• Elizabeth Latone; and
• Samuel Rabin, Esquire.
Note: Brian Goldberg, who was originally appointed in 2023, served on the Board until November
16, 2023.
The Board held eighteen public meetings between February 6, 2023 and April 16, 2024. The
Board ensured transparency and public participation by holding evening meetings, live-streaming
sessions, and engaging with various stakeholders, including City officials, neighborhood-based
organizations, and residents.
The Charter Review Board's recommendations were meticulously crafted and unanimously
approved by the Board. The Board's Final Report and Recommendations were transmitted to the
City Commission on May 3, 2024, via LTC 170-2024.At its meetings on May 15, 2024, and June
26, 2024, the City Commission held two Committee of the Whole discussions to discuss the
Charter Review Board's recommendations and provide direction to the City Attorney and City
Clerk on the proposed Amendments (including which Amendments to proceed with).
ANALYSIS
PROPOSED CITY CHARTER AMENDMENTSF'I
Pursuant to the Mayor and Commissioners' analysis and discussions of the Charter Review
Board's Report setting forth its recommended City Charter amendments, the attached
Resolutions have been prepared calling for a City of Miami Beach Special Election to be held on
November 5, 2024 [21 for the purpose of submitting to the City's voters the following seven (7)
proposed Charter amendments, briefly summarized as follows.
• Charter's "Citizens' Bill of Rights"-Amending Existing Rights, etc.: Expand existing rights to
public records, to no unreasonable postponements, to notice and be heard on City matters;
incorporate all City Code Chapter 62 classification categories into "Nondiscrimination" rights;
incorporate enforcement powers of Miami-Dade County Ethics Commission.
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• Charter's "Citizens' Bill of Rights"—Amending Circuit Court Forfeiture Remedy: Provide that
the"forfeiture of office or employment"judicial remedy for willful violations of the Bill of Rights
is subject to terms of collective bargaining agreements (per State law); establish such
forfeiture remedy is discretionary with the Court instead of mandatory, based upon the Court's
determination that the violator has committed repeated violations of the Bill of Rights.
• Charter Section 1.03"Sale/Lease of City Property,etc.": Amend existing requirements for the
sale/lease/disposition of City property to require majority voter approval for the sale/lease (10
years or more) of City property and right-of-way vacations (includes changing approval for
Convention Center Campus/Parking Lots.from 60%to majority); as well as advisory Planning
Board review,planning analysis,appraisal,competitive bidding (for sales/leases),and a public
hearing. For management/concession agreements (10 years or more), require a 6/7ths vote
of the City Commission, public hearing, and advisory review by the Planning Board. This
measure would apply to any sale, lease (10 years or more), vacation, or agreement awarded
pursuant to a competitive bidding process (if applicable) or waiver of such process approved
by the City Commission after November 5, 2024.
• Charter Section 2.01 "City Commission Elections": (Per request of the Miami-Dade County
Elections Supervisor that the City's 2-week gap between its General and Runoff Election be
increased to at least 4 weeks) Change the date of City's Runoff Election from 2 weeks after
City's November General Election to the second Tuesday in December immediately following
said General Election; establish installation/commencement of terms as the Monday
immediately following the date of Runoff Election; to conform to above, provide that existing
Commission members' terms expiring November 2025 and November 2027 are extended to
those years' respective December installation date.
• Charter Section 2.05"Public hearings and Public Notice": Require two public hearings instead
of one for proposed City ordinances; authorize City's alternative optional publication of notice
of proposed ordinances on a publicly accessible website per Chapter 50, Florida Statutes,
instead of requiring notice only in newspapers of general circulation within the City.
• Charter Section 2.07 "Vacancies in City Commission": Require election to fill vacancy unless
City Commission timely appoints a person to fill the vacancy; provide when Commission's
power to appoint commences; require appointments by remaining Commission members be
super-majority (majority plus 1) vote instead of majority vote; clarify election and installation
dates regarding vacancies due to resignation.
• Clarify/Conform to Applicable Laws and/or Current Usage ("housekeeping" ballot measure):
Clarify that the one-year residency requirement to qualify as a candidate applies to the year
"immediately" prior to qualifying, clarify filing requirements for qualifying by petition (Charter
6.03); clarify and conform to Florida law restriction against qualifying for more than 1 City
office, replace certain obsolete reference to "Commissioner" with "Commission member"
(Charter 2.01); amend Charter 1.07 to include therein all nondiscrimination classification
categories in Code Chapter 62.
The City Commission should note that per the election schedule of the Miami-Dade County
Elections Supervisor,July 24,2024 is the last regularly scheduled meeting of the City Commission
at which a Resolution may be adopted placing a City ballot question on the November 5, 2024
ballot.
11 The seven(7)Resolutions setting forth each of the proposed Charter amendments are attached
to this Memorandum.
•
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[2]The City Commission should note that any Charter questions adopted pursuant to the Charter
Review Board's recommendations would be in addition to the ballot question approved by the
prior City Commission on July 26, 2023, pursuant to Resolution No. 2023-32719, asking whether
the City should impose a 1%tax on food and beverage sales to address homelessness/domestic
violence. This question was submitted to the County Elections Department for placement on the
November 5, 2024 ballot pursuant to the Commission's prior Resolution.
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
See attached Exhibit— November 5, 2024 MDC Cost Estimate.
Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate?
(FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)
If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE)was published on .
See BIE at: https://www.miamibeachfl.qov/city-halllcity-clerk/meeting-notices)
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CONCLUSION
Applicable Area
Citywide
Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item, Is this item related to a G.O. Bond
pursuant to City Code Section 2-17? Proiect?
No No
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 the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):
Department
City Attorney
Sponsor(s)
Mayor and City Commission
Co-sponsor(s)
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Condensed Title
Referendum Ballot Questions- Charter Review. CA/CC
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